As Time Goes By

One year ago today I was still 65 years old. Tomorrow I will be 67 years old. Time leap-frogs ahead as days, months and years speed by. I am not afraid to share my age as I am blessed with good health and functional ability. Many others in my generation have not aged as well, and I know things could change for me tomorrow. I am thankful for each day of strength and independence, for a sound mind and for the many material benefits I enjoy. I am thankful for a loving family, for my friends and community. 

Nathan, Sandra, Linda, Philip, Ruth

The picture above was taken in 1962 in Grandma D.'s backyard. She had a six-foot-deep flower border down each side of the yard. She loved to work in the garden in the evenings and we enjoyed many picnics and croquet games here over the years. All the grandchildren she had at that time are in this beautiful photo which was taken by my dad. 

Nathan, Stephen, Mom, Philip, Dad, Mark, Ruth -1981

This picture was taken about twenty years later in the backyard of our first home. Our immediate family was seldom together at the same time in our adult years and this was one of those rare occasions. My siblings and I were between the ages of 17 and 26 years and Mom and Dad were 49 years old.

 

Fast forward (and I mean this literally!) 40 years and I am the grandma sitting with my little grandson. We are looking at pictures of the moon, an object he enjoys just a little less than a Jeep. Whenever he saw my iPad he wanted to see the moon, and I had plenty of moon shots to choose between. It doesn't seem possible that 60 years have passed between the first photo and this one. It makes me happy to see Grandma D.'s Nativity scene on the sideboard behind my right shoulder. She would be pleased to see it used by her great-great-grandchildren.

Here are some of my favourite verses from Psalm 90. The words become more meaningful as I get older, and as I celebrate another good year lived, I will number my days that I may gain a heart of wisdom.

Lord, you have been our dwelling place

throughout all generations.

Before the mountains were born

or you brought forth the whole world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God...

Our days may come to seventy years,

or eighty, if our strength endures;

yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,

for they quickly pass, and we fly away...

Teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom...

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

for as many years as we have seen trouble.

May your deeds be shown to your servants,

your splendour to their children.

May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us;

establish the work of our hands for us—

yes, establish the work of our hands.

from Psalm 90 NIV

Birding in January's Deep Cold

Horned Lark

Horned Lark- frontal

BC Chickadee, Am Tree Sparrow, WB Nuthatch, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco

Common Mergansers and Common Goldeneye Ducks on the Grand River

Temperatures have remained below average this month and there has been no January thaw. There have been several sunny days but it is too cold to tramp around trails for hours looking for birds. We drove to some of our favourite birding areas in the region on two different days this week. Overall, birds seem to be harder to find this year in the usual winter hotspots. I hope that means that the hotspots have shifted, not that there are fewer birds overall. It is usually easy to find Rough-legged Hawks, Northern Harriers and the occasional Snowy Owl or Red-shouldered Hawk at this time of year in the farm fields north of the city. Flocks of Snow Buntings are often common on gravel roadsides. So far I have not found any of these species this year.

We did startle a flock of Horned Larks on a dirt road along the Conestoga River. The birds make a tinkling sound that is like shattering glass when they are together in fields foraging for seeds. Horned Larks nest in this area, but they do migrate short distances in the winter in search of food. They are more abundant here in the winter as birds from the north come to southern Ontario until spring arrives. 

The usual winter passerines are visiting our backyard feeders. Northern Cardinals, Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, Tree Sparrows, Chickadees, Juncos, Mourning Doves, Blue Jays and Finches drop by throughout the day, competing with the squirrels for sunflower seeds. A large Pileated Woodpecker flew alongside the car yesterday, but it was not safe to stop and get a picture when it landed on a tree near the road. 

Local rivers are open in places where the current runs quickly and where warm water is pumped into the stream from water treatment facilities. We stopped along the river at a couple of places and saw the usual winter visitors;- Common Mergansers, Goldeye ducks, Buffleheads, along with the year-round resident Mallards and Canada Geese. 

I am grateful for the opportunity to get out of the house and go for a drive during the winter. With the bitter cold and social restrictions due to the latest COVID wave, many seniors, people with disabilities and parents with small children have been very isolated this month. Hopefully, the lockdowns will end soon and people will be able to gather and visit again.

On a sweeter note... I made an old-fashioned Graham Wafer Pie today. My husband is very faithful in visiting his recently widowed brother once a week for dinner and a movie at his house. Our sister-in-law was a good cook and we enjoyed this pie often at their house. Food is one of the things that bring back fond memories of loved ones. Here is a link to the recipe. 

January-Week 3

(photo credit- The Becka)

A retired high school teacher in our community creates unique sculptures after each snowfall. Matt Morris had a lot of raw material after this week's storm and we drove by to see this lion in his front yard.

