Wig Out!

Oh yeah, if the internet wasn't so weird, what would you do? Apparently, watching videos of cats isn't quite good enough and dolling up your cat in a fancy wig seems to be a trend. Admittedly, it's pretty funny and who can't use a good laugh these days.

Words!

I'm fascinated by the English language and all its' intricasies, so when coming across a word never seen before there is always a bit of research done to learn definitions, roots, and other words which have an association.

Todays' word is "swallet", which I read in an article about a newly discovered cave in the Cariboo Mountains in B.C.. The story tells of the cave being undetected until now because it had been blocked with snow and ice. The blockage melted away and exposed th entrance to an enormous cave ( likely caused by climate change, but that's another story unto itself).

In the meantime, the word "swallet" intrigued me and started a little research sorte on the internet. While the use of the word in the article hade me infer that it meant a cave opening, the term has more of an association with sinkholes and cenotes, with the following Miiriam-Webster definition 

swal·​let | \ ˈswälə̇t \plural -s

dialectal, England
: an underground streamalso : an opening through which a stream disappears undergroundAfter seeing a photo of the cave entrance, and reading more about the cave being contantly filled with ice and snow, the usage of the term seems perfect. The cave entrance is like an open mouth, below grade and on the side of the mountain, which means water and snow would naturally fill the void. Even if there was emelting action and running water, the flow could have been occuring beneath the upper layers of snow and ice, and helped the erosion of the cave while remaining unseen.

The "swallet"

So, this certainly helps my cause to learn something new every day and gives me just one more word to expand my vocabulary, even if it's a word I may never use in a day to day discussion.If nothing else, perhaps it will help me with one of my crossword puzzles or with palying Scrabble some day! haha

Helpful Tips For Working From Home

While the idea of working from home (WFH) may be appealing to many, the harsh reality is that it's not all that easy and you'll need to follow some basic rules to help you overcome the many challenges to being productive.

7 Ways To Help Promote Productivity When Working From Home 

1) Set Up A Work Area!

One of the biggest challenges to working from home are all the distractions that you might not get in your regular office environment. Sure you have associates and co-workers in the office but it's a different situation when it's a life partner or room mate that is also working from home, or kids that are not in school.

If you can set up your work area in a separate room, that's ideal, but even if you designate an area of a room or a section of your kitchen table as your "office", it will establish this as the place where work is taking place. That "office environment" not just sends a signal to your brain that you are here to work, but also signals those around you that you should not be disturbed.


2) Use Work Triggers!

When you head to the office your brain begins to prepare for what needs to be done that day and you start getting into "work mode". This may not be as easy to do when you don't actually leave your home or do a commute but it's not impossible to get some triggers in place.
Following your usual morning routine of having a shower, getting dressed for work, and/or having a coffee and some breakfast, is one way to get your mind set. If it's possible, go for a walk around the block or up and down your apartment building stairs as part of your commute, then when you re-enter your place you've arrived at work and will be ready to go!


3) Set A Schedule

Just like your office environment, there's a routine that you would normally follow during the day. Whether it's taking the first hour of your day to check and respond to e-mails or attend a team meeting, establishing a time line for your work day will keep you moving in the right direction. You may also have obligations and committments during work that need to be dealt with during the day, especially if you have children. Scheduling them in to the day will allow for the time they require and get you back on to the work routine in an efficient manner.

4)  Make A List

Just like the idea behind #3, creating a to-do list helps you stick to your work plan! Whether it's to help you get organized, prioritize tasks, or just make yourself accountable, a list is a great way to mark progress and prepare for the next task. And hey, who doesn't love the satisfaction of crossing things off a list as they are accomplished?


5) Stay On Task!

While it may be convenient to toss a load of laundry into the washing machine or whip up a batch of cookies before lunch, it's best to avoid any chores that will sidetrack you and disrupt your "work mode". Save non-work related tasks for after hours, even if that's during your lunch break. If it is a must do chore, put it into your schedule and give it a time line.

