Whispering Runes

One small victory..

2012-01-26T00:07:00.001-05:00

Well, there is good news.... my BP has gone down. It's still not where it needs to be..but it's much closer. I attended my second yoga class and I was amazed that I was able to do everything with a bit more ease. Maybe there is hope for touching my toes again :) One of the things I'm learning is how to meditate. I think in time, I'll find this will be the best thing about the yoga class - learning how to clear my mind. I have not started the food diary but I have been very conscious of what I'm eating. I'm taking smaller portions, staying away from the dessert tray and today, started drinking water in the afternoon. I'm still drinking coffee but mixing more decaffinated coffee with the regular. I still enjoy wine with my dinner in the evening but have a smaller glass - like I said - little changes.I've found a very nice lemon herbal tea that I have most evenings now and I treat myself to a couple of squares of extra dark chocolate.Unfortunately, our weather turned totally nasty with a full day of freezing rain and rain on Monday. I missed work because the roads were impassable. While the roads are better now for driving, they are still treacherous for walking. I have exellent ice cleats but even with them, there is still a great deal of 'slippage' This leaves me with riding our stationary bike which I really don't enjoy that much. It's an older bike so it's not comfortable at all. It's set up in a great place - looking out our giant windows but that's the only up-side of it! When I get some extra cash, I'm going to look into either a new-to-me bike or perhaps really splurge and find a bow-flex. I know DH would love one of those....thanks for the encouraging notes and great suggestions on the BC boards...it's very helpful and really is keeping me on track.

The weekend....

2012-01-20T23:52:00.001-05:00

Well, this was the first week of the small changes. I did not have any desserts at work - just the fruit salad. I resisted the urge to buy potato chips. However, on a particularly nasty drive back home, I did have a chocolate bar. All in all, I feel I met my goal of watching what I'm eating. Next week, I'll start the food diary.As for cutting back on salt, I have started reading the labels...OMG! WHY is there sodium in fruit juice and why do my favourite cereals have so much sodium?? In Canada, the recommended daily limit of sodium is 1,500. I think it's time that food companies were forced to reduce their sodium content...but that's not likely to happen.Kale chips.....I did buy some kale and did try the kale chips....I think I'll pass and just eat unsalted popcorn instead :) Speaking of popcorn, I think I'm going to buy an old fashioned pot that I saw in the Lee Valley catalogue. It's used on the stove top. All the microwave popcorn that you can buy is heavily salted so I need to avoid that option.Now that we have a good base of snow, I'm looking forward to strapping on my snowshoes and treking through the back acreage. We might even have some sunshine for a change!Had my BP read again today.....it's still too high but it was another stress-filled day at work so I need to really practice on mediation. Time off would be great but we are short staffed - again - while one of my colleagues is undergoing major surgery. We'll be working short staffed for a good number of weeks yet ..... and hiring a replacement is not an option. That being said, I am taking a day next week and another day the week after to get some things done. I won't be hanging around home but that's just the way it is.So, time to hit the pillow with a good book for a bit and hopefully get a decent night's sleep :)

Yoga...or you want me to do WHAT??

2012-01-18T22:59:00.002-05:00

Tonight I attended my first ever yoga class. There were 10 people in the class and I think I was the only true 'newbie'. Fortunately for me, I wasn't the oldest in the class :) So, I learned the corpse position - don't really care for the name but the position is okay :) and a few others - the names escape me right now. I think I will definitely 'feel the pain' tomorrow but all in all, I have to say it was an enjoyable hour. The last 15 minutes are spend in meditation. So I'm hoping it will accomplish a couple of things - learn to release stress and regain some flexibility which I truly need. I can't remember the last time I was able to touch my toes!As for my eating habits, I'm making a very conscious effort to stay away from the dessert tray (so far, so good!) This would be a typical day when it comes to meals.6:45 am - a bowl of cereal (fibre one, cheerios, shreddies) with 1% milkCoffee at work - I'm now having 1/2 decaf with 1/2 regular - 3 cupsMid morning - a whole wheat bagel or 1/2 sandwich on whole grain bread (with peanut butter)Lunch - a bowl of soup with 2 pieces of cheese, lettuce salad, 4 crackers, glass of 1% milk and a small fruit saladMid afternoon - some raw almonds and unsalted sunflower seeds.supper - a piece of chicken or fish with brown rice, potatoes or pasta. some type of vegetable. A glass of red wine and sometimes a couple of pieces of dark chocolate.I may have cranberry juice or something similar if I don't have wine.I don't usually eat a bedtime snack but may have a glass of milk or yogurt or a bowl of raisin bran cereal.I'm also making more effort to eat more fresh fruits although I am trying to shop local - so in northern Ontario in January about the only local fresh fruit available are apples.I brought my exercise band to work with me - Now every hour, I take a break from the computer and do a few arm curls and stretches. I think I'm on the right path......