The lion was a good representation of my experience this week. I saw a range of human emotions that were inspiring and draining at the same time. 

I saw courage in the face of fear and loss, 

forgiveness in the face of great injustice,

faith in the face of impossible odds,

love in the face of death. 

I understand how health care workers are feeling burned out, not just from long hours worked, but from processing emotional extremes that are part of working with sickness and humanity. 

It has been bitterly cold with overnight temperatures in the minus 20s celsius under clear skies. We have walked the dog in the woods where there is protection from the wind and sunshine to warm things up a little by afternoon. It is so peaceful and restorative here with clean snow, long shadows and deep silence. 

My younger co-workers have been juggling work with childcare responsibilities, which have included remote learning as schools were closed until this week. At this stage of life, I am fortunate to be able to work part-time and to come home and relax if I am tired. 

I found time to catch up on the latest word puzzle craze which is free of charge and consists of only one game a day. I failed my first try at Wordle but was able to solve today's game in 3 of the 6 possible attempts. Now I understand the strange charts people post online with green and grey and yellow squares. The entire English-speaking world is solving this UK-based puzzle each day, so you cannot share the answer unless you want to be severely scolded and shunned. 

Lastly, I have enjoyed streaming some programs on TV. I seldom watch shows in the warmer seasons, but winter evenings are perfect for a cup of tea and a good story. I watched season 9 of Father Brown on Britbox, which sadly consisted of only two episodes. Covid has created challenges with filming and new seasons are often shortened and released late. Both episodes were well done and worth watching.

We are also watching the new version of Around the World in 80 Days on PBS starring David Tennant. The story is significantly altered from Jules Verne's original, but it is culturally updated and relevant in regard to colonialism as well as the status of women. My favourite televised version of this story is the miniseries starring Pierce Brosnan which is far more light-hearted but not highly rated. 

I watched the new animated movie Encanto on Disney+ and found the first twenty minutes to be less than inspiring. But the movie came together and the message was very good. Basically, the theme is about families who expect their children to be gifted and perfect while ignoring the cracks and weaknesses that threaten the foundation of the home. This article on CNN gives an excellent summary of the lessons in the story, particularly in relation to the expectations that many immigrant families have for their children. I read another article in Sojourners that explored some spiritual aspects of the story from a Christian perspective.  The song  All of You starts with these lyrics.

Look at this home

We need a new foundation

It may seem hopeless but we'll get by just fine

Look at this family, a glowing constellation

So full of stars and everybody wants to shine

But the stars don't shine, they burn

And the constellations shift

I think it's time you learn

You're more than just your gift

And I'm sorry I held on too tight

Just so afraid I'd lose you too

The miracle is not some magic that you've got

The miracle is you, not some gift, just you

The miracle is you

All of you, all of you...

We don't have to be heroes and should not be ashamed of embracing our human weaknesses. As well as being kind to ourselves, we need to extend grace and kindness to others, especially in times of uncertainty and stress. 

 

Winter Storm and a Full Wolf Moon

An almost invisible rising moon in the bottom right picture

   A winter storm was in the forecast for several days but our city was supposed to be on the western edge of it, receiving modest amounts of snow. The weekend temperatures were frigid but yesterday afternoon an approaching front brought a noticeable change. We climbed the nearby hill to watch the moonrise as clouds moved in from the south. East winds in the winter are bitter and usually precede our worst storms, and it was bitterly cold out in the open.

   

The moon rose before 4 PM and it faced the sun directly as it came above the horizon making it hard to see at first. I love watching the moon rise in this high spot near our home.

 

The bottom two pictures were taken by my daughter 

   The storm arrived overnight and was much worse than the forecast predicted. We were supposed to get 5-10 cm of snow and then the forecast changed to 15 cm. I measured 30 cm of snow in a protected area of the backyard this afternoon. Our family in Ottawa received 45 cm and Toronto was also paralyzed by the storm. It has been 2 years since I wore my high snow boots, but they came out of the closet today! By evening the skies cleared for a colourful sunset and a picturesque moonrise. 

   I never get tired of watching the power and beauty of nature. I respect its power and admire its beauty. We finally have enough snow for tobogganing, skiing, snowmobiling, and other winter activities. Winter has my permission to stay until March 21st! 

Lights on Stratford

HOPE in Downtown Stratford

We live 40 km from the City of Stratford ON which is home to the famous Stratford Festival, previously known as the Stratford Shakespearean Festival. The festival was founded in 1952 by Tom Patterson, a local journalist. We have enjoyed many fine theatrical productions here over the years. My father came for a visit in 2013 after Mom died and we took him to see Fiddler on the Roof, one of his favourite musicals. My nephew, Simri was also there and it was one of the nicest memories with my dad in his final years.

