April is the tease month for the warmer weather.
Some days mild while others outright cold.
Today what's with the wind!
The gardens are coming alive with colour.
The trees on the street are showing their green or yellow or some with their pink.
I love this time of year. It brings hope for more outdoor times and perhaps some close to home day trips.
How was your April?
#april#springflowers#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Not happy.
Not depressed.
Just languishing.
Covid with no real end in sight has us wanting that finish line.
Trying to make our lives as happy as possible. But with doing less. Seeing people less it has become difficult.
Cleaning your house.
Cooking at home.
Well you get the picture.
Are we languishing or are we bored of the same old, same old?
Are we scared now of getting covid?
Perhaps.
Then the news. The deaths. The horrible scenes from India that months ago bragged about no lockdown and masks and doing so well.
So if we get to some finish line are we worried the whole thing to start all over again. Could we be like India?
Worried about family members and hoping they keep well.
Having that first dose of vaccine and waiting to get the second dose. Mine in July.
Do we have to pull our socks up and suck it up!
Probably!!
#languishing#tryingtocopethroughcovid#worriedaboutfamily#waitingforthatseconddose#hopingtogetthroughcovidalive#newsisdepressing#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
COVID 19 BRINGS SO MUCH GLOOM !
MANY FEEL WE ARE IN YEARS OF DOOM!
WHAT CAN I SAY?
I HOPE IT GOES AWAY!
I WANT TO SEE PEOPLE OUTSIDE
OF ZOOM!
(Copyright 2021-Barbara Di Mambro)
#covidlimerick#rhymingthroughcovid#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
The GTA is under a COVID19 siege. The hospitals are bursting with COVID cases.
The Tent CITY in the Sunnybrook Parking lot is unprecedented in my time. I have never seen a field hosptial in Toronto.
So having health care teams from Newfoundland and Labrador, the Military and the Red Cross is so welcoming.
So Canadian.
I continue to do my part by staying home as much as possible. I need to be well for my kids and grandchildren. I would love to do more than just online donations to various causes.
Thankful to those across the country who are helping each other with this crisis.
#canadianshelpingcanadians#newfoundlandandlabradortotherescue#redcross#canadianmilitaryhelpingtheGTA#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Okay.
We all want to celebrate. So today as a single I can go to one household.
However, mask on, hands washed I will sit outside where it is well ventilated and away from others.
I have to wish and celebrate with my oldest grandson who turned 13 today.
Pictures from last year were a masked Nana on the front step.
And an air hug to him.
So another COVID birthday celebration.
But a celebration. The best part is we are still here and together even if not in the same location.
#anotherbirthdaycelebration#turning13#celebratingtogetherapart#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
I always enjoyed working with Adolph on his Granpalovestocook blog.
So today I organized some notes and photos.
We hope as a family to honour him by continuing his blog as well as trying to publish that cookbook Adolph and I created.
Reviewing my stuff today was very heartwarming. It connected me to him.
Remembering the fun we had with farmer market trips, preparing food and well just lots of good eating.
Do you ever notice how many family pictures are centered around a food event?
A birthday celebration.
A wedding.
Fun at the beach or the EX or a backyard barbecue.
Food and more food.
So today I concentrated on my food pictures. And so many of them were food items Adolph cooked.
#twoblogs#foodpictures#rememberingallthegoodfoodtimes#photosoffood#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Two more family members with first shot of the vaccine.
The relief and feeling of hope thrives.
It is difficult not to feel gratitude about the science, the professionals and all who have made it happen.
So as I hear from family members that they too are receiving their vaccines, I smile. I feel joy.
Mostly I feel hopeful we are going to get there.
Where is there?
The end of this bloody pandemic. That's where!!
#vaccinesbringhope#morefamilymembersgettingvaccines#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Being single or widowed or alone is new and hard to adjust to it.
Having to stay home during lockdown is not easy for anyone.
I understand. But now I want to talk about me.
What am I doing?
I decided that 6 weeks is not the end of the world.
I have decided to get on with it.
So the backyard cleanup a little each day. 20 to 30 minutes will suffice.
Clean the dusty corners. Again a little at a time.
Daily phones calls with family, friends and maybe I will answer those calls wanting to know if I want my ducts cleaned.
Use my resources at hand and if sitting and staring put knitting needles or photos or something to keep my hands busy with an activity.
Of course writing those family stories. Genealogy research is always a joy. Or it used to be.
Be outside on my outdoor furniture. I have a table and chairs both in the front and back. Just being outside does lift the spirits. Sun on my face. Listening to the birds singing, chirping or whatever they do.
Trying to fix the little repairs in my home.
Order a meal a couple of times monthly.
Read.
Garden,
Craft.
Clean.
Write.
Breathe. Be thankful for the day.
6 weeks is doable. Then maybe there will be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Of course my second vaccine shot in July is getting closer.
How about you? Do you have lockdown in your area?
#managinga6weeklockdown#socialsupportsaresonecessary#beingaloneishard#usingthetimewisely#tryingtostaypositive#lookingforwardtobettertimes#beinggladtobealive#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
A resounding yes.
The overwhelming feeling of not seeing the light.
Don't feel like doing anything is heard far and wide.
Not being able to use recreational facilities to ease stress. Sucks.
Nothing to look forward to. No parties. No dinners. Well nothing.
Over or under eating.
Will wine or other booze take the edge off!
Wanting to sleep or can't sleep.
And for those dealing with a sick family member at home. Very difficult.
The grief of dealing with a family member in hospital.
The stress on our health care professionals.
