SAYING GOODBYE TO JULY 2013

July is the month that the fresh produce is so bountiful that saying goodbye to the month is a little sad. Although August will bring more and different veggies and fruit to eat, there is an urgency that summer is moving too quickly. Our home garden has given us beans, lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes-even some yellow peppers! It has been a fun month with an overnight trip to Niagara, day trips and weekends of babysitting the grandchildren. Of course, farmers' markets with Adolph for his food blog. Trying some new wines from visits to a few of Ontario's wineries has been fun too! Oh July-you went just too quickly!

NANA SAYS PRETENTIOUS PARENTS ARE ANNOYING

While babysitting my grandchildren last weekend, a trip to one of our locale parks was a must. A splash pad,  swings and spider web climber as well as an area with a multi functional climbers, slides and fun things. I overheard a local parent saying to her husband, come on let's go there is a better park for us. I took a good look at the area. It is connected to a community centre with a pool. There is a large soceer field as well as a baseball diamond which had teams playing that day. The splash pad has fountains that spray water from the ground and a huge fish that has moments of varying water spray. Not a cheesy place. It made me think about other children of the world that may be lucky to have a ball to kick. The complex is funded by local taxes, not costing for a day's visit. My little ones had a ball. After an hour of fun it was time to go home! What messages do we teach our children if we turn up our noses at very fun and functional things! What message was that pretentious parent giving to her little child? Sometimes we need to realize what we do have for ourselves as well as our children. Our local libraries always have programs beyond just books. Our Central Library has a coffee shop as well. Accessible areas for children can keep the playing field even. The park is open to everyone. So not just the neighbouring houses but others from housing complexes could come. No one knows where you live. Giving children a chance to exercise is always a good thing! As a grandparent, I worry that every parent thinks their child deserves more things! A message that may come back to bite someone in the butt!

HIGHWAY IMAGES

A WALK ALONG A CANADIAN SHORELINE

There are so many shorelines in this great country. A walk on land beside a body of water always brings a time for reflection. Interacting with any wildlife present and hearing the sound of the water are moments nature gives us. Whether a beautiful beach or a rocky coastline, there is always something to see! Although this is a quiet path in Niagara-on-the-Lake, it could be anywhere. Lake Ontario is huge so it can seem like an ocean view! Everyone has their favourite spot! I know some who love Tofino on Vancouver Island! A cottage often has its own little corner! For the adventuresome at heart, those beach finds can become treasures! Water and land connecting is so symbolic of many aspects of living! Do you have a favourite spot? Or do you have memories of many spots or places in the world?

IS THERE A CURE FOR AGING?

I read an interesting website yesterday seeing what some anti-aging doctors do. Bascially, botox, hormonal stuff, different eating etc. More the outside and how to look young or younger! Interesting! I believe that my simple tricks won't help me not to age but may help me feel better as I age. A good healthy balanced diet! A few calcium and vitamin D tablets daily! Exercise whenever I can which includes doing my own housework and gardening.Walking is easy! Activities for my mind with puzzles, math in my head and even those fun Sudokos.Of course, reading, reading reading- the newspaper, books, the internet, reports! Social events-work, family, outings. Limiting alcohol consumption! Entertainment-music, tv and going to the occasional movie! Personal interests and hobbies! Don't walk in front of a bus! Sometimes there seems to be a split between those who are cosmetic surgery consumed and those who live with the aging face and body. We can not defy death nor the fact the body ages along with the mind! Why does everyone want to look younger than their age? If you child is 35, you can not look 35 as it would seem ridculous! I believe in living to the fullest and what one is capable of doing at any age. Trying new activities does bring stimulation to everyone! Not to stop living as we age is another important trick or just a strategy! So is there a cure for aging? If you find one, let me know-I'll try to fit it in my busy schedule!

REMEMBERING A LOVED ONE WITH FLOWERS

Each year brings a remembrance of someone! Remembering on a birthday or the day of death brings moments of reflection! What better way than to use beautiful flowers as a celebration of the person's life! Here's to those who are remembering a special person today! Gone but not forgotten!

