HALLOWEEN

Halloween brings out the child in all of us. Next to Christmas it is the most fun time. You go door to door and get lots of candies and other good stuff. Today we package all the candies so there is no possibility of any tampering. When I was a little girl, my favourite house gave out homemade candy apples. It seemed so amazing as some houses just gave those horrible wrapped halloween candies- 1- just one. Our costumes were handmade- sometimes just an old shirt and lots of makeup. Now there is such a variety for not only children but adults who love to go to those Halloween parties. I can not remember the last party I attended or even what I wore. I gave a house party years ago and was a cat- wore a leotard and black stockings and drew whiskers on my face. Of course I was thinner with good legs. Are you going to a Halloween party? If so what are you wearing? If you could go to a party, what would you be? What is your favourite Halloween memory?

OBSERVE THE SIGNS

We all have many signs in our lives that we need to pay attention to them all. Health wise- we may have signs things are wrong. Not sleeping well, palpitations too often, change in bodily functions. Our out of control credit card spending- when it is not Christmas! People avoiding us at work- is there something wrong with this picture! Especially when there is restructuring and there may be layoffs! Have you ever been in a position that you notice signs in your life that something is coming? Sometimes superstitious people may say it is a sign! Some cultures and even in Cape Breton believe if a bird poops on your head it is a sign of good fortune! Do you believe in signs that point the way in your life? Or are you too pragmatic? When we drive we must follow the signs, but in daily living what do you think? Halloween is around the corner, are the signs of the season playing with us?

A GRIEF OBSERVED

Is the title of a book by C. S. Lewis. It is a classic book on the journey of grief. Lewis as we know was the author of many books such as the Narnia Chronicles-The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. His marriage and love of his life- his wife Joy died and created a huge gap in his whole being. His book on his journey after her death has been quoted in every modern grief books. He really said it all. His book opens with the following quotation," No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing. At other times it feels like being mildly drunk, or concussed. There is a sort of invisible blanket between the world and me. I find it hard to take it in." Of course he is describing the somatic reactions of grief from his core. His book has been used often by me and I think I have given away several copies of it to various people in my career. I recommend it as it is an easy read and says it all about grief. When someone you love dies, there is lots of advice and many books written on the subject and grief work needing to be done- I have several on my shelves. What to do, how to think, what not to do etc. But Lewis just talks about his painful journey of losing his beloved wife that stands the test of time. Grief is such a painful process for us all. Have you read Lewis' book in a time of need? If you are grieving, I recommend it? Have you used another resource that has helped with your personal journey?

A WOMAN'S VOTE

Yesterday was the municipal election in Ontario. As a woman going to vote, it was time to remember the Suffragettes who fought for the vote in 1917- less than one hundred years ago in our Nation. Women have come a long way but there are still inequalities in our world. I have always encouraged my daughters to vote to honour those who helped us secure this franchise and to have a say in our government. Here's to men who honour their women and women who honour their men. How do you feel about voting? Do you make an effort to practice your right?

REUNIONS-TIME TO RECONNECT

From time to time we all attend a reunion of some kind.There's the school reunion where we venture to see how everyone else is doing and come away just glad to see people are still around. A funeral is a sad reunion-gathered together because of one common denominator.Weddings are happy occasions that often bring family and friends from all over the country and sometimes the world. A retirement party is a reunion- some retirees come and the current colleagues say good-bye. Family reunions can be one named based like genealogical reunions or a mult-generational gathering of the clan in your own family. I attended a reunion of sorts today- a group of us from High School have done a lunch once or twice a year for several years. It has been two years since the last one. We chat and update- who has a new grandchild, who is retiring, whose child was married and just how is everyone doing- nice to see each other, took a couple of pictures and promised to do it again. Have you had a recent reunion with someone or a group of people? Do you like reunions or do you avoid them like a plague? Are you happy like I am knowing people are going strong? Are there people from the Spring of your Life?

MORE FALL THOUGHTS

The trees start to be a contrast between green and orange, yellow, red. Before long the only green left are the coniferous trees.
Nature connects to our souls.

As the trees continue to be ablaze with colours, many are starting to shed their leaves and the spaces between them are increasing. Before the start of the dull brown, there is almost a need to see as much of the countryside as possible. It is that last hurrah before the snow flies.

