A Technology Challenge

A bit long but I just had to vent:

We have all faced many challenges in this life some serious, even devastating  others that require some thought to get around or through but the one I encountered today was just plain frustrating; annoying but worth my time to get it figured out. It involved one piece of mail to the country south of us. There was a time when there wouldn't have been a problem. But today? New rules for anything mailed south of the border ~ no matter how small or insignificant ~ required to challenge my techie abilities.  

 “You need to 

access a certain website via a qr code on the little pamphlet, 

set up an account

create a password and get a verification code on your email

(that took several tries to get it right)

be careful that you don’t get on a business site  

(which I did more than once)

- you need a personal site; 

Deep breath:

then the postal clerk will verify your account via the new qr code because of this new account. 

They will then know it’s ok 

to print out address labels for the package 

• in this case a large envelope containing a smaller envelope.

All of this was done on my cell phone with my battery running low. The clerk was amazing and very patient with me as my fat fingers tapped in all the information!

**Go to Canada Post website before encountering this frustrating challenge!!

“It has become appallingly obvious that 

our technology has exceeded our humanity”

 ~ Albert Einstein, scientist

"We Are the General Girls"

Regina General Hospital and Nurses Residence

Each year we gather, still standing although our Nurses Residence and Hospital are gone with the tick of the clock. Vanished into a parking lot. Our numbers have gotten smaller with the passing of time but we are still laugh, visit, reminisce, and sing. Family stories have become histories. What once was career, advanced education and travel, is now full of grandchildren and great grandchildren, nephews and nieces ~ ~ and travel. At the end of our gathering each year we sing our school song: “We Are the General Girls!” some voices not quite as strong, but all still full of the joy and hard work of our nursing years.

“Our fingerprints don’t fade from the lives we touch.”

~ Judy Blume, author

Warm Sun, Warm Friends

Over the Hill Orchards and Winery, 
Lumsden, Saskatchewan

On a patio overlooking 

the Qu’Appelle Valley 

in the warm sun, 

we shared a lovely afternoon. 

Cold drinks and fresh desserts

 - saskatoon pie, 

    crepes stuffed with cherries, 

      rhubarb crumble, 

         apple pie kept conversation 

to a minimum for a short time. 

If we didn’t eat quickly 

our ice cream or 

  whipped cream toppings 

would melt!

Discussions ranged from travels 

throughout the world to 

   one member's garden with monarch butterflies 

then it was a walk down to explore  

     Over the Hill Orchards and Winery.

“Friendship is unnecessary, 

like philosophy, and art…It has no survival value; 

rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”

~ C.S.Lewis,  The Four Loves

Contact: Over the Hill Orchards and Winery at

   overthehillorchards.ca

Keeping Watch

I haven’t had my human put a note out for a while. I do believe it’s time. One might think that all I do is sleep, and yes I make certain to do get my rest. However, there are squirrels and birds on the other side of the glass. It was a bit too cool to get outside today - and I do hate that harness that my human puts on me. She does seem to think it’s important, so I put up with it. I can keep watch for the outside life that I desperately miss, but I do like my cozy home. It’s always a toss up. I’m writing this in the evening. Now, I’ll just patiently wait for my supper - only minutes away!

“Cats don’t like change without their consent.”

~ Roger A. Caras, author and wildlife photographer 

Jet vs Sweet Potato Plant

Yesterday and for the benefit of my kitty, Jet, I have had to say good bye to the sweet potato plant. Growing so nicely, it was almost 10 inches tall, with a total of eight leaves and more tiny ones yet to unfurl. Jet saw it as a source of nutrition. First, one of the big bright green leaves attracted his sharp teeth. I moved it out of his reach - I thought. Then a second leaf showed the ravages of his teeth. In the meantime I researched ‘toxicity of sweet potato plants on felines’. Digestive upset and hallucinatory effects concerned me. There were minor effects - jumping back from his water as though he’d seen something frightening; digestive upset that didn’t stop him from eating or drinking. After a couple more days of trying to keep plant and cat separate, I decided to apologize to my little bit of greenery and let it go.

“Never try to outstubborn a cat.”

~ Robert A. Heinlein,  Time Enough for Love

An Afternoon at the Farm with Jeffrey Straker

Dreading what turn the weather might take, I was very pleasantly surprised. The afternoon was bright and warm with just a cool breeze throughout the afternoon. A modest gathering sat in lawn chairs at a farm just north of Southey where we were entertained by Jeffrey Straker, a Canadian folk/roots singer-songwriter-pianist backed by an instrumentalist on a base cello. His music was lively and covered his Saskatchewan roots from the prairie skies to the demise of the tall grain elevators! He included the song he wrote for King Charles’ coronation, which did reach King Charles, who sent a gracious reply. Jeffrey is quite a story teller as well! 

I attempted to take photos, but the sun was too bright and I was too moved by his music. These lilies were in my photo files that fit the bill. 

“Folk music is the original melody of man; 

it is the musical mirror of the world.”

