Upgrades AREN'T Necessarily Improvements!

I really HATE it when I check my phone in the morning - and I see that the operating system on my phone has been updated!

(Oh no! What else did they change?!)

This annoying feature on the blog page appeared a few months ago. ... (A hyper link that I never use...) But if I accidentally touch it while writing, the font letters become small  and I have to erase the tiny words and re-type everything!

More recently this check mark appeared everywhere... What does it mean? Am I safe to touch it?! Does it mean OK? Or I'm done?

For me, a real improvement would be a CHOICE: Do I want this change? If not, how can I get rid of it?  Maybe I'm happy with things the way they were.

Good Neighbours

The month of January brought lots of snow...

So much, in fact, that Terry injured his wrist shovelling...

Now his shovelling days may be done for this winter ...

So we're particularly thankful for our son, who drops by and helps. Also for all our kind neighbours!

Snow Moon 2026

I read last week that the "Snow Moon" was coming... and that it would be extra bright.

I looked up the definition of  "Snow Moon" - and discovered that it was the name given to February's full moon. 

My daughter saw it in Toronto - commented on it, and sent me the picture below.

I saw bits of the moon between pine branches in our back yard early yesterday morning.

But it was our neighbour Mary who captured the first two amazing photos - the first, while driving on Fallowfield Road, south of our neighborhood at 5 pm last Sunday; and  the second, the following morning, shining over our house!

Thank you do much, Mary!!

New Month!

February has arrived!

Here is my phenology calendar for January... a summary of weather and activities in January 2026. 

Lots of indoor time - though I did walk most days (indoors), aiming for 10,000 steps.

My calendar has a new look... (And it will probably continue to change!) A little sketch of the view outside my window on top: a snowy berm, leafless branches on a tree.

Didn't see many animals - mainly squirrels (and dogs out on their winter walks).

But - good news! - we have gained an hour more daylight since December's darkest days!

The sun now sets a few minutes after 5 PM. The picture was taken on west-bound highway 417 - after the glare of looking into the sun disappeared.

Snow "Mountain"

I don't walk around the neighborhood much these days - for fear of slipping and falling on ice or snow.

But I'm very curious about a new "mountain" I see in the distance - on college property not far away.

It's a "mountain" of snow, created by bulldozers piling up all the snow that has been cleared from college parking lots. It hasn't yet reached the size of the plastic dome covering the soccer field.

But last week's massive snowfall must have added significantly to its size.... And it may grow even larger. Winter isn't over yet!

Not sure when I'll get a close-up view... But, for those who might like to climb it - DON'T! It isn't safe!

It may look solid - but with weight and movement - and sunlight melting snow - it could cave in!

Canadian-ish Winter

I woke up in Ottawa this morning, my brother messaged me from Texas last Sunday...

He sounded happy - excited!

Enclosed were scenes of snow taken through the window.

A few days later, I asked: Are you still enjoying Ottawa winter?

Yes, but hopefully not for much longer. It's really slippery out there!

(Don't I know it! I haven't walked outdoors on my own for weeks!)

Appreciating Physio...

I read somewhere that we have professional sports to thank for medical advances in physiotherapy - for supporting research into exercises and other treatments that help us regain mobility and strength when we injure ourselves.

I've had physiotherapy a few times. A number of years ago, I injured my thumbs and wrists by over-knitting - continuing to knit when pain told me to stop. I remember my panic when I wondered if I'd have to give it up. I was devastated. 

Physiotherapy helped me - as did some online exercises for knitters - and switching back to using metal knitting needles. I had started using bamboo knitting needles, because they had become fashionable. But wooden ones can create increased resistance - and hand pain, as in my case, unless one is knitting slippery, silky yarn.

Currently I'm being treated for a tingly right arm - caused by a pinched nerve, perhaps - and a stiff neck that doesn't turn to the left easily. Was a new pillow the cause of that?

In both cases - my wrists and now my neck and arm - I wondered if old age was creeping up on me.

Physio fixed the problem last time! How wonderful if a few physio sessions would fix my current problems, as well. I'd be thrilled!

Confession: They've given me exercises to do at home (see above) but I keep forgetting to do them!