I always wonder if taking a nap is a benefit or a deficiency to ones general health and welfare. I do know that when I have finished lunch and settled down for a long quiet time of reading, my eyes begin to droop and soon I slump down on the couch for a twenty minute nap. Today I got smart and directly after lunch instead of starting to read, I made myself comfortable on the couch, covered my legs with a light quilt and lay on the couch expecting to nap. Of course I only thought about napping, wondering if this nap is good for me or not and whether I should spring up and get working or continue my rest. After all, at work I have no nap and I don't feel the need to lie down. And when we are travelling in the car I don't sleep after lunch. Several famous people have written about their need of a nap every day in order to keep their intellect sharp. but I wonder of this is really true. I don't recall any studies on the impact of a nap on either productivity or intellect. I am left to wonder, "Is this good for me or not"?
I know that many friends of my general age always take a nap. When I do decide to take a nap I always nap by the clock. I look at my watch and decide how long I am intending to keep my eyes closed. Depending on the evening ahead, I rest for twenty minutes or thirty minute even though I am not asleep. I just close my eyes and keep myself still. I know that by itself is good for me. I can carry on for many more hours at full bore with that bit of rest. When I went loopey, a thirty minute rest morning and evening allowed me to function at a higher level. Even when back at work, I brought a cot into the office so I could do the same. Several folks have suggested I should bring back the cot to the office, because they also lay down every now and then. I didn't even know anyone used it other than me, so I took the cot back to the farm, mainly to tell myself that I no longer needed to nap during the day. Regina wants me to bring it back to the office so I guess I will do it. The pillow is still at work. It is a wonderful luxury to take a nap in the middle of the afternoon but I always wonder if I should.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
August 6, 2009. Western Head, N.S. The Queen.
Gill loves The Queen and all the Royalty of Britain. Mostly we don't talk about it, but every once and awhile, the topic surfaces, jokes are exchanged, and one is confronted again the question of why normally sane people still love The Queen. To me it all seems so obvious. We believe in earning our position in life. We believe everyone must make their own place in life and work hard for status and rewards. I believe that most Canadians and Americans subscribe to this belief. Nothing in life automatically makes you this or that, from the President of York University to the Mayor or Washington. Theoretically, the able people will rise to the top of their respective organizations.
Then think of the British Royal Family, born to assume their position by birth. It makes no sense at all. Now I know that the Queen provides a major service in Britain, by providing ceremonial tasks, thus freeing the Head of State. She makes speeches opening hospitals and county fairs, and inspects the military at various functions. She entertains other heads of state at banquets and even accommodats visiting dignitaries at Buckingham Palace. But that position could be appointed, no born to the position. And the worst part is that the Royals have all that money, in lands and buildings and jewels. Where did that come from? Did they earn those monies by commerce and trade?
It is not an easy topic to discuss. People either love the Queen and defend every aspect of the position or they are adamantly opposed to the whole Family business. It certainly does not make sense to me, to grant a position on the basis of birth order in a family. Position by ability is the only system that works. But I must stop talking about it. Gill, who was born in England and always speaks of her British heritage, is sensitive about the Queen. Probably because she knows that the system is ridiculous, but she still loves the Queen. Humans are an irrational group.
Then think of the British Royal Family, born to assume their position by birth. It makes no sense at all. Now I know that the Queen provides a major service in Britain, by providing ceremonial tasks, thus freeing the Head of State. She makes speeches opening hospitals and county fairs, and inspects the military at various functions. She entertains other heads of state at banquets and even accommodats visiting dignitaries at Buckingham Palace. But that position could be appointed, no born to the position. And the worst part is that the Royals have all that money, in lands and buildings and jewels. Where did that come from? Did they earn those monies by commerce and trade?
It is not an easy topic to discuss. People either love the Queen and defend every aspect of the position or they are adamantly opposed to the whole Family business. It certainly does not make sense to me, to grant a position on the basis of birth order in a family. Position by ability is the only system that works. But I must stop talking about it. Gill, who was born in England and always speaks of her British heritage, is sensitive about the Queen. Probably because she knows that the system is ridiculous, but she still loves the Queen. Humans are an irrational group.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
August 5, 2009. Western Head, N.S. Children.
"I don't know what happened. All of a sudden my paddle would not work," said eight year old George. Both parents were anxious, sitting on the shore watching their three children sitting in boats in the middle of the lake doing nothing. Certainly they were not propelling themselves in to shore. Even Ken thought he might need to go out and rescue them in the canoe. But I had faith, because Mary was with them and I felt that she would figure out how to get them back into shore. Sure enough, they finally came ashore, Mary towing the kayak with George from her poke boat, and the other two peddling hard in the peddle boat.
Mary's niece Victoria and husband Jimmy were visiting from San Francisco, along with their three charming children. Frances and Jim are ten year old twins so along with George, they all came to the cottage. Now these folks are city people, not used to boats and cottages and docks and rafts, but they very quickly took to the boats. My instructions to them was to stay close to the shore and go up river. Mary very wisely decided to accompany them in the poke boat. First they headed up along the shore, but before long they were all slowly heading out to the middle of the lake. Now the current was moving them along and the wind was pushing them away from shore, so now they had a hard time coming back to the dock. The adults on the shore all felt sure they would never get back without help, but with Mary giving instructions, soon they arrived back to the dock, very pleased with them selves. In truth it was a very successful trip. No one fell out of the boat and no one got upset, and the best part, no one had to rescue them. Poor Mary's arms were tired though by the time she towed George back to shore. He still did not understand what happened. "All of a sudden, my paddle would not work. I do not know what happened?" said George.
