It is a NEW YEAR.

Well today would be Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

Today is EARTH DAY.

It is overcast here in Edmonton.

Yesterday started out gloomy but ended up bright, sunny and +18 degrees celsius.

I am starting work a bit later today as I was requested to attend a meeting before my later shift schedule began.

So we slept in.

Actually surprise to end all surprises, Mr. Alvin slept in until 6:23 a.m.

I think that may have been the latest in years.

Usually he is up anywhere between 3:30 and 4:45 a.m.

It was nice.

 

I have been thinking about this EARTH DAY.

Listening to the reports on the weather channel of how different the environment whether on land or water is reacting to the COVID-19.

Meaning that with no humans on the beaches and in areas where they normally snorquel by the thousands daily, marine life has returned.

They even found algae where there has been none for decades.

You hear of clear skies in other countries where there is massive manufacturing done when those factories were closed due to the virus.

Just so many wonderful stories.

 

I am sad and disappointed that we have to have a worldwide pandemic in order for the environment to do better and in some cases thrive.

Tells us something.

I guess it will be up to us to listen and to take action.

Definitely less manufacturing.

Perhaps this is the time we need to think about all those trinkets and baubles and such.

Are these things that we actually need to live our lives?

No.

Most of us have houses filled with things that we do not use in our daily lives.

They are ornamental.

There to look good.

Not in our homes and lives to ensure that we live a happy, healthy life.

Not necessary.

With the ever increasing population on this planet, it is something we definitely should think about.

There needs to be less manufacturing.

Food for thought.

 

On this Earth Day, well actually yesterday, I turned off the heat in my house.

It was quite cool in here this morning but I just put on socks and long sleeves and long pants.

There is always a sweater should I need another layer.

The snow has almost melted in the front and back yards.

I have some plants in my back raised flower/shrub bed that are green.

There are blades of green grass in our yards.

On this Earth Day it takes on a whole new meaning.

See what happens when we step back and stay home.

I know that we cannot all continue this indefinitely but we have helped the environment in ways that we do not even realize.

Please ensure that you turn off lights when you are not in the room.

If you do not need the heat, turn off the heat at the thermostat (not the furnace – because that is a whole other story).

Walk more and drive your car less.

Use glass instead of plastic.

We can do this …..

 

I hope that you are all safe, healthy and enjoying some laughter along the way.

Be kind and respectful to all including yourself.

Have an awesome EARTH DAY.

 

Living with kindness and respect,

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

P.S. my Hello Fresh BOX arrived yesterday and I am excited to try my first meal tonight.

I will keep you posted as to the quality of the ingredients etc.

Still waiting for my STEEPED TEA order to arrive.  Says in TRANSIT and was supposed to be delivered Monday, then yesterday.

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Well it is a bright, sunny morning here in Edmonton, Alberta.

Alvin actually slept until a reasonable hour this morning and then of course we hit the sofa for a few more hours of sleep.

Sometimes it is even nice to just lay in the quiet and just be.

No voices or sounds but our breathing.

 

Yesterday we had a good day.

My decision to stay away from SOCIAL MEDIA and leaving my cell upstairs in the office was a great decision.

Before I went “dark”, I sent quick texts to my daughter, sister and a few friends that I usually have daily contact with so that they would not worry if they did not reach me.

Also did not wish for my house phone to ring off the wall either.

It was a good decision.

I think it was cutting off the demon before my body and mind could not stand the constant barrage of opinions, news and such.

I no longer feel as though I am going to implode.

I felt wonderful yesterday.

The majority of the massive feeling of anxiety was bringing my job home with me.

I have always felt as though my house was my safe place away from the madness, the stress, that is sometimes my job.

Not really in a bad way as I am grateful to be employed in a time where folks do not have work and I am grateful to be working from home.

But at the same time, now work has invaded my space, my sanctuary, and my phone.

We have our phone system set up with an APP on our mobile phones, so we can call out without giving out our personal phone numbers and people can call in.

So now my cell phone is not just for personal use, I have to use it for work.

It was less than a year ago that I did not have a cell phone, who would have known.

Anyway, we shall see how tomorrow goes.

I guess I will have to adapt and ensure that I step away when I or if I am feeling anxious.

Thankfully I have Alvin here with me.

 

Yesterday the good day that I started to tell you about.

Well I even cleaned out the “junk drawers” in the kitchen.

Those spaces where every little thing goes to hide.

It always amazes me at how fast they fill up and with the most interesting items.

Checked that off the list and it was not even on the list.

 

I did some laundry.

Alvin and I went for a walk.

Cleaned the bathroom.

Washed the main floor.

My neighbours in the other half of the duplex and I chipped away at the ice out front on the street and managed to drain the lake that was out front.

We are so proud.

It took us just over an hour despite the interruptions by passing vehicles.

Funny how most people slowed down and some did not.

Would they think that we are out doing this for our health and that we wanted to have dirty water splashed all over us?

I guess they must.

Anyway, it was nice to chat with them while we worked.

Alvin watched out of the window.

We had a quiet night after supper.

 

I watched a movie called “Dark Waters.”

I heard the name but did not know what it was about.

DUPONT ….. I learned some things. C8 and Teflon.

This all happened during my lifetime and even recently but I do not remember.

Makes me want to check my pots and pans.

Anything coated with teflon is not going to remain in my house.

I know that the list is likely long of the items that we use on a daily basis.

They gave out a staggering and very frightened statistics at the end of the snow.

One being that 99% of the world human population have C8 in their bodies.

C8 causes cancers amongst other things.

I urge you all to watch this movie, it was disturbing in places but informative.

 

Well it is Sunday.

Time to go put on some coffee and have some toast.

Then I am going to give Mr. Alvin a haircut and bath before vacuuming the upstairs and washing the floors up here.

 

I hope that you are having a good day.

Be safe and I hope you remain in good health.

Practice the social distancing and stay home when you can.

I would think we will have the cleanest homes and will have all of our odd jobs completed by the time this is over.

Who knows how long that will be.

 

I am grateful to have supportive, generous and amazing family and friends.

Take care.

Remember we must be kind and respect to all our human counterparts and also to all of the animals and life out there.

We need each other now more than ever.

Maybe the reduction of manufacturing will help the environment.

Maybe we will learn to do with less.

We should.

 

 

Have an awesome Sunday.

Alvin is ready to go back downstairs and I need some COFFEE.

 

Take Care.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin