Friday, December 02, 2016

Gratitude - Day 5

The barn cats continue to wait for Ansa. She adored them. And they her.

At times, it is difficult to keep focussed on this attitude of gratitude. And in case you think life is a sunny bowl of cherries for me, it isn't, I have other more serious painful health issues which I prefer not to obsess about (hence my last post) but of which I'm consistently mindful. Further tests coming up next week.

(1)In my volunteer position I was extremely stressed about an employee situation I had to manage as some had threatened to quit over an ongoing dispute knock-down-drag-out-hostility between two men. It tested every level of employee conflict resolution I had negotiated in my working career. But a half hour later after I started the meeting, they were apologising to each other. Surprisingly, one of the men was close to tears, the other looked ashamed. There are no sex stereotypes. And I didn't have to pull my old woman card once - i.e. "I'm getting too old for this shyte"- which I've used sparingly in the past to great effect.

(2)"You are just another version of me." I read this recently and was moved by it. It's a shame it's not a national anthem or something.

(3) I had put a little nostalgic statement on FB about the Sunday brunches I would enjoy in Toronto with different groups of friends. Lo and behold, in response, a local restaurant is test-marketing a brunch this coming Sunday.

(4)Midnight last night, as snow had been forecasted, I thought to put my car in the garage which I use for the winter season. And holy disaster, batman. No room for the car. I'm in my PJs. But I got down to shifting and moving and tut-tutting all over the clutter on the floor. There was more dog stuff than anything else - 2 beds, her blankies, her car gear, her dishes, her stool, water fountain, dry food holder, etc. I didn't cry which is good. But there's nothing like cleaning up your own mess at midnight in a floodlit garage for neighbourly entertainment. "You OK?" came sailing up over the meadow from numerous stopped cars. Any truthful answer would have rendered me certifiable so I waved them all away with a nonchalant grin. So yeah, I finally parked the car where it belongs for the winter. And PS the snow was pathetic, about 10 flakes. But I felt so good about this midnight housekeeping so I did.

17 comments:

  1. We here had 11 flakes. Honestly, no global warming ya say? I haven't even put on snow tires this winter, although someone could invent freezing rain tires.

    Touching and lovely picture of the cat. I think animals get this though. Now she's here tomorrow she's ... gone hunting?

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    1. Yes I sat down all cats and explained when she passed. When she was immobilized a few times they traipsed down to the house to visit her, just checking on her. The secret lives of animals.
      They don't give up.
      XO
      WWW

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  2. Caught up now. I love pajama days and settling in with a good movie or tv series. And laughed out loud at the dry skin and eyes! Hope your Brunch with your daughter this weekend is lovely!

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    1. Thank you SAW, I am so lucky with Daughter, she is so kind to her mama, very caring. I sometimes have to pinch myself.

      XO
      WWW

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  3. Hardly anyone here puts their car in the garage (that is, if they still have one). The garages are usually piled-high with junk no longer wanted in the house.

    That was clever of you, managing to get those two stubborn males to spill their emotions and apologise to each other. Disputes like that can go on for years on end!

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    1. Judging from the reaction of everyone out here I am the only person in NL who garages her car in the winter. Saves a ton of trouble with scraping and warming and de-icing.
      I was so relieved on the labour dispute.
      XO
      WWW

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  4. You are awesome, as we say in my country!

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  5. What an sweet cat Wise! I wonder if he/she doesn't know Ansa isn't home. Maybe he/she is thinking of you? I think so. take care, Betty

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    1. It's like a message isn't it Betty. I passed one of our favourite walking stretches today and burst into tears. I miss her so as you must miss your Josie.

      XO
      WWW

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  6. Oh I have another one WWW. Gratitude. Dig this! I'm doing puzzles. Didja ever think you'd never get that bad? Me neither. Anyway, half blind and a lot of other very icky stuff, and someone said what about puzzles mom? Listen someone! Who in heck raised you? But anyway, I came home with this puzzle today. Look, it has many colours so I don't get frazzled and defeated feeling, and the puzzle pieces have texture for my often numb fingers. I can do this. Puzzles for the vision and sensory impaired. See doesn't that sound all lefy funky and sooo much more acceptable than "old woman"?

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clementoni-Jigsaw-Puzzle-500-Pieces-30353-3/dp/B00B59LD5G

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  7. Lefty funky. You'd think I could type a word...

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    1. Good for you for finding something to entertain like this. I hope you have loads of fun, and some challenge with it!
      XO
      WWW

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  8. Wow...those poor cats waiting for her. Eventually, they adjust. You rock, resolving the situation between those two men and I hope brunch rocks for you and daughter.

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    1. Yes, all went well and the cats have gone quiet again. The SPCA brings food to the cabins next door to me and the residents (who are not allowed to have animals, grrrr) feed them and they live in my barn. They are lovely cats, SPCA neuter and spay them and return them to my barn.
      A win win.

      XO
      WWW

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  9. Midnight exercise is very good for digestion and reduction of weight. Or at least that is what I am told when I want to raid the fridge at midnight and am directed to do some exercise instead.

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  10. Fridges should be locked up by strangers at 6.00pm. opened again at 7. Or put in the middle of rooms with a code that would unlock after 200 laps.
    XO
    WWW

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