This and That

 Hi friends,

It's been a busy week and I've been fighting a cold. It is something I fight every year in October when the weather transitions from warm autumn to cooler autumn. It's a bummer but it is what it is.

This October I have been busy decluttering and I've written about it in this space from time to time, not just in October but over the past long while. Some weeks and months I do much more in terms of decluttering than other weeks and months.  This  month the kitchen seems to be getting a lot of attention and so far I've gotten rid of many items from my small cupboards.  Metal bake ware, plastics and Tupperware which are long past their prime and lots and lots of glass jars, plastic and metal coffee containers, papers, cardboard and so on have been recycled.  I also got rid of lots of small items from the bathroom and many items from the closet, dresser drawers and shoes I no longer fit or need, have been given away. Several items were taken to the storage unit in the building and one standing fan had to be taken to the recycling center. I also have 2 large metal patio chairs which are past their better days. If they fit in the car they too can go to the recycling center.  Otherwise I'm not sure when I can take them.

In between decluttering jobs, I clean the cobwebs from the corners. Literally.  I did this less than 6 months ago but the cobwebs seem to accumulate very quickly as does the dust. I've been trying to keep on top of it all.  There is still a lot to recycle and to get rid of but I'm starting to see a real difference in the spaces in my home. I will keep at it and when I am all done with the tasks I will see what I can do to free up actual floor space.  I am not aiming for a minimalist home as such. But I am aiming to pare down the items I use and keep only what I actually use.  I intend to keep doing my hobbies too and hobbies tend to take up a lot of space.  I am trying to find a happy balance for daily living and for hobbies, some of which may be more sporadic.

I'm still doing Flylady routines almost every day.  It seems to help everything run more smoothly even though I haven't implemented the full Flylady system. Once I get started on doing things and cleaning things I just keep on going.  It means much more is getting done every week.

The weather here has been beautifully sunny this past week with the exception of Friday when it poured rain.  But it has also been very cold. I took some garden photos on Saturday. I'm sharing what might be the last of my garden photos for this year.

 

It has now been about 2 months since I did any work in the garden so I'm amazed at how well the plants have done though many of them are way past their prime.  This week I noticed that the pansies and the petunias are pretty much done. I think it was simply too cold for them as our temperatures went down to 4 at night. The geraniums are still producing a lot of new blooms but I'm not sure how long that will continue. 

Something was eating the leaves in  my garden this year but they didn't touch the leaves of most of the flowers. This is the first time I've had this happen and I'm not certain whether it is pests, rodents, or my neighbour's cat.

 

In any case, I am hoping that I will put the garden to rest by the end of October and wash and cover the patio chair cushions. I don't have storage for the patio things but I do try to keep the cushions out of the rain over the winter and I move the table umbrella and the table and chairs so they are no so directly impacted by the winter elements. As a side note, I read that the Farmer's Almanac forecast is for a mild November and a very cold winter.  The other day, our local meteorologist said that this year we are experiencing La Niña.  La Niña refers to the periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific and is the colder counterpart of El Niño.

The Black Eyed Susans have now lost all their yellow petals.

But the zinnias have new buds! I can't believe it. But they were very late to bloom this year and maybe they are confused.  The photo shows evidence of my neglect of the garden over the past 2 months since summer ended.

When it gets cold outside I usually start baking.  I saw this cinnamon loaf at Mari's Blog called My Little Corner of the World.  Check it out if you like cinnamon and sweets. I misread the recipe and ended up making two loaves but I only put frosting on one of them.  After trying both, I think it is better with frosting.  Overall though, the recipe is to sweet for me and I have to be careful about that due to blood sugar issues.

On Friday I went to the hospital to have a colonoscopy. I had one just under a year ago but the doctor couldn't find the one small cyst she thought she saw during that exam so I had to return in 6 months.  The follow up appointment was delayed due to Covid 19 and I also put off the appointment as long as I could.  But I had to get it over with or forfeit my spot in the GI follow up care and Friday was the day.  This time the doctor had a good look around she discovered I didn't have a cyst after all.  What she saw last time was actually a part of the colon itself. That was good news. 

She did find something, but it wasn't quite a cyst. I'm not sure what it is called but she said they are common and are often left intact. I suggested she cut it out anyway and she agreed. It will be biopsied as per the usual practice. 

The good news is I don't need to have another procedure for 5 years and I'm very happy about that.  Not only do I dislike the preparation but I get very nervous about the procedure itself. They sedate me but I am wide awake as per my preference. Due to the light sedation I didn't even need 10 minute recovery afterward.  They let me go but not before making sure my ride was there as stated.  I took a few photos but haven't posted any with people due to privacy issues.

Photo of the nursing station

Photo of the recovery room before they start bringing the patients in for recovery.

