You know when you plan for something and it does not quite work out the way you had hoped. There is an anticipation that comes inside you that gets you excited or hopeful of a something different. You make plans to do something out of the ordinary, envisioning scenarios of what might take place. Your mind takes on a life of its own. Then voila…a curve ball or maybe a spit ball in this case. An unexpected turn of events which of course you have to change your course of thinking and action. Unprepared for the detour, there are feelings that are attached to the plan. One’ s that you can fully appreciate because you were really looking forward to do ‘whatever’ it was.

Those sensations rising up inside you can be described as a wee bit of a tsunami. LOL. Not funny at the time mind you. And you feel the need to express yourself to let those feelings out. It is not good to hold it in but there are times when we do so as not to hurt another person’s sensitivities. So you go find a space to let out the pent up emotion. It might come out like a growl….. GRRRRR. Or maybe the ever popular expression of “are you kidding me??”. Me, I don’t do the swearing as i am a Family or PG rated person but the a ‘go to’ for many individuals would be the bucketful of curse or swear words. Be that as it may, I prefer to revert to the phonemic verbiage of nonsensical wordage. Words that come out of the mouth and sound like “sheesh”, “huh”, and a favourite of mine “harrumph”. It is wondrous expression of phoneming a colloquial English language in the heat of the moment. Yeah? Yes.

I have to say that I like that word harrumph just as an aside. I have to laugh because I really had to look up the spelling of it. Harrumph does exist along with many synonyms that go with it….LOL. So if one is in a real mood to explode due to an unexpected change in plans then one can resort to mild forms of the #@*# such as Tut, yada yada yada, phooey, Boohoo, uh-uh, OW, TSK, OOPS, uh-oh, achoo, Hah, blah, Bam, UH, whoops, ZZZ, shush, Cor, er, DUH, Tut. Who would have thought!!!

But really at the end of the day, it is an “oh well” with a shrug. A shrug of the shoulders and deep sigh knowing full well as John Lennon has often been quoted as saying, “life happens to you while you’re busy making other plans’. FYI: Quote supposedly is coined by a fella Adam Saunders in 1957 from Reader’s Digest. Anyhoooo…. I guess it comes down to looking at one’s plans of whatever and whenever and however and then smile. It’s all good.

For you cannot do anything about the unexpected. Can you? Maybe it is the human failings in us where we cannot so easily roll with the punches or accept what is? Life happens. It really does when we want to do one thing and something takes place that really we cannot do anything about. And it sucks, big time. But oh well. What do you do when you live in a shoe? Well, you walk. It cannot be helped that someone got sick or got called away or had a conflict or a meltdown or got the call ‘need to take a raincheck’ or mom said no. All valid, all real, and all hopelessly inconvenient. And so….ugg. harrumph. grrr.

So how to let go? How to turn a lemon into lemonade? How to accept the inevitable? How to remind oneself that it’s all good. Maybe come up with the silver lining attitude. There is a reason for everything even if the reason is not evident at the time.

Well, letting go of the disappointment to one’s plans takes a hot minute for sure. And some people are really really good at it. Bless their hearts; while others, not so much. And that is okay for one can only be oneself. Here are some thoughts to consider on your plate with a bit of wit on the side:

EI People Deal With Disappointment

Take a moment and …..wallow. (yes gotta be real before adulting)

Do a reality check….is it that bad? (yes but no)

Go high when hit with a low blow. (not getting high; take the high road)

Don’t stew in negativity. (roast in positivity)

Put things into perspective. (who peed in your soup?)

Develop positive thinking muscles. (wonder what they look like)

Breathe your way to a clear mind. (watch out for hyperventilating)

Plans change. Plans derail. Well, harrumph. Blessings.

Let us pray for those who are in need of our prayers today. Amen

How does one’s heart feel jubilant and defeated at the same time. Does that even make sense? One minute it is in a euphoric state – hearing about the celebration of my grandson turning 12. Yes indeed. Holy moly where did that time go? Digressing here. It was only yesterday, a September Friday morning to be exact, when I got a phone call saying I needed to get home. Leaving a meeting to attend something of a miracle, the birth of a baby boy, my first grandchild to my second oldest daughter. Her first as well. Oh the worry and excitement at odds within me as I think of her going into labour. And now 12 years later, on this beautiful Sunday morn, my grandson welcomes in his birthday with all the hopes and dreams before him. Happy Birthday young man….woo to the hoo of you. Unbelievable!! Blessings abound.

Flip side. I’m reading in a text from my youngest sister, who by the way tried to call me and then texted me. My eyes bugged out with a hitch in my breath as I began to read her text. My oldest sister was putting her dog down today. What? What! What?! No comprendez. Seriously. I was just at my sister’s this past weekend. I left Sunday afternoon. It is now Tuesday afternoon. Jasmine, her dog, is/was a schnoodle cross same as my own dog Maggie May were month a part in birth; turning 9 years this coming fall. But they were just playing together, running around, barking in the fenced backyard while we watched on Saturday afternoon. So what the ever loving world happened?

