I disagree with the Romans ......

Hibernia, the Land of Eternal Winter,  

was the name given to Ireland by the ancient Romans. But they had obviously never been to western Newfoundland!

Boy oh boy! It's hard work staying on top of one's mental health when all around is cold and snow. And I'm not talking about small stuff! The temperatures for the past 3 weeks have averaged -17 Celcius (approx 1 degree Fahrenheit). Today is -15 with a windchill factor which brings the temperature down to -31 C (-23 F). In these temperatures, even road salt doesn't always do its job; the roads are greasy-feeling beneath one's studded tires (law here in NL). 
As well, here on the west coast of Newfoundland, the snow doesn't stop falling:  I mean really! It snows every single day! It's not always a lot of snow; and we get days with periods of beautiful sunshine (but never a full day of sun). And those periods of sun are usually followed by periods of grey skies and blowing snow. And then there are the snow squalls which can be pretty terrifying as they blow up unexpectedly. My 10-12 min journey home at the end of the day can contain a snow squall sandwiched between sunshine! Sure makes life interesting!

And while the rest of the world is talking daffodils and mud, we will still be talking snow for at least another month and a half. Oh dear! It's around this time of year that life becomes particularly difficult for me (and others, I presume). Cabin fever can be a reality even in the middle of a city!

So, how does one keep up one's spirit? 

Artwork by Mark Sheetey

For me, it involves lots of determination, perseverance and some encouragement -- be it friends, uplifting quotes, meditation and/or prayer, music, or even the occasional tipple or toke (legal here in Canada). Whatever way one can, one crawls doggedly towards the light!

(Other than the dark hair, this picture could totally be my doughy-white arse crawling towards what I hope is a travel agent with a ticket to a hot country with free bar and room service!)

As I always mention, self-care is a huge part of how I get through these long winters. Even in the coldest of temperatures, I try to get outside each day, even if it's only to stand in the driveway for 5-10 minutes. I try to open my windows for a little every day to let in some fresh air:  Mother Nature is so important. I remind myself of the blessings and advantages I have; I try to eat well; I have successful methods to de-stress. But it's almost always a decision I have to make daily to do what I can to keep my head above it all. And my living and spending most of my time alone with another 2 months of winter still ahead means I have to work extra hard. It can be exhausting. 

But isn't it worth it? I mean, if the alternative is crying in the corner, rending my garments and gnashing my teeth, I'll choose laughter and dance every time.  

So, here's to my fellow 'winter workers' who like me are fighting daily to be positive and optimistic .... or to just hang onto your branch .... but are doggedly crawling towards the light. 

Hang in there, Babies. WE ARE WORTH IT!

Happy Weekend

I'm proud and grateful to be an unconventional, radical, unpredictable, spirit-filled, joy spreading Christian woman who knows the love of God and the sacrifice of Christ. 

Have a wonderful, stress-free, love-filled, thankful weekend! 

(And I hope the bunny brings you a basket of whatever your heart desires!)

The Bliss in Simple Tasks

Valerie at A Mixed Bag wrote a recent blog post 'retiring' her dishwasher and said the transition back to hand washing was an easy one. That got me thinking about how much I enjoy washing dishes. Not ALL the time:  Xmas dishes after preparing a dinner for 8-16 people was always something I passed on to those who didn't help prepare!  

As the eldest daughter in a family of 7, I was the dishwasher. When we got our first dishwasher in the late 60's, I was pretty excited!  Now I only had to do the pots and pans.

When I was married with 3 small children, we were gifted a hand-me-down dishwasher. I was a stay-at-home Mom in those days, and I cooked and baked a lot; so it was really convenient. But our sole water supply was a dug well had to be closely monitored in the summer. So, it didn't last long. This was one of the first chores I passed to my children -- an easy and fun task for most kids (at least until the teen years).

Sometimes when I was out with friends and they'd talk about issues with their dishwashers, I would say that I had 3 dishwashers ..... but neither of them worked particularly well. Hahaha!

In everything that my Mom taught me, she had a particular 'method' -- "There's a right way, Sandra!" she would say over and over again. (As I did with mine.) My Mom's chores were always  organized and methodical. And it was important that things look 'nice'. (Did you know there's a right and wrong way to hang clothes? No! Well, just ask me!) 

My Mom's dishwashing method was as follows:

• Hot, soapy water in the right hand sink; clean hot water in the left for rinsing.
• "Start with the least dirty things", she'd say. So, glasses first.
• Cutlery goes into the water to 'soak' while you wash the next category of dirty dishes -- cups and mugs.
• Plates and bowls next.
• And then your pots and pans and larger, dirtiest utensils such as spatulas, soup ladles, etc.
• And when it came to putting the dishes into the dish drainer, things had to be lined up according to size. Larger plates always went to the back, salad plates next and dessert plates or saucers next. Etc. Etc. Etc. 
• Cutlery had to be stacked so that the surfaces that touched your mouth were up top; that way, the water and any residual soap drains to the handles. 

I've been washing dishes for 50+ years. And in the past couple of years, I've noticed how much I enjoy the mindless act of dishwashing. I find there's a kind-of peace that comes from it. I'll turn on Stingray Music to the spa channel. Prep my dish pan of hot soapy water (only one sink in my kitchen) and let the fun begin! 

I use all my senses. Someone gave me scent-free dish soap and I added a little Tea Tree oil:  I like that scent and it doesn't irritate my scent allergy. I like the feel of the hot sudsy water on my hands, especially if they're aching that day. I like lining up my dishes ---  'the right way' so my Mom would be proud.💖 And I like the 'construction' challenge of trying to fit everything on my dish drainer so that it all fits, drains adequately and the air can get to it all. I LOVE that air drying is safer than dish towel drying! (Angelic choirs singing!) And I myself sometimes sing while washing up. 

I love that I can stop to dance round the kitchen if I feel so inclined (and I usually do). I like that pots and such can soak while I wipe down surfaces. I love that nothing cleans your fingernails like a good dishwashing session! (Ewwww!) And I love putting on my hemp hand cream afterwards -- how thick and luxurious it is and how it feels like my thirsty hands are sucking up every bit of moisturization. And voila! Look at what I've accomplished! A lovely clean kitchen with a beautiful, organized rack (or tower) of dishes. Ahhhh! Time for more dancing!

See, I'm not a complicated woman! It doesn't take that much to make me happy: just come visit, eat, drink ..... and let me wash up afterwards. 

Winsome Wednesday

win·some

ˈwinsəm/

adjective

1. attractive or appealing in appearance or character.

   
   

   "a winsome smile"

Yes, I once was a somewhat shallow individual who judged people on their appearance before I'd even become aware of their character. Such is the folly of youth. But as I've aged, not only did I begin to learn that character is so much more desirable but it became more and more evident as I myself began to lose my looks, figure and agility. Aging is one of the greatest teachers of humility and living through the enviable hardships of life is one of the greatest builders of character.

Peace and serenity are the desires of my heart these days. I have found that I more quickly accept those enviable hardships when they come as being part of life and no longer rally about how unfair life can be. I forgive more quickly; I accept differences more readily; I seek out those places of calm during the storm that have sustained me in the past; and I'm constantly looking for new ways to maintain that peace of mind. (My Spidey senses tingle when I come across some new method to try, so I'm always open to what could be interesting, hopefully fun and sometimes even weird ways to cope and/or grow. Whatever works and doesn't hurt others!)

Physical health is deeply connected to mental health, and I want to achieve the best health I can at this time of my life. So, after the initial fear that I often feel when life's shit-storms happen, I'll say to myself: "No Sandy! You can do nothing about this right now, so put that worry aside and enjoy life." Does this pep talk work? Always! It's not always instantaneous, but through practice and prayer over many, many, many trials and tribulations, I can usually find the oasis in the desert. 

