Travel Theme: Silver

Posted on January 18, 2014 by The Retiring Sort

St. Joseph’s Oratory on Mount Royal in Montreal is the largest church in Canada, and is reputed to be the largest shrine in the world. It is not a cathedral, but a church for pilgrims, with 283 steps leading up to the basilica. Our tour guide explained that there are three sets of stairs – the two concrete sets surround the silvery center stairs, which are reserved for those pilgrims who wish to climb at least the last 99 to the church on their knees. That’s devotion.

But some of the most beautiful silvers are those in nature. The play of sun or moon light on water creates beautiful images of liquid silver.

Waning sunlight on San Francisco bay casts a silvery light.

The waters of Goose Pond in New Hampshire reflect the sun at the height of the day.

These images make me wistful for Spring and Summer, when my beloved and I can climb into our canoe or kayaks to explore the silvery rivers and lakes around us.

Winter can’t last forever.

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This post was written in response to the weekly Travel Theme challenge by Ailsa of WheresMyBackpack: Silver. To see other bloggers’ shiny responses and get more info on the challenge, just click on the link! You will also find some silvery images in my post from last week, Let There be Light.

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Posted in Photo Challenges | Tagged kayaking, Montreal, photography, photos, Silver, Weekly Travel Theme | 9 Comments

Courtesy 101 – Trying to Recapture a Social Grace

Posted on January 15, 2014 by The Retiring Sort

Normally I stay away from touchy subjects on this blog. But a confluence of events has brought an issue that bothers me to the front of my mind. This has annoyed me for some time, and now I feel compelled to say something about it.

I recently became aware of someone who offended some Facebook friends with a social-political comment, which led to further interactions, which led to some badly bruised offline relationships. All because of some “clever,” but not very kind, remarks.

Although we were taught not to discuss religion, politics, or other controversial issues socially, all bets seem to be off with social media. For some reason, since we don’t have to look the people we’re addressing in the eye, we feel we can say any controversial (or unpleasant) thing we like on Facebook, Twitter, and similar media sites. And what we say can then be “shared” through our “friends,” affecting and possibly hurting or offending people we don’t even know. That may be fun for some people, but certainly not for all.

WordPress has a resource to help bloggers find topics every day – It’s called 365 Days of Writing Prompts. Here’s the serendipitous/timely prompt for today:

So here’s the thing. I know I’m getting old, and we’ve shed a million taboos and inhibitions (to say nothing of the concept of privacy) since I reached adulthood – but honestly, do we have to abandon all niceties?

We are privileged to live in a country where we are free to express our opinions and beliefs. But with every privilege comes a responsibility. Express away – but please do so with a little civility. If you disagree with someone or something, feel free to do it, but do it with respect – the same respect you’d like holders of the opposing viewpoint to have for you. Don’t be vulgar, bullying, or nasty. Don’t use name-calling, dubious facts, or insults to make your point. Do you honestly think that being rude and snarky will enhance your position or image, or encourage those who disagree to lean your way?

Here are some Merriam-Webster definitions of polite:

of, relating to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture
marked by an appearance of consideration, tact, deference, or courtesy
marked by a lack of roughness or crudities

When our children were growing up, we taught them something very important. Courtesy, manners, etiquette, politeness – whatever you choose to call it – comes down to a simple concept: making those around you comfortable. Use the Golden Rule if you need further guidance.

In an awkward situation? How would you want the other person to treat you? What would make you comfortable? Do you appreciate thank-you’s? Then acknowledge gifts from others. Do you dislike being called names? Then don’t do it to someone else. Do you hate walking into a place where you don’t know anyone? Walk up and introduce yourself to someone in the same boat.

I have very dear friends on both ends of the US political spectrum, and sometimes I agree with points made by folks at either end. Sometimes I disagree. But I never engage in those discussions online. I value these people too much to engage in arguments with them in front of the whole Facebook universe.

So here’s a possible solution (if you agree there’s a problem)… Facebook allows users to add “pages” to their accounts. If you want to opine freely or begin an animated discourse on dicey topics in a tone that might hurt or offend, then start an opinion page and vent there. Better yet, start a blog! Those who want to engage will happily “follow” and meet you there. Those who don’t, well, they can continue to enjoy your news and pictures of your families and vacations without being made uncomfortable on social media.

Maybe I’m a dinosaur, but I think that could be the polite thing to do.

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Banner image credit: © gde_ya – Fotolia.com #52547508

A few related sites and posts:

This post was written in response to the January 15th daily prompt from the WordPress ebook 365 Days of Writing Prompts.

