HALLOWEEN WEEKEND-HAVE A GHOUL TIME

Halloween or hallowed eve is the time for children to go door to door to get candies or other goodies. Dressed in a costume of choice it is a fun time for all. Actually it has become a huge money maker not only with the purchase of candies but costumes and items to decorate one's house. I put out a couple of signs- this way to the candy and a little pumpkin. Many people decorate their lawns and homes more than others do at Christmas. I am the pop lady. I give out cans of pop with a bag of goodies. Of course I made huge bags for my grandchildren and special one for the little boy across the street. With rain in the forecast not sure how many children will actually come to the door. There will lots of Halloween parties as Saturday night is the ideal night for parties. Me- I may put on my mask when I give out my treats. From coast to coast have a ghoul time!!

NANA SAYS LET SLEEPING BABIES LIE

Newborns grow in their sleep. They eat, poop, cuddle and go back to sleep. In time they stay awake a little longer, even opening their eyes so you can see what colour they are! Moms are busy feeding the little one. Especially if breastfeeding as each baby latches differently, eats at his/her own pace and may need a different position to her other babies to feed. Once established most moms find it easier with no bottles and having enough food if out on a trip.With a new baby in the family, Nana is listening to what the parents are saying. One comment- please don't ask every mom if the baby sleeps through the night. The mom is just glad the baby starts to take longer stretches between feeds and goes back to sleep. How soon a baby sleeps through the night is irrelevant! Each baby is different! It is always hoped the baby does not mix up night and day. So when the baby sleeps, enjoying the quiet time is a given. Of course if there are other children there is no quiet time! Babies adjust to the noise in the house and usually can sleep through anything! So just let sleeping babies lie!

RECOVERY AFTER SURGERY TAKES TME

The body takes the time it needs to heal. Follow the rules. Eat well. Exercise! Planned surgery can give more strategies on getting ready for home afterwards. Emergency surgery takes more of a mental and physcial toll on a person. There can be complications after any surgery. The unexplained circumstances can be overwhelming. Have friends and family for support. As a caregiver for a family member- sleep, eat well and give yourself time to adjust to the new situation.

MEALS ARE SOCIAL EVENTSe

It is hard to be alone at meal time. So much of what we do involves sharing food with a loved one. Many elderly folks will not prepare much to eat when alone. It is hard to cook for one. It is just hard to be alone. Encouraging someone to eat more involves inclusion with others. Nursing homes and retirement homes insist you eat in the dining room. No one eats alone in their room. So do you know someone who needs a dinner invite. Why are you waiting?

NANA SAYS LIMIT CHILDEN'S VISITS TO HOSPITAL

The hospital is a place full of germs and machines and scary things for children. So unless the child is the patient try to reduce visits of children to family members. Keep the visits short and explain as much as possible all the "scary" machines. Don't let them play with them. Or touch the big blue button behind the bed! So what can children do! Depends on how long the patient needs to be in the hospital! Simple hand made cards from little ones. Lots of colour! A note or letter from an older one. If texting, send a nice text to the person. If longer, a poster with lots of messages and maybe pictures. Teenagers usually handle visiting well! For some very sick patients, I have seen those blankets with family pictures on them. So the person can be surrounded and warmed by the love of family. Everyone wants to see their loved ones but the impression that can be made on children can need some processing. Be prepared for the questions or the reactions. Answering the big question- is grandpa going to die- no he has a hernia. Is mom going to come home- yes she just has to get a little better. Will Uncle Bill ever walk again- they are trying to get him as well as they can. Le's wait and see how he will do! Children need to be part of the family event. Not letting a child near the person can create fears! Just shorter visits. Remind everyone to wash their hands or sanitize those hands. Hand washing is 70% of good infection control.Of course in this day and age, everyone is very aware of the need to wash hands and keep germs away!
#limitchildren'svisitstohosital#stayawayfromgerms#lovedonesinthehospital#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#getthekidstomakeacolourfulcardforthepatient

DEMOCRACY AT WORK IN CANADA

Despite the fact I don't care much for the new prime minister elect, the Canadian people have voted with a 68% turnout. A majority government is usually better than a minority one so business does get done. But election promises are just that. Canada's economy had fared well in the world so the promise to kickstart something that was not broken does not make sense to me. Experinece teaches be careful what you ask, pray wish! Also- plus ca change plus ca la meme chose! Our country swings red than blue now red again. I want to thank Prime Minister Harper for many of the tough decisions he made and for serving our great nation. Like standing up to Putin! Anyone that serves the public should be thanked at the end of the day. Some still say Pearson was one of the best prime ministers with many of the programs he put in place. Democracy is a good thing. Canadians often vote for various reasons. However saying we need change for the sake of change is rather disconcerting. This Canadian does not see much change is needed. I will continue to work my ass off at home and work. Anyone that comes to this great nation should do the same. No free rides! Love my family and am willing to care for all the members as needed. Care about my community. Donate to relevant causes- internationally, nationally, locally. Politically agree to disagree. Continue to follow the humanitarian values.

 It is why my grandfather fought in World War One. It is why my Dad fought in World War Two. Yeah Canada. Yeah Democracy at work!

STAYING POSITIVE THROUGH ROUGH TIMES

Tough times bring out the best in us. But it can also bring out the worst. Fear, anger, sadness can be some of the feelings that emerge.  Relying on the love of family can be a big boast! Staying strong but knowing accepting help when needed is important, it is what strength is all about. After many storms there is a rainbow!

WEATHERING EVERY STORM

Canadians like to talk about the weather. So it makes sense we have many cliches using the weather. Weathering the storm! Conflicts, issues, concerns, problems can be our storms. Things and events we worry about. How we prepare for those events build character! Sometimes we can not prepare as an event comes upon us! Having strategies and emergency supplies can help. Or just knowing to ride it out! Storms are part of life. So looking for the rainbow or the calm or the quiet after a storm gives peace of mind. Not every end does bring a positive result. But knowing a good try was given is the important factor. Do you face a storm today? Even with snow in the forecast, life can go on!!

WINNING ALWAYS FEELS GOOD

As Toronto wins the game, the country celebrates for the Blue Jays. Celebrating without incident is always the way to go. In life we all need moments of feeling like a winner. Got the job. Became engaged. A healthy baby. Cleaned the house. Made a new cake. There are big moments of winning but many times in a day where we all can feel like winners in small ways. Overcoming the conflicts and challenges of the day can makes us feel like winners too. Just surviving something bad and getting up the next day to carry on! So do you feel like a winner today?

NANA SAYS DEALING WITH A FAMILY TRAGEDY TAKES A TOLL

So much bad news about children's deaths. The horrific crash in Vaughan killing 3 children in a family plus the grandfather. A university student killed on the University of Western Ontario campus. A university student coming home in Manitoba for Thanksgiving. The common denominator- all by drunk drivers!! So not only a tragedy but an avoidable one. Families torn apart by the unnecessary losses of young loved ones. Everyone is saddened of hearing about the loss of lives of young people that deserved to live. So what is the message- drinking and driving causes deaths. These 3 examples are just a few of the grief suffered by families. Remember the families of the drivers suffer too! No child was brought into this world to kill another. My husband knows a rich family where the son likes to go out with the boys! He has a car service on standby that picks him up and takes him home. His friends can use it too. For the non rich- call a cab! Nana says be responsible- every life counts!

#familytradegies#children'sdeathssosad#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

A WEEKEND OF BLESSINGS

Thanksgiving weekend was fun of good eating and working around the house. It is a time to continue the garden cleanup and fall cleaning. Taking the food to a daughter's house so she could be home with the new baby- 3 weeks allowed extra time to do the big jobs and not just a house cleaning for dinner. So blessings include family, time to rest and time to work, an extra day at home and yes a four day work week!! Blessings come in all shapes and sizes! So 6 blessings with the grandchildren, daughters and sons-in- law, good health- so far and just being in a country like Canada. Took advantage of the advance polls and voted already. So democracy at its best!! Every vote counts! Blessed to be able to read, write and do my own interests. Yes the love of a good man counts as a huge blessing! Just feeling happy to be alive and have opportunities to carry on! How about you? What are your blessings?

#thanksgiving#blessings#thanksgivingblessings#grandchildrenareablessing#gettingreadyforafamilyfeast#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

A CANADIAN THANKSGIVING MEAL

A traditional Canadian Thanksgiving is Turkey with all the trimmings. So what does that mean. For my family and me- Turkey with stuffing, mashed potaoes and gravy, a variety of vegetables such as squash- acorn, butternut, sweet potatoes, carrots, rapini, brussel sprouts, mushrooms; Italian sausage both sweet and hot and of course the desserts- pumpkin pie, apple pie, cupcakes for the kids, ice creams and whatever else comes in the way of sweets. Cranberry sauce to eat with the turkey is so Canadian too.

Nicely made.

Brussel sprouts and squash were grown before the white man can to North American so are traditional to our First Nations.

The Turkey stuffed ready to go in the oven.

The dessert table with some of the treats that could be had. Of course fruit is always added to the mix in these days of healthy eating! Oh Canada- we know how to eat!

SOME HISTORY FOR A CANADIAN THANKSGIVING

Unlike our American counterparts, the Canadian Thanksgiving is the second Monday in October. It had humble beginnings. It was about the the harvest season. Apparently the English explorer Martin Frobisher after establishing a settlement in 1578 celebrated surviving trying to find the way to the Orient or the infamous Northwest Passage. His was the first documented Thanksgiving celebration by an European in North America.  The French explorer Samuel de Champlain had a celebration in 1604 to give thanks he crossed the ocean and was safe in the new land. Halifax had a special celebration according to history when the 7 years war ended in 1763 when Nova Scotia became British and not French anymore. After the American Revolution when loyalists came to Canada some new settlers brought the idea of an American Thanksgiving.  The day in Canada floated from the Spring to coinciding with Armistice Day until it became Remembrance Day in November. Hard to believe that it took a proclamation in the Canadian Parliament January 31, 1957 to make the day official every year. So it seems- " A day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest which Canada has been blessed... to be observed on the second Monday in October" made it tradition. Schools and churches across the nation find ways to celebrate. Children learn about the holiday. Churches usually have a display of the general harvest that is known in this great land. Corn, squash, sweet potato, wheat sheaves, turnip, parsnip, cranberries, apples, carrots, pumpkins, onions, fall flowers like sunflowers could be some of the many fall items included in any celebration. For the average Canadian it means getting together with family for the traditional Canadian meal of "turkey with all the trimmings." Coming home for Thanksgiving or being the host/hostess of the event.

 Homes can have some decorations.

A festive table with fun items for the kids!

Some appetizers before the big meal. Thanksgiving- a time for celebration of harvest and family times.

#canadianthanskgiving#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#harvest#festivetablewithfood#familytimeatthanksgiving#canadianhistory#samueldechamplain#armistice#parliamentaryact#lovingturkeyatthanksgiving

HEADING INTO A THANKSGIVING LONG WEEKEND

As the colours changes, October really means we are into Fall. Thanksgiving is here already with its eating and family time. The college and university kids come home for the first time. An extra day away from work on the holiday Monday. It's just a dinner unlike Christmas with all the hoopla. Easier to get done and time to enjoy family and any extra invited guests. There is so much to mention so a few posts will be written over the next couple of days highlighting the Canadian Thanksgiving.

TO LIE OR NOT TO LIE? THE TRUTH!

Those little white lies. Don't do any harm or do they? Is is always best to tell the truth! Well it actually saves what you told someone about a situation. Catching someone in a lie, changes one's opinion of that person doesn't it? Let's say your friend has a new hair cut! Do you tell the person it looks great when you don't think it does? Or I usually say, oh you changed your hair! How do you like it? It isn't up to anyone to approve what someone does so pretending to agree or support or like something is rather fake. I like to say- there is another way to view the situation! Or there is another choice! If you do not like something, being honest can mean just not saying anything! Keeping one's thoughts and opinions to one's self can save the day. Fashion for example is very personal. So if you wear certain fashions or style doesn't mean others have to like what you wear and vice versa! Cosmetic surgery! The person with the deer in the head light lifted eye lids thinks he/she looks great and youthful. Do you tell that person honestly, you look like a deer in the head lights- probably not! That person probably thinks you look old and wrinkled! So just smiling and not saying anything can help. Helping children with their self esteem does not mean praising everything they do. But acknowledging and asking to tell about the activities in their lives sure helps! Listening is a good skill- grounds for another post! The truth and nothing but the truth does help. Or like the fisherman- the fish was this big!!! Is exaggeration a lie? What do you think?

NANA SAYS TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE COLDER WEATHER

Putting away warm weather clothes and assessing the fall/winter jackets and boots along with hats, mitts and scarves is a regular Fall ritual for parents. Having proper outfits before the cold weather hits is always necessary in a country like Canada. Of course usually new purchases for the little ones as they grow like little weeds. As a parent having your gear ready is necessary too. Coats to the Cleaners. Pulling out the scarves and mitts. Putting extras in the car for those days when the afternoon surprises us with some snow or sleet! Having a blanket or two in the car to cover little knees and legs in the colder days. For those with outdoor family activities like skating and skiing, that gear needs some attention too! I have little winter shovels for the grandchildren but keep an extra one in the car in case I need to dig out sometime in an emergency. Thinking and  preparing before it is a necessity keeps us grounded. No matter how much it is hoped the warm fall weather will stay, knowing that the weather will change at some point let's the organized person keep ahead of the game. Parents with young children it is a must. Teenagers can be part of the planning. They need to look cool with whatever fashion is the current rage. Of course teenage boys have not changed and often won't wear decent cold weather attire. However just having it availabe as it might be used let's the parent know due diligence was done.
Of course, if asked Nana will gladly make a hat or scarve for the occasion!!

YEARNING FOR THE OLD DAYS-CANADIAN COUNTRY

Sometimes when visiting a museum or a farm or just a drive in the country, the idea of simpler times without all the gadgets comes to mind. People socialize by talking and sitting with each other. Quilting bees or barns raisers or helping your neighbour with the crops or painting a city veranda. Faster isn't better. Having too much information can make one's brain explode.

An old tractor.

Wood furniture- hand crafted.

Farms have collections of tools.

Quilts favourites for generations. Luckily they can be found in craft stores or made by the local guilds.
The modern generation uses computer sewing machines even though some people still quilt by hand.
Do any of the items conjure up some thoughts or feelings for you? Do you have favourite "old times" in your heart?

FALL LEAVES A LESSON ABOUT CANADIAN TREES

Fall leaves are everywhere. Remember as a kid we needed to collect the leaves so we could label them to learn about Canadian trees. Put between two pieces of wax paper then ironed to give them a waxy finish. Put on bristle board and the science lesson achieved. Could it still be an activity with the young grandchildren to learn about the trees? Probably!! MAPLE, OAK, PINE, BIRCH would be some of the local ones. What do you have in your area?

SUNDAY-TIME FOR QUIET REFLECTION

I have always been an early riser. But sometimes lately finding myself getting up in the dark as the season has changed even earlier than normal. With Sunday, a time to reflect, give thanks to God for the day, the quiet is good for the soul. Detaching from the busy work week and immersing in personal endeavors, the energy is good. Too much thinking can make one's head explode so grabbing onto physical activities to redirect the energy outside of one's body let's nature take its course. Being too tired to think is really a good thing. Sometimes reflection is to have a good nap because the body is tired. For example, hours of yard work has that effect. A task accomplished so the siesta is well earned! With cooler weather in October, there is the urgency to get things done before the snow flies. It amazes me that work that sat during the nice, warm months of summer can be attacked with frenzy. My front yard that was a disaster is now- well cleaner after a first round of cleanup. Adolph had planted some tomato plants there in a sunny spot. So now they are cleaned up and the area looks better. The raspberry bushes that had spread like weeds are cut back. Actually I have been trimming and cutting everything back. Usually I like the wild look! Like life too much is just too much. So trimming the overgrown areas gets rid of the "too much". Ripping out the  perennial beds and leaving a plant or two for next year has been therapeutic. I think this is a reflection of how I am feeling these days. Looking at what I really want to keep. Although not ready for retirement just yet, I think my energy is telling me to get started on that process. Weeding, decluttering, purging, cleaning are ways to connect with change. Being in control of the change is a good thing too. Oh closets watch out as I may be ripping you apart soon!

A CANADIAN FALL WITH ALL ITS SPLENDOUR

Colours of Fall can be spectacular in places. The array and variety of trees in Ontario is huge. Many parts of Canada experience the joy of the Fall season. Finding favourite locations to see the colours on country drives can be a family outing.A bonus for the photographer!

One tree can stand out from the bunch.

Even one leaf can make an interesting photo for all to see!

An old favourite from a street in Toronto. Downtown trees can be pretty too tucked away in laneways or inner courtyards! Where are your favourite places to take Fall pictures?

YEAH JAYS

Although based in Toronto, Canadians coast to coast are hoping the Jays can go all the way! 22 years is a long dry spell to win the Eastern Division! So what does a winning team really do for us. Well it puts a smile on people's faces. Fans are happy. There are new fans that jump on the band wagon! Jobs make more money- like bars, merchandise and even the peanut seller at the games makes more. It does help the economy! I watch sometimes but really like the joy it gives people. If some children can be influenced to try harder at whatever they are doing then it is a good thing. Winning is a good feeling. Yes we do need to be good losers too! We all know that feeling too. So for now jump on that wagon and have a little fun!