Living la Vida Oprah, part 5 by Margaret Ullrich

I’m looking forward to returning Robyn Okrant’s book Living Oprah… 

Robyn is surprised by her tolerance for all the advertising done during the show.

She’s also wary of the most influential woman in America doing all that advertising.

Oprah occasionally urges her viewers to be stop buying so much stuff.

To Robyn it sounds like Philip Morris’s Youth Tobacco Prevention Department.

Oprah tells women to love their vulvas.

So, Robyn grabs a mirror, takes a look, and says she likes what she sees.

Like I said, I’m older than Robyn, so this was a flashback to the early 70s.

Except for the occasional white hair, the general area hasn’t changed since then, so if you’ve done it once, well no surprises there.

Unmarried Oprah has rules for how long wives should kiss their husbands (10 seconds) and how they should prepare for sex with their husbands (scrub up first).

Oprah, who has a housekeeper, also has ideas on cleaning a home.

I can’t help wondering if Oprah is actually a satire, like The Colbert Report.

Oprah also has views on how we should celebrate the holidays: what to do, how to decorate, what to eat.

As a single, childless woman with no noticeable extended family, this is doable.

Add a spouse, children or relatives or - oh, horrors, all three - and it’s a hassle.

Robyn’s family patiently went along with Oprah’s recipes.

Her aunt did say, “Oprah really loves grated orange zest… Who uses that much zest?”

But, except for the zest comment, the Oprah Thanksgiving went relatively smoothly.

Her Ma liked the thank you cards.

The family played Oprah’s version of ‘Truth or Dare’.

But it doesn’t sound like there’ll be a repeat next Thanksgiving.

On to December… probably Robyn’s saddest chapters.

She had to catch up with a few Oprah projects, including driving to a dreaded live Céline Dion performance.

The long list of projects are giving her stress attacks and nightmares.

She’s shocked to realize how she’s accepted Oprah’s clothing choices.

I’m really feeling sorry that Robyn put herself through all this.

Oprah has gotten fat again, but she’ll be able to work it into the show.

Maybe she got fat so she’d have a topic for her show?

Where does the show end and Oprah begin, or vice versa?

The Best Life Week in 2009 is going to be better than the one she had in 2008.

Was last year’s Best Life a practice run?  

Will there be a better Best Life in 2010?

Robyn’s family endured another Oprah dictated holiday.

The store-bought crust was the best part of the dessert recipe.

Following Oprah has had an effect on Robyn’s health and her RealAge.

What she gained through diet, exercise and vegan cleanse, she lost through stress.

December 31 saw Robyn buying a ‘fabulous’ chair and beans.

She also delivered books to a local charity as part of her Big Give.

When Robyn and Jim stopped for a quick meal, a woman recognized her.

Comments of, ”That’s just crazy.  She’s crazy.”  wafted to Robyn’s table.

Crazy.  Not a cheery thought on which to end a year or a project.

There were other assignments Robyn had to complete before the year ended.

Exhausted, she cancelled her usual New Year’s Day gathering.

Following Oprah does not leave time for socializing with friends.

A few days later Robyn heard two elderly women discuss Oprah’s political influence:

“Oprah? She sells flowers and soap.  What does she know about government?”

Like I said a few weeks ago, maybe it’s a generational thing.

It’s hard for us older women to accept Oprah’s orders on the right way to live.

Oprah means well, but she basically sells lots and lots of stuff.

Maybe actual good advice doesn’t sell anything.

Robyn feels she had done Oprah a disservice by wondering if she can understand the priorities of a real woman.

I would never say Oprah is not a real or normal woman.

But what I would say is that her lifestyle is not one most women share.

No problem with that.  Oprah is a real woman who lives a unique lifestyle.

Except that Oprah keeps giving advice on how other women, who live lives that are quite different than hers, should live.

Robyn still believes Oprah seeks to empower women.

Oprah said when receiving a Lifetime Achievement Emmy, “I choose to use it (television) in whatever way I can… to make people lead better lives.”

Oprah may be sincere, but who made her the judge of what makes for a better life?

And doesn’t empowered mean a woman has the confidence to make her own decisions instead of being told what to do on a daily basis?

When we first marched for women’s rights we never thought the movement would result in an Oprah.

Not that there’s a problem with a super successful woman.

But we never meant for our daughters to become addicted to needing anyone’s advice.

We marched so our kids would be free to think, not to take orders.

I think that the next time I’m in the library I’ll walk past the Oprah magazines.

About tonight’s new moon in Taurus…
According to the folks at astrology.com:
Solar eclipses are quite dramatic. This one, in a sign that rules your values and finances, casts a major spotlight on how you handle your money… this is an ideal time to be practical… take this opportunity to get a handle on your material life.
You'll then be able to make sensible decisions that will, in turn, help make your life more comfortable and secure.

The solar eclipse occurs on Monday and Tuesday, April 28-29 at 11:14pm PDT. This is what is called an annular eclipse, when a narrow rind of the Sun is visible around the dark mass of the Moon. It is visible in Antarctica and the southern most parts of the East.

Happy Balsamic Moon… celebrate the end of a cycle so a new one can enter. 

This is a great year to celebrate the power gate of Beltaine (May 1-6), the old Celtic festival of the beginning of summer and the season of fertility. 
We dance around the May Pole to raise the twin masculine and feminine energies of life to weave them into new life for the year, both for the Earth and for ourselves. 

This year, go out and help our Mother Earth to regenerate us all!

Just so you know….

Virtual Telescope Project and the Slooh Community Observatory both offer live viewing of the eclipse on the internet. (Slooh also offers free tablet apps for easier viewing.) 

The eclipse begins at 8:53 pm Pacific time on April 28, and ends at 1:15 am April 29.

Living la Vida Oprah, part 4 by Margaret Ullrich

Going through Autumn in Robyn Okrant’s book Living Oprah… 

  

The August shows were inspired by the campaigns leading to the October election.

Oprah supports the Democrat candidate, Obama.

She had a few shows about how badly America was doing under the Republicans.

The anti-Republican shows - coincidence or what?

Robyn is noticing that, since January, she has become more aware of her appearance.

She’s becoming sick of seeing Dr. Mehmet Oz as a celebrity and possible spin off.

She’s also having problems with the advice, sales pitches and Oprah’s metaphors.

By September Oprah's wifely advice from the 50s was becoming a problem.

Maybe if Oprah were married she’d have more insights into modern marriages.

Robyn admitted that the project was making life difficult for her husband, Jim.

The article “48 Decisions We’ve Made for You” appeared in O.

Presumably, as head of the organization, Oprah condoned the piece.

Another topic in O magazine, “5 Friends Every Woman Should Have”, was so adolescent that it was embarrassing.

As was reading that Robyn finally had an S-shaped stool sample.

Oprah’s shows were about Barack Obama and folks who were survivors.

Oprah told her audience they had to see a live Céline Dion performance.

Robyn doesn't like Céline.  No matter, she has to go to a show.

October brought Robyn to a couple of realizations, Oprah's Aha moments.

Robyn is worried about being able to take responsibility for her decisions after obeying Oprah for a whole year.

While many of the shows had been on self care, Robyn doesn’t think Oprah will take care of herself by lightening up on all her projects and ventures.

Robyn also guested on NBC’s The Today Show, where fans called her “Oprah Lady!”

She doesn’t like losing her identity and becoming “Oprah Lady”.

Robyn decided to return a free Kindle she’d received from Oprah.

She felt it compromised the opinions expressed in her project, and her integrity.

One wonder why Oprah didn’t realize that it was unethical before sending the gift.

Some of Robyn’s readers were angered by her decision, others respected it.

Yes, success is complicated.

Oprah made a few announcements: “Do what you love and the money will come.”

Also “I don’t believe in luck.  I think luck is preparation meeting opportunity.”  

These statements didn’t sit well with Robyn.

In Robyn’s notes for 10/23 she quoted Oprah: “Following your passion, allowing yourself to be paid for what you love will give you a meaningful life.” (SHOW)

In response Robyn wrote: “Well I am following my passion. And I’m allowing myself to get paid for what I love. And I know the universe will shower me with salary any moment now.  Any moment… Universe?… (O)

Even Robyn realizes that attaining financial success is more complicated than implied by Oprah’s simplistic views.

Living la Vida Oprah, part 3 by Margaret Ullrich

Back to Robyn Okrant’s book Living Oprah… 

April brought Clarity, enlightenment and highlighters…

Obeying Oprah, with all her contradictions, is giving Robyn nightmares.

One minute it’s "No emotional eating" then it’s  "Enjoy a huge ice cream dessert".

Is Oprah confused, or is she having mood swings?

Why chide an audience for wastefulness, then give an SUV as a gift?

Does she know what she is saying, or is she merely reading cue cards?

The lines between Oprah as a person, a mentor and a marketing power are blurred.

Her choosing Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose for her webinar reminded me of the Beatles.

The Beatles wrote great music, no argument there.

But follow the Maharishi as a spiritual guide because they had said so?

Yeah… I remember how enlightened their fights were by the end of the 60s.

Robyn thought it was brave that Oprah chose Eckhart Tolle for the book club.

Sure, she wasn’t alive when the Beatles were at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram.

May brought celebrities and Oprah’s suggestion to view her show on past life regression with an open mind.

Robyn thinks that when Oprah said, "I don’t get excited about a lot of things" that it meant that Oprah is so vital that she would be bored if she stopped growing.

Personally, if I heard a friend say she no longer got excited about most things in life, I’d be worried that she was clinically depressed.

But maybe that’s because I’m older and have seen a few friends having problems.

May was also the month of the 21 day vegan cleanse.

Easy for Oprah, she has a professional chef; most of the audience doesn’t.

Robyn is beginning to tire of Oprah’s focus on women’s bodies, specifically the weight of those bodies.

There was also a recipe for Donald Trump’s hugely overpriced turkey burger.

No, I won’t make that.

June was the month of Living with less while dreaming of more.

Oprah also said, "I think everybody should have a little garden."

I like gardening, but many don’t, and I wouldn’t tell everybody to do it.

Robyn has to move due to a rent increase and hates having to get rid of books.

Now there’s something else I have in common with her.

About books… Oprah assigned "The Five Books Everyone Needs to Read Once… they will blow open your understanding of the world."

Not really.  I’d already read three, and don’t see what the fuss is about.

