REMEMBERING A PRINCESS

Hard to believe how many years have passed since Diana died. The People's Princess! The sea of flowers in London! August 31, 1997! Too young! Just 36 years old! We remember what we were doing when we heard the news!

END OF AUGUST

Even though we have 3 more weeks of summer, August ending always feels like summer ending. Stop it- we have 3 more weeks of summer. Get out and enjoy. Do that last August trip. Go to a market. Go to a pool! Enjoy! Admire your garden. The last legs of summer.

DON'T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET

Diversify! Diversify! Diversify! Don't put all your eggs in one basket! Life can bring changes. By having a variety of activities, interests, friendship groups- adjusting to change can be managed. If one area of our lives is suffering then we have other areas to keep us going. Our investment portfolio should include diverse funds. Our work-life balance should be diverse. Not depending on any one person or thing can help us to stay strong through rough times. Try not to be the strong one in all situations as there are times we all need support from others. But strong people can be the dumping ground for everyone else too. So if we have strong people in our lives remember to check in with them that they are doing fine. If you are the strong person, learn to step back and let someone else take the reigns if you are exhausted! So maybe not a basket of eggs, but a variety of fruit is good for a pleasurable afternoon!

THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Sometimes when bogged down with commitments or difficulties it is hard to believe there will be an end to them. The light at the end of the tunnel starts to shine brighter and brighter as solutions evolve. What a wonderful way to look at life! Keep trudging along until you see the light! Keep hoping things will get better or the problem resolves itself! Life goes on and before an eye is blinked out into the sunlight at the other end. Are you stuck in a tunnel today? Keep looking for the light! It's there!!

NANA SAYS BE KIND TO PREGNANT WOMEN

Regardless of new technology and advances, women give birth to babies. So if on the subway or in a store, be considerate to pregnant women. They are creating a new human being. Remember after the baby is born, the Mommy needs time to heal. Hot meals, spend time with the baby to give her time to shower or sleep or whatever else may be needed to give support during the first few months. Many Dads too need lots of support especially if there are older children. The rule for Mommy is to sit if able or to lay down to rest the body.

REFLECTIONS IN LIFE GIVE INSIGHT

Reflections are a good way to check ourselves. Reviewing our work. Reviewing our lives can give us grounds to see where we came from, where we are and where we might like to be going. What worked. What didn't work. Not necessarily improvement but change.

They are everywhere when we really look to try to find them.

We can get a true reflection of ourselves occasionally. Do you reflect about your life? Do you find ways to feel good about where you are right now?

CHANGE-DO YOU EMBRACE OR LOATHE IT?

Change in our lives can bring up many feelings of trepidation. There is change for the good and change for the bad. Sometimes thrust upon us while other times the choices are ones we make. Even planned choices can bring stress and worry. Summer to fall brings many changes for us. The back to school stress along with the planned lessons and leaving summer jobs to a new routine again. Thinking about when to close the family cottage which often happens closer to Thanksgiving. The older we get the more changes we need to make. It can be why we often have favourite things in our lives we do not want to relinquish because all life long changes were imposed on us. Work often comes up with a new way of doing our job. Encouraging all staff to embrace it. Get modern! Get with the times! Throw out the old. Politicians campaigning talk about all the new programs and new ways things will get done. Rarely do we get asked- do you really want any changes or do you like the status quo? Challenges can keep us on our toes. Make us stretch ourselves. But sometimes just doing some things the same way bring peace and comfort. When change is coming my way I find my head starts to get a little fuzzy. Making lists of what needs to get done- helps but it is not the whole solution! The mood can change to real anger about all that needs to get done. Trying to stay grounded can be difficult. Young people often accuse the older generation of not changing but actually it is the opposite. Older people often say- done that, been there. Like the young parents with how stressed we are with work and the lessons. My generation did the same thing. It is why there is greater sensitivity and a willingness to assist family as much as possible. The understanding of how stressful it really can be. The older generation gets it! So change and all it brings- do you embrace or loathe it? I am not too sure how I feel today. Perhaps I'll give my answer another time!!

WE AS THE CENTER OF LIFE

The sun is the center of our universe. We are the center of our lives. We make connections with others. Those closest to us give us our closest bonds. Then as the circle expands others are part of our lives- friends, work colleagues, the people at the stores we frequent, neighbours, our community, our town/city, province, country, the world. Then the ball of earth is part of the universe. But it starts with us. Our energy! Our worth! Our commitment to life! Expanding, contracting! From our inner thoughts to the universe's mysteries! Life at its fullest!

