Adventure!

I came across an interesting book recently - called "HumanKind." It's a study of "kindness" - a "hopeful history."

The early chapters question whether - left to our own devices - humans would be kind, or cruel - like the boys in the novel "Lord of the Flies."

Hunting for a real life account of shipwrecked teens to compare with the shipwrecked youths in Lord of the Flies, the author of Humankind came upon an old news story (from the 1960's) about of a group of Tongan teens, ages 13 to 15, who "borrowed" a sailboat - then were shipwrecked in a storm. The boat was washed ashore on an uninhabited island, where the boys lived for 15 months before being rescued.

Reading their story in Humankind - then watching (on YouTube) the 1960's documentary made after they were found - made my day! They did so well in compassion and empathy...

What an adventure!

Don't Get a Ticket!!

The toys look cute -parked on one side of the street...

Oh, oh!

The sign says "No Parking"!

Little by Little...

Our basement is slowly returning to what it was before...

Our large storage room is done. The floor has now been painted, but... paint takes time to dry (and to "cure")!

After this long weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving) - shelving units will be returned to the storage room and we will begin to think about moving things back in!!

But then, the rest of the basement will need to be completed!

It all takes time.... But we're on our way!

Thanksgiving

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving Day!

Terry and I had a traditional turkey dinner last week - at the Miller's Oven in Manotick.

As we walked to our car, we saw signs of preparation for winter -  like this chimney reconstruction on an old historic house.

Our house is also being restored after last July's basement flood.

We're hoping that it will be done by the end of the month... We're thankful for pleasant workers doing a good job!

So much to be thankful for!

Taro Plant Update

I got this TARO plant a few weeks ago, and I'm still trying to figure out the basics... 

How much water? How much sunlight?

One leaf was looking a little wrinkly... Does it need more water?!

Probably! - according to this online plant care article. I'm generally reluctant to keep soil moist at all times. I've killed more plants by OVER-watering them than by UNDER-watering them.

Bog garden beds?! This one may be an exception.

Silhouette Art?

I regularly take pictures of beautiful sunrises and sunsets while Terry drives.

Occasionally trees or buildings get in the way, creating a silhouette.

I like it! Maybe I could try painting them...

First the background sky... then, when that dries, dark shadows on top. Maybe on small greeting cards paper...

Or maybe something more complicated, like this college soccer field scene. (Or just use the sky and cut out the soccer field?)

So many possibilities!

A Little Problem

The past two months, I've had pain in my right leg. It's painful when walking - especially when doing stairs - but the severity fluctuates. I have no idea what caused it - no dramatic event that I can recall.

I went to physiotherapy for a few weeks, but it didn't seem to help.

A friend who had hip replacement surgery a few years ago (and now feels great) wonders if I might need the same. But when I asked "Dr. Google" about hip surgery pain, it appears that my pain is on the wrong side!

My daughter, who studied anatomy for her biomedical communications degree, suggests that it could be my IT band, a tendon that runs up and down the side of the leg. She then sent me a link to Alberta Health and some exercises they provide. 

So that's where I'm at now - exercising and alternating shoes. (Years ago, when I had a knee problem, my shoes were to blame!)

I hope it improves soon. I don't want to stop walking but it's no fun with pain in every step.