PUMPKINS ARE A FALL MUST IN CANADA

Oh Pumpkins are popping up everywhere. Big, little and in between. Some for decorating and others for pies.

Orange for fire and passion but also healing qualities. 

 All in a row.

 Fun to be silly with Fall vegetables.

A real pumpkin patch.
So pumpkins in pies and tarts and cupcakes are wonderful desserts this time of year.
#pumpkins#thecolourorange#pumpkinsfordessert#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#pumpkinsareafallvegetable.

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-FAMILY STORIES HELP SELF-ESTEEM

The whole notion of telling your children and grandchildren about their family history having a ripple effect on mental health is a good thing.
How many family historians are concerned family members will just ditch their stuff?
Well the theory now is knowing about your family and where you belong in the world have beneficial mental health consequences.
The biggest buzz word is enhancing a child's self-esteem.
Go figure.
Personally my family history journey started 35 years ago. Along with knowing my ancestors and digging deeper for their stories was my therapy.
The knowledge of what my ancestors experienced gave a greater understanding of the people I knew and me.
Knowing my roots gave a calming effect to my life. Knowing those people who gave me my gene pool gave a sense of belonging.
Children need to belong. So understanding their roots, their cultural base, their family members is a good thing.
So the next time someone poo poos your genealogical endeavors bring up these points. It's good for your self-esteem and that's that!!
#familystorieshelpselfesteem#genealogicalpursuitshelpmentalh#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro3writingthosefamilyhistorystories

CAN TOO MUCH CHANGE BE OVERWHELMING?

Change is inevitable. Life progresses and change comes along.
We age. Our children grow. People we love die. We work. We retire.
Our needs change. So we change.
The older one gets the more change is met!!
But are there days that could just be the same. Could there be a lull for change?
I don't know about you but having too much change can just be a pain in the butt. Used to a TV show on the same night is good. Predictable.
Having a coffee first thing in the morning. Even a morning routine to get the day started is a nice comfort for what the day may bring.
Having some sanity so life does not go in circles.
The old adage, change is as good as a rest does not always suffice. A rest in and of itself may be more than enough in this frenetic world!
What do you think? Do you like to change things? Do you like the status quo? Do you feel overwhelmed with too much change.Tell me your thoughts.

#change#canchangebeoverwhelming#doyoulikeroutines#rountineshelptostarttheday#themorningcoffeehelpstogetthedaygoing#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#somechangeisgoodbuthowmuch#

BOOMER BARBARA ROCKS RETIREMENT- SOME SEPTEMBER THOUGHTS

Retirement continues to be a transition for me. The editor of Good Times put a call out for thoughts about when to retire. So my email and thoughts were printed in that edition- October 2019. Knowing what I have to say was accepted.
I love the magazines Good Times and Zoomer. Ideas and thoughts for Seniors.Belonging to CARP- Canadian Association for Retired People comes with the subscription. Although one mag claims to include people 55 and older, I really can not see someone 55 enjoying the magazine. At that age one thinks they are still in their 40s.
I know I did not consider myself anywhere near being a senior then.
Actually I hid my age at work until I was almost at my retirement day. 68 and a half. I had enough ageism thrown my way without being told I should be retired.
So saying, yes I am a Senior came with some trepidation. I always have needed to keep up or be a head of people much younger than I. The workplace expected the experienced worker to do more and role model the younger workers and staff.
But in retirement the pace can be whatever I want to make it.
Retired people are more varied than the younger crowd. Some are world travelers while others are home bodies. Joining groups and clubs or home watching TV.
For me, the family responsibilities come first. So activities, interests, and work that can be done in the home setting has been my mantra. Little jaunts from home are doable. Travel is not.
So how is retirement going for you? Have you adjusted well? Do you prefer not working in a job? Have you found your own pace?

