Life in progress

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What Day is it Anyway? Sunday, March 22nd, 2020

My day today so far–11:47am: 

Slept in a bit this morning. I had a weird dream, but I can’t for the life of me remember what it was. Don’t you hate it when that happens?

Anyway, that’s why I’m a little bit late this morning.

My eldest son works as a baker at Tim Horton’s. His shift is normally 3am to 11, but they sent him home early. Even though only the drive-thru is open, people seem to be taking the social distancing thing seriously. He said they had about 10 customers in six hours, and there were still baked goods left from the morning before when he went in. Granted it’s Sunday, and all the churches are closed. But Saturday must have been slow too.

Alex and I are planning to go out walking again. I’ll try to take photos. I wish he’d let us go the other way and walk down by the water (unless there are lots of people there, in which case we’d have to nix that idea), but walking around the block is good too.

The heartburn is getting better, it seems. I’ve fallen in love with Tums and have to resist the temptation to not eat them just for the taste.

Yesterday:

Yesterday was another 11K-step day! I keep forgetting to time our walks. Alex goes pretty slow, so I suspect 11K steps took us about two and a half or three hours. Didn’t get any photos, but here’s an old one of what I’m looking forward to.

Photo: Tree branches completely loaded with pink cherry blossoms.

 

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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What Day is it Anyway? #SoCS Edition Saturday, March 21st, 2020

Straying from the setup of my usual #WDIIA posts because I don’t want to box myself in while writing stream of consciousness style. We’ll be back to regular programming tomorrow.

Regular programming, eh? That’s taken on a whole new meaning. I realized this morning that I couldn’t remember which day I went to the pharmacy to get my prescription this week because everything is the same. I hadn’t realized until now that I remember things mostly in relation to other things I do. Like, for instance, I might have known it was Thursday because it’s the same day Alex goes to his family swim night at the school.

One day blends into the next.

Oh, hey! I discovered something new today. It might be old news to everyone else, but did you know you can have a Netflix party with your distant friends and family? Here’s the link to the site. I haven’t tried it, obviously, but it’s an interesting concept.

It’s a beautiful day, cold but sunny, so we’ll be going out for walks today. I’m not allowed to visit my mother–they’ve closed the home off to everyone but essential workers and families of people who are dying. The good news, I suppose, is that my mother only seems to remember I exist when she needs cigarettes these days, so as long as I keep her in supply, she won’t miss me. I’m assuming this of course, because she never phones me. I’m hesitant to call her, because she’s going to ask me to come and see her, and won’t remember from one minute to the next that I can’t. At least I know she’s safe, which is the main thing.

This social distancing thing is far from welcome, especially since I resolved a few weeks ago to get out more and people-watch for inspiration. But it’s really not so bad. We’ve settled into a boring yet as stimulating-as-possible routine.

We’re adapting, which is, I suppose, the best thing we can possibly do. Do you find the same yet?

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/

This adaptation of #WDIIA and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is brought to you by both. To join us in the SoCS tradition, click the following link where you’ll find all the instructions and the other participants’ posts in the comments. It’s fun! https://lindaghill.com/2020/03/20/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-21-2020/


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What Day is it Anyway? Friday, March 20th, 2020

My day today so far–10:32am: 

Not much going on here today. It’s rainy and windy, so we probably won’t make it out for our walk. I consider myself grateful that I’m still able to leave the house. There aren’t many people out there, so they’re easy to distance ourselves from.

I came across a Youtube channel for Alex to watch of kids’ stories in American Sign Language. There’s no sound, but for those of you who are home with children, it might be interesting to watch. The gestures, facial expressions, and body language are fairly easy to understand. And kids, being the sponges they are, may just pick up a new language! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyKlPO62EsIltCabT92THlqESi0RVgIwq

On the heartburn front, it really seems to be situational. It disappears when I’m walking, sleeping, or doing anything other than thinking about the current world crisis. I really need to unplug and get working on my edit.

Yesterday:

I walked more than 11K steps! It was a good day for exercise, knowing from the forecast that I probably wouldn’t get out today. I live in an interesting old city, so there’s lots to look at.

Photo: Empty gated space between two buildings built in the 1800s. I’m not sure what they’re going to do with this spot, but I love the original 19th century atmosphere of it.

Same space on the other side–there’s a red object tucked into a pipe on the side of the building: it’s a leftover heart from Valentine’s Day.

 

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I have loads of work to do, getting my books edited and written, so I may not be around too much. But I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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What Day is it Anyway? Thursday, March 19th, 2020

My day today so far–10:51am: 

Ventured out to the grocery store for the first time in at least a week. Spotted the elusive TP–grabbed a pack. They’re only letting people out of the store with one pack. I don’t really need it yet, but my neighbours might be desperate. Every store in town was out of TP yesterday, which means they probably will be tomorrow, too. Leaving it in the trunk of my car to give away to anyone who didn’t make it to the store today.

