January 25, 2020 – Celebrate !

More than one reason to appreciate January 25

January 25, 2020 – Chinese New Year  (aka Lunar New Year 2020) – the year of the Rat. 

RAT Symbolization -The rat meaning indicates wealth, abundance, and fertility, similar to the rabbit meaning. Don’t fear the rat spirit animal because this symbolizes an abundant period that will soon take place!

My two #1’s on holiday  – both giving directions!  hugs!!

A Lunar New Year is (as is January 1) a perfect opportunity for reflection, and gratitude.

• It’s an opportunity to make a list of opportunities that you said YES to in the past twelve months.
• It’s an opportunity to make a list of opportunities that you said No to in the past twelve months.

Then you may look at those lists and reflect on the decisions you were proud of, and anything you might want to change or just one thing.

It’s also an opportunity to ask yourself this question….

Is the year I am going to.……..? (Fill in the blank, it could clean your garage, get fit, join Toastmasters, take a night school course, run a marathon, or whatever you would like to achieve in the next 12 months)

Then you can answer your question, as in “This will be the year that I will ….. or not.

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January 25, 2020 – is also Robbie Burns Day. 

Robert Burns was the national poet of Scotland, and you know his work but maybe you didn’t know it. He wrote the song – Auld Lang Syne (aka Times Gone By)  full lyrics click here

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And days of long ago!

Chorus:
For times gone by, my dear
For times gone by,
We will take a cup of kindness yet
For times gone by.

How’s your Scottish? – Do you know the meaning of this?

I’ll gie ye a skelpit Lug!  – it’s I’ll give you a slap on the ear.

 Maybe you have used this blessing of Robbie’s before eating –

Some hae meat and canna eat, — And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit.

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Robbie Burns day always has had a special significance for me, it was my mom, Lillian’s birthday. 

– Love you always Mom! (heart)

My Mom would say that each day really is a day to celebrate,  it’s a privilege to be alive and hopefully live a long healthy life. 

 

 

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Enjoy this quote by Winnie the Pooh talking to his friend Piglet

(Winnie the Pooh ) What day is it?

“It’s today” squeaked Piglet.

“My favorite day” said Pooh

 

Enjoy your favorite day, every day. – Dave

Life in the White Lane

It’s been a few days since I  have posted, so I thought I would post what I have been up to.  Keeping out of trouble, mostly anyway, and that includes shovelling snow.

Actually these photos ares from a couple days ago, I woke up to a gift from the north pole.  Snow is not a big problem for me unless I need to drive on the highways, in town it is just a minor nuisance including when my car doors and windows get frozen closed.

It took nearly 90 minutes to clear the driveway, and the following few days added a tiny bit more.  It felt good to warm up inside by the fireplace, and yes .. have a coffee.

However in the last few day the temps have changed from minus 16 Celsius to plus 5 Celsius expected today, quite a nice jump. Yay!

Big help has been my neighbour, who uses his bobcat to clear the road, not just in front of his house.  Muchos Gracias to him.

So much improved that yesterday, after a nice long walk, I ventured out with on the bike with #1 son.  It was a tad sloppy with snow still around, and puddles but no mishaps and it felt awesome to be back out.

It’s only been a month but I can already see the days are getting longer, starting to feel that optimism that comes with spring.  I saw and heard quite a few birds out there yesterday encouraging the snow to melt. It’s working !

Have a terrific day, and thanks for reading ! – Dave

Every trip starts at your own front door

J.R.R. Tolkien said much the same thing in Lord of the Rings –

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

Frodo is of course Tolkien’s hero, he inherits the One Ring from Bilbo Baggins and sets off on his quest to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom.

(Click Frodo or Bilbo to learn more about their story) 

Frodo, and Bilbo were both hobbits, friendly, furry, stout and timid inhabitants of Middle Earth less interested in adventures than regular meals;

• Breakfast – 7am.
• Second breakfast – 9 am.
• Elevenses – 11 am.
• Lunch – 1 pm.
• Afternoon tea – 3pm.
• Dinner – 6 pm.
• Supper – 9 pm.

Regardless of their sedentary life, 

both Bilbo and Frodo took the unknown path leading from their front door to adventure, and personal growth.

Maybe 2020 is the year I could ask “What would Bilbo do?”  🙂

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life, a long and windy road

Heraclitus the Greek Philosopher was the one who said –

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”     and also

“The Only Constant is Change”

I’m no hobbit, but I have a front door, and change is inevitable –

I am in the driver’s seat for my life and a year from now I am going to be different no matter what –

but how much different is up to me.

 It’s up to me, and knowledge that the changes I want do take time I have started a path of eating healthier, and will be working toward me I want to be next year, healthier and fitter than I am today.

Thanks for taking the time to read, your comments and suggestions are welcome – Dave

Be like a child, dive in

This gallery contains 12 photos.

Originally posted on Life and Random Thinking:
According to my memory, there was never (as a child) a lake that was too cold to run into, usually with gusto, about 10 steps, and then a horizontal dive under the cool…

I kicked myself, and profited a lesson

 

We had lovely weather around December 25, 

the temperature was just above zero, and I was cycling (dressed appropriately) every  day.  I can’t say I get to do that every year.  Afterwards I tend to relax and warm up; coffee in hand.

One of my household chores is putting the garbage cans out on garbage day, preferably before the truck arrives, otherwise it’s too late.  Somehow I thought our garbage day was delayed, and (forehead slap) I didn’t check.

Lazing a bit after Christmas Day,  I looked out and realized the garbage truck had already done our side of the street and was looping around to pick up the other side.

I dashed outside grabbed our garbage can, and ran to the end of the driveway, as the truck pulled up to a stop on the far side of the road.

The driver was concentrating on maneuvering the  mechanical arm to pick up my opposite neighbours containers, he was looking away from me.

I had time to push my container 20 feet ahead of his truck so it would be grabbed, but I stalled, and waved instead. Poor choice, and one I soon regretted.

He never saw me and drove away, the opportunity passed.  I was right there, but I blew it.  I felt frustrated with myself.

I had lots of opportunity to kick myself for a week until next pickup, and in between I realized there was a lesson in this small event.  So not all is lost. 

I had missed my opportunity,

it had been easy to grab, but I had failed to act.  Something to remember.

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However this story leads to another which is a happier story. 

The year 2020 arrived in the Okanagan valley, and the sunshine shone, and lo, there was no ice on the lakes!   Perfect for a New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim ! 

The opportunity to do a polar bear swim in the ice-free lakes was an opportunity that many in the valley were seizing.  My son and I planned to watch the 350 or so brave opportunists, and enjoy a bonfire along the lakeshore. I had thought about trying it but my kidney transplant is still only eight months old, I didn’t know if it was risky.

My son, Dave, jumped in the car with a towel and said – I’m doing it!

Joining the screams of delight, and shock 

 

 

 

Dave ran down the beach in the crowd of all ages and plunged right in, lasting a full five minutes before heading up to rub himself dry and stand by a bonfire.  I was grinning and taking pictures.

I thought it was cool (no pun intended) that he seized the opportunity, and enjoyed himself and I was there when he plunged in.

Sometimes it seems we fail to see an opportunity as what it is, until it fails to be one. 

The message to me in these two events was that opportunities can be fleeting, and I know I miss many, but I hope to improve especially for those experiences like Dave had, that are memorable and fun.

Hopefully my judgement will improve in 2020. Thank you for taking the time to read. 

 

Sweet Smile with a Twinkle

I read a post today that gave my heart a warm feeling.  

Like hot chocolate to my mind, it warmed me in a special way.  It reminded me of the power of words actually.  You will soon see why I say that, and I expect it will give you a sweet smile, and put a twinkle in your eye.

This post is by a blogger whose blog is called “Life With the Top Down” I think it will make you smile like it did me.  She will appreciate your comments I’m sure.

Click  to read “The Honeymoon”