ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER?

Recently I have written about parents preparing for summer, school ending, the garden and in the Spring wanting to go on some road trips. Well here we are at the end of June. All the preparation, organization, wishful thinking, ideas and family plans are about to begin. For many though there is a transition time. Children moving to a new class. Lessons over for a season. School routine replaced by a camp routine. There is summer traffic that gets replaced by Construction! Along with the "yeah" summer is here, there is also some sad moments- saying goodbye to a teacher or principal moving away. Friends going to a different school next year. At work, people going on vacation so the workload doubles to cover for that person. For me, I often remember summers from the past. Camping and cottaging with family! The water sports- skiing and canoeing- are done sporadically now. It was such a part of my daily life as a young person! Now I have some Stat days and a week's vacation which I try to pack as much summer living to the point it almost exhausts me. For the last few years I was on pins and needles worrying about the folks out west and always keeping weeks of vacation in my vacation bank! Ready to fly west at any time! Different this year with Mom passing away in February and Dad secure in a safe nursing home setting. The old worry creeps up sometimes but then I remember, no it is over! I can concentrate on my family and myself! What will this summer bring? I am sure there will be some surprises- good ones I hope? Then I remember good summers, indifferent ones and painful ones! Adolph's folks both died in the summer months- one in August and the other in July, many years apart. A beautiful grandson was born in the summer! One of my trips to Italy was in the summer! One daughter married in the summer! Hot summers! Rainy summers! Cool summers! All shapes and sizes! Although the months are the same length as other months, summer always seems to go too quickly. To answer my question, I am ready for summer. A couple of road trips, big family barbecue day, trip to a friend's cottage, small barbecue for Canada Day and watching my grandchilren in August to let my daughter and son celebrate their anniversary are planned. The rest of the time I think I will roll with my mood, attack my pile of books for reading, work on a writing project or two, of course exercise more but otherwise do as little as possible if that mood hits me too. Benefitting from my husband's hard work in the garden with many veggie dishes to enjoy!  " Summertime and the living is easy "strikes me as my mantra this year! So are you ready for summer or are you just going to roll with whatever comes your way? Whatever you plan to do, make it a good one!

REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES IN SPECIAL WAYS

When someone dies, we all worry about keeping their memory alive. We are often told we forgot how their voice sounded. Pictures are plentiful but we often wish we had taken more or just one last one. There are special ways to keep the person with us. Planting a magnolia tree worked for a family! The beautiful blossoms in the spring will be a reminder. Buying a special toy for the toy drive every year to keep a lost baby's memory alive and to help a child needing a toy.

Turning the negative into something positive. Like planting some pink roses in the garden to remember a Mom's birthday!
What have you done to honour a lost loved one?

NANA SAYS GOODBYE SCHOOL, HELLO SUMMER VACATION

"No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks!" This was a favourite rhyme when I was a girl and finishing a school year. The end of year party and little presents for the teachers then the fun begun. Today with working mothers, the arrangements for summer camps and potential summer vacations have been planned. The lazy, hazy days of summer give an opportunity for everyone to regroup some energy. I used to take my girls to the beach or a local pool to consolidate any swimming lessons rather than taking classes over the summer. Bike riding and walking and some adventures with lots of craft supplies to take advantage of a slower pace were some of the activities. The outdoors gives such an opportunity for informal science lessons. Today we stay so plugged in to our gadgets! Perhaps put them aside for times during the day to help the little ones experience the world around them. For example, a cottage with a pelican catching fish is a perfect time to discuss and observe the natural world with grandchildren! It is just one example of capturing those moments that present themselves to us. I remember learning the names of birds and flowers and fish from the adults in my life. Hearing a bird chirp and trying to identify it can be an easy way to teach the little ones to listen to the world around them. My backyard right now has lots of raspberries growing. So my grandchildren will be picking fresh berries and learning to watch for bees and wasps as well as having fresh produce. Slowing down is good for adults too. Summer reading whether purchased books or library trips offer variety of reading possibilities. There is nothing more pleasurable than finishing a novel and starting another! Summertime and the living is Easy!

OPTIMISM-HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?  Looking with confidence that what you reap, you also will sow! No sour grapes as you see the potential for wine!
A positive demeanor attracts good positive energy! It can also annoy the hell out of people who want to be negative and put down anything good!  So be wary of those folks!  

BRICKWORK-A TIMELESS SKILL

Old Brickwork on any building can be interesting. With visits to small towns or centers in larger cities in Canada, there are always opportunities to find interesting contrasts.

These photos are from the Distillary District in Toronto.

Ontario has clay soil that is very conducive to making brick, thus the abundance of brick homes. The old cobblestone roads were a form of brickwork.

For older buildings and Wonders of the World, try seeing The Colosseum in Rome or the Pyramids in Egypt- yep, brickwork!

Do you have favourite structures with brickwork?

THE MONTH OF JUNE IS BUSY TO PREPARE FOR THE RELAXING SUMMER

In order to enjoy the quiet and relaxing summer, June can be a frenzy of activity with birthdays, end of summer activities, dance recitals and the start of summer sport leagues like baseball and soceer. Rather than enjoying it as a wonderful month of Spring ending and Summer beginning, many people are trying to organize two months of summer. It seems we are always looking ahead to planning for the next event rather than enjoying what is in front of us. The longer days often mean more work in the garden and the need to get " things done". Sometimes it is like the hamster on the rotating wheel! We are just running! Planning to relax does take some effort! It means to stop and really smell the roses! Of course, we must find some roses to smell! A long weekend coming up and the need to enjoy! How has your June been? Are you busy organizing for the summer? Or are you just going to let it be what it will be?

A POSTCARD FROM WOODBINE-CELEBRATING THE QUEEN'S PLATE

Each year in the Toronto at the Woodbine Racetrack, there is the running of the Queen's Plate. A tradition for over 100 years. I have attended a few Plates as they are known.

Woodbine was the original name for the track in the East End of Toronto. When the track was built by the airport and called Woodbine, Greenwood became the name of the original one. Eventually it was closed due to the lack of need for two tracks. It had become harness racing and not thoroughbred racing.

Adolph and I have been fortunate to attend several Queen's Plate in the Clubhouse when he was in business. He often was given tickets which we could use. We attended when the Queen Mom came in 1985 and Prince Andrew and Sarah in 1987. If a member of the Royal Family is not in attendence then either the Governor General of Canada or the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario attend in a horse driven carriage.

We have not been for several years so it is exciting as Adolph was given tickets by his girls for Father's Day. They are grandstand tickets so I do not need to wear a hat as one does in the Clubhouse. After perusing my collection of programs from previous plates I found the one from 1990.

I take a little betting money. Adolph reads the Forum and handicaps the horses. Me- $2.00 on a long shot is what I like. I always hope to break even.

Since it is the Queen's Jubilee year, there will be some additional activities. Perhaps I will tell you in another post or not!

If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.

TIGER LILLIES FROM THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO THE GARDEN

Tiger lillies grow wild on the sides of roads this time of year in Ontario. They are easy to transplant into a cultivated garden. Over time they spread and grow. I have several bunches in my yard. In the front garden and along the back garden. The orange is a beautiful contrast to the green.

Since they grow very tall, they are easily seen from a speeding car. They grow well in ditches with water. Each stage of the garden brings new life and a joy to behold. Do you have tiger lillies in your garden or nearby in the wild?

NANA SAYS BABYSITTING TO GIVE YOUR KIDS A VACATION

Is a renewed experience. Babysitting fulltime for several day is a reminder of days gone by! Letting your grownup children have a much needed vacation for a few days means being on duty. Remembering how to get two little ones ready for Day Care and bathtime and bedtime with all the demands is a good fodder for more posts on parenting. Organizing the morning and night differently with a watchful eye on the children at all times is like riding a bicycle. You never forget! Trying to fit in fun as well. Snuggle time before bed is actually quite enjoyable. Heh to hold a little toddler and cuddle him until asleep is one of life's many pleasures. The sibling fighting- not so much! Oh yes, I have one more sleep until the parents return but who is counting!

