weather – Seclusion 101 with AnneMarie

October 26th – Camp Marjorie

October 26, 2021October 26, 2021 by annemariedemyen, posted in News & Views - October 2021

These days, the news in Regina features articles such as this one found in the Regina Leader Post.

Upwards of a hundred nylon tents have been set up in a small park at the centre of town to shelter the homeless in our city. Sleeping bags, food and other necessities have been donated and secured. Kitchen areas and port-a-potties have been set up. A windbreak has been built to surround this make-shift community. Those who are homeless continue to arrive at ‘Camp Marjorie’ and the camp expands to meet the growing need.

I certainly applaud the efforts of the volunteer organizers and the community groups who have worked to provide assistance for the homeless in our city. But, this is Regina, Saskatchewan and this is the end of October. Our temperature is drifting above and below freezing. Frigid winds whipped through Regina yesterday, followed by rain. Snow is in the forecast. I cannot imagine nylon tents supporting the considerable weight of snow – or giving much protection from the wind and the rain for that matter.

‘Camp Marjorie’ is not a permanent solution for the homeless crisis in Regina, but it is bringing much needed attention to the situation. The local police and fire department are attending regularly, doing what it is within their jurisdictions to do. Social service care workers are attending and doing what they can to resolve issues – ma y of which have been created by their government employers. Some of the needy have been placed in hotels temporarily , while permanent arrangements are being made. Others wait.

Housing and feeding the vulnerable in our community is a start – and it is a good start. But hopefully this is just the start. There is so much that needs to be addressed before our homeless can experience the security and quality of life that they deserve. There are so many support programs that would provide a hand up to those who have virtually nothing and nowhere to go. And there are those who are, and will always be, incapable of proving for themselves. Our city and our province need to do better to help those who are in need, regardless.

***‘Camp Marjorie’ in Core Community Parker***

That is my sad, but hopeful, news story of the day.

Take care and have a great day. 💞

October 7th – Dimming

October 7, 2021October 7, 2021 by annemariedemyen, posted in News & Views - October 2021

According to a news article on The Weather Channel, it is official. We are not as bright as we used to be.

According to this article, as our oceans warm our level of cloud coverage is reduced. As cloud coverage decreases, we do not reflect as much light to the skies as we used to. This in turn means more sunlight reaches earth’s surface and is contributing to global warming.

My View – I am no expert on the subject of global warming. In Saskatchewan, there is much denial on the subject – especially as far as how much global warming can be attributed to humanity. I personally believe that global warming is a problem and that this problem is growing exponentially. I believe that anything that contributes to global warming creates other issues that contribute to global warming. Issues that are out of our control.

It has long been understood that humanity causes, or contributes, to global warming by carbon emissions via the burning of fossil fuels. It may not be the only factor. It may not even be the most significant factor. But, it is one factor that we can address.

We are not at a place where we can end our reliance on fossil fuels. We are at a place where we can be aware of what we are doing and how we can do it better – from the recovery of fossil fuels, the processing of fossil fuels, the delivery of fossil fuels, right to the end use of fossil fuels. That is at least an acknowledgement that there is a problem and that we can all contribute to the solution of the problem.

That is my News & Views for today. As always, feel free to comment below.

Take care and have a great day! 💞

Survival

May 27, 2021 by annemariedemyen, posted in life

The Saskatchewan floods and frigid weather have passed. Most of our plants have survived so far. We will see how many make it through the hurricane strength winds today!

All of the pepper plants seem good – sweet bell, mini bell, and hot varieties. 🌶️

Kat’s Tiny Tim tomatoes and our Roma, San Marzano, Beefsteak, Better Boy and multicolor all look good. Except for one multicolor plant – I think Kat ate it. 🙄

The petunias are still small but starting to bloom 👍

The wildflowers under our bedroom window seem to be fine – a bit messy, maybe 😉

I just loved the color of these plants at the garden centre but not so sure now. Will see once they have a chance to grow a bit.

Stay safe and have a good day! 🌞

Bronchiectasis

October 28, 2020October 28, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in life

I finally received all of my test results back and saw my specialist last week. Yea, I have bronchiectasis. (Because I couldn’t get something I can pronounce). 🤦

As diseases/conditions go, it isn’t the worst one to get. It is rather miserable since it makes it difficult to breathe, which is never fun (my bronchial tubes are swollen up from scar tissue and the like). It is chronic but can be managed with medication and exercise. I do have to go to the hospital for more testing and I am not thrilled about that. But, it is not fatal – so there is that. 😊

It is rather damp and chilly out today but I had better get out there and get walking. I have to work to get my lung function and blood oxygen level up. 🙄

Have a great day🌞

Life in the Frozen North

January 16, 2020January 16, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in life

My poor little car is down for the count. I am not sure if this is even a thing, but it would seem my automatic steering fluid has frozen. Whatever the problem is, my power steering no longer has the power to steer.

We are lucky that we do not live in an area where we generally see hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or the like but when our temperature drops down to the minus 40’s things tend to seize up – especially vehicles. Aluminum rims shrink and tires go flat, fluids freeze, batteries die, doors freeze shut. It is too much fun – especially when it is too bloody cold to deal with all this fun stuff.

Fortunately, I live a block away from where my workmate lives so for tomorrow we will carpool and Dan will drive his Jeep, which I usually drive when he is working. Even more fortunate, the temperature is supposed to start going up this weekend. 😊

Winter in Saskatchewan

January 8, 2020January 8, 2020 by annemariedemyen, posted in family, life

The mercury is dropping out of the thermometer so thought I would share a few pics of our winter season. These pictures are of years gone by as we have not gotten a lot of snow yet this year. We have however had a few days where the temperature has dropped to obscene nether regions so will take any sympathy I can get.☃️