We had snow in the north and at higher elevations (none in the city) for the past two weekends. The record snowfall  created havoc on the highways and some serious accidents as well.

 

 

 

On Saturday we also had a provincial election. I voted by mail in ballot along with almost 700,000 other people.  Approximately 500,000 people returned their mail in ballots on time to be counted but the counting doesn't start until November 2nd.  Even without the mail in ballots, the election was handily won by our incumbent Premier John Horgan.  He now has a majority government by which to rule.  That was his goal when he took a gamble and called an election a year earlier than required. His win is historic in that it is the very first time that the New Democratic Party (NDP) has won 2 consecutive elections in the province.

 

In other big political news, the Opposition Party of Canada,  brought a "No Confidence" motion against the Prime Minister of Canada on October 21.  They wanted to create a special committee to probe the government's ethics and spending in response to the pandemic and a scandal related to the WE Charity.  Members of Parliament (MPs) voted 180-146 to defeat the opposition motion, with the NDP, Greens and Independent MPs voting with the Liberals.  It means we will not have a snap federal election this fall.

I hope things can settle down for awhile with all the politics here.  People want and stable governments to help steer the nation while we recover from the pandemic.

Thanks for reading my post today. Stay safe everyone and do what you can to stay happy and high in spirits. May you be blessed today and each day hereafter. May you and your loved ones have continued health or improving health. May you have the material things and the finances you need and last but not least, may you have the strength and confidence to handle whatever comes in your path. 

 

A Busy Day and Some Happy Colour

Things have been rather busy here in my corner of the world. I guess I'm in a slightly whirling dervish mode since it's the end of the summer and I've had so many jobs I put off due to Covid 19.

On Friday I went for my annual eye check up albeit a half year later than I should have. Actually I had an appointment scheduled for 6 months ago.  However I postponed it and requested that they give me an appointment with the eye specialist who did my surgery.  Not the back up eye doctor who has been seeing me the last two times. They called again to make a new appointment for me but it was still with the back up doctor. 

I relented and went for the check up because I really must stay on top of things. But I told the front desk staff  that next time I really would like to be booked in with my original eye specialist.  She is the reason I started going to that office in the first place and she is the one who did my eye surgery about 3 - 4 years ago.  They understood my frustration but told me that my doctor has been cutting back on her hours and they couldn't promise that they could make it happen. Now it causes me to wonder if the young doctor is already burned out. Eye specialists here seem super busy.  Too busy to sustain their demanding schedules.  I heard a few years ago that due to Canada's aging population the eye specialists would become even more busy.  I wonder what my future holds in this office.  Since I first started going to the office they have added 3 new specialists.

For the time being the back up doctor told me there is no diabetes related damage to my eyes, my vision is okay and he confirmed that I have dry eyes as per my observation.

The doctor confirmed that my right eye is in fact the drier of the two.  I am still using eye drops every day but I don't use them as often as directed on the box.  Eye drops are so expensive and they are non prescription eye drops so the cost adds up; especially when the drops only come in 10 ml sizes.  I forgot to ask the doctor if the dry eyes might partially be caused by the air blowing through the top of my CPAP mask. It doesn't always leak but sometimes when I move around during sleep, the mask goes out of alignment.

Of course when ones eyes are dry, the vision is also reduced.

I finally got my paperwork in for the new CPAP machine and after my eye appointment I went to the Sleep Clinic to see what models of CPAP machines are available.  My current machine is well over 5 years old and it's time for a new one. I submitted the paperwork a few weeks ago after many delays on my part due to needing to get doctor's signature and input.  I haven't been getting much done from March to August due to the coronavirus and wanting to stay safe.  The paperwork was ultimately submitted a week before last, but I've learned from the supplier that the insurer says it didn't receive the paperwork. It needed to be submitted again and so there is a delay. They were very apologetic but I wasn't upset. They can't help it if the insurer lost papers even though the paperwork is faxed, not mailed.  Once the insurer makes a decision it will be easy for me to decide which machine I would like now that I've been to the Sleep Clinic.

After I finished at the Sleep Clinic I stopped at Michael's craft store and the medical supply store.  I didn't buy much at Michael's.  I'm trying not to buy any more yarn and most items there will simply add to clutter.  At the medical supply store, I was there to see what was available in terms of what the arthritis physiotherapist recommended I use to help me manage with arthritis.  I dealt with a very nice young woman at the medical supply and we have arranged for the new items to be delivered on Tuesday night.

Just before the pandemic was announced I had been to see the surgeon about getting knee surgery. He told me I was not a candidate and gave me several reasons, one of them being that I'm too young! I was not a happy camper but in the end I have to accept what he says. He did say that eventually I will need surgery. So in the meantime, that is why the physiotherapist suggested some aids to use.  I requested, and received a doctor prescription back in early January. I just hadn't had time to follow up on getting these things. I wanted to look at them in person and not simply ask for them over the phone.

