Andrew's Achievement, a short story - FREE in the Kindle Store Sunday, May 31st.

This short story is about elder abuse. Andrew is a widower confined to a wheelchair. His son, Tom, has forgotten how to treat his father with respect. An alcoholic, he torments his father and demands money. Andrew is his son's victim but one day he decides enough is enough.

Andrew's Achievement is free for your reading pleasure in the Kindle Store this Sunday, May 31st.

https://www.amazon.ca/ANDREWS-ACHIEVEMENT-Short-Stories-Social-ebook/dp/B00FZ2DZNC/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Audrey+Austin+Andrews+Achievement&qid=1590690320&s=books&sr=1-1

The Strange New World in Which I Find Myself - 11

Today is Wednesday, May 27th, 2020 and this is my eleventh entry in my blog about Covid-19 and self isolation.   We are in the middle of a heat wave, the black flies are alive and well, and I'm still staying home.

After more than two months of not leaving home, this afternoon I plan to venture out for the first time.  I will travel past the end of my driveway.   I hope I don't get dizzy from the excitement and this major change in pace.

With my best friend, we will drive to a secret place where I will find some wonderful rocks for my garden.  On our way home we plan to stop to buy Big Mac's for lunch.   The last time I tasted a Big Mac was the afternoon my daughter Christine social-distanced and visited on my back deck.   

Not a lot has happened in my life throughout these more than two months.  I continue to appreciate the Age-Friendly Shopping and Delivery Service provided by our fair city.  

My wonderful neighbour, Michelle, did some shopping for me at our local garden centre so I was able to plant wave petunias in my red containers out at the front of the house and enough flowers so that I could also put a couple in the hanging basket that I kept from last spring and summer.

My best friend, Chuck, cut the grass for me again this morning.  What a treasure he is and I'm grateful.  Thank you Chuck.

Sam, who was very ill, is feeling better, thank God.  Both he and Lila mostly sleep through the heat wave.  They, like me, will be grateful if the forecast is accurate and it cools down tomorrow.

I've renewed an old argument with the clumsy tree in my neighbour's yard.   I sweep my deck so often; clean the deck furniture so often; and so far I'm losing the battle.  I'm just praying it's not a repeat of last summer's performance where the Birch poured its unwanted gifts continually making it impossible to use the back deck; making barbecues impossible; eating or drinking outside on the deck impossible.  It's early days, but I truly don't think I can emotionally handle another war with this tree.  I hope it will behave itself.  

I am now a Singsnap addict and have recorded more than 170 songs.   I have no range in my voice but I love to sing anyway, and that's what I've been doing.  I am a bass in a soprano world.  The more I sing, I truly do attempt to expand my range, making myself sound like an old bird in severe pain.  But I try and I'm told God loves a tryer.

I am continuing with my Shamanic Life Coach course with Udemy.  I'm slower than my usual self but a lot of that is because I'm spending too much time on Singsnap.

I continue to appreciate daily visits with my best friend.  I appreciate my over-the-back-fence chats with Michelle, my neighbour.   We have a summer project happening soon.  The back fence between our two backyards is going to be replaced before it makes the decision to fall down.  I'm happy to have a summer project.  I already have my plans for the fall house project and hope the pandemic is behind us by then so that I will feel comfortable having the contractor in my home.

I have been watching little of the news but I understand that as of today there have been 5,614,458 confirmed cases around our small world; 86,939 of those cases here in Canada.  In Ontario, so far, there have been 26,483 confirmed cases and, to the best of my knowledge, here in Elliot Lake the number remains at three.

Seniors will be gifted by the federal government with an extra one-time payment of $300 or $500 dependent upon the individual's income.  That money hasn't arrived in anyone's bank account yet, but the promise was that it will be sometime in May so within the next few days that can be appreciated.

I'm unsure as to what is currently happening with the retail stores.  I know that some businesses are open for curbside pick-up and delivery but I'm unaware if that status has changed.   

The very odd thing is that I have become very used to just staying home with my chihuahua kids, Sam and Lila.  I enjoy my front porch.  I am trying to enjoy my backyard despite the clumsy tree's determination to steal that joy from me.   I'm grateful for Chuck in my life; for my daughter Susan's regular emails; and the support and friendship I share with others on Facebook.

