THE BUSINESS OF LIFE

Right outside my front window, I've been watching the journey of two Robins. They started by meticulously building a cosy nest. I watched them fly back and forth, back and forth with bits and pieces creating a perfect home, amazingly with nothing more than a couple of beaks and a few claws! Then mom just sat there - a lot. She would only leave briefly wherein dad would stand on watch. I was getting concerned she was sitting on duds! But finally they were returning to the back and forth routine, this time with fat juicy worms and stuffing them into little beaks. Today, I see the nest is vacant and no doubt those little teenagers are tucked away somewhere getting a feel for their kick at the can. 

Hard work, this business of life! Raising a family, working together, building, fighting, loving. 

My parents celebrated their 60th Wedding anniversary this past week! 

They can tell you a thing about the hard work the have put in together. They bought and sold houses, they struggled with money and job ups and downs, they had great parties!

They raised four children, and can I just point out that my baby brother was a bruiser and nearly the same size as me (sitting on his left). 

They felt the unfairness of pain and grief as one of their children died before her time. My sister Heidi, on the left side of my dad, lost her battle to cancer at only 25 years old. 

Now, 60 years later, they work through the final leg of the business of life; managing aging bodies with various ailments and the slow trickle loss of independence. 

My hat is off to both of you and I love you deeply. I know your journey has not always been rainbows and lollipops, but you have stuck it out and "persevered." 

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!! 

SUNBEAM SERENITY

There's just something about sunbeams! They are so warm and welcoming. The other day I'm laying on my mat in a hot yoga class. There is quiet rustling here and there as everyone gets settled and ready to sweat it out. Me, I'm checking out the ceiling tiles and the sunbeam that scores across right over my head.  "Hey Sunbeam, joining us for the class I see." No judgement emanates from Mr. Sunbeam, he's simply hanging out. 

 

Lulu is living the life on the couch. Like all my pets, they know the best welcome can be found in the sunbeam's embrace. They curl up for a snooze and enjoy the warmth. 

The plants too, after a day of rain yesterday, are sucking up all the sunbeam's goodness. 

Lot of photosynthesis going on right there!

How great would it be if we could be warm and welcoming and  ease up on our judgements. If we made people feel safe and comfortable enough to curl up and nap!  And we would help each other grow to reach full potential. 

This week, take your cue from the sunbeam and shine your light!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I had last week off of work and spent most of it, weather allowing, working on the gardens. But not just the garden - we are putting in a new patio area and updating/completing our back deck as well.

We are under construction! And that means work. Hard, sometimes back breaking, dirty work. 

I hauled and shovelled bags of soil, adding in fresh and cleaned up the beds. I put a nice edge on the front garden and all down the back. 

I moved a few plants around and excavated baby trees and weeds. Then I spent stupid money at the Nursery and created a few planters and pots of flowers. I fell into bed exhausted. 

But just look at my results!

Good, happy soil makes for good happy plants!

The flower pots add nice punches of colour wherever I choose to move them.

But wait! There's more! We are putting in a new cement slab and a new gazebo. So I spent time moving dirt (more like brown glue!) and rocks that accumulated under a small deck that will be removed to make room. 

And I spent a lot of hours, bent over, removing all the debris between all the boards on the big back deck. Every. Single. One. 

Sheldon is prepping to remove the old stain before we can restain and finally finish this deck.

Maybe you are under Construction too. Maybe you are working on your whole life! It will be hard, sometimes back breaking work. But believe in the finished product. The results will be amazing!

I NEED THERAPY!

I was scrolling through my Facebook feed this morning and came across some pics and a video of puppies...Golden Doodle puppies...a whole pack....all fat and fluffy running around. My friend called it "Puppy Therapy". 

Now that's good therapy. Chasing around a bunch of roly-poly puppies. Sign Me Up!

Unfortunately, I don't have a pack of Golden Doodle puppies but I do need some therapy, so I've got a few other options.

Garden Therapy!

Almost overnight, our brown dull world turned into a startling green one. After numerous rainy days we get some pay-back and I spent most of the afternoon rummaging around  in the front garden and taking in the sights and smells. The worms are fat and abundant, the daffodils are ready to pop, the earth smells rich and fresh. 

