Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Wisdom


This is the last Wisdom post for 2022.  I want to take this time to wish you all a Very Happy New Year & much happiness & health in 2023.

Thank You for visiting my blog throughout 2022 - your company has been most welcome.



May the tears you cried in 2022

Water the seeds you are planting in 2023.

 


 

Friday, December 23, 2022

Merry & Happy Christmas

 

 



We are currently under a Winter Storm / Blizzard Warning for Friday & Saturday.  All travel is advised against & there will be reduced visibility with blowing snow.  If you have ever driven during a winter storm you know how scary white outs are.   Stay safe all my Ontario friends.

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Wisdom

 





I am beginning to recognize that true happiness isn't something large & looming on the horizon ahead, but something  small & numerous & already here.

The warm sunset, the decent breakfast, the smile of someone you love. Your everyday joys lined up in a row.


... Beau Taplin

Monday, December 19, 2022

Me On A Monday - December 19th


Good Morning Everyone.  It certainly is a busy time in the run up to Christmas, so let's take a little break & have some fun. Plus we have had a few days of winter weather to put us in the mood. (or not).

Find Your Snowman Name:

Your First Initial

A = Jingle                             K = Candy                            S = Hope

B = Merry                            L = Magic                             T = Sweetie

C = Bells                              M = Sparkle                         U = Terry

D = Tinkle                            N = Sugarplum                    V = Jolly

E = Angel                             O = Joy                                W = Cosy

F = Twinkle                          P = Tinsel                             X = Sherry

G = Rosie                             Q = Robin                           Y = Eve

H = Holly                              R = Cookie                         Z = Pinkly

I = Berry

J = Festive

 Your Birth Month

January = McSnowy              February = McFeeze                       March = McSlush

April = McSnowBalls            May = McChilly                             June = McIcicles

July = McGlisten                   August = McBlizzard                      September = McSparkle

October = McSparkles           November = McFrosty                    December = McSnowFlake

 



 

And for my friends in the UK, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, there is a Snowmen Trail to follow, November 19 2022 - January 20th 2023.  Here is the link: Walking With The Snowman.  I am certainly envious.

The only things I could find for Ontario is taking goats for a walk in a lighted woods: Walking Goats in Ontario  and Eclipse light Walk of Goats  OR skating through trails & woods:  Ontario Skating Trails

Sorry nothing for my US of A friends.  🎅

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Wisdom

 






Drive carefully on the road of life, because

people will switch lanes on you, without

signaling.

Monday, December 12, 2022

Me On A Monday - December 12th

 Good Morning Everyone.  Less than 2 weeks until Christmas. It's coming on fast.  

We had a major power outage on Sunday from 3:45am until 11:30am which really impacted a lot of planned activities. 

Our little village had our Farmer's Parade of Lights last Thursday.  The farmers & their elves go all out to make it fun & spectacular. There were 30 floats for the 30th anniversary of the parade.

Here are a few of my favourite floats - photos posted from the community F/B page.




 

And now that I know that the big guy is in town, I need to be extra good.  Happy week to all.

Wednesday, December 07, 2022

Wisdom

 





A Possible Holiday Wish List


Less Gifts, More Memories

Less Busyness, More Peace

Less Stress, More Joy

Less Chaos, More Calm

Less Excess, More Gratitude

                                                                     ... The Simplicity Habit 

Monday, December 05, 2022

Me On A Monday - December 5th

  

SOURCE: Internet

Good Morning.  Oh such a week of stories & drama.  I often feel like we are being driven by the " distraction news".  But that's not why you are reading here today ... 

Currently Reading:  I'm enjoying the slow read of Christmas Days; 12 Stories, 12 Feasts for 12 days.  I'm not sure if, when I originally read this passage last year, it resonated with me as it does this year.   "because ritual has an anticipatory relevance - we prepare for it, practically & psychologically, that's part of its benefit. It's about making your own raft of time, our own doorway into Christmas. Ritual isn't about multitasking.  Ritual is time cut out of time."

And speaking to that, I started Louise Penny's latest book "A World of CuriositiesPOSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT, but not.... on page 25 at the top of the page is written a date, December 6th, 1989.  It was at that point until the end of page 31 that I cried, I sobbed.  This book's story isn't about what happened on this date, it's a piece of a backdrop.You can read more here: December 6th 1989 Polytechnique.  I do mark the day every year with the reading of  & saying their names aloud. Remembering & ritual do have a reverence. 

I also got from the library Jamie Oliver's Christmas Cookbook, which was suggested by another Ontario blogger, Sarah in Toronto.  I have copied down several vegetable recipes which include 4 new to me, ways to prepare brussel sprouts - a must have for us at Christmas.

Currently More Vaccine Jabs:  Mr Man & I were able to get our latest Covid Omicron specific booster jab.  Mr Man had a rough couple of days with the jab, very achy all over.  Surprisingly this time for me, it was & still is, a really tender sore spot at the needle sight, but not the days of stiffness I had previously experienced. 

Currently Decorating:  Both Christmas trees are done.  Our main tree is in the opening between the living (lounge) room & dining room. I decorate the living room side with a theme of angels & love,  the  dining room side has a this is our life theme. Haven't decided on a special ornament for 2022.  Of course, in the family room is the other tree, devoted to horses.  Your tree decorating all done?

This year, against my own policy of NO MORE Christmas decorations, I added to our decorations with two glass table top Christmas trees that light up with twinkly lights inside & when I first saw them, immediately a dining room table display appeared in my mind. I like even more because I got them as a sale item because the packaging was damaged. Lots of glass or crystal & silver candle holders are included in my vision.  Years ago when I was doing ceramics, I made a large white twig sleigh - this features as the centre piece & everything else is around it.  The sleigh is filled with little decorative presents.  Once we get some sunny or bright days, I will take a photo of it.  This is a photo of the glass trees from the Internet, not my table decoration.

SOURCE: Internet
 Currently Watching: We kicked off our Christmas movie watching with "Love Actually"  this movie still holds its own & I always have a little tear near the end.  If you haven't watched this movie - I do suggest it.  I think one of my favourite bits in the movie is Hugh Grant's dance. 

And I'll leave you with this thought ... "think how much more interesting the news coverage would be if a liar's pants really did catch on fire!"


Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Wisdom

 

Please remember:

your job is the dream of the unemployed

your home is the dream of the homeless

your smile is the dream of the depressed

your health is the dream of those that are sick


beautiful things happen when you distance yourself from the negative, find something to be grateful for.

Monday, November 28, 2022

Me On A Monday - November 28th

  

Source: Internet

Good Morning. We are now in the season of Advent, the waiting has begun.  

Currently Reading:  I've started my Christmas reading a little earlier than originally intended, mainly because the books I requested from the library arrived earlier than I expected.  I started with book 1 of a 4 book series; Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand .  It was a simple easy read & one I quite enjoyed after reading some topic heavy manuals earlier in the week.  I have book two on order, Winter Storms.  In the finishing the first book, I have started to be interested in the family the story centres around.  I am not totally connected to them all yet, but maybe by book 4 I will be. I'm rooting for love that conquers past hurts & lost love .  Also, for me, it's not too sweet as to make my back teeth ache. 

I have also started to read a favourite discovery from last year, Christmas Days, 12 Stories and  12 Feasts for 12 days by Jeanette Winterson.  What I liked about this book, was the sense of whimsy, a sense of possible magic & definitely some sense of miracles, along with a splash of reality.  This is the perfect season to get a good helping of believing in the miracles & the magic. I am reading this one slowly, a chapter a night, hoping to make it linger in my run up to Christmas.

Currently Watching: On Sunday, being the first Sunday in Advent, I watched via uTube (thank you technology) the service from Canterbury Cathedral.  What a choir!

Currently Enjoying: the ease & quiet of a new washer & dryer. And it only took 3 days to catch up on the accumulated laundry in the 10 days I was without washer/dryer.  I call that a life win!

Currently Decorating: I've started the slow process of decorating. It is earlier than my normal start date of December 1st.  I was feeling that trying to get everything done, including decorating both trees, was too much to expect of myself on the first of December.  Starting on first Advent Sunday was, I thought, not too early & it keeps pressure of doing it all in 24 hours off my shoulders.  Horse tree in the family is done. 

And I will leave you with this thought ... " it is the beautiful task of Advent to awaken in all of us, memories of goodness and thus to open the doors of hope "... Pope Benedict XVI



Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Wisdom

 Respectful Ways To Offer Advice


"are you open to advice or are you just wanting to vent? I can follow you down either road"

"you probably already tried this, but what about ...?"

"it's not like I'm an expert, but I'm thinking out loud, what about ....?"

"I don't know all the details, so I might be missing an important piece, but have you tried ..."

"stop me if what I'm saying isn't resonating with you because I want you to feel heard, but one time I was in a similar predicament & I tried ..."

                    ... from the Secure Relationship

Monday, November 21, 2022

Me On A Monday - November 21st

 


Good morning everyone in blog land.  I hope everyone is well.  On Sunday we had a snow storm all day. Thankfully not a lot of snow, but very windy which made driving too dangerous, so we did not go out at all on Sunday.  Of course it was nothing like the storm north of us in Midland & Barrie areas or to the south of us in Buffalo (USofA).  Buffalo will be digging out for weeks.

Currently Reviewing: One Little Word(s) for 2022 has overall not been one of my successes with OLW.  My theme for 2022 was all Re words & my intention was to pick a Re word for each quarter.  January - March the word was Reduce.  Lots of success with reducing physical things, not so much with the reducing of emotional or other non physical things. Still the reduction of stuff did bring some peace of mind. Reduce has been running in the background all year.  For the second quarter I settled with Return as I was most hopeful & determined that we should Return to getting on with living our lives within caution that COVID was still freely reproducing.  Not so much success during April - June. For July - September I decided that Return would maybe be more of an actual action, alas it was not to be.  So many other things got in the way.  OLW for October - December has been Review.  I've been doing a lot of that, reviewing the success & not so successful elements of my 2022 OLW plan.  I have also been reviewing a lot of our stumbling blocks in 2022 as I would really prefer not to take any of them into 2023 with us.  

Currently Inspired - Sort Of: I am trying to settle on a December project.  Ruth, from This West London Life kindly sent me some instructions on her new style of December Daily project. You can see it here: Ruth's DD Foundation Pages . I've also been reviewing comments from people who have participated in an online December Pause project.  Many of you know that I have often, from the start referred to the pandemic as The Great Pause.  So maybe since The Great Pause has been a major stumbling block in our lives, I might put the concept of pausing to work to sort out December Daily 2022.  

Currently Stimulating The Economy:  just when I was in the middle of laundry day last weekend, our washing machine decided it had had enough of life & died in a dramatic way - who knew a machine could make such noises!  The dryer, which was the other half of the set, decided, it couldn't go on without its' partner. Mr Man had one fix on the washer last year, but basically the repair person said "you know Madame that these machines are NOT built to last."  SO, Mr Man in true hunter fashion hunted for the best bargain known to man & we ordered a new set. There are washing machines out there that connect via WiFi with your phone.  Brilliant technology, but can you imagine the techno needed & if it goes wrong how expensive to fix ... besides I get enough messaging on my phone I don't want my washing machine to add to that load (laundry pun)!  We expect delivery this week. On December 25th it will have a big red bow on it & marked Merry Christmas ,being that it is taking most the gift giving $$$s.

Currently Reading:  "The Christmas Sisters" it was a start on my Christmas themed reading.  It was SO predicable in plot, so IMO, not a very good read.  I am in the middle of reading "The Courage To Be Disliked"  not what I thought it would be, it is a philosophy book. It's written as a two way conversation between the youth & the wise. No recommendation from me.  

Currently Planning: Christmas activities.  One is to stroll the streets of a little village/town 20 minutes to the east of us.  They go all out for decorating the shop windows & sidewalks.  It is particularly lovely at night. 

 Currently Healing: I have been spending a few days sitting on ice (on/off not continuously) as I sat awkwardly during a meeting & now I'm paying for that ... in more ways than the hip ache!!  

"Alexa ... start the laundry ..."

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Wisdom

 

 


 

Gather your mistakes,  

rinse them with honesty & self reflection.

Let dry until you can see every choice & every regret 

become brittle.

Cover the entire surface in forgiveness &  

remind yourself you are human.

And this too is a gift.

            ... Rudy Francisco 

Monday, November 14, 2022

Me On A Monday - November 14th

 

Morning Fire Red Sky

Good Morning everyone - now doesn't that have a ring of being in the classroom again & being greeted by the teacher? 

Currently Shopping:  I've bought a few Christmas gifts. This year gift giving will be much more subdued as there isn't a lot any of us need.  Those that we gift exchange with all agree, far too costly for most things.  We've also agreed to give things that are consumable, edible mostly because none of us want to find a place to store or dust afterwards. 

Currently ReadingThe Locked Room, book #14 in the Ruth Galloway series.  Thoroughly enjoyed & I was ever so pleased for Ruth of what she gained at the end of the story (no spoilers in case you haven't enjoyed as yet).  I am just finishing up, A Demon Summer, book #4 in the Max Tudor murder mystery series.  I think for me this will be the last read of the series or at least a break, I really don't enjoy & find that I have to force myself to read. 

Reading each & every page, not only once, but twice, The Holiday Insiders Report.  This is a magazine produced by the grocery chain that I shop at; I shop at one of the subsidiaries of the chain.  They showcase all their new products for the holiday season in it, it's like a catalogue for foodies & this year it will feature as a guide for our gift giving.  I save all my points with the frequent shopper club card & use to do a lot of treat shopping with the points earned.  Candy Cane ice cream is back, they haven't take up with my suggestion of Candy Cane frozen yoghurt 😔

Currently Crafting: or maybe not, I cannot decide this year if I will do a December Daily project.  I did not do one last year, although I did lots of Christmas related pages in my day to day album.  It's not only about space for another album, but the energy to plan, implement & process.  Maybe I need to sort through with my holiday papers & stickers to be inspired.

Currently Virus (up)Rising:  Once again COVID is rising in cases of  illness & death. What's also scary is the rapid rise of another respiratory illness, RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) . Primarily this is a virus that affects children but adults can also get this virus. 

Our provincial medical officer is now requesting (not mandating) that everyone start wearing their masks again when indoors. I cannot believe there is really any debate about putting on a mask, particularly indoors, when it has been medically & scientifically proven to help reduce the spread of all respiratory viruses.  

Three major provincial children's hospitals, Toronto & Hamilton & Eastern Ontario, are now delaying surgeries as their capacity to treat is now at critical capacity because of the rise & treatment required of RSV in children.

I live in a region with a small & over worked general hospital. For more than six months the ER gets closed for 24 to 48 hours, not always, but usually on the weekend. The ambulances, if you can get one, are taking over an hour to get to our village. I recently read that the ambulance shortage is because when they get the patient to the hospital, they must stay with the patient until the hospital can receive them - it's called off loading & that process can take up to 8-12 hours, so it keeps that ambulance out of the circuit !!!!!!   You just don't want to risk getting sick or hurt in Ontario.

Currently Garden VisitorsNow that the leaves are all gone off our two large Burning Bushes, Euonymus alatus & only the berries remain, we have been receiving daily visits from Cedar Waxwing & Black Capped Chickadees. Our largest two bushes are located in the front garden so that both cats can sit at the large window & watch as birds fly in & out of the bush - it's bird theatre.

Cedar Waxwing enjoying the berries
 

Oh yes, I forgot to mention, it snowed yesterday morning. Not a big snow, light, wet & sticking to the ground.  I'll say no more for fear of being rude.  Happy week everyone ... class dismissed.  😉

Friday, November 11, 2022

Remembrance Day 2022

RESPECT,  REFLECT,  REMEMBER


 


 

We Will Remember Them by Robert Laurence Binyon

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Wednesday, November 09, 2022

Wisdom

 

                    




If an egg is broken by outside force, life ends.

If broken by inside force, life begins.

Great things always begin from inside.

                                     ...  Buddha

Monday, November 07, 2022

Me On A Monday - November 7th

 

Good Morning one & all.  We experienced record breaking temperatures of mild this weekend.  For us on Saturday the temperatures got up to +24 and the sun was shining brightly. Not the typical November days.  Plus on Saturday we turned our clocks back one hour - now living in "standard time".  I look forward to the time when we don't move the clocks anymore.  For us in Ontario we are waiting for Quebec & New York State (US of A) to make up their minds about it,  since the 3 of us trade & do business together.

Currently Reading:  Want by Lynn Steger Strong. While the book is well written, the story was depressing for me. One of the jacket recommendations said "Want is honest & funny & profoundly moving"  I never found anything funny or amusing about the story & as for being honest, well again IMO, it was a depressing honesty.  

