All posts by Charmeine

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Isolation update again: schools are now closed.

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I’m getting nervous about this all. I know I shouldn’t be.

Twitter – avoid it if at all possible. People are horrible. These are things I’ve seen people say:

“The government caused this.”

“Corona Virus is a hoax.”

“Let the old people die. Who cares anyway.”

“You weaklings, you deserve to die anyway.”

Yeah, that’s right.

The internet. It’s a great tool to access a wealth of information but it brings out the worst in humanity.

I got a text from my sister earlier.

Schools are now closed.

I decided to hop onto Superstore to stock up on some food. Two days. I can’t get my order filled until Tuesday. That’s horrible. I’m okay for food, but what if I wasn’t? And what will the shelves look like by then?

I’m housbound as it is since I don’t drive.

My dad’s on lockdown. I can’t see him. He can’t really talk on the phone.

I went through the bottles of water in my kitchen and refilled some old ones I had kicking around. I have about 20 litres now in total. You could say I’m a hoarder, but it was my ex boyfriend who was former military that taught me to be…

“Be prepared for anything. Anything. Shit’s going to fly one day. Society is spiraling down. One day, everything will go down. You need to be prepared.”

I’ve been slowly stocking up my pantry over the last year. Every few months I stock up on canned goods and things like rice, beans, noodles. Things that are cheap and last forever.

His voice always in the back of my mind.

Be prepared.

I don’t know what it’s like elsewhere. But as resources get low, and services are cut off – if people can’t go to work and pay for rent —

It’s going to get ugly. Very ugly. Very quickly.

How were we not prepared for this? How did our governments fail us? How are they still failing us? Do they not have emergency back up plans in place? Have they not watched every horror movie ever like I have?

Watching the news is like watching the opening to EVERY horror movie I’ve ever seen. Global news live looked the opening scene from I Am Legend.

So, I’m sitting here wide awake at 4:27 in the morning on a Monday morning, when I should be sleeping and healing from whatever this cold bug is.

This feeling has been there for a while. That something bad was coming. I’m still not panicking. I’m not panic buying.

But damn. I just don’t really, really don’t like this.

And to the people who are contributing to the fear mongering and conspiracy theories – drink a little more koolaid. “Q” was never real. The government didn’t create this virus to depopulate the earth. There is no third world order.

Get your heads out of your arses and listen to what the health authorities are telling us.

Stay in your homes. Stop being retarded.

There. I used the R word. Because I think in these cases, it’s appropriate.

Personal

Isolation Update

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My dad’s residence is on full lock down. We can’t visit him which has me really worried for his mental health. He hasn’t been in a great place and he needs more help than most.

Social distancing. I’m fine with this. I’m a homebody and am off work anyway, so. I’m okay there. I got my Netflix account back and have been binge watching SHIELD (great show) and working on art skills.

Etsy store – still no sales. Just working on building product. Bad time to start a store I think even with digital downloads.

Health – runny and stuffy nose – thanks sinuses and asthma. You are the reason I am in isolation now.

Food – I’m okay for the week. Spent all morning trying to place an order on Superstore. Site crashed multiple times. I ordered toilet paper and quite a bit of canned goods. No more than my usual supply order I do every few months.

The earliest I can get food picked up is Tuesday morning! This is insane. People are still in panic mode and being absolutely (insert R word here).

I have watched too many horror movies to know how this all ends when people panic. It’s not even the virus that worries me. It’s the people.

Also it’s -30 today.

Church was canceled and this is an eerie feeling.

Stay safe folks. Keep me posted how you are coping with this. How is your province handling things?

Also to the people who robbed the Edson food bank – you are pond scum. Lower than that. You are the stuff that feeds on pond scum. I hope you go to jail for a long time.

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I’m officially in self-isolation.

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Things are getting pretty serious here, and I don’t like it. Mostly, it’s just stupid people being panicky and well, stupid. There’s another word I’d use to describe these people, but we’re not supposed to use the R word in this day and age. But you know what I’m referring to.

