Decorating with snowmen can be fun.
I guess now we should call them snowpersons.
One of my granddaughter's favourite movies was Frosty the Snowman! I think we watched it a 1000 times. Even in the summer.
We had a Christmas quiz at work one time. Many questions were about the movie. Of course I had all the answers.
What do you like about snowmen??
#snowmen#snowpersons#decoratingwithsnowmen#havingfunwithsnowitems#frostythesnowman#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
10000
Who would have thought at the beginning of this COVID journey in early 2020 that Ontario would see 10000 die from it!
The pain of family and friends in losing a loved one is never easy.
No one wanted to be a statistic.
No one wanted a family member as a statistic.
To all that have lose a dear soul- know that we remember!
#10000diedfromcovidinontario#dyingfromcovid#lostsouls#aterriblemilestone#rememberingallthatwerelost#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
It can be pretty when sipping a warm drink from a comfy chair.
Driving in it sucks big time.
Walking in it along a path or sidewalk can be enjoyable.
Snow has many depths to it.
Children love to make snowmen or just roll around in it.
What are your feelings about snow?
#languageofsnow#rollingaroundinsnowlikethechildren#drivinginitsucks#partoftheCanadianexperience#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Christmas cards done.
Two parcels wrapped, addressed and good to go tomorrow.
Online shopping is a blessing. Parcels arrive with stuff.
Some wrapping done so it is moving along too.
Cashed in Optimum points for grocery items as well as goodies.
I have a system to do parcels and items farther from home. Then any last minute wrapping can be tissued and bags. Easy.
The first snowfall yesterday did not help. Getting used to winter driving and shoveling to soon.
But it is here so must grin and bear it.
How about you? How are your Christmas tasks moving along?
#christmaspreparations#gettingthejobdone#wrappingpresents#beingbusy#havingasystemandusingit#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
A birthday celebration today for a daughter.
Lots of pictures to post. Cake to eat.
Food.
A happy day.
A day remembering who is not with us to celebrate.
When I look at pictures of my children, I remember their birth, their childhoods, their weddings, babies born.
I remember sharing those times with Adolph. For him not to be here today celebrating with us is bittersweet. Sweet that we had him for so many celebrations. Bitter because he is not here to celebrate more.
Even when he was ill and could not go to the kids' homes, they brought the party to him.
So the good memories with the pictures to remind us of the good times actually keep the memories sweet!
Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter and joy to her family!
#birthdaycelebrations#rememberingthegoodtimes#missingthosenotwithusanymore#bittersweetmemories#keepingthecelebrationsreal#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
So many people with chronic and acute illnesses can try every solution to try to cure their illness.
There are wonderful treatment plans and medications for many, many illnesses. Go for it.
Get the treatment.
Get the surgery.
Do what you can!
Then there may come a time that there is no more treatment. No more surgery.
Living with the illness or disease.
Take your meds. Eat well. Exercise as much as you can.
To live out the rest of your life in dignity becomes the mantra.
Palliative care becomes the care for the end of life.
DNR- do not resuscitate. No CPR. No trying to revive.
Do you realize the literature shows us that people who stop active, aggressive treatment actually live longer?
They live longer. They still receive their medication. Antibiotics if an infection. Wound care for any skin wounds. Bloodwork if needed. Doctor. Any nursing care.
Life is more peaceful and livable.
If possible to be at home until the end without all the hoopla and noise of a hospital. No changes in nursing shifts, No annoying fellow patients.
Families and spouses that can keep their loved ones at home find it is more doable.
With appropriate community supports as needed, less care rather than more care will suffice.
Give the loved one as many choices and independence as possible. In their own space with their own things. Their own way.
Music. Fresh air. Natural light. Foods that are welcomed by the person. Activities. Personal interests. Touch. Love. Sex if doable.
Welcoming family and friends whenever or no visiting hours.
If home is not possible then the wonderful Palliative Care Units at hospital or community hospice homes.
Less is more. Less frustration. Less annoyance. Less needing to please others.
Dignity until the end.
#palliativecare#palliativeactuallyhelpsapersonlivelonger#getactivecarewhenneeded#stillgetnursingcareasneeded#DNR#donotresuscitate#nocpr#stillgetnormaltreatment#usecommunityresourcesasneeded#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Easy peasy.
I think back on how many items I would put around my house.
Just not the same motivation. But I do love Christmas and all the colour.
How do you decorate your house?
#stockingsmakefundecorating#lotsofcolour#christmashasomanythingstomakeitcheery#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Received my third shot today. Or some say a booster.
I am a great believer in vaccines.
I have my shingles shot, pneumonia shots and annual flu shot.
If I keep myself as safe as I can, I help to keep my family, friends and community as safe as I can.
Wear my mask.
Have always washed my hands.
Stay away from sick people. Otherwise keep your germs to yourself.
Like most Canadians tired of all the debate and hoopla given to the small minority protesting about masks and vaccines.