REMEMBERING OUR HISTORY

History tells us who we are as a people. In Canada we fought several wars to define ourselves. We are a kind nation with many humanitarian causes. Today as mentioned in yesterday's post, it is the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. There are many social aspects to the story. Soldiers lived with their wives and families. Where did they come from? What did they eat? Were there letters or stories? The Laura Secord story is always an interesting one. Learn about this important part of Canadian history and along the way you may learn something about yourself.

A POSTCARD FROM FORT GEORGE NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE ONTARIO CANADA

June 18 marks the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. A war lasting two years between the new United States of America and the British North American colonies later to become Canada.

Fort George was a strategic fort in the Niagara area. These postcards are from a class trip in 1964 as part of our Canadian history teaching. The navy hall museum shown is famous because Governor Simcoe held the First Parliament in Upper Canada there in 1792. I have driven past this historic place many times on trips to Niagara Falls.
Anyone interested in the War and the current celebrations planned for 2012 can visit a variety of websites for the Niagara Area.
I actually bought a book by Ronald J. Dale- Invasion of Canada-Battles of the War of 1812. It is available through major bookstores and may even be in your library. Lots of easy script and pictures!
In Toronto, we have Fort York- another significant site. Adolph and I plan a day trip there this summer. Apparently it has the largest collection of the War of 1812 artifacts. Consider Ottawa and Halifax for other sites to visit!
Why would we celebrate an anniversary of a War? Remembrance! Think about it! We are good neighbours with the Americans and 200 years of friendship! Not to glorify but know the heartaches of war and continue to aim towards a world of peace!
If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.

STREET OBSERVATIONS WHILE WALKING AT 630 a.m.

I love going for my power walk shortly after I arise on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Today I tried to observe as much of my environment as I could. The 4 speeding police cars returning to the police station a short distance from my home. They were changing shifts. The old lady from the apartment walking her dog. The older male walker that picks up plastic bottles. The pickup truck with the security guard watching the library waiting for his shift to be over. The red eyes flying over to Pearson Airport in the West End! Wondering why people from the West are coming to Toronto? To stay or connect with another flight? The morning sky changing to let the sun in. The people waiting at the bus stop at Yonge and Major Mackenzie- why are they up so early? Going to work or coming home from a long night shift! Listening to several songbirds singing! Such an early morning sound! Do you ever really pay attention to the world around you or are you plugged into your i-pac or radio or texting that you are missing life? Practising good observation skills takes time and an awareness of detail!

LIFE ISN'T ALWAYS A STRAIGHT LINE

We all have goals or had goals for what we wanted from out lives. But life happens and take us along different routes as it is not always a straight line. There can be sunny moments or rainy ones or stormy ones and if we are lucky peaceful ones. There are smiles or tears or laughter or even anger with lots of yelling! If you were to draw lines about your life, are there different ones? Do they intersect? Do you keep work and family separate or is your life a clothes line airing your dirty or clean laundry for the world to see?

EVERY KITCHEN HAS ITS GADGETS

Every cook has items that are reflective of the foods they make. Our Gnocchi press or some may call it a potato press is used for what do you think- yes making gnocchi! I look around our kitchen. Adolph and I share it as he does the majority of the cooking and I do the majority of the cleanup and occasionally baking!
The items we have in our kitchen have growen with time. From one platter to several, can be a bone of conflict. How many of each item do we really need? Filling cupboards with stuff rarely used, begs the question- what do we need and what can go? Then there are the amazing kitchen stores and sections in bigger stores with new items for the kitchen coming in a variety of colours! Just because something is still functional does not mean it can not go to make room for a prettier item! So one gnocchi press is enough but how about baking dishes in funky spring colours! Do we really want to be dated? Perhaps a little cleanup first before any new purchases or at least I will wait for the sales!