NANA SAYS CHILDREN NEED TO LEAVE THE NEST

When the time comes and children are older, they should leave the nest. Our little robins have flown from their nest at the front of the house. One of the situations I am working on, had a parent or two describe their 30 something children who are still at home! Hum! A growing trend or just letting the children stay too long? In my husband's Italian group, it was not uncommon for some children especially boys not to leave home. Imagine 50 something and still home! What compels a child to  want to remain in a parent's home? Yes, all your money can be yours! A token amount given to help with groceries like some have done pretending they are paying their way! But not really! Other bills like hydro, water, gas and maintenance cost as well! Everyone living in a home using those utilities! I noticed when my children left home for married life, the bills became greatly reduced! Of course, there are some parents and especially mothers who like the role of caring for their children regardless of the age. Letting your children grow up and have a life is one of the greatest gifts to give! Again those little robins can teach us another lesson! Leave the nest and when the time comes perhaps return to care for your aging parents not to sponge off them!

HOW MANYS BLESSINGS DO YOU HAVE?

Do you ever hear the saying-count your blessings? So what does it mean and how many blessings can you count? Our grandchildren can be a blessing except when they are fighting! A life! Family-but some members are not a blessing! It is an easy thing to say but some days even with blessings we can be sad or mad or disappointed as well as knowing we are blessed. It is okay to feel sorry for ourselves sometimes-it helps to motivate us to get going on something meaningful! Appreciating our situation when it is good, is a blessing! Getting through a bad time can be a blessing! Understanding that what may be a blessing to one person may not have the same meaning to another! Happy people who enjoy small blessings may be very annoying to those who want and expect more from life! So beware of those wanting to pop your "blessing balloons"! Actually trying to count your blessings in a bad time, gives hope for a better day! Like someone at a funeral-he was 95, why did he have to die so young or how blessed we were to have him until 95! Frankly, I prefer to be around people who act as if they are blessed rather than owed! What about you? Do you feel blessed? Do you have days you need to remind yourself about your blessings in life?

SHE LOVES ME, SHE LOVES ME NOT-THE DAISY

The daisy always is a fun flower with the verse-she loves me, she loves me not or interject-he! Pulling off a petal at a time.

There are some big clusters in my "wild" front garden. With all the rain and extra fertilizer, the garden has become more like a "jungle". Attempts are made to prune it but I often just throw my hands in the air knowing I will not get one of those-front garden awards from the town. In the Fall, I will cut back the dead foilage! On the plus side, it does attract butterflies!

Each flower can be admired on its own merit! There are many varities of the daisy. They grow in many Canadian gardens as well as wild in fields and along the sides of the roads or highways! Easily transplanted from the wild to a "tame" garden the daisy is always a welcome addition. Little work as it is a hardy perennial! Do you have daisies in your garden? Tell me-does she love you?

A POSTCARD FROM NIAGARA ON THE LAKE

Niagara on the Lake is a beautiful Ontario town located a short distance from Niagara Falls. Historic and quaint it boasts the Shaw festival- a series of plays performed in the various theatres in town. Full of interesting shops, bakeries and eateries it is worth a visit when going to the Niagara region. About an hour or more from Toronto it is a favourite day trip for many people. The streets are full of flowers and other vegetation in the summer. During the Fall one can take in the wine festival. During the Winter, Ice wine prevails as a local tribute to the wine industry with its festival in January. Visiting the town all year long can bring different aspects of its locale. Right on Lake Ontario, the American side can be seen. It is understandable why its location was so vital during the War of 1812. It boasts being the prettiest town in Canada! Whether it is or not-a visit is worth the effort!
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!

A GARDEN IS IN THE EYES OF THE BEHOLDER

Do you ever tire of the same gardens one sees in subdivisions-especially new ones? It looks as if the same landscaper did everyone's front lawn. Perfectly shaped bushes and lots of impatiens! On a recent trip to the Niagara area it was refreshing to see the gardens of homeowners with a great variety of Canadian wild flowers and trees on properties.