BABIES LOVE SOCIAL INTERACTIONS

Spending any time with little babies, one realizes what social interactions mean to them. All the toys and mobiles provided are not as meaningful as talking and smiling with a baby. The baby will respond by copying your facial expressions. There are some that say start flash cards so the child will learn to read early. Emotional and social development are more important. Early child psychologists like Piaget and Erikson considered these aspects as paramount. The baby learns to trust the world by being fed, held, touched, kept comfortable and knows his/her cry will be answered. Smiling and cooing helps keep us engaged. A happy baby is so easy to see. Do you have a baby in your world? Are you a new parent? Always lots of advice, eh! Listen to the cries and how your baby responds to the world. Each baby has similar developmental stages but responds in a unique way. My world includes a new baby boy, now two months old. To observe and participate in his world helps me revisit all the concepts of early childhood. Besides what a joy to have him in my life!

THE MAPLE LEAF

This time of year brings out the glory of the colours in our trees. It is such a beautiful time to drive and find a single tree or small woodlots with trees in radiant colours. Children like to collect the leaves and schools often make projects about fall and the leaves. One tree that is so indicative of this adventure is the Maple Tree.
A book written by Daniel Tignes- Canadian Forest Trees Essences gives much detail on all the trees in our country. For now I would like to reflect on the one leaf.

The Maple Leaf is such a Canadian symbol. After a little research to determine that I knew all the varieties of Maple trees in Canada, I discovered there are 129 species in the world. I always thought it was just a Canadian and North America tree. Several species actually grow in Canada- Red Maple, Mountain Maple, Manitoba Maple, Silver Maple, Big Leaf Maple, Douglas Maple and of course the Sugar Maple. As a deciduous tree the Maple sheds its leaves in the fall and renews in the Spring. The Red Maple on our flag is recognized around the world. Maple syrup from the sap of the Sugar Maple was adapted from the Native population by the white man and is a major industry now in Eastern Canada and the US. Pancakes always taste better with some Maple syrup on them. Of course the Toronto Maple Leafs- my local team- who eventually will win another Stanley Cup and hopefully in my lifetime uses the leaf motif. Every Canadian Traveller will have a little maple leaf somewhere on their person to let the world know we are Canadian. But I wonder when the Maple Leaf started to become such a symbol for us? When there was the debate to create a new flag in 1965 and the winner was the flag we have today, the red maple was a popular choice. Our Olympic atheletes proudly display it. Canada Day has them in abundance. Gardeners like to plant a Maple Tree and of course suffer the consequences of raking copious leaves in the Fall. It would be hard to imagine Canada without a Maple Leaf. If we decided to create another symbol, could you imagine what it could be? I can not. For now, I would love to sing that childhood song, rarely heard today- The Maple Leaf Forever!

THE CHANGING SEASON

Summer is far behind now as Fall is in full force. Debating what jacket to wear- the light one or the one with more lining. I have succumbed to gloves as my hands have been cold. Little windy today but not ready to wear a hat. I like the crunching of walking on fall leaves and have always enjoyed the colours. It is such a pretty time with the changing trees. I love summer but do not mind the Fall markets, the leaves, the chance to put the garden to rest so there will just be indoor work and like others have said a chance to give more time to hobbies, writing and planning for the festive season.Then all of a sudden the brown- dull sets in until snow freshens everything. As Canadians, we are an adaptable people. From stifling heat to frigid cold, we just keep on going and make the seasons work. I have been driving on weekends and will post some of my country road pictures. Just felt reflective as I rather enjoyed my brisk walks to and from work today. Do you like the Fall? What do you like? Some people say they like it more than summer-preferring cooler temperatures. Do the changes of the seasons help with changes in your life?

