CAN YOU BE A CYNICAL PERSON?

A cynic from the Ancient Greek and from Socrates- people who wanted to live in virtue. They did not want to be around a person motivated purely by self interest rather than for honourable or unselfish reasons. From the Latin  cynicus, cynical thinking sure exists in modern times. Usually a positive person with positive thinking, I found myself having a discussion and saying I did not want to present as cynical about a case. It was an unusual word for me to use. One becomes hardened. Having only negative opinions about other people and about the things people do. We all get "burned" by the actions of others occasionally. So can feel a lack of trust. There are others around us that can be very self centered and it is annoying. I do try to see the good in others but am aware that people will protect themselves and what is theirs. Human nature! To be cynical is not a good way to live. When feeling stressed, it is normal to have more negative thoughts and feelings. Is it self protecting? Probably. Are there people trying to scam the system? You bet! We see it in Health Care. People who think the hospital should do more than their mandate- acute care!! Seeing the abuse on the roads or demanding people in a store or whatever presents can bring negative reactions. But there are more good people and people with manners so pushing those cynical thoughts away and returning to a neutral ground helps the blood pressure. We can all have cynical moments on a scale of 1 to 10. Let's hope they stay at the lower end. So can you be a cynical person?

NANA SAYS WARMER WEATHER BRINGS OUTDOOR SIMPLE FUN

Once the ground is dry and the weather is nicer, the outdoors beacons. Having a yard to have some simple fun lets children and parents burn some needed energy. Walks, bike rides and trips to the park can be part of a daily or weekly routine. Running and exploring simply brings back the joy of just living. Put down the gadgets and collect natural things like pine cones or sticks. Listen to the birds and try to identify which one is there. Teach the names of trees and plants or whatever else is in the environment to children young and old. After a long winter, it is so pleasurable to use the outside as "another room". The dirt stays outside. The children have fun. It is amazing too how everyone welcomes being outside. No coats, boots or heavy clothes. Easier to get dressed and undressed. My little grandchildren love a simple local park- they call it "Grandpa's park"! A walk pulling a grandkid or two in the wagon, good exercise for this Nana. Enjoy some outdoor fun today!

ARE YOU A SUPPORTIVE PERSON?

Being supportive comes in many packages. Sometimes emotional! Sometimes a good meal for a work night. Sometimes some babysitting for tired working parents. A listening ear with no advice- just listening. Giving support unconditionally takes lots of restraint. Sometimes seeing a solution before the other person gets it means hanging back. Being there in the moment. Being available. The supportive person can feel drained too. Seeing someone you love so stressed is never easy. But knowing that the support offered helps the situation incredibly! Like the stone thrown in the water. One never knows what the ripples will accomplish or where they will lead. Support to family, team at work, friends, acquaintances and even the clerk at the store make the world a better place. Not a pushover but a supportive person! So are you a supportive person? What does it mean to you to be supportive? What are some of the things you do for others? What have others done for you?

