It's Almost 2014!

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What Day Is It?

Having time off during the holidays is great, but I have been having trouble remembering what day of the week it is.

When I approached Crockett to put on his boots, be just collapsed on his side in defeat and let me go about my task. There was not one once of struggle; pure submission.  As much as he doesn't like the boots, he loves his walks. All the ice has melted and it is above zero today.  Perfect snowman making snow.

We ventured into the park for the first time since the ice storm.  No doubt it was magical a few days back with the ice on the branches glistening in the sunlight.  I just couldn't risk slipping and falling.  Today, the wet heavy sticky base gave both Crockett and I firm footing.  So much so that half way through, I took off his boots.  It was like I released him from prison.  He got his mojo back and bounced around for a few moments. Lovely to witness pure joy like that.

I have 3 groupings of photos from todays walk:
Crockett and Friends
A Robin who let me admire her and get so close I could see her fluffy white bottom.
The Desolation of Ice.  The damage to this grouping of trees is heartbreaking.

For a few seconds, I felt like a wildlife photographer in the Canadian wilderness!

What Is This New Devilry?

I saw a girl reading this on the bus.  All I saw was the title, nothing else.  I thought it was a way of coping with stress through tap dancing.

Being interested in ways of coping with and dealing with stress, I googled it when I got home.  Disappointed that it did not refer to tap dancing, I was however, still intrigued.  There were more than a few videos on YouTube and I read a few articles.  I decided, why not!

I am open minded and willing to look into anything that could naturally help me cope with stress and reduce my headaches.

This is taken from the front inside jacket;

"Tapping, also known as EFT, is a powerful tool for improving your life on multiple levels: mental, emotional, and physical."

"Based on the principles of both ancient acupressure and modern psychology, tapping concentrates on specific meridian end points, while focusing on negative emotions or physical sensations. Combined with spoken word, tapping  helps calm the nervous system to restore the balance of energy in the body and rewire the brain to respond in healthy ways."

I've tried meditation but, can't get the quiet needed, both environmentally and internally, so, tapping is getting a try.

Christmas 2013

I woke up this morning, pulled back the curtain & was happy to see big fluffy snowflakes falling.  I love it when it snows Christmas Day.

Last year I bought Crockett a sweater that was too big.  This year I bought Crockett a sweater that is too small.  Poor thing looked like he was out in the cold in a muscle shirt.

I am devastated by what the ice storm did to my favorite trees.  

They lost so many branches.  

I feel like Treebeard when he came upon Isengard.  

(LOTR reference for those not in the know)

This is Crockett at the base of the trees.  So so sad.

These are a few shots around the same area I took the ice photos last Sunday.  

It is still so awful and so beautiful at the same time.

These are from the Parkette across the street, I don't even dare venture in there. 

Not only are there still many branches that look like they could

snap at any moment, the snow is covering pure ice.  

I'd break something no doubt.

Lastly, the driveway of the park leading down to the Tennis and Lawn Bowling club is closed.  

A wee little black squirrel is noshing on something - an apple or an orange.  

I didn't want to get too close and disturb its feast.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Beautiful and Scary

Although I feared falling, as it is how I roll in winter, I had to go outside to see the result of the freezing rain.  My Mom called me this morning to say my brother, who lives just over 1km away, doesn't have power.  He lost it at around 2am.  We do still have power.  I think it's due to there not being any tall trees that have fallen towards the bldg. They've all bent out towards the street. Fingers crossed it'll stay this way.

There are plenty of broken branches from trees, and shrubs, and bushes covered in ice.  It is beautiful and scary.

The traffic lights are out to the North of us as is the building on the corner with the convenience store.  To the South, the traffic lights are still working. TTC buses are slowly making their way up & down Yonge Street, and are not empty.

I will say, I saw TOO MANY people out and about.  Too many older people on their way to church. On a day like this, unless it's life or death, one should NOT venture out either as a pedestrian or in a vehicle.  They are just putting themselves in harms way.  Taking a risk that ought not be taken.  I will say I am happy I did not see any joggers out today.  There were a few out yesterday slipping & sliding all over the place in their runners without grip.

After a few minutes, I felt I was putting myself in harms way by being on the sidewalk as a few cars (and one jerk-off in a pick up truck going way too fast) went by and brought up broken branches & twigs. I didn't want to get impaled by flying debris.

I would have loved to go into the park to take more photos, but there are 20 steps to get to the main section and well, no.

These first 2 photos are of my favorite trees across the street by the parkette.  The first shot was taken yesterday when it started to rain.  The second shot is from this morning.  Scary how much it is weighted down with ice.  A portion has broken off as is laying beside the bldg's side driveway. 

 

Our main steps are blocked.  I'm not going to even try to move this!

These are off the tree by our front window.

Thick ice covering.

See the Canadian flag in the background! 

Those stairs. I just can't risk it!

Another shot of my favorite trees.

The stairs leading up to the church are blocked by fallen branches.

The plan for the rest of the day?  Prepare some food just in case we do lose power.  Get my candles prepped.  Sit under a cozy blanket and relax.

Let's just hope people stay safe and I don't hear sirens on and off all day.

Crockett's New Boots

I FINALLY got some boots for Crockett that I can get on his feet without a 20 minute production. They're called all weather Muttluks. They take 5 minutes to get on & he doesn't get worked up or stressed at all.

I did take video of him walking with them that made Adam & I laugh out loud, but we were in our jammies and no one needs to see that!

He got the hang of it after a bit but would still every one in a while stop, extend a leg, and look at me with a wtf expression.

It took him a few tries to successfully do steps without tripping himself up.  These boots are PERFECT and have given Crockett his walks back.  Being on a major street, the second we step out onto the sidewalk, it is covered with salt.  Good for me, bad for pug paws.

That Was Funny! POST EDIT

I just finished reading Tina Fey's Bossypants.  I laughed out loud a few times and had to go share snippets with Adam. It was funny!  Smart funny.

My next book? The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman.

I will admit, I have high expectations.

POST EDIT:
I almost gave up reading The Ocean At The End Of The Lane a few times, but I kept with it.  In the end, I'm glad I did.  I love Neil Gaiman's "worlds".  This is not my favorite of his, but again, glad I finished it.  The last few pages made it worthwhile.

Sunset By Mom

My Mom took this fantastic sunset photo yesterday Nov 30'13. Wow!

My November Morning

Woke up this morning to Dad calling & asking if I wanted to go & see Shen Yun.  Um...YES!  Can't wait!  I've always wanted to go so that is something to look forward to in the cold month of January.

I was moving in slow motion so after I fed Crockett, so I put his leash on to keep him near me to avoid any old man tinkle accidents in the apartment before we made it outside.  He was adorable & just sat there (yes, on a Harry Potter blanket) with a look on his face of, "c'mon already!"

It is a overcast but otherwise a perfect November morning. No wind.  I had to undo my jacket and loosen my scarf.

There is a church up the street that backs on the the parkette/ravine that looked to close during the summer.  It was a Christian Science Church.  They've started the demolition.  I am going to do some poking around on City of Toronto website to see if I can find what will going up there. Houses, condos, or I hope, a community center.  It'll probably be homes as 4 can fit on the property and could easily be valued over a million each. It's a prime location.  I'll have to make a point of going by every week or so to document the progress.

Right in front of the church was this pick up truck.  I've seen it parked around the neighbourhood for a while but have never seen it's owner.  He/She normally has pro-conservative party stickers all over it, but the best part is, it's a Hoarder's pick up truck.  It is always filled with shit.  The front seat was no better and on the passenger side floor was a red plastic gas can.  I just picture an action star walking away from it a la: cool guys don't look at explosions! 

  There aren't too many houses that have their lights/decorations up.  No doubt they wish they'd done in 2 weekends ago when it was beautiful & sunny out.  Crockett was happy to be out but didn't argue when we went back in.

Now that the gym in complete, the next project the building has on the go is building a roof top terrace.  I hope we get a good view of the park.

The rest of the day is going to be spent making chicken soup, reading, and napping.