INUKSHUK- IMAGE OF MAN

The Inuit Inukshuk is a Northern Canadian symbol. Piles of rock slabes and stone are built to depict the shape of a person with arms stretching out. The rocks and slabs are placed to balance on each other. By this balance there is strength through unity. These structures were markers for hunters and others travelling in the North. Even during the 2010 Olympics, the Vancouver logo LLANAAQ was based on the Inuit Inukshuk. They are now found in many places across Canada. Jewellery, small household statues, art cards depict this item. There are many improvised versions along many highways such as Highway 69 to Parry Sound- atop the rock ledges-big and small. In Toronto during World Youth Day, 2002, a nine metre high Inukshuk was erected in Battery Park along the shore of Lake Ontario. The Toronto International Airport has several Inukshuks outside one of its terminals. What a Canadian tradition to take an object from one setting- the north -and place it in as many venues with the same meaning! What a bonding of different cultures! If you were to build your own Inukshuk, where would you put it? Would it be big for others to see? Would you create a small one just for your viewing? What direction would it be pointing?

A ROTTEN APPLE

Spoils the barrel is a wonderful figure of speech. In reality a rotting apple if not taken from the bunch can spread mould and disease affecting the other apples. I researched this saying for some ideas. Some people are very cynical saying if surrounded by bad apples we all will be affected and what- we all become bad. On a positive note, People can make choices to get rid of the bad apples in their midst or to be around them as little as possible. Yes, negative, mouldy people can influence us and even help create toxic environments. We do not have to become corrupt or bad just because it exists in the world. In families there are often bad apples. They create miserable family get togethers for awhile until families change and those individuals are not included. We used to have a really bad apple in our family. Sunday lunches and other holiday occasions were a real drag. No matter how happy we all wanted to be, the bad apple would rake up any miserable event to make the happy occasion as miserable as he was and still is! Our barrel does not include that rotten apple anymore! Guess what? Family get togethers are a little chaotic with the grandchildren but fun and endearing. It takes courage not to succumb to the negativity of the rotten apple- just get rid of it! Families can confront their rotten apples making it clear if you can't be happy then stay away! Just because we are related to someone does not mean that person has to be included in our lives! It is said we can chose our friends but not our relatives.Well, we can exclude whoever we want. Have there been rotten apples in your life? Have did you handle them? Is there a rotten apple you would like to put on the compost pile? Take the courage and do it now. Surround yourself with healthy apples. Don't take a chance of spoiling your barrel of life!

MY HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEART

This time of year marks the anniversary of being together with my husband Adolph. We started dating at age 16 and were married at age 21. Despite all the years together we are not the same people. Love, adversity, children and the trials of life have changed those two kids into mature, aged adults. What keeps a relationship going differs with every couple. A roller coaster ride that can be scary at times as the car goes down the steep slope, easy on the slow sections and comfortable when the ride comes to a smooth stop, only to start again! Understanding and accepting all the habits- good, bad and indifferent. Allowing time together and time to cultivate our own interests. Of course, our children and grandchildren help to glue the relationship. Sometimes just the comfort of knowing the other person knows you! Are you in a long standing relationship? Are you starting again with someone new? Did you lose someone you love and had to start again? Is it better the second time around? Here's to my High School Sweetheart and to all the sweethearts regardless of how much time you have had with that person.

THE SHADOWS WE CAST

If we stand in the light, we all cast a shadow. Light can be seen as good and our shadow side as bad according to some folklore or myths. Carl Jung saw the shadow as the primitive or instinctive side of the individual. Sometimes I see interesting pictures that have shadows. My simple fence at the side of the house reflected these shapes in shadow form. Some people can be fearful of life- afraid of his own shadow!

What do you see when you view the picture? Does the shadow create interesting images for you? When light makes a shadow does it change the perspective? If we face the light, can we try and see the shadow that is made? Does it have any meaning or is it just a shadow?