I managed to get almost everything I needed. I was SO relieved to get into the store to find it looking the same as always, fully stocked. I had a nightmare last night that I went into my regular grocery store and they’d reduced the size of it to two aisles. No fresh produce aside from giant gourds, and barely anything else at all. And in my dream there were SO many people. In real life, not so much.

My heartburn is horrible. It feels like my esophagus is on fire all the time, except when I’m out walking, when I’m eating, and when I wake up in the morning. Which brings me to yesterday.

Yesterday:

I had a phone appointment with my doctor to discuss my heartburn. I was very happy to learn that they’re not taking patients in the office unless absolutely necessary. I phoned them at noon and got my appointment scheduled for 3:30. She prescribed something for my stomach and I had it before dinner time. I hope if they’re not doing this in every city, they will soon.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I have loads of work to do, getting my books edited and written, so I may not be around too much. But I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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What Day is it Anyway? Tuesday, March 17th, 2020

Today’s What Day is it Anyway? is already a doozy at 11:00 am.

My day today so far: 

I woke up late to see my son’s coat and shoes still here. I was surprised, because he was supposed to go to work at 3 am today, wasn’t he? So, thinking he might, God forbid, be sick, I woke him up.

Me: Aren’t you supposed to be at work now?

Him: What? No. I work at 11:30 [am] on Tuesdays. It is Tuesday, right?

Me: Yyyyeahhh…

So, I woke him up for nothing. Which is why I REALLY do need these blog posts. 😛

Heartburn is a bit better. I might need Tums when I eat spaghetti sauce from now on. I had it three days in a row.

Yesterday:

Alex and I went for our walk–two of them, actually–yesterday. I managed to get a photo of a garage door with a quirky expression, complete with dimples. Do you see it?

I’m looking forward to the green grass and the leaves on the trees. This limbo period between pristine snow and true spring is less than pretty.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I have loads of work to do, getting my books edited and written, so I may not be around too much. But I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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What Day is it Anyway? Monday, March 16th, 2020

Let’s play a game of What Day is it Anyway?! Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of.

My day today so far, as of 10:51 am: 

Got a phone call from Kingston General Hospital to say Alex’s echocardiogram appointment (just a checkup, nothing urgent) has been cancelled. They’ll reschedule when it’s safe to go back into a hospital.

Will go for my daily walk around the block with Alex, not touching anything except crosswalk buttons, and then only with our elbows. Will try to take some photos.

I’ve had what I think is heartburn for the last few days. Coffee seems to be making it worse … AHHHH!!!! My lifeblood!

Why I’m writing this post:

We have a wonderful community here on WordPress, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I have loads of work to do, getting my books edited and written, so I may not be around too much. But I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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The Escapist Coloring Club Prompt – March 1, 2020

March is here! And so is your Escapist Coloring Club prompt. If you’d like to join the club, all you have to do is post pictures of your own colouring, your kids’ colouring, or that of anyone you know and have permission to share. This is a month-long prompt, which means you have all of March to link back here.

I’m quite proud of the fact that not only did I get this month’s colouring project finished, I finished it early! Here is the before picture:

And here are the closeup bits: (Click for a closer look.)

I decided to think totally out of the box this month and do something I’ve never done. In the past I’ve coloured in all the greenery and left the other colours until last, but this month I decided to leave the greenery ’til last. I’m quite happy with the way it turned out. Here’s a photo of all the flowers coloured but no leaves:

And here’s the finished page:

I always thought it would be easier to decide on the colours once I had the bits in place that I was sure of ahead of time, but this way seemed more exciting somehow. So here’s a challenge for you when you start your next project: if you can, try something you’ve never tried before.

Thank you so much to everyone who joined in in February. I look forward to seeing your new projects throughout the coming month!

Please find the “rules” below.

1. This prompt is designed for relaxation. As such, I encourage you to take your time to link your own post here, BUT, when you comment, please click the “Notify me of new comments via email” button. That way you’ll receive a notification when someone else links their project and you won’t miss anything. As with all the prompts, the more you visit others, the more your community of like-minded people grows.

2. Ping back! It’s important so that I and other people can come and read your post. To execute a pingback, just copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into the body of your post. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.

3. There will be a prompt on the first of every month. I will try to post the prompt here on my blog at 9:30am -5 GMT. The prompt will simply be photos of my own colouring project. If you would like to host this prompt on your blog on another week during the month, either once, occasionally, or on a regular basis, please e-mail me at hilllindagmaru at gmail dot com and we’ll get you set up. All I ask is that you have an active blog and that you regularly reply to comments and visit other blogs.

4. Feel free to use The Escapist Coloring Club badge in your post.

5. Have fun!


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#SoCS – Imperfect

Perfect is for fiction

Impossible to achieve

Is life stranger than fiction?