This is another cottage story, to be repeated every year. Next time, I think I must be much more specific with my instructions. But those children took to those boats like ducks to water. It was fun to watch.
Mary's niece Victoria and husband Jimmy were visiting from San Francisco, along with their three charming children. Frances and Jim are ten year old twins so along with George, they all came to the cottage. Now these folks are city people, not used to boats and cottages and docks and rafts, but they very quickly took to the boats. My instructions to them was to stay close to the shore and go up river. Mary very wisely decided to accompany them in the poke boat. First they headed up along the shore, but before long they were all slowly heading out to the middle of the lake. Now the current was moving them along and the wind was pushing them away from shore, so now they had a hard time coming back to the dock. The adults on the shore all felt sure they would never get back without help, but with Mary giving instructions, soon they arrived back to the dock, very pleased with them selves. In truth it was a very successful trip. No one fell out of the boat and no one got upset, and the best part, no one had to rescue them. Poor Mary's arms were tired though by the time she towed George back to shore. He still did not understand what happened. "All of a sudden, my paddle would not work. I do not know what happened?" said George.
This is another cottage story, to be repeated every year. Next time, I think I must be much more specific with my instructions. But those children took to those boats like ducks to water. It was fun to watch.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
August 4, 2009. Western Head, N.S. Summer Time.
Summer has arrived. The rhythm of the season is in full swing. I am not wearing wool socks, but Teva type sandles. Yesterday we were invited to dinner Wednesday evening at Larry and Jan's home in Liverpool. They live in Ottawa and come and go just like us. Sheila and Ken are having an open house on Saturday at their home and invited us to come, along with our house guests. They live in Florida and spend four or five months here. It is always the custom to bring your guests whenever you are invited to someones home. It is nice for the guest to meet the local folks. And the guests have arrived. Mary's niece and her husband with their three children arrived last evening from California. This afternoon they all came over for tea which we had on the deck. Tomorrow, Mary and Cliff's son and daughter-in-lay and three children arrive and will stay with Gill for one night as Mary is full until the niece and family leave on Thursday. Saturday, Pat and Mal arrive for two weeks to stay with us. As the first ones here, they will have the choice of the Carriage House or the main house.
Tomorrow Ken and I will go to the cottage and the Mitchell family will join us. Tonight Gill and Ken and I went to The Cove Cafe for their pasta dinner. Fifteen dollars gives you salad, a choice of three types of pasta and dessert. It was great. Friday evening at the United church in Petite Reverie, a trombone concert will be held. We will be there. Prior to the concert Ken and I will dine at Cove Cafe, where they serve dinner of the night along with soup and dessert. This is the fourth summer those ladies have stayed open and they have added things every year.
I finished reading "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton. This morning, after Ken brought me coffee upstairs, I finished this wonderful book by Kate Morton, an Australian. I came down for breakfast at 10:30. So the rhythm of the summer has taken hold. Lots of reading, lots of company, many invitations and wonderful weather. I must be the luckiest woman alive.
Tomorrow Ken and I will go to the cottage and the Mitchell family will join us. Tonight Gill and Ken and I went to The Cove Cafe for their pasta dinner. Fifteen dollars gives you salad, a choice of three types of pasta and dessert. It was great. Friday evening at the United church in Petite Reverie, a trombone concert will be held. We will be there. Prior to the concert Ken and I will dine at Cove Cafe, where they serve dinner of the night along with soup and dessert. This is the fourth summer those ladies have stayed open and they have added things every year.
I finished reading "The Forgotten Garden" by Kate Morton. This morning, after Ken brought me coffee upstairs, I finished this wonderful book by Kate Morton, an Australian. I came down for breakfast at 10:30. So the rhythm of the summer has taken hold. Lots of reading, lots of company, many invitations and wonderful weather. I must be the luckiest woman alive.
Monday, August 3, 2009
August 3, 2009. Western Head, N.S. Home Again.
Every plane trip should go as well as the one today. At 5:45 this morning the traffic to Dulles Airport was light so we arrived in plenty of time for a leisurely breakfast at the airport and an on time departure at 8:30. The flight was uneventful with the pilot dodging the clouds when landing in Halifax. Our trusty Jim had us home by 2:00. I slept for an hour during the drive down to Liverpool. After a quick lunch of left over food from the freezer, I discovered that the truck, which we left outside, would not start, so I was unable to go for groceries. Ken had intended to put the truck in the garage when we left, but I suggested leaving it out side, as we were only gone three weeks. Wrong idea. I should keep my ideas to myself. Ken hooked up the battery charger and soon I was into the grocery store for milk and fruit. Of course, I forgot the list so came home with no coffee.
Dinner tonight with Gill. She is taking sailing classes three times a week so we ate late, after her lesson at five. We three re-hashed the wedding and the people we met that weekend and the part everyone played. Several things are especially noteworthy about coming to Liverpool. One of course are our friends. Second is the sea. It seems ridiculous and redundant, but the waves just keep coming in, hour by hour, but every hour the waves are a bit different. But the best part is taking a hot tub outside, looking at the sky and listening to the sound of the sea. Life does not get much better than that.
Dinner tonight with Gill. She is taking sailing classes three times a week so we ate late, after her lesson at five. We three re-hashed the wedding and the people we met that weekend and the part everyone played. Several things are especially noteworthy about coming to Liverpool. One of course are our friends. Second is the sea. It seems ridiculous and redundant, but the waves just keep coming in, hour by hour, but every hour the waves are a bit different. But the best part is taking a hot tub outside, looking at the sky and listening to the sound of the sea. Life does not get much better than that.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
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