VISITING WORLD WINERIES

It's on my bucket list to visit and tour as many wine regions of the world. My favourite is white wine although I will drink red wine if it suits the dinner. On three occasions, wine regions have been visited. On our anniversary trip to Italy in 1996, Adolph and I took a day trip to Frascati- a small town in the Colli Albani- the small towns- just an hour from Rome. By train we passed many vineyards terraced on hill sides. Frascati is famous for its Villas and white wine. Since that trip I have enjoyed the wine Frascati and Fontana di Papa -two wines from the region even though there are many more. It helps to remind me of that special vacation. Near my folks in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia is the winery- Mission Hill. Took a tour there and was able to sample their fine wines. The Okanagan Valley is noted for its fruit belt and wineries- large and small. I will buy a bottle from that region occasionally to support the industry there. The Niagara region in Ontario is famous of course for Niagara Falls but due to the Niagara Escarpment is able to produce fruit and of course vinelands for many wineries. Several years ago Adolph's social club was hosting a day trip to the area, lunch at Brock's Monument and tours of several wineries- Jackson Triggs and Carolines to name two. My goal for the trip was to buy a bottle from the various wineries and they continued to be enjoyment at several dinners after that tour. Niagara is also known for the famous Canadian Ice Wine. It is always interesting that every year the right cold must happen to pick the grapes at the right moment to make the wine. On one trip to Italy our Ice Wine was a special gift to a cousin there. Europe has many fine wines but not Canadian Ice Wine. So three tours already completed. I like a nice white wine from South Africa called Two Oceans- maybe one day I will tour there. Love the wines from the Rhineland- know there is a wonderful boat cruise down the Rhine stopping at several locations- sounds inviting doesn't it? California has some great wines- love to tour there. That Mateus- white, rose from Portugal- a vacation there would be okay. Of course, the wines of France- their vineyards would be wonderful to visit. And I hear the cheese is good. Wine and cheese parties every day! Australia has some wines- don't know if they are great but the continent itself would be a wonderful place to see anyway. Russia is known for Vodka- like wine but maybe it has possibilities too to visit. Have you toured any wineries? Do you even like wine? Is there a wine region you would like to visit? Do you like white wine or red- or really do not care! Maybe you are a beer drinker- hear there are some great beer tours like in Belguim that has more beer than any other country and a glass for each kind!

TO THOSE CHILEAN MINERS

I take a pause in my regular blogging to say Yeah to the rescue efforts in Chile. What a feel good story especially when there have been mining disasters in our country-Canada. There were some Canadian connections to the rescue efforts from two firms from Calgary. I am sure it has been an international effort. To see families reunited, is universal. The long awaited hello, hug and kiss- very touching. Then there is the analysising- there will be PTSD-Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, psychological issues etc. The important point and only one is the men are alive and able to live. If it comes with some baggage so be it. Were you watching the rescue unfold? Do you feel good about the story? I had some tears in my eyes and joy in my heart- how about you?

A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME

In our modern times there is so much emphasis on the value, the cost, the design of our houses. Good location, better property value. Decorating, buying expensive electronics are all part of our lives. But a house is not a home unless there is love, comfort, a place to escape the world. The feeling our homes give us is very different than a house. It is as if the house is the structure, but the home is the heart of the structure. Like in the expression, home is where the heart is! Our house can be our home, of course. Even when adult children move out into their own houses, they often want to come home for short intervals back to the house where they grew up. The home is where the memories reside!

Do you visit another house and it feels just like home? Do you tell someone your house has such a homey feeling to it? Children when tired will say, I want to go home, not I want my house! Dorothy in the " Wizard of Oz", "there's no place like home." But it is more than a house- your country is your home, your home team, your home away from home, produce that is home-grown, and crafts that are home-made. People on the street are homeless even though they do not have a house or a place to live.- the word home implies alone with no place. Even birds come home to roost! What does the word home imply for you? Do you feel there is a difference between house and home? Where have you felt most at home?