I am glad my family is sensible and doing what they can to be well.
Like I said many times- I had a polio vaccine at age 5 and for the last 67 years no polio!!
How about you? Are you tired of all the hoopla from the minority?
#vaccineswork#gladtodomyparttokeepmyselfwell#washyourhands#wearamask#keeptoyourowncompany#getyourflushot#bewiseimmunize#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
My three youngest grandchildren are booked for vaccines.
84,000 bookings yesterday for young children completed.
So anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers go away.
Do Not Spoil What Is a Joyous Day.
Many parents with children of varying ages have been on pins and needles waiting for this day.
I am happy for mine but for everyone else too.
We are in this together and want to get through it together.
#vaccinesforchildren#vaccineswork#gettingvaccinated#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
I go by homes and say beautiful when I see their lights.
My light display is just on my front window- inside so easy to put up and easy to take down.
Two trees decorated with lights.
How about you? Are lights important in your Christmas traditions?
#christmaslights#puttinguplights#twotreeswithlights#christmaslightstheway#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Since I have enough Christmas tree decorations for several trees, I started to do two artificial trees a couple of years ago.
So the LR/hallway tree is done.
Now for the bigger Family Room tree.
I love the lights on both trees. Make the house festive.
I have stopped putting every Christmas item I own out for display.
So the trees keep the house festive without over the top effort.
How are your Christmas preparations going?
#christmastrees#twotreesarefestive#decoratingthehouse#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#howareyourchristmasplansgoing
Hard to determine during COVID times how many people would attend.
But a moderate turnout. The vendors had beautiful items.
Again can not determine how much can be sold.
Sometimes people are in a buying mood and sometimes they are not.
Musicians were great. Young and old played for us. It made the Theatre resounds with life.
Saw some people I had not seen for awhile.
Good to be out with all COVID protocols in place.
Now to scan the photos, write up the day, look at ideas for the next newsletter.
The one for the Festival was a good first effort.
#artsfestival#firstnewsletter#lovingthearts#adayinnovember#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#writingthestory#beinghappywithagoodday
The Richmond Hill Arts Council is hosting its first Arts Festival.
Navigating through Covid rules has been challenging at the best of times.
But Saturday November 20th here we go.
As the rules changed as we went along, now 18 vendors and lots of planned activities.
As a board member of this group it has been a long planning process.
So here's to a good day.
#richmondhillartsfestival#richmondhillartscouncil#supportingtheartsinthecommunity#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#doyoulikethearts#doyousupportthearts#richmondhillhasmanytalentedpeople#ourcommunitysupportsthearts
Dealing with life's ups and downs we are often asked - how are you?
People usually expect- well thank you, great, everything is good, okay!
Well you know.
But sometimes we are not okay. And it is okay not to be okay!
Sometimes we feel like crap! And it is okay to feel like crap.
Saw something recently that said in this modern world where everything should be positive, okay not to view everything as positive.
So my answer most days now, is I am well enough. A little vague but it says it all.
Being a widow means everyone wants me to be great. To be doing okay. To be enjoying life.
Why?
It makes them feel better. They do not have to reach out because I am great.
But I am not great. Busy. Have wonderful family. Routines. Purpose in my day. I smile at a positive story. I laugh sometimes at something that is funny.
So my answer again is I am well enough! Take it from my answer what you want!!!
So are you well enough ?
#wellenough#notgreat#okaynotobeokay#youcanfeellikecrapifyouwantto#howareyoutoday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Some shopping and wrapping are done.
Of course most of the kids want money or gift cards so I try to get a few presents to wrap.
Only two out of town parcels and they are almost ready.
Pulling out big Christ decorations as I just do not feel like putting our every little item I have this year.
I will not be doing the letters to the Troops but will send an email in a week or two.
No family Christmas newsletter. I will write something in some cards but not all.
With no Christmas parties and bazaars and community events there are little social events to attend.
So phone calls and connections in other ways.
Of course my immediate family will be visiting and I will go to them.
So to decorating and baking and cleaning come all!
And to all a good Christmas preparations!!
#chirstmaspreparations#gettingtotheseason'sdemands#shoppingforChristmas#wrappingforChristmas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Posts on Facebook.
Services.
Ottawa with its poppies that are illuminated.
The Elora project with knitted and crocheted poppies lining the church.
And the list goes on.
Honouring our veterans past and present.
Remember.
Lest we Forget!
#remembranceday2021#remembering#amomentofsilence#eloraproject#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
I wrote and posted this story November 10, 2013 to this blog. I wanted to share the story again.
Adolph and I visited Italy in August 1991. I wrote this story several months later and tried to have it published- to no avail.
My Story
Sometimes it takes a trip abroad to discover a Canadian sense of self. While touring the local sites in my husband's hometown of Cassino, Italy, south of Rome last summer we visited the three war cemeteries in the area. They are entitled the Polish, the German and the English cemeteries.
