Blog | laura bachynski

0 Winter Picnic 2021

January 16, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Have you ever been on a winter picnic?

Yesterday I was preparing myself for yet another day of hunkering down in the house during this lockdown period and Terry suggested we pack up our gear and head out to Elk Island for lunch.

It was a ‘balmy’ +2 and the sun was smiling on us. I can’t believe how full the trunk of our car was after we had finished loading it with the wood, the axe, blankets, chairs, the picnic , and a wagon to carry it all in!

It was a lovely drive out (about 45 minutes from our home) and the roads were dry. The grasses peeking out from the farmers’ fields were a golden delight and the snow shadows a royal blue as they traced the drifts. Aspens stood erect and cattails waved to us as we passed.

It always amazes me to see a buffalo roaming free at Elk Island. We saw 3 yesterday.

We didn’t end up using the wagon as we found a picnic spot right near the road.Terry built up a nice fire for us and I used the windshield scraper to clear off a picnic table for lunch. But we didn’t end up sitting at the table because with the wind chill off of the lake it became a very cold picnic area. Brrrr! We had to sit as close to the fire as we could get but we did wear the right layers for warmth in that regard so it was mostly o.k.. The coldest part for me were my hands. I would take my mittens off to eat the homemade soup we brought but had to immediately put them back on and try and get some dexterity going to maneuver the spoon into the cup and get it up to my mouth…ha ha ha.

Terry cooked the classic fire pit meal of hotdogs and we had them on the most yummy, homemade bread gifted to us from our daughter, Emily. We ended up staying at the site for about 1 1/2 hours surprisingly and except for the wind it was a great picnic.

I had to laugh at myself trying to get up from that flimsy lawn chair. My knees just don’t work anymore so I have to use my arms to push off of the chair arms. But my boots couldn’t find purchase on the snow covered ice. I finally managed to launch myself off but heard the cold plastic of the cup holder break to pieces and I almost fell face first into the fire! Terry just rolls his eyes and laughs because he is so used to this kind of thing. I’m not much help in the clean up department but we’re good company for each other and we make each other laugh every day.

You should try and go out for your own winter picnic. (But you might want to pick an even warmer day!)

0 Blessings

January 15, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Yes. It’s already been a long ‘winter’. Eleven months of Covid (that we know of….) and we’re still one world divided by this pandemic.

And our poor neighbours. I’m talking about other divisions…..the political circus we read about every day. Circus is too cheery a word. It is not fun to read about or look at the actions of those who are so divided and influenced by the darkness that they would kill 5 people to take what they want.

It makes me sad how we can’t even talk with each other about politics these days because there is no room for listening. Tempers flare in a moment and it’s ‘my way or the highway’ for some families now. Sad.

How can we possibly find goodness in all of this?

I like to remember that it could always be worse for one thing. I recently saw an article about what people had to endure if they lived through the Depression and WW1, WW2, and the Vietnam War among many other hardships. People TODAY are trying to survive wars, camps, genocide, and destructive weather. But no matter what happens I DO believe that there is something we can look for in our lives…….. blessings.

Let’s be happy if we have eyes to see beauty. Beauty in the eyes of our neighbour. Look up and see the clouds! We’re isolated but we can still enjoy the beauty of our surroundings. I can actually drive to the mountains! Or I can use my talents when I’m stuck inside for weeks at a time.

And let’s try and remember that the world hasn’t changed all that much. There have been insurrections since the time of Jesus. We can’t change people but we can change ourselves as they say. Let’s look for our blessings today and remember to say ‘thank you’. There is always a way to see goodness if you choose. And we can always choose to be kind.

2 Photographs

January 14, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

I’ve been working on my photo albums this week.

Not gonna lie…I’ve had a few tears as I look through photos of our families and friends near and far. I miss them all so much and I try not to let my mind go to that dark place of fear. Covid news is scary, constant, and real.

