Snow, snow, and more snow

So.... we have had snowy weather here recently. I know some of you have as well. It has been a challenge with the daily shoveling, snow blowing , and difficulty driving. The mounds of snow are so big that is it hard to determine if the coast is clear to pull out into traffic. I must say it does stress me out a bit. On the other hand, the snow is so beautiful and sparkly, and I enjoy looking at it when I am safely at home. I think Duncan is having fun too, although he seems a bit confused at times with all the snow!

Relaxation time in the log bin!

Tonight there was a beautiful sunset, which reminded me that spring will be here soon.

Have a good week! 😊

Dance Away the Blues

Gurdeep Pandher is a Punjab native who came to Canada in 2006 and is now a Canadian citizen who lives in the Yukon.  He became known for his love of Bhangra- a type of dance he learned as a teenager. 

When the pandemic hit last spring, he decided to take his love of dancing online. He offered weekly fitness classes from his little cabin in the Yukon. These videos went viral.

He has committed to "dancing every single day through the pandemic and converting all the newsfeed into positivity/happiness." 

After reading about Pandher, I started following his Twitter feed. He often posts video clips that show him dancing alone or with others. Often he is outside in the freezing Arctic winter. The pure joy and positive energy reflected in these clips make me incredibly happy.

"I think that being sad for a little bit is OK ... But the thing is, we need to get out of that sadness as quickly as possible for good mental health." Gurdeep Pandher

Can you imagine doing this at -20C?

This one is from last February just before the pandemic hit. 

I was thinking it is too cold today to go out with Mike and Sweet Pea. But now I feel like a wimp- it is only -11 here. ; ))

Enjoy your day, everyone. Make some time to dance. 

Just found this on Gurdeeps' Twitter- He sounds like a lovely person- so is the sender of the card. Words matter. 

It's Super Bowl Weekend!!

It's Super Bowl Weekend!!

We have a fine match-up... The KC Chiefs v TB Buccaneers

There is some guy, a quarterback, named Patrick Mahomes II. He is some hot shot from Texas Tech who played baseball and football for them, he decided to focus on football after his sophomore year. I won't comment on his choice of sports, but I degress. He was a 10th round draft pick, signing with the Chiefs... and he's done quite well there, so I hear. Hey, there is no "I" in team.  He's 25 years old.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hosting the Super Bowl They were nothing until this year (this is my story whether it's true or not, so let me have my fun). No one in New England had ever heard of that team until OUR Tom Brady signed with them. I don't think he needs any introduction, though I would like to remind you all that he's a MICHIGAN guy. Not to play favorites but we, all of New England and all of the UMich fans, are cheering for him and his new team. Did I mention that his buddy Gronk came out of "retirement" so they could play together again? Also too, our TB12 is 43 years old.

All joking aside, this will be a fun game because it's a fantastic match up and should be close game. No matter which team you're cheering for, enjoy the game. Tune in at 6:00 ET for the Kickoff Show to see the wonderful Poet Laureate Amanda Amanda Gorman recite an original poem. 

Happy Monday!

It's time for a few smiles to start the week 😀

 

This happens on a daily basis!

Have a good week everyone!

A New Day!

Congratulations to all my American friends. 

                  A new day, 

A moving inauguration, 

And a chance to move out of the darkness.

                  Today is a day to celebrate. 

Amanda Gorman

Poet Laureate. 22 years old                                                             

                                                         “The Hill We Climb,”

                                           "Where can we find light/In this never-ending shade?”

"We did not feel prepared to be the heirs

Of such a terrifying hour.

But within it we’ve found the power

To author a new chapter,

To offer hope and laughter to ourselves."

"There is always light if only we are brave enough to see it. 

If only we are brave enough to be it." 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9pyMqnBzk

She really was radiant. 

I am bringing P's comment to this post. Thank you, P.

Amanda Gorman "screamed and danced her head off" when she found out she had been chosen to read one of her poems at Joe Biden's inauguration ceremony.

Her poem, The Hill We Climb, is a new composition she said she hoped would "speak to the moment" and "do this time justice".

Born in LA in 1998, Gorman had a speech impediment as a child.

A poignant moment- this brought me to tears. But it is just perfect. 