All that deep, contemplative stuff aside, this does NOT mean that I don't still try to look winsome aka appealing in appearance. (The vanity's not been entirely knocked out of me by life yet!) So, I put on my makeup, style my hair, color coordinate my outfits, and try to look as current as possible without being "mutton dressed as sheep" and while still letting ME shine through. 

Today is a lovely sunny, warm day again here in western Newfoundland. And I'm meeting old school buddies for an extended lunch, one of whom I haven't seen in 42 years! I'm so excited! 

We'll be sitting at an outside deck under an umbrella overlooking the beautiful Bay of Islands. 

I decided to wear my beige and navy cotton tunic from Papillion, navy 3/4 leggings, and navy Naot sandals. (Even my Dr Who phone cover is coordinated, hahaha!) 

I added a couple of bracelets and a pair of my favorite gifted earrings, handmade down to the blown-glass beads (Katherine Gordon of LaHave NS). 


I'm comfortable, casual, coordinated and, I believe, age appropriate ..... for the mature weirdo that I am!

'Cause that's what it's all about: us being us! 

In the midst of ice and snow

I love that in the midst of ice and snow and this month of storm after storm after storm, there is warmth to be found in small wonderful things:

.....in a cup of tea at work and a shared conversation, laughing at the frustrations of dealing with modern-day technology as well as old-fashioned jerks on the phone.

..... in a lovely pair of recycled/refashioned mittens made from an old sweater. I bought them at a craft show last year, and they're my favorite pair of mittens.

..... in a good book under the fleece blanket on the couch or in bed with my heating pad at my lower back. This one is a fictional story about the collapse of the cod fishing industry in Newfoundland -- something near and dear to my heart.

..... in a warm muffin with butter -- Streusel topped Strawberry Rhubarb muffins, to be exact; and they remind me of the warmth of last summer..

..... and short but beautiful winter evening walks around the neighborhood -- to "blow the stink off me" as my father-in-law used to say. This scene is part of our local trail system in town and is beautiful any time of year.

What's helping to keep you warm (and sane) this winter?

Orange you glad it's not Avocado!

ORANGE!

The once misunderstood, malaligned, black sheep so-to-speak of the color family is now one of the IT colors!  Everyone is wearing it.  I'm wearing it!  What's not to love:  it's a bright, cheerful color -- reminiscent of Tuscany, sunsets; vitamin C (especially yummy in Tequila Sunrises!) and autumnal harvests.  It looks great when partnered with the color brown; it looks even better with navy blue.  (But not with black, right?  Because then you remind people of a Jack-o-Lantern -- not an especially flattering look for most people!)

For years, I hated the color orange.  It was my Mother's fault, her and her darn need for "matchy-matchy".  

Time for a story.  Picture this ....

The year is 1970; and Mrs M's house is decorated in the latest color tones: the living room is harvest gold, dining room is avocado green and kitchen is coppertone brown. The Master bedroom is also done in green ('cause it's Mrs M's favorite color). The 2 younger girls share a pink room -- cause pink is for girls, right!  And downstairs in the basement, the clever Mr M has just built 2 additional bedrooms! Oh goodie!  Yet, in spite of the fact that Sandra's favorite color is blue, the 2 boys will get a blue room -- cause blue is for boys, right!   

What colors are left to choose from?  
Yellow?  Sandra likes sunny yellow -- but Mrs B doesn't!  
Maybe a nice lilac?  Nanny M next door grows beautiful lilacs.  But Mrs M doesn't want that unpopular purple color in her house. 

No .....let's go with another 70's "IN" color -- let's go with burnt orange!  

"But I don't want orange, Mommy!"

"Shut up, Sandra, or you can go back upstairs and share with the little girls again!"

Well, why not orange!  After all the currently popular (and cheap) new wallboard walls in the room are almost an orange color.  The Ozite Town 'n' Terrace astro-turf type floor covering is burnt orange. The hand-me-down pine furniture has aged to a stomach churning orange tone.  And look, Sandra!  Your Mom has purchased an orange chennile bedspread, a wagon-wheel boudoir lamp with an orange shade, an orange (and avocado green) throw cushion; and there are orange corduroy curtains on the wee slit of a basement window wayyyyyyy up at the top of one wall that overlooks the pansy bed.  