Going out later today to find rocks for my garden and to buy a burger for lunch may not seem like a very exciting thing to some people.  Maybe in the past, when life was normal, it wouldn't seem like such an unusual thing.  But my feelings about leaving my home for the first time in more than two months are very paradoxical and strange.  I want to go, and I'm going.  But there is a part of me that just wants to stay put.  

Thanks for listening to my rambling once again.

I love you all.

Audrey.

Counseling sessions will resume when it is deemed safe for all to do so.  My current clients, please know I'm on Facebook daily.  

Don't hesitate to reach out with a PM.  I'm always here for you.

Our Getting High On Life Workshop for Women

focused on Emotional Healing

and Being Authentic

is planned to take place Monday, September 21st

in the Meeting Room of our local library.

Hope to see you there. 

Find Firinn - a short story - Free in the Kindle Store Sunday, May 24th

Uncle Farlan teaches his young niece, Forba, Scottish folklore and history. Emigrating to Canada is not something he wants but to stay with family determines his decision. 

The importance of finding firinn he instills into Forba's young mind. Many years later Uncle Farlan is ill. Alzheimer has made its claim. 

Forba is there at her uncle's bedside when he takes his last breath.

FIND FIRINN is free in the Kindle Store, Sunday, May 24th, for your reading enjoyment.

Link to Find Firinn

THE OBSERVER - His Eye is on the Sparrow is my latest publication

THE OBSERVER – His Eye is on the Sparrow is a story told by three generations of women; Karina, Anna, and Karen. I was privileged to meet these women throughout my NaNoWriMo writing experience in November of 2019. 

Three women, yet two souls, share their experiences. The story begins with Karina in Bangalore, India. She makes the challenging move to Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada and is overjoyed when her daughter, Anna is born. Time passes and sadly, Karina dies. Three days after Karina’s death, Anna’s daughter, Karen is born. Anna realizes that Karen is her grandmother all over again. Is this possible? Certainly, Karen believes that it is.These three women bless us with their understanding, knowledge, and experience of the Christian and the Hindu religions. Each woman lives her own separate life; has her own personal struggles; yet family patterns repeat. Karen’s search for authenticity enriches the story and, yes, a beautiful love story is woven throughout the pages.

THE OBSERVER - His Eye is on the Sparrow is available exclusively on all Amazon sites in both paperback and kindle formats for your reading pleasure.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0854BRFX8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3

For my reader friends in Elliot Lake, I do have a few copies of my latest publication here at home for anyone who wishes to pick up.  The book is $20 and we can easily do the exchange in my mail box without any concern about contact due to the fact that we are all in isolation or social-distancing.

The primary setting for THE OBSERVER - His Eye is on the Sparrow is right here in Elliot Lake.   When not here in town, my characters are in Bangalore, India.  You can imagine the culture shock these women experience, especially the youngest moving from Elliot Lake to the massive, crowded city in India.

Thank you for your continuing encouragement and support.   It means the world to me.  

The Strange New World In Which I Find Myself - 10

Today is Friday, May 15th, 2020 and this is my tenth blog entry concerning Covid-19 since I went into self-isolation.  I've absolutely lost track of time but I believe my quarantine must be at least two months long now with no sign or indication that I will soon be appreciating lost freedom.

Just yesterday my grocery order was taken by Darla Hennessy, shopped for and delivered by a city employee, and I'm sorry I don't know her name.  But I do want to say I am grateful to the City of Elliot Lake, and to all city employees who are offering this vital service to seniors and to others whose health may be compromised.   It is a godsend and I am more appreciative of this assistance than words can ever express.  Thank you.

I was very happy to be able to have a social-distanced visit on my back deck this week with my daughter, Christine and her husband, Robert.  This is the first time I've seen either of them since well before Christmas last year when they left to winter in Arizona.    

I'm grateful that they, like my daughter, Susan, and my three handsome grandsons are all well and living here in Elliot Lake.  And though they don't live far away, or work far away, I haven't seen any of them since my self-isolation began.  I'm grateful for telephone, social media and for email to enable our friendships to thrive.  

Since Wednesday afternoon my little chihuahua, Sam, has been ill.  On Wednesday, on his way to the back door to go outside to do his business, Sam collapsed on my hallway floor.   I wasn't overwhelmed by this happening as it is not the first time.  Sam has been diagnosed some time ago by our vet, and the diagnosis is that, for some reason, sometimes the message from his brain does not reach his hind legs to tell them to be strong, stand up, and walk.   In addition to this, he has severe arthritis for which he is on daily medication and has been for nearly three years.

In the past when Sam's hind legs have given out, he would be down for maybe five minutes; the longest ever being the last time when it was for twenty minutes.   So this is why I wasn't alarmed when his little legs gave out this time.  I assumed, hoped, and prayed that it would be like earlier times and within a few minutes he would be up and about again.

But this time it didn't happen that way.  On Wednesday afternoon Sam collapsed and he was unable to stand or to walk for almost two days.  He has been receiving TLC like it is going out of style; lots of love, massage, caring, and encouragement and I am happy to say that this morning Sam not only stood, not only walked, but he was able to jump up onto the sofa to sit in the living room window seat with his sister, Lila.   

Lila and Sam together again

I want to thank all my family and friends who have been praying for Sam's recovery.  I believe strongly in the power of prayer and I thank you for your continued prayers.  This morning Sam ate his breakfast; at noon he enjoyed his lunch and willingly took his meds.    

And, at this very moment, as I'm typing, a lady with a very large dog just walked past my house.  Of course Sam and Lila think they own the road and the sidewalk.  Lila, who was on her little sofa, started barking like crazy at this big dog.  How dare he walk on her sidewalk?  Well, Sam, who was in his little bed beside me here in the kitchen, jumped out bed, started running and barking. And where is he now?  On the little sofa beside Lila. 

God is good and so are my friends.  Thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers.    To me, Sam is not just a dog.  My pups are my babies and they give so much more than they take.  There's something in the Bible, and I'm sure I will be taking it way out of context, but something about 'Even the least of these' ….. 

And now that I've even said these five words I need to google and find the correct reference.   

And I've found it.  I've re-typed it below.

Matthew 25:40  "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for 
one of the least of these brothers and sisters, you did for me.'"

Even the least of these - I believe this quotation came into my mind 
because there are some people who would think or who would say, 
'oh, so much fuss! After all, he's just a dog!'

All I can think of to say to people who have this thought is, 
"Obviously you have never shared your life with a dog."

The longer I'm in isolation the less I'm paying attention to the 
TV news.  But, I understand that beginning this coming Tuesday, 
Ontario will enter phase one of its re-opening plans.  I hope 
everyone will stay healthy and safe.  I will continue to just 
stay home.
This week my friend, Shirley, phoned me to tell of our federal 
government's decision to give a gift of money to all seniors
receiving OAS to help to compensate for any extra costs that 
Covid-19 may have introduced.  As for me, I've had no extra costs.  
I believe I've saved money by not going anywhere.
Yet, I made a visit to a local website and was dismayed, though 
not surprised, to hear many complaining that the amount of 
money wasn't enough; or it's about time; or seniors always come 
last in line.
As for me, the only thought and feeling I experienced was one of 
gratitude.  Seniors, like me, have not lost income.  I don't understand 
why some people always have their hands out for the government 
to fill.   In my past, younger days, I've been blessed to enjoy a fair 
amount of international travel.  What I feel like saying to these 
complainers is, "You don't know how fortunate you are."

There are places in our world where seniors receive nothing; 
no care, no respect, no nothing.  They are old, so they are 
considered unwanted and useless.  They are hung out to dry like 
old overalls; something no one gives a damn about.
I feel blessed to be living where I am; to be living how I live; 
and I am grateful to our leaders, especially those who demonstrate 
their willingness to work together as a team for the well-being 
of all Canadians.  Those, like the one with the orange face, 

as my son-in-law describes him, could stand to learn much from 
our Canadian leaders.  I am, obviously, and always, proud to be 
Canadian.
I continue to study with Udemy.  My current course is titled 
Shamanic Life Coach; an accredited course, and I have reached the 
half-way point with it so far.  I continue to sing with Singsnap and, 

in a short time, I have recorded over one hundred songs.  It's such fun 
and I encourage my friends in isolation to check the site out.  It is fun 
and it's free.
I stay busy with housework, although there's not a lot to do as 
there is only me and my pups here to mess things up.  It's a little 
ironic that I finally just had my home reno completed; a reno that 
enables me to entertain more people around my dining table when, 
just like that, I'm in isolation and not able to entertain anyone.  
I've often said that God has a great sense of humour and I believe 
this is just more evidence of my belief.
I'm grateful to my friends and family for support and for just being 
there.  I'm especially grateful for their communication and also 
for the daily visits by my best friend.  We are sharing; helping to 
carry one another through this crazy time, and life is good.
I understand that as of today there are globally 4,483,864 confirmed 
cases of Covid-19.  In Canada there are 73,837 confirmed cases; 
in Ontario 21,992. To my knowledge, here in Elliot Lake, the 
number of confirmed cases remains at three.Although this Tuesday
 will mark phase one of the re-opening of Ontario, I urge everyone
 to proceed with caution and with great care.  Be smart.  If you 
don't have to be anywhere else, stay home.  The last thing 
anyone wants is a second wave.

