WORRIED ABOUT COVID -19- WASH YOUR HANDS

Yes there will be more cases. People will be sick then they will get better.

Be vigilant but do not be silly.

The normal precautions prevail.

If you think you are sick, get a health care professional to assess you. Most people will be monitored at home. It is the best place.

Just like a cold or flu bug or whatever.

Take a deep breath and do not panic.

Do not stay away from your life. Healthy outdoor activities are good for the soul.

If an indoor activity, practice good hygiene habits.
We will get through this.
#covid19#practicegoodhygienehabits#donotstopliving#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#fearisthebiggestchallenge#bethereforeachother#getahealthcareprofessionaltoassessyouifyouareafraidyouhavesomething#covid-19

LEAP YEAR- AN EXTRA DAY

In 4, one day more. So being a Leap Year, we are given that extra day in February. I like it.

I find the winter months do go quickly. I like the time to take some winter pictures.

If winter is embraced, then it does not seem so long until Spring. We do not waste our lives wanting it to be over.

I like the opportunity to do indoor stuff. Get projects started and others finished.

Watch movies. Read. Write. Have a good nap.

Eat soups and oven roasts.

Hot or cold drinks. Hot chocolate. Chilled white wine.

So tomorrow begins another month. But this blogger will enjoy the last day of February.
What are your plans?
#february#leapyear#embracethewinter#lotstodoindoors#lotstodooutdoors#drinkahotbeverage#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FEAR IS A HUGE AND DETRIMENTAL MOTIVATOR

CORVID 19, a blizzard, rail disruption, teachers' strikes are not good for us. Our soul. Our pocket book.

Fear reigns when there are media concerns and crisis.

Look at the Stock Markets. Fear reigned over the Corona virus.

So stop and examine your own fears.

Told to be ready Canadians for any outbreak of the Virus.

So what did I do but buy some extra products. Stock up we are told.

However remember the 2000 fear of all the computers melting down.

History tells us that there will be up and down days.

So decide how to deal with all that is happening. What can you do as an individual? Do it then forget about panic?

Support your Chinese community. Support all communities.

Be wary but do not withdraw from others.

Remember wash your hands. Practice good hygiene.

Fear makes us crazy. It makes us self centered. It makes us stay concerned about others.

Remember under the snow the spring bulbs are waiting. So under your fear, look for the positives. Be around people who offer calm and support. Talk about your fears. Get it out. Share with loved ones. Be proactive and do what you can, then let it go.Great to be prepared but it is impossible to cover every scenario. Life will happen no matter how much fear we have.
What do you fear today? What are you doing to calm your soul?
#fear#fearisahugemotivator#howtodealwithyourfears#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#stayingcalmduringfearfultimes#springbulbsareareminderthatthereishope#Canadiansaretoldtobereadyforthevirus#Corvid19

DOES THE AVERAGE CANADIAN HAVE ENOUGH STOCKS FOR A QUARANTINE- YOU BET

We are being advised to be ready for a potential quarantine with the COVID 19 situation.

So I reviewed my stocks.

Enough pasta for 2 months. Lots of toilet paper.

Variety of canned goods. Some frozen veggies and fruit.

Variety of coffee.

ETC.

Well let's face it! The average Canadian buys in bulk most of the time. If the item is on sale, buy 4.

Anyway with all the home grocery deliveries and prepared food and those companies that prepare the food and you cook- well most of us would be in good shape.

Medication and diapers and formula may need some attention.

But leaving food at the end of the driveway for anyone confined to quarters is allowed.

Bottom line, do not panic. Have a family game plan.
Yes wash your hands. Sneeze or cough into your sleeve. Stay home if sick. And yes wash your hands.

Look at Newfoundland it's the snow that would get you anyway!!
#stockupforaquarantine#keepyourhomewellstocked#don'spanicifquarantined#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SNOW DAYS ARE SOUP DAYS

Nothing tastes better than a hot bowl of soup when the weather is challenging.

Lately buying endive for that famous wedding soup. Or like my mother-in- law called it Sunday Soup.

