Earthy Views

What is love?

January 28, 2021January 27, 2021 Earthy Views

When I was thinking about what is love.. first thought was “What is love, oh baby don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me no more” Love could be a Haddaway song from 1993. Love can be so many things to so many people

Love can be someone making food or drinks for others. It could be giving someone the space they need to sort things out. Maybe love is physical touch, kissing someone’s cheek or patting their hand. Maybe giving a massage when someone is hurting. Kind words go a long way for many. You could be the person who sits down for a movie or tea brings food to someone Your thing might be sharing a gift with someone

I’m a trained aromatherapist, I understand body mechanics, I understand pain. For me sometimes I show love in strange ways. My live-in family will tell it like a horror story. “She jabbed me in the shoulder as I wither in pain and then has the nerve to ask “does this hurt?” Catching their breath to say yes that hurt, I move on to a plan of fixing the problem. All the while they shoot daggers at me..Does this pain I cause mean I don’t love and care for them? I love them so much I want to help them..

For any that have seen the movie Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs. Even if you have not seen it I will share. The son in the movie is a scientist, with good computer skills and invention minded. His dad is a Fisherman that runs a fish shop. Fishing is all he knows. He is always giving fishing metaphors, the son never understood till the end when they put a translator device on him.. all the fishing talk was a way to tell his son he loved him.. In my home, I used garden metaphors we all have our ways of saying, you are cared for and loved

Anyone that has read the Five Languages Of Love knows there are so many ways of sharing love. Sometimes our ways of showing and receiving love don’t match.

During the pandemic, I have had to find different ways to express my love. I’m one that shows love through touch, time and service. I have not been able to see some of the people I love through the lockdown. I have sent gifts, made phone calls, drive-by meals at the door and online movie dates. Spending time with my pets is also a way I’m showing love.

Some of us have had to shut out feelings of love for one reason or another, love is not always easy. If someone is open to sharing a loving gesture with you, know they are likely trying to bring light to your world. It is ok not to feel love the way others feel love, it is ok to not say I love you with words. Sometimes that is something we need to work through as people that have had hurt. Learning to accept love after trauma, can be a hard step, move at a pace that works for your mind and heart.

Something I have learned, love is abundant, It is ok to love more than one person. For many years I had this thought that loving more than one person was wrong. Then I thought about it differently thinking you have friends and family you care for, it is ok to own that feeling.

Looking forward to reading about your ways of receiving and sharing love with others.

Love songs Photo by Jacek Skorupski from Pexels

Growing time

January 21, 2021January 20, 2021 Earthy Views

You are likely thinking it is January, what are you thinking about growing in the depth of winter.

Plants take planning, you can just plant a seed and watch it grow (I will add a few tips for people that want to try one potted plant) and something for the “Die Hard”. Gardeners Garden/ planting information for all.

This time of year is when we plot our gardens. Trying to find anywhere that one can buy dirt at this time of year is like searching for gold in an empty bucket. I think you might need a bigger reading beverage for today. I did not intend this to be so long, I guess you found one of the topics that makes my heart blossom!. Enjoy the read.

I draw out an idea of what I want to plant and where best to have it. I have started lemon cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, eggplants, green onions (They are cuttings from store-bought onions) and hot peppers in my plant room. All but the green onions will be staying in my warm well-lit plant room. The dragon fruit plants are shy, they are hiding to the left.

Photo by me; the plants in my grow room are posing for you.

To anyone that would like to plant something: plant for the first time. Ask yourself would you like an edible plant or a decorative plant. If you would like an edible plant You could choose a herb like basil, mint (This could take over, please plant it in its own pot) or a bean plant. They are very easy to grow. You don’t need to go to a fancy plant store. I have bought some small bags of dirt, a pot, seeds and a watering can all from the dollar store. Less than $10 can have you growing something! I would recommend reading about any plant you want to grow. Make sure your home can handle the plant you choose. If you are growing plants around pets/kids please make sure that the plant you choose is not toxic to pets or other members of your family. Amy Pennington Has written some lovely things on year-long gardening, cooking with what you grow and living a well-rounded life.

