#41 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- BUYING THE RED AND WHITE

Okay, I have a nice collection of tops for Canada Day but Adolph did not. So out to the Mall- Evernotes, Roots and Hudson's Bay had some tops and shorts. Bought a nice selection of Ts and Tanks for Adolph to last the season. Some with the 150. So what are you going to be wearing.
#Hudson'sBay#Evernotes#Roots#CanadaDay#celebrations

#40 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- OTTAWA THE PLACE TO BE FOR THE BIG DAY

Ottawa is about to receive hundreds of thousands guests for the big day. For me I will be watching on TV and celebrating locally with family! The fireworks everywhere should be great. Wear a shirt, have a favourite food- I have those maple leaf burgers from Sobeys-, make a special drink or drink a Canadian wine or drink, well just find your way to celebrate!  For the lucky, enjoy your day in Ottawa with all the hoopla!!
#canadaday#150#ottawa#sobeys#mapleleaf

NANA SAYS BREATH-SCHOOL IS OUT

For some parents summer vacations are fun. For many the enrollment at camps began in February. Some dump the kids with relatives, usually grandparents that retired- here is your summer job to care for my kids. Like other grandparents, I take some days here and there to help out. Perhaps one day I will do more, like renting a summer cottage to have some fun. Camping is out for me as it was a thing of my childhood and youth.  But my job entails covering for other Social Workers on their vacations and those on mine. So that's why a few days can be used. If able I would like to take some vacation time with the children and grandchildren with a whole family time together. I like the summer sleepovers too. The local parks are good with splash pads,  a wave pool or the regular pools. Some parks have little beaches so looking forward to exploring with the older grandchildren. The little ones are best at their own homes and own beds to help out the parents. So embracing the school break can be daunting. I remember when my children were in elementary school, September was welcoming with the routine. Finding care and camps and activities for 8-10 weeks was always an added stress. So parents breath, get support from family and each other. Take it a week at a time. A Canadian summer is very short so don't lose sight of the long days using the nights for some outdoor fun. Happy end of school everyone!

#39 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- JUNE 27 MULTICULTURAL DAY

So every culutre counts. Even the Canadian culture to which I belong. The group that has been here for 100 to 200 years more or less depending on the family line. Respecting others and all the cultures and religions equally is the goal. No more- my culture is better than yours. As a multigenerational Canadian for example, the whole issue of food. Our food is better than your food! Well on Multicultural day, everyone counts. So have a good day. Yes I speak English, some French, some Spanish and understand/speak lots of Italian.

JUNE HAS BEEN A TOUGH MONTH

Busy with the regular June stuff was not helped by family issues and crisises. A hospitalization. A death in the family. Memorial service at work that is always stressful. How to calm the energy and deal with all the stuff it has brought. The rain and more rain has made the garden a jungle or perhaps a rain forest. Everything is very green but very big. Puttting out 3 yard waste bags for the collection. If more energy could have been 30 bags and the garden would hardly be touched. Of course must watch all the bugs- thank heaven for DEET! So trying to do one thing at a time and enjoy my family and the coming Canada Day celebrations. What works for me- fake it  until you make it! Just go through the motions and things get done! So June came in like a bang for me, let's hope it goes out like a whimper or least no more hard times! How has your June been going?

                                       At least the beauty of the garden can be enjoyed!

#38 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- FLAGS ARE OUT

Getting ready for July 1st, the big Canadian flag is out in the garden. A banner of small flags hanging from trees visible down the road as well as little flags around the evergreen tree on the lawn. Buying a pot of white and red petunias to hang in preparation for the big day. Put some 150 flags in the pots on the front porch too! So where are your flags? How will you wave the flag for the big celebration?

TRAVEL ETIQUETTE-DOES IT EXIST? FIVE THOUGHTS!

Travel Etiquette! Recently traveling for a family emergency, I was privy to the exploits of Canadian travellers.

1. Security. I was stuck in the line with two people putting their large carryons, knapsacks that counted as a personal item and their laptops. Taking off a belt and other items on their body. Yes several bins each as well as needing to be scanned for the jewellery. Really. What happened to checking some item? Air Canada does not charge for the first checked bag. That's where my bag went!! Just a small carryon and my purse with my camera in it.

2. Prebook your seat. Yes I am a Nana and very sympathetic to couples travelling with children. But if you want to sit with your spouse, pay for the seat. Coming back from my destination, the mother and baby was able to sit with her husband because another passenger changed seats. I did not offer mine. I had prepaid and wanted the window seat. Simple! Another couple with a baby and toddler were all together because they prepaid for their seats! So please do not play the baby card! If you can afford to fly and not drive to your destination, you can afford the prepaid seat.

3. One never knows what other passengers have in their lives. To sit in front of one man talking to a fellow passenger about his teaching career in Japan and his family was okay for a few minutes but after two and one half hours, it really wore a little thin. In other years when the airline had movies or sites for music, easy to plug in and ignore the talk. But not knowing the flight did not have music or movies, was a learning experience. I had my ear plugs from other flights. Maybe retrospectively, I should have put them in my ears! Next time I will pay for the I pad- $10.00 or bring one.

4. Don't travel with your seat fully back the whole time. The passenger behind has very little space as it is on those domestic cheap flights. I was three to a space that even my short little legs were wedged quite well.

5. On my return leg of the trip, in the airport waiting for a plane, one does not buy the seats beside you for your bag. I had gone for a washroom break and returning noticing there were three seats beside whom I thought was a gentleman. Well, getting closer to the seats he quickly gave me a dirty look and put his large carryon on one of the seats. I was choosing the third seat farthest from him anyway. Not impressed, I sat there a few minutes then moved to another seat I eyed in the lounge. Thankfully I did not sit beside him on the plane. It happened on the initial stage of my trip with the 60 something couple sneaking kisses in the airport sitting beside me. OMG! Then on my flight out to my destination, they sat beside me. Again how many kisses are needed! Of course, I ignored them because as a woman if I smiled at the guy it would be seen as my trying to hit on him by his lady friend! I did not even make light conversation.

So be polite, but not necessarily friendly. I never tell people what I do for a living as I really am not interested in hearing every problem.

Checking in online the night previously is a wonderful feature and does save time at the airport. Besides it is reassuring that the seat prepaid is right there on the boarding pass!

Food tip- for the prepaid $7.00 I actually received two items for more than the cost. If the flight runs out of food, prepaid customers are fed first. So an appetizer of choice and my chicken wrap one way and the deli sandwich on the way home, it was an easy way to have food. Yes the food was fresh! Sure you can take a sandwich from home or buy in the airport but nicely served on the plane without any fuss of having to store it in one's bags. Travelling with children, it is a different conversation. Snacks for little ones and even the bottles and baby food are needed.

Another tip. Put away that cellphone or laptop. People watch in the airport. Easy to do because basically one is watching people playing on their gadgets- cellphones, laptops or whatever! I like to connect to the world around me. No one even notices they are being watched!!!
Some photo ops too!

In conclusion- most Canadian travellers are polite and respectful of others around them. I understand there are many that are fearful of flying so the best behaviour may not prevail! Personally, I love flying and going places. It just took a family emergency for it to happen.
Yes, I travel Air Canada whenever I can.
Happy Flying Everyone! Happy Landings!
#travel#AirCanada#manners#privacy

THE SUMMER SOLSTICE

The summer solstice is always a reminder that with June winding down, summer is around the corner. Oh yeah it is the first day of summer and the longest day. Time to enjoy all that the summer days bring us. Plans for travel or staycations are under way across the country. Day trips are feasible too.

                                           If lucky time by a lake with all the activities.

#37 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

A day to celebrate our original people of this great country. Events and celebrations along with a continued recognition of all the contributions made to our history and culture. Love of nature, respect for the land, and many other modern Canadian concepts come from our First Nations. Canoes, Innushuks, Totem Poles, and in my area Corn. Maple Syrup is contributed to the first settlers learning about this wonderful food.

BECOMING THE OLDER GENERATION

With the passing of my Dad this week the realization hit that I am now the older generation for my children and grandchildren. Life with its ever ebbing circle. A time to be young and a time to be old! A time to sing. A time to laugh. A time to cry! So if I must take the reins and embrace the fact that wisdom has been learned. Carry on and be strong!

                                                            Yes time to smell the roses!

GARAGE SALE MANIA IS ON IN CANADA

With the warmer weather comes the garage sales popping up all over the country. Cleaning closets and garages often yields stuff that may sell. So today our Amici Club is having a sale to raise some money for the hospital as well as private tables. I am renting one to try to see how some of my collectibles sell. Catalogued all my posters a couple of years ago but did not market them. So today is the day to see if I sell one or two. Only taking a few mason jars and bottles because I only have a small table for the event. Needing to help with the overall sale too. So the summer adventures of garage sales and flea markets sales begin for the stuff that does not go to the curb.
#garage#collectibles#posters#videotapes

LOVE- A VERY CHRISTIAN CONCEPT IN TROUBLED TIMES

Watching parts of the Manchester Concert Sunday June 4, 2017, the word love came up so many times. Remember Jesus said to love one another. Love your enemies. Well love can conquer all. It does come with pain and work but love and lots of it in the world is so needed.  Watching that concert and other tributes to recent fallen victims in Manchester, London, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Paris, Berlin and Belgium- yes love and lots of it. People just going about their business and loving their families and life. Being kind and respecting others. Be careful, protect each other but remember to love!

                                 And eat lots of sweets! Love include good times together!
#love#Christian#manchester#london

MONDAY BLUES

Monday, Monday can't stand that day or something like that were the words to the Mama and Papas song. Weekends in the warmer months are too short. So much to do and the amount of rain has slowed down outdoor activities. Enjoying a weekend outside always refreshes the soul. For people with pools or cottages it is important to use those facilities too. So here it is Monday with the demands of another work week. Some weeks busier than others. Coverage, monthly talk, learning a new computer program all make for a stressful time. So trying to find ways to curb the stress! One day at a time. Light at night helps with the mood too. How is your Monday? Does it feel stressful? Do you have demands at home too?

                 Sometimes just looking at the beauty of nature can help us busy bees!

THE LONG DAYS GIVE TIME

Noticing the days are getting longer, time to use the evening for more activities and fun. Getting out for a walk, bike ride or just sit in the back enjoying reading something. Of course, the garden always needs attention. But having light bring a renewed sense of energy and good mood. How about you? Are you enjoying the longer days?

JUNE-MIDWAY THROUGH THE YEAR

June 1st always brings some stress for many. Finish the garden. Do you have plans for the summer? Children finishing school and all the hoopla with the end of school. Birthdays and anniversaries happen in June for this blogger. Plus a dance recitals for 2 granddaughters at different schools. Then to try to catch a game or two of the sports the grandchildren want us to see. Remembering to breath and just take it all in is important! June the first real month- a combo of Spring and Summer. May being over brings fears the warmer weather is passing too quickly. Our area was like a rain forest! What warm weather? More rain in May then for the whole summer average for other years. Flooding in Ontario did not help many homeowners with Lake Ontario water levels being at a record high! Even Toronto's Centre Island will be closed until the end of July due to flooding! So let's welcome the month and see where it brings us. At least the garden is very green and some of those trees have grown another foot or two!

                      The June Peonie has arrived. Thanks to those little ants!