By the time I finished at the medical supply store I was super tired and super hungry. I stopped for some Japanese food. This is the first time I've eaten in a real restaurant since February and the food was very delicious. Not to mention the added bonus of not having to cook or do dishes. 

 

After that I stopped at one more large pharmacy and browsed around looking at many different things. They sell all kinds of electronic items and household items not just vitamins and drugs.  In the end I purchased a pair of head phones with microphone for use with my desktop and laptop. I didn't want a wireless headset. I've already got two of those and frankly I do not like them at all. Unfortunately, the corded ones seem to have standard length cords which are not quite long enough to use with my desk and computer set up. I had to move some things around so I can use the headphones. If it isn't one thing it is always another.

Last time I posted here I mentioned that my garden was on it's last legs. 

Today I was pleasantly surprised to see it is still going. So I took a little time to water and cut some dead leaves. Perhaps it will revive a bit and hold for another few weeks.

In the coming days I am hoping to complete 2-3 more appointments and several more errands and outside tasks in addition to the usual grocery shopping. Once these are done I plan on retreating once again and isolating. When I go out and about I wear a mask everywhere and pretty much everyone else is too and most people are keeping an appropriate distance.  Around the house I'm hoping to try out the Fly Lady System (system for keeping the house clean and decluttered). I tried it once before but couldn't get into it. I'm going to give it another try and take the Baby Steps approach.  Of course, I know how to declutter and clean already but the thing that has gotten away from me as my health has changed over the years is keeping everything operating smoothly and preventing a pile up of clutter or cleaning. The Fly Lady has a system that so many women absolutely love.  Do any of you use the Fly Lady System? If so, what do you think of it and how has it worked or not worked for you?

So far I do not know anyone here at home who has contracted the virus but one young friend in Kenya and members of his extended family were tested a few days ago. His young nephew (about 10 years old) has tested positive. Next his young niece and a few others in the family are to be tested. Keep them in prayer.  There is a lot going on in Kenya amongst the people I know. Many are dealing with land issues and family tensions. These are difficult times. I do not want to say more about it here but only to ask for prayer for all these situations and the continuing material needs and medical needs.

Thanks for stopping by. As always I enjoy reading your comments and visiting your blogs.  Stay safe.

End of Summer

 Hi friends and fellow bloggers,

I've been meaning to post these photos since the latter part of August. I took these at sunrise. I will miss getting sunrise photos now that summer is pretty much over and the sunrise later.  Once we are into our rainy weather there won't be much of a sun to capture so I will enjoy through my photo memories. I hope you like these ones.

I didn't spend much time in the garden over the summer or sitting on the patio as I had planned. Nonetheless the patio garden gave me enjoyment whenever I went out to take photos of the sky.  The garden has just a bit of life left but it won't be long before it will be completely finished for the season.

I'm not much of a gardener and I don't honestly enjoy it all that much. But I do enjoy seeing colour when I go out on the patio and that is why I do it.  I have two gardens.  One at home and one at the park.  This year the one at the park didn't get any attention.  Due to Covid 19 I hardly ventured out.

 How about you dear reader? Are you a gardener? I think most of you have much larger gardens than I do.

I much prefer to read or crochet.  Right now I'm reading my 50th book, A Letter From Paris.     You can read more about it here. 

 

 I've really slowed down the reading since I completed my 45th book, as 45 is my goal for 2020 because  I want to start doing some other hobbies soon. That plan might be a little difficult because I've currently got a lot of books on hold at the library and the local branch is reopening in 4 days.

I finished the following books since my last post on books.   I can recommend them all except the book, Behind Her Eyes, was not my cup of tea at all due to the metaphysical aspects of the book ,lucid dreaming and body switching.  I didn't know what I was getting into when I read it. I just thought it was a murder mystery thriller.  I understand they are making it into a movie so it's probably a movie I will pass on.

     It is a long weekend here at home but I have a lot of errands to do.

I hope you all have a safe and healthy weekend.

   Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Early Morning on the Patio

Hi blogging friends,

I  hope you are all doing well and keeping happy and busy.

We are still getting quite a lot of rain where I live and I haven't been out in the gardens much.  The long term weather forecast is for more rain over the next 2 weeks. It has also been cooler than usual. At the end of this new week we will crack the 20 Celsius mark for only the 2nd or 3rd time since the beginning of Spring.

I'm not complaining as I'm still self isolating despite restrictions being lifted. I will continue to self isolate and keep my eye on the community transmission developments over the next few months. Being indoors means I am slowly getting some old business done though truthfully it is taking me a lot more time than I thought it would. I guess the good news is I always have something constructive to do.

I was out in the patio garden very early one morning and captured these photos. Most of them are of a bush that I don't know the name of but which goes through a multitude of looks over the course of the year. Sometimes there are berries.

