I AM CURRENTLY | December 2021
WRAPPING a mountain of gifts that have been quickly purchased after the cancellation of our trip to Jamaica. I’m sad about the cancellation, but happy to know all of my kids will be up here soon!
PLANNING my priorities for 2022. Each year, inspired by Gretchen Rubin, I write a list and refer to it regularly throughout the year (normally posted on the garage door, I’ll have to find a new home for it). In my 21 for 2021, I managed to accomplish a measly 10 things on my list and completely abandoned 2. I think I have a pretty good handle on how I want next year to look - but after the last couple of years, I’m mindful that though I may have meticulous plans, life can and will throw a few curves my way, it’s almost a guarantee. Between my own lists, goal templates by Elise Blaha Cripe, Unravel Your Year by Susannah Conway, Work Your Light with Rebecca Campbell, and the ever-reliable Reflection Guide from Holstee, I have a pretty good handle on what I want to invite into my life.
LISTENING to the weirdest collection of Daily Mixes on Spotify. It’s as though some kind of crazed DJ gremlin has taken over what I listen to and is giving me a strange assortment of music. This happened right after my Spotify Wrapped came out - so after some frustration, I’m playing that and my “liked songs” on repeat in the hope that the algorithm will figure itself out.
WATCHING Yellowstone. I can’t possibly rave any more about what a masterful show it is littered with irredeemable characters and seemingly endless story possibilities. I’m looking forward to seeing its prequel, 1883. That cast includes Sam Elliott, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill - and even Tom Hanks. Amazing!
CAPTURING the beauty that has surrounded me the last few days here in Southampton. It’s not too crazy cold - or windy anymore. I’m practicing with my holiday gift to myself, a new Canon 90D.
RESIGNING myself to the knowledge that the Omicron variant is a real thing and it looks like even with the booster, it’ll be another season of restrictions. (I will keep my tirade to myself.) Part of my plans for 2022 is what I want to do with the solo time.
UNDERSTANDING that my planned trip in April with my girls to Ireland had to be postponed until next September. I can only hope that my trip to Turks & Caicos in March is still a go and that by next September things will be safer for everyone. (No, not “normal” - I for one do not want to go back there - I’m happy to settle for safe, after all, for the most part, that didn’t exist in the old normal.)
ORDERING cases of wine that are not normally available - or have been in short supply. Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc? Yes, please! Postmark Cabernet Sauvignon? Yepper! Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc? Absolutely! Cakebread Cellars Sauvignon Blanc? Finally! Now I have a serious problem - where to store it all? Why cases? I keep getting regular notifications that there will be a shortage of all forms of alcohol at our provincial LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) over the winter. Best be prepared - it’s not like it’ll go bad!
WAITING for the furniture and fabric chosen for the great room to be magically married together and delivered some time next summer. Everything is in short supply with huge wait times.
MARVELING that it’s already mid-December and we’ve had no measurable snowfall. Certainly plenty of blowing snow, but nothing that has accumulated on the ground.
CONSUMING many forms of CBD oil: gummies, balm, and oil itself. It has worked wonders on my recent (brutal) psoriasis flare-up. There has been the added bonus of pain relief in other areas, especially my hips. I’ve purchased some equipment so over the winter I can experiment with making CBD and THC cookies! This could be a fun venture.
MOVING every day using my newly assembled Merrithew Pilates reformer machine. Wow, does it ever feel good to stretch into the pain in my hips - I simply couldn’t get that by myself. Every morning, after the pups are fed, I fill the kettle to boil while I take that time to bypass the office which beckons to me as I walk by on my way to the gym. Five minutes per side. It’s a great start to my day! Twice a week, Jackie joins me from her Amaroo Studio via Zoom and I get a real workout and I’m thrilled that my body remembers all of the terms: imprint, tabletop and, most important, breath and exhale.
What about you? How are things in your world these days?