My heart took a jolt. I know how much my sister loved her Jas. She was just holding her in her arms on Friday night, spoiled puppy dog. LOL. Obviously the best feeling as master and faithful companion snuggle. I should have taken a picture had I known. Did Jas know that her body organs were slowly shutting down? I did think that she seemed to be a bit slower coming down the stairs over the weekend despite her running outside. And her control of her bowels, well let me just say it was way off too as I had the distinct displeasure of stepping in her urine near the bathroom door, my dad’s room and then on the carpet next to front door. Thanks Jas. I just had a shower. Joking aside, the urine plus the four spots of vomit in front of dad’s room, the bathroom mat and at her dish did seem to be a little disconcerting. Dad put it off saying she must have eaten something off. I knew she had a serious form of diabetes as my sister has been giving her two needles a day for the last few years.

Yet Monday evening after returning a phone call to my older sister, she revealed that she just took Jas in to vet hospital and they are keeping her due to being so dehydrated and wanted her to be monitored over night. Then Tuesday morning, trying to be a good sister with a good memory (yikes), I sent a text, checking in. I had not heard anything back until I read a text from my younger sister stating, “do not call our sister. She needs to process. She is putting Jas down at 2:30 this afternoon.” Are you kidding me?!?!

Loss. It comes in all forms. Nothing prepares you. I realize that it is a pet, not a human. But to many many many people, pets are the ever lovin’ moon and sun and sky. And my sister is the whisperer of whisperers of animals especially dogs and cats. FYI: Not bees or ants or wasps or mice. Her heart is so full of love for the four legged and also the two legged feathered friends too. The loss is huge and I can feel across the airwaves. As she texts me, “how does something so small leave such a big hole. I feel so so empty”. I do not know my sister. Unconditional and faithful pet love maybe.

I am looking down at my own dog, in similar greyish white colouring to Jas but so different looking too. Jas was thin, longer legs, supple wiry body, with crazy looking fur doo while Maggie May is more stocky, short legged, no tail with curly poodle fur doo. They sort of, a bit, kind of, got a long. Haha. Because they were yippy. Yes, yippy!!! The wind blew, a leaf moved, a person walked by on the sidewalk a block away, a honked horn, a….you name it. Yippy yip yip. Not to make light of it my sister but you can do a wee bit of a happy dance now. Outside of dad or hubby talking up a storm as per usual, you get some much needed peace and quiet too. Please remember she did a lot of the jolt-and-jump-out-of-skin kind of yippy, waking you up out of a dead nap.

My heart hurts today. I cried after I got over the shock. For it reminded me of my own cat Marble whose body began to shut down too. The blessing in all of this for her dog (and for my cat) was that they were not alone. I remember like ti was yesterday. And all the feelings resurrected in me as I listened to my own sister try to voice what she could not articulate. It is not a time for words my dear sister. Loss is loss.

And yet wonder comes with it as well. For in the loss, the beauty and gift bestowed upon you (and I) and so many people too is that you got to enjoy this four legged rug rat. LOL. Why the big hole you ask? It is the wonder of life. The reality that the life span of a pet will generally be less than own human life. So expecting it to happen – yes. But when, that is the question. Why? That is another question. It is like a wonder and awe of the beauty of companionship. Maybe the hurt comes from the unbelievable bond between human and pet, an unconditional love and acceptance. No matter if you stick the needle in her folded neck skin, she comes back for a pat and treat and cuddle. Really!!

I mean think about it. Depending on your habits that dog followed. You have to go to bathroom, s/he is right there; kitchen, there; bedroom, there; dining table, there; at front door, there. In fact s/he is in every minor or major event in life including moves, relationships, divorce and even when kids grow up and leave. Yet, not everyone understands or relates. Which is okay too. But one thing I did learn today was that my sister, who had a St Bernard, Barney, many years ago, had kept her dog alive for another month even when he was in bad shape. No matter how hard it was for my sister, she could not do that again. Grateful my dear sister, for Jasmine is not suffering anymore. She could not tell you but she did show you. Tears drop here.

Loss and wonder. Life has such a funny odd way of showing us a humbleness. In faith, God takes care of all living creatures and brings comfort during our time of need. We draw strength. There is no time line for grieving nor healing. But for me I want to pray for my sister this day and the days ahead. The loss of Jas, your faithful and ever present companion, is real and beyond thinking. In this moment, I offer you words only as I draw comfort in some of the Scriptural passages that may relate to you my sister, a pet owner and to your Jas, your dog, and the loss of her.

Psalm 22:24 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Blessings.

A Prayer for the Loss of a Pet

Lord God, Bring comfort and healing to those who are mourning the deaths of their beloved pets. You know their pain, for you lost your own beloved son. You know the depth of sadness and grief your children feel when they lose a dog or cat who was so dear, near, and special to them. You know the emptiness of a home that no longer has that furry little (or big!) creature; you know the emptiness of a heart that longs for the comforting touch of a beloved cat or dog. I thank you for the gift of our pets, for the love these creatures give us, for the life that they offer, and for the chance to love them like we love nothing and nobody else on earth. I pray for comfort, peace, and healing as we let go of the cats and dogs that we loved so dearly. Amen.