Stratford was founded in 1832 and was named after Stratford-upon-Avon, England. The Ontario river that runs through the city is also called the Avon River. It is a beautiful spot to visit with well-kept older homes and a vibrant downtown. 

Covid-19 has put a hold on the Stratford Festival indoor performances for the past two seasons. Local businesses depend on the theatre patrons for financial success, and once again, restaurants are closed and large gatherings are disallowed. The city has sponsored a winter lights event called Lights on Stratford. We drove over to enjoy the displays and also to support a local restaurant by ordering some take-out food. 

Tom Patterson Island on the Avon River

Tom Patterson Island is opposite the main Festival Theatre and a small bridge takes pedestrians to the island in Avon River. The solar system was displayed but the actual river, dusk sky and rising moon were more spectacular than the lighted planets. The planet display was ideal for young children with plenty of room for them to run about in a socially distanced way. 

Sky Castle, Market Square Stratford

The Sky Castle behind the City Hall was a kalaidescope of changing colours and sounds. Local businesses had lighted displays and like Tom Patterson Island, it was a great place for families with children. We ordered take out at a local Indian restaurant, but had to save it to eat at home. I do hope restaurants are able to open again soon for indoor dining. 

I am enjoying the (very light) British drama mystery series Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators on Britbox. The stories are set in Stratford-on-Avon, England and it is interesting how Stratford Ontario has been modelled after the original theatre town. Hopefully the Stratford Festival will be up and running this year if the pandemic burns out. 

Omicron has been the most challenging and contagious variant of the Covid-19 pandemic. Both the hospitals in the city are dealing with high rates of staff absenteeism due to illness or isolation mandates. Vaccinated people are getting ill and while the numbers of infected patients has skyrocketed in the past couple of weeks, most of them have mild symptoms. Many Covid positive patients are asymptomatic and have been hospitalized for other reasons. But unvaccinated patients are still developing critical illness requiring ICU care. I have been called in for several extra shifts but am glad I was firm about taking a few days off this week. Down time is essential;-visiting Stratford, walking in the woods, reading a good book, watching the moon rise, streaming a film from a place I would like to travel to sometime...

Yes, life is good!

January at its Best

We finally had a couple clear, cold days that were free of Great Lakes dampness, drizzle and ice. My fear of falling keeps me from venturing out in icy conditions and it is preferable to have some snow cover for good foot traction. The sidewalks are over-salted in many places and nothing bothers our dog's feet more than salt in her toes. Today we walked through the woods where there was protection from the north wind and enough sunshine to give a mood boost.

And someone set the right mood on a tree at the trailhead near the parking lot. I wouldn't doubt that this small gesture made many people smile. The long shadows across the snow are so beautiful on a sunny winter afternoon. The temperature was -8 C and dropping quickly. We had dressed appropriately but after a kilometre or so the chill started heading for our bones. ( I am still drinking hot tea as an antidote!)

These trails are wide enough for cross country skiing but I have yet to see anyone using skis here. I used my Nordic poles for balance and safety but I have no plans to take up skiing at this stage of my life

A male Hairy Woodpecker flew in front of me and proceeded to hammer away vigorously on a high dead branch. I knew from the call that it was not a Downy Woodpecker and this was confirmed by the long beak and lack of black bars on the outer tail feathers. A Hairy Woodpecker is considerably larger than the neighbourhood Downy Woodpeckers that visit our feeders and make holes in our neighbour's wood siding. I was hoping to see the Pileated Woodpeckers that nest in these woods but they were not to be found.

The almost full January Wolf Moon rose in the midafternoon. It will be completely full on January 17th but if the weather forecast is correct, it will not be visible on Monday. I do hope that the predicted snow will come as the grass is barely covered right now. These clear skies bring very cold overnight temperatures in the minus double digits celsius and a good layer of snow provides protective insulation for plant roots.

Our ten-year-old Labradoodle doesn't show her age at all on the trail as she runs and explores and looks for sticks to carry. She has stopped chasing every squirrel and is very protective of our family, her pack. She gets concerned if someone (usually me) lags behind and circles back to make sure we stay together. I cannot say enough about the emotional benefit of a good pet, even with a shedding coat and messes in the backyard. She motivates us to get moving outdoors and brings joy to the day. 

The high tomorrow is supposed to be -14 C but we will have to do a shorter version of this walk again.

Light and Joy

We are only one week into the new year but it feels old with darkness, cold and grief. My resolution of finding joy every day has already been challenged but it has been there.

I went on a long, cold walk in our neighbourhood on a cloudy afternoon earlier this week. As I came back to our street, the setting sun shone through the trees, reminding me that days will get longer, and brighter and warmer. 

