Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie

Kat Walk

May 20, 2020May 20, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in life

This just doesn’t seem to be Kat’s year for taking walks. A few days ago we were out walking when two dogs charged up from nowhere and tried to attack her. She was fine, but a bit traumatized. I haven’t walked her down that block since.

Last night we set off for our walk. We walked about five block and all was good – or as good as it gets walking Kat. She walks, then stops dead to smell a post, eat some grass, fill a poop bag, whatever. It is a process. She finally gets up to speed and, since we have doubled back, we are one long block and two short blocks from home. Kat stops and yipes – sharp and loud.

I looked down and Kat is holding one paw up in the air. I looked around and I saw a spiked seed pod on the sidewalk but nothing else. I crouched down and tried to have a look. There was nothing obvious so I tried to feel around between the pads of her hairy little foot but could not find anything. I stood up to see if she would put her paw down and walk on it. She tried but she couldn’t do it.

I decided that I had to carry Kat home. Picking her up was not the most graceful thing I have ever done. Carrying a fifteen kilogram dog three blocks was not going to happen. I carried her about six feet before I set her down and tried to catch my breath, while digging in my walking bag for my cell phone. Fortunately, Dan was home, answered the call and agreed to come and meet up with us.

Once again, I picked up Kat and tried to do my part in meeting up with Dan. I made it another six feet before crouching down and letting Kat slide out of my arms. When Dan got to us, we were both looking pretty pathetic.

Dan checked Kat over and convinced her to try to stand on the grass by the sidewalk. She decided that she could limp home beside him, stopping a couple of times to eat more grass.

When we got home, I got out a pair of tweezers and had a better look at Kat’s food. I did find a sizeable sharp splinter that I removed but she was still limping. Dan had another look and decided she most have twisted her paw when she stepped on the splinter.

Kat still had a bit of a limp this morning but she has been doing fairly well. She has been bouncing out to the gate to check out every passerby. It seems she will be fine but I think it is best if we skip our walk today.

Peaceful Progress

May 19, 2020May 19, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in dealingwithstress

Every year I choose one aspect of my life to focus special attention on. This year I chose to focus on peace. Every morning, I begin my day by copying ‘peaceful’ positive affirmations in my journal. Throughout the day, when I find myself tensing up for any reason, I stop for a moment to focus on peace. When things go wrong, I try to think “Is this worth losing peace over?” At night, I drift off to sleep focussed on peaceful thoughts.

So far, this year has not been perfect. There have been challenges with my health, family issues, employment issues and general life issues plus the uncertainty that comes from such things as a global pandemic. Regardless, I have felt a profound change in the way I process it all. I find it easier to let go of control or expectations. I find it easier to appreciate the moments in life that are worth cherishing. I find it easier to just ‘be in the moment’. I find it easier to laugh and smile and just feel good. I am finding it easier to create a peaceful vibe around me, like the people I have most admired in my life.

I am not always where I would like to be on my quest for peace. There are anxious moments and stressful days, when I feel less than peaceful. There are people who seem intent on drama and creating chaos. At times, I feel more frustrated and annoyed with them than peaceful. However, overall I feel I am making significant progress. I have another 228 days to focus on peace and I know that I am on a good track for a significantly better life experience.

Life is not always great, sometimes it is not even good – but I honestly believe that we can live it better. It takes work and perseverance and time – but life can be better.

Yet More Elephants

May 18, 2020May 18, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in life

Every elephant is my favorite elephant but I have to admit I am especially partial to my metal elephants.

This little chrome elephant holds my wedding rings when I am not wearing them.

I love the detail on this elephant. My photography skills do not do it justice.

Just a cute little brass elephant that I picked up from a thrift shop.

A little wee pewter elephant from my daughter-in-law Erin

A tiny pewter elephant on an amethyst mount. Another gift from my sister Denise.

This one is not mine but he made the cut because he is metal and he is just too cool to exclude.

Covid 19 Statistics

May 17, 2020May 17, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in Social Issues

Front Page of the Regina Leader Post May 16th

Countries, provinces, states, and the like have been announcing cases of Covid 19 on a daily basis for months now. The cases have varied substantially from one country or area to another. The severity and contagion of Covid 19 has varied substantially. Why is that?

Personally, I do not put a lot of faith in the numbers. Regardless of how many tests are being done, what do the results mean if we have no idea what criteria is being used to decide who gets tested and for what purpose?