Two days ago I lost another friend due to Covid, Fr. Mike McCaffery. “‘Death of a legend,’ ‘the passing of an era’ or ‘the end of an institution.’ These are all true,” said Edmonton Archbishop Richard Smith in a press release. He was a great priest and friend. Thankfully, most of the families I know who got Covid have recovered. But now my Ontario families are in full lockdown mode too. It’s just so scary.

I printed off one year’s worth of photos. I decided to do it this way so that I would save another project for the long winter days that I normally avoid with a hot destination by now.

So I gaze with tenderness upon my children, their children, photos of my siblings, etc. from safer times and the longing in my heart is a strong pull. But I am glad that I take so many photos because it helps my memory to recall all the fun things we did together and it gives me hope that someday we will be together again…God willing in good health.

I have always done a ‘scrapbooking’ style of album so it takes me many hours to tape and configure the various pictures on each page and then label them. I think I’m up to Album # 72 of the ‘family’ albums. (I don’t do the “Laura and Terry travel” albums anymore. But I did put together two large albums from our SpiritLine Tour.)

And although I included the above statement about taking photographs I don’t actually think that is the only way we can feel close to those we love. I pray for my loved ones every single day and I feel close to them ..living and deceased… this way too.

I love that little graphic that turns 2021 into hope.

That’s what I’m going to do too….. I’m going to turn 2021 into the year of hope.

Peace.

0 Musical Memories

January 13, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

The other day I finally got back to rehearsing my new music. I’ve been working on other artistic ventures (illustrations for a new children’s book) and/or cleaning the house from the Christmas finery removal.

I walked into the music room and took a moment to look at the pictures we have framed and up on the wall there.

I’ve been singing/performing publicly since I was a young girl but never could I have imagined that I would become a singer/songwriter. It was always my goal to be an actress(and I had many years of fun doing that work)and I did have a great time in musical theatre too. But songwriting and painting came about because of my disability and not being able to walk. What a blessing it has been!

I’ve been on three Canadian tours with my 3 albums, the last one being the most extensive with 36 concerts and playing every single province. It seems hard to believe that was already ‘way back’ in 2019..ha ha. And if Covid had started before we left for that last Tour we would probably never do it today. I have absolutely enjoyed the whole experience, seeing our beautiful country, and creating new music. And I already have another brand new album ready to hopefully record this year…if this lockdown ever ends.

I met so many great players and new friends through our shows and the best part was playing music with my talented family members. In the last photo you can see Terry’s best friend, Pete, on piano and drums, us, my sisters,Pam and Mary, on harmonies, and my brother,J.D., on lead guitar (at Pete and Denise’s house concert). Gosh, I miss them all so much.

I am always so happy when people have taken the time to let me know that the music moved them in some way. This has encouraged me to keep going as low self esteem/shyness about my talents and abilities can really make me question if this is what I’m meant to be doing. But if joy is reason enough then I must continue. I cannot stop smiling when I sing and I have found a great love for songwriting that has only increased over the years.

What are you doing to fill your days and your soul?

0 Ordinary Miracle

January 12, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

My bestie, Rose, sent me this Sarah McLachlan song which I have heard many times. Funny how I sometimes only really ‘hear’ a song if I can see the words.

Sarah McLachlan Lyrics

“Ordinary Miracle”

It’s not that unusual
When everything is beautiful
It’s just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sky knows when it’s time to snow
Don’t need to teach a seed to grow
It’s just another
Ordinary miracle today

Life is like a gift, they say
Wrapped up for you everyday
Open up, and find a way
To give some of your own

Isn’t it remarkable?
Like every time a raindrop falls
It’s just another
Ordinary miracle today

The birds in winter have their fling
And always make it home by spring
It’s just another
Ordinary miracle today

When you wake up everyday
Please don’t throw your dreams away
Hold them close to your heart
‘Cause we are all a part

Of the ordinary miracle

Ordinary miracle

Do you want to see a miracle

It seems so exceptional
That things work out after all
It’s just another
Ordinary miracle today

The sun comes out and shines so bright
And disappears again at night
It’s just another
Ordinary miracle today

It’s just another
Ordinary miracle today

Let’s look around our world today and see the very ordinary but very extraordinary miracles that appear around us, in us, for us…… every single day.

Ordinary Miracle by Sarah McLachlan

6 Waiting For Mom

January 11, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

(from…Shower Arguments)

” I used to wonder why my mom was always the last one out of the house. I thought for a while it was because she took the longest to get ready.I figured she sometimes waited until the last minute.I had the suspicion she didn’t want to go out in public without her hair done or lip liner on, even though I couldn’t imagine why a mom would care so much, really.

I only recently figured out the answer, having become a mom myself.Because while the rest of us waited outside, all bundled up in the scarves and jackets and hats she had pulled from storage, or smothered in sunscreen she had smeared on our faces while we clutched the flip-flops and swimsuits she had doled out, and rolled our eyes about how long she was taking—Mom was filling thermoses with hot chocolate,and packing picnic lunches,and making sure the bathroom light was off,and refilling the dog’s water bowl,and grabbing a spare change of clothes for us just in case,and searching through the junk drawer for a coupon,and taking a hot minute to use the bathroom by herself for a change,and yes, maybe dabbing on a bit of lipstick.

And whenever she did finally appear, pulling on her jacket as she locked the front door, she was always met with an exasperated,“Come OOOONNN, Mom!”To which she would respond by shooting daggers from her eyes.For the longest time, I didn’t get it. She had started at the same time we did!

Then I became a mom. And it finally dawned on me that my mom wasn’t the last one out because she was lazy or disorganized or slow or overly concerned about her appearance . . .It was because she took care of absolutely everyone and everything else before she took care of herself. And that’s just what moms do.”

I am feeling very nostalgic for the days of being a young mum.

I was always very energtic and worked in the theatre as an actress/dancer/singer or director (with the four little ones in tow!) for as long as I could before I just couldn’t take the arthritic hip pain anymore.

When my youngest of four children,the twins,were in grade one I finally had my first hip replacement. I was just learning how to walk again and I couldn’t break the 45 degree angle to get out of a low chair so Terry built up our lazy boy recliner so that I could easily stand right up. When the children would leave for school in the morning I would be sitting in that pink chair to wave to them my good-bye from the window (as they only had to cross the road and they were at St. Phillip’s.)

Then, I would use the crutches to get around as best as I could and water the plants or do the dishes or any other jobs I could do in that situation. I kept the house up as best as I could until about 3 pm when I would sit back down in time for the children to return home.

I remember my daughter, Lana, made me laugh so hard one day when she said, “Mummy, I’m just like you!” “Why?” I replied delightfully. “Because you just sit in that chair all day. You’re lazy. Just like ME!” Of course, that was her impression : I was there when she left for school and I was still there when she returned…ha ha ha.

As my children grew older they often had to ‘wait for mom’ . I couldn’t walk fast anymore and used a cane for years and years before my recent foot operation. But my two boys and two girls learned a lot from this experience with their pokey mum.

They learned to have empathy for those in a wheelchair (I myself was in one for seven years and many times after that period too). They learned to make their own beds and lunches and other things I might have naturally just done for them. They learned to be kind to each other and helpful to me when I couldn’t help myself (like if I dropped something out of reach) and in turn helpful to any others who might need it.

They waited for me if we went on a walk and never ever complained about it. And I still feel their love and caring when I have the pleasure of their company in my older years.

I know my own mum did everything for us when we were little. I wish I had offered to help her more when I was home. How blessed we are to have our mothers!

I think I’ll call my mum today.

0 On The Last Day of Christmas

January 10, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Happy ‘Baptism of the Lord’ Sunday!