Baby Therapy!

Babies, especially happy, fresh-out-of-the-bathtub and sweet smelling one are great!!

Comfort Food Therapy!

Whatever works for you: macaroni and cheese, warm chocolate chip cookies, grilled cheese. Avocado toast with grilled mushrooms and drizzled with Black Truffle Oil works for me.

Mornings and Coffee Therapy

I admit it. I'm a irritatingly-early morning person. So I will just slip out of bed so as not to disturb you and hang with the pets. A big comfy chair, a blanket and a hot cup of cinnamon laced coffee is what I need. A time of quiet for prayer and meditation makes for some of the best therapy around!

So all you hard working and time strapped humans, if you need therapy, go out there and find it. The world and its demands just keep coming. Grief and frustrations will pile up. But you can tap out and give yourself some time to regroup and refresh your mental health. Go Chase Some Puppies!!

MUSIC TO MY EARS

The other night I was up at 3:30 in the morning. Yes, that's right, I said 3:30. Lulu was incessantly ringing the cowbell to go out, so I stumbled down the stairs, let the demon dog out and flopped on the couch waiting for the impending scratch at the patio door signalling the plebeian to let her in. And as I lay in my half stupor-state, I heard a robin singing....at 3:30 in the morning. Talk about an early bird - but it was music to my ears. 

I love hearing all spring bird songs, especially after a hushed winter silence with only a few brave little birds sticking it out. What a gift, your sense of hearing!  

I went to a concert today. It was with the Belleville Choral Society celebrating their 60th Anniversary. Their were a few special guests including Baritone Matthew Zaddow, musician Dan Douglas and my own brother and his son, Spencer and Oscar Evans. 

The choir sang their hearts out, including Oklahoma, a personal favourite (music to my ears).

But let's not forget the special guests! Dan Douglas was magic on the recorder and then there was Matthew, clearly a showman! Turn the volume up!

And then my brother Spencer and his son Oscar look up all on a trip to New Orleans with classic jazz!

Music, in all it's forms, be it a bird song, or human, makes our lives so much richer. Keep your ears open - music is everywhere!

THE TRICKY PARTS

I have a concert coming up the beginning of June with the string group. This one has a lot of music in it but I'm feeling pretty solid about most of the pieces. 

But, there are a few tricky parts...

This spot here gives me a bit of trouble. I have to change keys, stomp with my feet and change positions quickly. So Morrie the Cello and I keep "wood-shedding" this part. And I already know, come concert time my heart rate is gonna start rising with anxiety when we get to this piece!

Life has many amazing gifts for us to enjoy (including music). But every now and then, we come to a tricky part. And we may not see it coming so there is no time to practice. A sudden life change, illness, divorce, death, effects of an addiction or struggles with mental health - these are so hard. 

If I suddenly just got up and left in the middle of a concert cause I see a tricky part coming I would miss out on the beautiful songs coming after. I also would miss out on the wisdom and understanding that comes from seeing it through. 

Good Friday is coming up the end of this week. We see Jesus crying out to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. "If there is any other way we can do this Dad...this is hard. Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours." He went through the crucification for me, and for you. 

If you are struggling with a tricky part, hang in there. Seek some advice, balance your life with good rest, good food. Pray to the One who's been through it and understands. There is some beautiful music coming that I would not want you to miss!

HELLO!

Hello - Spring? So glad you finally arrived! You look great, by the way...you feel great too! Just having you around makes everyone else feel great - check out the market:

Barely thriving through the winter, it is now starting to pick up. Merchants are coming out of hibernation and setting up their wares.

Thanks to you, I got my bike out, bought a new helmet and I'm ready pedal away!

By the way, I'm not the only one here to say Hi. The daffodils are sprouting up:

The Little Prince was out for a ride in his carriage to give you a royal greeting too!

I would hazard to say, Canada in general is thrilled to see you!

So, Spring, welcome back! Make yourself at home and please...PLEASE...stay awhile.