When I had asked her why did she call it Sunday Soup. Duh! It was the soup she made on Sunday. she used to used the broth made from the boiled chicken stock.

My modern version is a box of Campbell's Chicken broth. Blanche the endive in boiling water separately. Add some ground beef balls or I chopped up some frozen meatballs bought from a hockey fund raising to the chicken soup.
Chop up the endive adding to the boiled chicken broth. I also add some of the endive water for flavour. Voila!

Parmesean cheese on top adds some more taste to a a good dish of it.

Of course, there are canned soups to use as well.
Enjoy your snow day with some soup.
#souponasnowday#sundaysoup#weddingsoup#soupmadeeasy#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SNOW SHOVELING IS GOOD EXERCISE IN CANADA

So I tell my self as I am dressing to go out and shovel the driveway.

It is a little heavy so will take my time. I push the snow. Not lifting.

I do have a small snow blower I can use if needed.

The street where I live. Yes covered in snow. I wish I could use that snow plow.
How about you? Are you shoveling snow today?
#seniorshovelingsnow#lotsofsnowinCanadatoday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BOOMER BARBARA ROCKS RETIREMENT-DOWNSIZING DILEMMAS

Over the last couple of years, I have been purging on my way to downsizing one day.

I just read two more articles on tips for downsizing today. Yeah same old tips.It often reads like bad boomers for having too much stuff.

Along with family members, I did help clean out my parents' home. So I know the work involved.

The younger generation will not want my stuff or your stuff so we are told.

But I am a believer in history. What is old sometimes becomes new again?

Little trinkets from ancestors may become treasures to someone.

Okay no one wants a house full of stuff but a few little things may be important to someone.

Photos usually are a keeper. But lots of albums, maybe not. So this boomer does scan and save and often posts those photos on Facebook, or email to family members.

If writing a family story, includes those photos in the story lines. Then others have copies but not the originals.

I have boxes of letters to review and perhaps share with family members in time.

Many household items have been downsized already.

I am reviewing my genealogical resources and have already donated to the History room at my local library.

I have made 6 storage boxes to put stuff in for well my 6 grandchildren of little trinkets, photos, memorabilia etc. This way my daughters do not have to sort all my stuff after my death. Nana has given things to my little pumpkins already. However, the boxes need some much needed organization. Right now I have put stuff there. They are manageable boxes so not a lot can be put into them so they do not become another place to throw stuff.

Some furniture items are gone already. I am still looking for homes for other things I know I will not move.

As we all know stuff does have an emotional attachment. It was accumulated for one reason or another. Sometimes just because we have room for it. Easier to put somewhere than get rid of it.

So this boomer will plod away. Hopefully some of my stuff can be sold. Or maybe a family member will want it.
#downsizingisemotional#accumulatingtakesalifetime#willanyonewantmystuff#whattokeepforthegrandchildren#photosareakeeper#photoalbums#takingtimetopurge#downsizingdilemmas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

5 DAILY ROUTINES FOR THE RETIRED PERSON

Being retired, means more time on one's hands.
Easy to do it later. So what are some ideas to keep life meaningful.

1. Get up early. Do not sleep longer.

2. Get washed, dressed, groomed. Look smart for the day. Clean track pants and a nice top work.

3. Make your bed. Have a neat bed. The rest of the room does not matter. The accomplishment of one task done.

4. Make that coffee or tea. Think about the meals for the day. Take food out of the freezer. Or using the slow cooker to have the meal on the go. I love my pasta sauce and the aroma in the house.

5. What needs to be done in the day. Grocery shopping. Picking up medication from the Pharmacy. Buying lottery tickets. Put out the garbage. Yes use lists. Works for me.Call a friend. Go out for lunch. Attend a meeting.

With simple routines, move on to the meaningful activities of the day.

Being retired can be a big time waster. So use your time wisely.

What are your routine activities? How do you get started for the day?
#5dailyroutinesfortheretiredperson#beingretiredisatimewaster#makethatbed#planyourmeals#dothoseerrands#whatneedstobedonetomakethedaymeaningful#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BOOMER BARBARA ROCKS RETIREMENT- HAVING MEANINGFUL DAYS

Retirement has been a learning curve. Filling days with meaningful activities that replace work is always a challenge for retirees.