Dealing with a death through COVID! No funeral service or limited. Not being able to gather with loved ones.
So what to do about it.
Vent.
Reach out.
Normalize the feelings are real and well okay.
The feelings belong to you.
Try to set some daily goals. Do something. Make it simple.
Pray. Prayer can support your feelings and sense of meaning in the world.
Keep in contact with others. Socially hard to be social. But use whatever you can to connect.
Trite. But somehow we will get through this.
We will!1
#situationaldepressionfromcovid#dealingwithadifficultsituation#tryingtobepositivethroughcovide#signandsymptomsofdepression#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Over the years I have used many self help books personally and professionally.
Some of the hints and advice seem rather trite now.
We are tired.
We fed up with COVID.
We are concerned about our family.
We concerned about our health and social services.
We are concerned about our community.
We are just concerned.
Usually a cheerleader I find myself not having much to cheer about.
I cheered when I got my first vaccine shot. Now one daughter has one.
I wait for other family members to get their vaccines.
 |
| Purple for healing. |
It is our hope.
So what advice.
Hang in there.
One step in front of the other.
There is a silver lining.
Look for the helpers.
Get what I mean. Trite.
Trying to cook and clean and organize is rote. I go through the motions.
Keep busy. Keep active. Zoom your heart away.
I miss the social. I make phone calls. I text. I email. I even send the odd card.
If we could see the real light at the end of the tunnel it would seem more doable.
So venting I think is the best way to cope. Or in my case I listen to my stressed out daughters coping with all they have in their lives. Then I feel useful. They need a listening ear.
So what are you doing to cope without a self help book?
#noselfhelpbookforcovid#howtocopeinapandemic#areyoucoping#howareyoudoingthroughitall#whatkeepsyoubusy#doyouhavehope#haveyoulosthope#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Seeing gardens coming alive with colour brings some light and joy to our daily dismal news
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| Pink in all its beauty. |
We can feel like we are stuck at home. Sort of!!
Well there are lots of things we can do at home.
With the nicer weather be outside.
Walk.
Sit in the sun.
Gardening.
Can do activities.
With online shopping buy so many products that are needed.
Take out food or delivery.
Go for a drive.
So are we really stuck at home.
Or are we safe at home.
With COVID numbers so high, I do not feel stuck but safe.
How about you? How do you feel?
#stuckathome#safeathome#beinghomeawayfromgerms#usingmytimewisely#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Love CCR.
So rolling. Rolling down the river came to mind.
Let's keep those vaccines rolling along across this country.
It is not a contest of which country is a head.
I just want to see our country doing its part as efficiently and quickly as possible.
So ROLLING!!
#rolling#vaccinesrollingalong#keepthosevaccinescoming#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
As Christians everywhere celebrate the life of Jesus, there is a message for a renewed hope for the world.
The second Easter not celebrating in big family groups is very disheartening.
But hope teaches us to prevail. There will be better days.
This COVID crisis will be over at some point.
Life teaches us that life will go on.
So Happy Easter to one and all.
Let's all pray for better days.
And get vaccinated!!
#easter#secondeasternotcelebrating#reflectingontheworld#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
April with its tenuous spring weather. Cool then warmer then cool again. Maybe some snow flurries. Maybe some rain.
Days are longer which makes the mood a happier one. The light and sunshine are good for the soul.
Our family has several family birthday celebrations. So an opportunity for cake.
My garden is starting to show some colour.
Those snowdrops with their white on the brown.
The crocuses in many colours.
The tulips are starting to pop up with the leaves first. Flowers come in May.
So seeing the world of spring blooming slowly and methodically.
Of course the song birds are singing. My Robins are back. One looks as if she may be pregnant.
So will keep an eye for any nests with little birdies.
April reminds us that nature is very alluring. Just to be outside.
How is your April so far??
#april#aprilshowersbringspringflowers#aprilbirthdays#snowdrops#crocuses#springflowers#beingoutsideforspring#seeingcolourinthegarden#enjoyingthespringweather#aprilcanhaveunpredicableweather#lookingforwardtospringactivities
I get amused by people who talk about someone they lost 10 or 20 years ago. But then there is someone in front of them facing a first without a loved one and they do and say nothing.
Grief is an interesting journey. One discovers those that are really the good people. The caring. The compassionate.
Then there are those people that do nothing, say nothing and avoid you a short time after the death.
It actually starts when someone is ill.
Even though the door was always open or contact a phone call away, the lack of support was evident.
For those that reached out always precious in my heart and soul.
My girls and I have been the ones to reach out always.
But we are not povera me people/ poor me.
We do not post about our loss constantly. It does not mean it is not there.
So in your life are there people who have suffered losses and could do with some support?
Please do not use COVID as an excuse. I am tired of hearing that excuse too.
Many people would love a little human touch of humanity right now. Unless you have gone through a huge loss, it may be difficult to comprehend how much your thoughts and contact means to someone.
So who are you reaching out to today?
#reachingouttoothersduringaloss#firsteasterwithoutalovedone#rememberingthosewhohavesufferedaloss#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
No one is playing April Fool's jokes.
A lockdown is the joke.
Yes. A little breather to go places but now back to closures for 4 weeks.
So back to take out or home deliveries.
I did a grocery shop and now will stay away from stores for 4 weeks.
Thank goodness for online shopping. Or maybe just save money and not shop!!
The on again and off again is so stressful for all.
So folks not a joke!!
How are you dealing with another lockdown?
#lockdowninOntario#covidsucks#tryingtomakeitthroughanotherlockdwon#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