Returning once again to my old province of Ontario, after spending a lovely summer on the PEI (my newer homeland), I certainly take for granted the blessings I have been given. The bittersweet taste of leaving something good to go to something good. Another of life’s paradoxes. Don’t you find that when you make a decision, there is a domino effect that you cannot grasp until you are in it. I think one of the pearls of wisdom from my dad that I walk with in my life is knowing a decision today should not haunt a person tomorrow. It is not a haunt so much as a wish to be more of a Hermione, a Jeannie or a Samantha -blink eyes, twitch nose or use a time turner. Why? Being in two places at once to embrace the joys of goodness – my family and friends.

But alas my joy has to come from wherever I am and from within me. And the journey to get there, short or long, I need to be mindful that I do not want for a moment to take for granted that which has been bestowed upon me. My mom who is in a nursing home has just finished her isolation period after a second bout of covid-19, even with four shots and a fifth one coming I hear. The nursing/retirement home had a huge number of cases, staff and residence, a few weeks ago. The stringent protocols, thankfully, ensued and now as I sit across from her, holding her hands, a tear catches on my cheek.

I am so grateful to be able to touch her, rub her hands, and intertwine my fingers through fingers that are now filled with arthritis. Sheesh. Sucks to get older. and Boy I miss her hugs. She would wrap her arms around me so tightly that it was like being wrapped in warmth and sunshine. Then her hands would hold mine for a moment or five with a little squeeze before she let me go. Unknowingly, it was just the boost I needed on many occasions to be able to once again feel strong and secure in facing the day.

There I sit with her for a few hours, having to wake her up again, and say “hey mom, I’m here for a visit. Is that okay?” She would stare at me and then her beautiful smile would come out and then nodded slightly saying, “Yes”. Until the fourth time of waking her up, she said “who are you”? Slice. Oooh that hurt. But okay mom. “It’s me, Karen, your daughter.”

But no matter, I sing songs (thankfully she only has one roommate to hear the off key noise) to her, put lotion on her hands, lift her thickened calves for exercise, brush her hair, and natter away about her family stories. Sometimes I can feel a bit of a squeeze from her fingers as I hold her hands. That makes me think she hears me but of course I can’t remember what I just said so I can repeat it. Holding on to the woman who has been my mom for 62 years. It is in these time there is no taking for granted. At all.

No one knows the plan for our life except God. It reminds me of Garth Brook’s line in his song The Dance “and now I am glad I didn’t know, the way it all would end, the way it all would go.” Is that not the truth? I would not want to know because how would one act knowing that. It is in these moments the comfort and strength of the Lord and the hymn Be Not Afraid also comes to mind. “Be not afraid I go before you always, come follow me and I will give you rest.”

Life is so precious, fragile and brief. And so in the time one has on this earth, how does one spend it? Who knows what will happen tomorrow? Even today for that matter. I look at my granddaughter who I am taking care of right now as daycare is not as accessible as it should be including space and affordability. That is something for another day. Anyway, there she is, a two year old tasmanian devil. LOL. She has a set of lungs when things are not going her way. Ear piercing let me tell you. And try to stop her from falling on the ground, drama city, in a pile of sobbing while keeping her from kicking me. Yowee!! Oh how I wish that one could always have what one wants little one. Well not really but it sounds good. Haha. But there she is, with her little hands and feet, motoring around, not a care in the world except to make her presence known. Her face scrunched and fierce but no tears. Crying and no tears. Interesting. She is beginning the life given to her while her great grandmother is on the other end of this wondrous life cycle. A lump comes in my throat.

So I am gong to take the words “who are you?”and the infrequent but beautiful smiles during my many upcoming visits with my mom and hold her hands. And I am also going to take the piercing cry of my granddaughter (while holding or watching her cry for those many minutes) as her mommy leaves her to do what she needs to do to make her daughter’s life better because life cannot be taken for granted. There is value and worth in who and what are in our lives.

Blessings this day.

Let us pray for those who need our prayers today and to appreciate this life given.

Holy to goodness. Oh yes. Yesterday and today, the air outside has been wonderful. The heat wave has cooled its jets…finally!! Holy lightning it is a welcoming gift. Thank you, Lord. Cool and a splitter splatter of rain is on the menu. Well actually this morning, it has been a downpour pelting the rain down upon the roof and earth, taking away the brown spots on the lawn and giving relief. Yes how do you spell relief….C-O-O-L R-A-I-N. LOL. No need of fertilizer and no cutting grass in the crazy heat. Because for some reason the grass still grows. Grrr

Not talking about the rain per se but I get to have a choice today. Woohoo. I did not think that I would be saying that a few days ago. Summer attire can be skimpy when wearing the heat and humidity. And movement is even skimpier as one false move, a bucket of the drench gives sitting or standing a new meaning . Yep, a cool rain coming down steady and true is a blessing for sure. So sitting in my chair with a sweatshirt on, I am smiling. Although I suppose I should wear half a smile as I am thinking of those who are visiting the island and they are paying for rain. I looked at the forecast for this week, and the temperatures are more in the low 20’s with a side of rain. Hmmmm.