WHAT''S IN A NAME

We all have one- a name. Some of us like our names, some wonder what were the folks thinking. My husband's name is Adolph- Adolfo in Italian and can be spelled Adolf. Yes, I know what you are thinking- like Hitler! Adolph was born in post-war Italy- so what were they thinking! No matter where we go and we introduce ourselves- at least one and often two people will comment about his name! My name Barbara was after the popular Canadian Skater who won Gold at the Olympics in 1948- Barbara Ann Scott. Except my name is Barbara May! I thought I gave my girls interesting names- Natasha and Sonya. With the influx of many people from Russia in Canada, Natasha is quite a popular name now. Sonya actually is a Native Canadian name, thought it was Eastern European when I named her. There is a small town north of Port Parry, Ontario called Sonya. Some parents resort to cute, made up names that are fine when you are two, but not so fine if you become the President of a Company. Nicknames can be anything. Barbara has Babs, Bub, Barb, and Barbie. I was Barbie all through High School because my mother embroidered Barbie on the back of my gym suit. Not Barbie since- unless I run into someone from school!! In my world now, I am Barbara at work but Barb to my friends and family. I like to use my full name as it can be a power move on someone's part to give part of your name so I do not want to diminish myself. We all have names of endearment for each other- sweetheart, cutie, honey, puckie and the list goes on. We can have the opposite names too that can be offensive- well you know what they are and the letters they use. Names run in families and some cultures insist on naming their children after dead relatives. The first born son after the father. Give your daughter your great-grandmother's name that does not fit in our modern world. Etc. You can name your child whatever you want! But new parents can be pressured to satisfy a family member with the naming rules! In genealogy, it is often a way to search in older times as names stayed in the family in chronological order. My grandfather had two last names as his first names because he was the youngest of many children- his parents ran out of names! Names were after famous people as well- think of the number of Williams and Elizabeths in England centuries ago! In Italy how many Tonys and Marias- well way too many. I think we know at least 100 Tonys and yes must give them nicknames! Does a name make an impact- the celebrities seem to think it does! Look at the old stars and the names they chose- did not like the one their family gave them! Are you your name? Or are you the whole person? Do you ever judge someone by their name because there is someone you do not like with that name? Do you like your name, if not what would you call yourself? Well as the Bard of Avon- William Shakespere once said- " A Rose is a rose........

NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO

You take yourself with you. This is one of my statements I give to anyone looking at change. Change your job-take yourself. Leave your marriage-take yourself. Lose a friend-take yourself. Move away to a new city, new province, new country- yes you take yourself. New does not make better. If you leave something because the situation does not suit you, well you take yourself with you. Yes there are abusive situations worth leaving and are better for you. Must be done. But if you think a change will make everything better, look at yourself first, are you changing? It is tough to hear the pain of others when someone leaves and they bear the brunt! Hello, it was not about you, it was about the other person. Maybe, you are just fine. Not perfect, but just fine! I remember when I managed a program, one worker was so unhappy with the job. Everything was terrible about the job. When she left, her dreams would be met! You know what I told her. Remember, wherever you go, you take yourself with you! Change is good and necessary often. We need to apply for a new position because we need to grow in our job. We need to downsize because the children have moved out. We need to try new things, adventures, travel to new places. But we are the same old US! Too often we can blame the people we knew as the reasons we are not happy- blame your parents, blame your siblings, blame your friends- stop blaming and look at yourself and you change you. If you have been the victim of someone's else's unhappiness- shake it off! If you were not abusive but did not meet the needs of that person, say WHATEVER! Wherever you go, you take yourself with you! Thank you very much, I am just fine and when I want, I will look at changing me not because you were unhappy! Simple but too often we blame ourselves for someone's else's unhappiness- remember you are about you. Yes, people can outgrow or stop loving us but it does not mean we are not worth loving and being loved! Have you been in a situation where you were blamed for someone's unhappiness? How did you handle it? Can you feel confident now to say, I understand what you are saying, but remember wherever you go you take yourself with you?