Yes I know many retired people claim they are busier than when working. I think that is crap.

Replacing a 10 hour work week- 8 hour day and travel/preparation time is the fact.

There are always normal daily routines that keep us all busy. But being busy may not be meaningful to everyone.

For example, I do have more time to do more housework. I can keep areas of the house neater.
For an intelligent woman that is not enough. A cleaner house. Big deal. So I keep my working cleaning schedule. I am not going to vacuum every day just because I am home. I am not going to make the happy homemaker my main role. Boring and boring again.

So what brings meaning.

Social outings and connections. Time with my husband and family and friends.

Reading more books. Trying to read anything and everything. Magazines like the Walrus, Canadian Living, Zoomer, Good Times as well as home renovation/decorating ideas. Of course the Internet is in my face with the streaming of so much information

I like reviewing what articles magazines publish. Does it give me some areas to submit my writing?

Crafts. Finishing projects in a timely fashion. I have different craft projects at different locations. Panels of a wall hanging by my computer to do while I watch a movie or documentary on Prime. A knitting or crocheting project in the family room while I watch TV with my hubbie. The trick for me if my hands are busy than I do not go to sleep while watching something.

Writing and more writing.

Research. The tedious work like City Directories for ancestors takes time but retired I have that kind of time. Newspaper research. Ditto. Tedious but have yielded some gold nuggets for my family stories. I like researching better than actually writing up the information. Remember genealogical articles and family stories are not creative process. They are methodical and must meet genealogical standards to be worth their weight in salt.

Fortunately many projects and activities can be done from home. God Bless the Internet and all the Facebook groups that provide information. Especially those Genealogy Groups. Places to post my articles and research so it is in la la land in case my computer decides to crash.

Yes I will write some more articles for Genealogy branch newsletters. My bug though is the amount of editing that needs to be done to satisfy the editor of the newsletter. When I post to my blog or facebook group, I can post a first final draft and to several locations. Then if I want to submit to a newsletter, I can edit and send a second final draft. I find the writing and compiling all the research is very cumbersome. So just getting it done, post then revise later works for me. Besides it is a family story. Not a submission for a Giller award. Since I have had some responses to those articles that have helped with my research and  brick walls, I would rather send out the article to the world. For me moving along in my family lines is the bottom line as well as providing stories for family.

Am I rocking retirement? Sort of!
#retirementandallitsupsanddowns#writingfamilystories#postingfamilystories#genealogy#crafts#finishingprojects#workingonprojects#socialconnectionsandoutings#readingmorebooks#researchisfun#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#meaningfulactivitiesnotjustbusy

BACKYARD CANADIAN WINTER IMAGES 2020

 Being home comes with the boredom of lack of photography opportunities. So after the recent snowfall, I decided to venture around my yard for some winter images.

 Wind sprayed snow on a fence.

 The barbecue patiently waiting for warmer weather.

 Branches showing the thickness of the snow.

 Summer pots.

 All trees covered in winter white.

A flower pot with bulbs waiting for the spring bloom.
Yes I would love a true drive in the country or an overnight somewhere. But the old adage a bird in the hand or should I say a camera can capture those images wherever they can be found.
#winterimages#takingpicturesinthebackyard#stayinghomeandtryingtomakethemostofit#missinggreatphotoopportunities#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

I SURVIVED THE SARS QUARANTINE IN 2003

SARS was a big scare in 2003. Like the 2019-2020 Corona virus there were lots of fears.

So I was working at York Central Hospital ( rebranded to Mackenzie Health) in Richmond Hill March 2003.

The first SARS patient came through our Emergency Department. I was working a Crisis shift and probably walked right by the patient.

March 27 2003

The hospital was one of two GTA hospitals closed. Grace was the other one.

We had patient zero.

I received my call at home. Given instructions on what to do.

We were put on work to home to work quarantine. We were wanted to come to work in case anyone was infected..

