Winter Wondering...

I recently read the following about creativity: A major obstacle to creativity is wanting to be in the peak season of growth ... at all times... but if ... like the seasons... we can accept the reality that periods of despair or fallowness are like winter - a resting time that offers us a period of hibernation... and regeneration that prepares us for the births of spring.

This quote (by Linda Leonard) found in The Artist’s Rule, which I am currently reading, encourages patience and hope now that winter is here. 

Hopefully, as I spend more time indoors, this indoor time will be productive. I have lots of plans, including sorting through papers, getting rid of what I no longer need. 

Even if I'm not as productive as I'd like to be, this winter season will hopefully lead me to accept the fact that productive days as well as “fallow” days are part of both cycles of life and creativity. So I shouldn't feel guilty if I'm not "creative" of "productive" all the time!

Family Visits During the COVID Pandemic

As we headed back to Ottawa from Guelph, a week ago, we stopped briefly at our son's home in Toronto to say hello...

Since our four-year-old granddaughter is out in the community, attending kindergarten in a public school, Terry and I (as seniors with existing health conditions) aim to keep our distance...

Our visit took place on the sidewalk...

And with masks when we came within two meters of each other.

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My granddaughter was still able to show me her latest coloring...

We miss the hugs - but it's still lovely to see family again, even without touching!

(I can't wait till these days of social isolation are a distant memory!)

An Interesting Antique Store

One of the places we visited last weekend was a charity thrift shop full of antiques in Freelton, on the outskirts of Hamilton, Ontario.

The store's name - "Rescued and Restored" - describes not only the contents of the thrift shop but also the goal of the emergency shelter the store helps support.

I wish I had more space so I could justifiably buy some of these cute items from years gone by...

I did permit myself to buy one thing: this cute candle holder that I plan to use as a Christmas decoration.

"Rescued and Restored" is definitely a place I'd like to return to, again and again!

A Weekend Break from the Snow

A week ago, we'd had a significant snowfall in Ottawa - so Terry decided we should head to Guelph  to visit our daughter. The roads were clear - and in Guelph there was no snow. 

(Each time we go, we wonder if it will be our last trip before hunkering down for the winter...)

Driving along, we watched with interest as the snow around us diminished and disappeared.

Six hours later, in Guelph, we were able to walk again without wearing winter boots!

Such a treat!

(I took a picture of this house in Guelph because I was intrigued by the third floor windows: Are they simply a sky-light for the second floor? Or is there a single tiny room on the third floor?)

Needless to say, we went out walking as much as we could...

Some old buildings in downtown Guelph remind me of buildings I've seen in Europe...

After three days of NO SNOW, we headed back... It had been a wonderful break!

Re-potting Indoor Plants

 I've been doing some indoor gardening:

The succulents I bought last month came in very small pots so I transplanted two... 

I added soil to a potted palm tree that I've had for a while. First I removed a little shoot that was growing next to the main plant. I re-potted that (see above)... I hope it grows. I also accidentally pulled off a leaf from a succulent, so I stuck that in the soil next to the small palm shoot, hoping it will grow.

Next I added stones to keep the original palm tree  from drying out. I like the mosaic effect.

Several leaves from my snake plant were also loose. One had a little root growing on it, so I put the two leaves into a new pot. I've never done that before - transplanting snake plant leaves.

Now that cooler weather is here, indoor gardening is a perfect way to spend a cloudy day.

Unique Map Store

I'm always amazed when I pass this Ottawa store that sells... MAPS!

The window display indicates that they sell flags as well.

It's such a niche market! 

They've been around as long as I can remember. I hope they continue to do well, in spite of the pandemic.

Memories of ... Christmas Staff Parties!

Terry was recently given this old photo of a staff Christmas party - from many years ago.

Looking at the photo, it appears that women seriously outnumbered men on that staff team - 18 women to 2 men!

Terry commented that the ratio of women to men at the party accurately represented the reality of the workplace.

Looking back on his 30-plus years in social work, he acknowledged that the work was challenging. In fact, "burn out" rates were high. But he stayed on as long as he did (until retirement) because the workers - both men and women - were all very caring and supportive of each other.