During World War Two, the Germans had established two main lines of defense- the Gustav and Hitler lines to check the Allies from advancing to Rome. During April and May 1944, there was major fighting in the area culminating with the bombing of the Benedictine Monastery on Monte Cassino. It was imperative to secure that location as it had a strategic vantage point overlooking the Liri Valley. Once captured it allowed the Allies an open road to Rome. On may 16, 1944 the First Canadian Corps received orders to advance on the Hitler line six miles up the Valley. The attack began May 23. Frosinone, the capital in the Lazio region was occupied by May 31. the Canadian campaign came to an end in the area as the Allies advance to liberate Rome.
As we visited each cemetery, we noted the varying locations. the Polish cemetery is located near the Abbey where they had secured the Cassino position and the Monastery on May 18, 1944. The Polish General who died several years after the War requested to be buried with his troops. The German cemetery is located in the Valley with triple graves of soldiers as there were just too many to bury. Rows and rows of young men, which makes it difficult to picture them as an enemy now.
Our last visit was he English cemetery or really the British Commonwealth one. Walking into the cemetery, I read the signs, inscribed on the two walls which state.
" WITHIN THIS CEMETERY STAND MONUMENTS WHICH BEAR THE NAMES OF THE SOLDIERS OF THE BRITISH COMMONWEALTH AND EMPIRE WHO FELL IN ASSAULTS UPON THE SHORES OF SICILY AND ITALY OR IN LATER BATTLES TO FREE ITALIAN SOIL AND TO WHOM THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED A KNOWN AND HONOURED GRAVE. AROUND THEM ARE THE GRAVES OF THIE COMRADES WHO DIED FIGHTING IN THESE PARTS TO OPEN THE WAY TO ROME AND THE NORTH."
The other wall bears this inscription.
"THE LAND ON WHICH THIS CEMETERY STANDS IS THE FIT OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE FOR THE PERPETUAL RESTING PLACE OF SAILORS, SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN WHO ARE HONOURED HERE."
The Canadian section was quite large and distinguishable by the Maple Leaf adorning the top of each stone. It is one small cemetery of many in 74 countries that honour the 109,980 Canadians who died in the First and Second World Wars.
I began to read the names of the men of the regiments of the First Canadian Corps. From Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, West Nova Scotia, Quebec, British Columbia, Ontario, Special Services. The Engineers and more places, were all resting in peace. What overwhelmed me were the dates in April, May. How many had fallen together. Comrades in Life. Comrades in Death!
My Canadians! Our Canadians! Tears and emotion overcame me. I left my companions as I did not want them to see my tears. I continued to walk amongst the rows wanting a glimpse of each stone. I felt I owed them; to acknowledge their being, their worth. Young men, mostly in their teens, their twenties, their thirties, who were denied a life that only those in middle age and older can appreciate that death in youth really has no rewards.
Buy why was I crying? I felt a sense of pride. Those men fought for us, our freedom They believed in a grater cause. I felt a sense of anger the realization that if every politician and General would visit the cemeteries of the previous war, perhaps we could try to find alternatives.
I felt a sense of sadness. Those men were sons, brothers, husbands, fathers, friends. They were missed at home. They did not chose that resting place.
I remembered. An uncle had fought in Italy. A family friend went through there. Were those men their comrades?
A famous Canadian John McCrea wrote a poem on the battlefield during World War One.
I have transcribed it here.
IN FLANDERS FIELDS
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you, from failing hands we throw
The torch: be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.
This poem is read and recited at most Remembrance services across Canada. John McCrae did not return home from the war but his reflection is a continual reminder to us all!
#flandersfields#johnMcrae#worldwarone#flandersfield#remembrance#wearapoppy#honourthosewhoserved#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
In our immediate family, we were fortunate not to lose just one person in the two world wars.
Ernie Ellis served in World War One.
Antonio Di Mambro in World War One. Died in 1918.
Ellie Park served in World War Two.
Parkin Alton served in World War Two.
Jim Ward in two Afghanistan missions.
Remembering the service and thanking them is always an important family gesture.
So thank you!
Oh we had a family friend Amy Evans who served in England for Canada. It is where she met her husband Jack.
#warservice#sayingthankyou#ernieellis#parkinalton#elliepark#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
I hoped that there would be a service in Richmond Hill today. There will be one - a small one on the 11th.
So looking through my pictures, I do have some from 2018.
It is a service I attended for years. So maybe I will go on Thursday to the small service.
#remembranceday#rememberingourveterans#honouringourservicemenandwomen#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Banners are visible throughout Richmond Hill of residents who served. Families donate the banners for their loved ones.
I took these photos in 2019. They are not all the banners on Yonge Street in Richmond Hill. I do need to capture the remaining ones.
I noticed Aurora has their banners out as well.
We had family that have served. No one in my family died during any war. My husband had a grandfather that died in World War One.
#richmondhillveterans#bannershonouringtheveterans#familypayforthebanners#yongestreethasthebanners#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