I've got 12 books on request at the library, many are not published until late November through to January. I am so excited about Louise Penny's latest to be released November 22nd.  I've also started my quest for Christmas themed stories.  I will be re-reading, in December, the gem of a Christmas book I discovered by chance last year; Christmas Days; 12 Stories, 12 Feasts for 12 Days.

Currently Watching: Nothing really. We will quit our subscription to Crave TV this week, once House Of The Dragon finished, I've not found anything on this expensive paid channel. 

Currently Curious: I read an article about a woman burning up the internet with her question about "do you make people take off their shoes at the front door"  Dah, yes, of course.  But after reading the article & comments, it seems this is a Canadian thing. Really?  I wouldn't dream of wearing my outside shoes into someone's home, I always take a pair of slippers with me or another pair of  house only shoes.  Any of our guests automatically slip off their shoes when coming in. We have a slipper basket at the door.  And come to think of it, health care offices that I go to also have a bin of slippers or shoe covers at the door. So is this a Canadian thing? Do you and/or your guests take off your street shoes when entering someone's home?

And I will leave you with this thought for week:  "many may drink at the fountain of knowledge, but it seems there are some only gargling!"



Wednesday, November 02, 2022

Wisdom

 




Marriage Is Hard

Divorce Is Hard

Choose Your Hard


Obesity Is Hard

Fitness Is Hard

Choose Your Hard


Being In Debt Is Hard

Financial Responsibility Is Hard

Choose Your Hard


Communication Is Hard

Discord Is Hard

Choose Your Hard


Life will never be easy. It will always be hard. But we can choose our hard.  Choose wisely.

                ... The Minds Journal



Monday, October 31, 2022

Me On A Monday - October 31st

  


Good Morning.  I trust everyone is well.  Hard to believe that another month is finishing.  Today is Halloween & I am not a big, if at all, celebrator of Halloween. IMO it has become far too gory.  I have for the first time in 2 years, bought candy to hand out.  I will fill a bowl & leave a note for the little darlings to help themselves, but only to take one - I am hopeful that the kids are not greedy.  If Mr Man had his way, the lights would be out. Once again I give out candy I do not like, so I'm not tempted to keep & eat myself.

Currently Reading: just about finished the third Max Tudor mystery, Pagan Spring.  I must say, there's really not much of a mystery (so far) in these books.  I have waiting for me at the library The Measure (again) I really don't recall requesting a 2nd time, but I think The Universe wants to message me, so I'll read again so soon after the initial reading.

Currently Wrapping Up: with my 31 Days of Grateful. I did not create a mini scrapbook album, but just a single page insert for my day to day album.  There were lots of grateful moments.

Currently Harvest: the farmer brought in the corn crop this past week. The cobs were small & the yield much less than he had hoped for.   


Current Use Of Our Freedoms: last Monday it was municipal elections in Ontario.  This year in our region our mayor & ward councilor were both acclaimed as no one ran against them.  The only person choice we had was for school trustee.

Currently Watching: House of the Dragon has ended for season one. Rumour is that it will be 2024 before season two is ready to roll out. Still liking Magpie Murders. Mr Man is finding Annika tough going - he says it is the thick Scottish brogue that defeats him.  We are also watching the 3rd season of Stanley Tucci's Searching Italy.  I may be a little saturated, but this season isn't as good as the first season, IMO.

Currently Sitting Through: several church meetings about what do we do well, what can we improve upon & what's next.  Most of the time was spent back patting.  IMO, that is a big problem, the elders of my church are too busy celebrating themselves to look to see what is happening.  The membership has dropped significantly & there's only about 6-7 live bodies in the church; count the minister, organist & 3 person choir, it totals maybe a dozen people any given Sunday.  We haven't had a need for a Sunday School or nursery in years. 

We, the church, were "gifted" a mobile sign from a business that was behind the church, when they moved out of the region.  It was in rough shape, but several of the handy repair folks at church, cleaned it up, straighten it up & now we have a really excellent source of engaging with the community. Right now it is just being used to indicated service times.  I suggested we use the sign as a way of engaging with the community, with some tasteful banter on the signs; things like "avoid the Christmas rush, join us this Sunday" or " God's gifts are like butter ... spread them" or "exercise daily, walk with God".  I think I may have volunteered for something!!

Currently Health Matters: we got our annual Flu jab last Friday. Thankfully we were able to schedule the time for later in the day, which meant we could grab a nap should the need arise & it did. 😃  


And my thought for the day is "the best way to have the last word in an argument, is to apologize".

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Wisdom

 The Wisdom Of Grateful




“A fallen leaf is nothing more than a summer’s wave goodbye."

                                   ... Unknown


Monday, October 24, 2022

Me On A Monday - October 24th

 Good Morning.  In reviewing some projects around the house & posting on my blog, I can see I've missed sharing the big outdoors project for this year (although really I was sure I had ...)

On the west side of the house we have tried for years to get the grass to thrive. A lot of time, effort & money went into re-seeding, fertilizing, new dirt, overseeding, watering, etc.  It just would not grow.  Partly because of the large red maple tree (a type of Norway Maple) it takes a lot of the water & nutrients from the soil.  SO this year, Mr Man designed a project & we had a landscape company install his vision.  I'm not 100% sold on the results, but if Mr Man is happy, then this wife is happy too.  A good part of the theory is that having the mid-size river rock is that come leaf clean up, it will be easy to blow the leaves off the stones ... that's the theory.  So far as the leaves accumulate, I cannot find the flat flagstone path.  I'll say no more.

Before Photo:

The Start Of The Project:

 

The Finish Of The Project:

 

Lost in the leaves.

The weekend was glorious in weather, which allowed us to get out into the garden to continue with putting the garden to bed for the winter.  Five full bags of yard waste for Monday's pick up.

While we were out in the garden one of our favourite little friends was awake & came for a visit.  Of course I offered some contributions to their winter food stash.

And now off we go into another week.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Wisdom

 The Wisdom of Being Grateful




"I loved autumn, the season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it."

                        ... Lee Maynard

Monday, October 17, 2022

Me On A Monday - October 17th

 

Taken In The Conservation Park

Good Morning. I trust all is well in your part of the world.  Ms Autumn is quickly running through her box of colouring pencils - it is one of the most colourful Autumns I can remember.  Thank you Ms Autumn. Please stick round for a few more months!


Taken In The Conservation Park

 Currently Reading:  Just finished another of the Dr Ruth Galloway crime books, now I'm caught up in this series & await the release of the latest.  I also just finished the 2nd book in The Thursday Murder Club series.  I also read Tom Bower's book Revenge. WOW.  I was surprised at how well it flowed & it read almost like a novel. I've just begun the 2nd book in The Max Tudor murder mystery series- A Fatal Winter.  I just cannot believe how treacherous it is living in a small English village.

Currently Watching: this side of the pond the latest Masterpiece mystery was started on Sunday; The Magpie Murders. Also Annika began last night, with the fabulous Nicola Walker.  House of The Dragon is getting far too complicated for Mr Man; thankfully we record, so I can pause to explain who it was that was just killed or who it was doing the killing or in some cases who was not killed but escaped!

Taken in The Conservation Park

Currently Scheduled:  in Ontario, now anyone over 18 years of age, can receive the new Omicron targeted vaccine.  Mr Man & I scheduled in early December. Flu jabs will not be available until November, which baffles me since all the health experts are saying (1) flu season starts in September (2) it's going to be a really bad flu season.  So why isn't the vaccine available until November in Ontario?!!!?

Currently Discovering: that a big block of marble, low fat cheese, on sale at Costco,  can be divided into chunks & frozen for later use & it is absolutely fine when thawed.  This has been my most successful domestic discovery of 2022!

Taken In The Conservation Park
 

And I will leave you with this thought ... as I find random loose screws about the house, I just assume it is another sign of my life falling apart.

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Wisdom

 The Wisdom of Being Grateful




Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than any other season

                        ... Jim Bishop

Monday, October 10, 2022

Me On Monday - October 10th

 It is Thanksgiving Monday. Much to give thanks for, along with a festive dinner & decorating for the season.  The weather is chilly & Ms Autumn threatens with rain.

Forever on Thanksgiving the heart will find the pathway home.

Wednesday, October 05, 2022

Wisdom

 The Wisdom Of Being Grateful


 

Autumn is the mellower season & what we lose in flowers, we more than gain in fruit.