6) Avoid Electronic Isolating

While it's a great thing to be able to rely on modern technology and communicate with clients, managers or co-workers via e-mails, there's nothing like having an actual conversation with someone, be it on the telephone or in a video-conference. Keep in touch with people on an "ear to ear" or "face to face" basis, even if that's not physically in the flesh. There are plenty of free apps and other platforms, like Zoom and Webex, for holding virtual meetings.


7) Be Prepared For Glitches

Despite your best efforts, there will be impediments to having a good work flow when working from home. Knowing that this is always a possibility and not allowing yourself to get rattled by these sorts of hiccups will save you some stress and ultimately help you get back on track quicker.

Some people adapt more easily to a work from home environment but by using the aforementioned guidelines anyone can be more productive and achieve success in these types of scenarios. 

Spring Hare v.s Easter Bunny Repost

Spring Hare v.s Easter Bunny

Spring has always been celebrated as a time of rebirth and new beginnings so is it any wonder that in Paganism, the rabbit or hare served as strong symbol in their rituals.

Hares and rabbits, as well as eggs, have always been symbolic of fertility and highly associated with Spring, since many animals give birth at this time of year. Many Christian celebrations were hybrids of (or downright hijacked versions of ) Pagan beliefs, and it would seem logical that Easter is one of those occasions. 

The Easter bunny probably has about as much to do with Easter as Jesus Christ

The Germanic people celebrated what was called Eostre, which means dawn and has purported to be named after the Anglo Saxon goddess of the same name. The symbolism of Christ dying and being reborn in what was Spring time is akin to the pagan rituals of Winter dying and Spring bringing new life to the earth.

Of course, Christians aren't the only peoples celebrating these traits at this time of year, as Hindus hold their Holi festivals and Japanese have what is called Sakura, when the cherry tree blossoms.

Rabbits and hares also figure prominently in many cultures, and throughout many centuries, as far back as the Sui Dynasty in 6th and 7th century China. This is particularly true of the three hare symbol. which has shown up in Mongol metalwork, Iranian coins, an Islamic built shrine found in southern Russia, cave drawings and pottery in the Orient, and many churches and cathedrals in parts on the U.K. and Germany.

Paderborn Cathedral

This wooden carving is found under the eave of a medieval roof in Devon England

This motif is found on a tombstone in the Ukraine

Rabbits and hares have also shown up in Mayan and Aztec cultures, often associated with other gods/goddesses relating to fertility, such as Ixchel. Interestingly, the Aztecs also had a belief in the 400 drunken rabbits, which is the subject of a future post.

Mayan goddess of fertility, Ixchel, with a hare

Covid Street Art

Street Artists tend to give you an instant read on what is going on with current affairs and what younger people are thinking about those issues. The Covid-19 pandemic is front and centre on everyone's mind of course, and that's certainly reflected in all the aerosol art that you'll see in this post.

Bolsonaros is the president of Brazil and has downplayed the Covid-19 pandemic

Road Tunes

Here's a funny video that brings new meaning to the term "road tunes".

 

Cancelled, Closed, Cut Off!

With the current pandemic crisis going on and the need for social distancing, there are many many events that have been cancelled, stores and facilities closed, and people cut off from even being in contact with family and friends. 

So, what does one do when practicing physical distancing, isolation or semi-isolation with only immediate family members? Plenty!! All you need is a bit of creativity, some motivation, and some space, though  a lot of the latter isn't critical.

I like to workout and stay fit, which also proves to be good for one's mental state of mind too! Sweat it out, so to speak!! haha  But fitness doesn't always have to be about a big grind, nor does it require a gym or studio space or participation in a fitness class. Yes, they can help and add some comaraderie as well as variety, but just to start the day off right when waking up in the morning, I do a bunch of exercises in the corner of my kitchen. Not much space required at all.

So, get started on some sort of fitness routine, even if it's just a few pushups and situps. You can build on it by adding a few more every few days and think of it as a good way to get the blood flowing and a welcome distraction when experiencing all this Covid-19 physical distancing.