A POSTCARD FROM THE ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO

Visiting art galleries with family is always a fun event for me. So two Sundays ago, along with my daughter and granddaughter, a visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario was a fun outing. Leaving the car at the Finch station, we took the subway to Dundas Street where we hopped the streetcar to the Art Gallery.

The Vicarage at Neunen by Vincent van Gogh around 1884 is the top picture and Charing Cross Bridge, Fog 1902 is the bottom picture.

The Thomson Family donated a 50 million art collection to the Gallery. Ken Thomson was an avid art collector. The general public have the benefit of viewing this extensive collection.

There are two Cornelius Krieghoff paintings. The one at the top-Breaking up of a Country Ball in Canada, Early Morning, 1857 and the Tlingit Shaman's Amulet, c. 1840 the card on the bottom are two of the many art pieces in the Thomson Collection.

The Art Gallery has many pictures by the Group of Seven. Franklin Carmichael's North Shore, Lake Superior, 1927 and Tom Thomson- Bateaux, Summer 1916 are the featured postcards. It should be noted Tom Thomson  the painter is no relation to the billionaire Thomson family.

Emily Carr's Indian Church, 1929 is featured. Many times there are special exhibits at the Gallery. The two other postcards are by Diego Rivera a Mexican artist whose works were at the AGO recently.

My favourite painting at the Gallery is Paul Peel's After the Bath.

This is actually the framed art card that has been in my pink bathroom for many years. Although I can not afford expensive art, it is still feasible to buy art cards and postcards to enjoy art.
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.

IS MARCH GOING OUT LIKE A LAMB?

The weather is neither warm nor cold. No rain. No snow. It is not the warmest last day for March nor the coldest. So can I say March is going out very neutral and that's okay. It means April has lots of time to warm up for us! Not bad for an Easter Sunday! Lots of religious movies on TV and food cooking in the oven!

WHAT IS LUCK? ARE YOU LUCKY OR JUST HARD WORKING?

Lucky is described in the Oxford dictionary as having or resulting from good luck, as distinct from skill or design or merit. Have you ever been called lucky in a situation that you know was not luck? Do you ever resent being called lucky for something you worked hard to achieve? Have you ever worked very hard and did not get the award at the end? So what is luck? Yesterday as I was making my way down the hall at the hospital,  a fellow staff person commented- "you are able to walk to work, you are so lucky! " So why did I resent the comment? Is it luck that my employment is close to home. Perhaps. The hospital has always been there. I have worked there for over 10 years now. Did you know I have applied for jobs there for over 25 years? How many times did I apply for a job and did not get it? About 5 times! I had to take a job that was an hour away by car for 11 years. Lots of time in traffic in that commute! Is it possible that many others had to keep at something-perserve- to get what they sought? Many people work very hard their whole lives and do not necessarily get rewarded at the end. A layoff! Forced into early retirement! An untimely death! What is luck? A winning lottery ticket! No skill needed! A door prize at a gala! A lasting marriage-not much luck there! Sure you need to work at a marriage but how many times has one ended for no fault of the effort made. A good parent-lucky your kids are good! Sometimes that is true. I have seen many good parents with children that have caused lots of heartache. I have seen good children with crappy, selfish parents. Are we lucky to have a good family? Perhaps! Lucky is a funny word. It can be a condescending word. " You are lucky to have such a good figure " said to the person who eats well and exercises daily to stay in shape. Or "you are retired, you are so lucky!" Firstly, the person had to work for many years to reach that point in his/her life. Secondly, maybe the person would rather be working. Thirdly, maybe there are health reasons. Hopefully, the person is quite content to be retired. Should we be calling people lucky? Should we check ourselves and wonder if there is a little jealousy going on? The person has something we want!  Does luck happen to everyone at some time in their lives? Perhaps! It is funny I would never call anything I have or do luck or lucky. Rather I prefer to use the word- blessed! I feel blessed to have my loved ones in my life. I feel blessed to be able to get up and do what I have to do. I feel blessed to try to forgive others and not carry burdens of anger on my shoulder. I feel blessed to try not to resent others for what they have. It is hard work not to belittle others and just say " you are so lucky!" So what do you think? Do you like the word lucky? Do you react to it? Do you prefer another word for your situation?

GOOD FRIDAY IN CANADA 2013

As a stat holiday, everyone has a chance to stay home. Essential services, however,  must have people working. It is a religious day for Christians everywhere, finding time to go to church. What does it mean? The day Jesus died for our sins! The burden of carrying the cross through the streets of Jerusalem is played out in religious pageants. Thinking about the sacrifice is a way to reflect on beliefs and our lives. The whole concept of doing for others. Treating others as we wish to be treated. Easter has a way of slowing us down to help to understand a larger meaning to life.  The bunny, the easter egg hunt, the dinners together are rituals that bring family together.

A SHORT WORK WEEK

My only thoughts today are focused on the fact that it is a short work week. As much as I love my job, having time away and nesting at home has its advantages. Being able to clean and putter and do some personal activities along with family time, helps me to renew some much needed energy to carry on with all the aspects of living. I would not want to be home all the time but there is a safety that home brings. With the urge to Spring clean and prepare for the warm weather that is coming-I think- being home for a few extra days helps to accomplish many tasks. I often think I would like to do 12 hour days so I could have more time off. My job, however, is not conducive to that time frame. Evenings could be spent with families but there is little work in the early hours. There is no opportunity to work from home-can not take patients away from the hospital! So it is the 5 day- Monday to Friday and the odd weekend crisis that entails the work I do. Ah-the short work week- like Adolph said this morning- no more sleeps the weekend is almost here!

NANA SAYS USE EASTER AND PASSOVER TO TEACH HUMAN VALUES TO CHILDREN

Not everyone goes to church or synagogue during the holy season. So sometimes children only learn about chocolate or a seder dinner. Easter and Passover have very powerful human lessons teaching concrete values. Take the time to revisit the stories and lessons. There are many books that can help. If you do not attend regular services than it is okay to be a once a year attender. Take the children. You may discover that there is fellowship and you may want to attend more often. There are Bible story books that can be read along with many other books during the year. Parables stand the test of time! Look at the Cain and Abel lesson from the Old Testament! Sibling rivalry! However you plan to celebrate the holidays, family time is always a way to come together!

PASSOVER IN CANADA

As usual Passover occurs near our Easter week celebrations. It is a time to respect and watch our Jewish neighbours and friends celebrate their Seder dinner-honouring them. As Christians, we can understand the Passover story-Moses and his hope of taking his people to a new land. The old testament is our Bible too. Canada is a land of religious tolerance and acceptance. In Thornhill- a little community above Toronto- there are many different churches and faith institutions. A Mosque and Synagogue are side by side sharing the parking space at the back. They are located on Bayview Avenue. Near us on Yonge Street is a Hindu Temple. So as our Jewish Canadians celebrate, let us send a message of love and peace to other corners of the world. There are many challenges being culturally and religiously diverse. However, making the effort to learn and accept others can be an universal goal.

THE EASTER LILY 2013

As the 2013 Easter quickly approaches, homes in Canada are starting to reflect the season. The Easter Lily is a must for any Christian home.

A happy Spring flower symbolizing hope and renewel can be found in homes and church altars. It is often given as an Easter present to loved ones. The Easter message personified.

CARNATIONS ARE LASTING FLOWERS

A Carnation is a flower that last longer than others. Fresh cut in a vase adding life to a room, it brings some needed colour to the home. From red to white to pink, the variety is good. It can be a flower of remembrance. My girls had them in the front pew in the church at their weddings as remembrance of people no longer with us or unable to come to the service. For hospitalized patients, not only does it last but has no smell so does not take away the air in their rooms nor affect people with allergies to flowers. Those who garden it can be grown along with many other flowers. Oh Carnation-lovely!

DISCIPLINE-A DIFFICULT HABIT

Discipline comes in many forms. Sometimes it is just the daily routines we set for ourselves that keep us going forward. Our job expectations make us do the work that needs to be done. So when does personal discipline become a virtue. The urge to procrastinate or just avoid tasks that are unpleasant comes into our consciousness. "I'll do that later!" " I don't feel like doing it now!" " I would rather take a nap!" My discipline is trying to write something on this blog every day. It is supposed to be one of those blogger rules. Like the Nike ad- Just do It! Other areas of my life like my work-do at least two new Social Work assessments every day take discipline. See the ongoing cases. Try to be nice to my colleagues! Being available for the grandchildren. Have patience with the grandchildren! Discipline gives us boundaries in our lives. Being a free spirit does not-more fun though! Discipline is actually boring. But boring does keep us on track! Many parts of our daily routines, let's face it are boring! Disciplined people work at being disciplined. Yes we probably are boring! So do you have discipline in your life? Do you care? Discipline allows me to try to stay grounded and not over react to everything. I am working on those areas where over reaction does occur! How about you? Give me your thoughts!

NANA SAYS SPRING BRINGS THOSE COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS HOME

As College and University wind down with final papers and exams, the return of students to parental homes begins. So does the reverse transition of adjusting to a full household. Often the dynamics in the home change with one person away. Siblings that fight alot are separate from each other so the truce of a quieter home becomes peaceful. With the return, one might expect a new maturity on the part of the returning student but often the opposite can occur. If the child partied while away, staying out late or bringing gangs of friends home can disrupt the household. An expectation that chores  or laundry will be done by that young one can be erroneous. The pressure of a summer job and maybe needing to use the family car are further readjustments. There is a certain relief, however,  to have everyone home. The travel back and forth to the university destination does wear on the family system. Since the child has become more of an adult, then an adult conversation can occur. The new rules of the home considering the new responsibilities of everyone. The sibling that had full use of the bathroom can resent the returning one messing up that area. Encouraging positive discussion so the home does not become a battleground. I remember the first year my daughter came home for the summer. All her things were neatly put away but needing to be hauled out for the return in the Fall-work!! So by the middle years, her boxes of stuff sat in the living room all summer waiting to be loaded in the Fall to whatever vehicle was transporting it. It was an interesting time of coming and going. I did not like it. I missed her. It was a part of a rite of passage for her. Discussions with other parents revealed mixed feelings and experiences. Some parents loved having the children away. Others felt the home to be empty. As a good parent,  an university or college experience would never have beeen denied to my children and if I am lucky perhaps I can help support my grandchildren in their endeavors too. Spring does bring those little birdies back to the nest-crowded as it can be!!

SWEETS HELP THE PRESPRING BLUES

From a green cupcake on St. Patrick's Day - to

Zeppole on St. Joseph's Day ( March 19 in Italy), a good "sweet" sure sweetens the mood. There are times rewarding ourselves with not only fun activities but fun foods makes life more enjoyable. Yes healthy eating the majority of the time is very important. The daily exercise regime helps us to keep fit and burn those extra calories. What fun food have you had lately?

ONE LAST BLAST OF SNOW

With winter winding down, there is always one or two more little blasts of snow. It is rather pretty on the branches.

A solitary walker on an empty road!

A coniferous tree laden with snow! Soon the green under those branches will emerge again.

CLEANING AND WRITING ARE NOT COMPLIMENTARY

Writing takes concentration and dedication. But many other tasks can not be done. So Spring brings the urge to do some cleaning, sorting and decluttering. Especially in the area around the computer where writing occurs, the small chaos was taking over. It pays to look through the piles and throw out the unnecessary items as well as review the important papers that can be used in future projects. The various genealogical newsletters are sorted and those marked with relevant information are stacked for further scrutiny. One area of the house tidied and several more to go.

THE IDES OF MARCH-BEWARE

Beware the Ides of March was the quote for Julius Caesar before he was assassinated. On March 15, 44BC he told Brutus before he died- et tu Brute! It is what can happen to powerful men who may think they are invincible. You think all your friends care about you and will follow you-but you can be stabbed in the back! Caesar is famous for saying-Vini, Vici, Vinci- I came, I saw, I conquered! It is interesting that quotes from over 2000 years ago are still remembered today. The scope of the Roman Empire was significant in not only European history but trickled over into World history. Just think we still use Roman numerals today! Even Canada's motto- Mare usque mare usque mare! Latin- well from Roman times. A modern procedure- the Caesarian section to deliver babies was named after him but historians are divided on whether he was actually delivered that way! Another quote by Julius Caesar was " I love the name of honour, more than I fear death." Perhaps! What might have happened if he had not died that day? Was his exit from this world honourable? The middle of March for most people especially here in Canada is a welcome reminder winter is coming to a close! What are your thoughts about the Ides of March? What does Ides really mean? Are you just glad the 15th came on a Friday so the weekend is here?