REUNIONS- A TIME TO RECONNECT AND REFLECT

One annual event I attend is a small lunch get together with some high school friends. Chatting and catching up on our lives is a nice way to keep some lines and friendships going strong. Sometimes through Facebook or email other information gets shared. This year is a special year as our High School- Langstaff Secondary School in Thornhill celebrates 50 years. We are all going but there will be others there not seen for many years or well since the last school reunion. The best thing is the fact we are all alive and still going strong. Enjoying life, some retired, some semi-retired, some still working or taking up a new career. Grandchildren and parental deaths are heavy topics! Dealing with health problems although the group that meets for lunch have good health. However, one previous regular participant does not attend due to health issues now. There is no need to try to impress anyone. We know each other- warts and all. Spent our youth together for 5 long years then moved on to university and marriages and children. Why is it good to have a reunion? We lose so may friends and family members along the way in life. It seems the friends and acquaintances we still have become more valued. Although meeting new people is a life long occurrence and often a necessary one, having some roots so to speak with people from other times just helps to keep us grounded. As long as people from early years do not have you stuck in some adolescent behaviour that is no longer part of you. Allowing you to be mature and experienced. When someone tells me, Barb you are still the same! I wonder, the same what! I know I have grown and changed and experienced. That girl of 15 is long behind me! So our little lunch group does not try to keep each other in a time warp. Our knowledge and growth is recognized and validated. Listening to accomplishments large and small is rather fun. Having a good meal at a hotel- The Marriott by the Airport which is convenient for all of us to find as we live in different parts of the GTA! One wonders how long it will continue! I guess as long as we want it. Maybe one day we will be taking the Mobility bus or a cab- who knows! For now, it works. I'll let you know how the big reunion goes. Adolph will be going too as it is his High School! One of my friends asked if it would be alright to give him a hug! Sure, I said, you can take him if you want! He knows where he lives and will come home. He was a good looking guy in High School so I am sure there are other ladies waiting to see him. It will be fun for him to touch base with all those people! Oh reunions! Down memory lane and now back to reality! Have you been to a reunion lately? Was it fun?  Do you even like reunions?

LIFE IS LIKE A RIVER- THIS TOO SHALL PASS

Hard times! Stressful situations! Well we all face times in our lives where we grab on to the life line and hand in there. But these times do pass and life moves on! Accepting help one day! Being the helper the next time! Having supportive family! Being the supportive family member! The flow of a river teaches us the flow of life! Sometimes moving rapidly or overflowing its banks or slowly during a dry spell! But it takes us downstream! It moves on! Always good to have a life jacket in case we are thrown into the water! Knowing life happens! The view from the river can be incredible! Oh the river of life!

MORE SPRING FLOWERS

These pretty little blue flowers that pop their heads from the brown soil are a delight in the April garden. Other greenery is starting to emerge too. Nature at her best.

FAITH IS A WONDERFUL CONCEPT

Faith is more than going to church. It is believing that the best possible outcome will occur! Things will work out for the best. Sometimes not what was envisioned but good anyway. Faith that the right people will come into your life. The right teacher! The right doctor! The right friend! A family member with a heart that is there for you! Some days like everyone else, I must have faith that things will work out! Keeping in mind to be on the lookout for the positive features of any day! Faith let's us find the positive people and events! Do you have trouble keeping the faith? What do you do to try to stay positive? It is not always easy, I know. To be human, means we do have our down days!

THINGS WORK OUT BECAUSE SOMEONE DID THE WORK

Being organized means planning and thinking then putting a plan into action. Having a goal or a dream makes life interesting. However, to reach that dream or goal some real elbow grease so to speak needs to happen.  Someone told me yesterday- everything is going to work out! Giving my look- yes after a lot of work first! So the next time you think something looks easy, take a real look at who made it happen! Or maybe did the work!!

                                                        Give that a person a hand!

NANA SAYS KIDS ARE SMARTER THAN WE THINK

 Why would a child think- let's break our leg? Well the other day in the playground, two grandsons were playing and one said let's break our leg! So Nana gave the lecture of how it would hurt. No one wants to break anything, to do things safely. And there would be no playing as one of them would be in a wheelchair all summer- no running, no long walks, no playground play, no swimming as they would not be able to do anything. So without a blink of an eye one of my little guys said- I could still go fishing!!

DON'T PUT EVERYTHING IN ONE BASKET

Don't put all your eggs in one basket or in this case your tangerines. Life can have many parts! So liking your work but having a family or social life are very important too. Depending on one person or event to fulfill you can have catastrophic results. If losing one thing is all you have then it does feel like life could be over. So diversify. Find meaningful events in your life. Miss whatever you are missing but use the other areas of your life to continue. Have many baskets! And as many as you need! What are your meaningful baskets of life?  Do they bring you joy?

THE ROYAL BABY WATCH

While bookies are making bets on the sex and the name, the royal couple are just quietly waiting for their new arrival. Why do we care? Well for me it is happy news. There is so much sadness and tragedy, to hear about the birth of a baby and a royal one at that, is well refreshing and fun. Especially with the names! Some say Alice with lots of middle names. I hope Diana is in there somewhere! Do you have any thoughts? Or is it just another baby?

THE SNOWDROP FLOWER-SPRING IS REALLY HERE

From the family Amaryllidacae with origins in Europe the Galanthus or  Snowdrop flower a perennial planted in the Fall, is one of the first spring bulbs to colour the dirt of the garden. A wonderful welcome sight for any gardener. It means the ground is warming and spring is really here!

Nearby some yellow crocuses have emerged too! But they are fodder for another post! Do you have snowdrop flowers in your garden?

EVERYONE GOES OUT ON A NICE DAY

It only takes one nice day to bring everyone outside. Not sure if it is flip flop and shorts weather but yesterday there were several people dressed for summer even though it is still cool spring weather. Having the furnace off during the day and windows open with fresh air, is well refreshing! Time to sort clothes for the warmer season and start to put away the winter woollies! Cardigans are a nice transition piece of clothing. Some small home renovations are coming- replace the toilets, a kitchen tap and buy a new dishwasher! The garden is becoming alive. With the ground dry, the kids can be outside. With the normal Canadian tradition to layer up and layer down when dressing for the day, So the nice days are calling! Oh Spring is finally here!

PHOTOS- IN A CELL PHONE OR PRINTED?

Modern times bring modern ways of doing things. Photos! I still print and put in a scrapbooked album with the little information that goes with the event. The invitation! The plane ticket! Etc. I actually  have travel albums scrapbooked before it was trendy! Fun to take off the shelf occasionally! Easy to view. I did grow up with family members who had all their photos in a shoebox that one day they would put in an album! So modern times! With all the photos in a cell phone or put in the "cloud" or on someone's laptop is okay!  However, when someone wants to show me their 200 travel pictures on their phone or on facebook, it just reminds me of the times when a huge pile of photos were hauled out in a disorganized order needing explanations!! The shoebox so to speak! People show up to 5 photos then the viewer is bored! Your travel photos or dinner photos or birthday photos are just like everybody takes!
I have a new smart phone. The photos are not like those taken on my good camera! Sorry but just pointing and clicking any device does not make a great photo every time. So I can take some in the moment if needed. I do upload photos to the computer to use in this blog and my husband's blog! But I know every photo is not amazing! Do I want to put 2000 photos to a "cloud", probably not as there are many family photos with children that I only want to share with trusted people. Actually when someone pulls out their cell phone and wants me to see the pictures that their index finger flips through at lightening speed, I politely look but find the whole process quite boring. One picture of the new grandchild or event is enough but not a visit to uploaded pictures with 100s to see. If you visit my home and care to view the latest, neatly organized album of the last year or travel event on the coffee table, it is there for the asking. My grandchildren love looking at albums. I do have one of those video frames that gives a nice slide show too if wanting to view. My girls borrow my memory card to upload whatever pictures they want!  I even do collage, photocopied page events for family and friends. One trip to a friend's cottage, for example, a couple of years ago was a nice way to thank them for the wonderful weekend. When they sold the cottage and moved out of the province, they have a nice memory of  the time and some good pictures of the cottage and area. 8 nicely collaged pages was enough with edited photos! Photobooks are another modern  way to caption special moments!  Then the videos! Well that is fodder for another post! Use all the methods at hand. Yes, I get the look from some people, "you still print pictures." Well, go to your favourite photo store when they have a sale on 5 cents a print- I am not the only one printing 500 pictures!! Some enlarged in a nice frame still look good on a wall or desk or by the computer! Take your choice! I tend to use all methods- makes life interesting! What do you like? What do you do?

WEAR A DAFFODIL PIN FOR CANCER MONTH

Most families and people have known someone affected by cancer. It is not always a death sentence as many cancers are treatable and curable. Inroads in detection and treatment have been made due to donations by the public and groups. We are proud as Canadians that our Icon Terry Fox left a legacy in the form of runs and fundraising events that has raised 100s of millions dollars towards cancer research and treatment. Think about it- he died June 28 1981 and his marathon of hope continues!!  As a family we remember Concetta and Cheryl as two loved ones no longer with us. Who are you remembering?

NANA SAYS SPENDING TIME WITH GRANDCHILDREN IS PRECIOUS

For busy harried parents, leaving children with loved grandparents works on two levels. The parents have a break and the grandparents get to nurture their relationship with their grandchildren. Setting rules and limits helps too. Children will try to "push the envelope" with grandparents. When a grandparent hears- Mommy let's me do it, it probably is an exaggeration! The more time spent with the children, the more the relationship is real. So it means consistency, rules and lots of love. I try hugs and cuddle time to diffuse the moments when the children are pushing too hard. Children are children- they play and make noise. They want the grandparent to play with them too. Hockey with my grandsons is a given! They do outlast me. Overall it is such precious time!

A COUCH TO THE CURB

Throwing out old, damaged furniture that has had a good run is uplifting. A 17 year old couch that was propped at one end with books for the last couple of months due to a broken leg. I was beginning to feel like my parents! They had a couch like that. Relocating a sofa bed couch from another room, the family room has a couch that is functional in more ways than one. Good for guests or for the hubbie on a hot summer night- it opens to a bed! No need to buy a new one. However, the relocated couch is not as comfortable for the hubbie. So what is happening! He can not nap or sleep on it as well so is coming to bed and sleeping properly on his good bed where he should have slept anyway. Changing what we have to a new location in the home can be refreshing and better for the body. Using our resources at hand so to speak! Besides as the slow move to downsizing is happening, having one less old thing to move is good. Of course Adolph said goodbye to the couch at the curb. He did not like my answer- it's just a couch!

MONDAY THE 13TH-NOT BAD LUCK IS IT?

Funny Friday the 13th has a bad onus to it but a Monday the 13th- not really. Just being a Monday after a gorgeous Sunday is a bit of a struggle. Last week was a short week for me so back to 5 day workweeks for some time will be the same old thing. The days are getting longer. No more boots but nice new running shoes or sneakers to wear for my walk to work. Hard to believe it is midway through April. My little snowdrops are up in the garden along with other plants poking their little heads above the soil. Green and red are nice signs that nature is moving along. The snowbirds are singing lots these days. A wonderful sound. Other creatures are active too. The ants and the raccoons! Must find ways to deter them! So will today be a lucky day or just another day- an opportunity to enjoy life with all its beauty? How about you are Monday the 13ths good or bad luck or just the same?

HONESTY-BASIS FOR TRUST

Reading some quotes today I came across one from Mark Twain- "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." Liars have to keep their stories straight. Exaggerators do not get believed anyway. So if the truth is told then like Twain said, no needing to remember. It does not mean one must share all personal information with everyone. Rather than lying, just say I do not wish to discuss that or I would like to change the subject or just give a glaring stare- the person would surely back off! Being honest with people we love and not hiding any truths is good. Not telling is okay. For example, if someone is on a vacation and something happens, it can wait until the person's return. Non-urgent matters do not necessarily need to be shared instantly. It is okay not to have everyone's personal information that is not necessary to a relationship. My children, for example, do not need to know how much I have in my bank account nor do I need to know their financial business. Some information is need to know. Besides personal boundaries respect honesty too. Being honest in relationships brings trust. I trust you will share what you need to share and I will not ask for more. Husbands and wives share more anyway. What is shared between them is not fodder for larger conversations. Private moments should remain private! Funny stuff if both agree can be shared. Like the time my husband tried to call me on his cell phone and he had grabbed his glucometer instead off the counter! There are people who do believe lying is okay! As long as it gets them what they need, there are no repercussions! For me, honesty works. Finding a way for little children to believe in Santa, the tooth fairy, and the Easter bunny is tough! Wanting them to have magical moments without lying takes creativity! Well I do not know if I would venture to creative honesty, it is not really honest enough, is it? Be as honest as possible in situations works! Like I said if you can't be honest then just do not share anything with those that do not need to know! What do you think? Are you an honest person? Do you try to be real with others?

