Making Space

Today I carted a car load off to Value Village:  a chair, a microwave, winter gloves.  Rob and I have vowed to make some space in our lives, but it is tough to get rid of stuff. Lots of reasons, I guess... it might come in handy again someday, it's too nice to get rid of, but there are so many good memories etc. etc. etc.

We're still hanging on to the furniture from our living room makeover, shifting the pieces to the basement.  Now I think we may donate to  Furniture Bank. They will collect gently used pieces and will even issue a tax receipt, although you still need to pay a pick up fee. Donated articles are then cleaned up and provided free of charge to people who can make good use of them.

Furniture Bank has evolved to become much more than about a simple transfer of furniture from those who have, to those who don’t. The Furniture Bank movement is one of empowerment – of individuals transitioning out of homelessness, of women and children escaping abusive situations, of refugees and newcomers to Canada.

The Furniture Bank Story

Last year, over 25,000 households were supported by the charity. 

I might be able to make a couple hundred bucks selling the pieces, but I'd like to think of these finding new homes with hopeful beginnings.

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Don't Just Declutter, De-Own was a great little post I came across when searching for 'declutter' images.  “Owning less is far more beneficial than organizing more.”

At its heart, organizing is simply rearranging. And though we may find storage solutions today, we are quickly forced to find new ones as early as tomorrow. Additionally, organizing our stuff (without removing it) has some other major shortcomings that are rarely considered:

• It doesn’t benefit anyone else. The possessions we rarely use sit on shelves in our basements, attics, and garages… even while some of our closest friends desperately need them.
• It doesn’t solve our debt problems. It never addresses the underlying issue that we just buy too much stuff. In fact, many times, the act of rearranging our stuff even costs us more as we purchase containers, storage units, or larger homes to house it.
• It doesn’t turn back our desire for more. The simple act of organizing our things into boxes, plastic bins, or extra closets doesn’t turn back our desire to purchase more things.  The culture-driven inclination to find happiness in our possessions is rarely thwarted in any way through the process.
• It doesn’t force us to evaluate our lives. While rearranging our stuff may cause us to look at each of our possessions, it does not force us to evaluate them—especially if we are just putting them in boxes and closing the lids. On the other hand, removing possessions from our home forces questions of passion, values, and what’s truly most important to us.
• It accomplishes little in paving the way for other changes. Organizing may provide a temporary lift to our attitude. It clears a room and subsequently clears our mind, but rarely paves the way for healthy, major lifestyle changes. Our house is too small, our income is too little, and we still can’t find enough time in the day. We may have rearranged our stuff… but not our lives.

On the other hand, the act of removing possessions from our home accomplishes many of those purposes. It is not a temporary solution that must be repeated. It is an action of permanence—once an item has been removed, it is removed completely. Whether we re-sell our possessions, donate them to charity, or give them to a friend, they are immediately put to use by those who need them.

Transmissions

Here I am, blissfully unaware of transmissions as the world spins.

Then in the space of a week, I find out that two of my nearest and dearest machine friends are failing because of their transmissions.

One in the boat, and one in the washing machine. Both transmissions were about 30 years old.

The first thing that comes into my mind when I hear the word transmission is radio signals, followed by car transmissions. Now I am aware transmissions whir in many machines, doing their good turns all around.

Our Maytag washer, for instance, which has served us well for 25+ years. Two or three visits from the repairman over the years, but other than that, no issues. This time, it didn't take the serviceman long to pronounce he couldn't repair it (or if he did, it would cost as much as a new machine). He showed me the evidence: fused machine parts, rusted bits, and burnt casings. He asked if we had smelled anything burning before it stopped agitating. Yes, indeed.

With Yondering, we had been noticing it was difficult to get the boat into forward gear, so Rob replaced the shift. Sometimes when it was in forward it would slip into neutral. We continued to have occasional problems, nothing major. But you can't really let little things go if they have such big implications. Upon investigation, it will be no easy fix. Right now the engine is entirely out of the boat and in the mechanic's shop. We are waiting to hear the details about what we'll need to do to make it safe and reliable.

In the meantime I've learned a little bit about engine transmissions.

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Dictionary.com defines as machinery:

1. transference of force between machines or mechanisms, often with changes of torque and speed.
2. a compact, enclosed unit of gears or the like for this purpose, as in an automobile

The washing machine transmission turns the drum of the washer and helps transition the washer through its cycles. Removing the transmission can be a daunting task, and the repairs can be as expensive as buying a new washing machine. Signs and symptoms signal that the transmission in the washing machine is going bad, so look for these discrepancies before throwing out the washer: noise, smell, agitator, spin cycle.
e-How

So your boat’s marine gear has three functions that are completely different from your car’s transmission. One is to engage and disengage the engine from the propeller—in other words, to provide neutral. Another is to provide reverse rotation so that you can back your boat into your slip. The other function of the marine transmission is to set the ratio between engine rpm and propeller rpm. The marine transmission performs one other vital function: It is the most convenient location from which to drive an auxiliary device, such as a hydraulic pump.
Everything You Need to Know About Your Boat's Transmission

Last Pictures

Last Friday when I woke up, instead of my usual morning meditation/yoga, I drove out to High Park to admire the cherry blossoms before heading off to a full day at work. They were gorgeous! Like pink clouds that had come down from the heavens. Despite the early hour, there were plenty of fellow admirers. City TV, two bride and groom photo shoots, several beauties among the blossoms. The petals were starting to fall, so I'm glad I managed to make it out before it was too late. Some things you just can't put off! For rest of the day I felt so happy I was almost giddy.

The same evening Rob and I headed to the Aquarium with Liz and Darcy to listen to jazz and take in the incredible sights. The band was playing standards I'm trying to learn on the ukulele (Stand by Me, Walking After Midnight) and lots of other great tunes. We were able to wander around with a glass of wine in hand, something not possible except at special events. All in all a fantastic day!

Which brings me to the 'last pictures'. Saturday morning I was driving in the neighbourhood and there was a beautiful magnolia dropping the last of its petals. It looked as though it were standing in a pink lake. Breath-taking! So I stopped the car, grabbed my camera and got out to take a photo. I guess I was a bit too excited because the camera flew out of my hand and skidded across the road. Unfortunately it wasn't able to power on to take the photo I wanted. Hopefully the camera is still under warranty and can be repaired. If not, it took some great last pictures.

Blossoms in High Park

Beauty shots

Ripley's Aquarium

Other-worldly face

Dragon fish

Jelly fish

Hi Ho Silver

Goodbye Pontiac Grand Prix SE1999. We drove you through 16 winters. You packed a lot in the trunk over the years - bags of groceries, soil for the garden, goalie gear for hockey tournaments, tents for camping in provincial parks, sails for two different boats. Totally reliable, minimum fuss, and no unexpected repairs and maintenance. But when the mechanic at your last oil change said the brake lines were about to go, we knew it was time to start looking for another ride.

Let's hope your replacement lasts as long and is just as reliable. We picked the Suburu Outback because of 4 wheel drive which comes in handy up and down the steep incline at Bluffers. Also the outstanding safety record and fuel efficiency.

When we went to pick up the new (to us) Suburu 2013 it wasn't quite ready, and although I was a bit miffed, part of me was just as happy to have the Pontiac a couple of extra days.

Winter blahs

The winter blahs strike again. With fierce regularity! I have marked my perpetual calendar with a warning for late December through to February: make an effort to fight the winter blahs!

This year I felt like I needed a lift or to do something different with my 'look', so I went to the hairdresser in December and asked for a change. When I opened my eyes, my hair was a lot shorter. It took a bit of getting used to for me.

Then Boxing Day sales came, and I took advantage and grabbed some new coats, I was very sick of wearing dark colours so picked a nice red wool coat and soft gray down. Some new blouses, a peplum dress.

Early January I was walking by a salon and saw the ad for eyelash extensions so went in. They said it would only take an hour. I thought, 'why not?' Four hours later I emerged feeling like Carol Channing. Most people pretended not to notice or else chose not to comment on my sudden vanity. Of course, it is quite possible people didn't really notice either way. Rob did, though... he squinched his eyes up and laughed, "what's up with your eyes?"  I can't say I'm a fan, it feels odd. To grow them out I'll have to be patient, and put up with an awkward phase where some will have fallen out and others will be flying sideways. Brings new meaning to the expression "googly-eyed".

I know part of what I'm going through here is just confronting the prospect of aging. Who is that person in the mirror? Then I reconcile myself with the older version of my reflection, and carry on. Weeks or months later, it's the same thing again... what the hell!? o well. what the hell.

I can see how people - especially women - succumb to Juvaderm, Botox, liposuction. I'm tempted myself! Years ago, I was horrified when Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Burnett started showing up on late night tv looking like cadavers. Now it is Madonna, Nicole Kidman and Susan Sarandon starting to look like parodies of themselves. Helen Mirren and Diane Keaton both appear to be aging gracefully, but is it because they are using the same techniques, just with more restraint?

Luckily I know more than a few ladies who are aging well, into their sixties, seventies and eighties.

We just need more cool old ladies in the public eye.

For Rob's birthday, I gave him some life drawing classes at the AGO. His model last week was a patrician looking woman 80+. Rob and I wondered about her "back story". Does she tell her friends and acquaintances about her part-time job? Did she always work as an artist's model or come to it late in life? Is this an act of final acceptance, standing naked under the gaze and scrutiny of strangers, comfortable in the presence of being yourself?

Happy holidays!

Kicking off a week long holiday. Tonight is the first night.

I started with a yoga class, thinking I was in for a restorative session and ending up doing demanding standing poses followed by challenging arm balances, shoulder stand variations, twists, and poses I don't know names for.

Opened up the last bottle of my Pinino 2005

This was one of those classes that made me wonder what the hell I'm doing and why I'm doing it.  On or off the mat.

Anyway....

art deco glass

When I got home I poured myself a glass of Brunello into a Lalique crystal.  Not just any crystal, but a work of art Rob bought his mom for her birthday 35+ years ago.  I find it so touching he used one of his first pay checks to get something so special for his mom.

I know, I know, it is a bit incongruous.  Yoga followed by wine.  Some might say it defeats the purpose, but I like living a life of contradictions.  It's not always a case of either/or; sometimes it's a case of  'and'.

Why not?

Infused Botanicals

I ran in to the LCBO to pick up some London Beefeater Gin but the pretty blue Saphire bottle caught my eye instead.

"Oh, you got that one," Rob said, expecting instead to see some strolling gent on the label. "A lot of people don't like the taste."

I was sceptical. Except for boutique brands like Hendrick's, I figured they'd all pretty much taste the same.  I sipped my next G&T with more awareness and enjoyed the slightly bitter taste.

The bottle is traveling with us on the boat, and after several days I noticed some etchings on the side of the tinted glass.

What gives Bombay its distinct taste are these infused botanicals:

• Juniper Berries from Italy
• Lemon Peel from Spain
• Coriander from Morocco
• Angelica Root from Saxony
• Orris (Iris) Root from Italy
• Grains of Paradise from West Africa
• Cubeb Berries from Java
• Cassia Bark from Indo China
• Almonds from Spain
• Licorice from China

The exotic flavours are vapour infused, rather than boiled together with the spirit, which yields "subtle aromatic flavours for a cleaner, crisper, more balanced taste."  From a recipe created in 1761.

The Bombay bottle is a great colour and the etchings are quite lovely.  It made me think of those bottle crafting kits a from a few years back, where you cut the glass and polish the edge.  Sure enough, there are some for sale through etsy "recycled botanicals."

Boat Show

I'm looking forward to using my boat show "finds".

I drooled over the newest Catalina 35 and Hunter 33, both fine cruising specimens.  Hopped on and off a number of sailboats, including Benateaus, Bavarians, and a Catamaran.

A new boat is definitely not in our immediate future, but sails and furling are.  Since we plan to keep our Catalina 30 for a few years the new sails are worth the investment.  I wonder what's the ideal point to trade up and in for another boat?

Since I couldn't buy a new boat this time around, I opted for a Yup Delight Glo Pebble.  It is actually pretty mesmerizing, the LED light cycles through a rainbow of colours. This will be a nice light feature in my garden at night. I imagine I will see these at the yoga show in a couple of months, since the colour spin is related somewhat to chakras and advertised as colour therapy on the package.  Apparently the eggs are being considered by the Toronto School Board for use with autistic children, since they have a calming effect and at the same time are practically indestructible.

Roughly 105+ more sleeps before Yondering splashes back into Lake Ontario.

A book at the Nautical Minds booth caught my eye, "It's Your Boat Too".  Maybe it will help me get over my fear of docking!

Picked up a ceramic grater, used it to make my curry tonight and it worked really well with the raw ginger, as well....

Buddha Bowl

For Christmas, my brother Dave & his wife Therese got me this wonderful tea mug.  It takes both hands to hold, it's so big.  And it is absolutely unique, no two are exactly alike because each is manipulated by hand.  As I hold it, I can feel the dents from the fingers that originally pressed into the clay.

Right now the 'buddha bowl' is filled with a totally relaxing blossom tea... chamomile and pretty blue cornflowers, with peppermint and lemongrass.  Ahhhhh.

I needed a special yoga practice tonight to help chase this heavy feeling from my limbs.  All day I felt I was walking in a waist-high river of molasses.  I feel lighter now, unburdened, and ready for a good sleep.

Point and view

One of the best things we packed for our recent trip to Italy were the binoculars.  I thought I'd be using them to do a bit of bird-watching, but they turned out to be invaluable for sight-seeing overall.

Light and easy to carry, the 8 x 25 magnification was more powerful than the telephoto lens we had for the camera.

So the binocs were great for checking out the Tuscan hills in the distance and scoping out fishing boats in the water on the Amalfi coast.  But they were also an amazing tool for the interior of churches, the ceiling of the Sistene Chapel and for viewing the tops of beautiful buildings like the Duomo.  Not bad for stargazing, either!

These will be added to my packing list template - I won't leave home without them - at least on a vacation.

Fall of Man (Sistene Chapel)

facade of Duomo in Florence

Vasa 1628

I picked up 2 of these porcelain mugs for 50 cents apiece at a garage sale a couple of weeks ago...  now we keep them on the boat.

These are from some lucky traveler's trip to Stockholm and the Water Museum there... lucky for me they were clearing out their cupboards.


I love these little details with my morning cup of coffee:  puffed out sails, curly waves, cavorting gulls, flying fish, and  underwater deep sea divers!