The pansy bed!  The only glimpse of desired color in my burnt orange, avocado green and coppertone brown bedroom.  Sigh!

What did Santa bring me for Xmas?

   Fifi!
A bright orange stuffed Poodle.

This was NOT my bedroom:  my room wasn't this bright.
....... I just wanted you to REALLY get the idea.

Three years later, we moved.  Phew!  
My Dad built a brand new split level a few streets away; I got my own room again.  Did I get a blue room this time?  No; I wasn't even consulted on color.  I got a purple room -- not lilac -- purple!  Purple walls, purple bedspread ("It has lilacs on it, Sandra!") and purple shag carpet! 

I had to leave home to get a blue bedroom ....... and I've had a blue bedroom for almost 40 years.

And after much prayer and a little therapy, I've let go of my hatred for orange.  I have pine furniture.  I have 4 orange items in my closet as well as a pair of ballet flats.  I enjoy "mauve" and love the smell of lilacs.  I have 95% recovered from that childhood trauma.

Just don't ask me to look at pansies through a basement window or I feel like listening to Jim Morrison and crying.

Count to ten? Then keep going.

Yep!  It's been one of those days/weeks.  I don't need to bring you down with my details; it's just stress and a lot of little things.

And Alexander is often shortened to Sandy!  Duh!  Fits wha?

So I need to count my blessings.  Okay; sitting here in my unflattering plaid nightshirt, clean and greased and smelling of grapefruit body butter, here we go off the top of my head without thinking, I am grateful:

1.  ... for epsom salts and bathroom doors and zen time ... alone, alone, alone; blessedly alone!
2. ... for thirst quenching, ice cold soda water with lime wedges and frozen strawberry.  Yum!
3.  ... that American Idol seems to be focusing on the good singers this season and not on highlighting too many bad singers and the embarrassment and disappointment that they must feel.
4. ... for Keith Urban.  He's a smart guy; and seems to be a kind and gentle soul as well. (And he's so good to look at!)
5. ... for God's grace ('cause I may otherwise have tested His limits today with my bad attitude and colorful language and childish behavior.  But he lets me vent and still loves me.)
   
6. ... for comfortable beds and electric heat.  (I slept on a lumpy mattress in an old drafty house for years; I know what I'm talkin' bout here.)
7. ... for money to pay the guy who comes to shovel for me.
8. ... for surreptitious stashes of dark chocolate.  
9. ... for my Xmas Kobo (reading "Allegiant" -- neah, s'okay) and being only halfway through my crossword puzzle book.
10. ... for blogs that make me laugh, and hungry (and curious), and encouraged; and gives me pause to think, thereby taking me out of my nasty self.  Thank you.

Put my "man" sweater on today ....

It's still green .... well okay, more brown ... outside.  Not a "blade" of snow, as they say in Newfoundland.  Certainly doesn't look like Christmas here in Nova Scotia.

I haven't a Christmas decoration up inside or outside other than the pine wreath I bought at last Saturday's craft market.  I've been so busy lately.

When I'm busy, I don't eat right. When I don't eat right, I don't sleep

well.  When I don't sleep well, my hands and wrists ache in the morning from arthritis and I shlump at work.  When I ache and shlump, I crave the wrong kind of food; and then my emergency supply of food at work (granola bars, chocolate covered almonds, peanuts, etc) gets depleted.  When I eat too much of that stuff, I bloat and feel fat.  As it's cold at work, I then resort to wearing my "man" sweater which is always hanging in the stock room.

Kinda looks like this one..... except with less shape and more nubbles!

It's not really attractive and doesn't go with my little black pencil skirts and kitten heels.  But when I wear it, I don't have to hold my stomach in ---- the stomach full of granola bars and microwave popcorn!

In honor of my faithful "man" sweater, and to give you a break from Christmas music, here's an oldie:

"The Sweater Song" by Meryn Cadell!  

Let's see if you can relate!

I'll have a side order of stewed prunes please!

