Friday, May 10, 2019

This and That


In my last post I mentioned the long delay in planting my garden due to inclement weather. While I was waiting to plant  I've been catching up on other things like reading.

Here is a photo display of the books I've read so far. I've mentioned before that I have a modest goal of 20 books but with current books I'm reading I will soon surpass the goal.  Once I achieve it I don't have ambitious plans to set a higher goal. Instead I'll spend time doing other things like arts & crafts, sewing, gardening, decluttering and simply enjoying life as much as possible this summer. It seems there is never enough time to do everything but stopping to enjoy life is very important especially enjoying time with family and friends while you can.


I'm in the process of building a new life as it's been 2 years since my late mom passed, 1 year since my sister in law passed, 1 year since a dear old friend passed, almost 1 year since we lost Grandma Sally and 2 months since a young cousin passed.  The last while has been a time of many losses.  Though I do believe I will see all of them again one day it has still taken it's toll on me. I miss them and the losses leave a void in my life.  I've had to try and rebuild my life without them, with some it is a bit easier to do than others simply because of distance or time spent with them but they were all a big part of my life and now they are are no longer here.

I've kept super busy over these past two years trying to move forward and clear out a lot of things that are no longer needed.   I've also spent time trying to catch up to my own personal needs and business.  Some of that will continue.

A while back I mentioned I wanted to change financial advisors. In serendipitous timing my current advisor called me late last week to let me know he is moving on to a different company. It will cost me money if I follow him to wherever he is going.  Though he is willing to split the cost with me I think the time has come to move on though I'm still mulling it over.



This week I met with a possible new advisor.  We had a good first meeting but I'm still exploring options, pros and cons and so on. In my next meeting with the new advisor I will see what he has to say about my current investments and what he might recommend. I also want to learn more about him personally. I don't know about you but when you see a financial advisor you basically lay your whole life bare because your whole life is tied up in your finances, your spending, future spending, income, investments, retirement, wills and so on. So I think it's only fair that you learn something about them personally.  Also, there are many people out there who call themselves financial advisors or planners but they have no real credentials or experience. Canada is thinking of regulating this area (you would think this would have happened before now). It pays to do your homework.

If any of you have experience of changing financial planners and/or investment advisors please let me know in the comment section how you went about it and whether you were satisfied with the outcome.

I've also been trying to carve out more time for personal prayer and study. I'm currently participating in a forty day (40) prayer and Bible study.  This is a huge commitment because it adds hours a day to my already busy schedule.  I have 18 days left in the commitment. Once it is done, I'm hoping to be able to establish the right balance and daily and weekly routines. At least I'll try.



But right now I'm enjoying this intensive time of prayer, Bible study and fasting (from meat and poultry).  As you can imagine, something has to give in the schedule so it means I'm spending less time chatting with friends abroad as well as less time blogging and on entertainment activities.

To be honest, I'm also feeling quite tired. On top of that my knees have gradually begun to bother me again to the point where they are almost constantly in pain.  I've been needing to take pain relief nightly which I've never done before.  I'm not certain how much fatigue is health related, pain related, or even related to the fast and change of diet (I've increased my supplementation with Omega 3, broad based vitamins and turmeric or perhaps more accurately I've started being more consistent in taking them).  Thankfully I haven't really been craving meat or fowl that much but I'm not used to going long periods without meat protein and I'm finding I just don't feel good so I'm trying to go easy on myself.  Today I managed to make a more nutritious and filling meal (vegetarian curry  made with onions, carrots, potatoes, spinach and peas over rice). It was nice and of course there will be left overs which is always helpful.



Finally, I was pleased to get the community garden plot in yesterday. I was so happy and blessed to have the help of the young woman who has the garden plot right next to mine. My knees were so bad and though I didn't share that with her she just pitched right in and volunteered to turn my soil, recommended where to plant my various seeds for best results and dug out a huge rosemary bush which I asked if she wanted.  She was very happy to accept the rosemary bush as she said she had been admiring it for awhile.

Night descends on the community garden at a small, well used park near my home.

Now I just have to make sure to visit the plot often enough to keep it well watered.  The young lady offered to water the plot today because she was visiting her plot anyway.  I will make sure I get over there tomorrow since I still want to plant a few carrots and some kale. I need to buy the seeds tomorrow.  One thing I'd like to learn more about before next year is companion planting. I don't tend to plan my garden too much because I usually use starter plants.  I have to go with whatever plants are available when I shop in the stores.  Often they don't have what I want. With the veggie garden I'm mainly using seeds.  It provides more options and ability to do some companion planting.




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19 comments:

Nancy Chan said...

Congrats on reaching your goal on the number of books you have read. Time is precious. It is painful and the loss is felt when we lose our love ones. Moving on is a must but it needs adjustment and time. I like the idea of a community garden but so far, we don't have it here.

Sandi said...

Do you ever share your vegetable curry recipe? :)

Rhodesia said...

Strange you mention Financial advisers. We had a lovely man who we both got on with so well, then the company moved him to another area and we had a guy who we just did not get on well with at all. Personally I did not understand most of what he talked about. We could not change as they are they are the company where we invest as well. Thankfully he has taken early retirement (maybe because of complaints who knows) but we were delighted to meet up with the original guy again last week. What a difference and I understated everything once more 😊
Glad you had some help in the garden. Look after those knees. Enjoy the rest of the weekend Diane

Joyful said...

Diane, I've been thinking about changing advisors for the past few years but have been too busy trying to catch up with a lot of other things. In the new year I decided I would move forward to find another advisor. My current ones lives too far away to be that helpful for those times I want an in person meeting and I feel he lost touch with my needs despite my explaining things repeatedly. It really does make a difference who you have so that you can feel comfortable talking about your needs. I don't understand why you couldn't move on because can't you just move your investments to another company? I'm sure it would cost you something to do that but sometimes there are incentives (financial or otherwise). Enjoy your weekend too!

Joyful said...

Thank you Nancy. I hope your city will move forward on community gardens so people like you can enjoy them.

Joyful said...

Hi Sandi, I don't use a recipe. I mainly cook by intuition. Normally I would make a chicken curry and this time had to limit to veggies so here goes. I put a little oil in a saucepan and add chopped onions, carrots and potatoes (cubed). Cook them through a bit and add garam masala and turmeric (I added turmeric for the knee pain but you may wish to omit it because garam masala usually already contains turmeric). Depending how spicy you like it you may also add more chili powder and cumin. Continue cooking and stirring often. If the spices are sticking to the pan add a bit of water, not too much and continue cooking. After a few minutes add about 2 inches of water in the pan along with some tomato paste (I used half of a small tin but just use to your own taste and preference). I taste test and if needed add more tomato paste and also some salt. Once vegetables are more or less cooked you can add spinach and peas. If you like you can add a small amount of flour to thicken. It depends how runny or thick yo like it and how much liquid evaporates in the cooking process. Serve over rice. Let me know if you try it and if you like it.

Red said...

You've been a very busy lady. Sometimes losses seem to never end. It looks like you're doing the right things to continue. Good luck on a new financial advisor.

Recep Hilmi TUFAN | rehitu.com said...

So long post in different topics. What would I comment on? :)

happyone said...

Nice to see the community gardens. Looks like everyone keeps there spot neat and tidy.
Good for you for meeting your book reading goal.

Joyful said...

Pick one :-) Thanks for your visit anyway. Have a wonderful weekend.

Joyful said...

Thank you Red.

Joyful said...

Hello Happyone, the community gardens are a nice place. It gives a sense of community in a larger city. I see the small park is so very busy these days with many young people sitting all over (out of sight of my photo).

Joanne Noragon said...

Please tell us the first name of your young garden helper. I'd like to send mental gratitude for her help.

Joyful said...

Thank you. Her name is Tasha.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

There is so much here I don't know where to begin, except to offer my sympathies and prayers to you regarding the many recent losses in your life. I do understand how this begins to truly impact your life as people you always had in your life are now gone. I recently said farewell to my oldest brother after a long fight with leukemia, and then last year my mother in law and one of my husband's close cousins passed...so we are missing them at this Mother's Day especially. I guess as we get older we see more and more of our friends and loved ones pass on before us, and my sweet old father used to say, "The only time I see my friends is at their funerals". He lived to be 93, and outlived many friends. So praying for you to be comforted. I love all the things you are doing...the praying/study/reading/gardening, etc....all wonderful exercises in growth. Praying for your health as well. May God give you strength each and encourage your heart. Blessings...

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I was looking at your books and was surprised to see several by Naguib Mahfouz. I love his books. They are great. I read one after another of his years ago.
I've changed financial advisors before. I have somebody who is independent now, and he doesn't suggest expensive and complex financial instruments. It is all stocks, bonds, and cash. He gets a fee based on a percentage of total assets. We have good chemistry together and have known him and his brother for decades.

Joyful said...

Thank you for your very kind words, Pamela.I'm very sorry for your recent losses too. I remember you posted about your brother a few times but didn't realize he has now passed. I can relate to what your late father said about the only time seeing his friends because I feel that way about many of my relatives who live far away. I appreciate your prayers for my health and will keep you in my prayers also as I know you have a few things on your heart right now. God bless. xx

Joyful said...

Hi Yogi, I picked up the Cairo Trilogy and liked the first book in the trilogy so I kept on going and read all 3 in short order. I separated them for purposes of the Goodreads count. You are fortunate to have an advisor such as you do.

Jeanie said...

That's a lot of losses in a relatively short time, Penny. I don't think I realized quite how many. It does take time to rebuild a life but it looks like you are going great guns at it. The communal plot looks very nice. And what a harvest it will yield. I wish I could help you on financial planning. My stuff is all in one fund through my retirement so I just keep plugging along. Loads of good books, too! I love reading and see some familiar titles and authors there!

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