Tricked by the Sun

After spending much of my adult life on the west coast of Canada, I knew that the sun shining meant a warm day – let’s get outside, picnic time – you get the picture.

Something different happens here in Ottawa. After 14 winters, I am still tricked by the sun. In fact, the sun doesn’t always work here. Take today—a beautiful blue sky and sunny day with diamond-like sparkles on the snow. I look out the window and feel the familiar warmth surging through my body. And then I go outside.

The memory keeps me going for those first moments, and I revel in this gorgeous, not-too-cold day. Maybe I don’t need my mittens, and certainly not a hat. However, a few minutes later, I realized it was freezing after looking around, greeting passersby, and walking to my car. I do need my mitts, hat, and, most of all, a reality check.

It is funny how each January, I learn again that seeing the sun on that beautiful day means it is extra cold. Old habits die hard.

The upside of a day like this is that after the tricky sun has set, there is a bowl of delicious, satisfying lemon lentil soup, a fresh baguette from the Japanese bakery around the corner, and a skate on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one block from my daughter’s.

These days, we don’t want to squander any chances for beauty, playfulness, and friendship—all the small joys that can make up a meaningful life no matter what else is going on.

I love this poem by David Budbill for January

WINTER: TONIGHT: SUNSET

Tonight at sunset walking on the snowy road,
my shoes crunching on the frozen gravel, first

through the woods, then out into the open fields
past a couple of trailers and some pickup trucks, I stop

and look at the sky. Suddenly: orange, red, pink, blue,
green, purple, yellow, gray, all at once and everywhere.

I pause in this moment at the beginning of my old age
and I say a prayer of gratitude for getting to this evening

a prayer for being here, today, now, alive
in this life, in this evening, under this sky.

Notes:

1:) The banner photo was taken this evening – My daughter and her friend are skating on the canal. Apparently, it was wonderful. I enjoy the skaters these days from the sidelines, but I no longer don skates myself.

2:) Great news, and congratulations to Karen Levine for receiving The Order of Canada. “Karen Levine is recognized for her four-decade-long career at CBC Radio, where her program leadership, groundbreaking documentaries, and amplification of women’s voices made an unmistakable and much-heralded impact. She has also been honoured for her book, Hana’s Suitcase, which has educated young readers worldwide about the Holocaust.” Some of you will recall that I wrote about this story early last year.  Here is a link to the original documentary from 24 years ago.  Hanna’s Suitcase Radio Documentary

3:) I have a wonderful stack of books by my bedside- here are four of them

1. AFlame by Pico Iyer
2. The Immune Mind: The Hidden Dialogue Between Your Brain and Immune System by Dr. Monty Lyman
3. Health for All: A Doctor’s Prescription For a Healthier Canada by Dr. Jane Philpott
4. Meditations For Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time For What Counts by Oliver Burkeman

4:) In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. Albert Camus

5:) Dr Rachel Naomi Remen, whose book Kitchen Table Wisdom is a favourite of mine, suggests we ask ourselves three questions at the end of the day.

1. What surprised me?
2. What touched me?
3. What inspired me?

Reflecting backward, at the end of the day, take ten minutes until you come to “What surprised me? Write it down and start over with the second question, “What touched my heart?” Write it down. finally the third question, “What surprised me?” Once you find it, write it down. Now, close the book and go to sleep.

5:) Now, I will say good night and thank you for kindly reading my blog posts. With appreciation and best wishes. As always, Trudy