Thanks for listening to my rambling.

Love, Audrey.

Counseling will continue when it is considered safe
 for all to do so.

Please know I'm on FB daily.

I'm on FB probably too much.

To my beautiful clients - don't hesitate to PM me for any reason.  

I'm here.  I care. And I love you.

Our next workshop with the topics 
"Emotional Healing"  and "Being Authentic"

will take place, hopefully, on the afternoon of 
Monday, September 21st

in the meeting room of our local library.  

 I look forward to being together with you on this date.

I can only apologize for the screwed up fomatting
on this blog post.   It's messed up from the
Biblical quotation onward.
I've been trying repeatedly to correct it
obviously without success
so thanks for accepting my apology.

No Stone Unturned - a short story - FREE in the Kindle Store this weekend

I've often thought that if animals ruled our world it would be a more sane and a much kinder place to be. 

Dudleyville is a kingdom ruled by King Dudley.  All the animals in this peaceful kingdom deal with unexpected terrorism in a surprising way.  

Fear reigns in Dudleyville. All the animals turned to their leader King Dudley for guidance. This is a story for the young at heart aged six to sixty -- there is a lesson to be learned.

No Stone Unturned  - short story, is free in the Kindle Store this weekend, Saturday, May 16th and Sunday, May 17th, for your reading pleasure.

Check this short story out - 
https://www.amazon.com/NO-STONE-UNTURNED-Short-Stories-ebook/dp/B00HSR293O/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=no+stone+unturned+by+audrey+austin&qid=1589321139&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

And thanks for visiting my Amazon Author's Page at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin 

The Strange New World In Which I Find Myself - 9

Today is Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 and I continue my days in self-isolation accompanied by my handful chihuahuas, Sam and Lila.  This is my ninth  blog post since I commenced isolation. Weather is much on my mind.  Here in my small town of Elliot Lake the temperature seems to be struggling to reach a number that can be described as warm.  But lots of sunshine and, for this, I am grateful.   Snow is forecast for the coming weekend.  I can only pray the forecast is wrong.

Yesterday I kept myself busy with laundry, and vacuuming, and all that kind of housework stuff which means today there isn't a whole lot needing to be done around the house.   So, with nothing more important on my mind, I started singing again.   I'm totally hooked on Singsnap, the online karaoke site, and I've been singing all the songs I can find that were popular in my much younger days.  They are the only ones for which I know the lyrics; the golden oldies or the old hymns, the ones I remember my Mom singing while she played the organ.

Sam and Lila spent most of the morning sleeping, and it was in only one song that they let themselves be heard.  At the end of a song they filled the house with lots of loud barking.  The song was called 'Your Cheatin' Heart',  so very appropriate, I thought.  They barked at just the right time and on the right song.  I take care of them but, believe me, these little pups are there, taking care of me.  I'd be lost without their companionship.

Yesterday afternoon my best friend came by in the afternoon.  We soaked up the sun, social distancing of course.  We will do the same this afternoon and we'll make the most of it because forecast of snow this weekend will mean either very short visits or none at all.

I've been busy with a new course on Udemy, one that I am appreciating.  It is, so far, very simplistic and has a purity about it that I find very appealing.  The course is quite a long one with many segments to complete and I've barely begun so it will keep me busy for some time.  It's called 'Shamanic Life Coach Certification'.  It's an accredited course and I am sure I'm going to learn a lot and gain much benefit from the learning.

I haven't been following the news on CBC as much as I have in the earlier days of isolation.   For my own mental and emotional health, I need to turn it off and, instead, listen to the lovely spa music; when I'm not singing my heart out myself, that is.

But I did turn the news on for a little while this morning.  I learned that globally there have been 3,584,174 confirmed cases of Covid-19; in Canada there have been 61,165, and in my province of Ontario there have been 18,310.   In my small town of Elliot Lake, to my knowledge, the number remains at three confirmed cases.