I tried logging into Superstore last night to place my weekly grocery order. I had food delivered earlier in the week. I thought I would be proactive and stock up for a couple of weeks – worst case scenario. I like being prepared.

The website was down. Then it came back up and there was no toilet paper to be found on the website.

I went onto Amazon for shits and giggles. I came across a 12 pack of Purex for $60.00! Yes, Canadian. That is unreal.

When I buy paper supplies, I normally stock up so I have enough for a couple of months. I’m wincing at the thought of how much toilet paper I wasted last month. Luckily, I have a whole pack left over.

If I ration carefully, I should be okay for a couple of weeks. Worst case – I have paper towel should things get really sticky.

Okay, gross potty humour. I don’t apologize.

Image result for toilet paper memes supernatural

The posts on social media are just maddening. People are panicking. In some places, like in Airdrie in the last 24 hours, a video surfaced of people robbing a Walmart.

Food shelves are low in stock. Things like canned goods, paper goods and milk are getting harder and harder to find.

RCMP investigate an armed robbery at the Walmart in Airdrie, Alta. on March 12, 2020. .

I’m okay. I repeat, I’m okay.

But I worry about seniors who can’t get out to get their groceries or who don’t have a lot of money to spend on things like toilet paper.

Are we fucked? Yes. Pardon my French. But it’s because people are being that R word I won’t use here. Instead of using common sense, people are hoarding toilet paper and hand sanitizer like it’s going out of style.

There’s this gnawing feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’ve been saying to my friend Wally for weeks, “I don’t like this. I don’t like this one bit.” You know, in reference to the state of the world.

Does it seem like the sky is falling? For real?

First, there was the ripping of the doctor’s agreement here in Alberta. Then there was the layoffs. Then food prices went up. And oil prices went down. Then there’s the recent stock market crash.

And now this. The virus that has people panicked.

I’ve watched every end of the world horror movie that I’ve heard of. I fee like these movies have prepared me for this. But still. There’s something I don’t like about this particular event.

Maybe I’ve seen Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland one too many times. Or maybe I watched too many episodes of shows like V and The Walking Dead.

But, shit’s going down folks. It’s getting real. And I fear, this may be the beginning.

It’s not the virus that has me worried. It’s not world events that has me concerned.

It’s stupid people that ruin it for the rest of us who use and practice common sense daily.

And did I mention. I’m actually sick. I woke up with a runny nose and stuffy head. I think it’s just my sinuses.

But I’m officially in self-isolation. I may be writing a lot more than usual.

And yes, I’m whiny as heck.

PS If you’re looking for entertainment, Woody in Double Tap is hilarious.

living well

Women’s Health: Hot Flashes – what are they, and how to treat them

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Since this week is all about promoting mental health, I think this is a good time to speak on some women’s health issues like my article yesterday on What is PCOS? Today, I want to touch on some of the symptoms of hormonal disorders like the dreaded subject: hot flashes.

What does a hot flash feel like?

That’s a good question. The first hot flash I had was in 2014 when I was on a combination of Cymbalta (mild anti-depressant for pain) along with Celebrex (also for pain). I remember getting a call from my case worker about my weekly check in. We spoke for about ten minutes. I had to provide regular health updates. By the time I hung up the phone, my hand was covered in sweat. I mean, it was dripping. And it was nasty.

One night, the hot flash was so bad – I went outside for a brisk walk in -35 degrees in a t-shirt. That actually felt good and refreshing. Even now when I get them – nothing helps except standing outside in the cold winter weather. Getting a hot flash in summer months is even more disgusting. There’s nothing you can do. Combine that with leg swelling, a red face and matted hair – and it’s just plain ick.

What is a hot flash?

As I mentioned yesterday, a hot flash can feel like a fever or even a mild panic attack. I think every women feels it differently. According to breastcancer.org, a hot flash is a sudden, intense and extremely hot feeling all over your body. But mostly affecting the face, upper body – like arm pits and chest. Some women experience weakness, headaches, anxiety or the feeling of suffocation or chills. This is why hot flashes are so difficult to diagnose.

For me, I knew it was a hot flash on Sunday because it came with severe pain in my ovaries and pelvic region. I knew that stepping outside would be the only thing to make it go away. I took some pain killers and by morning, I was okay again. Luckily, my doctor knows the risks and gave me some Toradol (pain killers) to take home with me. I’m going to savour these and keep them for bad days only.

How are hot flashes treated?

The treatment for a hot flash is going to vary. The key is to find out what is causing the hot flash, as hot flashes are often a symptom of another illness or disease. The main culprit is a hormonal imbalance.

As mentioned yesterday, with PCOS, the body can produce too many androgens which is the male hormone. But some women can have too much testerone or too much estrogen. This is where your doctor will need to conduct some lab tests. Usually a CBD differential, and basic endocrine function tests.

Remember, I’m not doctor. I’m literally reading this information from my requisition forms. I’ve come to learn a lot about my body, women’s health and lab tests over the years in my research.

There are a lot of treatments for hot flashes out there that include natural supplements, hormone replacement therapy, and over the counter products. However, I do recommend seeing your doctor or OBGYN to find the source of the hot flashes. Some medications can cause similar side effects.

When in doubt, just step outside, into the middle of winter. Trust me. I went to my appointment yesterday wearing just a sweater and it felt amazing.

Clinical Research

The main purpose of my sharing this information is not only to help promote awareness on women’s health, but to also share my experiences. I’m not a coach, but I feel I missed my calling in being able to help others professionally. I’m here just to share my experiences and my own personal research with you.

I have six years of experience working in the health field on the administrative side. During my time in addictions and mental health, I learned a lot about reducing the stigma of mental illness, and during slow periods, I used the information I had available to me, to conduct a lot of research. I’ve kept this to myself. But I think perhaps my purpose at this time in life, is to share that knowledge with you.

Getting Help

Please know that you are not alone in your suffering. There are many great resources out there that can help you. There are tons of blogs, websites, and Facebook groups dedicated to offering support. If you feel you need help, reach out to your local state services.

Foundation of Women’s Health is just one of many great resources. Sadly, many links I had saved have been shut down.

Please subscribe to follow my weight loss and health journey as I struggle with the symptoms of PCOS. I also share great low-carb and healthy recipes.

Personal, spiritual

Dream Speak: Stress Dreams

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Last night, I crawled into bed at exactly midnight. I tried staying up late but I was so tired that I gave up and caved in at 11:56. I put in a good effort. But sometimes my sinus issues makes me more tired than I actually am. Or this is life from now on. Who knows.

I woke up from a stress dream that left me a bit perplexed. I’ve had a lot of those lately. Random dreams about random stresses in my life.

Most of you who read my blog know that I play the organ for a small church in town. This is something I’ve done for 15 years. And love it. But when stress creeps into my life, it usually manifests itself in all it’s ugly glory and appears as stress dreams. Or even more fun, night terrors And even better than that – sleep paralysis. I’ve had fully blown hallucinations from sleep paralysis. Not fun at all, I tell you.

Last night’s dream threw me off a bit. I was sitting in a pew in a crowded church. It looked very much like the Catholic church my mother used to drag us to every Sunday. That’s where I learn to read sheet music. I was bored to tears and would sing along to the hymns.

I was surrounded by strangers who were chanting and singing along to “Now we thank our god” when all of a sudden, I found myself sitting at the organ. I had already missed playing a verse because I couldn’t find the hymn in their hymnal book.

I panicked as the crowd started singing the second verse. No one seemed to notice that I wasn’t playing. I played the first chord. And started having flash backs to the first wedding I played the organ for. It was a scary experience.