Let's try again...2012

2012-01-16T22:37:00.002-05:00

My visit to the family doctor was for a prescription for new orthotics. The clinic now routinely checks blood pressure. My normal BP usually around 120/80. This visit...172/82. By the time the doctor saw me, it was 144/82. So, it's too high - but given the time of year - right after all the holiday insanity, the extra food...and the year end work in the office, this isn't really a surprise!
I've had the same doctor for more 25 years so he knows me well. He feels confident that I can avoid the medication route with some typical lifestyle changes - all the usual things, exercise, lose weight, less salt.

I have 6 weeks before my next visit so I'm starting this year's blog as a way of keeping myself on track.

the vitals - height 5'5" - weight (165 lbs) so that needs to come down some. Age..on the high side of 50 :)
Work - a desk job. My commute - 1 hour drive (75 km) each way - 5 days a week.

The changes...SMALL ones...which I think in the long run will be much easier to incorporate as a way of life.

First of all - I LOVE my coffee. I'm not sure how old I was when I had my first cup but I think I was around 10. If I'm not mistaken, Canadians rank among the highest consumers of coffee in the world, with Finns not far behind - so as a Canadian with Finnish ancestry, my love of coffee comes naturally :)
I probably drink 4-5 cups in the morning and the occasional cup in the afternoon. Since I get free coffee at work AND I can get decaffinated, fresh brewed as well, I'm going to start drinking 1/2 & 1/2 (regular with decaf) I already dropped my "Tim Horton's" addiction as a cost saving measure (why pay when you can get free coffee!) but there are still days when nothing but a Timmy's will do.

Exercise - I normally walk ( 2.2 km) every night after work but for some reason, this has been a bigger chore this winter than normal. I think it's partly because it's been the most dreary fall/winter in years! Without the usual amount of sunshine, it just seems like it takes too much energy to get up and go after getting home and getting the chores done.
But, I'm back on track and it's feeling good :) Since Dusty has an injured back leg, I'm only walking with Cricket but once Dusty's back in form, I plan to walk each individually at least 3 times a week which will up my mileage. When I had four dogs to walk, I always took them 2 at a time and feel great. It's time to get back to that!

As for my 'creaky bones' I recently found out that their is a yoga class once a week in the nearby village. I'm signing up for the class starting this Wednesday - I'm hoping that I'll soon be able to touch my toes again :) and I'm sure it will be good for relieving stress.

I've never believed in diets, so I'm going on the 'cut back on portions' and leave the dessert tray alone. I work in a residential home for seniors so we all get to eat what the residents eat....and the food is great...especially the desserts. So, I'm going to try to only eat the fruit - not the pies, cakes, tarts.....

They say each journey begins with the first step...so here's mine :)

2011....REALLY?????