Now the focus seems to be looking into the future and there is talk of when we will be lifting some restrictions and allowing some businesses to re-open.   No one wants to get back to some kind of normality more than I do.  At the same time, I hope our world has the good sense to proceed with caution.  

I've placed an Amazon order for some face masks.  This, in itself, is an incredulous thing for me to be doing.  Never, in my wildest dreams, did I ever believe I would be preparing myself to go out into the world wearing a face mask.     

I need to wait until well into June before these masks will arrive.  I'm truly hoping that this one purchase I've made will be for something I will never have to use.

I've been home in self-isolation for several weeks now.  The furthest I've traveled outside my home is into my backyard or to the end of my driveway to put out the garbage on pick up day.  I am totally grateful to city employees who have been taking my grocery orders over the phone, shopping for me, and delivering everything I need to my front porch.  This age friendly delivery service is a godsend.  Now that they are starting to talk about reopening the economy, I have to ask myself how I feel about going out into the big world once again.

It wouldn't surprise me if I experience some culture shock the first day I venture into Foodland or Dollarama or any of the stores here in town.   Am I the only one who wonders about this?

It's a long time now since I've seen a family member in the real world.  I'm grateful for internet which gives me the assurance that all are doing okay.   I'm grateful my backyard adjoins my friend, Michelle, whose home is right behind mine.   We have had opportunities to chat, social distancing of course, over the back fence.  Other than this neighbour, the only other human I am blessed to meet in the real world is my best friend, Chuck.   

And he will be arriving in my backyard soon so I'll bring this post to a close knowing that I really haven't written much of great interest.   The fact is my life is limited in its scope given the circumstances so I don't have too much of great interest to share with you.

But I can share my hope; my hope that you are doing okay and that this strange new world will soon become a memory.   I can share my faith through my prayers.  I repeat Rev. Botts' prayer each morning and I always say my prayers at bedtime.  Sometimes I think my life is a prayer.  And although I love singing the oldies from my rock n' roll teenage years, I do also like to share my faith by singing some of the old hymns, the ones my Mom used to sing and play on the old organ.

Mostly I can share my gratitude.  I am very grateful for reasonably good health, for a comfortable home, for my beautiful fur babies, for my supportive friends and family, for the support of my town; for the leadership that I admire in Elliot Lake, and in Ontario. Federally, I am grateful for our handsome, young Prime Minister whose sincerity I trust.  He loves this country just as I do.   I know all our leaders are doing their best in unprecedented times.

I'm doing my best too; my best to stay calm, to stay busy, and to stay alert in this strange new world in which I find myself.

Thanks for reading my blog and allowing me to feel that I am being heard.   We all need to be heard.   I am no exception.   Please stay safe and healthy.  I love you all.

Audrey.   

The Face In The Mirror - a short story, is FREE in the Kindle Store this weekend

This weekend, Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 4th The Face In The Mirror - a short story, is free for your reading enjoyment in the Kindle Store.


Randolph is a gang member. Rumbles and motorcycles are his big city way of life. He has made a lot of wrong choices in life. What happens when little brother Jimmy becomes his full responsibility?


Too many young people are walking alongside the track .... some are way off track.  It is in the nature of young people in their teen years to rebel.  Today that rebellion too often involves gangs, drugs, and violence.   

My heart goes out to these young people and I pray that most, like the young man in this story,  will find the courage and strength to be the best they can be.

Here is one review of The Face In The Mirror

T. L. Cooper

4.0 out of 5 stars Austin offers an easy to read

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2016

Verified Purchase

The Face in the Mirror by Audrey Austin is a story of finding one's inner strength to change one's circumstances. Sometimes looking into the mirror shows you who you were, who you are, and even a glimpse of who you can be. Randy faces all three not only in the mirror but in the face of his brother, Jimmy. Randy is faced with a decision... Who does he want to see when he looks in the mirror? Austin offers an easy to read, quickly paced short story that has the reader cheering for Randy to make the right decision.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FZ1MOHQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4

The Strange New World in Which I Find Myself - 8

Today is Monday, April 27th and this is my eighth blog post since I began living in self-isolation with my chihuahua companions, Sam and Lila.   

Just this morning I listened to the CBC news for a just a little while, and I'm not surprised to learn that domestic violence is on the rise amid Covid-19.  