                      ...  Samuel Butler

Monday, October 03, 2022

Me On A Monday - October 3rd

 

Taken In The Conservation Park

Good Morning!  I hope every one is doing well. The colours of Autumn are showing up quickly.  Many of the trees have completely turned & some are beginning to loose their leaves - shedding.  I think by the time we get to Thanksgiving (October 10th) many trees will be bare!

Currently Watching: the weekly installation of House of the Dragon. We record on Sunday night & we watch on Monday. I'm not as invested as I had hoped I would be, Mr Man is ready to give up on it.  Very glad that the new season of The Repair Shop has started this side of the pond. Each repair brings with it a nice story & there are some tears shed in the telling & repair of the special item.

Currently Reading: Just waiting for a few books at the library to be my turn; Horse, recommended by Karen. I gave in & requested Revenge by Tom Bower.

Currently Sorting: as I move all my clothes back into the closet that is attached to the ensuite bathroom that we just finished renovating, I am doing another sort & clear out.  There are a number of items being shed because keeping them, keeps me in shame about not being thinner.  

Currently Working On: I have been slowly plugging along with the making of Christmas cards.  As the weather has a definite cooler vibe, I'm prepared, but not rushing, to thinking of Christmas cards. I have been back & forth on choosing just one or two designs, a simpler style with 2-3 variations. But there's no rush, there's still lots of time.

Currently Enjoying: catching up in person with friends. I met each friend in a park; one park was a new to me adventure & another meet up was in a favourite park.  With both friends, we put all caution aside & greeted each other with a hug.  I also had a phone catch up call with one of my best friends, who lives too far away for a park meet up. It's amazing how meeting friends & especially those that you meet up with in person, can chase away the blues & put a spark back into your day.  So far, I'm still tasting & smelling well, & no cough. 

Autumn, the year's last loveliest smile. ... W.C. Bryan


Friday, September 30, 2022

SPSH - The Final Link In, The Wrap Up, The End

 Thank you to all that stuck with the list for the 2022 Summer Photo Scavenger Hunt.  Link in with:

Karen's 365photos

Ruth - This West London Life

Deb's World

Bless - My Two Cents

Susanne Snaps & Snippets

Karen's Random Reflections

Eileen's Bracelet of Days


I must admit it was a real challenge for me this year.  We did not get out & about as much as I had hoped we would have, so most of my finds had to be very close to home, which in turn, kind of dulled my enthusiasm for the search.

So without further excuse, my final entries:

#4 Faceless Selfie: Me & Smoke just chilling at home. What's more me than cats & horses ...

#5 Something That Looks Like a Letter or Number: the letter j which is really a lucky happenstance - the bird feeder shepherd's hook lying on the ground as we change location of the feeder.

 #7 A Leaf Vein:

#10 OMG The Shoes:  These are all mine at the patio door! Yikes time for a tidy up - summer shoes go away & the boots come out.

 #15 Wind Power: To get any sound out of the chimes, the wind must be blowing & in this location, the wind must really be blowing. Next year we'll find a spot where the tail of the chimes doesn't get caught in a plant, which silences the chimes.


#16 Oh So Colourful: The peonies at Terry Fox Park - a beautiful find of a park when visiting another eye clinic for Mr Man.

 #18 In The Distance: the woods at the back of my friend's pool - this is still her property, it ends up at the river, just out of sight.

#20 You Grew It/Made It:  A card I made for my best friend's birthday in October. The butterfly is outlined in a white glitter & the body is 3 clear jewels.


#21 Invokes A Childhood Memory: This jade horse was in my step-mother's home for many years & when my Dad passed away, she gave it to me. I remember making up stories about this wild beast, that I could tame & ride.  It's about 8" high.

Alt A:  Recent Purchase: yes it's my new toilet in the upgraded ensuite bathroom, sitting on the new Plan C floor of the ensuite bathroom. It's really not that closed in ...



Alt C: Free Choice.  I met with one of my good friends that moved away last year, in this new to me park, yesterday, which is almost half way for her. It will be a definite return visit for me with Mr Man in tow.

 

Well that's a wrap & thank you again for playing along.  Who knows maybe with a winter break I'll come up with a new 2023 list for the SPSH.