2011-01-14T23:03:00.000-05:00

January 2011 – How is this date even possible! I am sure that just a moment ago I was marvelling that the computer world didn’t come crashing down of January 1, 2000. So where did those years go....it must be a time warp.
While I often reflect on the year gone by, for me January is a time to look forward and dream of the new year’s promises.
While the weather outside might be frigid and snowy, my thoughts are firmly planted in my gardens. It’s time to plan again.
When we moved here in 2004, there was no hint of any gardens – 6ft tall burdocks and other weeds I can’t name filled the yards. I couldn’t mow these weeds – I needed to use tree loppers! Slowly, I was able to expose some soil to plant those few lilies and other perennials I had brought with me from Elliot Lake.
Six years later, and the gardens have progressed but are still a major work in progress. There were no trees around the house and now I have lilac bushes, cedar trees and high bush cranberries all well established.
Lilies are among my favourite flowers and the gardens are filled with yellows, reds, oranges and multicoloured blooms. The first of the flower and seed catalogues have arrived and I will spend hours pouring over the pages trying to decide on which new flower will be introduced this year.
In the plans this year – I need to tear down a dilapidated shed, build a windbreak for the duck house, and clear the old barn foundation which will eventually be transformed into a ‘zen’ garden. The vegetable gardens need to be expanded so we can enjoy home grown potatoes and carrots through the winter.
The Final Nesting Place where my Muscovy ducks are buried will be landscaped this year. I’ll be planting dogwoods which grow wild along our road.
While I stand outside in the snow, I close my eyes and see the gardens as I hope they will look when completed. In my mind’s eye, they are extraordinary – a work of art..in reality...they are far from complete...a work in progress – a labour of love.

What I've discovered...is....

2010-11-24T17:31:00.002-05:00

I'm not the world's greatest blogger :D I thought it would be reasonably easy, but IT'S NOT! WHY??? For one thing, I tend to get free time for the computer at night after DH has headed for bed BUT, it seems I type too loudly so it bothers his sleep. And then....what should I write about? So, here's what's been happening since my last post.
We've got a new roof on the additions, the fireplace is almost ready to use (good thing...it's getting COLD), and best of all, I'm getting Finland company for Christmas.
Ladybug is growing like a bad weed and I can't wait to catch up with her antics. It's going to be great to spend time with C&K as well. We plan to go skating (hmm, must find my skates), a few trips to the pool (oh no...a bathing suit???) and generally enjoying the festive season.
Zachary, my old miniature schnauzer is defying the odds and has rallied from some serious issues. Since I lost my Jazz in April this year, I'm not ready to face losing another pet..not yet.
I had the pleasure of fostering 2 adolescent border collies for 3 days before they headed to Ontario Border Collie Rescue. They were a joy, but I'd forgotten how energetic teenaged BCs can be!
With all the renovations at home, my gardens suffered from lack of care. Next year, they will be in much better shape since we will have the major building project done.

I'm hoping to get my sheep next spring/summer. I've been waiting until the 'right' time...but I don't think there is a 'right time' so I'm just going to go ahead and find the flock that I want.

Well, that's just a bit of catching up..I think I'll try to set aside a few minutes each day to get to the blog. Let's see if I can start my 2011 new year resolution early :)

the hummingbird

2010-06-12T13:04:00.000-04:00

On walking old dogs

2010-05-04T22:46:00.002-04:00

Zachary, my minature schnauzer, will be 14 in July. For the past 6 years, he's been on daily heart medication. Since we moved to the farm, Zach generally was walked 3 km each day until the last couple of winters. Now that the weather is getting warmer, Zach has been enjoying his walks again. With Jazz gone, I take Zach on his own (Cricket & Dusty are way too fast for him).
We start out quickly as Zachary thinks he's a puppy again...straining at his harness to get going! Once on the road, he slows..enjoying the new spring smells, snuffling for the mice, marking his spots! It's more of a meander than a real walk. As he slows down, so do I. I get the opportunity to take in what I might have missed with the other dogs...the first trilliums poking up through the ground, the ruffed grouse making its way slowly through the undergrowth, the scent of rain soaked soil, the prickly back end of the porcupine. Life slows down when I walk Zach..I smile as I watch him enjoying this time out - away from the fenced yard and other dogs. I take this time to forget about all that needs to be done at work and at home. There is no choice when you walk an old dog - his pace is your pace. It's a nice way to end the day...

Dad's birthday.....

2010-04-30T22:14:00.002-04:00

If my dad were alive, it would be his 92nd birthday. He has been gone for almost 6 years now....funny, sometimes I still hear his voice. :) He was a pushover for the dogs. He had a little pomeranian, Shadow, and I had a BC X, Brandy. My dad would often dog sit for me. I can still hear him saying...I can't eat my breakfast in peace, because those dogs are sitting there looking at me with those sorrowful eyes. yep, he was a pushover. He loved those dogs dearly and they were the most spoiled dogs ever. The dogs died within months of each other...both having lived 16 1/2 years. My dad always said there was no way he wanted another dog BUT...in March that year, I brought Tippy to them. Mom wanted another dog and she got her way. Tippy loved them both equally and in less than one day, she had dad wrapped around her paws...
My dad was a man of few words and I can't ever recall him saying "I love you" but he had his own way of showing it. When I found myself single again at 35 years old, I decided to take a trip to a sunny climate that winter. I asked my dad what he wanted me to bring him (having remembered that as kids we always asked for gifts)His reply was short and sweet - "YOU, and not in a pine box"....yes indeed, my dad loved me for sure - he just had his own way of saying it. :)
So, today, on his 92nd birthday...I say here's to you poppa bear. always loved and always missed.

It's been awhile

2010-04-16T22:42:00.002-04:00

Time does seem to fly whether you're having fun or not! The last few months have been consumed by my work. Trying to get two new software programs aligned and working properly is a chore which leaves me little time or energy to think about blogging.

We are making progress on the additions! I actually have 3 walls up on the mudroom and we are now laying out the final design for the living area. The biggest decision is how many windows do we want :)

The last couple of weeks have been trying. I lost my best buddy, Jazz my border collie, to cancer. It was sudden and unexpected. I can't believe he's gone.

It's been 2 weeks today and tomorrow would have been his 11th birthday. I wrote this for him...

Last night you came to visit me
You laid your head upon my knee
You poked my hand the way you knew
Would get an extra scratch for you
I wrapped my arms around your neck
I breathed deep of your doggie scent
My tears rained down upon your head
I softly spoke your name
Your deep brown eyes gazed up at me
“You called and so I came
I know you cry these tears for me
But this I know is true
We have a bond that will not break
I always walk with you
If you whisper, I will hear
And we will walk together
Through snow filled fields and leafy trails
Through sun or stormy weather”
I woke and still I felt you near
My face - Still wet with tears
But in my heart I felt such joy
I feel you near, my handsome boy.

Once things have settled down at work, I hope to blog a bit more.

but for now...that's all there is!

2010....how can that be??

2010-01-09T12:36:00.003-05:00

Here it is - 2010, not only a new year but the start of a new decade. Whatever happened to Y2K??
Life around here has slowed to the winter pace that comes with cold and snow. We aren't doing much in the way of construction outside - not until the temperatures warm up. We're supposed to have a January thaw but time will tell. The one thing about not working on renovations is the time it allows for changing my mind about howq it should look (much to DH's dismay!) We had initially decided to put a set of doors between the new 'livingroom' and old. The new livingroom will be the home of our masonry heater and I
Snowshoeing has been good. Jazz and Cricket race through the snow in search of the absolute BEST stick to carry - making sure that they run past us, whacking us in the legs as they go by. :)
The ducks are thriving even in the cold weather. Likely this is due to the insulated Duck Palace that DH constructed for me last summer.
This winter has seen a great increase in the number of wolves and brush wolves in the area. Where there once was a good number of deer, the population has really suffered over the last couple of winters. Last year's heavy snowfall didn't help the population and this year, it is the wolves. Such is the cycle of life however. It wasn't so long ago that the wolf population was almost decimated by mange and hunting deer was like shooting fish in a barrel!
The first of the seed catalogues has arrived. Now that can bring a smile to my face for sure. Nothing like sipping a hot chocolate while the snow swirls about and deciding what new flowers will grace my gardens.I'm quite partial to lilies, especially day lilies which seem to tolerate my lack of attention :) I have been known to move flowers in the heat of the summer - a definite no-no in horticultural circles. But my lilies manage to survive and thrive.
The next catalogue to arrive should be Lee Valley's gardening catalogue....that's good for HOURS of viewing. I have to decide on the 'practical' like good pruners or the not so practical - like the weather vane....decisions, decisions!

Is is really November?

2009-11-25T23:32:00.002-05:00

After the wettest, coldest summer and only 2 nice weeks in September, I can't believe our November weather! We've had above normal temperatures for days and hardly any rain to speak of! Last year at this time, we had snow and it never left until April!