Niagara on the Lake was abundant with street flowers and trees. Like many quaint Canadians towns that are historic and full of cute shops for the tourists, it was colourful and pleasing to visit.
The Niagara region has the Horticultual College. It seems the students can perform many field trips keeping the many gardens and areas of the vicinity flourishing.

Even time can be told with flowers! Don't you just love the floral clock! A must for any visitor to the area!
A wonderful drive along the Niagara Parkway revealed garden after garden of beauty. A welcome difference from my own locale!

DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE OWED?

A living? Or do you owe life? It never ceases to amaze me how many people feel life owes them something for exisiting. Yes it is good to be paid back for a lifetime of hard work. But everyone who works hard does not get rewarded. Some people luck into easy riches-think of the children of wealthy established businesses! So do we feel sorry for ourselves or just grab onto what good we can find in life along with giving a hand to others to help them have some good times too! A recent trip to Niagara Falls gave a lesson of how the unrich can have a good time. Looking at a falls, enjoying visits to museums and eating out! A trip to the Cassino! No luxury needed to have a good time! Visits to the wineries and buying fresh fruit! Seeing the country side from a car! A lot of people looked happy, enjoying! Is life what you make it? Can life be good without having everything, whatever that would be? So do you feel you are owed?

NANA SAYS ROBINS TEACH US ABOUT PARENTING

Having a robin's nest on our evestrough has made watching mother nature interesting. The mommy robin sits on the nest with the eggs while the daddy robin guards his family. Once the babies hatch, both forage for food. They take turns feeding the little ones. It is cute to watch them with the little beaks in the air waiting to be fed. Apparently once they are ready to leave the nest, the daddy robin helps teach them to fly. So in the natural world for many species both parents play a role. Not always the same role but shared parenting. Children benefit and need both parents. Remember that!

A CHANGE IS AS GOOD AS A REST

It is fun to be away. Even for a couple of days-sightseeing, staying at a hotel, no housework, taking pictures. Nothing fancy but a change away from the normal! A vacation week brings opportunities to relax and just be! Reading a book or two! Eating slowly! Sipping wine! Having the grandchildren for an extended sleepover! Organizing areas of life! Oh the change from the normal-it does give a rest!

SUMMER DAY TRIPS 2013

Day trips to locations an hour or two from home make the summer fun. Packing a lunch or eating in a restaurant gives a chance to stop and enjoy the locale. On a vacation week when a longer trip is not planned the week becomes a daily adventure. In Ontario there are many small communities worth visiting for a few hours, a day or even an extended time. A favourite beach gives an opportunity for swimming or just going to the local pool cools us in a hot spell! Getting out is as good as a rest! Along with visits to farmers' markets for Adolph's blog, visits to wineries are a summer project for 2013. Trying wine from Ontario winemakers is enjoyable. Of course more bottles are bought than can be drunk in one sitting. So the enjoyment will spill over into the fall and winter months I am sure. Unless of course there are guests to share my finds! Where are you going for your summer fun? Day trips? A week's vacation? A trip to some exotic place? Barbecues in the backyard?

THE MORNING WALK

I like to walk early in the morning on days away from work- whether it is the weekend or a vacation. It never ceases to amaze me how many people are up at 6 a.m. and going to work. I am a morning person so am able to do projects that use my creativity with lots of energy. The exercise allows for calorie burning as we all know muscle burns more calories than fat! Hopefully, the walks will bring some creative ideas for my writing projects. What about you? Are you a morning person too?

PREVACATION EXCITEMENT

To be on the road, taking a plane, a train, a bus or to the beach, a cottage, a day or a couple of weeks, vacation bring the excitement of doing something different. Being away! Having a little adventure! Fun and a change! Working at a job you love is great but having a vacation to rejuvenate and find new energy is a wonderful thing! Planning and packing and deciding what to do is half the fun too! Do you have a summer adventure planned? Are you looking forward to your getaway?