LIFE IS LIKE A TRAY OF SANDWICHES

Sandwiches come in all sizes. On white bread or brown or in a wrap. With meat or egg or tuna. Veggie! Garnishes are on the side- little tomatoes or parsley. Can be used for all occasions- a party, family dinner or barbecue. Leftovers to take for lunch the next day! Named after the Earl of Sandwich! An easy lunch, a midnight snack or a fried egg sandwich for breakfast! Easy on the run or leisurely eaten while reading a book! Life as a sandwich! What kind would you like?

VIMY RIDGE REMEMBERED-98TH ANNIVERSARY

Vimy Ridge is the famous battle from World War One where according to history Canada came of age. Today is the anniversary of that famous battle. 98 years ago. Preparations are being made in France to commemorate the 100th anniversary in 1917. I wrote about this battle April 2011. The main reason- our family had a member who fought there. Ernie Ellis! He received some medals for his role. So year his role is remembered along with the other Canadians who participated. His story is so similar to others.
For those interested in more of the stories, The Vimy Foundation/La Fondation Vimy website is a wonderful site to visit. If wanted Vimy pins can be purchased for family members. Teachers can find information for their classes. Students from across Canada can participate in the Vimy Pilgrimage Award which enables them to visit Europe. In the recent edition of the Vimy newsletter there is a wonderful story of the Vimy Oaks Project- A soldier took some acorns from Vimy, planted them in Scarborough. No oak trees remain in Vimy today so the special project is growing some trees to repatriate them in France- but read the newsletter to have the full details on this amazing but simple story.
So anyone with a passion for history and especially Canadian history would find the stories in the Foundation to be interesting and food for thought. We honour the past not because we honour war but look towards the hope that efforts made will teach us lessons to work towards peace today. But here's to Ernie and all the others who served this country well and those who continue to serve today. 

NANA SAYS SPRING BRINGS TIME FOR A CHANGE

As the season changes so does the need for different clothes and toys. Changing the closets to spring clothes can bring the realization a whole new wardrobe may be needed. Thus the new Moms and tots sales that can occur on many sites- thank heaven for social media. Many barely used toys can be sold or exchanged. Sharing of items that can be returned once they are no longer needed. Perhaps changing a room from a preschooler theme to a preteen theme with a coat of paint. Making an apartment in the basement for an older child that needs some privacy and the family needs a break from the child's demands. Some children have a way of upsetting the whole household but need to live in the house. Spring allows room for a garage sale, items to give to charity-many even pick up at the house or just giving away to friends and relatives. How many coats are needed in the overflowed hall closets? Purge, purge, purge! Decide on your family's priorities. Are you sports' buffs? Can you find sport equipment at an exchange store? Book lovers- give to used book sales or buy some books at one! Garden tools for children so they can help with their own little patch in the yard. Spring- great time to rethink your family needs, plans for the next few months.

COUPLES- WHY DO WE MATE?

Couples come in all shapes and sizes. Monogamy has often been debated but those people that stay together like the company of another. We need people in our lives. Someone who cares about us- warts and all. Life changes us so some couples do not stay together while others find their affection and love for each other grows stronger. Sometimes it is just easier to stay in a mediocre relationship then change it. Financially it is better. No dividing property. Even the most eligible bachelor will eventually find a partner. A string of changing girlfriends wears thin after awhile. So we mate, couple up, build a nest and often a little nest egg. Some cultures allow the man to have a mistress. Some allow more than one wife. However you notice most wives only want one husband! Why is that? We are social beings. We need company. Then if lucky the couple become a family. The bragging of how many grandchildren and then if lucky great-grandchildren. Couples and relationships are a fodder for much discussion. Why a marriage lasts can have an answer that varies for as many couples that exist! There could be common themes- love, respect, good communication, allowing personal space, supporting each other through tough times, and just liking each other's company- nothing too special. Just knowing when to make another cup of coffee! So why do we mate? Well your answer is as good as mine!

