February 8th – Spring Update

by annemariedemyen, posted in Updates - February 2022

My update today will no doubt be one of favourites to do as it the subject is such a joy to me. On March of 2020, I put together a collection of my favourite spring photos to celebrate the kickoff of my favourite season.

https://seclusion101withannemarie.com/2020/03/20/spring-2020/

This post was written on the last day that I was gainfully employed. Much has changed in the past two years, much has changed for the better, and one of the best changes has been the amount of time that I now have to enjoy and appreciate SPRING.

For my update to this post, I add photos of some of the special springtime moments that I have had the privilege of enjoying over the past couple of years.

Spring Cleaning
Out in the sunshine with Kat
April showers bring May flowers 🌸
Grandpa’s Bleeding Heart
A new bath for our feathered friends 🐦
Spring seedlings 🌿
Walking the paths in Patricia Park 🚶

All heartwarming memories of warm spring days. I am so fortunate that events conspired to move up my retirement plans. I love all of the opportunities that retirement has brought – but I particularly appreciate these days with yet another spring on the horizon. 🌞

That is it for today. Take care and have a great day!

February 7th – Freedom

by annemariedemyen, posted in Updates - February 2022

Today I chose a lengthy post entitled ‘Freedom’ to update.   The first thing I wanted to address was the reasoning behind the title.  I have no idea! I was going through a difficult time in virtually every area of my life.  I was exhausted.  I honestly can not imagine what I was thinking.  While ‘Freedom’  would make for a worthy subject for a blog, it makes little sense as a title for this blog which was totally about  ‘Peace’.

https://seclusion101withannemarie.com/2020/02/19/freedom/

Update on my journey to peace – I spent the first five decades of my life struggling with stress and anxiety.  In my fifties, I started make some winning progress in my ongoing  battle, but struggled on.  Finally in 2020, I changed my focus from ‘fighting stress and anxiety’ to ’embracing peace’.   This change has made all of the difference. 🕊️🕊️🕊️

Since my original plan was to focus on the subject of ‘Freedom‘ I thought I should at least touch on this topic in my update. In a few words from the masters that I think are worth consideration….

  • “Responsibility is the price every man must pay for freedom.”. – Edith Hamilton
  • “Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If in out heart we still cling to anything – anger, anxiety, possessions – we cannot be free. ” – Thich Nhat Hanh
  • “May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right. ” – Peter Marshall
  • “For to be free is not to merely cast off ones chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandel

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day!

February 6th – Winter Flu

by annemariedemyen, posted in Updates - February 2022

The post that I chose to update today was short and to the point. My husband and I were battling a severe flu with the less than enthusiastic support of our little dog, Kat.

https://seclusion101withannemarie.com/2020/01/20/winter-flu/

This innocuous post from early 2020 marked the early days of the Covid pandemic. While it was before the advent of Covid testing and treatment, I have no doubt that it was Covid and not the typical, or even atypical winter flu that we experienced.

  • Update on the winter flu of 2020
  • Personally, the ‘flu’ of 2020 continues to affect my health and physical well-being.
  • Nationally and globally, it has had detrimental effects on the lives of countless.
  • It has highlighted the heroic efforts of countless – from healthcare workers who continue to fight losing battles, to retail workers who have kept basic necessities on shelves and in our home throughout, to truckers and couriers who have operated under difficult, dehumanizing conditions, especially when hotels, motels, and restaurants were shuttered, to teachers who have struggled to educate and protect their students, to politicians who have worked to juggle healthcare, the economy, education, and social well being – with the support of few and the contempt of many. It has brought out all of the heroic among us who worked to serve others, while struggling themselves and caring for their own loved ones.
  • Saddest of all (in my mind), it has brought out the worst among us – those who have used this crisis to take advantage of others – the hoarders who have been the cause of most shortages, the greedy who have capitalized on shortages and the needs of others, the heartless who have written off the suffering and deaths of others as inconsequential, and finally those who continue to fight for their ‘rights’ regardless of the rights and needs of which they are depriving others.
  • There is no way for any of us to know how or when this will all end. Seeing the direction many have taken in Canada during the past few days, I cannot see it ending peacefully and with a genuine attitude of co-operation or consideration, without which I do not see an end. 🤷

Covid began so innocently for all of us. I wonder how this time will be remembered and judged going forward. I wonder how current and future generations will be changed – for better or worse.