NANA SAYS WE CAN'T KEEP CHILDREN IN A BUBBLE

No matter how patient or relaxed as a parent, everyone worries about their children. Near the road with bikes, little one learning to climb or a teenager driving off in the family car for the first time, we worry as parents. When little scrapes and bruises occur or broken limbs or trips to the Emergency room, well we worry. Sometimes we may have a thought to put our children in a protective bubble, but we can't. Not because we don't want to do it, it is because there is no such thing! Worry also alerts us to the potential dangers. Life jackets in boats or for little ones playing on docks at the cottage. Locked gates on backyards! But life happens and children need to find their protective instincts to survive! It's a good thing we all have "Mommy" messages in our heads. Perhaps there are some imaginary bubbles then! Helping children to learn about the dangers and to be alert. Remember most accidents happen in the home! So start at home with the little things and the big things will take care of themselves! Oh the joys of parenting and grandparenting, we just want our little ones to have a life!

WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE

If at first we try to deceive! The sayings goes something like that.

Unlike the Disney Princess in Tangled, deception always has its dark side! Her witch "stepmother" was a master of deception! Being honest does not mean we share all our secrets or thoughts with the world. We just do not lie. If we do not want to share some information, we just tell whoever is interested that we do not want to talk " about it".
Tangled is such a good word. Our hair gets tangled. While knitting or crocheting, our wool can get tangled. Our bills can be in a " tangled" mess. Our lives can seem tangled at times. Too many events all wrapped up into one! It takes patience and time to unravel "the tangles" in our lives.
So was Tangled a good name for the movie! Of course, it was about the ultimate deception of keeping a young girl captive from her real parents. Although it was a film for children, there are many universal themes. Looking to the light- the lit lanterns the princess would see! How deception can destroy people!
Do you feel your life seems a little tangled at times? Have you ever caught someone in a tangled lie? What have you done to untangle events?

THE JUNE PEONIE

The Peonie is one of the beautiful flowers I love to see each year as it blossoms in June. It has its own fragrance. In appearance, it grows on a bush like foilage a welcome addition to any Canadian Spring garden or is it a summer garden since it grows so close to the summer solistice?

In order to grow, it needs a little help from a few ants. But no uncles! Do you have peonies in your garden?

A POSTCARD FROM EDMONTON ALBERTA CANADA

When I was a young girl I used to visit my Mom's sister- Auntie Bernice and family. My cousin Linda was my age and we were great friends. They lived in Edmonton Alberta. I bought postcards from that time- 1960s.

What a time capsule, eh? The card on a slant is the proposed Civic Centre- 1966 and 1967.  The International Airport sure has grown since then! Don't you love the Macdonald Hotel on the hill! The Canada Goose Fountain in front of City Hall! The capital of Alberta- much to Calgary's woe as there is such a rivalry between the two cities!

Have to enjoy those Klondike Days! Edmonton has football and hockey and of course- The Edmonton Mall- the largest mall in Canada. It is a fine place to live and to visit!
If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.

REACHING THE DISTANT SHORE

Do you ever look across the water and think how you would get to the other side? Swim? A rowboat? A canoe? A speed boat? Sometimes it much farther than  imagined! Like our dreams and goals in life! Do we stop or try to reach the distant shore! Sometimes we could go around by land and still reach the other side! It has been said "many roads lead to Rome"! Well more than one solution helps us reach the other side! Just don't let a barrier hold us back!

GRIEF IS A TEDIOUS JOURNEY

Losing someone, a job, becoming an empty nest, a change in health can take a few minutes to occur and months and sometimes years to process. Grief is painful and tedious. Everyone else feels "you should be over it" but you are not. Anniversaries, birthdays, social events are always reminders life has changed. Being able to normalize the feelings of irritability, poor sleep, an underactive or overactive appetite, disinterest in personal activities and waiting for " the other shoe to drop" can be some of the symptoms. If something bad has happened, well it could happen again. Anger at ourselves for taking so long to process. It seems everyone you know is enjoying life and you are not! Grief, a huge, painful emotion! Talking! Doing! Carrying on! Recognizing it has consumed your life helps with the coping. Making small manageable daily goals or tasks to work through the muddled thoughts and the overwhelming feeling of it! We must understand it does change a life and sometimes unfortunately some people do not recover! Others do and go on to a new life! Are you coping today with a grief situation? If you need help there are counsellors or therapist. Are you someone who likes to read? There are many fine books or even websites with help for you. Talk to your family and friends! Grief really is a tedious journey!

THE CHANGING JUNE GARDEN

Poppies make a colourful addition to any garden. The contrast with the garden can be breathtaking.

As it tries to open after a little rain, quite a picture unfolds. Too bad it can not hang around for Canada Day with its full red glory. Do you have poppies in your garden beds? It is a such a beautiful flower!

NANA SAYS SUPERHEROES DON'T SPIT!

Children love us. Parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles! The closer the relationship the more we receive raw emotions and behaviours. Last weekend when I was spending some time with two of my grandchildren, they started to fight. While trying to settle the dispute, my little grandson started to spit. Something he does when upset. Rather than the nagging messages- please stop, it is unacceptable, I don't like your behaviour- I took advantage of the fact he had been playing with one of his superhero toys and simply said- " superheroes don"t spit". He stopped, looked at me and his hero toy and guess what- yes he stopped the unacceptable behaviour of spitting! Grandparenting like parenting takes creativity. Use the moment and what is in the moment! Respect the child's feelings because children just act like children! We need to discipline but it can be gentle and meaningful to what is happening now! Hey, grandparents have you come up with some creative messages or ways of diffusing situations? Learning to think before reacting to every negative occurence helps us to maintain our cool with the little people in our lives!

REMEMBER D-DAY AND THE SACRIFICES FOR OUR FREEDOM

D-Day will stand out as a significant day in history. As with other famous battles, it was the beginning of the invasion of Europe to restore the freedoms to the countries there from the Nazi rule. An international effort that included many Canadians. Juno Beach was our beach. In World War Two, Canada played a major role. In time , we helped to liberate the Netherlands. Although we have Remembrance Day in November, today is another time to reflect on this very important day. By remembering, it helps us to fight even harder for peace in this world! Do you have someone from your family that was there? What is the story? Write it down! If the person is still alive, say thank you! If you encounter someone from the Armed Forces, say thank you! In order to have our freedoms we have today, others made sacrifices for us!

WHAT WOULD YOUR DIAMOND JUBILEE LOOK LIKE?

As Queen Elizabeth the second celebrates 60 years on the throne, it is a time to reflect on  a life served. She is still going strong at age 86, working long past the average retirement age of most people. Many kind words such as dedication at the Thanksgiving Service today. What would my celebration of a life served be? What would your celebration of a life served be? We give eulogies at funerals but what about a thanksgiving service for the living. On birthdays, special anniversaries and awards kind words are often said. Would you want to have all the important details of your life shared? Would you want lots of fireworks for others to see? A huge monetary bonus? A plaque for your wall? A certificate with gold trim? A diamond jubilee- well then some diamonds!! Would you want to give your own speech? There were huge crowds as people in Great Britain always get out and wave the flag at such occasions. In Canada, we have our crowds for events too and can be flag wavers with the best of them! Would you want a crowd of flag wavers? 60 years in one job is quite a feat! Changing with the job and times takes constant awareness of the world around us! So what would your Diamond Jubilee be like? Give it some thought and get back to me! I am busy planning my event and writing my speech!

PLANTING THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

A trip to the nursery or farm lets us buy the seedlings to plant. Having a little vegetable garden can bring a supplementary food supply to any family. Urban settings with rooftops can have gardens too. Even the Royal York Hotel in Toronto has such a garden so the chef can pick fresh herbs and other produce for the guests' dishes. There is something about being self sufficient. In our modern world we depend so much on technology and being in touch with each other we may forget to be in touch with the earth! The latest gadget can not grow a potato or provide a bee to pollinate our flowers. Knowing about both is vital even in this modern world. For example, many young people believe they do not have to learn to spell due to spell check on their computers. Does the same sentiment apply to knowing how to grow a flower or a vegetable? I am optimistic as the number of people buying plants for their gardens or balcony pots is tremendous. The right vegetation and trees attracts the song birds. Use your gadgets to take pictures but remember to revisit the joys from our earth. If growing vegetables is not your thing, then visit the farms and small farmers' markets that provide them. Talk to the people who make a living from such work.

Since Adolph is writing a food blog, we decided to make more jaunts to the farmers' markets and country settings this spring and summer. Yesterday such a jaunt to a little farm near us - Russo Farm on Weston Road north of Major Mackenzie in Woodbridge, Ontario. Quick chat with the owner and I will be using those other photos at another time. Do you have time to visit markets in your hometown? Get out and support those who put food on our tables!

A POSTCARD FROM JAMAICA

Adolph and I had a cheap charter trip to Jamaica in 1975. We stayed at a resort in Oracabessa near Ocho Rios.It was about 3 hours from Montego Bay where our plane landed. We took several day trips to the Dunn's River Falls, Spanish Town and the capital -Kingston. Beautiful country!

A friend, Denise has taken it on as her favourite place. I have a number of postcards from her over the years.

2/19/77 "Dear Barb, Adolph and Natasha, Well, I'm back in paradise! It's raining today but there's always tomorrow-The fruit is delicious as you know and the people are great-Thinking of you! 1 more week here. Love Denise"
3/13/78 " Dear Barbara & Adolph- Being here again speaks for itself! Thinking of you. Denise"

3/12 "Dear Barbara and Adolph, Back to Paradise for the 4th time-it's lovely! Mainly relaxing and getting a tan. Hope to do some diving next week-Thinking of you and the children-Denise"
3/11 " Hi Barbara and Adolph! Well, trip #5 is lovely as #1.Here in Montego Bay for 2 weeks( with Mom). Climbed the falls in Octo Rios-fantastic! The weather has been consistantly sunny-85 degrees- this is the life! thinking of you-Denise"

No date but before 1987- " A warm hello from Jamaica! Denise"

Now Denise visits Jamaica with her son Cameron and many Christmas cards are from their time there.

The history is very rich with the mix of people, plantation and crafts. Sure is an interesting place to visit and tour or if you want stay in a resort on the beach!

If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.

HERE'S TO THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE

60 years to be a reigning Queen is quite a feat! What a joy to be in London for the Flotilla tomorrow! Apparently the last one was on the Thames over 350 years ago! The Brits do know how to throw a party!
Here's to Queen Elizabeth the second! Do you have any English roots? Our family on both my mother's and father's side have a few! There is so much written about the Queen that there is nothing more I could say! May be you can?

JUNE IS FULL OF PROMISES

A new month always brings new possibilities. My calendar is already full with grandchildren's birthday parties, a dance recital and an end of year annual dinner. It looks busy but also means there are social events and inclusion in life. Sometimes I wonder who and what would I be without the people- old, middle age and young- in my life that make my life. My commitments with the grandchildren bring meaning and purpose. Adolph is the main cook for many functions and as you know I am the cook's assistant. I still have lots of time to do my projects and writing. Oh yeah put a fulltime job in the midst of it all. The calendar looks good. June will bring fodder for my blog. There might even be some day trips in the busy schedule. How does your June look? If you are a busy working parent, the end of school always has its moments. Ending the school year and planning for the summer. Family vacation and where? Having visitors and day trips at home? It is a month full of promises!