LIFE IS LIKE A CUPCAKE

Cupcakes are those fun foods. Chocolate or vanilla covered with your favourite icing. Decorated for the theme of the day. Every occasion has room for cupcakes. Alone on a plate or shaped into one of those cupcake cakes which are great for children's parties. No forks or plates! A fun rainy day activity- let's make some cupcakes! An easy dessert to bring to a party or family function. What would the world be like without a cupcake?

EASTER IN CANADA 2015

While some parts of the country have spring flowers, our area had a light dusting of snow to greet the Easter Bunny. People are going to church to celebrate the Holiest of Days- Christ's resurrection! The story of faith, love, hope and peace for the world. As we celebrate, we pray for those in the world under conflict, for our service men and women serving in other lands, for those in need and for a better world! Happy Easter everyone!

GOOD FRIDAY- A TIME FOR QUIET REFLECTION

Having a day off work for a religious holiday is a blessing. I believe Good Friday is one of the holiest day in any one's religion. A day when Jesus gave his life for us. Many people share this belief. There are so many that make sacrifices every day for others. People like mothers and fathers, teachers, doctors, nurses, fire fighters, police, soldiers, religious leaders, even social workers and the everyday people that keep their part of the world going in whatever job they have. Giving to others! Loving others! Sharing! Believing! All can be parts of the Christian message! It is not about being perfect but caring, compassionate and available. The most important Christian message- Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! Never loses its meaning does it?

APRIL HERALDS SPRING

With a new month particularly April there is real hope that the weather will change. The outdoors will be inviting. However some of my memories of April include freezing rain and ice for 4 days after the birth of my second child in April, a snowstorm April 15th when I was finishing my university days and the same snowy picture of my backyard on Easter Sunday that I had from Christmas morning! So all my optimism is hopeful- especially for the Maritimes that have been slammed by one snowstorm after another! There were some snowdrop flowers poking up their heads in the front part of the garden. More song birds are heard singing are my walks to work. The furnace is not running non-stop anymore. The days are longer and a little warmer. I even bought new running shoes to wear next week hoping to put away the winter boots. The icy patches on the sidewalk are gone now- well mostly as I still need to be careful. What is it about a new month? It is just a date on a calendar. The name for April comes from Aphrodite in Greek- Goddess of love. For the Romans April the 4th month of the year was sacred to Venus their Goddess of love. So is April about love. Is that why the animals and birdies mate with an influx of babies? Are there more human babies 10 months hence due to the Spring urges? Or do we just feel good to be over winter? For those with gardens the dual duties of home become paramount- inside work and outside work. April gives some time for the ground to dry and planning to happen. Do we seed some plants, decide to prune or cut back some areas or create a new area in the garden? For most gardeners the bulbs and other perennials will be sprouting through the ground over the next two months which is a pleasure to see with minimal work other than some raking of the leaves that covered the gardens over the winter months!! But still work! Easter, birthdays and family gatherings are in the forecast regardless of the weather! How about you? What are your plans?

The Daffodil- the symbol for Cancer awareness. So try to reflect on those you lost from cancer! Wear the daffodil pin to remind others!

NANA SAYS A LONG WEEKEND BRINGS A SPRING BREAK

With the Easter weekend and Passover dinners, it is a time to enjoy family as well as have a break from school, lessons and work. Stat holidays like Good Friday means no shopping and room for a breather. Church is good as well as staying home watching movies, doing crafts and if the children are really restless and if the weather is nice- go outside to run around! Even if not nice- go outside to run around! Playgrounds may be too wet for safe play but trying with some good spring rubber boots. Having loving family like grandparents that will invite you and the kids to the festive meals so cooking is at a minimal but the food is good. Remember chocolate can bring a high so expect the little ones may be more hyper than normal with all the sweets. Enjoy these special events like the Easter story, the egg hunt and an opportunity to watch some movies, read the stories and try to chill! Reduce too much driving around as it only adds to the stress. At the first sight of some sunshine, get outside. Of course many Easters can have snowy days too- so don't put away all the coats, boots and mitts yet! Happy Easter everyone! Happy Passover everyone!