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Posted in Blogging, Ruminations, Technology, Writing Challenges | Tagged choices, Courtesy, lifestyle, Online Etiquette, Polite Company, postaday, Social Graces, WordPress Daily Promprts, WordPress Writing Prompts | 17 Comments

Let There Be Light

Posted on January 11, 2014 by The Retiring Sort

We’ve recently passed the Winter Solstice, and here in the Northern Hemisphere that means our days (or, rather, hours of daylight) are finally getting longer. After months of shrinking daylight, the sun will be with us a little longer each day, until the Summer Solstice in June.

I can remember a few years ago, feeling a bit like a mole. I left my house for work in the dark, and drove home in the dark. I had a window at the office, but to keep the heat in, we were asked to keep the blinds drawn… it’s no wonder people get depressed and suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) by this time every year!

It’s not just the shorter time in the light, but also the weather that contributes… We’ve had snow and rain fairly regularly, and snow clouds aren’t cheerful, white fluffy things…

So at this time of year, we’re grateful for any natural illumination.

If we don’t get sunlight by day, we’ll let ourselves be dazzled by the moon – especially if reflects on snow.

But nothing lasts forever. Spring will come, with ample blue skies, and a warming glow from the sun. Let there be light!

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For more info on SAD, see these posts:

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This post was written in response to the weekly Travel Theme challenge by Ailsa of WheresMyBackpack, Illuminated. To see other bloggers’ responses and get more info on the challenge, just click on the link above.

As an added bonus, enjoy this post on a very similar topic from about this time last year…. Illumination – Star Light Star Bright!

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Posted in Photo Challenges, Ruminations | Tagged Illunimation, Lights, Photo Challenges, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Sun and Moon, Weekly Travel Theme, Winter Solstice | 26 Comments

A Peek Through the Window

Posted on January 11, 2014 by The Retiring Sort

Windows serve so many purposes.

They can let in light, while doubling as decorative elements….

Sometimes they inspire us….

and sometimes they’re a portal from the every day to our dreams and imagination…

What’s outside your window today?

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This post was written in response to the WordPress Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Window. To see other bloggers’ responses and get more info on the challenge, just click on the link above.

Posted in Photo Challenges, Ruminations | Tagged Photo Challenges, photos, Portals, postaday, postaweek, Windows | 30 Comments

Possibilities and New Beginnings

Posted on January 7, 2014 by The Retiring Sort

Here we are in January again, turning the page of the calendar. January symbolizes fresh starts to many of us, and is even named for Janus, the Roman god of gates, passages, and doors; of beginnings, transitions, and endings. Janus is traditionally pictured with a double-faced head, the faces looking in opposite directions – to the future and to the past.

I have been “offline” for more than a quarter now, and I need to reboot my blogging – to make a fresh start. Looking back over the last calendar quarter or so, I’ve spent quite a bit of time without secure internet access. That took a lot of the wind out of my sails. I know I can post from my phone, but tagging, formatting, and attaching the photos I’d use are more cumbersome that way. I could go to a WiFi hotspot, but then my internet access isn’t secure, which isn’t great.

Why have I been without internet?

My beloved and I have been embarking on a new adventure. As you may remember, we were house-hunting over the summer, for a retirement home. There will be other posts about our various weekend treks around the US Northeast as we searched, and about our impossible wish lists…

But the short story today is that although he is still working, and will be for a while yet, we found and bought a fixer-upper about 3 hours away from our current home. There were some plumbing, heating, and electrical updates needed, and we’re attacking those in order of necessity (those will make for a fun post as well). But the house is structurally in pretty good shape (the outside is in great shape), and it’s near a good medical center, walking paths, and our little downtown.

As with any house, part of the process is envisioning the possibilities. Our new place required a little imagination.

Since we won’t be living there full-time for a while, we haven’t moved in much furniture, and we haven’t hooked up cable or internet. We’re taking advantage of the empty space to do some redecorating while we’re improving. So, I’ve spent much of the last few months there Monday-Friday in the company of contractors, having new outlets and lights put in, repairing some plumbing, and cutting through and redoing walls.

Most of the interior was covered in aging, yellowing knotty pine. We left the pine beams in the ceiling, and left some other accents up (some of which may get painted later after we’ve lived with it while.) However, we pulled the wood off of the living room, dining room and kitchen walls, improved the insulation, then added and painted drywall in a light neutral color until we decide if we need more color.

