Posted on March 30, 2020
DAY 3: SOCIABLE SUNDAY
Hi Guys,
I awoke this morning to a glorious sunny Sunday. It seems our magnolia tree has blossomed overnight. Blues skies, pink magnolia, yellow house. All the colour I needed to help me rise and shine! And Coco licking my face to wake up and “Feed me Momma!” Life goes on but it’s Sunday, and I will miss my Sunday ritual with Kevin of Mass at 11.00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, followed by a stroll around town and brunch at Murchie’s Cafe or Bean Around the World in Chinatown, our two favourite places to Sunday brunch. My feet are itching to get walking again!
The day decided early on the way it wanted to progress so I just went with the flow. Phone calls to friends took up a lot of happy time. It was great connecting with my pals in Calgary and Victoria and hearing how they were coping with the social isolation, etc. Phone calls with friends and FaceTime with our children is making this whole Quarantine thing doable! I may not end up a mad cow after all!
Another sweet surprise was listening to a virtual concert on Facebook and hearing my brother-in-law Robert, and nephew, William serenade us with us with beautiful music. I just loved their rendition of my favourite song ‘It’s a long long way from Clare to here’. Their dog barking in the background really appealed to Coco too and her ears cocked up every time she heard a bark. Sweet! I also enjoyed listening to Oprah’s Soul Sunday on Youtube. Today, she was interviewing one of my favourite singers, Alicia Keys. What an inspiring duo and a very uplifting interview. I would recommend it if you are looking for some food for the soul!
As another peaceful sunny day came to a conclusion, I thanked God for everything and all the joys, both large and small, that came my way! Deo Gratias!
Hugs from my home to yours!
Patricia xx
Updated on March 28, 2020
DAY 2 – SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO!
Hi Guys,
What a difference a day makes! Having something to look forward to is always a recipe for happiness! On the spur of the moment, I decided to make yummy banana bread today. As I write, its aroma is filling my home with such positive vibes! It should be ready for coffee break coming up. I have two more things that keep me feeling happy.
Last night, I discovered Big Little Lies, a drama series on Crave tv. What a find! I can’t get enough of it! It’s totally addictive viewing and has a killer cast too, which include three of my favourite actresses, Laura Dern, Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. I’m disciplining myself to only watching two programs per night after supper otherwise I’ll get nothing done on my to-do list! If you haven’t already seen it, I’d highly recommend! So that is something else to look forward to!
The third and BIGGEST thing I am currently looking forward to is Easter. I have always loved Easter. It is one of my favourite of all the holidays! My 14 day quarantine will be completed by Holy Thursday, just in time for Easter. Yay! I brought loads of Butler’s Irish chocolate home for the family, including a big easter egg to share. The girls will be coming home for Easter and that is something I am SO looking forward to! I’ve really stuck to my Lenten fast this year and have not touched a sweet or chocolate. I cannot believe it! So only 12 days to go and then it’s crunch and munch the chocolate time!!
What are you looking forward to today? Is there something motivating you to get through this social isolation thing which is horrendous for some. I hope so!
In terms of restriction, Quarantine is a step above Social Isolation. You cannot go outside the door! No shopping for groceries, no chatting with the neighbours over the garden fence, even if you are observing the 2 meter rule, no power walking, no drives in the car. Just you, yourself, and you. It helps if you like yourself because you will be spending a lot of time together!
Get baking, gardening, petting your pet, praying, meditation, writing, reading a good book, listening to upbeat music, dancing, yoga — whatever it is that helps you get through this peculiar time! Do it! But please do stay connected with others. No man or woman was born an island — especially now!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Updated on March 28, 2020
QUARANTINE: DAY 1
There is something really grave about the word ‘Quarantine‘. Just the sound of it gives me the shivers! I feel dirty, like I have mad cow disease or scarlet fever. Maybe after the 14 days I will have turned into a mad cow lol! Canada has enforced a new ruling which stipulates that those who have been outside the Country (which I have), must do a Mandatory 14 day Quarantine. If you don’t, you have to pay $1 million or spend 3 years in Jail! Yikes, Yikes, and Yikes again!
On a lighter note, what luxury! No office, no traffic, no noise, no make -up for 14 days! No outside disturbance. Wow! My skin wont know what hit it! I’m salivating with pleasure at the thought of all those jobs I kept putting off. No excuse now! I have a very ambitious to-do list written for my 14 days in Quarantine. As for Coco, my beloved rescue dog, she’s following me around like she just won the Lotto! Bless her little heart!
Day 1 – Thursday, 27th March:
I woke up to Coco my bed mate licking me all over, jumping up and down the bed with joy! Thrilled to have her Mommy home! Coffee, hugs, licks, a fabulous night’s sleep — not bad for my first day in Quarantine!
Today was a busy First Day in Q. I had my suitcase to unpack, laundry to be done, house to be tidied, Coco to be petted on the hour, kitchen floor to be washed. Breakfast was especially delicious today because I had the yummy McCambridge’s bread I brought from Ireland. What a treat! Two loaves to enjoy over the next few days!
TO-DO CHEER LIST FOR DAY 1:
Give thanks to God the minute you wake up!
I love my Centering Prayer. I’ll share some favourite prayers and affirmations with you over the next few days.
Set up table nicely! I encourage you all to do that! Eating should be bliss and a real treat. We feast with our eyes too!
Tune into Radio Caroline or some station that only plays happy music!
Refrain from anything that stresses you! Sorry, but I don’t listen to the news! My choice for sanity!
Tackle one clutter area, even if it’s only a kitchen drawer!
Pet your pet! If you don’t have one, Pet Yourself!!
Bye for now! Tune in tomorrow!
Hugs,
Patricia xx
Posted on March 25, 2020
MY HAPPY LITTLE HYACINTH!
Hi Guys,
These past few weeks, I’m finding the more I socially disconnect, the greater is my soul-connect! I’m really loving all the things I am discovering. The everyday miracles I took for granted. Let me tell you about my ‘Happy Hyacinth’. I call her ‘Happy’. She has been a constant companion to me for the past 10 days here in Ireland.
When I first arrived, I looked out into our little back garden for a bit of respite, and there she was standing all alone, amidst the deadness of a winter garden. She had a tiny little purple pansy pal. Something about her filled my heart with joy. Hyacinth symbolized hope, something that was in short supply when I first arrived. She also symbolized Springtime, a time of rebirth. I felt I too could be reborn.
Over the past ten days, the rain has come, strong winds have prevailed, but Hyacinth continues to be totally unphased by all this exterior commotion. She remains rooted in the earth, stands solid, and cheers me considerably. Every morning when I gaze at her beauty, I feel at peace. At this time of year, there aren’t many other flowers growing, just shrubs, so she really does make a statement. I drink my morning coffee in communion with Hyacinth and give glory to the God of nature.
Let Hyacinth be a symbol of Hope to all of you reading this now. Nature looks after its own. And just like Hyacinth, we too will stay strong in our roots. We shall prevail. Our World will bloom again soon!
Irish Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Posted on March 24, 2020
LOOK OUT FOR MIRACLES!!
Hi Guys,
I will not insult you by asking “How’s it going?” when all around me I see how it’s going. Not great. People keep asking me “What’s going on up above?” and in two words: Karma & Rebirth. I wish I could rewind our world back to November or December and sit down with the World Leaders. And maybe…just maybe…we could have saved ourselves a lot of fear and panic. Maybe? Who’s to really know? It will all work out in the end. No pain, No gain. Mama Earth is getting a bit of a rest too. It’s all good!
I would tell the big guns about the battle ahead between the slower moving planets, Pluto, Saturn, Jupiter, all in Capricorn. And how Capricorn is a serious sign, prone to ups and downs. I would inform them that the last time Jupiter and Pluto were within such close 6 degree orb, we had the Spanish Flu in 1918. And that everything Jupiter touches magnifies and grows rapidly! It can be good or indeed bad news!
In addition, I’d inform them about that massive Saturn/Pluto Conjunction on 12th January, and that the last time we had that 38 years ago, we had the AIDS epidemic. Pluto digs up the dirt, causes death, and equally incredible rebirth! It’s not all bad! Saturn is the planet of Karma. We were due this some people would say. I would tell them that Mercury will be retrograde in Pisces, causing confusion and worry about health and that Mars would also be adding heat to the fire. The Jupiter and Mars combination would add speed and urgency to the situation.
What’s the bottom line? Any good news? Donald would probably ask me…
Having studied the current crazy planetary jam, and listened to many Astrological opinions, Yes, our World will continue to be unsettled for most of 2020. But Hey! a year flies!! We’re humanoids, and it takes a while for all this big shock to the system to subside. It will rattle us for a while. It’s not going to go away overnight. The virus will continue to be an issue right through April, into May, and maybe early June. Summer months will provide a bit of respite. But then it may return briefly in the last few months of the year right into November/Early December. It is wise to continue with good hygiene habits such as frequent hand washing, etc. But it will go! Yes! It will go! By year’s end, we can kick this brute back to Hades!
From an economic standpoint, some lucky breaks should come our way. I truly do believe in Miracles! It could come by way of invention. Jupiter is my favourite planet and to have it aspecting Pluto so closely for most of the year, there has to be some good news too! I am feeling that economically, we will regain our strength! Jobs will be recreated, the wheels of industry will begin to churn again. There is much to give me HOPE!
Our World has been punished. We have been forced to wake up and change some aspects. Pluto/Saturn is about Karma and Rebirth. Pluto has incredible powers of recuperation and the ability to rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of life. So that in itself is good healing news!! AMEN! Having learnt our lessons from this hardship, we will all become ‘reborn’ in one way or another.
The Good Stuff:
We will use our wealth and resources better.
We will take care of each other and be kinder.
We will not take Mother Earth for granted any more. She doesn’t like that!
We will appreciate our freedom more. DUH! Cabin fever sucks!
We will realize how fragile life is and connect to our Spiritual side.
One thing is for absolute sure — this current world situation is acting as a catalyst for change in our lives.
Let’s make it good… No! let’s make it GREAT!
YOUR TO-DO LIST!!
Learn how to develop strategies for coping with the current stress.
Get close to nature as often as you can and meditate.
Take regular deep breaths, especially before bed. (As I breathe in I say Jesus in… As I breathe out I say Evil out. Simple but highly effective!)
Change all the things about your life that you wanted to change before ‘all this’ happened.
Stay connected with friends, family, and most especially God.
I feel HOPE that yes, everything is going to be alright! Maybe even better than alright — Make that Brilliant!!!
Look out for Miracles!
Hugs Galore!
Patricia xxx
