This Hat is a Helmet

For audio, click here . Dear Mrs. Claus, Merry Christmas. I hope this finds you well, relaxing after what was hopefully a rewarding and successful, if not stressful, season for you and the rest of the team up at the north pole. The effort that goes into such an international organization is likely immeasurable. I imagine much happens behind the scenes to not only keep production running smoothly but also current, inclusive and accommodating at a time when much of the world struggles with this on smaller scales. I’m not sure if you get many letters addressed directly to you with people all over the world writing to your famed husband (though feel free to pass along a thank you from me to him for the socks). I could be wrong, but it seems there aren’t very many other women in and around the workshop. And if there are, then we see and hear of them less - like elsewhere in the world, their important contribution seems less recognized. Although I am appreciative of th...

Bob and I in my "recording studio" for the podcast version of this blog ;) Audio available as usual here . I also made a video trailer for this blog post! If your screen time allows, check it out below. (written content to follow) Part of the purpose of this specific post is to introduce the This Hat is a Helmet Patreon . This blog has turned out to be more time, energy and even financial cost than I imagined. This post still includes heartfelt and quirky storytelling about the reality of financial woes for people like me. I share my story here of lessons I'm learning about money and income support that I wish I had known sooner. If you're curious about the Patreon and want to check it out now, then you can click the link here . Otherwise, links will be found at the end of this blog post and in the sidebar navigation panel on the blog website. And now, story time. I make a point to wear my sunglasses every time I go to appointments ...

(Want to listen instead? Less screen time!  For audio, click here ) The first blog post I ever wrote was not actually the first post I published.   I had decided in the spring to start this blog but had yet to flush out the details.   One day before all those details were decided, something happened and I wanted to document it.   This is the post I am sharing with you today. Figuring out what to do about money with PCS is stressful.   Today’s story reflects a time I got smashy about it.   Next week I’ll have some more storytelling about lessons I’m learning about support programs and what thoughts and feelings these have brought up for me. Until then, enjoy this post written May 25th, 2018. ————————————————————————————————————————- FINANCIAL STAKES I just smashed an empty breadcrumbs can with my hockey stick.   I put on my sunglasses before doing it; protective eyewear = safety first.   Then I ripped the glasses ...

(You should probably listen to this one.  For audio, click here !) I’m reclined on my couch on a cushion next to Bob that he allows me to have (lol…dogs 😜 ).   I’m facing my big window.   It’s a grey, rainy day.   I can see neighbouring rooftops nestled among a variety of trees showing off their autumn colours.   The rain causes the maple tree next to my window to rain down a confetti of red, orange and yellow leaves.   It’s a bit chilly outside but I still have the window open a crack to feel the crisp air and to hear the sound of the rain drops pitter-patter on the ground.   In my hands I hold a warm mug, the contents sending seasonal savours to my senses… It’s fall, alright, and I’m reminded of a near identical day about three years ago.   I was sitting on this same couch cushion, looking out this same window.   Symptomatically, I felt like shit.   But emotionally, I felt rather content with mug in one hand and ...

(Want to listen instead?  Less screen time!  For audio, click here ) I was in grade 8 when my grandmother on my mom’s side passed away.   It quickly became apparent that my grandma had been in charge of everything in her household, including taking care of my grandpa.   It only took about one week after she passed for my grandpa to get food poisoning.   As a result, soon after, my grandpa moved in with my family. My family has many stories about life with grandpa and my grandpa had stories of his own to tell.   He would talk about friends he had during the war, often referring to one character named “Bummy Finster.”   We would smile and nod, inwardly dismissing this and other odd “memories.”   My grandpa had dementia, so we figured he often got mixed up and unknowingly fabricated such things as cartoon-like characters for friends. My grandpa also had mobility issues and as time went on, he spent more and more time in front ...

Photo credit: Karl Musser, created it based on USGS and Digital Chart of the World data (accessed online here , sharable under the CC BY-SA 2.5)  (Want to listen to this post instead?  Less screen time! For audio, click here ) The Forks is a historically important landmark in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where I grew up.   It is where two rivers meet: the Assiniboine River, which runs West to East, originating in eastern Saskatchewan and ending at the Forks, and the Red River, which runs South to North, traveling all the way from the Minnesota and North Dakota border, then emptying north of the city into Lake Winnipeg. At the Forks in Winnipeg, the Assiniboine and Red rivers form a junction - a fork in the waters.   Because these rivers span such vast land, over history the rivers were an important transit way for shipping and trading goods.   You can even find a replica of one of the European fur-trading ships in the Manitoba Museum - an ex...