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great rest of the day. 💞

February 5th – Ontario

by annemariedemyen, posted in Updates - February 2022

While going through my archives looking for today’s post to update, I came across this one highlighting our trip to Ontario some years ago.  Every photo in this post still holds the happiest of memories for me. 😊

Along with the beautiful Ontario scenery and sites, I will always carry the fondest memories of the people that we met during our visit.  From the time we stepped off of the airplane at the Pearson International Airport, to our visit to Construction Specialties Inc., to our time spent at restaurants, hotels, shops, and tourist attractions,  the people of Ontario  were exceptionally friendly, considerate and helpful.  They made our visit truly special.💞

https://seclusion101withannemarie.com/2019/12/06/ontario/

I have only one update for this post – Dan’s sister has moved back to Ontario and I cannot wait until we can go to visit her and this beautiful province! 😊

That is it for today. Take care and have a great day!💞

February 4th – Summer in Saskatchewan

by annemariedemyen, posted in Updates - February 2022

Back in November of 2019, I was looking forward to the return of summer. Moving into February of 2022, I am beyond excited as I anticipate the coming spring and summer. 🌞

https://seclusion101withannemarie.com/2019/11/16/summer-in-saskatchewan/

The only way to update this 2019 post, is to add a few ‘Summer in Saskatchewan’ photos from 2020 and 2021. For anyone living north of warmer weather, I hope this is a little something to brighten your day and warm your heart. 🌹

The beauty of a Saskatchewan summer! It cannot get here soon enough, even if it is well worth the wait.

That is it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞

February 3rd – Shingles Vaccine

by annemariedemyen, posted in Updates - February 2022

Looking back at previous blogs that I have posted, I came across this one regarding my run in with shingles.

https://seclusion101withannemarie.com/2019/10/29/shingles-vaccine/

Since I wrote this we have had global debate and debacle over vaccines. I understand this, but still felt this post was worthy of update.

While you may be reluctant to get the vaccine for shingles (or anything else right now) I would like to share a bit more information on shingles.

1) Anyone who has had chicken pox, regardless of age, can get shingles. When I had shingles, and in the weeks after, I heard horror stories from people of all ages, who had experienced this horrid condition.

2) Shingles can erupt anywhere on one’s body. I had it on my face and scalp (particularly nasty as it can cause loss of sight, hearing, and permanent disfigurement). I heard of people experiencing outbreaks on their shoulder, back, waist, and thighs.

3) The first sign of shingles may not be a painful, itchy, crusty rash. Mine started with stabbing pain, seemingly deep in my sinuses. Next, there was redness and swelling and my eye was bloodshot. There was one small obvious blister on my forehead, which did not register with me due to everything else causing me misery and discomfort.

4) There is medical treatment available – but one must start treatment within 72 hours of initial signs of outbreak. I was fortunate that while I had no idea that I had shingles, I did go to my doctor on time and was able to receive effective treatment.

I wouldn’t wish shingles on anyone. I would still advise anyone 50 or over, who has had chicken pox, to get the shingles vaccine. If you choose not to, I hope this information helps you to identify the condition if you ever have a breakout and that you are able to get the treatment before you are faced with months of devastating pain and worse. I heard so many stories of people who went through hell with shingles. You really don’t want to become one of them.

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞

February 2nd Update – 10 Things Anyone Under 40 Should Never Do

by annemariedemyen, posted in Updates - February 2022

For the second day of February, I am looking back at a blog that I posted while I was still gainfully employed and before I allowed my hair to turn a natural shade of grey. Then as now, I was aware of ageism in our society.

I stand behind everything that I noted in my original post but I do have a couple of things to add.

Number 1 – While I still take exception to much of how aging is portrayed via the youthful  ‘internet experts‘,  this agism thing has become personal for me in the past two years.   I  am regularly treated with less  respect and consideration than I had come to expect from family,  strangers, and acquaintances.   My age has become a determining factor in my worthiness. FYI – I refuse to accept that or buy into it at any age.

Number 2 –  I have one more rule to add.   Regardless of your age, do not compare yourself to anyone who is years or decades your senior.  We may not have your youthful beauty, or stamina, quick wit or nimble fingers – but we do have  qualities that you will not recognize or understand until you become one of us. 

https://seclusion101withannemarie.com/2019/09/26/10-things-anyone-under-40-should-never-do/

Aging gracefully and gratefully for all of my life’s experiences
My father-in-law… living out his final years cherishing the memories of a life well lived, the family and friends he loved, and the community he supported.
My mother living her final years in a nursing home – Mothering, grand-mothering, and great-grandmothering. Regardless of parenting fads and fashions through the generations, it always came down to common sense and caring.
My Dad – 83 years old, living with cancer and dying with dignity. Still kind, still strong, still aware and interested in everything happening in his family and his community.

That’s it for today. For those of all ages – take care and have a great day!

February 1st – Updates

by annemariedemyen, posted in Updates - February 2022

Here we are starting a new month – YAY February!  Soon the days will be noticeably longer, hopefully warmer, and much calmer than the last day of January – which brought us a rather noteworthy blizzard. 

Time to shovel our front steps! 😳

A new month means a new theme for my blog here on WordPress. I generally prefer looking more forward rather than back, but this month I have decided to indeed look back. Recently, I have had a few visitors post likes or comments on some of my earlier posts. I click back to my original post to check it out, only to discover that I have more to add, changes to make, or just something that is worth repeating. So… that is my theme for February 2022. A review of previous blogs.

One might as well start at the beginning, so today a quick look at my very first blog. This blog was written mid 2019 when I was still gainfully employed in the Saskatchewan construction industry.

https://seclusion101withannemarie.com/2019/08/18/my-very-first-blog/

  • Update of “My Very First Blog”
  • Contrary to my earlier thoughts on retirement, I have not consumed any impressive amount of tea, read many books, or done a significant amount of needlework.
  • I have spent a lot of quality time with my husband and I am happily anticipating the day when Dan will join me in retirement. 💞
  • I do not miss working – AT ALL. I loved my job, I did it well and I am proud of all that I accomplished. I cared for most of the people I worked with and for. I do not regret or resent a minute of it… But, I do not miss it!
  • The most significant thing about my life now, compared to then, is that now for the first time in my life as an adult, I put myself first. There were forty some years when, I put myself last (if at all). It was how I lived my life and I would do it again. I do not regret the years that I spent being a wife and home maker, raising a family, catering to grandchildren. I do not regret being there for my aging, ailing parents. I do not regret the dedication I put into my career. But, it left nothing for me. Now I have time to put myself first. I have time to focus on my health and my all around well-being. I would never have guessed that would be the best thing about retirement. (It never occurred to me that it even was a thing 🙄)
Life before retirement. 💻

If you care to comment, I would love to hear your thoughts on retirement. 🤗😧🥳

That is all for today. Take care and have a great day! 💞

January 31st – The End!

by annemariedemyen, posted in Canadian Meal Options

The end of January is finally here! January is not a kindly month in Saskatchewan, what with the short, frigid days and the arrival of Christmas bills for many. (I have always managed to avoid that but can see how it easily happens).

As much as I could do without the short frigid days, ice, snow and the like, I rather appreciate January – especially now that I am retired. The arrival of January means that we survived another December and we don’t have to deal with that for another year. 👍 January is the beginning of a NEW year – filled with fresh hopes and dreams, adventures, and resolutions. And… January is just a nice laid back month. One does what one must absolutely do and it is perfectly acceptable to do nothing more! January is the perfect month for couch potatoes. 🥔🍟

Kat, the couch potato…

It would have been great to end this month of Canadian Meal Options with an extravagant kitchen finale. However, having had a filling brunch yesterday morning and considering we had a fridge full of leftovers to deal with last night, that did not happen.

Leftover Chinese food 😉

The most ambitious thing we did for supper, was to perk up the leftover rice with the shrimp mix that was leftover from Saturday’s supper. And.. we added one fresh egg. (By we, I mean I handed Dan the egg and he added it to the rice. Just one of the things that I can never manage to make work the way it should. 🙄)

Anyway, this is the last day of January so I have big plans to make the most of it – a little meditating, a bit of putzing around, a peek out the window, maybe a nap. 🤗

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day!💞

January 30th – Kitchen Duty

by annemariedemyen, posted in Canadian Meal Options

The last couple of weeks have been rather hit and miss when it came to home cooking so it is time to get back to pulling some kitchen duty.

Dan was home last night so it was a good evening to cook up a package of (frozen) shrimp we picked up last week. They were smallish shrimp so they were not the best – and they were a pain to clean, but overall the meal was doable. Dan helped by de-veining the shrimp and slicing up the garlic, onions, and mushrooms. 🤗

Frying a bit of garlic in butter to start the shrimp off with.
Sliced onions and mushrooms were added to the garlic.
Seasoning a small beef tenderloin that we would share. (Small but THICK)
Supper is served – Shrimp, garlic, mushrooms, onions and herbs on a bed of Fettuccine Alfredo, grilled steak and asparagus on the side. With ice water. 😊

Being Sunday, we started today off with a brunch of bacon, eggs, and toast. To be honest, we started the day off with coffee and by the time I had the bacon cooked, it was brunch time. (Ok! It was lunch time but we still called it brunch.)

I always cook more than enough bacon so we have some on hand for Caesar salad and the like. (This past summer I discovered egg salad sandwiches with bits of warmed bacon sprinkled on the eggs – SO GOOD!)
Brunch is served!

That’s it for today. Take care and have a great day!💞