CANADIAN THANKSGIVING

We celebrate our Thanksgiving weekend the second Monday in October due to a Proclaimation in Parliament January 31, 1957. The celebration is different from the American Thanksgiving which is celebrated in November and is part of a pilgram/american native celebration.
There are different reasons regarding the celebration in Canada. Martin Frobisher an explorer trying to find the northern passage to the Pacific held a formal celebration in Newfoundland in 1573. The explorer, Samuel de Champlain, in 1604 celebrated with his First Nations neighbours in Nova Scotia. After the American Revolution, many Loyalists who came to Canada including the Palatine Germans- of which there are several roots in my family
brought- some of those American traditions of pilgrims and pumpkin pie. It is a Harvest celebration which does have some English roots as well.
For most Canadians, Thanksgiving is a time to have a wonderful family dinner with Turkey, mashed potatoes and the famous bread stuffing. Every cook may have a variation but it is usually bread- fingered into pieces, celery, onions and sage- seasoned with some pepper and salt. I like to add fresh parsley, garlic and a bit of butter to help hold it together.
It gets stuffed in the turkey which adds to the flavour. Any number of vegetables can be added to the meal- some cook turnips, squash- such varieties as acorn, hubbard, butternut, spaghetti-, corn and sweet potatoes or yams as they can be called. These vegetables actually are very North American and part of the Native Canadian crops. Our dinner also includes rapini, broccoli, brussel sprouts, peas, and Italian sausage. There is a vegetable for everyone. It is topped off with cranberry sauce and turkey gravy. Cranberries are very native to this country- when the white man arrived, the Native Canadians were growing them. Dessert- pumpkin pie and whipped cream. Adolph loves apple pie with vanilla ice cream- so it is included of course. Our dinner is served on the Sunday of the long weekend so we can have leftovers on the Monday and the cook which is me can have time to enjoy the day off. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for the harvest in the Fall. Ontario markets are full of squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, eggplants, red peppers, apples and all the end of season vegetables. From coast to coast in Canada, people celebrate in their churches often with a variety of harvest produce on the altars. It is a wonderful celebration of the Fall and family. Can you smell the turkey cooking? What an odour in the home? Do you have a traditional Canadian dinner or do you have a variation? What is your favourite part of Thanksgiving? For me it is family and the opportunity to give thanks. To Canadians coast to coast-Buon Appetito!

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NETWORKING

In our careers, we all are used to the concept of networking. It builds relationships and hopefully it becomes a win-win situation helping to advance our work status. I find myself lately caring less about my career- probably an age thing and more about helping my children with their new business adventure. Tonight I went to an Open House for a new agency that supplies caregivers that may be a helpful resource for my work but I ended up marketing the new business and trying to determine if there is a link. I find it amusing that I have no difficulty trying to sell Lullaboo Gym- the new business. Then we are told watch out for the Momma Bear. It may be true that no matter how old your children become, Momma is still watching their backs. And Pappa too! Networking for the children has become delightful. Trying to sell me is less inviting. I wonder why that is? Have you had the opportunity to try to help your children? Is it easier to talk about them and their successes than your own? Will we be Momma and Pappa Bears for the rest of our lives?

THE SUNFLOWER

As the summer garden has slowly died and made way for the last blooms, the sunflower is one of the flowers I miss the most. There are several varieties which have grown in my garden. It was featured in one of my favourite movies- Under the Tuscan Sun- a sweet film based in Tuscany, Italy. Vincent Van Gogh's famous painting of Sunflowers is etched in everyone's mind due to the enormous price tag it obtained in modern times.

Sunflowers are grown around the world and can be a national- Ukranie or state flower- Kansas. They are the source of food- sunflower seeds, cooking oil and even used to feed domestic animals in some countries. In our area there used to be fields of sunflowers as not all the farms grew corn. Housing developments have grown instead. Hopefully, the homeowners will plant some sunflowers and keep some local tradition. On many occasions I have observed bees pollinating our flowers, our little gold finches eating the nectar and once the flowers are mature our squirrels trying to eat them and if not stalked properly, they snap the heads off. I just like the flower as it can be the tallest flower in the garden along with the hollyhocks. It is a happy flower- gira a sole- turns to the sun. In a good year my husband, Adolph has planted a nice row to border the vegetable garden- before the squirrels attack, of course. Do you have sunflowers in your garden? Do they have any meaning for you? Is there another flower that brings joy to you?

Can there be too many sunflowers in our lives?

THAT TODDLER YEAR

The sweet baby evolves into a busy, busy toddler. Walking with that sway from side to side, as balance is a new experience. Into everything, exploring, touching, grabbing, and finding the unsafe item in the environment faster than one can think about. The language development between 12 months and 24 months amazes me. From pointing and one word to 2- 3 word sentences and before long even correct verb tenses. My grandchildren's development has been such a reminder of the joy of experiencing the world from a fresh perspective. Do you have a toddler in your life? What do you enjoy the most? For me it has been the pleasure of being part of my little people's lives.

THE MCMICHAEL COLLECTION

Due to the generosity of Robert and Signe McMichael , a beautiful gallery in Kleinberg, Ontario houses the Group of Seven artists' collection, many works by Emily Carr, Inuit, Northwest Coastal Native Art and Woodland Native art by such persons as Norval Morrisseau. The grounds have developed with the northern pine trees to reflect the parts of Ontario where many paintings were created. Major Canadian artist Tom Thomson painted in Algonquin Park which ironically is where he died at a young age. His main works are there in the gallery. A.Y. Jackson, J.E. H. MacDonald, Lawren Harris, Arthur Lismer, F. H. Varley, Franklin Carmichael and A. J. Casson forming the Group of Seven- their works are the masterpieces of the collection. It is easy to stop and reflect on each painting or go from room to room to obtain an overview of each artist's style. Different exhibits of new artists or themes are displayed occasionally so there is always something new to enjoy along with the original exhibits. This is one of my favourite places to visit and it is very close to my home- an easy drive of 20 minutes. When there have been family guests, it is a spot to take them and to have them gain a glimpse into Canadian art from the landscape perspective in a peaceful, quiet, rustic setting.

Do you have a favourite art gallery? What type of art do you love? Are you eclectic? Liking art from different eras and styles? Do you like one particular style only? Like a photo, a picture captures a moment in time.

THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE

The bridge had been on my mind for awhile since I had seen it on the way to a wedding recently. So on my Sunday drive, finally took the photograph. It looks as if it takes you somewhere but there is nothing around, it is in a field. It looks to me as if it belonged to another time when the area was just bush and farms, not the built up housing developments so prevalent in the area now. There seems to be a road or path leading to it but from the highway it would be difficult to maneouvre a vehicle. Do you see a bridge to nowhere? Is it taking you somewhere? Or do you see a different story?

A DRIVE IN THE COUNTRY

Sometimes a drive not far from home can bring small pleasures. Yesterday, I wanted to photograph a bridge to nowhere west of Woodbridge, Ontario. Finding the bridge, decided to take a different route home and ventured into the small town of Kleinberg- a trendy place with cute stores, crafts, little restaurants, people from the city and nearby walk around on a Saturday/Sunday and can be pretentious or cool. I photographed the street- early morning with no one there. Enjoying the Fall colours along the route back home, snapped more photos. Have you ever taken a drive and just enjoyed the view, stopping to enjoy the common, everyday things?

LIFE PRESENTS ITSELF

Have you ever been trying to solve a problem and just plain wonder what you are going to do about a situation? Somewhere along my journey in life, I started to rely on my favourite saying

" Life will present Itself!"

By taking a step back from many circumstances, the solution begins to unfold. Being right, being in a power struggle, boxed into a corner can create the need to have an answer and the best answer of everyone involved. By waiting for the process to evolve gives the responsibility back to others and well life. Taking a break allows the mind to declutter and make room for new ideas to enter. Of course,there may be times such as an emergency, action needs to happen immediately and one does the best possible action in the moment! In counselling with people, presenting the various options available allow the person to chose a road and to add whatever is needed to travel safely. For me, personally and professionally, I do have a way if asked for an immediate answer, not to be trapped but say- " Let me think about it and I will get back to you!" Some may say, let me sleep on it. Doesn't a new day sometimes often bring clarity to your life? If I have become too emotionally involved in something, some distance or a day or two, reduces the emotional response allowing for a softer conclusion. Although, we all get caught in knee jerk reactions to situations. That is why I try to ground my energy, figure out what needs to be said or done. Life can bring people, ideas to us that are necessary to get to the next step. Like the picture, is the solution just around the corner? Around the bend? What do you use to help get to the next step? Have you ever wished you had waited for a different answer?

THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY

Or TGIF as we say to our many colleagues on a Friday. For some Friday is just the start of a weekend shift. For most it is the start of our beloved weekends. Why do we all try to put a week's worth of fun into two days? Waking Saturday morning knowing it is the weekend! Of course for the retirees it does not have the same significance anymore! My weekends are spent with grandchildren, trying to catch up with the many household tasks and enjoying my interests. I have learnt to try to spread the mundane things like laundry, mopping floors and decluttering over the week. An hour here and there does feel so burdensome. How do you enjoy the Friday before your weekend? Are you glad it just arrived? Here's to Friday and the opportunity to have a break from our regular work week.