We have been going to a local gravel pit to secure blast rock for our fireplace construction. The specifications are very specific - the rocks need to be about 4" thick and reasonably flat on two sides. We live on the Canadian Shield so rock is plentiful to say the least. Some of the rock we've collected has great veins of quartz, while others are red with iron. When the fireplace is all constructed, it's going to be a true reflection of the rock on which we live. :) The actual construction has stopped for this week while my DH takes a much needed holiday to visit family.

The mild weather has also affected my ducks brains, I think. Two of the ten Muscovy ducks have decided to boycott their duck house - opting to stay outside overnight instead. Now this wouldn't bother me so much if they weren't so white! They are "sitting ducks" for the great horned owl that I saw earlier this year. However, there is no way to catch the darn things since they run under the duckhouse or fly to the roof. Hopefully when the weather returns to normal temperatures they will decide to join the rest of the flock. In the meantime, I'll keep my fingers crossed that they avoid becoming duck dinner!

So...I've been busy!!

2009-11-09T22:51:00.003-05:00

It has been a most hectic few months...(sheesh..it was September..now it's November!) Work, which I won't bore anyone with, has been hectic. New software systems, new reporting methods...new just about everything. What was that quotation on change???? Well, work is ever changing....NUFF said!!
At home, work is finally progressing on the new additions. WE HAVE 3 WALLS - only 5 more to go :) . We are doing the bulk of construction ourselves so it is taking an inordinate amount of time to see progress. It doesn't help that we have the building inspector from H*** and the weather has been plain awful ... sigh....
However, we do have progress, and when I close my eyes, I can see just how nice this will be when it's done.
First and foremost, I get a GREAT mudroom/entrance way. Right now we walk directly into the livingroom....not so great when you live in the 'great white north'....It gets mightly cold, mighty fast with the door open at - 35C!! The other addition will house our new masonry fireplace which will replace our current heating system which is all electric. I'm looking forward to the wonderful heat from the masonry heater and I won't complain about the lower energy costs. We are fortunate to have a good amount of wood on our property which can be harvested for fuel.
Winter will soon be upon us but right now we are enjoying a mild November. Temperatures in the +8C are very welcome. We are also getting a reprieve from the endless rains....
This time of year is also a good time to transplant trees. Our house is located in the middle of 35 acres of hayfields so I've been busy finding suitable trees to plant. The township where I live has a practice of mowing down all trees directly on the side of the roads so I've been busily relocating small trees from the roadside to my place. If they all take root, I'm going to have some nice shade in a few years :)

Whispering Runes - the story behind the name

2009-09-04T22:30:00.002-04:00

When we moved to this place in 2004, it was a dramatic change from living in a small city. My daily commute to work went from a 15 minute walk to an hour long drive. At first, it seemed like a never ending ride but after a few weeks, it became almost routine. Leaving work to head home was a gift. Home became known as my sanctuary.
In honour of my nordic heritage, I wanted a runestone to mark the entrance to the farm. DH being a very talented artist created the runestone in the photo as a birthday gift. The runes translate to 'sanctuary' - the 'heart' name for the farm. However, using Sanctuary as the actual written name for the farm seemed a bit too pretentious.
I initially wanted to call the farm - Runestone Farms - but a quick internet search revealed that name was already in use.
The land around us is dotted with beautiful white pines. When the wind blows through the needles, it sound like the trees are whispering. Since DH put a pine tree on the runestone, it seemed logical to name the farm, Whispering Rune Farm.

Oh my..what have I done???

2009-08-27T22:00:00.000-04:00

I've created a blog....and I'm not sure exactly why! :) Will this be a place of ramblings or a diary of life in northern Ontario? Will this be the place that Ladybug will get to know Grambug and a place for friends to drop by?

As a kid, I remember having a diary - one with a small lock & key. I know I wrote in it...but I have no idea what became of it. Perhaps that diary went the way of a boxful of Beatle cards..... "Clean up your room" my mom said.....and clean I did! I don't really think she meant for me to throw out my cherished collections...but I did!

So, where will this blog take me? I know there are stories I'd like to tell - about Dot the Duck, how Dusty BA came to live here and the everyday joys of living in the country. There may be the odd political rant, or the 'what on earth were they thinking' question, or simple thoughts about everyday things.
For the time being, suffice to say....I've created a blog!! Oh my what have I done?? :)