TOGETHER AND SEPARATE

Sometimes families, couples or relationships can become too enmeshed. There is little room for individual autonomy. Some cultures more than others have an expectation to do everything the same. There are no boundaries but a blending-everyone and everything is the same. Is it okay? Belonging is important. Being part of a group can give a place in the world. Like Ayn Rand's-Atlas Shrugged- do we strive to be our own person? How are we viewed? To think differently is okay. To act uniquely is okay too! Do any of us like to be put in a clump with others? Do we like to be judged? Together and separate can exist side by side. Can't it?

IT'S NOT SPRING UNTIL YOU HEAR THE BIRDIES SING

A sure sign of Spring is the increased bird activity. On my way into work yesterday, it seemed that I was hearing song birds.  I tried to identify the bird high on the lamp post. I even noticed a flock of blackbirds in my yard over the weekend. However, on my walk home I saw not one but two robins. The red winged black bird in the field across from the library was loud. The noise level of the birds was a sure sign- well Spring is coming. The day was cool with snow on the ground but the birdies chirping and singing was noticeable. It gave renewed hope of the new season. Do you hear birds in your area? Perhaps just stop and listen!

NANA SAYS MARCH BREAK CAN BE FUN

For the lucky ones sitting on a beach with children building sand castles, March Break is a piece of cake. Touring and visiting places can be challenges when away from home. There is always the fatigue factor. The stay home and go to local places is rewarding too. One venture last Sunday with my daughter and granddaughter to the Art Gallery of Ontario was just such a time. There are March break activities arranged in such places that make the trip fun for all. There was also a creative learning center where children and families could go to make the daily craft. Most zoos, museums and tourist places have added fun activities for children. Even the local library invites people to enjoy their March Bread reading program. It is also important to remember it is a Break. Too much activity and programming will take away the opportunity to have some down time and allow the children to learn to use their own time wisely. For older children, household tasks and Spring cleaning in between fun activities can be a goal as well. Going to a movie or just watching one at home with some popcorn or other goodies can be a simple time. Play dates inviting friends over for lunch gives parents some extra time as well as supporting other parents. Sleepovers with grandparents give parents a break too. Spending time with children is the key.

SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER

Warm in the valley but cold on the mountain tops is typical for most of Canada. With Daylight Savings, our mornings are darker for awhile. Adjusting to the new time and the new season is more tiring than anyone wants to admit. Adapting, adjusting, and renewing are words that come to mind. Seeing the sunrise beyond the mountain! Facing the new day! Waiting to feel energized! Staying positive! But sometimes just wanting the weekend to arrive so sleeping a little longer can be achieved! Outside-hoping the dirty snow will melt! Spring with all its glory! And work! I think we need the energy so we can begin the yard cleanup unfinished from the Fall. Perhaps waiting is not a bad thing!

IF LIFE GIVES YOU WRINKLES

Use wrinkle cream or only been seen under low light like candles. They soften the mood. Wrinkles are life's way of reminding us we have lived. Don't believe those people that say people from certain cultures  age better. They still show up in the hospital with hip fractures and dementia. And poor posture- all scooped over. The number of wrinkles on your face is not any indication of how healthy you are! The trick is to live!

A CLOSE CALL

I was almost hit by a car on my walk home Friday night. It rather unnerved me! How vulnerable we all can be! I pay attention to traffic and cars. More than half of all drivers do not yield to pedestrians. I know because I see the non-yielding ones every day. Why was that young man in such a hurry to cut me off in my crosswalk on my walk light? He did not seem to care when I had to jump back and do a little dance to save my life! Honestly, I almost started crying when I reached the other side. Did I thank the Lord to be alive! You bet!

"FAMILIES ARE LIKE FUDGE

...mostly sweet with a few nuts."Anonymous quote. I found this in an old calendar on sisters. I thought it appropriate to describe many families. After a conversation with my favourite manager at Shoppers yesterday where discussion around family and siblings occurred, this quotation seemed timely. Every family has its issues and sometimes disconnection from toxic members helps with personal survival. If a family is postive then good things do happen. Often a new in-law can be the problem. It happened in my husband's family. Trying to bend over backwards became too tiring. Distance is the best solution. Eventually, divorce made life so much better for all of us. We joke about our black sheep but often the debilitating effects are too negative. It is often said  we can pick our friends but not family! Blood is thicker than water. Like a broken engine, too much sludge is not a good thing!

MARCH BREAK-SPRING IS HEADING OUR WAY

March Break occurs at different times in different parts of the country. In our area, it begins next week.The mass exodus from Pearson airport to sunny southern destinations such as Florida and Mexico has already started. Many people still drive to Windsor then cross over in the USA driving along #75, passing through many states to escape the Canadian winter cold. Adolph and I have done that drive a few times when the children were little. A break froms school is important for everyone, except working parents that may need to take time off work or make alternate babysitting arrangements, i.e. the ones that are not vacationing with their children. Why do I talk about a March break? Sometimes the monotony of work&home and home&work wears a person down! Why is it when the days are longer, just being outside for a time after work takes some of the pressure off? Breaks are nice. Change for awhile is good. Doing something different at a slower pace! Like sitting on the beach! Seeing all those travellers featured on the news gave me some pangs of wanting to go somewhere. Alas, perhaps just a jaunt around my snow filled garden looking for the first real sign of Spring- a bulb trying to pop its head up! Not yet! Glad I have pictures from last year to remind me! Are you heading anywhere south? Do you have March Break plans? Are you the backup babysitter?

ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER

Do you ever feel down in  the dumps? Do you find it is hard to get going? Do you struggle to get through the day sometimes? Put one foot in front of the other! Just get started! Sometimes the struggle becomes an accomplishment. Do the biggest task first! So the other tasks seem easier to do! Simple easy to do! At the end of a busy work day, just plan on one task per night! Forcing yourself to carry on! Like the ad, just Do IT!

NANA SAYS SOCIAL WORKERS CAN HELP CHILDREN

As a tribute to National Social Work Week 2013 in Canada, it made me pause and reflect about the role when it comes to children. By helping children to navigate childhood, there is a possibility to grow into fine adults. Where would you find children and social workers? Child Welfare agencies with a mandate to protect child from physical, sexual and emotional abuse as well as neglect are some. Family therapy clinics, youth and child clinics, special needs services, school crisis teams, bereavement services, hospital- pediatric, postpartum and NICU-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to name the major places that come to mind. If mothers and fathers are assisted in their parenting, then children have a better chance. If children that need services are allowed to process their feelings through counselling, play therapy, music therapy, art therapy or other activities that build self-esteem and validate the person, it helps everyone long term. Of course not every child needs a social worker! But we are there if we are needed!

2013 NATONAL SOCIAL WORK WEEK IN CANADA

Every discipline or group tends to have a day, a week or a month to honour and celebrate. Well, it is Social Work week. In Ontario, the theme this year is "Restoring Hope-The Power of Social Work". Rather pretentious don't you think? Social Work is about viewing all the circumstances and social issues of the person, family or group providing assessments and various counselling interventions. Social justice, social change and the impact of issues like poor health has on people. In my job as a social worker servicing two diverse programs- Surgery and Woman&Child- there are many different areas to be considered- new diagnosis of a life threatening illness such as cancer, death, baby deaths, new ostomies, dementia and the list could go on. Some days are busier than other days. Interviewing bed side, in hallways or part of a team in family meetings, provides a lot of social interaction. Supporting the individual as well as supporting the hospital system and protecting the public purse can be challenging. For example, for older patients, some families see it as an opportunity to have someone else care for their loved one. Educating that hospitals are about patient care and not housing is ongoing.The discharge planning piece can be quite cumbersome. Despite centuries of social work, there are many people that still ask in the middle of a crisis, what does a social worker do? Too often, seen as someone who will get you money! Or what a nice, easy job you have? I even have a family member or two who think the counselling thing is useless! Knowing systems and how to use them, gives the person a chance to optimize whatever strengths he/she can use. Facilitating but not taking over just guides the individual to use all the resources available. Teaching new staff about varied topics is another role I have with the "End of Life Care" talk I give to new nursing hires. Yes, I am an Ethics Facilitator for my area-connecting with the hospital Ethicist! With electronic charting, I can squirrel away in my little shared office and chart on more than one floor without any disturbance. So enjoy Social Work Week in our beloved country. If you are in doubt about what social workers do, visit your provincial website about your provincial college. In Ontario, it is the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Lots of wonderful information and position papers on various themes will keep you busy reading. Have you ever used social work services? Hospital? Private clinics? School social work? Child Welfare? Crisis teams? Look around and you may be surprised where you might find one!

I AM NOT A HOARDER

But I am a craft and business supply junkie. I love buying supplies like pens, cardstock paper and misc supplies for writing and organizing. A few weeks ago, I cleaned and organized a couple of drawers in my bookshelf in my computer room. Good thing! I discovered index pages, labels and well other supplies I forgot I had. Then to the craft room. My yarn is organized on shelves that are very visible so I am able to see at a glance that I have a good selection. If I go to my favourtie craft store-Michaels, for a few items, I usually leave with many items. Stickers for scrapbooking and using in blog pages or Adolph's cooking pages are a hit. Of course there are the seasonal items. So I am learning to look at what I have before heading out anywhere. Sometimes I just avoid going to certain stores because there are so many things to buy. I am really well stocked. Oh yes, I just organized my sticker drawer- there are enough Easter, Canada Day and Christmas ones to last for a few more seasons! Do you have favourite things you like to buy? Is it hard sometimes to avoid buying more?

A POSTCARD FROM THE MCMICHAEL COLLECTION KLEINBURG ONTARIO

As most people know, the McMichael Collection in Kleinburg is one of my favourite places to visit. It is about 20 minutes from  Richmond Hill. Any visitors to my home are given the opportunity to visit this amazing gallery. The Group of Seven, Tom Thomson, Emily Carr and other Canadians artists are the main attraction.

Nestled amongst pines, the gallery is very reflective of an Ontario countryside where many of the Group of Seven painted. The picture featured is by A.J. Casson-Shore Patten-date unknown.

The postcard at the top is a typical First Nation's painting. The artist-Norval Morrisseau has been featured across Canada. This exhibit is Artist's Wife and Daughter- 1975. Another Group of Seven artist- Franklin Carmichael painted Mirror lake 1929.

The top card is The Red Maple 1914 by A.Y.Jackson and the  bottom card is by Tom Thomson who painted Summer Day circa 1915 .
Art cards and books are a wonderful way to remember and revisit art. As with other galleries no photos are allowed. With winter winding down, it was a fun way to think about the spring/summer jaunts that can be made. Although the gallery is open year round and does provide schools and groups a wonderful outing, the warmer months allow for long walks on the grounds with the opportunity to visit the outdoor sculpture exhibit. Yes pictures are allowed outside.
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.

SHE HAD NO CHILDREN

A family friend and former church member- Carville United Church- died Februay 28, 2013 at 102 years old. Thelma was her name. A sweet lady who baked, quilted and grew raspberries with her husband Alex.She outlived her friends. Christmas cards and phone calls were exchanged until a couple of years ago. So I searched and found some photos from my albums, uploading them to the funeral home site.  She had no children but she was close to anyone who knew her. Imagine-102! What a wonderful life! There are some photos from happy times. God Bless you Thelma- a fine Christian woman!

MARCH MARCHED IN LIKE A LION

The beginning of March carries an optimism that winter is in its final moments. Even if it is cold and snowy, well, Spring is around the corner-really. However, there is a beauty to winter and the snow. On my walk to work yesterday, getting my feet wet trudging through snow with 2 inches of water underneath, I took in the beauty of the snow on the trees and fence. Wishing I had my camera to capture some photos for this blog. Snow on a chain link fence, I knew would be gone by noon was particularly pretty. Sometimes in the midst of life taking those moments to see the wonder around us keeps us in the present moment. Like picking up our grandsons at Day Care this week, with all the noise and activity of getting two children ready to leave, it was so pleasurable to be with healthy little children actively playing and having fun. After a day in the hospital where there can be so many sad stories, stopping and watching those little ones brought some joy. Whoever coined the phrase-stop and smell the roses had some real philosophical knowledge! So March, march in but help us to blend the season we are leaving and the one arriving! Remind us, we can enjoy and appreciate both, finding moments and time to look around us and reflect on what we see! Are you glad it is March? Are you tired of the winter? Or are you trying to pack in, one more day of skiing or skating? Honestly, I do not care about the month, I am just glad it is Friday!