Given thermometers to take our temperature several times daily. Stay a safe distance from family members. Wash hands often. Use separate towels. Do not sleep in the same bed. Report any signs of fever, stuffed nose etc. Mostly do not leave the house other than to come to work. No being in the community. Staff obeyed those rules.

My married daughter and spouse were asked not to visit- it was part of the quarantine. No visitors other than immediate family members. In my case, my husband and younger daughter.

We reported to work through a big tent where our temperature was taken and health questions asked. We wore masks that made us all look like ducks as well as yellow gowns and gloves.
When I returned home, stripped my clothes, straight to the washing machine.

Wearing a mask all day actually gave a low grade headache by the time the shift was over.

There were daily memos on the progress of SARS. Local TV had daily reports from Health Professionals mostly in Public Health.

Work sucked. There was little to do. The Emergency Department gave their area a super clean. Not having patients was hard.

8 staff were infected from the initial exposure and were treated in a special unit along with any other infected people. They all recovered.

Since the hospital was closed and no visitors were allowed, staff were asked if they wanted to visit patients to give some company. Families could come to the property and wave at their loved ones looking out windows. They could phone but not see the patients personally.

Then 10 days after the initial closing, there was an expectation there would be a boom in infected staff. It did not happen.  The Quarantine worked. Or probably staff were not infected. Remember we are talking about 1800 staff at the time.

Most doctors stayed away. But two psychiatrists came to the hospital regularly with treats for their staff.

What did happen was the fear. One nurse reported her children were taunted at school because her mother worked in the hospital.

A local video store was fearful their returned movies would have SARS on them.

Downtown Toronto where SARS did not happen experienced a down time.

It was a hospital borne infection. Once people knew what to do it was contained.

Quarantines work.

SARS was the huge learning curve. Our hospital created negative pressure rooms. Mask fitting became a staff requirement for not only hospitals but many work environments. We had to be tested after SARS every two years and wear the number on our name tag in case of any outbreak.

It was transmitted through droplet. Like a cold. Like a flu.

So hand washing. Sneeze into a tissue or sleeve. Cough into a sleeve. If sick stay away from others.

Even now, just be very vigilant of staying away from others who are sick with anything.
Old people, chronically ill and babies are more vulnerable. So if you have a cold, stay away from them. And wash your hands. Have hand sanitizer in your home and purse. Wash your fruit and vegetables. Clean any home surfaces that visitors may touch if worried.

Are you aware more people in Canada will die from a flu virus??

I know the people on the Cruise ship that will now have to go through another quarantine period are ticked. They will return to Canada and have 14 more days. But think about it. They will be monitored. They will be allowed to go outside. If any become sick, they will be treated immediately with good Canadian health care. Hopefully their workplaces will give them proper sick leave.

Fear prevails. Fear makes us crazy.

If you not sick, you do not need a mask. It just makes you touch your face more often.

Some of my habits did not change after SARS. I would change my clothes as soon as I came home from work up until my retirement. Who knew if I carried little germs with me? Especially after the grandchildren were born. No germs on Nana's clothes.

Always got a flu shot. Got the H1N1 shot. I think I was third in line at the hospital. The double dose Shingles shot. A pneumonia shot. Practice good hygiene myself. Wash my hands. Sneeze or cough into my sleeve. If I am sick, I stay away from others.

If you are afraid, then practice those good habits. If going to public places, go when less crowded.

Not sure how long this Corvid19 will be here with us.

But think of those who have recovered, what can we learn from them.

Condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

We will get through this.
#survivalofaSARSquaratine#Corvid19#fearisourgreatestenemy#yorkcentralclosedduringSARS#survivingacrisis#worktohometoworkquarantine#publichealthruled#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SUPPORTING OUR CHINESE COMMUNITY DURING THE COVID 19 SCARE

The Corona Virus or now called Covid19 has caused havoc in our Chinese and other Asian communities in Toronto and the GTA.

People are staying away from restaurants and stores. Fear. The chances of getting the virus from non-infected people is not there. Businesses are suffering

But fear prevails.