Old & new kitchen walls (prior to painting)

But wait, there’s more! In the halls, two of the bedrooms, and one of the bathrooms, the pine was covered with wood paneling, then wallpapered or painted. I’ve left the halls alone for now, as the wallpaper there is fairly neutral. However, we primed and painted the bathroom and bedrooms (again in a neutral beige for now) to update them. Here’s why:

Plaid red and teal wallpaper and Pepto-Bismol pink walls in the bedrooms. They were a little overwhelming.

Busy wallpaper and dark mirror in the powder room…

brightened up a bit… now to hang some pictures!

Anyway, we’re beginning a New Year, and although I have now committed to accomplishing a fairly daunting number of tasks at both houses, I am also committed to resuming my blog.

It’s time to look at goals and possibilities for the future – And I’m looking forward to getting back to work.

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This post was written in response to two weekly blog challenges:

The WordPress Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge on the topic of Beginning.
The weekly Travel Theme challenge by Ailsa of WheresMyBackpack, on the subject of Possibility.

To see other bloggers’ responses and get more info on these challenges, just click on the links above.

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Posted in Blogging, Photo Challenges, Retirement itself | Tagged Beginnings, Fresh Starts, lifestyle, New Year, Possibilities, postaweek | 29 Comments

Having an Epiphany

Posted on January 6, 2014 by The Retiring Sort

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Twelve Drummers Drumming, Eleven Pipers Piping, Ten Lords a-Leaping, Nine Ladies Dancing, Eight Maids a-Milking, Seven Swans a-Swimming, Six Geese a-Laying, Five Golden Rings, Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a Partridge in a Pear Tree.

– An English Christmas song

When I was growing up, every year my parents held a legendary Twelfth Night party. After some years, they started sharing the hosting of their gala event with the neighbors behind us (who later became my in-laws), and the annual affair became a progressive party. Cold cuts, substantial hors d’oeuvres and canapés (designed to help absorb and temper the effects of alcohol), and desserts were served at our house first – along with some libations, of course.

Guests filled our living and dining rooms. Our family room had a nice stereo, a small grand piano, and enough space for a few people to dance. My sister and I stayed upstairs and enjoyed the sounds of music floating up to us. After a few hours, the entire entourage moved on (without us) to the second house, which had a large sunken living room with a great sound system and its own baby grand piano – that’s where the dancing and celebration went into the wee hours – one last hurrah before the winter blahs set in.

At our house, preparation for this event had two fronts. The first was the acknowledgement of Epiphany as the end of the Christmas season. This is when our tree and holiday decorations came down, and we sang The Twelve Days of Christmas for a final time, driving my grandmother a little crazy. Then, after the ornaments, trains, and Moravian star were safely packed away, we moved into full party mode – polishing silver, de-veining shrimp, arranging snack trays, and preparing the hard sauce for the plum pudding – which was arrayed on the buffet table with the last of the Christmas cookies and shortbread.

Downton Abbey’s Mrs. Patmore had nothing on my grandmother on those days. All four-foot-nine of her huffed through the kitchen, preparing unbeatable goodies. Mom prepared her own specialties and oversaw the layout of furniture and décor (breakables moved) for optimum circulation of guests, while Dad moved chairs and made sure the driveway was clear and parking would go smoothly.

So why throw a party on January 6th (or as close as they could get with a Saturday)? Well, because today is variously known as the Feast of the Epiphany, Three Kings Day, and “Twelfth Night.” It is the final opportunity to burn the yule log, exchange gifts, and celebrate the season.

Historically, in the Christian faith, the day celebrates the visitation of the Magi, and their recognition, and revelation, of the Christ child. This was a huge Eureka moment for the gentile world. So centuries ago, just as the officials of the Roman Catholic church institutionalized December 25th as Christmas Day, they chose twelve days later to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. Truth be told, Christ was probably born in the Spring, and it likely took the Magi many months to catch up with him, but there you have it. We happily sing The Twelve Days of Christmas (which had a deeper meaning), and Christian denominations still remember and celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany in January, though with a great deal less fanfare than we celebrate Christmas Day.

The Church, of course, had other reasons for the dates selected. But the fact is that the actual dates are unimportant. It is the events we celebrate: the gift of Christ to the world, and his recognition by gentile wise men of his time. Epiphany is a day of discovery and revelation.

So as we celebrate Twelfth Night, what was your Epiphany this year? What new discovery or revelation did the past year bring to you? And how will you celebrate and use that new understanding as you venture into 2014 and beyond?

On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me….