I went to my bathroom medicine cabinet the other night to get a bandaid, and as I was standing there looking for them, I became aware of something on the top shelf.  

The perfect solution when those boys "break bad"

!

• Preparation H.  

But gosh!  I was almost out of it!  So, I made a mental reminder to put it on my grocery list;  after all -- I wouldn't want to find myself in NEED and not have any.  

And then I thought:  What?  When did that become a staple in my household?

As I walked back to the bedroom and began to massage my night-time anti-wrinkle/anti-aging cream on my face and neck, I said to my jar:  "You aren't working, ya know.  You're letting me down".

Then sitting on the bed rubbing olive oil on my legs and feet to combat the cold weather dryness and itching that begins at this time of year, I internally grumbled at the "stuff" on my night table.

• Reactin --  In case I come across someone who's wearing perfume or aftershave; if I can get it early enough, I won't develop a headache. 

• Sinutab -- If the above doesn't work or the weather is damp.
• Tylenol for migraines -- If I really get a doozie of a headache.
•  Tums and Gavaston -- For the varying degrees of heartburn to acid reflux that I sometimes experience if I eat too much wheat or sugar.

 And there under the night table is the heating pad that I use for my back and shoulder pain.  

And if that doesn't work, I can go to the bin in my closet and find the Robaxasit.

Then I became afraid ................. very afraid.

"Holy Guac!"  I thought!  "How old am I?" 

"When did this all that STUFF happen?" 

This is what aging does to you.  The ailments happen little by little; and before you know it, the pharmacy aisle in your local grocery store doesn't get bypassed like it used to.  

And then .... one day ... before you know it ... you're discussing your ingrown toenails over coffee with your friends and younger people are becoming afraid to say "How are you?" after they say hello.  EEEK!

But no, I haven't gotten that bad yet.  Although we may discuss favorite brands of pain medication, we also discuss this season's hot clothing styles and our current favorite color lipstick.  I'm not ready for the glue factory yet.

Why, I'll have you know that most people think I'm 5 years younger than what my actual age is.  I've still got most of my teeth, I can manage a boogie for up to 5 minutes without putting my hip out 

AND

 
I can still fit into the earrings I used to wear in high school!

I ain't dead yet, by's; and I ain't goin' down without a fight.

How do you mentally detox?

How many of you agree with this?

A couple of months ago, I discovered that one of the TV channels I receive was running old reruns of "The Waltons".  For those of you who don't know, "The Waltons" was an American TV series that ran from 1972 to 1981; the show revolved around a large family living during the depression era and dealt with the usual problems of raising children, making ends meet and family values.  

I remember liking the TV series in the 70's.  It wasn't so sacrine-sweet that it presented a false picture of familial perfection.  What I really liked was that in spite of the faults and foibles of the family, there was an undercurrent of deep love and acceptance.  There was a working through of problems; and no one had to say the F word to make a point.

These days, I find myself looking forward to sitting on the couch after dinner to watch those long-forgotten reruns.  I not only unwind from the hussle and bussle of my very busy day, but it seems to set me right again -- to put me back in touch with the things I value most:  family, love, acceptance and the little things in life being the important things.  It doesn't matter that I don't have a new car or that the living room carpet is badly worn or that my winter coat is not this year's style.  I have a home and a wonderful family and a great God and a few good friends.  I have it all!  



TV reality is an oxymoron, isn't it!  For most of us, it's not our reality.  We don't live like The Kardashians; we don't have it in us to compete in The Amazing Race or Survivor; and we aren't shaped correctly for America's Next Top Model.  Why the heck do they consider it reality TV?  But millions of people watch it for its entertainment value and it takes us out of our own sometimes stressful reality.  So, I'm not knocking it.



All I'm saying is that when I look at what's offered on television today -- the good and the bad -- there's a dearth of wholesome, full of love, build-us-up programs.  Why, I don't know if there are any if we take out the few family-centred comedies on TV.   

So, I for one say YES!  We need more Mayberry on TV.   

And if I have to find it in reruns, so be it.