LET'S GO TO THE EX

The Canadian National Exhibition opens tomorrow so I plan to attend sometime. It started later this year due to the Pan Am games as well as Labour Day being later than usual. So as I find out more, I will tell you more.

A fun sky ride, maybe!

Lots of junk food!

Find your name. Great for the big kid at heart as well as the little ones. So Let,s go to the Ex!

NANA SAYS TAKE YOUR TIME WITH BACK TO SCHOOL PURCHASES

Buying the essentials for the first weeks of school is needed. However too many clothes purchases can be costly. Children think they want something then often see what their friends are wearing and want that item. School supplies are neutral items. But again an individual teacher may ask for something that last year's teacher did not use. There can be a panic in the air about getting everything done. Use the online shopping sites and of course some store visits. If there are more than one child, shopping individually for the fitted items may cause less stress. With two parents, divide the work of back to school. With older children, let them take care of their own purchases on the family budget. If they do not buy something then they would need to wait until their allowance time to finish. Again for the High School and University/College kids they can take ownership of their needs. September is around the corner but try to use the remainder of August enjoying the weather and still doing some family activities. Here in the GTA the Exhibition opens on Friday so a trip there can be fun too. Remember there are grandparents that may be helpful at this time. When frustrated, take some deep breaths.

CANADIAN WILDFIRES 2015

In the summer of 2009 my folks almost lost their home in the Westbank fire but the wonderful efforts of the helicopter water bomber and fire fighters saved the Mill and the subdivision. This year in the southern end of the Okanagan, Oliver and other small communities are facing terrible fires. Two wineries were saved by the wonderful efforts of the teams fighting the fires there. Saskatchewan and Alberta have had their share of heartache. Fire destroys homes, properties and businesses. By remembering to practice safe fire practices world wide is essential. No cigarette butts out the window. If no camp fires is the rule for campers then no camp fires. Practice safety in your home. The kitchen is the worst place to cause a home fire. Had our share of close calls over the years. To the folks fleeing fires on evacuation notice across this nation and the United States, our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless the workers fighting these fires every day! You make a difference in people's lives.

BC has beautiful scenery and lots of business. This is what our fire fighters coast to coast save for us Canadians.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS-CHEER THEM ON!

Toronto and hopefully Canada is cheering for the Jays to bring it home to Canada. I attended a game recently with family and is was fun to see the support given to the team. Go Jays Go!

The fans just keep on coming!

IS THE BEST YET TO COME?

Sometimes the best is yet to come but sometimes we had the best and did not know it. Waiting for another day to be better might cloud the day in front of us. Knowing to stop and enjoy the simple pleasures may just be the best pleasures. Life does not always get better but just continues along. And life is better than no life. Putting more in each day and giving our best just keeps us going.Maybe it is for the best!
GOOD, BETTER, BEST! NEVER LET IT REST. UNTIL OUR GOOD IS BETTER AND OUR BETTER BEST!!!

AUGUST 15TH L'ASSUNTA IN ITALY

Celebrating L'Assunta in Cassino was a good memory from August 1991. A first trip to Italy meeting more of Adolph's family there. Festivities center around the ascension of the Virgin Mary thus the assunta/ascension. But the partying and eating is the real fun. In the early years of our marriage we went to Saint Pascale Church in Willowdale for the celebrations. Now it is a day that passes without much celebration for us. Perhaps it warrants another trip to Italy to join the family there. Oh to travel somewhere overseas would be another dream come true!

READING THE SIGNS

Signs can be everywhere. When there is no language then anyone can interpret and read them.City signs that let you know what to chose. AGO almost looks Arabic but it is not. It is the Art Gallery. A TTC sign for the transit system.

So what do these signs tell us. Located conveniently in a downtown Toronto parking lot outside the Rogers Centre they are useful for the visitors to the city. But looking at these signs, I am not sure what they all mean. Do you? Can you figure them out? Go ahead- give it a try! Then let me know.

NANA SAYS RESILIENCE IS A GOOD THING

No matter how much we try to protect children, life happens. Sometimes life is tough. Scratched knees. Bumped heads and little boo boos can be handled. Larger life events like divorce, the loss of a loved one- if a parent it is huge and natural disasters. Changing schools can be tough. Understanding for each child there could be common solutions but also the unique characteristics of that child. I hate hearing- little Johnny never cries! Crying is actually good for the soul. There are sad moments in life where it is just fine to cry. It is just fine to be sad, mad, glad, or whatever feeling. Helping children to face those problems in life with all the feelings that present is an adult's challenge. Helping children to get back up on their two feet and go forward is even more challenging. The best solution is to be a good role model. If as a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle you can help the child with your fortitude it is great. But if you have huge chips on your shoulders, the children around you learn to have a pity party. If you share your struggles and how they were taken and what you did to get back on your feet children learn life's lessons. It is okay to say no one ever has to like what is happening to them. The answer when asked- how are you feeling, does not have to be- okay. As a clinician, when given this answer I usually say you do not have to be okay. Let's look at what can help in this difficult situation. Another thing not to say- I know how you are feeling. If you have not dealt with the same situation, you honestly do  not know how the person is feeling. So a good answer- do you want to share how you are feeling. With children, drawing a picture, playing a game, using music can be a way to share their feelings. Even adults may struggle with words. Pay attention to sleep. Dreams often reveal challenges faced. Child's nightmares are a good clue to feelings. Resilience let's us get back up and face life. Builds character. Letting the child know there will be ups and downs in life. Experience teaches us how to deal with the next bad experience. Sometimes just knowing- this too shall pass can be a mantra for many people. Like Scarlett O'Hara- tomorrow is another day! So get through today, and hopefully tomorrow will be some new light. What do you use to be resilient? How do you get through your struggles? What have you taught the children around you?

AUGUST THAT SUMMER MONTH WITH SURPRISES

August can be hot or like Fall depending on the weather. What I don't like is some people start to complain that summer is over- well it is not. Actually not until the third week of September. So what to do! Get out and capture all the summer moments as fast as possible. Time to camp, fish, day trip, road trip or whatever your heart desires. Sit longer in the garden enjoying the nice weather. Of course with bug spray if needed- even in urban areas. With all the trees and greenery there are lots of bugs as well as wild creatures. Just look at the raccoon problem in the GTA! I like my squirrels and birds but the larger animals can stay in the wild! There is a herd of deer near the Dunlop Observatory that townsfolk want to protect! It is not far from here. There are family August birthdays and celebrations. Lots of time for barbecues and outdoor dinners.  Like everyone else in Canada, the warm weather just does not stay long enough. The fresh local produce is a joy. More flavour than veggies and fruit trucked in from other southern places. Years ago I would pickle and make jam- not anymore. No one really eats it so it is not worth the work. Some years I make a few jars of grape jam for Adolph! Depends on my August mood! So enjoying the cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden. Lots of salads! Oh August, do not leave too quickly! The busy Fall activities and traffic are not welcomed just yet!

ANGELS-SOME THOUGHTS

Angels have become a topic in my social circle lately. A person I know brought an interesting topic to light. Butterflies were symbolic to that person for the longest time. This year in my garden there are several varieties. Many monarchs as I do grow milkweed which is their favourite food. I mentioned it. No not seeing butterflies but feathers everywhere! Curious as I found a huge feather on my porch table a couple of weeks ago. Some meaning maybe. Apparently feathers can be the angels way of letting us know thy are near. So this morning found two small feathers in my driveway. Okay there are always birds around so there could be feathers. But I normally do not find feathers anywhere so why now? Let me digress. Did I ever tell how I found my first angel book? Many years ago I was on my way home from work driving north up Dufferin Street in Vaughan. The light was red but about to turn green. A little girl about 6 or 7 started to ride her bike across the east/west crosswalk and could hardly be seen by the cars stopped at the light. who would be heading south. Our light turned green but the little girl continued against the light. Fearing a fatality about to happen the car heading south had started to move but then stopped on a dime! Literally almost jackknifed. The little girl was allowed to continue because those of us going north just waited until she cleared the intersection. I remembered saying out loud to myself. Little girl, your guardian angel just saved your life. The next day I was at the Coles bookstore and was browsing the shelves when my hand happened upon a book about angels. Of course I bought it! In the next few years bought other books on angels too. They sit on my bookshelf. I just don't think much about their presence but do hear stories periodically from people about interesting occurrences. Sometimes coincidences in life! Or are they? So feathers- a nice thought or is it a reminder? Paying attention to one's surroundings and looking for symbolic meaning brings a different dimension to life. So do you have a story? An angel story?

GETTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF A PROBLEM TO THE TOP

Things always look different from the bottom. There are times in our lives we feel at the bottom of whatever problem we are facing. Like a climb up the stairs or a big tower, one step at a time. Watch for those people in your life that want to give a hand up. Accept help as it is offered. Remember you may be the one offering someone help another time. Visualize being at the top of your game. Think through ways of solving your problems- one problem at a time. Sometimes it may not even be a problem, just a glitch in your life! While conquering those situations, look for the positives in your life! What is working well! What do you have going for you! Are there parts of the problem that can be solved now!

Someone may be looking out for you that you may not even be aware. Look to your faith! Positive energy attracts good things. Keep your head up to notice everything around you!

Hopefully those issues will go over the Falls and be swept away for the day to be a joyous one!

CN TOWER OVERLOOKS A QUIET FOUNTAIN-SALMON RUN

The CN Tower in Toronto is the third largest tower in the world. A beacon that can be seen from many communities in the GTA. It let's us know where the southern part of the city exists. A major tourist attraction.

Neat the tower and beside the Rogers Centre is a sweet fountain called Salmon run. It represents the Salmon trying to go up a river.

A natural setting in an urban avenue! Adds some tranquillity to the area of concrete. You can toss a coin for good luck in the fountain!
A fun little place for one and all! A quiet spot after a ball game at the Rogers Centre!

NANA SAYS CHILDREN BRING MEANING

Parents love their children. But grandparents love them more. Just having the little ones in the family circle brings new life to all. Gatherings ebb and flow with new members. Establishing a relationship when they are little keeps the bonds alive as they age too. I saw a funny wedding picture. The 87 year old grandmother was also a bridesmaid. The bride really wanted her in the wedding party! How sweet! Some grandparents would be sitting at home! Loved it. Not that I would want to be a bridesmaid again but the thought to be there for a grandchild's important event of any kind. Even the grandchildren's kindergarten graduation was a fun event. Just having people of various ages together allows for new technologies, sharing family stories and learning together. Even the questions- where did the blue eyes come from? Well, Nana of course! Her side of the family! It can be work being a grandparent but is it worth the effort? You bet!

DO YOU ENJOY YOUR COMPANY?

Recently I attended some sports events alone. Travelled a distance to and from on public transit. It gave an opportunity to observe the world, observe people, stop wherever I wanted and yes to take as many pictures as I wanted. No hurry! My own pace and schedule. Then attending a social event, someone asked when I said I went alone. Didn't you have a friend to accompany you? It was said as if I was some loser for going alone!!! Hum! I realized many people would not go alone, eat in a restaurant alone or even go to a movie alone! Why? Does it need to be seen as if one does not have friends or family? Yes I have a spouse! However, it is easier if I am alone to enjoy certain activities, what is the judgement? Actually I feel the other way around! Why can't someone enjoy their own company? I have even seen couples who travel to southern locations. Always have to go with friends or family! Okay sometimes, but it is good to be alone in the relationship too. I am a very social person. My job encompasses lots of socialization. To be alone with a book, some writing, some alone time is good for the soul. To be with people is good for the soul too. I have family, friends, relationships but being alone in some social situations provides opportunities to meet others. To talk to a stranger. Take a picture in a tourist area of a family group. To be available! If I talk to someone, not to be interrupted or have the story I am trying to tell finished by someone else!! As a wife, mother, grandmother, worker, friend- it is so common to put everyone's needs and wishes before my own. However, I do like my own company too. I am a person too! By energizing me, I find new energy to continue to be positive in my relationships with others. I also have something to tell them from my own adventures. Well do you enjoy your own company?

CIVIC HOLIDAY IN CANADA 2015

Not every province celebrates a holiday on the first Monday in August. Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, Nunavut and Ontario of course. It has a different name in each province that celebrates the day. British Columbia Day, Heritage Day in Alberta, New Brunswick Day in New Brunswick- well you get the picture. in Ontario it is in honour of John Graves Simcoe who was the first Lieutenant Governor of the province. He lives from 1752-1806. He even helped create Yonge Street which was and is still is an important road in the  province. Many municipalities have special events at their city halls with a mayor attending. For most of us it is a wonderful day off in the summer. Many people take the whole week as a vacation week. Only need 4 days of paid vacation when tacking on the STAT Monday. I like it as it a break in the summer and a clear reminder to get out and take in the nice weather. Only one month until September and school so get going to the park, the beach, a fair, a music celebration or whatever is happening locally. For me, a day to rest and putter at home. With a big outing already, time to stop and clean and get some organizing done. My daughter is trying to get me to do everything digitally! Slowly it may happen!