NANA SAYS SUMMER FUN IS WELL UNDERWAY

Picnics, trips to the park, playing outside, swimming, soceer, baseball and sometimes just playing in the dirt. Children enjoying the summer. Adults can get in the mood and play along with the children or grandchildren. Two weekend sleepovers planned with Nana and Granpa trying to think of some fun things to do with the kids. Of course good eating is always one of them! Summer would not be summer without an ice cream cone or two. No boots or coats-well maybe rain boots as this year has been a season with lots of rain! How is your summer going? Do you feel like a kid again? I know this Nana does!

DO YOU CLEAN THE HOUSE FOR YOU OR GUESTS

Do you clean for yourself or to have your house so immaculate in case someone drops by? A work mate mentioned a relative that was so fussy that her house was always ready for guests. When I first married my husband, his Italian group was like that. People would drop in on someone! No phone call to ask if it was okay to drop by! I remember painting my first house and we were in a mess. An aunt decided to come visit. We had to stop dirty and all to serve some coffee. There was no awareness- oh you must be busy! I am sure we were some fodder for gossip that our house was a mess! If I invite someone for dinner, I super clean! In between I live in my house with some clutter here and there as I am in the midst of projects! I am the kind that tidies as I go. Clean up after myself! Some simple household routines for each day! It begs the question-why do we care what others think about our homes and how clean they may be? Do you care if you are guest ready? The old fashioned living room is a great idea! It remains clean and clutter free!

THE OCTAGON-MY FAVOURITE SHAPE

For some reason, I like the octagon shape. My living room table has that shape. There is even a restaurant in Thornhill called the Octagon due to the shape.

The building is interesting but I love the windows best.

Eight sides. It symbolizes spiritual regeneration. My symbols book tells me it is the intermediary between the square and the circle. Thus it is used for baptismal fonts. Shapes can shape our lives and our thinking. A circle can remind us life can be a circle or we just keep going around in circles.  A square has even sides or you can call someone the name. A triangle has someone or something at the top. People sometimes triangulate a problem! A rectangle can help us to plateau out!  So do you have a favourite shape? If so what would it be? Does a shape tells us anything about ourselves? Or is it just a shape?

TIME TO REFLECT-THREE YEARS BLOGGING

July 5th marked 3 years of writing this blog. For 1 and 1/2 years I have been helping Adolph with his food blog. http://granpalovestocook.blogspot.com  I have a small readership and many pageviews daily. I appreciate my cousin Roy's lively and often fun comments. I like reading his blog too as well as looking at his pictures on Flickr. It is not always easy to decide what to write. Sometimes ideas come to me on my walk to work but if I do not write them down, I may have some recall issues! I love being on the lookout for photos to use. So I take pictures of everything. They may be useful at a future date. I have been getting Adolph to go to markets and events. Taking his picture can be painful as he does not always want one but it is proof we actually went to a location together. There are some people who read me in Russia-please write a comment or two. If you want write it in Russian as I have several Russian speaking work colleagues, they could translate for me! I appreciate that people do like my blog-heh comment as I would like to know what you are thinking, really I do! If I miss a day or am otherwise unable to write, I feel like something is missing! I love writing. The blog has stretched me in so many ways. So I will keep going. I will try to remember to download and print posts regularly. I am trying to think of some new themes to use. Perhaps more of my genealogy adventures or fun family characters. Don't worry Roy, we all know you are not a character! So thanks work mates, family, friends here in Canada, US and Italy as well as other interesting places. Keep reading!

HATS OFF TO CALGARY 2013

Each year the Calgary Stampede engulfs the city. This year it is more poignant as the flood almost crippled the city. Today it starts with a renewed passion to continue. Recovery is an amazing quality. So dig out your cowboy hats and send some love and support west! Unless you live in BC then send it east!

WORRY IS A WASTED FEELING

Worry can be connected to anxiety. We all worry sometimes about something. It is human nature. Worry can lead to fretting which is rather bothersome. Rather than worry, do something to help alleviate it. Worrying about passing an exam can be fixed by actually studying for it. Worrying about a car breakdown on a road trip can be helped by some maintenance and an oil change prior to the trip. Worry can be connected to past events leading to heightened anxiety! Identify what is bothering you and the level of your feelings will diminish. Too much anxiety can lead to full blown panic attacks! Deep breathing helps. If this is a persistent condition, you may need to see your doctor and be assessed for some medication to help calm your energy. A little worry may lead you to action! So stop worrying and get going!

THE TIGER LILLY- A CANADIAN ROADSIDE FLOWER

Tiger lillies are prevalent during July. Along any road or highway with a ditch and a little water they can be seen in Ontario currently.

Easily transplanted to a home garden, the flower is a joyous colour. There are several clusters in my garden.

It is a good flower to have at the back of a garden. Since it grows very tall, it gives height. I can not remember where I retrieved my original bunch years ago. They can be divided at the end of flowering to plant in a new section of your garden or to give away to someone looking for flowers for a new garden. Do you have tiger lillies in your garden? Canadian-eh?

NANA SAYS THE SUMMER IS A GOOD TIME TO WORK ON PICKY EATERS

With the season of local fresh fruit and vegetables, there are many opportunities to include children in food choices along with making it fun. Short trips to farmer's markets where they can help to pick the vegetables. Growing a few vegetables in your own garden or in a close relative's like a grandparent gives children a lesson on how food grows. Making platters of veggies and their favourite dip as a dinner entree can make summer eating fun and less work for the parents. Fruit arrives each week during July and August. Take plums and their variety of taste, size and colour. Making them sound and look like a treat is a great way to introduce more fruit. Fresh strawberries- eating alone, with ice cream or chopped up in a plain yogurt adds another vitamin enriched item to the diet. My grandchildren like to pick our raspberries fresh from the bush. Tomatoes come in big and small varieties. As tthe bounty of the summer season progresses, include them in snacks on outings. Little containers with chopped fruit and veggies make for impromptu picnics. When hungry, children and even some adults eat what is available. If you like to make muffins, cookies or cupcakes, fruit can be included in those recipes. There are uses for veggies such as zucchini in zucchini bread. Similar to a banana bread. So work on your little picky eaters while including farms, markets and outings to food festivals as a family project. Yes, remember to teach them to thank the farmer for growing the food!

CAN LOVE PREVAIL?

Sometimes people touch us in an endearing way. The elderly couple in the picture go for a daily walk near my house. They live in the Assisted Living facility up the street. They hold hands so they can hold each other up! Love in old age! Their walk is slow but steady. He needs to stop every once in awhile to rest. She waits! What makes it work? How did they last so long? What secrets about living could they tell us? Do we love someone through all the times? What is it like to have someone in old age? To have a purpose- a little walk every day with your honey!

CANADA DAY 2013-PANCAKES WITH MAPLE SYRUP AND PEAMEAL BACON

Canada Day is always celebrated on July 1 of each year. We are 146 years old since Confederation but of course Canada has a longer history. Canadians like pancakes for breakfast, attending local ceremonies and fireworks at night. There is often coverage from Ottawa of the hoopla there! T-shirts in red and white are worn. I actually have a purple one- not surprised eh? It is a time to be thankful we live in one of the best countries in the world. Peace earned by many times of conflict-with a price! Tolerance! Acceptance! Lots of good manners! And smart people! Never assume good manners and honesty mean we are stupid! Just nice! Hard working! Love our family! We know how to eat well. There are traditional dishes from all parts of the country. Today-fresh maple syrup on my pancakes with some Canadian peameal bacon. Then off to Richmond Green for some of the day's festivities and may return for the fireworks or not! For those with a birthday today-have a good one! What are you doing to celebrate our special day? Alittle history-it used to be called Dominion Day! So what year was it changed to Canada Day? What 4 provinces were the first to become United? What was the last province to join the Confederation in 1949?