~ Friedrich Nietzsche

Each Tomorrow

The little plant grew without my interference. Started out as one of three sprouts from a sweet potato that I hadn’t gotten around to eat. With a good chunk of sweet potato, I planted the sprouts. After several months, they sat in the soil looking sad. Two of the sprouts had dried up. I was going to throw it out but hesitated and set it outside. I had amended the soil with used coffee grounds and watered it now and then. I ignored it for the most part until one day I saw the tiniest little growth, and then a leaf. With the heat, it has become a lovely little plant that gives me one more leaf every couple of days. The beautiful little leaves make me happy!

Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There’s no better.”

~ Charles Dickens

Patience and a Drink of Water

Two Leaves

A sweet potato - or was it a yam sat on my kitchen counter patiently waiting it’s turn for…..it sprouted. Three long sprouts standing at attention and, I’m sure, staring at me. I finally cut out the potato, planted it in a pot, in soil….some time in April. I was ready to throw it out but each day decided to give it one more day. Two weeks ago I saw a tiny green shoot that opened into a real leaf. I set the pot outside to get the sun and the shade and some good rain water. In the last two days, in two very hot days, two more leaves have sprouted. The new little one is so tiny it is easy to miss, but by tomorrow I expect to see another full leaf. Sweet potato plants are really quite lovely.

Three Leaves: look closely!

“Why is patience so important?”

“Because it makes us pay attention.”

~ Paul Coelho, author

1 in 26

Epilepsy has been my friend for 60 years. Not so friendly in the first 10 years, but as I learned more about myself, this condition and the medications that I was taking I found strategies that were respectful of the effects of epilepsy. Being a loner, an introvert, I learned I am just someone who feels more comfortable in small groups. I learned to say no to many things, or always knew when it was time to get quiet. I have not tried to chase epilepsy out of my brain - not possible. I’ve read literature about surgical removal of epilepsy and found that it is more complex than just having surgery. Suffice it to say it’s not like fixing a broken arm or leg.

Today is Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness. I need to be aware of, and respect, the possibility of seizure activity every day. Now we are quite comfortable with each other. However I know that as the 60 years since diagnosis becomes 61 and onwards, who knows whether our comfort level will change. After all my joints have gotten fussier over the years, why not my brain? 

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’ possible; 

and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”

~ Francis of Assisi

*Author’s note: 1 in 26 is the most recent statistic about the incidence of individuals with epilepsy.

The Whole Show

Damn! I missed the Oscars. 

Entertainers entertaining us

and themselves. More than 

that they are honouring each 

other past and present. The 

glittering gowns and colourful 

ensembles are attractions, 

but it pleases me to hear the tributes, and gratitude poured out lavishly. Not just for the actors that work to entertain us all, but the people behind the cameras, lights and costuming; 

directing, cinematography, set design, writers and musical scores; Honoured as well are those that have passed in 

the previous year from all departments 

behind the making of films throughout their careers. 

The dark threads of cynicism and politics 

weave its way through the glitter and gratitude. 

A bitter sweet part of the whole show.

“We must find time to stop and thank the 

people who make a difference to our lives.”

~ John F. Kennedy

It Has Come to My Attention........

.....that today is National Love Your Pet Day. I’m not certain how I feel about being included with all pets - or that I’m even considered a ‘pet’. After all who does run this household, with efficiency and proper timing? And only one day! Are we pets just supposed to be tolerated all the rest of the time? Please! We are really just too loveable every day. Oh, that’s right, I’m supposed to be offended to be considered one of the pet continuum. Well, just don’t forget to feed and love me - and all the rest of the pets (even dogs).  

“You cannot share your life with a dog…or a cat, and not know 

perfectly well that animals have personalities and minds and feelings.”

~ Jane Goodall, 

primatologist & anthropologist

(1934 - 2025)

Oatmeal and Granola Sourdough Bread

From a flat sourdough starter 

revived & rejuvenated 

a lovely loaf of bread arose

that toasts up into 

crunchy deliciousness

“There comes a point in your life when you need to stop 

eating other people's bread and make your own!”

~ Chris Geiger, baker

Sourdough Starter Rejuveated

progress of my starter was slow, 

almost non existent. 

it had been doing well ~ sort of

Sourdough expert where are you?

“Rejuvenating Sourdough Starter”

 ~ key words in Google ~

‘starter in the fridge too long’. 

Click!

a video @moon + magnolia  

    showed me what I was missing: 

   

 use cold water rather than warm; 

    my water to flour ratio was off. 

@moon + magnolia taught me to:  

      ~ feed starter every 12 hours

      ~ use whole wheat flour - more micronutrients 

With the corrections, in a few hours, 

My jar overflowed and bubbles lined top and sides. 

I love my sourdough bread!!

Next loaf to be baked on Sunday.

“Bread is alive and sourdough is proof.’

~ Anonymous

Notes to Self

 

“Get the organized-brain person on board”

Anxiety about upcoming Christmas contributions sends the chaotic part of my brain into a twirl and a panic. 

“Put your daily routine into gear”

(I have to give myself directions sometimes)

A good day’s work rolled out:

Feed the sourdough starter 

order groceries for Christmas

Set bread dough for baking in the afternoon

Bake the bread

Shovel powder dry snow off the balcony

(There was a blizzard yesterday)

Make granola for the next 10 days

(Just about missed an ingredient, but I fixed it)

and everything in-between

My last note to self:

“Brush your teeth and go to bed.”

“You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.”

~ Deepak Chopra