While Joe Biden gave his inauguration speech, a lone man in a uniform knelt at the Delaware grave of his son Beau.

So many wonderful moments... I keep finding more. The young poet's response to people praising her presentation...

"I would be nowhere without the women whose footsteps I dance in. While reciting my poem, I wore a ring with a caged bird—a gift from Oprahfor the occasion , to symbolize Maya Angelou, a previous inaugural poet. Here’s to the women who have climbed my hills before."

Add your thoughts and your hopes in the comments. As well as your favourite moments from the last day or two.

     

Finding Peace

I told Roxie that I would try to write a post for today. It was more difficult than I imagined. The events of the last week, when we are already trying to deal with the pandemic are almost overwhelming.  I sometimes wonder if it is possible to find moments of peace and even joy when the world around us is in such disarray? If you are like me, it can become all too easy to get sucked into the abyss- reading every terrible detail, watching and rewatching the horror of what is happening, and becoming almost overcome with fear and anxiety. 

A few years ago I was lucky to find the most wonderful therapist named Jan.  She helped me through a really tough time in my life. Here are some of the strategies that have helped me. 

Be Good to Yourself. 

At the end of every session she would give me one beautiful rose as a reminder that it is okay to find the things in life that make us happy. Even when life seems difficult it is okay to find moments of happiness.  A bubble bath, candles, football, our gardens, writing our stories, a walk in the park- whatever works for you. 

Find Your Special Place

When your whole body is reacting to fear or sorrow or stress, close your eyes and picture yourself in a place that brings you comfort. For me, it was Prince Edward Island. I can still close my eyes and see myself there- and I can feel my whole body relax and my fuzzy mind become calmer and clearer. 

 Breathe

Jan taught me a technique called Square Breathing or Box Breathing.  It is really helpful when you get panicky.

Sitting upright, slowly exhale through your mouth, getting all the oxygen out of your lungs. Focus on this intention and be conscious of what you’re doing.

Step 1:  Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose to the count of four. In this step, count to four very slowly in your head. Feel the air fill your lungs, one section at a time, until your lungs are completely full and the air moves into your abdomen.

Step 2: Hold your Breath for a slow count of 4.

Step 3: Exhale through your mouth for the same slow count of four, expelling the air from your lungs and abdomen. Be conscious of the feeling of the air leaving your lungs.

Step 4: Hold your Breath for a slow count of 4. 

You can repeat this sequence no more than 4 times. If you feel dizzy- stop. 

Here is a good demonstration of the technique.   Square Breathing

I hope all of you have strategies to help you get through each day. Roxie and Q are good at sharing posts that bring us moments of happiness. Those beautiful photographs of Cape Cod, the delicious goodies, the laughs. And the sense of community we have here on WTIOC. A place where we can share our fears and our sadness, a place where we can be heard, and a place where it is also okay to be happy. Even when the world around us is in a mess. I thank them both for keeping us going.

What are some of your moments of happiness?

Sending you love,

GJ

A Little Laugh:

A couple of months ago, Mike took apart the old ping pong table we would put out in the garden when the boys were here. He carried all the pieces upstairs to the attic and put it back together again. Then he bought a new net, new balls and new paddles. We have played nearly every day since then. It has kept us sane. Some days we laugh ourselves silly. 

Sometimes Little Mo plops himself down in the middle of the table and we just play over him. Mike isn't really going to hit him. 

Sometimes I manage to hit Mike right in the middle of his forehead with a ball- that brings about uproarious laughter. 

I took a video to show the kids and just made it into a Youtube video to share with you. 

Here is the link. https://youtu.be/_I34k5WAgWc

You need the link to view it. 

Found today on Twitter. I love it.

Happy New Year 2021!!

2020 certainly can't end soon enough. Just a few more hours and we can celebrate the new year! It has been a challenging year for everyone, and hopefully 2021 brings better times. I believe that it will. 😃

  Let's celebrate today with some tasty food and champagne! We can eat and drink and toast to our friendship. 💜

                                                          Happy New Year everyone!!!

Merry Christmas!!

Wishing our WTIOC friends a very Merry Christmas! Though Christmas is quite different this year, I hope you'll all have a wonderful day. 

There's something special about the photos... 

can anyone figure out what it is?