In Saskatchewan, the numbers would lead people to believe that Covid 19 has basically bypassed our province. With the exception of a few reported outbreaks, we have supposedly had little transmission of the virus. This begs the question – why? Why would a number of people be infected at one snowmobile race, one hospital, one sporting event, but in Regina (a city of 200,000) there have been 76 official cases, with virtually zero transmission? People spontaneously being infected by the virus through no known source and not passing it on to anyone else? A few of these could be explained by people returning from other areas and self isolating once they are home. Even those are questionable as many flew home and mingled shoulder to shoulder with others in a crowded airport on arrival. The rest? Two nursing home care workers? A resident from an assisted living home who was in hospital for five days before testing positive?

It does not surprise me that Covid 19 is just a numbers game in Saskatchewan but if you are just playing a game, why? People are being lulled into a false sense of security. Many people believe there is little cause for caution as our official numbers are so low. People are not taking this seriously.

I believe people should take Covid 19 seriously. I believe they should be cautious. Regardless of the ‘official’ numbers, Covid 19 is a serious disease. It is contagious. It poses an immediate life threatening danger to the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. It is being found that even for younger, healthier individuals Covid 19 can be a serious life threatening disease. Medical professionals are only beginning to see the potential for longterm health issues for those who have suffered even milder cases of this virus. There is much more to be learned and every reason to be cautious.

It doesn’t matter where you are, or what the numbers say. Covid 19 is here and it is not going anywhere anytime soon. Take care out there. Protect yourself and those around you.

Rider Pride

May 14, 2020May 14, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in life

If you have heard of Regina, you have probably heard of the Saskatchewan Roughriders – our CFL football team. 🏈

Regina is widely known for the Rider pride that drives tens of thousands into Mosaic Stadium every year regardless of sun, rain, snow or hail. Fans are decked out in the team’s green and white, with many of the diehards sporting watermelon helmets.

Rainy Day Wednesday

May 13, 2020May 13, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in Uncategorized

Dan is back to work for another round of shifts. The damp cloudy weather isn’t helping me feel better today but I will get some work done around the house. I have to make Kat some fresh food, clean the glass shower doors and work on the kids room. That should fill my day. I did put my plants outside earlier and took a bit of a tour around the yard.

A new flower arrangement I got for Mother’s Day yesterday – Maddy had to pick the Sunny yellow basket!

And a new Bleeding Heart for Grandpa because he can’t be left out when Genie’s buying gifts – even for Mother’s Day🤣

Have a good day all and remember to keep safe!

Essential Shopping

May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in life

Dan started the day by running to Superstore for a few essential groceries to get us through his next round of shifts.

On the way home he stopped at the Co-op home centre and picked up a new yard elephant. I think Kat likes it. 😍

Then we went to Canadian Tire for a few more bedding plants. Dan found facemasks from the reno we did a couple of years ago so I wore one. I don’t know how much they help keep one healthy, but they do keep people out of my face so I felt better for having one on!

On our way home, Dan ran in to our temporary pharmacy to pick up our prescriptions for the month.

Finally we ran into the Dollar Store. I am not sure what their social distancing plan is. They have arrows pointing down the aisles one direction and footprints pointing down the (same) aisles in the opposite direction. People were stumbling all over the place. I was glad I had my facemask on. 😊

I picked up the cutest little Buddha statue.

Now it is time to get outside and get some work done. It isn’t terribly warm but at least it is nicer than it has been this week. 🌞

Downtown Regina

May 12, 2020May 12, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in life

Dan and I took another little drive this afternoon. We picked up a few bedding plants from my favourite nursery, then we took a short drive. We came across a lot of road construction and street cleaning. I took a few photos to share.

Knox United Church. We went to a lot of Christmas Carol evenings there when my kids and then our grandkids were in their school choirs.

Main Branch Library elephant front view.

And another view. It is a cool elephant but it is hard to find because it hides rediculously well in those scrawny trees.

Buffalo Bones Sculpture – I know, they are big shiny pieces of metal. Regina was originally named ‘Pile of Bones’ because it was founded beside a huge pile of buffalo bones. Now we have this wierd sculpture because there is not a real buffalo bone left to be found.

On our way to the ‘Regina International Airport’

I finished my outting by taking Kat for a walk when we got home. We were attacked by two dogs. They came out of nowhere and were all over Kat. I think they were just licking her because her fur was wet but not bloody. A bit wierd but no real harm done. The owners came right away and dragged the dogs off. They were very apologetic. I brought Kat home and gave her a Beggin’ Strip to make her feel better.

Happy Mother’s Day

May 10, 2020May 13, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in family

This isn’t a typical Mother’s Day for many but still a great day for roses and chocolate!

More Signs of Spring

May 8, 2020May 8, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in life

The sun has finally reappeared for a couple of days. Dan is on shift but Kat and I spent as much time outside as we could today. I wasn’t up to doing a whole lot, but I did a bit of straightening up and of course we took our walk – and I took a few shots around the yard.