I thought I would include this funny photo of the Wisemen sneaking into mass…ha ha. Since lockdown we are back to attending mass online. I really miss morning mass. I really miss Sunday mass! But we continue to try and stay safe by following the rules.

Let’s remember to love those in our lives a little more today. It was a tough week for me in terms of being aware of eight people who died that are connected to me in some way…two of them my own friends.

So let’s connect to those we love somehow and remind them once again how important they are to us.

Love. Love. Love.

0 Stay home

January 8, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

What a first week of the year!

I think most of us followed the mandate to stay home this Christmas and isolate from our families(in Alberta at least) and although it was tough we got through it and are still hopeful the Covid numbers will go down.

Then we get the news that many of our Canadian politicians flew off with their families for warmer climes. “Do as I say…not as I do”….!

That big news story with its accompanying resignations and firings soon paled in comparison to the upsetting news of the many Trump followers who stormed the Capitol on the 6th of January. Death. People were killed. And so far it appears that these folks were encouraged by some cryptic ‘tweets’ from their leader.

When will we have peace? How can we find it?

Perhaps we all need to take a step back and stop looking at our own political agendas.What is the best thing to do for our countries? Our neighbourhoods? Our own homes? (Our souls?)

Is it not bad enough that we are suffering from a killing pandemic? I have had quite a few friends die this week….ironically, not of Covid. One friend’s dad, another’s daughter, a dear friend’s sister, and my own sister’s mother-in-law. My dear friend in Ontario also lost 2 friends and a brother recently. We grieve.

Compounding scary news reports to personal fears is not fun.

Let’s stay home and keep each other safe. Because now that Christmas is done the real work of Christmas begins…..

0 Epiphany!

January 7, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

Yesterday was the holy day of Epiphany.

Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing forth”. It commemorates the mainfestations of the divinity of Christ ,which are sometimes called ‘Theophany’, which means the showing forth of God.(Catherine Doherty).

The 3 Wise Men are also known as ‘The Magi” and these three men followed a star to a place called Bethlehem. They were kings and they came with gifts for our Lord. But God gave US the greatest gift of all in his son, Jesus. And I worship and thank him.

We also celebrate miracles or manifistations this day …like Christ’s baptism and his miracle at Cana where he turned water into wine. Jesus revealed himself to the whole world on Epiphany.

Above I have included a link to one of my new songs called “Epiphany” . “Maybe someday, you’ll be the star, bringing the others to light!” I got the idea for this song after I heard a wonderful sermon by our friend, Fr. Paul, at Madonna House here in Edmonton. Madonna House was inspired by the teachings of the wonderful Catherine Doherty. She writes ….

” If we go out and follow the star, we ourselves will become a star. And others will follow us to that Immense Star that is Christ. The Star is fire and flame and beauty. It is love and faith and hope. And we can ignite ourselves from Him. The composition fo the Star is what we want to become; we want to be like Christ.”

I hope we all have ‘an epiphany’ this new year : that we are not alone and we too can become the star and bring others joy and love.

2 The Balance Sheet of Life

January 6, 2021
by Laura Bachynski
· Blog

I’ve been thinking about what an incredible gift it is to be alive.

Our bodies are such intricate creations that if just one tiny cell is off in some way we can be out of whack and possibly even ill. The master Creator has given us these bodies and also given us free will!

We can worry or we can trust. We can gossip or we can spread goodness. We can frown or allow our faces to do one simple act of kindness….our smile! This in turn might cause another to smile. We are actually quite powerful.

Anger can be our primary response to life or we could communicate through prayer or with encouragement.

I love the last part of the ‘balance sheet’ the most :

Life ends when we stop dreaming. Hope ends when we stop believing. Love ends when we stop caring. And friendship ends when we stop sharing.

So I share this sweet reminder with you today. Let’s recheck our ‘balance sheets’ and make sure that no matter what 2021 throws at us we will use our bodies for good!

Happy Epiphany!

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