So Adolph and I had Chinese food from our favourite Chinese Food restaurant for Valentine's Day. Choice of the Orient in Richmond Hill.
Choice of the Orient

It is one small gesture. To support the community.

It was not difficult as we do love their food and have been a customer for over 30 years. But it just seemed the right thing to do.
What can you do to support the Chinese community? What can you do to keep safe and not live in fear?
#coronavirus#corvid19#eatingchinesefood#supportingtheChinesecommunity#notlivinginfear#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FAMILY DAY IN ONTARIO 2020

Created not long ago to have a long weekend in February. So Family Day was invented. Other provinces call it another name.

Some places are open while others are closed. We can get the mail but not buy booze at the LCBO.

When retired, long weekends have little credence. It is just another Monday. So I was up bright and early to start my work week. I call my writing and projects my work. It gives me some focus. I know it is a little nerdy.

Hopefully we may have a visit from our oldest grandchild. She wants to spend some time with us.

Spending time with family. Doing family activities.But every day should be family day. If you know someone who does not have a family adopt that person. Include that person in some family events throughout the year.
So what are you doing for family day!
#familydayinontario2020#familydayactivities#havingfunwithfamilyonfamilyday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ANOTHER DAY OF TEACHERS' STRIKE-CAMP NANA IS OPEN

Luckily being retired allows me to assist my working daughters and spouses when needed.

The teachers' strikes have been very stressful for all working parents.

Being able to spend time with the grandchildren is important at any time.

So Camp Nana is open.
Hope you and yours in Ontario have the help you need today.
#teachers'strike#CampNana#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

LET'S HOPE FOR GOOD OSCAR ACCEPTANCE SPEECHES AND NO PONTIFICATING

I used to love watching awards show. But all the politics and pontificating has turned me off.

To see an elite group of people at an elite event for good work in their chosen categories can be fun and interesting.

The gowns. The songs. The jokes. Talk about the film and your role in the film.

Accept your award with dignity and grace. Thank everyone you can in the time slot given before being played off the stage.

I am a believer if you really care about a cause then do something about it. But to talk publicly at one event then go off to an expensive dinner and the cushy life does nothing for me.

Awards shows are about the awards being honoured.

If sports then talk about sports.

If it is the Noble Peace Prize then it may be okay to be political. I guess.

But celebrities really think that their two minutes of pontificating really reaches people. It does not.

Actions and being there in the trenches does After the show and into the next year.

What do you think? Do you like all the political talk at events? Do you watch for the fluff? Do you have favourite films you want to win?
#stoppontificatingwhenwinning#awardsshowscanbedull#acceptyourawardwithdignity#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DR. LI WENTIANG-CORONAVIRUS ADVOCATE DIES- RIP

Dr. Li Wentiang the Wuhan doctor who advocated to bring awareness to the Virus he saw in the hospital in Wuhan. Reprimanded by his government and made to feel like a warmonger.

He died February 5, 2020. Age 34.

He is a hero. He was an amazing health care professional. He tried to save lives. He lost his own.

Rest in Peace.

May we always honour health care professionals who do their jobs well. May we honour them for trying to perform their duties to the best of their ability. He cared about people.
#coronavirus#WuhanChina#Dr.LiWentiangdies#tooyoungtodie#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NANA SAYS THERE ARE LOTS OF GOOD AND CREATIVE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD

Okay we all know about Greta and her mission to bring the effects of Climate Change to our consciousness. I really hope she wins the Nobel Peace Prize.

But every day, either on Twitter or Instagram or Facebook I see cute and smart young people doing kind and decent acts.

Today. A child making bows for dogs in shelters to help them get adopted.

The number of schools and children that wrote letters to our Military personnel serving overseas.

If a request goes out for someone, young people encouraged by parents and teachers are doing those tasks or writing those cards or making some Art.

Talking to children about what they can do in a small way to help change the world is an ongoing process.

What role do we have as parents and grandparents? Set an example.

Firstly be a kind person every day to people

Secondly have manners.

Thirdly get the children involved in any activities. An easy one. Let them help you pick items for the local food bank.

Fourthly- well you think of some ideas or ask the children in your life for ideas.
#youngpeoplearegoodandcreative#acknowledgechildren'sefforts#encouragingchildrentothinkofothers#helpingchildrentobehelpful#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THE MORNING ROUTINE AND ALL ROUTINES KEEP US GROUNDED

Daily routines take the pressure away of needing constant creativity.

Getting up at the same time most days. Hygiene routines. Morning coffee. Duties for family.

Some gets done the night previously to get the morning rush well less rushed.

For children, knapsacks packed by the door.

If one wonders why travelling may cause stress, it takes away the morning routine.

During the day, there are other routines. In a work environment, morning rounds or meetings. Check the emails and phone voice mails. Respond in a timely fashion. Check the calendar for the day's events. Check the week's events.

A meaningful life comes with meaningful activities. Most of the time. But some routine activities are the most do jobs. Like emptying the dishwasher. Laundry with its layers of work. Lugging recycling bins to the curb weekly.

Writing. The ideas. The actual writing.Review and rewrites.

Crafts. The creativity of the project. Doing the craft. Finishing the craft.

Exercise. Figuring what exercise for what day. Doing the exercise. I miss my warm weather power walks so struggle with finding an indoor one that gives me pleasure.

Reading. Keeping a supply of books to be read. Either bought, borrowed or from the Library. If a daily reading time nice to finish one and have another one handy. Newspapers are easy. Or reading the daily stuff on the Social Media feeds.

Social time. What events and with whom. Staying connected. Our older daughter phones us every morning on her way to work. Even modern texting is an easy way to be informed and keep in touch with friends and family.

Routines are not engraved in stone. They can be changed as needed. But they do keep us grounded.

Getting tasks done make room to get more done. Just ask someone with clinical depression. Getting started can be difficult. So encouraging the routine for those individuals to get started is a good thing.

Retirement brings its struggles. There is no rush so often less is done. But the routines are the solution. A feeling of doing brings a feeling of being. Many retired people find the days can be long so what brings meaning varies for each person. Then there are the super busy retirees who have to be going somewhere constantly.

My spouse watches his game shows. He feels like he may be a loser. I remind him that those shows have been around for decades so there must be a few million others watching them too. Besides when questions can be tough like on Jeopardy, there is some learning occurring. A routine. An after dinner routine that challenges the mind. And keeps him awake.

So thinking about your routines. What brings you pleasure? Or are you in robot mode just getting things done to get to your pleasure? Quite frankly one of the reasons I love getting up in the morning is to have my cup of hot coffee. Those first sips- well a simple pleasure of life!!
#morningroutine#routineskeepusgrounded#routinescanleadtomorepleasurableactivities#readingcanbearoutine#writingcanbearoutine#socialtimeisneededforapositivelife#exerciseisagooddailyroutine#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#fendoffclinicaldepressionwithsomedailyroutines#gettingtasksdonehelpsusfindameaningfullife#whatareyourmorningroutines#whatareyourdailyroutines

TODAY'S PALINDROME- 02/02/2020

So a palindrome is a number forwards and backwards.

Feb. 2, 2020.
02/02/2020

Interesting. Kinda of cool isn't it.
#palindrome#02/02/2020#Februarynumbers#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FEBRUARY 2- GROUND HOG DAY IN CANADA AND US

Ontario has its Wiatron Willie. Other parts of North America have their little ground hogs that are supposed to predict how close Spring will be.

Wiarton is a sweet, quaint and historic town in Bruce County.

Lovely old houses.

On the water of a bay of Lake Huron.

Monument to Willie.

An old Fire Engine in town.

I just love these old homes with the lattice trim.

A sunset in the area near Georgian Bay.
Lots to see and do with The Georgian Bluffs and The Bruce Trail
For today everyone is wondering if Willie will see his shadow.
#WiartonWillie#WiartonOntario#seeinghisshadow#historichomes#abeautifulpartofOntaro#beenthereacoupleoftimes#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro