WHY THE DONATION FROM CANADA TO UKRAINE IS IMPORTANT!

 WE must support Ukraine in the war with Russia. Ukraine needs to survive for Europe to survive.

We need our allies in Europe and around the world. 

Just look at a map of the world. Russia to the west and north of us. USA to the south.

Are they our Allies? 

So having world allies for us in the event that we get invaded is vital for Canada's survival.

Also how many Canadians claim Ukrainian roots. Well lots. Here in the GTA and Manitoba.

2025 has taught that a Trade War may just be a disguise for a deeper issue.

So Ukraine live on.

Canada live on. Support our allies worldwide.

Richmond Hill supporting their Ukrainian members.

#ukrainianpeople#ukraine#canadasupportingukraine#canadaisvulnerable#canadaneedstosupporttheirallies#whocanwetrustintheworld#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

OUR FAMILY CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS-THE CANADIAN WAY

 Stocking full of goodies.

Christmas tree with ornaments of choice.

Lights on the house in the neighbourhood.

Christmas Day dinner with turkey and all the trimmings.

Christmas Eve seafood meal celebrated with Adolph the Italian way.

Presents for everyone.

Opening presents on Christmas morning

Christmas music, carols, 

Christmas movies- rewatching favourite ones- The Holiday, Love Actually, It's a Wonderful Life.

Cracking our Christmas crackers Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

Watching the Royal message on TV. Watching the Prime Minister's message on TV.

PJs on Boxing day to have a lazy day.

What are some of your traditions?

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#turkeydinnerwithallthetrimmings#christmascrackers#christmasmusic#christmasmovies#christmasstockings#Christmaslightseverywhere#memoriesofchristmaspast

CHRISTMAS IMAGES 2025

Hockey stick Christmas tree.

Santa's area at Hillcrest Mall.

Christmas trees.

JOY sign did bring joy.

Display at the lawyer's office.

A truck full of fun display.

Just seeing and taking some photos with my cell phone during the festive season brought me some much needed delight.

#christmasimages#joy#asignfullofjoy#truckofornatments#hillcrestmallechristmastrees#ahockeychristmastree#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FIVE THINGS I STILL DO THAT OTHERS WON'T ADMIT TO DOING

 !, Photos- I take photos on my phone and have a good SLR Nikon camera. A friend commented to me- are you still using a camera like that? Actually many photographers prefer good cameras to their cell phone ones. I upload photos to the computer. I use them in my blog. I print some photos. I enlarge some especially those family group shots.I give copies to family and friends. I still make albums and scrapebook some main events. I have made some Photo books for special occasions.

2. Maps, Map Quest- I like to use real maps. I have several map books. One of the GTA. One of all communities in Ontario. I print out map quest directions..

3. Ironing- I iron wrinkled clothes. Tablecloths for Christmas. I put  my clothes away wrinkled but folded and iron as needed.

4. Make most of my own meals. I do like to order meals or go out. I have tried those ready made freezer items periodically. But fresh made pasta is best with a good sauce. I do buy the Alfredo Fettucine sauce- the PC brand as it is good on pasta and an easy meal with some pepper on top.

5. I watch regular TV shows as well as streamed item. And I listen to the radio. I do like the fact I can find my shows the next day at a convenient hour. Like the Curse of Oak Island. On 10 pm Sundays nights so I watch it the next day at a decent hour.

These are just a few things I do but I am sure there are more I could write for you another time.

What are some things you do that others may find old?

#fivethingsIstilldothatotherswouldnotadmittodoing#5thingspeoplefindoutdated#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BEING REMEMBERED FOR MY SOCIAL WORK JOB

  My daughter saw a doctor I worked with at Mackenzie Health before I retired.

From the Woman and Child Program so it was about the babies and the mommies and some daddies too.

She told my daughter she would love to have me back working there as I was the best.

I dealt with the tough stuff. The hard stuff.

The baby deaths. The mommy hard times. And sometimes both mommies and babies.

Only one mommy death.

To be remembered and feel that the work was good and seen.

Did it make my day. Well a little. Actually a lot.

How about you? Do you like to be remembered for the work you have done?

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#workasasocialworker#mackenziehealthhospital#woman&childprogram

DECEMBER-THE BUSY MONTH FOR CHRISTMAS

 The hoopla raves up.

If lucky, you have some social events to attend or maybe to host. Mine as always is Christmas dinner.

We have a fun Christmas evening at one of my community groups.

So shopping, decorating and now to get to those Christmas cards is upon me.

Trips to stores and maybe malls to see the Christmas decorations.

Pretty displays can be seen everywhere.

#christmaspreparatons#decorationseverywhere#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- OCTAGONAL STRUCTURES DO CONNECT WITH FAMILY HISTORY

 The Richmond Hill Historical Society had Pamela Vega, The City of Richmond Hill Heritage Planner present a talk on Cemetery ornaments and Octagonal building. She showcased the Death House in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Richmond Hill on \October 21, 2025. 

What came to my mind was the Octagonal barn that used to be at the corner of Dufferin and Steeles.

I have a book on barns published in 1972 . "The Barn-A Vanishing Landmark in North America", by Eric Arthur and Dudley Witney.

I thought the barn was featured in that book. But perusing it I did not find the barn. So I keyed in the words octagonal barn at Dufferin and Steeles and several sites appeared.

Dukes Heights in North York listed some sources in the area. Friends who like Vintage Toronto Facebook page and North York Historical Society had information about the barn, its history and move.

The barn was built for Samuel Troyer, in the 1870s on Lot 1 Concession 3, Vaughan, Ontario.

This photo was taken by Steve Zikman Christmas Day 1976. It is on the Toronto Historical Society page. It is on the page Friends Who Like Vintage Toronto Facebook page.

Octagonal barn

Doing some research online I discovered the barn was dismantled and relocated to the 

Country Heritage Park in Milton. The photo is from their website.

I was pleased to know it still existed. 1977 when it was moved was a different year for me. I had a baby and was home. No internet. No news in the local papers.

For me to think all these years it had existed when I thought it was long gone.

I have copied some articles that tell why it was saved. It will be for another post.

I just wanted to get this post finished before December kicks in.

#otagonalbarn#dufferinandsteelesoctagonalbarn#countryheritagemuseum#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro