SEPTEMBER-TIME FOR HARVEST HOME

Fall in full swing brings many fall images. The fall crops of squash, pumpkins, apples and more bring lots of opportunities to enjoy the Canadian country.

Fields of orange can be seen.

Concord grapes make great jam.

Red peppers are wonderful in many dishes.

Butternut squash.

Wagons of produce.

Everywhere we look.

The fall colours are close to home.

To go apple picking can be fun.

Cranberries- good with turkey and for baking too in many treats!

Memories of a trip to the farm to pick apples.

Good for eating!

Remember Pumpkin Man near Port Perry Ontario.

Country roads to take us to farms and fairs. Oh fall in Ontario.
#harvest#fall#squash#pumpkin#apple#countryroads#pumpkinman#cranberries#concordgrapes#goodeating#jam#crops#fallimages

INDIVIDUAL VERSUS GROUP THINKING

Groups can be great. Ideas in a group think can tweak and add to the project at hand. But sometimes individuals can be swallowed up by the group. Fear to bring up an idea that does not fit with the leader or those that dominate the group. Yes there can be bullies in many disguises.  The louder voice. The one that flaunts his or her money. Yes those with money or celebrity like to present as if they are smarter or more knowledgeable. Yeah right- look at the drug use, the relationships, etc.  So how to remain an individual and be confident with one's knowledge, experience and monetary status. Well just be! Whether at church, at school, at work, a family- belong and also be an individual. As one ages confidence grows in many ways or it fades. Losses, changes, an aging body can undermine a youthful confidence too. So how to balance the group think and the individual think is life long.
#individualthinking#group#bullies#knowledge#confidence#aging

NANA SAYS FALL HAS MANY FUN PROJECTS FOR CHILDREN

Teaching children why leaves turn colour is a great science lesson. A country drive or even finding little woodlots in parks can bring a good show of colour.
Collecting leaves from a variety of trees can help to learn the names.
With some wax paper you can preserve some of the leaves. Simply put a leave between two pieces and iron the wax onto the leaf.
Pine cones can be collected too. The number of little projects is endless. Think of your own or simply key in pine cone projects and many can be found on the internet.
Do you grow grapes? Well the grape vines that need to be trimmed for better growth next year can be used in other projects. A simple grape vine wreath that can be decorated for Fall, Christmas and even Easter is a great backdrop.
Simple twigs and pieces of evergreen trees after Fall trimming are useful too.
Taking pictures with all the colour as a backdrop can be used for those seasonal pictures. No need to go to the photo shops, create your own. With a little scrape booking technique, add your own dates, names and ideas. Even putting a sticker in the corner and then scanning to your favourite photo site you can make your own cards for family.
Fall with its natural Canadian items. Have fun!
#fall#projects#leaves#pinecones#wreaths#photos#black'sphotography#photosites#children#grandparents#waxpaper#collectingleaves#scienceproject#countrydrive#citywoodlots

INVICTUS GAMES IN TORONTO

Sports is always a way to celebrate in a positive way. To honour those men and women that served their countries and came home with injuries- physical and mental! To see their positive recovery from those injuries in sport. Thanks to Prince Harry and his dream! He is even in the city. Going to events. Supporting the athletes. Try to get out and see an event. Congratulate the people. They deserve it.
#sports#princeharry#athletes#soldiers#injuries#toronto#men#women#

A FALL SUMMER HEAT WAVE

September is ending with a heat wave here in Ontario. Pools and splash pads are kept open to accommodate. Where was this beautiful weather in July! On well, we will take it. A warm Fall allows us to ease into the cooler weather. 1 less month with no furnace running! Able to wear those cottons a little longer. The plants in the garden get to grow a little longer. The outdoor patios get more business. Some don't like it hot! But it beats the freezing temperatures that are expected in a few months. So let's just enjoy the Fall Summer weather a little longer.

FALL ARRIVES- ARE YOU READY?

Fall that season before winter and after summer. Time to be outside with all its glory. The fall colours. The fall vegetables. The fall markets. The farm trips. The fall of our lives bring some renewed energy too. For many people the children are raised. Some are retired. Some working longer to acquire more assets or room on the pensions. Fall the time for harvest. What have you harvested in your life? Fall is a good time to reflect, evaluate, give thanks, do less and enjoy what you really want to do or need to do. Sometimes health problems slow us down so regrouping and doing what can be done.

Finding the true meaning in our lives then embracing it. Not to be fenced in!

                                                     Not to be chained to any issue.

#fall#life#embracinglife#vegetables#farmtrips#energy#seniors#harvest#pensions#reflection#goodlife

SURE THERE ARE TROUBLES BUT DON'T LIVE IN A BUBBLE

With recent terrorist events. Now Hurricanes and some earthquakes it can feel safer to lock the door and hide under your covers. Wait! Life takes risks. Life means to live.
Yes be vigilant in public places. Don't walk down dark alleys in strange places or even your home community.  Don't drive on dark highways in the middle of the night- higher incidences of drunk driving! So have some safety rules.
If a woman,for example, get escorted to your car after night meetings. Park under good lighting.
But live. Go out. Travel. By keeping yourself safe, help to keep others safe.
Remember the boy in a bubble story. His immune system would not let him live outside the bubble. Metaphorically many people try to put themselves in this safe bubble of life. It really does not exist. Even with all the organic food and exercise, people get illnesses, stuff. There is no guarantee that nothing bad can happen to you! It is how life can be embraced and lived. Taking on all the stuff. Finding what can be managed alone and what needs help. So buy a child's bubble kit and go make some big and small bubbles and blow them to the air. See where they go. And yes Live!

                                                    Take in all the sides of life!

#life#bubble#risks#boyinabubble#vigilant#safety#travel

NANA SAYS THERE ARE TWO PARENTS-DON'T BLAME THE MOTHER

For centuries if anything went wrong with the children the mother was blamed. Blamed for not producing a boy until it was determined otherwise. Blamed for autism until genetics came along to show it was not the mother's fault. Scientists at the Hospital for Sick Children are looking at mothers antenatally to determine the risk genetically. Now we know older fathers are at greater risk of producing children with autism and mental health issues. Freud blamed the mothers. A whole psycholgoy grew around mother blaming and shaming.
So why as a grandmother, mother, woman do I still hear from fathers, people, friends- it's the mother's fault.
Women have to carry the baby, deliver the baby and recover-hormones raging and all to be a mother. It can rewarding but tough at the same time.
For example, breast feeding. Some babies do it better than others. The mothers try hard and do their best. So give the mothers a break. As long as babies eat and grow that is the main issue. And of course lots of love.
Children misbehave at times. Children play loudly. Children get sick. Children are busy and lots of work. Children can be fussy eaters. Look around and so are many adults! HUM!  But children are people too that love and give back. Children can be fun!
So let's not blame or shame. Parents do their best in raising their children. Both parents need to support each other in their roles. It is okay in a couple relationship to divy up the roles in how it works in your relationship. But don't stick Mom with all the hard stuff and the fun stuff goes to others.
It is important to allow each parent to do things differently as long as there is consistency in the messages given to the children.
There are many chores to be done so getting children involved in those chores is important too. Fathers supporting mothers in sharing the chores in the home is an important message to children. Everyone has a part.
So mothers- stand your ground. Don't accept the blame. Fathers don't blame. Support each other. Oh yes, remember to thank Mom for all she does. Remember to thank Dad for all he does.
When there are two parents, there are two people that take responsiblility for raising the children.

5 THINGS TO EMBRACE IN THE FALL

As Summer is winding down, Fall is fast approaching. So how to enjoy it.

1. The colours. The changing trees. The country drives to view the colours. Of course the Fall pictures.

2. The Fall markets. The pumpkins, The squash. The potatoes. The Mums.
The bales of hay. Supporting the local farmers is always a wonderful Canadian tradition.

3. Apple picking. For young families, it is a must. For the grandparents, go with the children and enjoy the farms. Brooks Farm near us is a wonderful fun adventure day for all.

4. Cleaning up the gardens. Planning for the Spring. Do any bulbs need to be planted for that array of Spring bulbs to come alive? Do you have lots of pine cones? So keep some to use in decorating.

5. Of course, outdoor fall decorations are fun. Mid- fall the Halloween stuff comes out.

Fall is also a time for planning festive and fun events. Christmas at the end so obtaining items to use for gifts and decorations can be good. The cooler weather is better for sleeping for those with respiratory health problems. So get those folks out and about. Staying indoors can be so socially isolating.
#summer#fall#apples#pumpkins#squash#gardencleanup#springbulbs#falldecorations#halloween#christmas#grandparents#farmersmarkets#applepicking#BrooksFarm#fun

FAMILY TIMES ARE THE BEST TIMES

Celebrating the precious moments of life with loved ones have the best meaning. Birthdays and special occasions and just a simple meal or barbecue are opportunities to be together. Eating and laughing and just enjoying can be good. Life can change in an instance. Not to be morbid but sometimes it could be the last time together.  To talk about positive things and events. To support each other. To listen to each other. Hugs and kisses. Little ones sitting on laps. Of course, take lots of pictures. Memories then become permanent!

                                                         So how have you been lately!
#familytimes#celebratingpreciousmomentsoflife#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#makingmemoriespermanent

CALMING ONE'S ENERGY

Being by the quiet of a morning lake is rewarding. The sound of waves slowly meeting the shore. Finding a spot to calm one's energy takes thought. I am not by a lake today but the image and the imagination of how it feels brings some calm. Find an image. Find a picture. Energy needs to be captured so life can have balance.
#balance#image#lake#imagination

SUMMER 2017 COMING TO AN END

One final week of summer then Fall arrives. Weather with its cool mornings and warm afternoons- what to wear becomes the dilemma. Not ready for the wool clothes but cottons are too flimsy. Many people prefer fall because there is no humidity. Sleep becomes easier.

Trees slowly turning colours. Getting ready for those country drives for viewing and photo ops. The shadows become more interesting. Lots of images abound. There is always a sense of change this time of year. September is renewal. Everything revs up. The pressure is on to get things done or is it. Stopping to enjoy this season is equally as important. So the last week of summer, embrace it. Get out. If no roses to smell, enjoy the black eyed susans and tall hollyhocks!

#summer2017#summercomingtoanend#senseofchangeintheair#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

#59 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- CANADIANS HELPING ABROAD

As one natural disaster after another has occurred, we can feel proud as Canadians that we are there helping. Some of our organizations are on the ground. For example, Hurricane Irma and the damage in St. Martin, Global Medic is bringing water filter kits and basic supplies to the people there. The Red Cross and World Vision are two organizations there throughout the year. We help our own at home but are there for the world community too.
#naturaldisaster#hurrican#globalmedic#worldvision#stmartin#redcross

#58 BARB'S RELFECTIVE 150- TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

Canada is a nation of compassion and care. We have infrastructures in place. So to our police, fire men and women, forest fire fighters, hydro crews, health care professionals and all those who help in our natural disasters, accidents and all events. Our 150 could not be the same without all the efforts of the people on the ground. Many organizations depend on volunteers to help too.

NANA SAYS HELPING CHILDREN RESPOND TO WORLD EVENTS WITHOUT TRAUMATIZING THEM

Compassion. Care. Being aware of world events is important for children. But the fine line of informing without traumatizing them is important too.
The images on TV. The talk. With fires and hurricanes and floods in North America, it is difficult to keep all the information and images toned down.
So answer questions as children ask them. Do something to help. See kids- we are making a donation to Red Cross. This is how it helps.
I love the food bank drives at schools on special occasions. A simple way for children to be involved without traumatizing.They start to have a community conscience at a basic level. It is an activity that helps others locally. Doing activities to raise money for local hospitals and charities.
If you have lived through a natural disaster, get the support and help you need. Children need to process and that process could take years.
For adults, we can experience natural disaster burnout too. It is tough seeing those images and not asking- gee could it happen to me.
So letting children feel they are helping other children. For example, buying new socks for a drive where clothes and toiletries are needed. They are part of the solution. Teaching every little bit helps because it becomes a big bit.
One person can not save the world. But one person's part as part of the larger collective does help. One action at a time. Children can get that!

5 WAYS TO HELP WITH NATURAL DISASTERS

A summer of unprecedented fires in British Columbia and Alberta. Homes lost and people displaced. Now with the over the top Hurricane season, it can be overwhelming. How can individuals help in any way.

1. Give to the Red Cross- International and National. Any donation helps. One does not have to give mega bucks.

2. Give to Global Medic. They have drones that can drop items into areas that are inaccessible. They have amazing water filter kits. Water is so needed.

3. Ask a colleague or friend if they know someone personally so that personal donations can be made to the person. We all have little personal, unused items that could help. If you would not wear it because it is stained or ratty then do not give it to someone else. Toiletries are often needed. How many makeup free samples do we have that could be forwarded?

4. Can you open up your home for a much needed vacation week for someone suffering. Especially the children. Treat them to a day at a zoo or museum or amusement park. Invite that relative or friend for a break. Listen on skype, text, phone calls and be prepared to help with the potential of post traumatic stress disorders.

5. No one is invincible so make sure your home has emergency items in case of a hydro outage or storm or whatever could come your way. Read what your insurance covers for your home, car and personal liability. The government is not responsible for you under every circumstance so be personally responsible.

Here's to everyone out there dealing with the aftermath of all these disasters. Reach out to each other. There for the grace of God go I!
#RedCross#GlobalMedic#donations#BritishColumbia#Alberta#hurricanes#posttraumaticstressdisorders#support

FIND A BENCH AND WATCH THE WORLD GO BY

Do you like to people watch? Do you like to be watched?
Taking time to quiet one's energy is a good thing.
Watching the world go by.
Watching the planes in the sky.
Sometimes smiling and saying hi.
Then to say goodbye.
See you later, I must fly.
You ask me why?
Too much living before I die!

#6 BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- ELIZABETH ANNE FROST

Frost, Elizabeth Anne (1871-1948)
(1st- Barbara Di Mambro, 2nd- Parkin Alton, 3rd- Leonie Parkin)

Elizabeth was my paternal great-grandmother. We called her Gammie. In my research of her  family line, initially it was complicated. I was given her last name as Derbyshire even though Frost had come up.

Documents can be convoluted.

Her father is Johnathan Frost. But somewhere along the line, he is out of the picture. Her mother was Anna Butterfield. The Frost family originated from Hockering, Norfolk County, England. I am still researching about the Butterfield line.

I even bought the book House of Industry for Athens, Leeds and Grenville counties, Ontario where the family had resided to see if he had been an inmate there. An email received in 2001 from Marjorie Hankins in Newmarket said Jonathan Frost went to the House of Industry where he died. Friends claimed the body for burial. She quotes the Athens Reporter- June, 15, 1898. Elizabeth was no longer in Athens at that time.

I do not have a birth certificate for Elizabeth but the date on her tombstone is July, 1871. Thus she is not found in the 1871 Canadian Census. Her parents and brother, James are there.

In the 1881 Canadian Census, Bastard & Burgess South, Leeds South, Ontario Canada, Libbie Frost age 10 , born 1871 is living with Johnathan Frost age 47; Annie Frost age 28; James Frost age 11; Amelia Frost age 8; Byron Frost age 6; Henery Frost age 4; Ida Frost age 3; and Rufus Frost age 2.

There are census records that have an Elizabeth living with an aunt? mother? and Uncle Benjamin Derbyshire. Probably not our Elizabeth as the age was 9 on the Census Records.

Corresponded with family of brother Jimmie, confirmed our Elizabeth was his sister.

A half-sister named Gertrude Derybshire, or Aunt Gertie as we knew her brings confusion too. Did her mother remarry.? I was still trying to find some birth and death information on her.

So Elizabeth married in 1890. On her marriage certificate, she is Libbie Frost. Charles WM Parkins married Libbie Frost, age 18 January 1, 1890 in Athens, Leeds, Ontario, Canada. He was the son Robt Parkins and Hannah Parkins. ( I wrote an article for Leeds and Grenville Newsletter- 01-34 to 01-35) Charles had Keeler cousins in the area and I surmised that is how they met.
Elizabeth was the daughter of John Frost and Ann Frost. Of course Libbie can be a nickname for Elizabeth. She married at the home of Benj Derbyshire, an uncle, in the Township Rear Yonge and Escott.They were both cited as Methodist. It is interesting to note her father is a John and not a Jonathan.

Again names can be both as nicknames and short forms are often used.

Elizabeth with her husband Charles W. and daughter Leonie.

In the 1891 Canadian Census, they are living in Mariposa Township, Victoria County, Ontario, Canada. Charles Perkins, age 24?, Lydia age 19, Hannah mother widow, age 62 and Martha sister, age 23. Why did he call her Lydia?

They had two children. their daughter Leonie's birth information has Violet Leona Parkin born October 28, 1891 to C.W. Parkin and Lydia Derbyshire.

Cecil Robert Benjamin Parkin was born October 14, 1893 and died February 4, 1894 in Mariposa Township, Victoria County, Ontario, Canada. Parents are listed as Charles Parkin( the s has been dropped) and Libbie Derbyshire. Little four month old Cecil died from inflammation of the bowels after 3 days. There are no parents listed on the death information.

In the 1901 Canadian Census , Charles W. Parkins age 33, head; wife Elisibeth A. Parkins, age 29; Leonie V. Parkins, daughter age 9 and /// on Annie, Domestic, age 12.

When Leonie Violet Parkin married Cortland Alton June 30, 1914 in Lindsay, Victoria County, Ontario Canada she was cited as being the daughter of Chas W. Parkin and Elizth Anne Derbyshire. It is interesting to note that Leonie's first and second names get reversed.

On her daughter's Leonie Violet Alton death information her name was Elizabeth Ann Derbyshire. Leonie died June 5, 1944 in Belleville Ontario. The informant on the certificate was Cortland Alton.

So why the Derbyshire name. Yes there was a connection. her aunt married a Derbyshire. Clarification is need if her mother's second marriage was to a Derbyshire thus Aunt Gertie
( Gertrude) being a Derbyshire so I thought. Was the disconnect from the Frost name due to some family issue or scandal? It is interesting to note that with the exception of Jimmie and Gertrude, her other siblings are not mentioned in family information nor are there pictures of them. I am still trying to track to discover what happened to them.I have included the picture of Elizabeth with Jimmie and Gertrude.

Trying to find Aunt Gertie's statistic, I tried her husband Wesley Langman. Much to my surprise I found tombstones online- Search Death records- of Coldwater Cemetery. She is Gertrude Frost and not Derbyshire as everyone had thought and stated when the family history search began. So how and why her last name is still Frost needs further research.

                                                          (Photo by Wayne Cook)
So back to Gammie.

I remember the day in 1988, I went with my father to the Lakeside Cemetery. When I saw Elizabeth Ann Frost on the tombstone, I realized hours of Derbyshire research had been a futile journey.

                                                            ( Photo by Barbara Di Mambro)

On the tombstone interred with her husband Charles William Parkin there is the Frost name. Tombstones often are cut with family names including the living and not deceased present on the stone. I would imagine it cut down the cost. Was it possible that Gammie did not complete any of the documents but another family member did? She approved what information was placed on the tombstone. Would she have approved of her nicknames Libbie and Lydia being on important documents? On Charles Parkin's death information the informant is Elizabeth Parkin. No nickname. Did she complete it?

Deciding which documents to trust and to re-evaluate all information is a must for all our family lines. But spelling errors, poor transcription and nicknames may replace the proper given name as it did with Elizabeth Anne. Initially when researching my family history, I acquired copious amounts of Derbyshie lines. Yes there is an uncle- Benjamin Derbyshire. All the research did reveal one important fact, her real name was not Gammie.

1954 with two great-grandchildren.

Endnotes

1. Birth Certificate- still trying to locate registered birth information on Elizabeth Anne. Tombstone- Valentia Cemetery has a date. Site visit 1988.

2.1881 Canadian Census. Family Search.Org. Canada Census, 1881. Bastard & Burgess South, Leeds South, Ontario, Canada. Household ID 561712. Digital Folder Number 4465517. Image Number 00473. GS Film Number 1375868.

3. Marriage record- Ontario Marriage Records. 1869-1927. Reference ID 006969. GS Film Number 1870307. Digital Folder Number 004529216. Image Number 00338.

4. 1891 Canadian Census- Mariposa Township. Census of Canada, 1891,. Ontario. Victoria South, District Number-121.Sub-District. Name-Mariposa. household Number-82. Reference-RG31-Statistics. Canada.

5. Birth Certificate 1891- Violet Leona Parkin. Family Search.org. Canada Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959. Mariposa Township, Victoria County, Ontario, 28 Oct 1891, Reference item 1 u 17 p 65; FHL microfilm 1846446.

6. Cecil Parkin- Born October 14, 1893. Family Search. Birth Certificate. Ontario Births 1869-1911. Reference ID cn 33362. GS Film Number 1846228. Digital Folder Number 004756730. Image number 00392. Death Certificate- February 4, 1894. Mariposa Township, Victoria County, Ontario. Reference ID yr 1894 cn 17473. GS Film Number 1853584. Digital Folder Number 4172067. Image Number 454.

7. 1901 Census of Canada- Mariposa Township, Victoria County ( South/Sud), Ontario. District Number 120. Subdistrict Number-d-2. Archives microfilm- T-6501.

8. Leona Violet Parkin's marriage certificate. Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927.Reference ID 0211774. GS Film Number 002022063. Digital Folder Number 004705225. Image Number 00902.

9. Leonie Violet Alton death information. Office of the Registrar General Ontario. Registration No: 1944-905-039172.

10. Tombstone Lakeside Cemetery- Personal visit 1988. Photo of tombstone by Barbara Di Mambro.

11. 1921 Census of Canada- Mariposa Township, Victoria County, Ontario. Polling division no. 2, all lots from 14 to 24. Digitized page of Census of Canada, e003044066. Courtesy Library and Archives Canada.

12. Coldwater Cemetery, Severn Township, Simcoe County- waynecook.com/CEMI-Coldwater.html

Written by Barbara Di Mambro
September 10, 2017
Copyright 2017
#grandparentsday#Frost#Parkins#Keeler#Alton#mariposatownship#Athens#VictoriaCounty#ElizabethAnne#Lakeside Cemetery#Valentia#familyhistory#genealogy#waynecook

ARE YOU A POVERA ME PERSON? POOR ME!

Povera me means poor me in Italian. Everyone has stuff. Everyone gets busy. Jobs, children, poor health and well just too much to do in too little time. But the Povera me people always try to outdo everyone. You're busy but I am busier! Let me tell you about my sorrows! Well you get the picture! We all need to talk and share our lives. Friends can be good listeners. But to be a friend, it is also important to listen and not just burden with your stuff! Aging brings changes in life, body and soul. The energy is not the same as in our youth. Not just the forests but all the trees are tough!
With the social media world where everyone is trying to outdo everyone with how wonderful their lives are, we can feel well our lives are not that great. It can be smoke and mirrors too! So do we resort to Povera Me! My life is not like that image seen everywhere! So how to balance the good, the bad and the ugly!

#57 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- THE SUNFLOWER

Oh the Fall in Ontario with the Sunflowers abounding in the gardens.

In duets!

Or in nice clusters on lawns and gardens.

With barn boards in the background!

Buying bouquets for those festive fall tables.
The happy flower.

In Italian- Gira al sole- turn to the sun. Even art work on buildings like the York Farmer's Market.

So as Fall is upon, perhaps I will seek out more pictures and images of the lovely Sunflower for this 150!

NANA SAYS YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

New clothes, books, markers, lap tops- the kids are back to school with a bang. You made it as parents! Traffic for the worker bees is horrendous again! Buses delay all. So take your time. Get up a little earlier every day to accommodate. Make some new routines if the old ones did not work. September with the start of school is always an opportunity to review routines, habits, rituals. Nothing is engraved in stone. So change can be made just as easily as slipping into old ways.
Ask yourself these questions?
Do you enjoy getting up in the morning with your children?
What works? What doesn't?
Lunches- have you found some ways to organize and make them easier.
After school- again- what works? Snacks before dinner. What time is dinner?
Homework- how much and who really does it?
Night time family rituals. Lessons do get in the way but how to make them work around the family time.
Can you find 20 - 30 minutes before bed to quiet every one's energy and to say something good about everyone and yourself as a parent!
The first day of school becomes the first month, and so on and so on.
Make it work! No life is perfect but it can be enjoyable and manageable.

THE CANADIAN FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

As children, teens and university/college kids head back to school today across the country, there are certain rituals. Pictures of those little ones in their new clothes will be posted on Facebook, Instagram, Tweeted, Texted etc to family members galore. The first lunches are special because there has been a summer delay in making them. The backpacks are pristine. The pencils sharpened. The markers new and clean. The notebooks waiting to be used. Yes traffic is back. The school buses are back. The vacationing staff are back. The workplace revs up too. Hopefully every body's mood will be good and happy. September that new beginning of the school year. Back to the normal routines. Back to lessons and meetings and planning and evening classes. The first day of school with all the expectations of doing better and enjoying the year. Teachers brace yourselves!
#firstdayof school#teachers#backpacks#children#pencils#markers#notebooks

#56 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- 1917 WOMEN GET THE VOTE IN ONTARIO

Although women got to vote in Manitoba first in Canada in 1916, follwed by Saskatchewan and Alberta, woment in Ontario got to vote in 1917. 50 years after Confederation. Only 100 years ago. So the vote is an important part of democracy. Whatever the election, always get out and vote. Teach your children the importance of voting.

#55 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- THE CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION

As a child the CNE- in downtown Toronto on Lake Ontario- was the trip anticipated for the whole summer. Getting a free pass at the end of the school year, it was a coveted prize. Since 1879 it has pleased Torontonians and visitors. So a September 2, 2017 outing with one daughter and two grandsons.

At the east end the Princes Gate greets everyone. So many pictures taken under it, by it, in the arch way.

Yes straight through the arches and the EX is there!

Colourful signs for a huge variety of food everywhere.

And drinks!

Games!

And more games!

Many buildings- but of course the Food Building was still very popular! A delicious but messy porchetta sandwich and some poutine fries was my lunch.

In the Arts and Crafts Building we found the Quilt of Belonging.

It was showcased here in 2009 and has travelled around the country and world to return for this special 150 celebration. The Enercare Centre had lots of dealers and events. Every building housed something. Lots to see and buy!

The sky ride gave a good view of the EX and makes it easier to go from one end to the other.

150 signs everywhere!

The Dufferin Gate at the west end with the CN Tower visible to all.

Kids love signs and to be part of the memory!

The smells, the games, the crowds,  the memories and listen carefully the last weekend of the EX for the jets from the Air Show.
#CNE#foodbuilding#games#PrincesGate#CNTower#DufferinGate#150#Toronto#Ontario
#let'sgototheEx#fun#family#children#crowds