Aug
07
2010
So far we have had an exceptional summer, haven’t we! We’ve had record hot temperatures and now record rain fall! Both of which have really been very good for my garden.
In the spring I had planted lots of annuals and perennials that really need a lot of water. The grass was newly laid last year and cost a small fortune and that too needs lots of water. Which was okay at the beginning of the season but then the hot-hot weather came and the city placed a ban on watering gardens!
Thankfully, mid July hit and the rains came. Normally we don’t get tremendous amounts of rain but this year we’ve had torrential rain (then again which part of the world hasn’t).
Some smart marketer came up with the idea of selling rain barrels to collect the rain. Not a bad idea and well worth the investment. Not only do I get extra water for the garden when it doesn’t rain but I’m even conserving water because the amount of rain certainly is adequate and the barrel only is used now and again.
That’s what I call conservation!?
May
21
2010
The other day I read a newspaper article about the fact that it’s still spring and a newscaster had continually emphasized that summer was almost here. Well, yes, he was anticipating summer but who isn’t!
I can’t wait to get out in the garden and enjoy the fruits of my spring planting labors, so I must be anticipating summer too. The weather has been unusually warm for the last month (even though we did have snow at the beginning of May that ruined my tulips). The good side of this though is that I’m able to do a lot of the garden “cleaning up” early and have it ready for the end of May planting.
This year we’re planting as many perennials as possible that will give us continuous color throughout the summer and well into the Fall. And, come next year (anticipation here for sure!) the garden will bloom all year round.
I reckon I’m guilty of being a summer anticipator but its a good healthy guilt!
Mar
31
2010
It’s been a bit of a crazy time just recently but my health is looking better due to a) the medication and b) some good healthy thinking!
There are many books on positive thinking but not many on healthy thinking. What’s the difference between the two? Not much really, but in my mind healthy thinking focuses primarily on health issues and then the more far-reaching positive thinking.
Obviously you have to be positive about your health problems in fact you have to be doubly positive when the health issue is a serious one such as cancer. But I’m realizing that there is an inner strength that I didn’t know I had. It is further strengthened through healthy thinking which includes visualization and a new feeling of spirituality – I need an immense amount of prayer and trust.
The negative idea of “Why me?” kind of thinking has to be discarded and not allowed to surface at all. Its not easy to change your thinking, it takes a lot of effort and “energy”. I’m still working at it and trying hard. It pays off in the end and trusting in God and my doctors helps too.
Feb
06
2010
Earlier I wrote a post about tea in general. A word of caution, if you have cancer and are going through any chemotherapy treatment etc., it might be best to steer clear of green tea as it could have an adverse effect on the treatment. If you want check with your doctor or the oncology nurse to make sure it is all right to continue to drink the green tea. Other teas are fine.
Jan
25
2010
It’s true. Without Reba, 2009, would have been one of the worst in history for me! And I’m not exaggerating.
It started badly with my Dad been sick all through Christmas, New Year and well into February. Then my health went down the tubes and I started Chemotherapy treatments, which have been ongoing since June. The good part of the chemo is that the diagnosis is good and my health is getting better. Because of these two things we had to cancel our vacation….see what I mean – 2009 was not a good year.
One of the major parts of handling chemo is to live in a no-stress environment. Well this is not too easy these days is it. It was going from bad to worse – then I bought Season 1 of the Reba show.
Why “Reba”? Well two years ago my Mom was very sick after a stroke. All she could do all day was watch TV and she only liked sit-coms one of which was “Reba” – Mon-Fri on the Country Network Channel here in Canada. So when I was told to “lighten up” I immediately thought of “Reba”! I enjoyed it with my Mom and had never seen all the episodes so I started to buy them! The rest is history.
The show is funny, light, has a great cast and even turned me on (a little) to C&W music. I knew things were going to be better when in the very first show Reba sang “Walk On” – it’s kind of been my anthem ever since.
The year didn’t get much better stress-wise but Reba helped me to follow doctor’s orders and to lighten up. Maybe “Reba” isn’t for everyone but there are lots of comedy shows (on DVD and on TV itself) that can help. I’m not completely well yet but I am getting better. Thanks Reba!