Photo by me of my spinach and lettuce seedlings

For the new gardeners, I would like to tell you my mom bought a single beefsteak tomato a few years ago. She bought dirt and thought what the heck I will grow it on my apartment balcony. Mom’s place faces west, she grew tomatoes there all summer. She said they tasted so good and brought her joy all summer!

Health benefits of growing plants: They provide oxygen to you as they take carbon dioxide out of the air, that is the stuff we breathe out. They can lower stress, if you are working with them they can promote movement. In my family, they have been a great tool for depression and anxiety. It gives you something to look forward to, something to care for. I have so many plants with different shapes and colours, I find it stimulating to the eye.

In the later summer last year, I topped my community garden plot with a heavy layer of hay, the dirt we had in the had lost a lot of good nutrients and it was not staying wet enough. My little sugar baby watermelons loved the hay, it grew 3 little watermelons! We had one for October Thanksgiving, since it was a very small meal due to Covid restrictions.

One of my family members moved home and brought plants with them. So I have lots of beautiful growing things in my home. Outside in our round totes, our rhubarb is poking through the dirt. The strawberry tower, blueberry bush, grapes and the currants are still in their winter slumber dormancy stage.

Once you get into the garden season more, there is the native story I love of the Three Sisters, it is the way to get the most out of each other the plant’s strengths. So you plant beans corn and squash together. This can be done in a small square foot garden. You would plant the corn and the stock of the growing corn will be the support for the beans to grow up, the beans will give the soil the nitrogen to help feed the other plants and the squash will give ground cover to the others and help to keep the moisture in. This is one wonderful example of companion planting. How to plant the three sisters.

Could not find the artist (said clip art) here is the link
https://webstockreview.net/image/beans-clipart-corn/265045.html

Looking forward to reading what you are growing, how you new gardeners are enjoying your plants. If you are not into plants or gardens share what plants you walked or seen that you really enjoyed. Take care till next time.

Growing With Music

January 14, 2021January 15, 2021 Earthy Views

My world has a lot of music in it, do you ever think about how music has influenced health, healing and growth. Before you were born, you were exposed to sound, maybe even music. Many lives have been exposed to some form of music. Our heartbeats hold a rhythm, which craves patterns of other rhythms. I read when babies first cry, it matches the rhythm of their mothers voice.

I have read lots about the benefits of music on humans, animals and even the growth of plants.

Photo by **RODNAE Productions** from **Pexels**

Music is very powerful, it holds many memories in our lives. My Nana (grandma’s mom) Loved music, when I went to visit her we would put on a record. She loved Hooked On Classic and Swing. I don’t recall if she herself sang, but she loved to dance. Her and I would dance in the living room. I would sing, I sang in a school choir, we had the opportunity to go to Portland Oregon to sing in a large competition. Our choir came in second. I love spending time with my dear friend, he too loves music. Sometimes we get together and put on music we love and sing. Many times have shared music in my life, my family might remember all the songs sung or the musical instruments people played.

Learning a new language can be made easier through music, rhythm helps our brains learn.

For people with different brain damage or degenerative conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s music can be an awakening for those that have lost their inner love and glow through Music therapy. The reason music triggers a response in people with brain deterioration is the part of the brain, the auditory cortex, handles the sound from your ear to the brain. It is also is the last to be effected. Seen in this lovely documentary ALIVE INSIDE

It is about how music can bring the spirit and a step back into those who seemed to have lost their soul to keep going. I hope my family still sings to me if my mind ages. I hope they sing for themselves and each other.

Dagmar Turner a woman who played violin while surgeons did brain surgery to remove a tumor. This is so they know they haven’t affected the part of the brain that controls these skills.

Music can also have an effect on how a plant will grow, depending on the type of music you play for it. Mythbusters did a show on how plants did with different music, voices and silence. The plants in the heavy metal greenhouse had the most growth

If you want to feel emotions or share emotions with others try music that speaks to their hearts. Looking forward to reading about how music has impacted your world. I really wanted to share so much more with everyone on this topic. There is so many things music represents.

First photo Photo by Breakingpic from Pexels

Stange sayings

January 7, 2021January 6, 2021 Earthy Views

Have you thought about were saying like flying by the seat of your pants, raining cats and dogs, or saved by the bell came from? In the English language, we have lots of interesting statements. I would love to ask my friends from other parts of the world if they have these strange sayings.

Raining cats and dogs did not come about because of cats and dogs, it was more because houses use to have thatch roofs, that the small animal like mice, birds and other animals would go there for comfort and shelter but when heavy rains came down so did the roofs with the animals that sheltered there. Many parts of the world had a variant of this phrase used in many different languages. Romanian: plouă cu broaşte (“raining frogs”) Swedish: Det regnar småspik (“It is raining small nails”) I thought this one was funny in a kinda gross way. French: il pleut comme vache qui pisse (“it is raining like a peeing cow”)

One I use in my life is for crying out tears, I know that is just something I started Saying, so like many phrases, someone just started using them and they stuck.

Flying by the seat of your pants was used in reference to pilots in the 1930’s using their intuition with the parts of the body that had the most contact with the plane, due to planes not having the gauges that they have nowadays.

Site I took the photo from: https://xn--f1kamratfrening-htb.se/foersta-flygkaren-f1-flygplan.html

Saved by the bell was one that boxers would have the advantage of the bell ringing to end the round when the fight was not going so well. It was an old tale that it was to do with people being buried alive in the coffins. This was a debunked explanation.

Things that I would hear in my life as a child.

Find a penny pick it up and all the day you’ll have good luck, or a penny for your thoughts.(Canada no longer has pennies in circulation, February 4, 2013, they announced that the Canadian mint would no longer be making pennies) Did you know there is a flip side to that saying? Money used to be thought of as gifts from the gods, which brought with it good luck and bad, if you picked up a penny that was on the tails side it was thought to bring you bad luck. This makes me think how much value was put on a penny, now a penny so worthless, it is more expensive to make than the value of it’s use.

One I have used is it is just a hop skip and a jump away… I don’t even know where this came from, likely something my grandmother said. Where she got it, hmm who knows.

How about they are under the weather or was someone’s nose out of joint. Was something out of sorts. What did you hear or use in your life?

First photo, Photo by Johannes Rapprich from Pexels

Goals, a good start to the year

December 31, 2020December 31, 2020 Earthy Views

We are coming to the end of this year, I have covered all kinds of topics. The Value Of Hugs, Food and drinks to enjoy small celebrations during the pandemic all while having Raving Squirrel Brain.

It might be time to plan to set New Year’s resolutions or focus on our goals. I have been one to set goals in many aspects of my life, I try to do this in early January. Like my gingerbread truck idea from my last post, some things just don’t get finished… or started for that matter.

One method for goal planning is Vision boards/Dream boards. I have not done this form of year start goal setting but I have had friends do classes in this form for many years. They really like it.

What is a vision board?

It is a place one puts up pictures or words to create a visual reminder of what you hope to stay focused on achieving. My grandparents would put a picture on the fridge of what we wanted to work towards, They wanted a new car, so they found a photo of want they wanted and put it on the fridge, then they would set goals to be able to achieve the vision. The difference in definition between vision and goal. Vision; the act or power of anticipating that which will or may come to be. Goal; the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.

Other differences between vision boards and goals. Visions are limitless. Goals are very specific steps to get to completed end results.

What I have done in our family is grab tea and have a group meeting, we took the time to make a list of obtainable goals. We took different aspects of our lives and put different ideas under them. Headers we used: Reading, relaxation, relationships, self-care, financial, materialistic things we wanted to purchase, learning goals, household repairs or upgrades and free time achievements.

My list would have an amount of time I would like to spend reading each week, writing notes to friends, what time I would try to be in bed (did not mean I would always be able to sleep at that time, but I would stick try to stick to the time I set). I would break it down to how many notes I wanted to write in one month. This year my list will have try to have my blog out every week around the same time, finishing listening to my podcast story, learning a new talent and taking supplements at least 3 times a week. I would like to say daily but I did outline small obtainable goals, this is me.. Three times a week might be real.

Photo by SevenStorm JUHASZIMRUS from Pexels

No matter what research I have done for this post the same theme that keeps coming up is acronym S.M.A.R.T.

SMART goals are:

Specific (clearly defined)
Measurable (assessable and quantifiable)
Achievable (able to be reached)
Relevant (appropriate)
Time bound (able to be prioritized)

What is the science behind why goals work? We are wired to accomplish things and tasks. When we set goals if gives our brain something to focus on and be able to achieve. Just like having a treat releases dopamine receptors setting goals and achieving the goal can have a similar effect.

When reading about the science of how setting goals affect your mind and the chemicals that are released into the body when we set and accomplish goals, I read about how they use goal setting with people that have cancer and MS even how it can have mixed effects with people that have ADHD.

Setting goals when you have a chronic condition can really change the mindset from one of doom and distress to hope and accomplishment. Setting small obtainable goals is very personal. One person’s goal might be to run every day, for someone that is struggling with low energy, mental health or long term health condition it could be “I will have a glass of water this morning”. All goals are important. Don’t get stuck in the rut of “My goal is too small”. Sometimes we need to take a small step to move at all, sometimes we don’t move as far as we want. Make goals you would like to get done in the year, break them down in to month to month or day to day if you need to. Small successes keep building us to the long term goals. You are worth it! Setting goals when living with a chronic condition. Here are strategies for setting goals when you have MS, ADHD or Cancer. Please be kind to yourself, it is very hard to manage balance.

Feel free to share your goals with me. I hope you have a positive New year. I hope we all can get relief from the pandemic in the year to come.

Photo 1 Photo by Polina Kovaleva from Pexels

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Entertaining for 2 or few

December 24, 2020December 23, 2020 Earthy Views

Today we approach December 25 some celebrate Christmas, some are just waiting for the year to end. The year has had many changes. We have missed many milestones, birthdays, weddings, parties, entertainment, and festivities. We have not been able to share many in person-times of need.

Have you been thinking about the things, foods, entertainments you can enjoy in small gatherings of 2 or in your small bubble? How about a board game like checkers, Small World, and Carcasonne. I also enjoy a card game that is called Magic The Gathering. Do you want to know about Magic The Gathering

**Attribute the author** By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1080770

What about snacks or hors d’oeuvres for you and your small bubble? As I mentioned in my last post, in years past I had guests at my home for an open house. This year we will have 3, not my whole big family and friends. So we bought some jalapeno poppers, fresh-cut veggies with homemade dip, and brie cheese. I will bake that in my little brie dish that my friend shared with me when they moved. I put them in tinfoil and bake them in the oven. I was thinking of doing a cranberry, rosemary brie. (I know this recipe says serves 4 to 8, we will have half reheated the next day). We have some chicken wings, cheese and crackers, olives, chocolates, and our homemade spicy pickles.

Baked Brie 180°C/350°F (all oven types) for 15 min then let it stand (sit out of the oven) for 5 so it will not spill over. Brie was first made in the Middle ages.

While putting this post together I found out there is a difference between hors d’oeuvres and appetizer’s. It is when it is served and how. Appetizers are served before a main meal and you often get one per person. Hors d’oeuvres are one bite that you might be served a variety of different mouthfuls!

My family and I have been planning gluten and corn free gingerbread house gingerbread art (we talked about a gingerbread house, I said what about a gingerbread truck) I might do a special post once it is done. Hummus is another thing we really like, I make all my stuff without garlic. I make yummy curry hummus.

Photo by Ekaterina Bolovtsova on Pexels.com

If you are inspired to make some appetizers/ hors d’oeuvres for light company here are many neat things for many health requirement or choices. 50 great ideas for vegan appetizer’s.

I have tried using cucumbers like crackers with humus and pickle on top they are a great option for people that are changing the carbohydrates having to eat Renal diets to help their kidney or that in their diets, you would not use the humus if you where lowing carbs.

We have been taking time to watch Kim’s Convenience Store on Netflix. Last year when plays were still something people went to the theater to see, We saw the play this show is based on. I hope you all have a peaceful week, may your lives and hearts be filled with blessings. Looking forward to reading how you all filled your time, the wonderful foods and things your shared!

My first photo was done by me.

Beverages For The Holiday’s

December 17, 2020December 17, 2020 Earthy Views

Well, tis the time of year when the weather is cooler and many of us have festive food and beverages of all kinds. Some of the festive drinks are hot, some are chilled, and some have alcohol.

In my home I have made so many lovely drinks, something the I’ve been hoping to try is homemade eggnog.

Neat how many people in my family enjoy different beverages. One likes the orange and clove drinks and then some like the coffee eggnog drink have made for years. I have a cranberry mulled drink that many enjoy. In past years, our home has hosted an open house on December 24. I always fix people up with a specials drink that suits there personality and taste buds. I’m mindful of diet needs including food restrictions. It has been fun keeping it creative.

Here is how I make the hot cranberry drink, I use one litre of apple juice as the base, a cup of whole cranberries and two tablespoons of mulling spices. Simmer that on the stove until the flavour is strong enough for your liking. I have put orange slices in this blend too. I can share this with my vegan and paleo friends. I remind my diabetic people that apple juice is high in natural sugar, I do not buy brands with extra sweetener. Enjoy a cup, please remember to check your blood sugars over the holidays! Stresses and foods we don’t enjoy every day can spike your blood sugars.

My coffee eggnog beverage is made with one shot of espresso (regular medium brew), warmed eggnog (dairy or non dairy), and stirred with a cinnamon stick. I don’t really have a recipe it is made in a one cup serving. I might make one before the blog goes up to give you a recipe. You know that recipe you have just make forever that you just know it works. A dash of this, a splash of that. Not sure my family likes my fly by the seat of my pants cooking style. I’m not sure how many thing I make that they could recreate. I hope they were watching!

After work I tested out my espresso beverage, if you have an espresso maker you want brew 4 oz (120 ml) of strong expresso, I pre heat the eggnog about 2 minutes in a 1000 watts microwave for 1cup (250ml), that is enough for 2 people to enjoy the drinks. Or on the stove just under boiling, I pour half in both cups add the expresso. I have a cappuccino steam part to my maker so I put 2 oz (60ml) of the espresso-eggnog mix in there and froth it. If you don’t have that steam part you can briskly hand whisk the hot eggnog before adding it to the coffee. You will stir the coffee before the froth with a cinnamon stick. Leave the stick in and serve or enjoy it yourself. Great way for the much needed false energy boost! I have mine about 8 pm on most December 24, whee!

Yes Keto people we have something for you, no I’m not going to just recommend water! Try one with alcohol Sugar-free Gingerbread Martinis

Or ones without. Keto drinks are low sugar so they also can be enjoyed by people on sugar restricted lifestyles or diets. Cranberry Lime Spritzer.

20 Comforting & Delicious Low Carb Hot Drink Recipes

How about winter smoothies? Smoothies are great when you need something to boost your energy and immune system. A great way to start the day of a heavy feast. The enzymes and vitamins help to break down foods. When whole foods are pureed in the smoothie, your gut has an easier time to use the good things. It also helps stabilize your blood sugars through the day.

Have you thought about different parts of the world and what dishes the festive drinks they enjoy? This blogger has shared 9 great drink from different parts of the world https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/nine-delicious-holiday-drinks-around-world-180973832/

History of some poplar holiday drinks.

What ever you celebrate remember you can create any traditions you like, talking over Zoom an online chatting platform, many have share they are creating new traditions and memories this year. So if you are trying to live within the health guidelines of your area during this pandemic, why not tray a new drink. I would love to read what beverages you enjoy. I raise my glass (mug of hot water) and toast to a year of new beginnings and better health.

Photo by **Brigitte Tohm** from **Pexels**

The first Photo by Jill Wellington from Pexels

The second Photo by Olenka Sergienko from Pexels

Raving Squirrel Brain

December 10, 2020December 10, 2020 Earthy Views

Writing this week’s blog has been like trying to tame raving squirrels, they are scattering ideas all over.

I’m not sure if you can picture wild partying squirrels, let me tell you it can be a mess. Tossing winter drink ideas, festive foods for people that have special dietary, cultural, and spiritual needs.

For more than 10 mins I was sidetracked finding the right photo for this writing, did you ever think you could eat squirrel meat? I found a cute, not gory picture of butcher squirrel cuts.

I really must get this blog brain on track!

Maybe blogging is sometimes walking away to make a meal, self-care, getting stuck on photos that make your smile, or finding some other blogger that used a similar photo, stopping to read the blog and laugh at their awesome writing! Great now I can’t find her blog, trust me it was funny!

Someday’s being a blogger looks like setting a goal for when you get home from work, you tell yourself you will not get on the new computer game (Atlas on Steam) till you have your blog ready to be launched for the next morning. Being a blogger is kinda like playing human.. “Real life happens” So be kind to yourself. Beating yourself up does not get the blog done either.

I really am enjoying the new game, I bought it on sale for 3 people and group gaming is helping me feel less isolated.

For any that read last week’s post, thought I would let you know the dog is feeling somewhat better, he is struggling a bit but the vet said he will be ok.

Do you game? Do you have gaming guidelines? What games do you play? Let me know if you have coping skills around tasks.

Hey! I looked again I found that blogger, she made me laugh. Thank you Heather

Take care till I post again.

Holiday self-care

December 3, 2020December 5, 2020 Earthy Views

Holidays can be very hard at the best of times. This will be the hardest year many of us have had. Remember we all come from different backgrounds, traditions and upbringing. Some had loving memories of time spent with people they cared about. Others struggled with negative memories. Stress and anxiety may not play kindly.

Whether you are relieved to spend time alone or you are missing people. Taking care of your physical and mental health is very important. You are important! If you are someone that takes vitamins please know the best mix for the changing seasons. If you don’t maybe talk to your doctor or alternative practitioner about what might benefit you. I switched my vitamins last month to help fight the blahs of longer, darker days.

Setting a water goal can help. Clean water helps our bodies run better. Like an engine needs oil our brains and bodies need water to function. My friend and I were using the little Genies on the cell phone emojis that would be our “Water genies.” There is a blue one and a red one if I had hot water I would use the red one with how much water I drank. She did the same. We did better with keeping track.

I have made myself and my family stress reduction boxes. You can use whatever works to keep your things in. You want it to be portable so you can grab something on the go to aid in feeling better. A care box is something you build to help when you feel stressed, blah, sad or angry. If we need to distract, defuse or change our pattern of thinking. This box can be a blessing.

Things you can put in a shoebox, backpack, basket, really anything that is easy to pull out the things to aid you in feeling calmer and work towards healing. Non-alcoholic drinks like tea or a juice box, sparkling water. You can put a small craft in or game, gum, bubbles to blow ( they help with deep breathing and opening our lungs) writing pad, drawing pens a stress ball, a kaleidoscope, essential oils, any small things that help you feel better. I found a plastic smiling poo in a dollar store for a box I made for someone, I called it when poop hits the fan box. They ready liked it. Handwarmer and a healthy snack can be great things to add.

Eating at regular times can help balance you mood by keeping blood sugars regulated. People in the health field suggest small meals or snacks ever four hours. Healthy foods prompt wellness and give you better immune support.

Make a list of things that help you feel better. Maybe soak your feet, have a shower a bath while watching a funny show. You can add people to contact that promote your feeling better. Get into the fresh air, loving a pet or nature. Hang out in a cozy spot and read. Remember it is ok to take time for you.

Humor when we are having a hard go, sometimes it is hard to find humor. Laughter has health benefits and is very healing. Comedians I enjoy is Gabriel Iglesias and Michael McIntyre Tonight when I was finishing up the post, I had some of my own stress, my 16 year old dog was having a hard health night after making sure he was stable and calling to make a vet appointment for him I watch the above videos! I feel a bit better.

If you are on medication please remember this is part of keeping you healthy. Please follow the instructions from your practitioner.

If you need help please contact a support line.

Take time to smile and be thankful.

The bath tub photo is by Photo by Taryn Elliott

Sharing Joy

November 26, 2020December 2, 2020 Earthy Views

When you’re thinking of who is being affected during the pandemic, what comes to mind?

I think of the seniors, I have heard from people in my life talking about the toll it is having on the lives of the older people. It got me thinking about ways that we could help all people feel less alone.

I saw a family standing on the sidewalk this week smiling and waving an older lady in her apartment window that touched my heart.

If you know someone that is needing a little encouragement you could write a letter

or make a small card If you are new to handwritten letters here is good instructions to help you. Even how to address the envelope! https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Letter-to-a-Friend

Cards: craft.https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/diy-christmas-cards-4177042

One thing I like to do is, include a self-addressed return address with a stamp, then people that might not wish to go out can write you back without worrying about having a stamp. When I’m writing to someone with a visual impairment I write the note bigger or type it in a large font.

Being a lover of tea, I sometimes add a package of my favorite tea, with a short note that says I will be thinking about you when I have my next tea, hope you enjoy yours.

If you are musically inclined you could go do distance playing an instrument or sing for then from outside where they live. We can send a meal to them via a delivery service, like Uber eats, send flowers is also an option.

I had many great time hearing this in my family.

Have you thought about making them a voice recording or a cd of music they would love?

Video chats are another way to stay connected. Google (Hangeouts), Facebook, Zoom and Skype are some of the programs I know of for video chats.

Picking up the phone, so they can hear you, touching people with the sound of your voice is great. Sometimes with the phone, we need to set a time limit, which can be hard but it is ok to let time to talk. You can say “Hey I don’t have long to talk but you were on my mind and I wanted to say a quick hi”

Some people I know are helping each other feel thought about by lending movies, books or music via drop off at the door no contact. This can work for people in care facilities too, phone the office of where your human resides, ask if it is ok if I drop off something for them. Put their name on it and your phone number then drop it at the front desk. You can add a little handwritten note as well.

I have been enjoying Teleparty with friends and some of the groups I belong to. It is a way to watch a movie or show at different homes with a built-in typing chat. So you can watch the movie and type to your friends. This is something that can only be used on Chrome browser on a laptop or a desktop computer, sadly phones and tablets are not yet supported.

If you want to give it a try you both must have the paid supported platforms. Here is a link to see if you have one of the supported platforms. Teleparty https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/netflix-party-is-now-tele/oocalimimngaihdkbihfgmpkcpnmlaoa?hl=en

Here is a YouTube link to help you, I had a hard time getting this working when I started. I would have liked a video then. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgNGiSWaX_k

Dropping off surprises for people can be a valued way to let people know you are thinking of them.

There are some groups out there that you can sign up for that you get neat things/surprises dropped off. Please don’t ever drop off anything to people without knowing for sure it is ok to share a dropped off a surprise.

Hope you all do something nice for you or someone else!