If it were, we could be perfect.

Oooh boy, am I drifting tonight. I’ve become a lightweight–half a glass of wine and I can’t think straight. I’m the perfect cheap drunk if nothing else.

Alex is finally feeling better and it’s supposed to rain all day on Monday, so as long as they don’t change that to freezing rain–which would be my luck–he’ll be going to school for the first time since Valentine’s Day. And I know that means I should finally get some work done, but I’ll likely procrastinate most of the day.

I do need a new phone. I have an ancient Huawei that has had no space on it since the day I got it about three years ago. I love the thing, but the apps are starting to act up. It’s time to move on. It’s always a bittersweet moment when I get a new phone. I miss the old one, and I hate the idea of having to get used to where everything is on a new one, but it’s exciting at the same time. Do you know what I mean? Is it like that for you, too?

I’ve been with the same carrier for oh … about 25 years? Is that possible? Maybe a bit less, but not much. I’ve thought about changing, but this company owes me for being loyal. Maybe not as much as my bank, who I’ve been with for 40 years, but close.

Sticking with a company isn’t really rare, I don’t think. Or maybe I’m just weird.

I’ve said that a lot lately–maybe I’m just weird. I’m starting to believe it’s true. Or maybe I’ve always believed it’s true.

I feel like Chinese food.

Maybe I’ll have cheese and crackers.

Yeah.

That’ll be perfect.

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/

This tipsy post is brought to you by Stream of Consciousness Saturday! Click the following link and check out all the other posts in the comment section, and join in! It’s fun! https://lindaghill.com/2020/02/28/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-29-2020/

P.S. I had a dream Saturday morning that I was in Japan with Dan Antion. Our mission was to try out a new speedboat that was the size of a Wii balance board. Both of us, at the same time. When I woke up, we were fighting over who would get to wear the only life jacket. Alex was there, too, but he was a cat. And wouldn’t you know it? I’d forgotten to study Japanese, so I couldn’t understand what anyone was saying … Because, after all, one does not expect to wake up in Japan when one goes to sleep in one’s own bed at night.


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The Escapist Coloring Club – February 2020 mid-month reminder

I missed the middle of February by a bit, but I’m here anyway with your mid-month reminder to get colouring! You’ll find the links for the eight (count ’em, 8!) bloggers who have participated already this month below. Make sure you check them out! I’ll turn off the comments in this post and redirect you to the February 1st prompt to link your entries there, if you haven’t already posted.

Here’s what I’m working on this month. I’m astonished, with how busy I’ve been, that I’m almost finished it!

While I’ve been working on it, I’ve been listening to the audiobook of Jane Green’s Saving Grace. I just finished it last night. It’s a fantastic book! If you enjoy domestic thrillers, you’ll love it!

So back to colouring.

Thank you to our members who have posted so far! Here they are:

Anita at anitashope

June Ann at jaquintinwriter (June Ann, I got your name from your Twitter account. Let me know if that’s not right.)

Willow at willowdot21

Ruth at Ruth Blogs Here

Zhenzhen at Hinuha

Colline at Colline’s Blog

Jenna at revivedwriter

Dar at Darswords

Please visit them to see their wonderful colouring projects.

You can find the original post here. Join us! It’s fun and relaxing.

 

 


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#SoCS – Cheeky Bugger

Is it Saturday? Oh. No. It’s Sunday already. And I’m late again for my own party.

I remember my mother calling me (and many other people) a cheeky bugger often. I was very cheeky indeed when I was younger. And when my mum was younger, too.

We took her out today to a restaurant to celebrate her 90th birthday. She only remembered when someone mentioned it. And she can’t remember how old she is. I can tell her and she’ll forget again in under a minute. Under 30 seconds, even.

But she’s still smoking. Her breathing sounds horrible–the nurse at the home asked me if I wanted to send her to the hospital tonight, but I can’t be there with her, so the nurse said they’ll keep an eye on her. She has a puffer. My mum, that is. I don’t know if the nurse has one.

It’s rotten, getting old.

My mother never gets involved in conversations. Can’t make decisions. The simplest things confuse her, like whether or not she should have two creams in her coffee or one. In that case, it’s not that she can’t decide, it’s that she doesn’t understand the concept.

But, she still knows she wants to smoke.

Perhaps it’s the only thing that keeps her alert.

A photo of my mum and Alex, signing “friend” together. Taken about 8 years ago.

Not sure how I got from “cheeky” to here. Ah well. Such is stream of consciousness writing.

2019-2020 SoCS Badge by Shelley! https://www.quaintrevival.com/

This post is brought to you by Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Click the following link to find the other participants’ posts in the comment section and see how you, too, can join in! It’s fun! https://lindaghill.com/2020/02/14/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-feb-15-2020/