The photo below is the only one that is not of my flowering bush. I think it's a Salvia plant but I am not 100% sure as I planted it a few years ago and it never did very well.  This year it seems to be doing better.

My reading list includes this raw and powerfully written memoir of an up and coming Indigenous writer and activist, Helen Knott. Unfortunately her story of gender violence is not that pretty but the good news is she managed to overcome her addictions to drugs and alcohol and begin a new, cleaner life with hope and promise.  The gender violence the author had to endure throughout her lifetime fed into her addictions and the memories kept her addicted.

I'm currently reading Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. Several years ago I saw a movie based on the book and I enjoyed it. I'm about half way through the book and I don't remember much about whether the movie is true to the book. In any case, I always like to try and read books on which movies are based and the writing is quite enjoyable.

Last, but not least,  I'm reading Shadows Along the Zambezi. It's as masterfully written as Shadows Over an African Heart by Diana M. Hawkins.  Both books bring focussed attention to the issue of elephant poaching in Zimbabwe and all the violence and corruption that goes along with it.

Young elephants having a mud bath at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi, Kenya

All but one of the books are digital loans from the library which for some reason is still closed to the public.  They don't even do curbside pickups. I'm not sure why they are still closed while most places are now open with new policies in place to stem the transmission of Covid 19.  Some time back I purchased a digital copy of the book on elephant poaching and am reading it on my Kobo device, Canada's version of  Kindle).  I'll be so glad once the library is open again so I can borrow paper books. In the meantime, I'm grateful for the digital option.

A short update on the Kenyan missions.

• A variety of crops were planted for one large, extended family.  Once the harvest is ready there will be corn, cabbage, carrots and a variety of vegetables for 3 or 4 households to eat.
• Elder Eunice is still in hospital. Though it was about 8 months ago that doctors said she would be ready to go home in a month or two that never happened. She is still in hospital and is more or less stable. We have no information as to the prognosis. 
• Alvin, the young engineer graduate was hoping to come to Canada and continue his studies.  Sadly he was not accepted and we have given up on the idea.  It is very expensive process to prepare the application packages and has lead to a "no" decision two years in a row. It is very disappointing.  Alvin is a very intelligent and studious person and he would have done well here but getting accepted to a Canadian university (easier to get acceptance and scholarship if one is freshly out of high school)is difficult for people from poor countries and is more so the case when money is not part of the family assets.
• Pastor Jonah has had a very difficult experience of late with one of his molars. He needed a root canal and the hospital where they did it did not do a good job at all. It was becoming septic. Fortunately he managed to get the tooth redone at a private dentist office and after a week is now very much on the mend. 
• Others continue to receive food and medical helps when we have funds to assist them.
• I thank those of you who continue to pray for the missions and/or lend financial support. May God richly bless each and every one of you.

That's all for now friends. I hope you all have a wonderful week. Please continue to stay safe. xx

A Little of Everything

Hello friends,

I hope you are all doing well.

I am basically fine and have been keeping myself busy.  I've been gainfully occupied with homely things like cooking, cleaning, gardening, a bit of knitting and reading.  I'm sure most of you are all doing much the same.  Some people are probably exercising of which I am only doing a bit of indoor exercise.  Unless you count a little bit of outdoor gardening though most of the strenuous work is finished.

Fern on May 19/20. I'm really pleased with how lush it looks after how it looked at the beginning of May.

Same fern on May 1/20.  After the winter I removed most leaves which were dead.  It has really come back to life and more fronds are unfurling (the round knobs you see near the soil).

Cosmos. I wish I had some dirt in the ground to plant these in rather than in the container.

Catmint. This plant has several medicinal benefits and is easy to grow.

Hostas. I am going to transplant some of these are they are too crowded in the cedar box.

Red petunias. I need some new terracotta planters but it will have to wait for another time.

Red petunias. I love how petunias spread out and take up space with their luscious blossoms.

I recently started knitting some cloths again. I'm using up my yarn stash and replenishing the cloths I made in the Fall to give as gifts

 ~~~~

I haven't been using the time of quarantine for much reading except for Bible reading.

It's mainly because I enjoy reading paper books and our library is closed except for digital books.

Recently I took the plunge to borrow some digital books and read Sapiens and The Colour Purple.

 It started well but I ended up only giving it 3/5 stars.

I gave this classic 4/5 stars.

This will be my next read.

I still enjoy taking photos of the sky, especially if there is colour in it when I am still up at dawn. It's been raining for going on 3 of the past 4 weeks but there are dry periods in each day and I believe the photos below were taken in our dry week.

Early morning, May 11, 2020

Early morning May 11, 2020

Early morning May 8, 2020

Joining in with Skywatch Friday.

Have a wonderful and safe weekend ahead.