Perhaps this is one issue, like elder neglect in long term nursing homes, that will gain more attention, and with some little bit of luck, perhaps more of those who suffer such violence will discover new confidence, and stop hiding the sordid secret behind the front door.  Perhaps more women will feel able to reach out for help now that more attention is being given to this very sad issue.   

During these days of isolation I'm not meeting with my counseling clients, however, if anyone reading this blog post is experiencing events in the home that are causing fear or lack of safety, in any way, I'm only an email or a FB message away.   To my knowledge shelters are open.  I confess I have not taken the time to be certain of this but there is a website called  https://sheltersafe.ca  which is there for you.   

If you are a woman experiencing abuse, there is someone you can reach out to any time of day or night.    As it says on their website, "Help is just a click away."

I hope and pray you are not in an unsafe situation, however, if during these days of self-isolation you are feeling in need of a friend or just want the opportunity to vent, I'm here.  It's many years ago that I made the decision to receive the necessary education and training to become a psychospiritual practitioner.   Since that time I've been blessed to work with women in private counseling sessions and, as well, it has been my pleasure to offer Getting High on Life Workshops for Women.  

Hopefully, the world will soon be behaving itself again, and I've booked the meeting room for the afternoon of Monday, September 21st, in our Elliot Lake Public Library for our next workshop which will focus on Emotional Healing and Being Authentic.  

To my knowledge, today there are 2,994,690 confirmed cases of Covid-19 around our small world.  In Canada there are 46,895 and in Ontario 14,432.   As far as I am aware, today the number of confirmed cases in my small town of Elliot Lake remains at three.

I have found it essential for my own mental and emotional health to cut back on the time I listen to the news.   I don't intend to be like the proverbial ostrich with my head stuck in the sand, however, keeping up with the news is, for me, a place to visit.  It's not where I want to live.  In spite of it all, life is good.  There is much to celebrate and enjoy.  There is always something to be grateful for.

Personally, I do my best to keep some sort of structure in my daily life in isolation.  I make my bed each morning, get dressed, comb my  hair and apply a little lipstick.   I take care of the needs of my little handfuls, ensuring they are fed and happy.   My daily ventures into the yard for the necessary poop patrol happen regardless of the weather.

On my to-do list I have my teacher-less piano lessons, but do have fun reviewing some songs that the talented and patient teacher, Ann Foy, taught me several years ago.   I try not to forget my 30 minute daily aerobic work-out while I listen to the tape recording of Lesley Sanson as she tells me to walk, kick, knee lift, and side step.  

Each morning I read the prayer shared by Reverent Richard Bott, Moderator of the United Church of Canada.  And now that the weather is warming up and that beautiful sun is shining, I'm enjoying my backyard.  The deck furniture is in place out there now and I am grateful that I have my yard.  The furthest I have traveled in weeks is to the end of my driveway to put out the garbage on a Tuesday morning.    

Since my friend and talented singer, Sandra Kelterborn, introduced me to Singsnap, an online karaoke site, I've been hooked.   I don't pretend to be a singer, but I have always loved to sing.  As a child growing up in the Salvation Army Church, I always participated in the children's choir which was simply called The Singing Company.   In high school I remember taking an elective course one semester in vocal music.   Everyone and anyone can sing.   At least, that's what I believe.  It's just that some can do it better than others.   

I sing bass - way down in the basement.  Being a bass in a soprano world, especially without the ability to read music to enable harmonizing, means I don't sing publicly.   However, here alone in my home, singing away on my laptop is such good fun.   And I have discovered that, by singing, life is just naturally more joyous.  The very act of singing lifts my spirit and adds pleasure to life in isolation.  I seriously encourage you to check it out if you like to sing.  You don't need to be a great singer - you just need to have fun and enjoy it.  The link to the karaoke site is https://singsnap.com   It's free and it's fun!   If you join, I hope you will message me your user name so that we can have fun sharing the experience together.

This Monday is a beautiful, mild, and sunshiny day in Elliot Lake.   I hope you are discovering your own ways to make your days light and pleasurable even though you may be alone.   Even being alone can be pleasurable.   Get busy with google search and you will discover some wonderful guided meditations online.    And what better company can any of us have than a good book.

And, speaking of books, you know I've written quite a few of them by now.  I started writing creatively when I retired from the working world and I've never looked back.  Creative writing is my passion.  Thank you for checking out Amazon where my books are exclusively available.  My author's site is found at https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin

I believe that, this afternoon, Ontario's plan for the first steps in re-opening the economy will be announced.   As I understand it, the peak has either been reached or will soon be reached and, hopefully, we will soon begin to see the light and to see a gradual process of re-opening; something we can all anticipate.

In the meantime, 'be your own light'.   And, if I allow myself to remember my long ago Sunday School days, I invite you to 'Brighten the corner where you are'.

Thanks for listening.   I love you all.


Audrey.  

The Strange New World in Which I Find Myself - 7

Today is Wednesday, April 22nd, and this is my seventh blog posting since I began to live in self-isolation a few weeks ago.    

It snowed yesterday and that was a bit disheartening but today the glorious sun is up there doing his job from the beautiful clear, blue sky; shining warmth along with the hope that, just as the snow will soon melt and disappear once more, so will this covid-19 virus be just another memory.

I'm told that today there are 11,735 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ontario; 37,422 in Canada; and globally 2,582,529.   As I understand it, today, the number of confirmed cases in my small town of Elliot Lake remains at three.

Those of you who know me well, know that I'm an emotional woman.  I feel things deeply.  Today I am feeling sorrow for the people of Nova Scotia, for those families who have lost their relatives, their friends, and neighbours, because one man made a decision to go on a senseless  shooting spree.  To my knowledge, twenty-two souls have transitioned because of this horrific act of terror.  


My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Nova Scotia, the birthplace of my dear father who was born in Springhill, who worked there in the mines, before moving to Ontario long ago in the depression years.  His father, my grandfather, was the jailer in the Amherst Jail.  When I was five years old, I was honoured to spend time in a jail cell.  I'm grateful that this was not only my first, but also my only prison experience.  

Today I grieve with the people of Nova Scotia.  The fragility of life is something I appreciate more each day as I grow older. 

I don't know the details but I also understand that right here in Elliot Lake someone made the decision to shoot and kill another.   And I am hearing of house break-ins and thefts.

While the vast majority of good people in my town do all they can to make this difficult time of Covid-19 more bearable, more interesting, more acceptable, there are the few who do all they can to make life more challenging.

I remember many years ago when I was studying at the University of Toronto's Wordsworth College, I was given an assignment by one of my professors to write an essay.  One of the topics was to be People are basically good.  The second choice of  topic was People are basically evil.

I couldn't make up my mind which topic I wanted to write about but eventually I made my choice and I wrote on the first topic, People are basically good.  I was asked to support my thoughts and opinions with examples.   I had no problem doing so.  But when I was finished with writing my essay, I didn't feel satisfied.  Yes, I believed people are basically good, but something was niggling away at me.

There was no way I could not sit down and write a second essay.  You guessed it.  This time I wrote on the topic People are basically evil.  Again I had no problem supporting my opinion with strong examples.

It was time to submit my assignment. Which one would I submit?  I could not decide and for this reason I submitted both essays.   I wondered what the professor would think but I knew I could not do otherwise.    When my essays were returned to me, I was pleased to see that I had been given a good grade on both.

Obviously I know and accept that there are good and there are evil people in our world.  I am well aware that not one of us is perfect.  Yet, while amidst the heroic, caring, loving, and giving acts of kindness taking place around me, I am still shocked to hear about the evil that mankind can do; that one human being can do to another.  And I wonder when will we ever learn?  Will we ever learn?

It would seem that everything in my life at this time of self-isolation is, even to me, subjective.  Much of my activity is that of thought, of wondering, of simply being.

What am I actually doing?  Not a lot, I admit.

This morning the laundry is in the dryer.  I've made my bed, had my breakfast, taken care of the needs of Sam and Lila, my Chihuahua companions in isolation.   I could do some housework but the fact is that the house is very neat and tidy.  There has been nothing much happening in my home to make it otherwise.    I'm not a clean-freak for sure, but I am a neatness freak; a curse or a quality I've come by naturally as an inheritance from my dear mother.   I, personally, consider it a quality but I think my kids, during their growing-up years, probably considered it a curse.