But the quiet of my place with no constant whirr of the fans and closing of the curtains, I am in heaven. It feels so good to go around the home and not feeling that I need a soaking wet cold washcloth on hand, to wipe parts of my body that seem to be emitting unwanted moisture all over. If I wipe my neck, my forehead says swipe me. If I do my brow, my face says swipe me. And so forth. No need to share further what is experiencing that diaphoresis happening to the nth degree because the body tells you already….”I’m hot”. Yeah, a 60+ plus body, is hot as in warm, not hot as in your hot. LOL. Good thing I do not wear makeup because it would need to be the drip dry non-running long-lasting kind.

However, I am sorting through my closet and voila, I find a sweatshirt. Yes indeedy, my cozy Coastal Culture PEI line with long sleeves and fleece. It feels so good on. And so do my socks. Of course I have to laugh as my oldest daughter who needs clean clothes for work says, “Mom we get to use the dryer.” LOL. Her and the dryer. What is the problem with using natures natural built in dryers, free and hot with a touch of whipping wind. I know I know. No showing the skivvies and pantaloons. Got it. Although she cannot deny how fast the clothes dried this past Sunday. Two hours and they were done like toast….not burned but warm and toasty. Which I am feeling right now in my sweatshirt. LOL. Oh well, I hear the dryer going and I will suck it up because it is cool enough for all kinds of things to happen.

This reminds me of being so grateful. For that wondrous phrase….for this too shall pass…it does. Whomever coined that phrasing initially, certainly knew about life and life moving forward. It might take a bit longer in passing in terms of those harder parts but eventually life seems to balance out. The Diocese of Charlottetown posted a wonderful and inspiring message from His Holiness Pope Francis (I hope I am addressing properly here) that was given recently with regards to life and knowing one’s life “is the greatest company in the world.” Can you imagine!

Here in my pondering, I begin with happy to be able to wear a sweatshirt but in actual fact it connects in a way to the Most Holy Father ‘s homily. For in the simple act of being able to recognize a glimmer of happy, yes being able to put a sweatshirt on during the summer due to final break in heat a la mode, I appreciate the cool so much more. Do I like the difficulties, the sadnesses, the challenges, the darknesses, that befall me in my life? Or others? Nope. But in that there is the kernel of hope and joy and happy for this too shall come to pass. Finding a way to navigate what I am given, regardless of it’s impact, I can come to the other side hopefully renewed, refreshed, rejigged. LOL.

Not sure how I can even capture the many nuggets of goodness in the words spoken. His Holiness gave such joyful and heartfelt wisdom to all in his homily with the opening “ Remember that being happy is not having a sky without storm, a road without accidents, a job without effort, a relationship without disappointments (a weather without extremes). And then goes on to say, “”Being happy is to stop feeling victim and become the author of your own destiny.” FYI: No way can I give the homily justice or breadth of knowledge. But for goodness sake in very simplistic terms, Karen, you got to choose to wear a sweatshirt today. You live in Canada where there are four seasons, fall, winter, spring and yes summer!

So I chuckle as I hear the dryer going. I smile when I see the rain falling and growing the grass. I grin because the curtains are open and free to see outside. And I snuggle in as I had a choice today of wardrobe. Blessings.

Let us pray for those who are in need of our prayers today and may above all never give up on the people that love you. Never stop being happy, because life is an amazing show.” *Homily.

I love my walks in the morning along the sea and up on the red cliffs. Today was no exception as everything was silent except for those birds. I was thinking of the song Bye Bye Birdie from the same titled movie…LOL…for some reason. I wanted the birds to quiet down and allow the ambiance of the silence to fill the day. Not the racket and din of the fine feathered friends; crows cawing does not do it for me. Sorry. So get along little fledglings and peep down.

However I was given a little gift this morning which made me grin from ear to ear. There were 8 blue herons. Yes count them 8!!! Nestled in the tall grasses atop the red cliffs overlooking the sea. Oh I wish I had my camera for goodness sake. Anyway they took my by surprise because usually I see them down by the shore, long legs and webbed feet in the water. For me they are a sight to behold. Not sure what it is about them but they are regal and so steadfast in their stance. Do not know if that makes sense. So I stopped to watch them. Their heads turned towards me as I paused and of course, one movement by me and in tandem, flap their graceful bodies up and away, going further along the cliffs. Unfortunately for them I was going the same way. Sorry guys or gals. However, you made my day even though I did not make yours. LOL.

Wildlife and flora are part and parcel of the grandeur of the wildness of nature. For today, the breeze was just right as the sun began to peek above the horizon over the sea. It was gentle enough to give a bit of a sway of the long tall grasses and laced white Wild carrot growing densely. The newly risen sunlight cast its glow onto the old clay tractor path, filtering sunbeams of light onto the array of wild flowers and fields of potatoes lining the sides of the well-worn red clay lane. Even made my shadow elongated as I walked steadily, enjoying the view. Some days it does not even feel like a walk at all.

But what constantly surprises me is what loveliness one finds in the countryside especially scattered in old pastures or deep in the ditches along the side of roads. The wild flora appeals to me just as much as well manicured gardens, each having its own pleasing essence. God works a wondrous paintbrush, sweeping nature’s fare before you. So to walk as a companion….aaahhhh.

The paradox of sharing the charm and picturesque allure of the island is conflicted with the hazards of the seasons. Ah yes. Summer and the onset of tourist season. Although, I am one to talk. I was a tourist here for many years with my family before I came over to the island side. Haha. Or as my grandson would say, “welcome to the dark side.” Funny boy. Anyway, the appeal and draw of the island should come with a warning. See beauty, maybe check the mirrors before parking.

Don’t you find that there are all kinds of unexpected joys that come into your life? One’s that catch you off guard, make you pause, create a pitter patter on the old heart strings and even make you tear up. Oh those are the best ones by far. Yesterday my sister and I were texting and she said she had a lovely visit with the new newlyweds, her youngest son and his new wife, over the weekend. I asked about her oldest son, my nephew, and how he was doing. Life has a way of grabbing you and pulling at the old ticker. She lets me know that at that moment he was in Ontario, surprising my mom (grandmother of him) with a visit at the home, And soon my dad would be coming in too. No one knew. So surprise would be a mild word.

So one has to know my dad. Routine. Routine. And yes routine. My dad’s weekly routine is to see mom three times a week in the morning. He comes in just after 9, , goes to trailer to get the covid test, masks up and then goes in to pick mom up at breakfast room and then spend morning with her. Well dad did not find her. Not a good sign. So apparently had an anxious look. I just bet. You do not change an 87 year old’s habits and routines. I guess dad was looking around, asking, and of course being my nephew and my dad’s grandson, he played a bit of a trick on dad calling out his given name…Clyde. Yep. My dad has always been a jokester of sorts. Lets just say the apple does not fall far from the tree. Anyway, Dad looked at the person calling his name, a tall bearded man (masked man even) pushing his wife and chatting with her. It did not compute.

You know when you look at someone for the first time after a very long time of absence and cannot accept what they see before them. Well, Dad could not wrap his head around his grandson being there. I do not think they have seen each other for 3 years or so since my nephew and family moved out east and then covid-19 hit. So this large man pushing his wife in her wheelchair was not to be had. Needless to say it was an emotional moment for mom and dad. My mom recognized my nephew too. She did!! Oh my heart. I teared up when my sister texted me the story. Best present ever especially knowing it is mom’s birthday on Friday!! Oh happy day. I feel like singing Happy by Pharrell William.

But more importantly unbeknownst to my nephew, my dad is going to three doctor meetings tomorrow. Dad in his life has basically had enough of his health failing. His kidneys are in bad shape and very few alternatives left to him. It hurts to hear that dad does not want anything more. He has had enough. To find joy in hearing him say that about not doing this anymore, you choke inside as you support the will of a man who has lived well. What will happen tomorrow, not sure. But for now, the unexpected visit by his grandson would be the most precious gift to him. Could not ask for a better unexpected moment.

So yes, the joys of the unexpected. Friends do that to you know. Its funny how you are thinking of a particular person and voila, a call or text or email. No mail though. Hmmmmm. Good friends of my family who we have known for 28 plus years have rented a cottage down the road from my place. Well colour me surprised as I forgot they were coming or maybe not forgot as much as been too preoccupied with babysitting my grandkids. LOL. The summer is getting away from me. Grrrrr. Already close to the end of July. WHERE DID THE TIME GO!! Oh yes, life happens to you while busy making other plans.

So a text came from my good friend saying we will be coming in late Sunday evening….where is the nearest grocery and liquor store?? Hahaha. LOL. Well if one knows the island on a Sunday, things like the sidewalk roll up early for most of the island unless you are staying in and around the only island city. Needless to say food and choice of beverage may not have been achieved. Yikes! Yep a little too late.

But they dropped in yesterday afternoon and man it was so great to see them. You know the kind of friends where you just pick up. Time does not change a thing as you engage in chatting and catching up and hugging. Yes hugging. Sorry covid-19 you had your turn now it is just…go away. LOL. It is a short time, only a week, so snatching a few hours together is wonderful. Breaking bread even more so. Grateful for the unexpected.

Now I’m not sure what to expect but it will be joyful this coming weekend. For the last couple of months, my middle grandchild has engaged in a deep conversation about her pink birthday party. Yes siree bob….PINK PARTY. And all who attend have to wear pink as she turns the BIG 3. As an aside, three years ago an unexpected joy took place as she was born on the same day as her great grandmother, my mom. She has not met her as yet but hopefully one day. Anyway, it is such a delight to listen to her talk about pink; the only criteria for her party. Yep. When you ask her what she wants, she says pink. Pink what?? Heaven only knows. Do you know how hard it is to think of pink party items?

Pink lemonade. Yes. Pink plates and napkins and cutlery. Yes. Pink balloons and streamers. Yes. Pink dress. Absolutely a must. LOL. Pink icing on cake and cupcakes. Yes. But pink entree. Nope. Hotdogs or sausages. Are they close to pink? Good enough. Now me…pink is NOT my colour. But you do what you do for the loves of your life. So pink dress it is my little grandchild.

And right now this very morning on my walk as the sun rose and the breeze came off the sea, I found… relief. Can I get excited about saying that I can spell relief? H-E-A-t. The heat is palatable today. Haha. I can honestly say that sweat was not dripping down my brow. And Maggie May with her new dog cut, she was barely panting. Joy. Joy. Joy. Unexpected joy. I am trying not to say it too loudly as I might even be able to turn the fans off. Open the curtains during the day Can it be true? Aaaahhhh. Find the joy in the unexpected.

Am I reaching the bottom of the barrel in finding joy unexpectedly in the price of gas going below $2.00. Nope. You got to find joy wherever as they are unexpected blessings.

Let us pray for those in need and for those unexpected joys wanted and even needed. Amen

Usually the weather is quite moderate here on the island. But lately the heat and mugginess are a wee bit stifling. The heat index is somewhere in between OMG and WT#$#. I do not swear and not going to start. But come on. Give a gal a break. In winter, you kind of hide from the bitter cold and in summer, you do the same thing. Grrrr. Although I should not complain at all because some places around the world are getting record breaking crazy heat. So. Solution. Nothing like putting ones toes or calves or higher into the ocean. If you do not have relief tickets to seaside, I suppose you can take a cold shower or even better, invest in a pool….kiddie size.

Grandkids come in handy. Hey if you cannot beat ’em, join em. LOL. They do not need much as little ones so a little bit of water from the hose (of course warm and cold water as they are fussy about too cold – LOL) and voila….relief. Yes Mother Nature needs a chill pill right about now.

I really do not think one pays attention to the temperature when younger. If it is hot, it is hot. If it is cold, it is cold. It is what it is. But as one grows older, there seems to be a noticeable difference in reaction to the body especially the muggy part. I do not do muggy. I mean I do but I don’t. And to top if off, I do not care for air conditioning. I do not have it in my home as the trees and sea nearby kind of keep things okay. I think it is the extremes to the body…too much. But the mugginess, now that is another thing. It is like when you just took a shower and think did I not just dry myself or is that sweat. Seriously.

Yes tis the season of summer. Hot days and muggy nights. Relief will be overrated. Even turning my pillow over to the cooler side, does not cut it. LOL. But it is summer. In Canada. Four season country. But just so you know Lord whatever you are baking outside, I think it is done.

Do I prefer hot over cold? At this point, maybe. Or not. Well I got that off my chest. Fans on. Curtains closed. Windows open. Movement at minimum. Oops. I got the grandkids. Hmmmm. Well, slower motion. And pray.

I do worry about the little ones and the elderly. It is not good for them. What to do! Well you do not put on the stove. Try barbequing….or sidewalk works now. Maybe you could purchase half a T-shirt… not to worry about the 6 or 8 pack bod. Get a sign to say “summer you can stop showing off. We get it. You are hot.” They have ice blocks for sale….hover around it like a campfire. Also check to see if your fan is spinning the right way.

So today if you can, stay cool. Like send shivers down your spine or break out in a cold sweat or keep a cool head kind of cool. Brrrr.

Happy summer day. Blessings.

Let us pray for those who need our prayers and for those who need relief from the extreme heat. Amen

I am looking outside my window right now seeing freshly cut grass for the fifth time in three weeks. I love the tidiness and smell of freshly cut grass. Done for another couple of days until it rains again like it is now. Stay down grass. LOL. And dandelions too. Stop putting your little flyers out on my lawn. I have to get my grandkids to start pulling them out of the ground. Have you ever noticed after cutting the grass, the dandelion stems find their way up again. Geez. I really would like to have more grass than dandelions and unfamiliar tuft looking weeds. I am not creating a golf course mind you but I would like to have more grass to show for my efforts of lawn care. Not my forte I guess.

However, the sun is not shining its light through the trees, filtering its rays upon the new bloomed leaves surrounding my place. It’s raining. Glistening on the petals and leaves that encompass my home. Aaahhh. Oh how the world awakens to birth and rebirth of annuals and perennials, shrubs and bushes, barren fields tilled and ribbed, bringing about the glory of Creation. I am in awe. It is impossible not to be. With the rain pelting down, casting its droplets upon the leaves…it looks vibrant in all the greenery of greens, a palette of hues. Love it.

But the best part has been seeing the first signs of lupins. They run wild and pop up everywhere and anywhere. I cannot believe that I have them along my laneway!! Where a person has to go and get seeds at store, the lupins here are just randomly spread out from sides of road, across fields, along drives, in the ditches to nicely manicured gardens. I think I like the wild look. So beautiful. Love them. They are my favourite wild flower. Not sure if the are really wild but they are here. And colour…shades of pinks and purples and whites. It tells me summer is around the corner, getting ready to be out in full array. I did not walk today as the rain is too much for taking Maggie May. But I’ll listen to it in the open window. Maybe it is Mother Nature saying to human….stay in and welcome the pause.

I have to say nature is such a wondrous companion to be with especially during the rain. I do not know what it is but God’s creation in full bloom takes my breath away as Mother Natures gives it a good cleaning and wash. Living amongst nature, with the trees and wildlife, it beckons the soul to be at rest. Today’s rain is just a constant hum, not too hard and not to light. Gentle . Certainly not a skiff of rain but a pitter patter. Hahaha. And it is warm as I noted as I take the recycling out to the bin.

Oops. Not saying too loudly the pitter patter wordage because those words come with little feet, two two-year old feeties to be specific. Which doing the math, means four tiny feet who come with a stubborn mind to go outside, rain hopping. Yikes!! Which means getting ready to go out with rain boots and rain coats. That would be okay if that was the only thing. But not so much. Muddy red water that soaks their pants in reddish tints. Laundry here I come…again. But hey what’s a bit of rain between friends. Carrying them screaming and hollering because they DO NOT WANT TO COME IN! No need for weights or cardio exercises. Got that down in spades.

Well I guess I need to get ready for a day together with the kids and see what we can explore. Maybe the water droplets coming down, spraying us, as the rain slows down and we go out into the forest. Bugs. Maybe. But that is their thing. I guess deet might be good about now. Maybe they will be satisfied with their noses stuck to the window and watching a raindrop slowly making a path down the window pane as they look out longingly for the sun to come out. Rain or shine, they are outdoor kiddies. Woohoo.

Okay. Getting ready for whatever may come. Thank you for the pause. Blessings.

Let us pray for those who are in need of prayers.

Oh my goodness. You know that old adage “young and stupid”. Well how about ‘older and stupider’ might be one to go by as I get on in years. Not a good word mind you – stupid – but I really was being ridiculous. Seriously. What I think I can do and what I can do now are two different things. Big time. I don’t mind getting older but my body is taking it badly. Hahaha.

So last weekend, Friday evening to be exact, the top left part of my arm went crazily sore. I could not even lift, rotate, or extend my arm. To make matters worse, I like sleeping on my left side and it was so painful I had to lay flat on my back barely able to turn my body. WHAT in the world DID I do? I know I studied the human anatomy when I went to university way back when but I really do not remember how one muscle connected to the next. Well, believe you me, every muscle in my upper body seemed to be connected. I even had to take my right arm to move my left arm upwards. Turning over, my stomach muscles went to my left arm. Ow ow ow. I felt like a big baby.

You do not realize how one takes for granted the body and its natural movements going about your day. Putting on clothes or brushing teeth or turning on a tap or opening/closing the door or changing a diaper or going for a drive. Never mind little ones jumping into your arms to be lifted up. The muscles of the body are a machine but one that cannot take for granted. At all.

So ice ice and more ice. Then Biofreeze and A535….did not do a thing. Those freezer bubble beads with a strap on it only go for so long. I resorted to the lunch bag freezer ice packs placing it right on my upper arm. Numb became my new norm. And holy lightening the ice pack going under the tender part of my arm….jumping joly ranchers….brrrr cold. Really cold. You do not realize how tender you are under the arm until you put ice on it. I was laid up literally for two days with day three I could actually move the arm. Of course my granddaughters who are 2 + in years did not care for me to be laying down so getting up and going outside….they grabbed my left arm. And naturally if Rara is up and about then she can lift them up to.

This reminded me so much of when I tried mussel socking. Have you ever done that? Well I respect those who do that on a regular basis here on the island. It is a traditional fishing job to be done. So when you eat the mussels, enjoy each morsel and pay the price. Hopefully not too ridiculous in cost but the work behind the plate before you….let me say it is hard. Or maybe I just overdid it. For mussel socking is repetitive in action. There are three actions in the socking – putting 6′ sock on; filling the 6′ sock with baby mussels from a pipe filled with water and baby mussels; and then folding the filled sock into a container, folded in half. Two are easy to do and I did not pick that one. So after 4 days of constant putting mussel sock on pipe, my right forearm swelled to unbearable (did not notice it initially). I could not even lift my granddaughter who was just over 1 at the time. Needless to say, I quit and I have never quit a job in my life. Granddaughter over doing a physical kind of activity (met some really nice people too who were younger and older than me doing the job for months). Felt badly but it was my own fault. I should have mixed up doing the three parts to the mussel socking.

So getting back to me being a tad brainless in my actions of thinking I can do anything. Sheesh. It is not a can do or not. Why, is the question to me? Well I was thinking with a can do attitude in which I get on a roll with an idea of what I want to do, and then I just do it. And I did. Do it. But what I forgot in the process was that I could have asked for help. I am not as young. I am not as strong nor do I use those muscles very much. Lifting my grandchildren or pulling them on a wagon over rough terrain is not the same apparently. So the pull and yank and manoeuvring was not smart. In other words, I should not have picked up two large patio stone slabs from under the play set, drag them up and over, and place them strategically beside each other…jiggling and jostling them so they are flush. I wanted to create a space for an art area outside. Voila!! They were heavy and yes it was a bit of a strain but goodness I did it last summer. Am I slowly losing body strength? Nah. Just no.

