Month: July 2023

… which was a good thing

I’ve had lots of stuff on my to-do list that I had no desire to do when the sun was calling me to come outside.

So today I worked. My tiny house was very much in need of a cleaning/tidying from top to bottom to sideways. I made a dent. I should have done more. It takes discipline. And spite of knowing what needed doing, and in spite of being inside all day and having the time to do it all, I was still tempted to throw down the mop and pick up a book or a ball of wool or a paintbrush! I have too many interests! But I persevered and this evening I am feeling pretty pleased with myself.

Pride in work, in a job well done. Lots of talk amongst the Boomers how the young people today don’t know how to work. That they’re lazy. That they abuse the system. That they think they’re entitled. Not sure I agree. There will always be people who work the system. There will always be people who give a hundred percent plus. I see that not only in the GenX crowd but have seen it in the Boomers as well.

GenY, however, gives me hope. My oldest grandchildren both work. They’re still not much more than babies in my mind but working is good for them. They’re learning important life skills: self-reliance, responsibility, how to communicate, to manage time. And money. All of which result in improved confidence and self-esteem. Most of their friends have summer jobs as well.

I’ve worked since I was a teenager and have pretty much enjoyed everything I’ve done. I’ve long learned you can’t please everyone and not everyone will like you. We are simply too diverse. Too complex and by nature are egocentric. Survival of the fittest perhaps. But far better to be disliked by a few for doing your job than be disliked by many for not doing your job. Work is rarely glamorous but it can bring immense personal satisfaction when you take pride in doing it well. The grandkids are learning that at a young age. It’s all good.

All that from a mop and a bottle of Mr. Clean!

I am having so much fun.

Our annual summer festival celebrates fish, fun, and folk. We’ve celebrated all that and more: family, food, flowers. It’s been a special week and steady go. We visited family and friends on the East coast and all points in between. Barbecues, picnics, boil ups, pub food and coffee cafés. Icebergs, whales, and cod fishing. Weddings and parties. Visitors who feel like family. Lots of colourful and fun things to see and do. I feel I’ve been on a destination holiday without really leaving home.

Last night there were fireworks! Lots! Pug sat beside me outside and enjoyed the pretty lights. I think. He certainly watched. This morning it’s significantly cooler. Sixteen degrees and overcast but with patches of blue in the sky and a promise of twenty-four. A good day to gear down and relax a little. Back to work next week with a focus on doing all those little jobs that wait all year for summer.

But this week, lots of colour everywhere we go!

So this is what summer looks like … I’d forgotten. Day after day after day of blue skies and sunshine. Temperatures in the high twenties and more. Taste of sea salt. Yesterday was another day on the water. Whale watching and jigging for cod. And a good time was had by all.

Yesterday was another sultry summer day. Too hot to do much in the way of outside work. Watered the flowers and that was about it.

Late Afternoon we took to the water. Lots of whales. Mostly – like us – they were just soakin’ along the surface with the occasional blow or shallow dive. The last of the iceberg – I believe it foundered again – has moved way off from the mouth of the harbour. I doubt there will be much left to see today.

A few fish before we headed in and a cool one to cap off another perfect day!

Just a super day yesterday! Something about a wedding … first, second, third or seventh … just kinda pulls at the heartstrings. My favourite moment was when the couple was exchanging vows. The bride reached for her bouquet, pulled out a hanky and passed it to the groom who was touchingly overwhelmed with emotion. Just too sweet! Followed by a delicious meal, fun moments shared, and lots of dancing. The bride wore her flats. I was not quite so smart and my feet will suffer for it today.

Weddings! Twice loved!

My blog is a little like a diary. Personal and therefore somewhat boring – my ‘living large’ is small and quiet – and read by no one but me

and

my one faithful follower.

So this one’s for you sistah!

I commissioned a pet picture from my crazy talented amazing sister as a birthday gift for someone who neither wants or needs anything and thinks his dog is the best dog, hands down, ever!

You may think all pugs look alike. Not a chance. This little fella has personality in droves. He’s funny, mischievous, loving, stubborn, smart and sensitive. Yes, I did say sensitive. But he knows … he just knows … when you need a cuddle! And this pencil drawing – not yet finished – has captured him perfectly! Can’t wait to gift it!

Gave Little Bear a lift to the pond today and because we were a little early, took a road trip to my dad’s hometown. We had a grand chat along the way as I shared with him a little of the family history and we ruminated about how things have changed over the years.

One thing leads to another and I soon found myself reflecting on stories both Mom and Dad had shared with me. ‘I knew he was the one for me the first time I saw him in the post office and I asked Hannah to introduce us.’ (She, Mom, was seventeen) ‘I was always proud to walk into a place with your mother on my arm because every head in the place turned.’ (He was in his seventies when he shared that one with me.) Like everyone, I’m sure they experienced their ups and downs; but if they did, we, as kids, knew nothing of it. Mom absolutely loved going to the New Years Ball. Back then it was a big deal. New gown, high heels, tickets, babysitter, night out. She told me how one year she returned their tickets, thinking that with five children at home the money was better spent. They spent the night home. And dad said ‘never again!’ I don’t remember that night but I do remember New Years Eve, year after year, and Mom looking like a princess. What a shame we don’t do that anymore.

After I dropped Bear off, we did a little excursion out in boat. A trip to Tizzard’s Harbour and a run out to see the iceberg and the whales. Up close and personal. They – the whales – did not disappoint! A very large day!

Looks like it’s going to be another hot one. Again. Not complaining … yet!

This time last year I was recovering from a brush with Covid. Took me down for months and I much prefer this year’s heat – which so far has lasted only a couple days so really not much to complain about. Covid, hopefully, is a thing of the past, though it was most certainly an interesting time in our recent history. For good and for bad. There were Covid Corrections – time with family, a focus on health and wellness, appreciation for the small things that were no longer so small after all – and then there were Covid Mistakes – a resurgence of bad habits born of boredom and Swipe Rights that should have been Swipe Lefts, fuelled by loneliness and a need to connect.

The good is hard to sustain, the not so good difficult to cut from our lives. People spoke frequently about the world ‘correcting itself’. Somewhat simplistic I believe. Rarely is there correction without conscious effort. In anything.

Hot topic. Like the weather.

But the garden continues to flourish … nature prevails.

Mom and I planted tiny rose bushes along the side of the road years ago and let them be. They have grown into a tangle and smell heavenly!

I should probably prune and groom them but that would take conscious effort on this hot glorious summer day.