Daily Quote: January 26, 2021

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We are not retreating
– we are advancing in another direction.

~ Douglas MacArthur (American – General / January 26, 1880 – April 5, 1964)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Different countries celebrate their independence and starts in different ways. Today Australia and India are both celebrating their most recent beginnings. I wonder if they will have fireworks and picnics. After all both places are now in the summer of their seasons and fireworks and picnics are always so much fun. I hope by the time we get to Canada Day, we’re able to have public gatherings again.

National Spouses Day is just a month and a day after Christmas. This special day can easily be celebrated during the continuing lock down. Snow is blanketing the ground around us today, so we’re not tempted to leave the house even if there wasn’t a lockdown.

Just a quick note about my Nursery Roommate. We were born in the same hospital on the same day and shared the same Nursery. We met up later at work and celebrated our beginnings, then became good friends. Cynthia always was kind to everyone she met. Her laughter always lit up the offices at 955 Highbury Ave. Although she would roll her eyes if she didn’t agree, I never heard her say a bad word about anyone or anything. Her love and devotion to her family were the centre of her life. Her courageous battle with cancer was lost, but her memories will live on.

Daily Quote: January 25, 2021

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O my Luve is like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody
That’s sweetly played in tune …

~ Robbie Burns (Scottish – Poet / January 25, 1759 – July 21, 1796)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

I recently submitted my DNA to Ancestry.ca for analysis. The results, though not completely surprising showed a larger amount of Scottish origin than I had anticipated. So, although I’ll celebrate the poetry of Robbie Burn’s Night, I’m not very likely to eat haggis, but I’ll drink a bit of whisky and toast to your health.

Keeping with my Irish roots, I’d much rather have an Irish Coffee, a combination of coffee, rich cream and good Irish whisky. There seems to be a link here with a whisky theme.

Perhaps the misunderstanding is why it was necessary to devote a day for Better Business Communication. I spent part of my career writing procedures for different work centres at the London Mail Processing Plant. The most important part of COPSYS (Corporate Operating Systems) was the layout and sortation schematics. Changes were documented and posted as Information Book Notices. I enjoyed the technical writing and the challenge of implementing changes according to change control procedures. Yes, the job of Configurations Control Officer was one that I enjoyed.

My heart goes out to the people at the Gateway Processing Facility in Mississauga Ontario, as more than 160 cases have been confirmed on #3 shift (Afternoon shift). More than 4,500 people work at Gateway. Mail Sortation Clerks, Lettercarriers, and various Managers/Directors. I’m certain as many as possible are working remotely, but the front line workers and lettercarriers can only do their jobs in person. It’s ironic that mail volumes are hitting record highs as parcels and home delivery soars during the pandemic.

Today marks the first year anniversary of the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Canada. While remaining under lockdown during the second wave, I thought it would be a good time to look at the numbers:

Cases

LocationTotal casesNew cases (1 day*)New cases (last 60 days)Cases per 1 million peopleDeaths
Worldwide99,237,358600,79060-day trend chart12,7622,130,497
United States25,177,522129,52760-day trend chart76,398419,207
Source: Wikipedia

Cases

LocationTotal casesNew cases (1 day*)New cases (last 60 days)Cases per 1 million peopleDeaths
Worldwide99,237,358600,79060-day trend chart12,7622,130,497
Canada747,383No data60-day trend chart19,67919,094
Ontario259,6472,24460-day trend chart19,0945,811
Source: Wikipedia

Daily Quote: January 24, 2021

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Music has charms to sooth a savage breast,
to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.

~William Congreve (English – Poet / January 24, 1670 – January 19, 1729)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Celebrating International Day of Education while our schools are closed seems like a contradiction. Education continues at home and on line. I wonder how lucky we are that it is assumed everybody in our Province has a computer and access to the Internet. What are the long term effects will be of sitting children down for an entire day of screen time with their faces on the shared screens. Technology moves so quickly and has removed the need in person learning. How many children will return to in person learning when this is over? Or will people choose to keep their children isolated and safe at home?

But at least National Peanut Butter Day can be celebrated by Peanut Butter lovers. Peanut butter, a wonderful inexpensive source of protein has been banned in all schools due to peanut butter allergies. The amazing thing is that research is showing that delaying the introduction of peanut butter is probably the largest cause of the allergy to develop. So peanut butter is being encouraged to be given to children before the age of 2. Parental fear may have been the largest cause of this deadly allergy.

National Compliment Day is something we should be practicing everyday. Kind words of encouragement should be spread generously everywhere. It seems we don’t give or receive compliments often enough. I read an article yesterday on how to respond to a compliment. Start by saying “Thank you” and don’t negate the compliment with negative phrases. Also don’t return the compliment immediately unless it is heartfelt. So continue practicing giving compliments until it becomes part of your nature.

Quit putting things off until later. Celebrate Just Do It Day by doing that thing you’ve been putting off. Quit over analyzing and over thinking. You’ll never know if you can to it or not until you just do it. As the commercial says change one day into day one. Put the music on, dance, sing and exercise. Get the brushes out and try painting. Or get out the colouring books and spend some useless time colouring, either inside or outside the lines. Whatever you’ve been putting off Just Do It today.

Daily Quote: January 23, 2021

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Born in Kansas City, Missouri,
and knowing nothing about Picasso,
I had the audacity to knock on his door,
became his friend, and took thousands of photographs,
of him, his studios, his life and his friends.

~ David Douglas Duncan (American – Photographer / January 23, 1916 -June 7, 2018)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Today’s quote reminds us that people are just that people. No matter how talented, famous, rich or what position they hold: it comes down to the fact that they are people. Picasso opened the door for David Duncan and they became friends, as David enjoyed the company and inspiration. Then David photographed the artist, his friends and everything around him.

Recently in the political scene in Canada our Governor General, Julie Payette resigned her position when an independent study found she was the one responsible for a toxic working environment, verbally abusing her workers and bringing them to tears. She forgot to show respect for everyone whether they are your peers or employees. People deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. That being said, after her brief service Julie will receive an annual pension of $140,000 for the rest of her life.

You could say the writing was on the wall for Julie, which brings us to National Handwriting Day. My handwriting has always been terrible. In grade 6 when all of my classmates graduated from pencils to pens I was left behind. My teacher, Mrs. Wilcox was gentle enough and encouraging, but still I wasn’t permitted to write with a pen. In pencil, my imagination wrote and I produced the class play for the year, with super heroes saving a princess from the Mad Scientist. My “Mad Scientist” quit with stage fright just before the play started so I also had to play the dark role. So much for my writing in pencil career. To this day it is still a thrill to be able to write with a fountain pen as I address my cards to my friends and family.

Music is one of my passions. The radio plays in the background all the time and when a catchy tune comes on I often get up and do a little impromptu dance around my kitchen. So every chance I get I think we should celebrate National Musician Day with every country in the world. Today’s country celebrating is Argentina. I’ll have to ask Google to play some Argentinian music and dance.

While reminiscing I can’t help but remember my childhood friend Joan. Joan grew up to own a quilt shop, where she teaches and inspires the community to sew. If it wasn’t for the lock-down, I would be encouraging everybody to stop by and have a tea with Joan at Sew Creative, @sewcreativequilting, so we could celebrate Local Quilt Shop Day. But during lock down we’re limited to visiting on-line and through facebook. Don’t forget to shop Local.

Daily Quote: January 22, 2021

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I think the camera is a wonderful machine, don’t you?
And not to take photographs in this century is crazy.

~ Peter Beard (American – Artist / January 22, 1938 – April 19, 2020)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

To answer Peter Beard’s question, yes I agree, the camera is a wonderful machine. I will take pictures here, I will take pictures there, I will take pictures everywhere. I love to take pictures of everything. My camera is always the last thing I pack so it’s always the first thing I can unpack or reach while I’m travelling. If it breaks I have to get it fixed and while it’s being fixed I have to have a replacement. That’s exactly what happened when I was in Texas last year. When my Nikon D750 had shutter issues and it went back to Nikon for 6 weeks, I had to get another camera so I could take pictures on my walks. The little Nikon CoolPix L340 may be listed as obsolete, but it got me through in a crunch and only cost me $20 used. It was so portable and took excellent pictures.

How can you enjoy Celebration of Life Day without taking pictures? Every celebration needs pictures. That’s why I love doing event photography. Nothing is better than someone’s candid show of joy or surprise at a party.

I’m not really certain you can Answer Your Cat’s Questions. They just keep changing and find more questions to ask. Like: are those your boots? Why do you need boots? Aren’t I cuter than those boots? When are you letting me outside? When are you letting me back in? When are you sitting down again, I need a lap to sit on? When are you going to feed me? Where are the treats?

It’s much easier to observe Bóndadagur. Do something nice for your husband today. Give him a hug. Give him a compliment. Cook some bacon. Let him skip a chore. Tell him how handsome he is. Give him some flowers. Buy him a book.

I find it interesting that Iceland celebrates husbands today while Poland skips that generation and celebrates Grandfather Day. During lockdown that’s a harder thing to celebrate as our grandchildren aren’t permitted by law to visit with us. I guess a video chat will have to do until we can hug our grandchildren in person again. I know that my husband has no greater joy than when one of the grandchildren run in the door with arms outstretched yelling “PAPA”.

Daily Quote: January 21, 2021

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We are now on the threshold of a newer movement, with a newer hope and a new inspiration.

~ James Larkin (Irish – Activist / January 21, 1875 – January 30, 1947)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

The day after the Inauguration of the 46th President of the United States of America. The speeches and ceremonies viewed around the world were very inspiring. Now back to work.

I’d like to send a virtual hug to all of my family, friends and followers on National Hug Day. Be certain to hug the ones you live with everyday. I used to tell my sons that hugging their Mother daily was proven to make boys grow taller. Recently I’ve read that hugging releases the hormone oxytocin, the love hormone, also associated with growth and good heart health. For this hormone to be released you have to hug for at least 20 seconds.

Red Squirrel foraging at St Clair Conservation Area

Squirrel Appreciation Day was made for my middle son, who has always loved squirrels. Every year his wife gives him another squirrel Christmas Tree decoration. The local news highlighted how COVID-19 lockdowns are affecting the squirrels. With food sources being reduced the squirrels are becoming braver and approaching strangers for a hand-out. Please don’t feed them bread, it tends to ball up in their stomachs and not digest well. Instead get some unsalted peanuts to hand out to these little guys. Local wildlife rescue centres actually advise not to feed them, because we are making them dependent on these handouts, changing their natural behaviours and creating nuisance animals.

Daily Quote: January 20, 2021

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You can’t help getting older,
but you don’t have to get old.

~ George Burns (American – Comedian / January 20, 1896 – March 9, 1996 )

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Today is the Inauguration of the 46th President of the United States. Canadians are watching the events as they unfold to the South of us. During COVIID-19 pandemic there will be very few able to attend the Inauguration Event in person, and only by invitation. Security is high as the 45th President leaves without attending the Inauguration Ceremony.

At the same time, today is Museum Selfie Day in the USA. It may be a perfect day to visit a local Museum, if you can and take some selfies on this Historic Day.

Of course though my favorite celebration today as a Canadian is Cheese Lover’s Day. For sure, I’ll have a grilled real cheddar cheese sandwich and a bowl of soup for lunch. Maybe even some cheese and crackers later today, eh? It’s my way of staying young by enjoying the same lunch my Mom always made for us.

Daily Quote: January 19, 2021

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Wisdom is knowing what to do next;
virtue is doing it.

~ David Starr Jordan

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

We can all sit back and talk about what needs to be done, but to actually put it into action and do it is a different kettle of fish.

New Friends Day is difficult to celebrate when we’re all under lockdown due to the pandemic. So if you can’t make a new friend today try to re-connect with an old one.

If you can’t do either, make a bowl of popcorn and celebrate National Popcorn Day with a good movie from Netflix. Eating popcorn while reading is a bit messier because good popcorn is smothered in butter and you’ll stain the pages.

Tin Can Day is a brief recognition of the importance the tin can has brought to the world. Keeping beans and corn and soup on our shelves and waiting for us at our convenience. And Tin Cans can be recycled. Keep them out of the garbage and send them packing to be reused. The aluminum shortage (due to American tariffs imposed last year on China and Canada) means that our pop is only being manufactured in the most popular brands. So the wonderful diet of the world (Vernor’s, Fanta Orange and Diet Sprite) aren’t available. I wonder if they are still available in Florida or Texas.

During the weak of “Healthy eating” we all celebrate getting rid of fad diets and gimmicks. Eat healthy in moderation and exercise. I started the day with my oatmeal and yoghurt. I always manage to start out the day so well, but it’s the rest of the day that’s a challenge. 🙂

Daily Quote: January 17, 2021

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Green is the prime color of the world,
and that from which its loveliness arises.

~ Pedro Calderon de la Barca (Spanish – Dramatist / January 17, 1600 – May 25, 1681)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

Green may be the prime colour of the world, but it is also the colour of Florida. I took the picture for today’s quote in March 2016 in Lettuce Park, Tampa Florida. Florida has been said to be the state of a thousand shades of green. Quiet swamps with danger always present in the still waters. Luckily alligators tend to be sluggish in the winter months and don’t eat until the overnight temperatures reach 60F for about a week. But I still didn’t take Rickie with me for my walks, just in cast one of the alligators thought he was coming for lunch. I always took a walking stick to keep between me and the water. Apparently alligators are very near sighted and at Busch Gardens they said a walking stick is often enough to keep them away.

Benjamin Franklin Day is set aside to celebrate one of the Founding Fathers of the the USA. He was a very industrious person, printer, statesman, scientist and inventor. Coming from a family of modest means and being the embodiment of the American Dream: Anyone can be anything if they work hard enough. It’s amazing to see the new staff and high ranking positions being selected by President Elect, Joe Biden. Many of his introductions for the leading roles include determined people that have overcome overwhelming obstacles to achieve greatness supporting and promoting the American Dream.

The third Sunday of January is World Religion Day. So attend a worship of your choice on line. Don’t forget to support them with your donations during the Pandemic. Pray for peace and the end of this pandemic.

Today is also Popeye Day. So be sure to eat your spinach. Toot Toot.

COVID-19 has had a significant effect on the housing market in Canada. Prices continue to rise and people are paying over the asking price to secure new homes as the “STAY AT HOME” orders are still in effect. My stepson, anxious to have a new home for his new family, sold his 3 apartment live-in residence and hasn’t been able to find a new place prior to the closing date. So he has put his furniture into storage and will be living with us until they can find a suitable housing replacement. Being a trucker, he is only home about 2 days every other week, so the task of securing a new residence is even more complicated.

One of the things I hadn’t considered when he asked to live with us was his guns. I was surprised when he walked in with all of his huge guns (legally licensed in Ontario) and advised me that if the police or RCMP show up at the door I will have to give them access to see that the guns are properly stored. My father always had a gun for hunting in the house when I was growing up, but that was before gun control. I quickly asked that my stepson invest in a lock for his bedroom door to ensure the grandkids couldn’t accidently wander in and start playing with them. Even though the guns are all properly trigger locked, I will feel much better if the room is also locked. It also ensures that no one will be in his room when he isn’t home. Hopefully this is a temporary situation, but at the same time, without having to pay for a room he can save more money to put down on his new home.

Daily Quote: January 16, 2021

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Often the test of courage is not to die but to live.

~ Vittorio Alfieri (Italian – Dramatist / January 16, 1749 – October 8, 1803)

Holidays and Celebrations:

Porte Musings:

The days are beginning to run into each other. Not just because I’m retired, but the lockdown has exaggerated this meaninglessness of the different days. For some reason yesterday seemed like a Thursday. It wasn’t until supper time that I realized it was Friday.

Religious freedom is why free people came to North America. Whenever the state controls worship people either leave or take up arms. Many religious sects are claiming that the temporary lock down and stay at home orders are an infringement on their rights to gather and worship as they please. When people don’t go to church their tithing also tends not to go into the collection plates. Without the financial support, wages can’t be paid and building maintenance requirements (heating, cooling, cleaning) can’t be paid. Then because the building isn’t being used there is the danger of it being surplus to requirements and liquidated or sold (As we’ve seen with the Seniors’ Centre in Strathroy ON). Please remember to support your church so it can remain a church when the pandemic is over. I’m so glad that Strathroy United Church quickly changed to on-line only services, but I still miss the weekly in person worship and seeing my Church friends.

Chasing dragons becomes an almost fulltime occupation during the lockdown. Mental Health has been highlighted as one of the most serious consequences of people being isolated in their homes. Suicide, drug overdose, alcohol over use, domestic violence have all seen increases. Those who are homeless have even less resources, as no one is venturing onto the streets to give donations. Homeless shelters are being avoided now due to the possibility of them becoming COVID-19 outbreak sites. In the middle of this crisis, I’m glad to say we have a new homeless centre for youth that has opened at 37 Frank Street, Strathroy ON. (37 Frank Youth Centre). A special thank-you to the donators and volunteers.

My favorite celebrations on this day is National Tulip Day in the Netherlands. Tulips always are a symbol of spring and new hope. Although I won’t be able to attend the May Tulip Festival in Ottawa this year, I usually buy some potted tulips to brighten up my kitchen. I love buying the potted tulips because when they are done blooming I can plant them in the garden where they will bloom again year after year.

So being forced to celebrate Nothing Day by legislated provincial lockdown we should get out those gift cards, go on line and buy something locally to help fight the personal dragons.