I had to rack my brain of what I did because I did that in the morning. For the rest of the day I was fine. Obviously not as the pain came out of no where. And it hurt. Man it hurt. So what did I learn from life lesson….ask for help. Now that is a big to do because I am so independent. The reality is that the mind is so much more younger than the body. LOL. Not a big surprise and not going to pretend otherwise. However, I like physical activity and I want to be active. So mind over matter (seasoned body) is grateful for a youthful mind. “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain

Right now I am thinking…woohoo. All is in working order and I want to keep it that way. Do I wish my body was as youthful as my mind seems to be? Yep. But alas, I need to get on board and be a little more attentive to the nuances of getting older and wiser. LOL. Or ignore and just do. I am betting I’ll get myself into more trouble again very soon. Too many things to work on and do. Never mind the climbing and crawling and tugging and walking and running that goes with taking care of two active stubborn delightful 2 year olds. Yikes!! And do not even get me started on my 11 year old grandson.

Thanks grandkids for making me feel youthful. Just let me think of easier ways to make fun things for your pleasure. Blessings.

Let us pray for those who are in need especially those ill or sick.

Oh we are so very close now. It is amazing how time flies when you are having fun. I was just reading a post on FB from a friend who looks at her last days of her trip to be bittersweet. It is such an interesting word choice and yet so apropos. Soon I am going to be doing the same thing, heading home to my home, but with a bittersweet taste left as I say a ‘so long’ to family and friends here to embrace family and friends there. How does that work? Not that I am a social butterfly by any stretch of the imagination but I have both wonderful family and friends here and there. So the angst of leaving is squashed and squished by the joy of arriving. Is that not a paradoxical quandary to be facing? LOL. You betcha!

It reminds me when travelling anywhere in Canada or going out of country. There is a part of me that has not left home. Many a time travelling and camping through the States or when I was fortunate to travel much later in life to Kenya that my home called to me. It was time to return. As much as I am glad to be where I am and enjoy the blessings bestowed to me here, a call to the heart means it is time to head home.

There, one puts the hat up and nestles down into the sounds of routine at home. I cannot express in any understandable way that feeling when I see the red shore of the island. I have always been struck by the colours of PEI shores and traditions. It takes on this flavour of rich welcome where it calls from the warmth bask of the sun. The red hues of the island’s sand rock and soil with the backdrop of breath taking brilliance of greenery hues in its natures’ interior. It is not more or less than other places in the world but for my heart, it is home.

So waiting patiently, obviously not doing a good job of it, as there is still a ways to go, the trip home draws near. Of course having company to share the journey home with is an opposite feeling for said companion. It will be a home away from home for my daughter which I just experienced in these last few months with her. Thankyou. Grateful to have a pillow for my head to enjoy the fruits of being a Rara, daughter, sister and friend with many in my life here, I now get to return to home and do the same with family and friends there. It is funny how that works.

You do not know what you do not know until it is taken away from you. Not literally taken away, but put on pause in order to do what needs to be done. If nothing else one learns from the wake of Covid, it has emphasized quite categorically that family and friends, human contact and interaction, are needed in ways that you did not know you miss until circumstances happen.

I cannot begin to fathom the pain and turmoil of some of the people on this earth that are in constant fear and suffering. There is no home for them which should be one’s castle. Right? Feeling safe and secure even when things may seem crazy and spin like, you should have a home to rest your weary head. I pray for the circumstances and decision-making of those who have caused such destruction to the very essence of human dignity and life. Why? Oh, Why? Why should one b fighting for a home. It is not right nor just. I pray for the hope of calm and peace to come into the hearts and minds of all people. Please.

So I take this life given and be steadfast in knowing life changes in a blink of an eye. I recall riding in the back of our family car as a child as we travelled to my dad’s homestead to visit his folks for many summers. We would always leave early, around 4 am in the morning, and travel all day, destination ‘down home’. That phrase has stayed with me as long as I remember. Not sure what the draw was entirely but the drive along old number 2 highway, along the river, up to what used to be the old covered bridge, it felt like home. Old worn white siding farmhouse, with its quaint character and charm, had the goods. The happy, the fun, the joy, the food…can’t forget that. But most of all, the love within each nook and cranny, from days gone by with family and friends. I could feel it.

Home. A place that is a reflection of you or hopefully you. A beginning and an end to one’s day for the most part which soaks up the stories, the laughs, the sorrows…and all in between. It is a sanctuary like no other where you can settle in all cozy and warm and just be. You can hang out in pjs, casual wear, or the messy. Who is going to know for goodness sake? Well that depends if you live alone or not. You may not be able to escape for the quiet you may seek if sharing. LOL. You know when you do not want to be known as a mom or a sister or a daughter (ye gents, you can substitute to suit) or an ‘anyone’….I just want one minute for self. Ergo, bathroom…with lock. Hah. It does not matter for locks can be picked. Aahh. But regardless home is where the heart lies open and revealed.

Take me home, country road (or four-lane highway). Blessings.

Let us pray for those whom are in need of prayers and for those who seek home.