Yes, the Olympics! Glory and defeat. The mental health stress for athletes is phenomenal. Whether you win, and it changes your life, or you come 4th and are crushed.
Yes, Jean the drone spying is shameful. No question. It began with the previous coach, the last coach was assistant coach to him, it was the culture amongst upper staff. One email between coach Priestman and an analyst ( a reluctant spy) said, "All the top 10 teams do it." Canada Soccer will get to the bottom of this. There is no evidence the soccer players were part of it. FIFA should get to the bottom of the claim. Canadians want the truth.
Joe and I are both watching our energy levels as we recover from COVID. Thursday is the first day that my cough was loose, and I didn't have to work so hard to clear my lungs. What a miracle! Joe is keeping up with dishes. I managed my laundry Wednesday. Thursday, I did a few light chores, i.e. putting away said laundry! This is good. Today my goal is to wash sheets on our king-sized bed today. Joe had his PSA test; today his Lupron injection.
Story time
I had a wonderful conversation with Jo by text and told them a story.
Firstly, my late mother would be horrified with the current state of my house!!! It doesn't bother me too much. Priorities... we are managing our energy levels.
In the 50s and 60s ‘homemakers’ had so much pressure to have a perfect home. Although Mom worked before and after they adopted me, there was pressure for Mom to keep up with her older sister, who lived in a rich part of Toronto. Mom was a perfectionsit. She worked 4 days a week after she went back. Imagine importing a 6-month old suddenly. No prep, etc.!
My university chum had a baby shortly after Caitlin was born, I told Jo. This was after we graduated in 1979. That was the era. My friend's mother went to stay with her for a couple of weeks in Toronto. New baby, right? Her mother chastised her for the dirty home she had. She was disgusted. My friend said her Mom 'Cometized' her bathroom. We were at a baby shower for her and we sure laughed over that one.
Rich, white, old men just wanted to sell women cleaning products, tools, washing machines, vacuums, etc. They didn’t want them working outside the home. My mom worked before I was adopted, and went back when I was 5. It was unusual at the time.
Jo told me that is was kind of mind blowing for it to be unusual! This is why we old farts tell our stories. Jo has very few friends whose moms didn’t go back to work after giving birth! I replied that I would have expected that. It means women don’t have to stay in abusive relationships, afraid of not being able to pay bills.
Jo had a mature comment (so proud):
"True! It gives people more agency now."
That is not true for all socioeconomic groups, but if you have a job, skills, education, it is better for you. The ads from back in the day are ridiculous now.
July 31st
I love sitting with Cinnamon on my lap. He is twitchy, though. If I move a certain way, he'll jump down anticipating my getting up. One cough, and he was gone. He's used to my cough, now! Sad tale, I know.
We watched an Escape to the Country, where then were exploring Scotland, Perth and Kinross. YAM it is such beautiful country. I love reading people's blogs where they post their flora and fauna. Sights for a reluctant traveler and sick person.
I looked out the front window, after the storm, and saw beautiful clouds. I walked down to the end of the driveway and snapped a few photos.
