The Beauty in Monotony

The longer I’m home, the more I appreciate monotony. Before I continue, let me provide a bit of clarification. In my head, I distinguish monotony from boredom (although there’s beauty in that, too). Rightly or wrongly, I’m not a huge fan of monotony’s duller cousin. Boredom is hours dragging on with little to break them … Continue reading The Beauty in Monotony →

Rigid

Over time, my right foot has slowly loosened up (as I’m striving to in life in general). When I first started rehab, it hardly moved at all, but with much work, some coaxing, and a few Botox injections, it began flickering a little and then bending a bit. Eventually, I reached a kind of compromise … Continue reading Rigid →

On with the New

I’ve never been big on the whole New Year thing, probably because I’m a hopeless, jaded cynic. I understand the need people feel for a symbolic fresh start, and I understand the appeal of making a slew of resolutions. It’s kinda comforting, after all, to face January 1 armed with lofty goals and big ambitions. … Continue reading On with the New →

The Joy in Getting Through

While out for a coffee with my husband a few mornings ago, I realized that I inevitably feel a great sense of relief on Boxing Day, when Christmas is in the rear-view mirror and expectations are suddenly lowered. I’m certainly not the first to observe that for many people, and for various reasons, Christmas is … Continue reading The Joy in Getting Through →

Showing Off

My parents recently visited from my hometown in British Columbia. They came to spend time with their beloved daughter, obviously, but also so that my husband could go on a much-needed and well-deserved solo trip. (He did, and both he and I are grateful that he had the support and the mental space to recharge … Continue reading Showing Off →

Let’s Go to the Movies

I love going to the cinema. Even now, as an adult, I get caught up in the magic of it; I’m drawn in, fully immersed. Forced to pay attention rather than pretend that I can multitask and successfully follow a plot line, I get way more out of the films I see in the theatre … Continue reading Let’s Go to the Movies →

Occupational Progress

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I’ve been participating in a musculoskeletal rehabilitation program since mid-July (I think?). It was very generously extended once, but now it’s winding down for good. All that remains is one session with my physiotherapist.My final occupational-therapy appointment, which took place this past Friday, was a bittersweet occasion—emphasis on the … Continue reading Occupational Progress →

Better than a PhD

I’d been both dreading and looking forward to yesterday afternoon’s care conference. It was a social worker who offered to get the biggest players on my health-care team together in a virtual room to discuss a major life change that my husband and I have in the works. I’m someone who deals with anticipatory anxiety … Continue reading Better than a PhD →

Classic

This coldhearted lady spontaneously burst into tears this morning while completing a crossword puzzle and listening to Bach (Suite No. 3 in D Major, BMV 1068: II. Air, to be precise). I seldom cry, but when I do, my eyes make up for lost time. It’s as if my tear ducts reserve their salty stores … Continue reading Classic →

Thanks(giving)

In the space of three or four days, an unusually late burst of summer turned to weather that’s unmistakably appropriate for autumn—early winter, even. I ripped the tags off my new coat, which I felt ridiculous buying a few weeks ago, when it was uncomfortably hot out, and wore it for the first time on … Continue reading Thanks(giving) →