a day in the life of

 Friday, August 8, 2025

For a little while I have been thinking I should document what a day in my world looks like lately! I hesitated thinking it could be a lackluster post to share.  The days have been flying by, they are ever-changing.  Even if for my own interest down the road, I picked Friday August 8th to be the day that I document.  I woke to the sound of wind and rain.  I looked out, it was dismal, dreary and dull. The plan was to document today, so I started documenting anyway.

On days like this, I like to turn on my fairy light tree. The bright twinkles and sparkles shed a little light and cheer on the start of a day that neither twinkles nor sparkles. Having my morning coffee with this view, is distracting from what is occurring beyond the picture window.

Curiosity kicked in as to what some of my previous August 8ths looked like.  This was my favourite and shows the trail to Wall Lake in Waterton Lakes National Park on August 8, 2023. In fact, I only looked at 2024 and 2023 and upon seeing this photo I did not look further back.  I instantly put a plan in place!  I will paint this!  Perfect thing to do on a dull and dreary day.

a sketched out plan

The outcome of that well laid plan!

The rain took a break that's when I put another plan in place. Today would be the first day I would walk without my crutch. I geared up for a wet walk leaving the sling hanging on the door.  Today would be the day my whole new titanium shoulder system along with an upper arm full of titanium too, would hang and swing freely.  

Instead of lacing up my sneakers, I laced up my hiking shoes with a plan to stick to paved walkways.  I cut the distance to cover in half so went for four kilometres. To hang and swing freely is an overstatement, I was very aware and conscious and in control of any movement which I kept to a minimal.

Physiotherapy is going well, I see improvement on a daily basis, even from morning to night.  As the therapist stated, I am to do the recovery exercises "thrice daily".  I have four locations in my home where  I move about to perform them.  This is my favourite spot because I use my hiking pole to assist with the movements.  Completing all the exercises three times a day and incorporating icing sessions totals up to three hours every day now that new exercises have been added to the routine. 

There was much to brighten up this August 8th.  Yesterday I received a card, a magazine and an Alexander Keith's IPA. The guy that gifted me the beer and card is a Bluenoser just like me!  This IPA beer is brewed on the waterfront in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  The card says "much couch less ouch". I have moved on to not needing much couch time now.  Yet.....

.....I do make time for it! 

On this dull and dreary day, an escape from reality fits the bill!

With dinner over, cleanup completed, one more round of recovery exercises yet to accomplish in a little while, a little time was spent putting another plan in place for coming days.  These days, my watercolour painting supplies are readily at hand.

Where did the day go?  The rain since stopped, the sun has set, the wind died down, and the clouds began to clear. I could see the first star of the night appear right there in the centre. I was bundled up in my warm knitted socks, pants, three upper layers, the outer layer being a warm thick coat.  I sat, I stared, I wondered while my mind wandered. Time passed! Then.....

.....shortly after 11:00pm on this August 8, 2025 the Aurora Borealis began dancing across the sky! I was speechless as I watched her performance.  This was an absolutely amazing way for this day to conclude!  These are just two photographs of the dozens I took.  I stayed out on my deck  as the 8th turned over to the 9th. 

While putting this blog post together, 

I came to the conclusion this day was perfect is so many ways.