Everything I played on the organ, came out wrong. Then they moved onto the next hymn and I was still trying to find the hymn – the number 345 appeared on the wooden board where they displayed hymn numbers. But that didn’t make sense. To me, number 345 was Morning Has Broken – a favorite of mine (and my mother’s).

Finally, the singing stopped and I found myself back in my seat. Next to me, sat friends from the church were I play the organ. I couldn’t figure out how I got there so fast. That’s how my dreams are. They seemingly flip from one scene to the next.

And then I moved to another dream. A handsome and dashing man from the crowd honed in on me to tell me how amazing my performance was (huh? what performance?) and asked if he could take me home. I said yes. And the dream turned into… um. Let’s just go with, something else.

All I know is I woke up from that dream and scratched my head. I have no idea what it means. But … is it a bad sign that I started off a new decade with a stress dream about doing something I’ve loved for fifteen years?

Ponder that scenario for a moment if you will.

I hopped out of bed at 8:15 am and by 9:00 am, I had cleaned up my kitchen and had coffee and breakfast ready. Plans for a semi-productive day are now on hold as I’m considering crawling back into bed. I don’t even know why I got up so early on new year’s day.

Eh, fuck it. I’m going back to bed. Maybe I can slip back into the dream and find out what it all really means.

How does stress manifest itself in your life?

Asking for a friend.

Happy new year!

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Christmas Memories: Old Toy Trains

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Last night while visiting my dad, we watched the Natalie MacMaster’s “A Celtic Christmas” concert. It’s that time of year, where no matter what station you turn, on there’s something Christmasy on the tele. It was a rare night where there wasn’t any Canadian sporting events on.

We watched the classic Ben-Hur, silent film from 1925, for about ten minutes. I had seen clips of it before. But it had been years since I had watched a silent film and I wanted to see what it was like. Both dad and I lost interest pretty quickly. The movie was of course esthecitally beautiful. But we’ve been spoiled by modern technology now. Watching the film gave us something new to talk about. Dad was never a movie fan. He would watch simply to please my mother who was.

I miss watching movies with my mum. We would stay up until way past our bedtimes and watch scary movies. Not gory movies. Just dark thrillers that messed with your mind. Our last horror movie that we watched was The Rite with Anthony Hopkins – because we both adored him. Mum stayed awake for the whole movie and then she said, “Well, I can’t go to sleep after watching that. Let’s watch something happy.”

That was one of the best nights with my mum. We stayed up until 3 am watching movies and then stayed up another hour just talking about them. I know my mum is the reason I have insomnia and have trouble sleeping at night. She was a night owl and did her best work after all of us kids had gone to bed.

Something mum had said to me not long before she died was, “If they remake Casablanca, I’m out of here.” I mean, there are just some movies you don’t touch.

My dad doesn’t get much out of television shows. It’s why we mainly watch hockey. I remember back in the day, he loved comedians like Mr. Bean and Victor Borge. Their comedy was easy to follow. Mostly slap stick humour. Victor Borge was an extraordinary musician. Dad and I would howl at the tv whenever he was on.

His “page-turner” skit was one of our favorites.

I also remember watching shows like The Grand Ole Opry. Dad’s toes would tap when artists like Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson hopped on stage. Johnny Cash was another favorite. I recently saw his daughter Rosanne Cash live, and it filled my heart with so many happy memories. “Islands in the Stream” was a favorite of ours. We loved watching Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton on stage.

Seeing dad perk up a little last night during the Christmas concert warmed my heart. It gave us something new to talk about. Growing up in Denmark, dad learned to play the violin. He used to sit at the piano and tinker out one fingered melodies. I would later learn that his father was a very talented musician and could play anything instrument he picked up. My grandmother also loved to sing and she was the reason I took the volunteer gig at the Danish church as the organist.

I’m looking forward to Christmas this year. As it’s the one time of year I get to see most of my family. But this time of year is also hard for me. My mum – she loved Christmas. I’m just glad that I took time off church to spend her last Christmas at home.

Christmas. This time of year is filled with so many memories of my mom singing in the kitchen along to the greats like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Perry Como. But in our house, we had a favorite album that was played every Christmas.

And I still can’t listen to this song with tearing up as I think of my mum. I avoided talking about the album last night because dad is easily overcome with emotions these days.

But I didn’t know what else to write about this morning, and so I’ll leave you with this song that brings tears to my eyes.

This is Nana Mouskouri’s, Old Toy Trains.

Personal

Grief: if ye love me

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In my line of volunteer work with the church, I’ve play music for a lot of funerals. And because I’ve been at the church as long as I have, I’ve come to know many of the church members and they have become an extended family.

I’ve never been a highly religious person. I’m obsessed with subjects that would be looked down upon in any church – magic, supernatural, divination, alternative healing methods. I was raised Catholic but never paid much attention to it.

The church for me, is about family, food, and learning about my heritage. It’s about making new friends. And it’s pretty much my social activity for the week other than seeing my dad. It’s something that is familiar and has been my home of nearly fifteen years.

Plus, I get to play music once a week. So, that’s a bonus.

A good friend of mine at the church lost her daughter last year and a grandson. We have bonded for years over Sunday morning coffee and chat about all things in life. There are six of us – regulars who are there almost every Sunday no matter what. Even mid winter snowstorms wouldn’t keep these folks away.

But as my friends reach the ages of 80 and even 92, like my beautiful red headed friend, I’m reminded of how precious life is and how short life can be.

After she lost her daughter she said one day on Facebook, and this sentence has really stuck with me since.

“Grief, is love. It really just has no place to go.”

Image result for grief
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Everyone says that grief eventually fades over time. But I find the older I get, that’s a lie. The more time that goes on, I seem to miss my mother more than ever. There are definitely days that are harder than others. There are days when it feels like she is right next to me watching me while I work on some project or in the kitchen – which was her favorite place to be.

Sometimes, I hear her voice in my head and go to pick up the phone and call her. Then I remember she’s gone and so I call my dad instead.

It’s been five years almost – and I don’t think gets easier. I think it gets harder as time goes on.

Younger people must have a harder time with loss. Especially children. Over time, you forget what people look or sound like. Thank goodness there are pictures and now videos to remind us of our loved ones. But what about the people we lost before technology came along?

We had a video camera in the 90s which my mum used a lot. But she used it to take videos of family. The grandkids. My sister. She rarely appeared on camera.

And that got me thinking about me. That’s me. I’m usually the one behind the camera taking pictures and I’m fine with that. But then I realized one day – hey. I don’t have kids. I don’t have a family of my very own. I don’t have something to leave behind.

I don’t have an imprint to leave on this world like my mother did with her 5 children and 9 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. That’s a pretty impressive resume, don’t you think? For one person? Creating a legacy that big?

And so, that’s where the inspiration behind “In Her Eyes” came from. My latest album release. It’s a 7 track album with original piano music.

On days where it seems I’m drowning in sorrow or grief, I turn to music for comfort. I sit in quiet contemplation until I hear a song that is so upbeat it gets my toes tapping and I can’t help but smile.

But for moments like this in the morning. When the world is mostly quiet and I’m sitting down with my coffee, wondering what to write about. It’s those moments that I think of my mother. It’s those moments I turn to music to quiet the ever busy mind.

It’s those moments that I get lost in the sounds of violins, cellos, classical guitar, piano and elegant choir voices that sound like angels. It’s these moments that I realize that grief will eventually pass and lead to something — more.

Music is magical. Music has healing powers. Music speaks to the soul. Music – like this. Sacred music shakes you to the core and makes you think about everything you’ve ever done in your life.

This music doesn’t just speak to your soul. It comes from the inner soul. It comes from the heart. It’s the music of angels.

Sacred Music on Spotify

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Self-care goals: how to unwind after a bad day.

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This is a repost. I think it’s good information to share every now and then. You can also read my post on The Art of Self-Care.

Just a short post today. It’s been a lousy few days. Tired. Stressed. And contemplating when things started heading south. Last month – things were amazing. But the past two weeks, since I got bronchitis, it seems like my whole world has come crashing down. And I’m not sure how to pull myself out of this funk.

So, I thought I’d share some tips on how I survive bad days like today – when it seems like the entire world is crashing around you all at once. Ever feel like you’re drowning and you can’t get out of the water? Yeah, that’s where we are today. I’ve sunken to a new low.

But then I’ll wake up tomorrow and it will be a new day. I’ll feel rested. And it will be a new day.

How do I cope on days like this? The routine isn’t all that complicated really. It’s pretty easy. Even you can do this.

Adult, Bath, Bathtub, Blur, Indoors, Leisure

Coping tips for really, really, bad days.

Make a nice hot cooked meal like my mum used to make.

It reminds me of her. There’s just something about the taste of a roast beef soaked in gravy, a side of roasted vegetables and mashed potatoes. Really. Nothing makes me feel like “home” more than this.

Watch animals and babies do funny things on YouTube

Watch dogs and cats doing silly things. Find funny videos of babies laughing. Laughing really is the best medicine. Also, watching people falling – video compilations. I shouldn’t love these as much as I do. But they really perk you up. Or maybe I’m just sadistic that way.

Reach out to a friend in need

Call a friend and chat with someone who is also going through a difficult time. Misery loves company. But sometimes you just need to vent to someone who understands. I did this when I got home. Had a good chat with a colleague and I feel a little better now. I’m not the only one going through a rough patch. We’ve all been there.

Find comfort – hot bath, soak in a hot tub or steam room

Having a warm bath with epsom salts really does work wonders on stress. Dim the lights. Bring out the candles. Lower yourself into the tub. Lean back with a water pillow. Put a facecloth over your eyes. And just relax. Block the rest of the world out. You deserve this.

Pour yourself a hot up herbal tea or a warm cup of cocoa

Polish the night off with a hot cup of Chamomile or Lemon tea. Chamomile is a herb that helps you wind down. It can also help you sleep. Fun fact – you can also use cool Chamomile tea for for a skin rinse. Not a tea drinker? No problem. A warm cup of cocoa can help. Add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg to top it off. A few marshmallow if you’re not on a diet – to sweeten the deal.

Shut the world out -with music

Sit back in your reclining or rocker chair. Your couch or bed will suffice. Grab your noise canceling headphones. Turn on your favorite movie. Close your eyes. Let the soothing sounds of an acoustic guitar or dreamy instrumentals take you to another world.

Tell me, what do you on when you have a bad day? How do you cope?

For me – it’s always going to be music. And on that note – I hear my bed calling my name.

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Update: six months and nearly 300 followers!

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Good morning! It’s a bright and sunny Thursday morning. I’m sitting in my living room anxiously awaiting the painter. Today’s the last day of painting and I can’t wait to get my condo back into shape. I have things to do. Places to be. And new projects to work on.

Can you believe it’s been six months since I started this blog? Mostly Single was created in April 2019 as a way to help keep motivated on my fitness journey. But I realized that fitness wasn’t something I was passionate about – and so I started neglecting this blog.

Even though I’ve tried breaking up with music many times over the years, it keeps calling me back again and again. I bit the bullet this week and ordered a new midi keyboard. Unfortunately, it was a piece of you know what. It’s boxed up and ready to be shipped back to Amazon. My first return! I hope I don’t get banned – I’ve heard that’s possible.

So, what has happened in six months? A lot!

Even though “Mostly Single” is now defunct, I have given this blog a complete overhaul and started fresh. But don’t worry. A lot of my articles are saved in draft form – to be repurposed and republished later. Now I can focus more on the positive things in life – DIY projects, music, writing, and whatever life throws my way.

I will be shopping for a new MIDI keyboard very soon. Once the renovations have been completed and my condo is back to normal. It currently looks like a war zone. I have several music projects I want to get done – including a long awaited Christmas album. Yikes. It’s almost Christmas.

DIY Projects & Home Improvement

Over the years, I’ve done a lot of DIY projects but haven’t documented them. I learned to make jewelry, went through a Picasso phase and painted everything I could get my hands on, went through a photography phase. And now – I’m entering into a new phase of DIY home improvements and refurnishing furniture.

I’m moving in the spring into my dream condo. The condo needs some love. And my furniture – rather than buying all new furniture to match the decor, I had a brilliant idea of stripping the cheap Ikea shelves and cabinets – and making them look fresh and modern.

I inherited some items from my dad’s house. Vintage wood from the 70’s. I’m not sure if I’ll be refinishing them. Maybe just a touch up on the top. I also took my mum’s desk that has been in the family for decades. These pieces will look great in my new living room.

DIY Music

I’ll be writing regular weekly articles on DIY music tips that I’ve tried over the years. With 40 years of experience to pull from – I have a lot talk about and share with you. I hope to also eventually record some tutorials. But that will wait until I have my studio set up in my new pad.

Ad Free Website

As promised, this blog will remain ad-free. While this means a loss in potential revenue for me, I’ve included ways that you can help with covering the costs. I’ll be publishing an Amazon wish list soon and have set up a donation link via PayPal. Just scroll down to the bottom of the screen and offer to buy me a cup of coffee or two.

New Releases

I’ll be working on some new releases for this fall. I’ve already released “Remember Me” a piano single, and a cover of “Time After Time” which is pending a sync license. Once the new studio is finished, I hope to record on a regular basis. There just aren’t enough hours in the day.

Fitness & Well-being

Fitness is still a goal in my life. I’m eating healthy again, making salads and healthy dishes. I’m more active and do lunges, squats daily – I’m even riding the cycle again. When I move, I’ll have a fitness centre and access to nature trails. I just can’t wait for the lifestyle change. Being so close to the River Valley will be a huge bonus – I can get back into photography too.

Inspirational Posts

Yes, this will still be a part of my blog. People love these posts. I have a new series out called “Advice from my grandmother.” This series includes quotes, verses and sayings that my grandmother had written in her memoirs “My Journey.” I’m excited to share some of these with you.

Training at work has been stalled due to budget cuts. The future of employment is uncertain at this stage. A new government can mean a lot of changes in the work we do. We’re already seeing cuts to hospitality. When I am able to take courses at work and on my own dime, I’ll share my learnings with you.

Stats and Followings

This blog is now sitting just shy of 300 followers. I’m amazed! I expected to lose followers when I stopped posting. But the numbers continue to climb. I have a goal. If I earn up to 1,000 followers this year – I will invest in the pro business plan and ditch my music website. The pro plan has all the bells and whistles. But for now, I’d like to see how this blog does organically. Readers are from around the globe – reaching as far as India which is mind blowing.

Thank you!

Thank you all for being here. Especially for those who have been here since April and followed me along this journey and path of self-discovery. You’re never too old to learn and you’re never too old to change what you want in life. The key is to continue to make new goals and strive for self-improvement. And to take what you’ve learned about yourself – and share it with others.

Have a great Thursday – make sure to hit that follow button if you haven’t already!

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Advice from my grandmother 3: marriage

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Advice from her school teacher Mr. Sandbaek, early 1920’s, Denmark.

Most happy is the one in a happy marriage.

Second most happy is the single person, who lives for a cause.

The less happy is the one once married, but lost the loved one.

But least happy, is the one in a bad marriage.

Another citation from Mr. Sandbaek, 1920’s, Denmark

Look at the woman,

She is always in love,

Only the object of her love changes.

Advice from my grandmother 
Advice from my grandmother 2