I walked a patient to the end of the hall today and helped her sit and rest in the sunshine by the south-facing window. The sun was so warm on my back that it was hard to believe it was frigid outdoors. The hospital is heavy with illness and stress but we found a moment of peace and light. 

I am very thankful that our daughter calls every day on Facetime so we can talk to our grandchildren. Their lives are full of new discoveries and excitement and they remind me how to find the happiness that can elude us as we get older. They are our hope for the future and our example in finding joy in the present.

Little Miss P drew this colourful portrait of Joseph wearing his coat of many colours. The Picasso-like beauty of the picture makes me smile every time I look at it. 

I will get ready for the second week of January with bright colours and red socks and optimism for the future.

Food and Fitness 2022

The decorations are dismantled, festive leftovers are gone and the Christmas season is over for another year. This is the busiest month of the year for gyms as many people make diet and fitness resolutions on January 1st. 

I track my bike rides on the app Strava and have my tally for 2021. This was the first year I rode my bike at least a couple of times every month of the year. My mileage totals are very modest but I am pleased with my consistency over the year. I try to take the stairs at work and my daily step count is in the recommended range as well. The right kind of activity goes a long way in easing chronic pain in arthritic joints. My Giant cruiser bike which I bought in 2012 has been a great investment and other than replacing the seat stem and tires, it has needed few repairs.

I am well aware of the importance of maintaining muscle strength, flexibility and aerobic capacity as the years add up. Frailty is deadly and resisted exercise is required to maintain and improve bone and muscle strength. I only use five-pound weights for my upper extremity routine but also add some bodyweight exercises such as pushups and squats.  My patients give me motivation (I don't want to end up in hospital), and I also want to be able to enjoy activities with our grandchildren. There are so many good reasons to develop a simple exercise routine that can be done consistently. 

Truth be told, I enjoy good food, particularly holiday baking, and December is always a month of overindulgence. January is a good time to cut back and reintroduce healthy eating habits. Our mother always had a trim figure and if she put on a bit of weight, she would make a big pot of healthy soup and eat a bowl for lunch and dinner for a few days. January is going to be soup month at our house in 2022!

I used to buy a product called Better than Bouillon and used it as a base for vegetarian soups. It is quite pricey and I went through it quickly, so I looked for a way to make a good vegetable soup base that did not require boxed broth or powdered broth granules. This recipe is a bit labour intensive, but it makes enough vegetable broth base to last us for several months. I made a double batch a couple of weeks ago. The ingredients cost $25.00 but it is much cheaper and much tastier than store-bought bouillon. It has a LOT of salt, but you only need one teaspoon of the finished product per cup of water. Because of the high salt ratio, it can be used from the freezer as it maintains the consistency of a slushie when frozen. All the ingredients for a double recipe are pictured on the right except you need a couple more carrots.

Vegetable Bouillon Base (from A Veggie Venture)

5 ounces (150 grams) leeks, white and light-green parts only

Consistency in food processor

7 ounces (200 grams) fennel bulb, chopped
7 ounces (200 grams) carrot, chopped
3.5 ounces (100 grams) celery, chopped
3.5 ounces (100 grams) celery root (celeriac)
1 ounce (30 grams) sun-dried tomatoes
3.5 ounces (100 grams) shallot, peeled
3 medium garlic cloves
9 ounces (250 grams) kosher salt (about 1 cup)
1.5 ounces (40 grams) parsley
2 ounces (60 grams) cilantro

Method:

Chop the vegetables in chunks of an inch or less and add them to a food processor. I layer the vegetables and some of the salt as it helps liquify things faster. The food processor will not get the vegetables to a smooth paste, so I use my blender after processing the vegetables and adding all the salt. It is best to blend small batches at a time until smooth. The blender step is optional.

Consistency using blender as well

The finished product can be placed in jars or tubs suitable for the freezer. A single recipe makes about 3-1/2 cups of concentrate which is equivalent to about 40 quarts or litres of broth when used at a ratio of 1 teaspoon/cup of water. 

I love this vegetable combination, particularly the addition of fennel and celeriac, but other vegetables and herbs could be used. I would be careful to maintain the weight of vegetables to salt ratio. It is important to use a kitchen scale to measure the ingredients.

Tonight we had Black Bean Tortilla Soup and perhaps I will make a roasted vegetable soup tomorrow. The possibilities are endless. I sometimes add a spoonful of bouillon base and a spoonful of low salt miso to two cups of boiling water for a delicious broth drink. Mom used to add a beef oxo cube to a mug of boiling water for a hot drink, but this recipe is tastier.

Here's to a happy, healthy year of 2022!