Theme for the Week Adjustment
The New Normal
Trying to wrap my head around where we are going. I have never been a political activist and have pretty much believed in and trusted that our elected officials will do what they can to get things done in this country and in Canada. I have voted Republican and Democratic as well as Liberal and Conservative. Always with the thought that I was voting for the right person for the job at hand. I am lucky in many ways because I can vote in both countries. It became very apparent to me back in the 70’s that I wanted to vote in the US because I lived here and I cared about the place I lived. That was when I chose to become an American citizen. It was quite a day and very emotional for me. So, I am an immigrant. However, at that time, the Canadian government decided that there could be dual citizens. A few of my friends in Canada had to renounce their US citizenship when they chose to come to Canada. Prior to 1979 I believe it was the same if you went the other direction. Not only did the law change at that time but it also changed regarding granting Canadian citizenship to first generation children by either the mother or the father. Prior to that time, only children whose father was the Canadian could claim Canadian citizenship. Both of my daughters are dual citizens as a result of this change. I have always believed that it was good to have options. To be able to choose where to live based on the best opportunities. John and I tried living in Canada for 8 years. We thought that was where we wanted to be but it became unwieldy dealing with the tax situation between the two countries. This provided so much stress in my life. Truly, I think it contributed to my heart attack in 2015. The things that happened should never have happened but we couldn’t control it so we left Canada and moved back to the United States. Thank goodness we did because when I was hospitalized I had turned 66 eight days before and was signed up for Medicare and Blue Cross Blue Shield. I was covered and I received superb care. I believe I would have received good care in Canada too. My experience with the system in Canada has been that if there is an emergency you will be taken care of immediately and with great skill and care but you better have an advocate there with you. When it comes to elective surgery and testing, not so good. There are very long waits. I think I am in between two worlds. I love so many things about Canada and I am proud that I was born there and that my family roots are from there. I also love the United States and I am proud to live here and proud I made the decision when I was 30 years old, to become a US citizen. You might say I am a person of two minds. For the first time in my life I have called a Senator’s office, written letters to the White House and signed petitions as well as donated money to various causes. I will stand up for what I believe in and I will not shun those of an opposing belief. I hope and pray that we will survive and get along in this country and in Canada. Most importantly that we care about each other and we care about ourselves and we should take care of both with open hearts and open minds.
Human and Puppy Exercise
Lots of walking again this week. However, we started the week with terrible storms and very damp weather. Then the sun came out again and we started doing longer walks. I truly think I could walk for hours if it was left up to me but John says he needs to have breakfast!!!
Went to Yoga twice and found there are two classes that I really like, one is restorative Yoga and the other is more active but still not too stressful. Last week’s class was way too hard for me, so I am grateful to have found two that I can do and be pretty happy about. It is always good to try different levels to see which one suits you best. Zumba continues to be fun and this week we added an interesting twist with people wearing belly dancing skirts for a couple of the routines. I didn’t have one nor did one of my friends so I went on Amazon and ordered two right then and there. Grand total $12. So next week we can jingle jangle along with everyone else. Really, we older folks do have some silly ways to amuse ourselves sometimes.
We have had a couple of days where we ran into dog friends of Winchester’s – they are not dog friends of Miss Q might I remind you – but of Winchester’s. Since the hurricane there are quite a few lots that have been cleared of underbrush and broken trees. This actually has left some space for the dogs to run around and romp under the watchful eye of their person. May I say that Wyke sleeps for about four hours after he has a walk and playtime with his friends. Friday was a banner day because he was able to play with Wilson twice as we ran into them on our way out and on our way back. What a treat and they played well and didn’t run off at all. Just chased each other and rough and tumbled. Hard to get a picture cause they are moving too fast but I gave it a shot.
Puppy Class
Winchester is now five months old so it is time to go to school. We had our first puppy class on Saturday down at Waterfront Park in Beaufort just over the Woods Memorial Bridge. It was rather chilly but the sun was out so we didn’t mind. Natalie Marrick, Mutt Master, is the trainer and she had set up a course of sorts in the park. There were about 10 dogs there; Winchester behaved very well. He learned that he could be in the presence of other dogs and just accept that fact without interacting with them. He focused on me (because I had a treat in my hand) as we walked by dogs in close proximity, sat next to the dogs, then even lay down, all the while ignoring that the other dog was there. It was pretty neat. Not sure I am all that great as a trainer but we didn’t get thrown out of class which was a big step. Six weeks of this and he should be in good shape I think or else we just keep going. However, I believe he is smart and he will figure it all out pretty quickly. Years ago we did something similar when we were raising dogs for the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Connecticut. We enjoyed learning along with the dog and were always amazed at how well they all got along. It was always heart breaking to give up the dogs after 18 months though. We raised two and that was enough. We shall see what next week brings.
My Favorite Recipe of the Week
Went for something that was called simple this week. We have local shrimp again and it is delicious and also crab. This is what I love about living here. We get excellent local produce and definitely seafood. So this week’s Mediterranean try was Quick and Easy Arroz con Pollo (Chicken with Rice). Sounds so much more exotic with the Spanish name doesn’t it. It really was easy and ended up being a one pot meal which I like. Lots of yummy tomatoes, chicken, spices, peppers and some Arborio rice which is a Spanish round grain rice. Once again it is from The New Mediterranean Diet Cookbook. Normally I don’t eat rice but I tried a little with this one since it was all mixed in. It is a more hearty rice and not as refined as the white rice found in the stores.
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Friends and Friendships
We have a wonderful group of friends here in South Carolina as well as in Canada. Friendship is something to nurture and in return it nurtures you. Take time this week to reach out to someone. You never know what is going on but everyone needs to know that they are thought of and the best way to let them know is to give them a call, send an email, go out for lunch or get together for an evening. January can be a tough month for a lot of reasons, but the days are getting longer and good things do happen in January. (see below)
It gives me great pleasure to congratulate my brother, once again, on the birth of his fifth grandchild another little girl, on Friday the 27th of January. That’s two new ones in his family within 12 days of each other.
The plant on the left is a Shamrock plant that we rescued and brought inside the house when we returned to Dataw. Who knew that it would bloom and be so beautiful just a few weeks later.