Sam and Lila don't seem to care one way or the other and since, apart from them, I live alone I don't suppose it makes any difference to anyone whether my home is neat or not.  So I am discovering during these days of isolation much about myself.  I am recognizing that  the space, the comfort, the cleanliness, and the beauty of my home mean everything to me.   This little old house with its front porch and little backyard is my entire world apart from what I view through my windows.  I am staying home.   While so much is happening in our world; both positive and negative, I am simply staying home.  I am an observer.  Am I a participant in life?  Well, I guess that is debatable.  

As Shakespeare suggested we are all actors on a stage.  The childhood song, Row, Row, Row your boat, suggests that life is just a dream.  Roger Taylor wrote the lyrics for the song, It's An Illusion.   Perhaps it is.  But in these days of Covid-19 life seems very real to me.   

I've been so very appreciative of my talented friends who perform their songs and their music on Facebook.   My dear friend, Sandra, yesterday shared her song and, because I'm always open to learning, I wanted to explore the site, Singsnap, on which she recorded her singing.

Well, thanks to her, I've discovered a whole new world, a whole new way to enjoy life and to interact with others around our world who are singing their way through this Covid-19 crisis.  

I grew up in a musical family and I have always been a music appreciator.  I don't think of myself as a singer but I do remember another friend saying to me several years ago at a UCW gathering, "Everyone can sing."   

So when I began to explore the Singsnap site, I thought, okay, if everyone can sing, maybe that includes me.  And what if I can?  And what if I can't?  Is that really what matters?  To me with this new fun challenge, what matters is the joy, the feeling of participation in something when, in actual reality, I am, just like the movie, home alone.

I actually recorded a couple of songs and the singing feels good.   Just as painting, creative writing, even doing housework and caring for a home, are ways to express who I am, then this new adventure can be just one more way of experiencing personal growth at a time when it would be very easy for an individual to become stagnant.  

The gift of time this Covid crisis has given me, is a gift I don't want to waste.   I very much miss the human interaction with my family and friends.  At the same time I'm grateful for the technology that allows me to be in touch, to communicate, to care even when we are, of necessity, apart from one another.

I think of a line from the prayer Rev. Richard Bott shared.  "Help us to be socially connected when we have to be socially distant."     

The Right Reverend Richard Bott is the moderator of the United Church of Canada.  I was thankful to receive a copy of his prayer and I've taped it to the door of my refrigerator.  Each morning I read the prayer aloud.  I find it uplifting and hopeful.  

I find it quite amazing with these blog posts that, although I never have any idea what I will ramble on about, there is never any lack of things to type.     Each day is a new experience.  Although I am alone with my furbabies, I never feel alone.  I feel the warmth and the love of my family and friends.  I enjoy my piano, my oil paints, my TV; especially 90 Day Fiance; my favourite show and I'm totally hooked on it.  

I enjoy my home, the sunshine, the spa music that I listen to for most of each day.   I appreciate all the private messages, the emails, and the phone calls that come my way even though my phone is a an old flip phone, with horrible sound quality and terrible battery life.  I admit I'm grateful most of my friends and family are online and don't need to call me on my relic of a phone. 

Maybe you are also in self-isolation.  I hope that by talking about some of the activities I find fun to do, you will feel encouraged to explore new avenues, new experiences, and new thoughts.  In this strange world in which I find myself -- perhaps you will find your self too.   This time in my life is an opportunity to work toward my goal, which is to be authentic; to simply be.

Amazon Link to Simply BE

Thanks for listening to my rambling.  Boy, can this woman ramble!  lol

I love you all.

Audrey.  

Our Getting High On Life Workshop for Women

is scheduled to happen in the meeting room

of our local library

Monday, September 21st.

I hope to see you there.

At this time of self-isolation, counseling sessions are, of necessity, not taking place.

However, if you ever want to talk, 

don't hesitate to get in touch by email or by PM on Facebook.

Counseling sessions will resume when Covid-19 is finally just a memory.

The Hole In The Wall - a short story free this weekend in the Kindle Store

Lucille is worried. The mortgage is due and she doesn't have the money. What leads her into the basement? And is the hole in the wall really an answer to prayer?

https://www.amazon.ca/HOLE-WALL-Short-Stories-Social-ebook/dp/B00G0L8UUK/ref=sr_1_1?

The Hole In The Wall, a short story, is free in the Kindle Store this weekend, Saturday, April 25th & Sunday, April 26th for your reading enjoyment.

I love writing short stories and I hope you will enjoy reading them.  Visit my Amazon Author's Page at 
https://amazon.com/author/audreyaustin