The month ended with making a vision board as in the book and movie The Secret.  

As in "If you want it, you’ll get it… all your problems are your fault."  Give me a break!

In July Robyn coped with her own growing fame when there was a piece about her blog in a free weekly newspaper and she was invited to be a guest on a radio program.

She’s upset at losing her anonymity and has to make compromises.

This gave Robyn a few insights into Oprah’s life, its compromises and its difficulties.

While not making the same kind of money, Robyn feels Oprah’s pain.

The Dalai Lama quote Robyn had seen at Kripalu (a healthful living retreat in Massachusetts) summed it up quite nicely:

Through compassion, you find that all human beings are just like you.

Namaste.

Living la Vida Oprah, part 2 by Margaret Ullrich

Back to Robyn Okrant’s book Living Oprah…

I wasn’t too impressed with what I’d read in the January chapter.

February, what Robyn called An enterprising month, wasn’t much better.

Robyn mentioned that some of Oprah’s assignments made her hackles rise.

I’d have to say some of them made my breakfast rise.

One guest, Dr. Mehmet Oz, had an antiaging plan.

For someone Robyn’s age that just refers to smoothing wrinkles and hiding grey hair.

Dr. Oz’s advice was same old, same old… fibre, exercise and antioxidants.

Robyn was also told that the best fecal matter is S-shaped.  Really.

Antiaging means something a little different when you’re a senior.

If you’re not getting older, then you have died.  Those are our options.  

A new eye cream is not going to make a bit of difference.

About the fecal matter… when I’m scooping out a bit for my annual fecal occult tests I do not care if the poop is shaped like an S or like a pretzel.

It’s in the bowl, I scoop a bit, shmear it on the card, end of story. 

Robyn attended a taping of an Oprah show, where William Shatner was the guest.

She and the others had to prove they’d been fans of the original Star Trek.

As in Tina Fey dressed as Princess Leia to avoid jury duty on 30 Rock.

The audience was reminded to shop at The Oprah Store, near the studio.  Really.

There was a disturbing section on Oprah’s endorsement of Obama.

As a Canadian, I have no problem with Oprah’s choice or with Obama as president.

I have a problem with Oprah using her power on voters who obey everything she says.

In 2007 USA Today ranked Oprah as the most influential woman of the past 25 years.

That doesn’t make her an expert on what’s best for any person or country.

As Voltaire and Stan Lee (through Spider-Man) once said:

"With great power comes great responsibility."

I was not impressed with Oprah’s "Seize the opportunity… We need Barack Obama."

The chapter on March was about what Oprah does best: telling people to shop.

Oprah had a list of 12 items of clothing women need to own to be properly dressed.

The first item was a trenchcoat.

In 1967 I'd bought a creamsicle orange trenchcoat and a shiny plastic orange hat.
The hat was very similar to that worn by Clint Eastwood in his spaghetti western days.

When I wore the outfit to work a co-worker asked if my horse was tied outside.

End of my trenchcoat wearing days.

About the other items: turtlenecks, white jeans, cashmere sweater, an oversized bag, leopard print flats… It must have been meant as an April Fool’s show.

Robyn also wrote about reality TV shows, especially the ambush makeover shows.

I have to admit that I was a fan of What Not to Wear.

But Stacy and Clinton gave advice geared to a particular woman’s shape and age.

They had enough respect and sense to realize that one size NEVER fits all.

Oprah’s list and comments - “You need a crisp white shirt” - are useless.

I’d worn white shirts as part of my school uniform for 12 years, and that was enough.

I’m warming up to Robyn.

Along with sharing scoliosis, we each have a limited style sense and frizzy hair.

I’m losing patience with Oprah.  

About tomorrow’s full moon in Libra…

It’s also called a "Seed Moon", "Sprouting Grass Moon", "Egg Moon" and “Fish Moon”.

In some areas there might’ve been some sense to the names.

Not here.  Not this Spring.

According to the folks at astrology.com:
The full Moon in the social sign of Libra highlights how you get along with people. 

Think of a lunar eclipse as a bright beam of light that follows you - you may be able to run, but you can't hide! Plan on hitting a few unexpected snags. 

Since people are especially emotional this week, do what you can to create peace.

Living la Vida Oprah, part 1 by Margaret Ullrich

The snow is finally melting.

Does it feel like Spring?

No, not really.

About two weeks ago I borrowed Robyn Okrant’s book Living Oprah from the library.

It’s about Robyn’s one year experiment in following everything Oprah said to do.

Robyn wasn’t exactly unique in taking advice from Oprah.

In 2007 USA Today ranked Oprah as the most influential woman of the past 25 years.

In 2010, Life magazine named her one of the 100 people who changed the world.

I’m impressed, but, to be honest, I just never really got into Oprah.

Nothing personal, I was busy with other things when she started her rise to fame.

Robyn did this project in 2008, at the age of 35.

In 2008 I was 58, old enough to have been Robyn’s mother.

Okay… maybe I should’ve read the inside notes before I borrowed the book.

I don’t know for sure, but I think there’s a generation issue here.

Oprah was born on January 29, 1954, while I was born on May 1, 1950.

Don’t bother doing the math… I have a few years on Oprah, too.

Oprah’s a few months older than my kid sister.

Do you always ask a younger sibling for advice on what to do?

In my teens I'd read Ingenue, a teen's version of O, The Oprah Magazine.

It came complete with stories, advice, and quizzes, as well as dating, clothing and make up hints - everything a teen needed.

Then there was Cosmo, Ladies’ Home Journal, McCall, Women’s Day and Family Circle.

I also watched the Phil Donahue Show, the first tabloid talk show.

So I’ve had my fair share of letting other people tell me what to do.

About Phil… he was born in 1935, so he is older than I am.

So maybe that helped make him seem like an authority figure to me.

He didn’t have the same technology or social network backup in those days.

Oprah has The Oprah Winfrey Show, O, The Oprah Magazine, and Oprah.com.

Oh, well, I guess that's progress.

Like I said, before picking up Robyn’s book I had just read O in the library.

I usually like some of the articles in her magazine.

I just skim through the advice and pretty much ignore the clothes and ads.

I mean, Oprah’s choice in fashions is for a crowd a bit younger than I am.

Well, that’s not any different from what I’ve seen in other magazines.

And the ‘must have’ products she likes to suggest?  

Pul-eese… I just got through tossing out a bunch of junk.

Anyway, back to Robyn Okrant’s project…

January 2008 started with Robyn serving pureed spinach hidden in blueberry bars, Robyn being ordered to get her clothes tailored, and a plug for Dr. Christiane Northrup’s book Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom.

Big news: a grown woman has to be her own health advocate.

Really? THAT’S what she calls advice?  Wait’ll she hears what seniors have to do.

Robyn also wrote about how she’d had a long history with The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Oprah had been telling Robyn and her Mom how to live for a few years.

Robyn lives in Chicago, where, in 1983, Winfrey started to become OPRAH.

As Robyn explained, "Sometimes you can feel her influence pulsating in the city…"

I’ve noticed there are a few potholes and bumps in Oprahland… 

How does one mesh being told to savour the simple life with the order to buy some ‘must have’ new super expensive products and clothing each and every day?

Oprah and fitness expert Bob Greene were about to start their 2008 Best Life Challenge, starting with the fat folks in Meridian, in the American state of Mississippi.

Thanks to computers, everybody else could sign the Best Life contract, too.

I don’t have much faith in this project.

If Oprah, with her wealth, personal trainer, fitness expert, chef, dietician and stylist can’t permanently drop the pounds, how will a welfare Mom who has no staff, is a whole lot busier and is struggling on a much tighter budget manage?

Oprah also has a Book of the Month club.

In January she endorsed author and spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle and his book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose.

Robyn wasn’t too thrilled with the choice or the 10-week webinar on the book.

Neither am I.

The chicken recipe sounded like a good one.

In like a lion… Out like a lion by Margaret Ullrich

About a month ago I posted about the awful weather we're having this Winter.

It seems to be the same weather we’re going to have this Spring.

Maybe it’ll hang around through Summer and Fall.

I don’t think Winter knows how to leave any more.

Even the geese don’t have much faith in Spring coming this year.

They flew to Fort Whyte, saw that there wasn’t anything but solid ice, shook their heads, and flew south and out of the city.

The wildlife manager at Fort Whyte was thinking of following them.

Those geese are smart enough to know they need open water.

Don’t ever use the term ‘Bird brain’ as an insult.

Paul and I took a short walk last week to return a few books to the library.

We really need to get back into the habit of daily walks.

The icy sidewalks aren’t giving us much incentive.

Yes, those geese had the right idea - live in an area that has what you need.

Back to the library…

My local librarians are nice folks, who know me for what I am, or rather, what I was.

No sooner had I put the books on the counter than the guy flashed a huge smile and said, “You know, we have our Mega Book Sale going on in the meeting room.”

Pointing to my now empty shopping bag, he continued, “For five bucks you could fill that bag with books.”

Now the old me, the pre-Feng Shui Your Life me, would’ve raced into that room.

I mean a big bag of books for five bucks!  Yeee Hah!!  What’s not to love?

But, the new me just didn’t feel like even looking at the library’s discards.

I smiled, thanked him, walked over to the magazines, grabbed one, strolled over to a cubicle and read the magazine in the library.

Yes, Tisha Morris really has had an effect on my life.

Maybe not her New Age, scented space clearing and bell ringing ideas.

But I’ve gotten used to cleared spaces and I have to admit I like it.

I just couldn’t bring myself to cramming more stuff into my home.

A book is something to read and return; not to clutter up my living space.

Oh, the magazine I had picked up was O, as in Oprah.

I like and admire Oprah Winfrey, but I don’t watch her show.

I also never buy her magazines.

I have to admit she does have a sense of humour about herself.

Who could forget when she guested on 30 Rock?

After I put the magazine back on the rack I passed some books.

There was a copy of Robyn Okrant’s book Living Oprah.

It’s about her one year experiment in following everything Oprah told her to do.

Was that a sign or what?

I mean, I found the book about Oprah after I put the Oprah magazine away.

I checked out the book.

The librarian remind me of their Mega Book Sale.

No way.  I have Feng Shuied myself… on to getting Oprahed!!

About tonight’s new moon in Aries…

According to the folks at astrology.com:

All new Moons are about starting new ventures.  

Aries is the sign of beginnings.   

There couldn’t be a better new Moon in all of 2014 for launching a business!

You may feel as if you're driving with one foot on the brake since Mars is retrograde, the new Moon is joined by Uranus and squared by both Pluto and Jupiter… 

multiple people have competing agendas. 

Anything you begin now needs to incorporate the needs of others. 

Be smart about the way you go about getting what you want. 

Take time to regroup, find work-arounds, or simply slow down.

The New Moon is in Aries!

What’s good for beginning a business ought to be just as good for beginning a best life.

The heck with retrograding, joining and squaring… On to living a la Oprah!

What could go wrong?

Snow, St. Patrick’s Day, Soda Bread and Stuff by Margaret Ullrich

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

With the winter we’ve been through, it doesn’t look like it’s really his feast day.

The windrows of snow in the back lanes are about a meter high.

For sure they don’t remind me of the type of weather we had for St. Patrick’s Day when my sister was being born in 1955.

Yes, I really thought my sister came from Ireland.

The 50s were a simpler time.

College Point was settled by Germans and Irish people.

During those days traditional recipes were shared.

At the very least, everyone there ate a slice of Irish Soda Bread on March 17.

Back to St. Patrick…

In 432, he used the shamrock to explain the Trinity to the Irish people.

But the celebrations in his honour don’t stop at the Irish border.

Montreal, whose flag has a shamrock, stages a huge Saint Patrick's Day parade.

In Manitoba, the Irish Association of Manitoba runs a festival of music and culture.

Yes, enjoying a slice of Irish Soda Bread is the very least one can do.

Tonight’s full moon is called a Lenten Moon by some.

Especially when, as in this year, Lent has already started.

Lent gives us forty days to do a bit of fasting and penance.

And to do Spring cleaning to get ready for Easter.

Maybe it was inspired by the ancient Roman celebration Lupercalia.

If you didn’t have time to celebrate Lupercalia last month, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to do a Feng Shui thing after you’ve done your Spring cleaning:

Light a sandalwood or frankincense incense stick.

Beginning at the front door, walk the main floor in a clockwise direction. 

Let the smoke clear the spaces of stagnant energies. 

Don’t forget corners, closets and rooms with little foot traffic. 

Return to the front door, sit and let the incense burn out. 

It's important to intend a cleanse, not just to be a walking air wick. 

Even if you did do it last month, it wouldn't hurt to do it again.

Paul and I have been tossing more stuff.

Guess we still have a touch of that feng shui fever.

With any luck we should roll out another cart - or two - for recycling before Easter.

About tonight’s full moon in Virgo…

It’s also called a Full Worm Moon or a "Sap Moon", but it’s too cold for that here.

According to the folks at astrology.com:
Are you content? Full Moons highlight your emotional connections with others, as well as your own personal feelings of well-being. 

Since Virgo represents your day-to-day work, and routines, the way in which you approach this important area of your life is extra-important now. 

Are you organized? 

Or do you find yourself trying to catch up on all the things you need to do? 

As you think about how you handle your daily life, make a plan to take better care of yourself… use this time to implement a sensible plan to make yourself more emotionally content.

Time to get organized… to become more content...

and to make some Sfingi to enjoy on St. Joseph’s Day on March 19.

Should I Stay or Should I Go? by Margaret Ullrich

We’ve been living in Winnipeg for 39 years!

Some good years, some bad years, some so-so years.

We’ve also survived 39 Winnipeg summers and winters.

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

This February will probably have a mean temperature around -20 C.

We’ve actually seen worse.

In 1979 February had an average temperature of -22.0 C.

We also had a mean temperature of -19.4 C in February, 2003.

That was 24 years later, but just eleven years ago… hmmm.

The projected winter average for 2013 - 14 is -20.2 C.

I almost said this has been the coldest winter we’ve ever seen in Winnipeg.

Nope.  Winter in our first house in Winnipeg, in 1978 - 79, was colder at -20.8 C.

Before that, the coldest winter was 29 years earlier, in 1949 - 50 at -19.8 C.

Crap… the gaps between nasty winters ARE getting shorter.

Some native Winnipeggers like to brag about surviving harsh winters.

Not me.  I’m not a native and I’m all wintered out.

Moving to Winnipeg in 1975 seemed like a good idea at the time.

Last year I posted about when we moved to Winnipeg from Surrey, British Columbia.

All it took was four fun-filled days:

• Surrey to Hope to Osoyoos to Trail
• Trail to Crowsnest Pass to Lethbridge, Alberta
• Lethbridge to Medicine Hat to Moose Jaw to Regina
• Regina to Qu'Appelle to Moosomin to Brandon to Portage la Prairie to Winnipeg

Last year I also wrote about our first apartment in Winnipeg.

It was a two room walk up, with a shared bathroom.

Hard to believe it held everything we owned.

Still, it was once our home, as was our apartment in Surrey.

In life, a person will come and go from many homes. We may leave a house, a town, a room, but that does not mean those places leave us. Once entered, we never entirely depart the homes we make for ourselves in the world. They follow us, like shadows, until we come upon them again, waiting for us in the mist. 

Ari Berk, Death Watch 

As it’s been too cold to do much walking about, I’ve been tossing out stuff.

Another whole cart of recyclables is ready to go next week.

Let’s just say I’ve still got that feng shui fever.

At this rate, I’ll be down to just enough stuff for another two room apartment.

But, if the winters keep getting colder, I wonder if that apartment will be in Winnipeg.

About tonight’s new moon in Pisces...
According to the folks at astrology.com:
You may not know if you're coming or going as a new lunar phase begins in the midst of several planets changing direction. 

Should you invest in your goals? Yes! 

Should you expect results right away? No! 

Your best course of action is to simplify your schedule for the next couple of weeks. Listen to music, walk in nature, or write in your journal. 

Also… tonight Mercury turns direct
Now it's time to incorporate everything you've learned this month! 

Hopefully you've informed yourself of all your options. 

Ordinarily, this would be an ideal time to get your revamped ideas out into the world, but since Mars turns retrograde on March 1, it will be difficult to get your plans in motion now. 

Yeah, right, walk in nature… When skin freezes in 2 minutes?  I don’t think so.

Maybe I’ll just toss out some more stuff.

Less stuff would make it easier to move to someplace warmer.

Get my plans in motion.  Sure…  If I had a plan. 

Sex, Drugs, Rock ’n Roll, Valentine's Day and Stuff by Margaret Ullrich

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ah, February… usually a quiet, not much happening time.

A time to relax and celebrate love.

A time to shovel snow here in Winnipeg.

No further word from the patriotic Winnipeg YA author on Facebook.

After folks shared their Look Back movies, Facebook settled down.

Elsewhere there’s been everything: Sex, Drugs and Rock ’n Roll.

And a few reminders that time is flying.

We were all shocked by Philip Seymour Hoffman's tragic passing.
And saddened by the loss of Shirley Temple-Black, Sid Caesar and Ralph Waite.

Also in the news...
Woody Allen’s adopted daughter renewed allegations against him.

The UN human rights committee criticized the Holy See for its attitudes toward homosexuality, contraception and abortion.

After 22 years, on February 6, Jay Leno had his second Tonight Show exit.

He first left in 2009, when he was briefly replaced by Conan O'Brien.

That didn’t go so well, so Jay came back.

He’ll be 64 this year, and said, ‘this is the right time to leave.’

Jimmy Fallon takes over Tonight in New York on Feb. 17.

Yes, they’re moving the show back to New York.

On February 7 the Winter Olympics began in Sochi.

Sports competed with Rock ’N Roll royalty on February 9, the fiftieth anniversary of 

the Beatles arrival in New York and their first performance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

This has been a busier than normal start for February.

Valentine’s Day, as usual, reminded us of the importance of love.

But this year February also reminded us that we must move with the times.

It seems February has been the time to clean house for quite a while.

February 15 was when ancient Romans celebrated Lupercalia.

Even for the Caesars, February was the time to cleanse, to let go. 

In honour of Lupercalia it wouldn’t hurt to do a Feng Shui thing:

Light a sandalwood or frankincense incense stick.

Beginning at the front door, walk the main floor in a clockwise direction. 

Let the smoke clear the spaces of stagnant energies. 

Don’t forget corners, closets and rooms with little foot traffic. 

Return to the front door, sit and let the incense burn out. 

It's important to intend a cleanse, not just to be a walking air wick. 

Well, why not.

This month we've seen a few reminders of the passing of time.

Memories are fine, they don't have to fill up boxes to be real.

As part of our plans to downsize, I’ve been tossing more stuff.

After I walk around the house with an incense stick, I’ll toss more clutter.

About tonight’s full moon in Leo…

It’s also called a Full Snow Moon or a "Hunger Moon”.

According to the folks at astrology.com:
During this attention-grabbing full Moon, conduct yourself in a way that will make you proud. The Sun and Mercury in Aquarius ask you to take into account what's best for everyone, making this a perfect time to highlight a cause that's close to your heart. 

Whether the spotlight shines on you or others, plan on experiencing a bit of drama! 

Not only is Leo a showy sign, but full Moons have a tendency to ramp up emotions; 

Mercury's retrograde is also likely to highlight misunderstandings. 

Do your best to keep your cool and not overreact!

As said in Desiderata….

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; 

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth...

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Do you know who I am? by Margaret Ullrich

This has been a brutally cold winter just about everywhere.

Most of our friends have been staying in and catching up on chores.

We’ll be free to do a lot of socializing once it gets warmer.
If that ever happens.

I’ve just thrown out another whole cartload of recyclables.

Things collect when you've lived in a house for almost 26 years.

It's funny but things that once seemed so important, just aren’t.

To be honest, some of them didn’t even bring back a memory.

A while ago I compared the passing of two actors: Larry D. Mann and Cory Monteith.

They were both Canadians, but that’s where the similarity ends.

Mann was a steady worker with a very long career, but not famous.

Monteith had his problems and a very short career, but was very famous.

Fame sometimes makes otherwise sane people do peculiar things.

Last April Reese Witherspoon was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after she disobeyed an officer's instructions, and then asked him if he knew who she was.

Not one of her finest moments, and she soon publicly apologized.

One can have awkward brushes with celebrities even here in Winnipeg.

In 1986 Paul and I were about to leave Skinners, a local eatery, when an older fellow flashed a huge smile, leaned across the counter, and blocked our way to the door.

I glanced at him, and then walked around him so I could leave.

Apparently Skinners' exterior was being used as a set for a television show.

Well, I wasn’t into country music and hadn’t recognized Ray St. Germain.

Ray St. Germain is a Canadian musician, author, and radio show host.

He had written, produced and hosted the nationally-syndicated, award-winning Big Sky Country that aired for 13 years, has received the Aboriginal Order of Canada, and was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.
Most Canadians would have asked for his autograph.

In 1997 I volunteered at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.

After the staff made sure we knew how to make change they told us that once the play had begun, no one, and they meant NO ONE, was to be allowed entry.

The venues were small and it would distract the actors, most of whom were amateurs.

A local politician, whose picture had been in the papers while she had served in Premier Howard Pawley’s cabinet, arrived 15 minutes after the show began.

She demanded to be allowed in to see that performance.

We explained that the play had begun, and she’d have to wait.

Giving us a withering look, she announced, “Do you know who I am?”

This wasn't my partner's first time at dealing with celebrities.

“Yes, you're the woman who has to wait for the next performance.” 

It's a good idea to use some caution when agreeing to friend on Facebook.
Especially when one's last name is toward the end of the alphabet.
No, being in the same line of work is not a good enough reason.
Trust me.

A couple of weeks ago Paul and I were chatting with a friend on Facebook. 

A simple discussion that many seniors have at one time or another: downsizing, moving, other cities, housing, facilities, services, the weather.

A Winnipeg YA author with a Fine Arts Degree entered the conversation.

Starting with how her great-grandmother had chosen to move to and settle in Winnipeg, she continued with the tedious saga of her family's history, which, she added, gave her roots as deep as prairie grass.
As I'd never personally met this woman or her relatives, I couldn't see how all that should have any bearing on where we would spend our golden years.

She then added that she had visited Ottawa, where one of her books had been banned by a school division, and that she could hardly stand the humidity when she was there.

The Winnipeg YA author and I had seven mutual friends, so I tried to be polite.

The other woman in the conversation, also a writer whose family was rooted in Winnipeg, tried to humour the Winnipeg YA author.

The Winnipeg YA author then fell into a pattern.
She would post a long rant, then announce she was done and leaving.
Taking her at her word, we would pick up our chat before the family history began, only to have the Winnipeg YA author return.
It soon became quite annoying.

The other woman and I formed a strategy in the privacy of ‘Chat’:
We would avoid any further discussions with the Winnipeg YA author.

The Winnipeg YA author didn’t take well to our ignoring her.

After ten minutes the Winnipeg YA author's comments were disappearing.

I checked.  To my great relief she had unfriended me.

How wonderful to be done with her!

Yes, celebrity, even the small amount a big fish in a small pond has, sometimes makes otherwise sane people do peculiar things.

About tonight’s new moon in Aquarius…

The second New Moon in the same month is called a Black Moon.

A Black Moon is seen as an omen of change and a time when hidden truths will surface.

According to the folks at astrology.com:
Get ready for a hardworking year ahead as this new Moon marks the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Horse! 

Since Aquarius is a sign that loves teamwork, it's a great time to invite others to help you reach your goals… return the favour and invest your energy in group projects that make others' lives better. 

Spend more time with good friends - they can help you succeed. 

You now have an opportunity to make a fresh start… make a strong effort to pursue something, whether it's a goal, job, or relationship!

It’s going to be a busy year.

Without any fame involved.

But that can be a very, very good thing.

With all the chores done, there’ll be plenty of time to socialize.
Without the Winnipeg YA author.
Also a very, very, very good thing.

Cold, Clutter, Coyotes, Cory Monteith and Yukon Cornelius (Larry D. Mann) by Margaret Ullrich

We are two weeks into the new year 2014.
We have been through an extremely cold period across most of North America.
Hope you all have been safe and warm.

Most folks around here just stayed indoors, which can be a good thing.
As the saying goes, It’s an ill wind that blows no one good.
This has been a perfect time to catch up on chores.

I have thrown out quite a bit of stuff during the past few months.
And I had the empty boxes to prove it.
I was like the woman who’d lost a lot of weight, but can’t quite bring herself to throw away her fat clothes, because, well, you never know if you might need them… again.
I know, I know...  that sends a bad message out to the universe.
Like, are you really serious about getting rid of the clutter or not?

Since we were stuck indoors I sorted through the empty boxes.
Some will be used for packing odds and ends to give to local charities.
My husband cut down the other boxes so they could go out with the recycling.
Now the universe knows I mean business.

Local grocers give a flat 10% discount the first Tuesday of every month.
It's usually the perfect time to meet neighbours and catch up on the gossip.
I walk to our local stores and haul groceries in my baba buggy.
A few weeks ago I had gotten some fresh produce.
The lettuce had black tips by the time I got home.
I figured I’d have compost in my cart if I shopped on Tuesday, so I waited until Saturday to get groceries.
It doesn’t hurt to live off the hump every so often.

The January full moon is called Full Wolf Moon.
Here in Winnipeg there have been sightings of coyotes.
It’s been a hard winter and they’re searching for food.
There have been a few mauled deer carcasses found within the city limits.
People are worried about their children and family pets.

Just so you know:
Manitoba Conservation advises people to keep calm and ensure the animal has an escape route. If the coyote notices you, let it know you are human by shouting, waving your arms, and throwing stones or other objects.
Do not turn away or run.
If the coyote attacks, fight back instead of playing dead.

Ah, life in the big city.
Well, life in a big Canadian city in the prairies.

There was some sad news on January 6.
Larry D. Mann had died in Los Angeles at the age of 91.
He was the voice of Yukon Cornelius in the 1964 animated Christmas classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
His son, Richard Mann, said he had died of age-related causes.

Larry D. Mann started as a disc jockey in his native Toronto.
In 1953 Mann performed with the puppet, Uncle Chichimus, on the show Let's See.
He had gotten the job when his friend, actor Don Harron, pointed him out to producer Norman Jewison.
He also appeared as Cap'n Scuttlebutt on the Canadian version of Howdy Doody, and hosted a late-night program called Midnight Zone.
His TV work also includes The Wayne and Shuster Show, Gunsmoke, Bewitched, Hogan's Heroes, Green Acres and Hill Street Blues.

He'd had small roles in more than 20 movies, including In the Heat of the Night.
He also played Mr. Clemens, the railroad conductor who arranged for Paul Newman to join the poker game, in the 1973 movie The Sting.

Mann did TV commercials, including "The Boss" in a 1980s series of Bell Canada ads.
His last role was playing a talent agent in the 1991 TV show Homefront.

His biography on the Internet Movie Database site lists 157 TV and movie credits.
It’s a safe bet everyone has seen him at least once.
Yet, for most people, the name just doesn’t ring a bell.
Entertainment Tonight didn’t mention his passing.

On July 13, 2013, at the age of 31, Cory Monteith, another Canadian actor, was found dead in his room in Vancouver from a heroin and alcohol overdose.
He’d had a 9 year career, and was known for portraying Finn Hudson for four year on the television series Glee.
The circumstances of his death, and its impact on his co-workers on Glee, were the top stories on Entertainment Tonight for weeks.
On September 22, 2013, Monteith, along with four other actors who had died in 2013, was given an extended tribute on the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards.

How would you compare the importance of the two actors?

Life often doesn't make sense.
The steady workers who do their jobs - which pretty much covers the majority of people in most lines of work - just keep plugging away.
No headlines, no covers of People magazine, no coverage on Entertainment Tonight.
The select few are famous, or notorious, and get all the publicity.
Their every action is followed, especially if there’s a bit of scandal involved.
So it goes.

About tonight’s full moon…

According to the folks at astrology.com:

Your ambitions and goals for the year were highlighted during the new Moon in Capricorn on January 1. Now, the full Moon in Cancer asks you to focus on your personal needs to make sure that the public and personal aspects of your life are in healthy balance. 

Make changes in your home that soothe you. 
Get rid of clutter… or simply buy yourself some fresh flowers… make a goal to nurture and take good care of yourself… form a plan to maximize all that's great as you make changes that will make you feel more comfortable and secure.

It’s all about balance.
And about knowing what's important in life.
The clutter is gone, including the empty boxes.

About buying those fresh flowers… I’ll wait until it’s a bit warmer.

New Year, New Moon by Margaret Ullrich

Happy New Year!

A fresh start, a clean slate.

Here we are, facing a year as bright and shiny as a brand new penny.

If you still have pennies, that means something.

In Canada pennies have become non-legal tender.

They figured out it costs more to make pennies than a penny is worth.

We’ve been having a colder than normal December.

So cold that Winnipeg is being compared to Mars.

The daytime high temperature is around –31º C.

But the windchill makes it feel like –40º to –50º C.

Exposed skin can freeze in less than five minutes.

No big deal for us.

We’ve seen worse.

It's cold but not cold enough for a record.

That was –37.8º C, without adding windchill, which happened in 1967.

The coldest Winnipeg December was in 1879, with an average of –26º C.

The December average temperature in 2000 was –22.0º C.

And we survived that just fine, thank you.

This December’s average temperature is close to –21º C. 

That makes it the fifth coldest Winnipeg December ever.

Big deal.

Last night, at the start of Rockin’ New Year’s Eve, Seacrest complained about being outdoors with the temperature feeling like 20º F.

Yeah, New Yorkers complain about weather like that.

So much for that New York tough guy image.

Back to that new start…

We’re actually starting this new year with a new moon.

The last time this happened was 19 years ago.

Yes, 1995.

It’s been 19 years since 1995 and it feels like just a couple of years ago.

And how did 1995 go for you?

Well, here we go again… more or less.

A new moon is all about new beginnings and fresh starts.

And sometimes, a fresh start can be an improvement.

Give it a shot and go for it!

According to the folks at astrology.com:

This new Moon in Capricorn brings a fresh start loaded with unresolved conflicts. 

The good news is that you won't have to guess about what you're confronting. 

Make up your mind to deal with people and situations in a way that makes you proud. 

Those who aren't behaving well will stand out like sore thumbs now… Decide what you want to be responsible for and what you don't. 

Take action to make your life secure… put your energy into something you'd like to see become more important in your life. 

If you do, you'll see results at the full Moon in Cancer on January 16.

Nobody has to guess about how to confront -50º.

Stay indoors and catch up with chores.

No problem.

Chores done by January 16… that would be an improvement!