#retirementthoughts#boomerbarbara#retirementtakestimetoadjust#GoodTimesmagazine#Zoomermagazine#CARP#havingactivitiesinretirement#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#retirementaslowtransition

SEPTEMEBER-THE MONTH OF RECONNECTING AND RENEWAL

September brings the opportunity to begin again. Meetings, school, connecting with friends after the summer lull.
Time to preserve fruit and vegetables. I put some bags of tomatoes in the freezer and pickled some peppers.
Garden cleanup in progress.
Back to meetings and planning for the Fall and Christmas.
Writing has been slow as the physical activities take up so much time and effort.
Read two mystery books by Arlidge. And yes from the library. Trying to use it more instead of purchasing all the time.
Online genealogical webinars are ongoing and interesting.
Back to some genealogical research. However, writing up those family stories is a priority. Scanning pictures and documents is more cumbersome than one thinks. Methodical is my mantra.
Celebrating two family birthdays brought some fun times too.
So some little corners cleaned. Some organization of stuff done.
Time at home to spend with my husband.
How did your September go? Did you have any goals? Were you just enjoying the last days of summer and the first days of Fall?
#September#Septemberabusymonth#gettingthingsdonearoundthehouse#homewithhubbie#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#reading#crafting#organizingthegenealogystories#scanningphotosanddocuments

CLIMATE CHANGE FOR ALL

Watching the march in Toronto for Climate Change makes me smile. To see so many care about the earth is a good thing.
Everyone can play their part.
For me trying to reduce my carbon footprint.
My garden has many wild species of flowers so can be home to the birds and butterflies.
I try to recycle whatever I can. I find new homes for items no longer needed.
I walk as often as I can.
I try to use more natural products.
I will support the measures to reduce plastic in our environment.
I am not marching today but I am with everyone who is trying to make a difference for climate change action.
Remember to encourage tree planting everywhere. If not a tree then a bush or a flower.
#climatechang#reduceourcarbonfootprint#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE THANKFUL!!

I read an interesting little post today about being thankful every day.
Nice concept. But some days are full of woe or sickness or hardship. So the bad things can outweigh the good.
Even in bad times there can be something that is good.
Being thankful for the people that are around you in your life that help with the strain.
Being thankful for the health to care for a loved one.
Having a roof over your head. Food on the table. Money to pay for your expenses.
Having loved ones in your life.
So coming up to Thanksgiving in October the little post said to be thankful more than one time a year. Good concept. Finding life's blessings!!
So share. When do you give thanks? Who, what, how, where and when do you give thanks? Do you see the silver lining in a dark cloud? Or just the cloud?
#givingthanksinyourlife#beingthankfulthroughhardship#knowingwhentogivethanks#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THANKFUL FOR YEARS OF DANCING

Due to health issues, my husband and I do not dance together anymore.
We loved to dance. We took dance lessons in our youth so knew a variety of steps.
We would whirl around the dance floor. To Italian music, polka, waltz, slow, fast- you name it.
Dancing was so much fun.
A couple of years ago at a dinner/dance a photographer for the club captured us in a photo. It was the last time we danced together.
I photocopied that picture. It is a treasure of mine.
So rather than lament about not being able to dance together. I am thankful for the years we could dance together.
#dancing#yearsofdancingtogether#thelastdance#rememberingthegoodtimes#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CNE 1985- OLD PHOTOS ARE FUN

Organizing photos into categories. I found this stash of some photos from the CNE- Canadian National Exhibition from 1985.

Most of the photos are taken from the skyway ride.

Who can forget the Flyer? It was the scary roller coaster. Compared to those created today, it was quite tame.
#CNE#CanadianNationalExhibition#1985picturesoftheEX#skywayride#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#oldphotosarethebest

THE LAST TIMES CAN BRING SADNESS AND GRIEF

Life moves on. So sometimes without knowing it, it is the last time you will do something.
It could be the last time you will see someone.
For me, I remember the last dance I had with my husband. We were at a community dinner/dance. The photographer there actually took a picture of us. It was the last dance on a dance floor together. I miss dancing with my husband. We had so many years of fun dancing at events.
Family get togethers may have a last time with all the people.
Leaving a house, a job, a community may be the last time you see those people, shop at that store, go around that neighbourhood.
So can things be changed?? Not really. But can the moment be enjoyed? You bet!! Take pictures of it. Embrace it. Don't act bored with family- especially encouraging teenagers to enjoy it!!
It is hard to know when it will be the last time. So at every event act as if this could be the last time and value it.
Do you have memories of last times with someone? Do you try to embrace the moment? Do you have regrets about last times with someone? Do you wish you had embraced the moment more?
#lasttimesbringgriefandsadness#embracingthemoment#knowingitmaybethelasttimetogether#photographskeepmemoriesalive#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#gettingteenagerstoenjoythemoment

RECYCLING SOME FORMER POSTS

Recycling comes in many shapes. Reading some of almost 3000 posts, I realized some of my better work may be behind me. So I have started to recycle some of those posts.
The themes are there and important messages. I could just rewrite them as if they are new today but why not share the old ones.
Sometimes I surprise myself with my words of wisdom.
There are days when I try to come up with something to post that I am blank. So looking at old posts and pictures used gives me some encouragement.
I struggle now with trying to write every day. It seemed easier when I was working. I would wash, get my coffee, blog, get dressed, go to work.
My morning routine has changed. So I don't always get to my computer until later in the morning.
I have time to read emails, twitter and instagram so maybe I should post first then read that stuff.
Or read a book.
So a time for review and reposting will be my new norm too.
Use the old. Write the new.
I actually need to go out and about taking some new pictures. I find I am relying on my older pictures and years more and more. So get going with the camera for new photos may help too.
How about you? What are you recycling? Do you find that your best may be behind you??
#recycleoldposts#newandold#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#usingoldphotos#newmorningroutines#picturesformyblog#beingcreativewithphotography#usingoldideas

Reflective Thoughts by Barbara: EARLY MORNING- A TIME FOR RENEWEL

Reflective Thoughts by Barbara: EARLY MORNING- A TIME FOR RENEWAL: Each day brings a chance for renewel. New goals, new conversations, new hope! Mornings give us a chance to forge ahead! To look down the r...

Reflective Thoughts by Barbara: DON'T LOOK TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD

Reflective Thoughts by Barbara: DON'T LOOK TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD: Planning is good. But when faced with critical illness, one of the statements I use with patients is- don't look too far down the road. ...

Reflective Thoughts by Barbara: FAMILIES ARE LIKE FLOCKS OF GEESE

Reflective Thoughts by Barbara: FAMILIES ARE LIKE FLOCKS OF GEESE: Families are like flocks of geese. Sometimes one takes the lead, then moves over to let another do the job. They mate for life. They like ...

HAND WORK IS IT ART? CROCHETED DOILIES

I have some doilies that were shower and wedding presents 48 years ago.
A very Christian woman Carrie ( Caroline ) Read made them. She was part of the United Church Woman group enabling the making of beautiful quilts for sale. The money went back to the church.
She had been a farmer along side her husband Adam John. They are both buried in the Carrville Cemetery in Vaughan Ontario.
She also made crochet and knit goods.
I pulled out these doilies as I want to donate them to a local group that encourages sharing of archival items.
I washed them, dried then gave them a little press.

 Each one is different.

I think she must have made the outside motifs separately then added them to each other.

 The detail always amazes me.

 The daisy flowers are so pretty.

 Small ones for small places.

My favourite colour purple.

So reviewing these beautiful doilies. What do you think? Are they works of art? Could they be framed into a beautiful picture.?
#doiliesbyCarrieRead#suchavarietyofcrochetskills#doiliesasart#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#handworkisart#barbaradimambro

Reflective Thoughts by Barbara: A ROTTEN APPLE

Reflective Thoughts by Barbara: A ROTTEN APPLE: Spoils the barrel is a wonderful figure of speech. In reality a rotting apple if not taken from the bunch can spread mould and disease affe...

FAVOURITE SPRING AND SUMMER IMAGES 2019

Every year brings an array of photo opportunities. So what did the summer and spring bring?
I was not able to travel too far from home. However, there are some favourite images captured.

Those early beautiful spring flowers and trees.

Artifacts from the local Archives warehouse at the Town. Attended Doors Open Richmond Hill and discovered some new town facilities.

 The Heritage Centre.

 Presbyterian Church.

 The windows that adorn the church.

 The Manse for St. Mary's Anglican.

 The Old part of St. Mary's.

Stained glass windows are so beautiful

 My trip to Niagara on the Lake with my daughter.

 The grape vines in spring bloom.

 Pink images.

 Love those sayings.

 A salute to spring.

 Beds and beds of tulips in the town.

Cups and saucers.

Embracing construction on Yonge Street as the VIVA YRT is ongoing. Yeah right! Lots of noise and detours galore!!

Newmarket Quilt Show in April.

Quilts by The Creek at Black Creek Pioneer Village in July. A favourite annual event of mine!!

 Books read.

 My cozy outdoor corner.

Visiting butterflies on my flowers.

Oh the EX and being on Lake Ontario.

Yes my weights- my best friends when I walk.
So how about you? What are your favourite images of our spring and summer??
#photoimagesofspringandsummer2019#takinglotsofpictures#richmondhillphotos#quiltshows#flowers#butterfliesinmygarden#makingthemostofsmallevents#gettingaroundtown#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro