AUGUST AND SUMMER MEMORIES

 I did not do alot this summer that was razzle dazzle.

The FIFA watch parties kept me out and about with people

Downtown for one.

Two graduations of grandsons. The Mexican restaurant was fun.

Local watch parties.

Markham for lunch with a High School mate.

Canada Day at Richmond Green.

Seeing a friend from Phillie that I hadn't seen in many years.

Live at the Plaza music nights at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts.

My 30 minute walks around the library through grandpa's park then along Harding to home.

Sitting in my little spot at the front.

A day at Harbourfront with my friend Mary. Finding some new street art

And my guy- Ed Sheeran at the Rogers Centre with Tash. Loved it and all the crowd with their lights.

Eating ice cream. Giving my grandson a ride with his friends. Meeting young people.

And having a family matter settled after 50 years.

Oh summer and August, I will miss you.

#august#summer#edsheeran#concertatrogerscentre#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#harbourfront#lakeontario#downtownvibes#fifawatchparties

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- MY COUSIN ROY DIED

 Doing family history always allows connections with family.

My cousin Roy was the inspiration for me to do this blog.

He died Friday August 30 2026.

Roy Ellis. The youngest son of my Uncle Norman Ellis.

So my connection to my Mom's maiden name ELLIS,

Roy lived in Manitoba mostly Carmen then Winnipeg for his adult years. He was an entomologist by profession.

2 children. 5 grandchildren.

Roy Ellis- May 6, 1944 to August 30, 2026. His ashes will be scattered at the family cottage on the Manitoba/Ontario border.

I will miss him.

#royellis#manitoba#ellisfamily#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CROSS COUNTRY CHECKUP ON CBC

 I watch Ian Hanomansing every Sunday on CBC.

The topic for August 30 was how Canadians were experiencing the current tariffs and other political interference from the USA.

Small business owner, economists as guests. Todd Maffin an instagram creator with his support of posting small businesses so others would be able to hear about them. Most callers understood the task and the dilemma. The whole support local, support Canadians, support Canadian businesses. 

One caller from Vancouver Island annoyed me. She claimed it was not a trade war but just a negotiation. She wondered why Canadians were so thin skinned. She totally can have her own opinion as naive as it is.

Most Canadians understand the nature of not only a trade war but the real fear of war from the USA on our soil.

So my skin will remain thick to protect all that is Canadian and mine.

There is support coming from the south but we know there are many Americans that believe Canada has been the bad guy and unappreciative of all that we " got for free".

I enjoy Ian's show and the opportunity to hear from Canadians coast to coast to coast.

#cbccrosscountrycheckup#ianhanomansing#reflectivethoughrsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#tradewar#supportingcanadianbusinesses#canadastrongandfree

LAKE ONTARIO- YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW

 A day at Harbourfront in Toronto.

Toronto sits on Lake Ontario. Fierce and mighty.

#lakeontario#torontoontatiocanada#boatsonlakeontario#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NOT A TRADE WAR BUT A SIMPLE WAR AGAINST CANADIAN SOVEREIGNTY

 Sovereign.

Not a vassal state.

Not a state.

A country.

So no deal was better than a bad deal wanting to take over Canada disguised as trade, economics.

WTF is going on.

In all my life I did not figure the enemy to worry about invading us was the United States of America.

Since the War of 1812 we have been allies, neighbours, trading partners.

One-half of USA believes the rhetoric that Canada depends on them.

The problem has been the Free Trade Agreement with Reagan made us think it was permanent.

2016 changed things to CUSMA and now the current Administration thinks Canada should be theirs. Period.

To have an administration that thinks they can break us. We will come crawling to them on our knees.

So bring it on.

Buy Canadian. Do not travel to the USA.

Yes the USA is an aggressor and trying to annex an ally whether it is Canada, Greenland or any other nation is against International Law.

So support each other in this nation strong and free.

#sovereignty#sovereignnation#canadastrongandfree#notavassalstate#notastate#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

 

NO DEAL IS BETTER THAN A BAD DEAL-THE ONGOING TRADE WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES

 As the trade negotiations heat up in the Trade War with America, is anyone else sick of all the wasted time over the last year and a half on the rhetoric from them.

They have their shopping list and well expect Canada to roll over or kiss the ring or the butt. 

Canada is a sovereign nation. We really do not like to be bullied.

We stand with Ukraine, Greenland, Cuba and really are appalled with the nonsense in Venezula just wanting their oil. No one on the world stage was fooled.

So is no deal better than a bad deal. Well I think so.

That administration changes its mind over and over. If we were to agree with everything, what is there to say that some new demands would come in a day, a week, a month or even later in the day.

I do not trust the America as it exists today. I hear too many in that cult who have swallowed the lies and believe Canada owes them. They protected us but from who. The only real threat right now is America.

We have resources. New agreements have been made with others in the world. We have three ports that could be used for shipping so truckers would still have income.

It might be hard for some time to do well after the divorce from America but people survive divorce every day. And thrive.

We will support our Canadian workers in all the sectors.

And the booze issue. We put on the ban after the Dec. 2024 nonsense. Well there are so many other countries including our own that makes wine, beer, spirits, liquors and all other alcoholic beverages.

Weren't we told that there was nothing that America needed from Canada? So why the concern that we are not buying their booze.

And no travel by so many Canadians to America! Tourism is down. Will we be told we better travel there or no deal will occur?

The current ambassador has done so much harm. Will he patrol the streets and stick ICE on us? And his affiliation with the radical group from Alberta. Actually supporting their cause. Isn't there something about interfering in Domestic Affairs that is a no no for diplomats.

No matter what I feel about politics in America, I would not go there and push my opinions if I were a guest in that nation.

As the talks continue, I look for ways to support Canada- trade, workers, artists, first responders, buying Canadian and ways to support the disadvantaged in my community. Right now the victims of the fires in Canada. 

So in any war some battles may be lost or an even draw or a stalemate. But Canada has the goal to win the war. 

So again NO DEAL IS BETTER THAN A BAD DEAL!

Canada strong and free. Yes my elbows are up as I am a Nasty Canadian.

#tradewar#nodealbetterthanabaddeal#canadastrongandfree#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#canadiansnottravellingtoAmerica#stayoutofourdomesticaffairs#IamokaywiththedivorcefromAmerica#warishell#canadianssupportingcanadians

ITALY AND L'ASSUNTA-MEMORIES OF A TRIP TO ITALY IN 1991

 Adolph and I had a wonderful holiday in Italy August 1991.

Staying in Cassino then Rome. Visited Florence. Saw Pompei.

Just some of the images around the Cassino area.

Ponte Vecchio in Firenze.

The page created for our anniversary book.

Travel is so much fun and creates so many good memories. My trip to Italy at age 41 will always hold a special place in my heart.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#triptoitalyin1991#tripwithAdolphtoitalyin1991#firenze#rome#cassino