MARCH CAME IN LIKE A LION AND GOING OUT AS ONE

 March has been cooler than it should be.

Going out like a lion means that April may be chiller than normal.

Some yard work done but just a little.

I have been checking for spring flowers but only the snowdrops have poked their pretty little heads from the ground.

Leaving the brush on the gardens is good for the bees and little bugs. So just clipping and will rake later in the Spring.

Looking forward to being outside more.

How about you? Are you ready for the outdoors again? Or have you been outside all winter?

#endofmarch#springflowers#lookingforwardtowarmerweather#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

POEMS BY BARBARA SET A MOOD IN TIME

 I used to write poems a lot in my youth and early 20s.

Then not so much.

So today I found three that I will share here.

Angels in the Snow

As I watched the snowflakes

          gently drift to the ground.

I thought of angels in the snow.

The inner joy of laying on Virgin snow

         Waving arms and legs creating those white angels.

I wonder if the real ones watch?

January 8, 1994

Be Kind

Go out of your way to be kind.

Give until it hurts the United Way slogan reads.

Why kind?

To make the world a better place.

To make my world a better place.

Does it give meaning in a manner that nothing else replaces.

Kindness, thoughtfulness-meaning, a way of life.

Purposeful, meaningful, just plain nice. Can my epitaph read- just plain nice.

What's wrong with being nice?

Why does it raise contempt in others? Why does it hurt to be nice?

Why nice guys finish last or do they?

Perhaps they just stand aside to let others pass because the need to be number one is not paramount in their lives.

It's nice to let others go first, it's nice to bring joy to others.

It brings joy to oneself.

So do we finish last, if the last smile is ours.

Kind, it's okay to be kind.

June 29, 2011

BIRTHDAY CAKE

WE HAVE A BIRTHDAY

A CAKE

BLOW OUT THE CANDLES

OH-MAKE A WISH

TIME TO CELEBRATE

DON'T WAIT

THE TICKING CLOCK

STOPS FOR NO ONE

JANUARY 27, 2021

#poemsbybarbara#wirtingpeotrytoexpresssomethoughts#angelsinthesnow#birthdaycake#beingkind#threepoesonaTuesdayafternoon#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DOES ANYONE ELSE HATE SELF SERVE?

 A local Walmart now only has self serve.

I had to do my own checking at Shoppers this morning as the clerk was nowhere to be found.

I hate it.

Years ago we had to learn to pump our own gas.

The bank wants us to use the ATM for withdrawls and pay all our bills online through etransfer.

Maybe I just like to get some service from a real person.

Nice to greet someone and exchange minimal pleasantries.

The human touch.

I can not wait to get back to inperson meetings. The zoom thing has worn thin.

Have to register. Then wait to be admitted. And hope my computer does not kick out on me like it does so many times.

To go to a meeting when I feel like it and talk to people in person. Yeah!!

How about you? Do you like self serve? Do you like personal service?

Self service sucks!!

#selfservesucks#Ihateselfserve#doyoulikepersonalservice#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SPRING-TIME FOR TRANSITIONS

 Warm

Cold.

Snow flurries

Rain.

Wear your shoes.

Wear your boots.

Spring is that time to be very flexible.

As we transition from colder weather to iffy weather it can be hard to determine what to wear.

When to put the coats and boots away.

It is a good time to clean out closets. I did some sorting. 4 bags to be given to some charity.

Started yard work. Goal. Clip 100 plants or branches daily. Easy goal to obtain.

Oh those Spring transitions.

The spring plants manage to emerge even with snow on them.

How are you managing the spring transition?

#spring#transitionfromwinter#warmandcold#yardworkalittleatatime#wearingshoesthenboots#howtoadjusttothenewseason#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DID COVID TEACH EVERYONE THE SAME LESSONS-I THINK NOT

 Isolation in the beginning. Physical distancing was doable. Just walking away from people on sidewalks etc.

Masks. Not in your own home but out and about. But sometimes at family events.

Vaccines. What a blessing we could have vaccines.

We are in this together. Reaching out to others and them to me. Making room to make sure I had social activities. Phone calls, texting, letters, notes.

With the anti people about everything we certainly did not experience Covid the same way.

Those that lost a loved one to Covid had a different experience.

Those that lost a loved to another disease or illness had a different experience.

Only now can people have real funerals again. Real weddings. Real celebrations. So remember many people had such different experiences. 

For the majority of Canadians Public Health measures saved our lives or kept us from serious illness or death.

Yes folks death. 30,000 plus people have died from Covid in Canada and millions worldwide and counting.

Like Spring after a cold winter, looking for the positive signs.

So now the things that annoy me.

Masks were not a big thing to bear. So if you do not like a mask, then make sure to tell your surgeon he/she does not need to wear a mask during surgery or your dentist or anyone else providing a hygienic procedure. And I guess you are okay with them not washing their hands either.

One newscaster has made a big deal her 3 year old daughter did not have sand between her toes for the last several months because they did not travel. Duh. There are many beaches here in Ontario close to Toronto. One did not have to go south to find a beach. She could have bought a sandbox for her child.

The it is all about me and what I could not do. I I I I. Tired of the I I I people. For some people it was just about them. Poor me I I I could not do this or that.

If you were not seriously ill or died, then life is very good.

If you have an income or a successful business or no real hardships. Life is good.

Think about others who lost a business. Could not visit an elderly family member in Long Term Care. Or travel to visit someone in their family.

Privilege! Not a right!!

With the war in Ukraine, it is so difficult to tolerate some people these days. I am trying to be caring and compassionate but to the selfish and yes I call them selfish people it is very hard.

I think about people suffering real problems.

Coming out of the pandemic slowly is still the best option.

So I will mask in many situations. I will not mask around vaccinated or close family members who by the way are all vaccinated and boosted.

As a Canadian in a free democracy, I am very privileged. Yes privileged. I do not take it for granted. I feel blessed every day.

And the biggest annoyance that whole white supremacist Freedom Truck Convoy! I keep saying load up and take some supplies to Ukraine.

How about you? How are you feeling coming out of the mandates? Are you ready to let go?

#covidrestrictionslessening#wearingamaskisnotabigdeal#Iamokaywithrestrictions#coviddoesn'tcare#feelfreetowearamask#maskingisnotabigdeal#selfishpeopleannoyme#hardtobecompassionateaboutselfishpeople#realpeopleandrealproblems#thepopulationisdivided#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NO MORE MASKING-COVID DOESN'T CARE

 So I went to two places today.

Wore my mask.

The employees were masked.

Covid doesn't care about mask mandates lifted.

And neither do I.

I will continue to mask in many situations.

Stores, restaurants, with vulnerable people.

On a walk in fresh air it is different. I can physical distance.

I can be safe in my little independent bubble.

So how about you? What are your thoughts?

#maskmandatelifted#stillwearingamask#masksareharmless#protectingvulnerablepeople#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FIRST DAY OF SPRING AND SOME SPRING CLEANING

 Since I really did not do much fall cleaning felt some spring cleaning was in order.

So been getting rid of some clothes not worn for a long time.

Clothes have so many memories attached to them. 

A top from a trip.

A dress from a special occasion.

A suit that Adolph wore.

But is is time to move forward with many areas of my life

So some clothes sorting and packing for a clothes drop is a good start.

How about you? Are you starting to spring clean?

#springcleaning#soritngclothes#goingthroughthingsInolongerwear#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ST. JOSEPH AND ST. PATRICK'S DAY-DAYS OF GOOD EATING

 For St. Joseph, time to eat zeppole.

Love this creamy, yummy treat. What of the best Italian pastries. 

For St. Patrick's- Irish stew and soda bread. Or big cookie.

Anyway time for good eating.

#stjoseph'sday#stpatrick'sday#zeppole#bigstpatrick'sdaycookie#goodeatinginmarch#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

IS YOUR LIFE IN A NEAT ROW?

 Making order out of chaos is a good thing.

Having life in a neat row.

Orderly.

Knowing what is next. Or maybe one knows.

Being able to flow if change comes. If the row gets messed up a little.

Or those neat rows of life. 

#neatrowsoflife#lifecanbeorderly#havinglifeinaneatrow#knowingwhatcomesnext#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WHEN LIFE KEEPS GOING AROUND AND AROUND

 Do you ever feel you have done this before? You go around and around with problems and events and issues.

Around and around they go. 

#aroundandaround#life'sissues#life'sproblems#life'sissues#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

TWO YEARS AGO AND IT WAS A COVID EMERGENCY

 March 17 2020 Ontario went into lockdown mode.

Businesses closed and mandate to limit social involvement.

The St. Patrick's Day party that did not happen in Richmond Hill.

So Monday March 21, 2022 most mandates will be lifted.

No masks. However many of us will still be wearing masks in crowded settings and around people who are unvaccinated.

No provincial vaccine certificates. But still to travel anywhere.

More freedom in large events.

The pandemic is not over. But we are told to live with covid. 

Really. Then what have we been doing for the last two years.

Vaccines make it bearable. But those without vaccines are still dying from covid.

Not an emergency. But the new normal.

Living with Covid.

#nolongeranemergency#livingwithcovid#maskstocomeoff#willstillwearamask#march172020#panedicisnotover#stillwillpracticehealthhygiene#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

EVEN IN THE MIDST OF THIS HORRIBLE WORLD CRISIS HUMANITARIAN KINDNESS PREVAILS

 The war in Ukraine has made me so sad. Angry. Wanting to do more.

Then I see such good responses.

Ireland sending a convoy of trucks with goods and medication and lots of needed items.

People buying arbnb for Ukrainian families worldwide.

Sick Kids here in Toronto ready to receive Ukrainian children who need their continued cancer treatment.

People on the ground in Europe. People from all over the world trying to do something.

There is a power in one. Every kind gesture counts towards the greater good.

#humanitariankindness#peoplehelpingpeople#doingwhatwecantohelp#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-MARCH 15 2022 78TH ANNIVERSARY OF CASSINO DESTRUZIONE

 Family stories often can be centered around war. Adolph originated from Cassino Frosinone Italy.

A community about an hour south of Rome by car on the Autostrada/Highway.

So my in-laws remembered the Second World War very well.

On March 15, 1944 they were in the mountains around Cassino with other family members.

Matrundola family with Concetta and Joe Di Mambro back row, right side.

Concetta Matrundola Di Mambro and unknown girl around Spring1943 just before her marriage to Giuseppe Di Mambro.

Hearing stories from those who experienced the destruction of war in their home community gives a picture and understanding of what others had to endure in their lifetime.

I will write about Concetta's story at another time.

Today I just wanted to acknowledge the anniversary of Cassino's plight in the war.

#cassinoduringthewar#march15#1944#78yearssincethedestructionofcassino#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#matrundolafamily#dimambro

TOO MUCH SORROW FROM UKRAINE

 War is not a spectator sport.

So important not to binge watch the news.

But really. The horror. The destruction.

A maternity hospital! Really.

Seeing the buildings that were people's homes. Really.

What is the purpose?

So having made several donations to humanitarian causes.

I think it is time to make some more.

But I must tell you. I do not know anyone there. And I feel so sad.

I could not imagine how Canadians of Ukrainian background are feeling and worried about loved ones back home.

Oh I pray a lot these days!

#warishell#warisnotaspectatorsport#thedestruction#thehorrow#whyamaternityhospital#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FLOWERS ARE WAITING TO POKE THROUGH THE SNOW

 As snow melts there are those spring bulbs waiting to emerge.

Buds on trees. So encouraging.

Spring images waiting to happen.

Of course the first ones are those little snowdrops. When they appear, you know spring is really here. Yes and if you see a robin!!

#springflowers#snowdrops#lookingforwardtospringflowers#tiredofwinter#readyfornicerweather#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THE CHANGE OF SEASONS BRINGS A DIFFERENT SORT OF ANXIETY

 A psychiatrist as part of the team at the hospital often said March is difficult for individuals with mood disorders.

The change of season for some reason brings on a different set of difficulties.

So being aware that maybe we all find ourselves a little out of sorts.

Looking forward to warmer weather. Discouraged with late day storms or snowfalls.

Just wanting winter behind us.

Anxious about all the outdoor work waiting for us. I know I am. My backyard is a jungle. Good for birds and critters but looks a mess. So I know it needs to be tackled which causes stress to me.

Two panels of fence down that need fixing. Family member will fix it.

But Spring is not always a happy season for all. 

So be aware of people in your family or social circle that experience mood disorders to be supportive and if needed suggest professional help.

Happy March everyone! And of course Happy Spring which is around the corner.

#mooddisordersandspring#beingsensitivetopeoplewithmooddisorders#anxietyaboutalltheworkthatisneeded#outdoorworkcausesstressformany#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MARCH GETAWAY IS SO NEEDED-TRAVEL AGAIN

 Watching the news of 85,000 travelers at Pearson on Friday March 11 to get away for the March Break was encouraging.

All vaccinated.

All masked.

All with documents needed for their sunny destinations.

And all smiles and happy. And yes Free to travel. Glad to see the antivaxxers are not welcomed back yet.

Two years ago the terminal was deserted due to the first stages of Covid.

We are not through the virus but we are managing it. We have tools like vaccines and antiviral meds.

Lessons have been learned for safe travel.

Destinations have their own regulations. 

Beaches have lots of space and fresh air.

So as I sit and post I think about my travel days with my husband Adolph. We had some good beach vacations in places like Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Mexico and Florida. I prefer Mexico. Even went on one cruise.

So to all the travelers- have a safe and happy time! 

#marchbreak#travelsouth#beachvacation#travelduringcovid#beingawayaftercovid#pearsonsaw85,000travelersmarch112022#wouldbefuntobeonabeach#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

HOPE AND LOVE WILL PREVAIL

 With the sadness in so many parts of our life. Hope and love carry us.

So know that hope and love prevail!

#hopeandlove#hope#love#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SECOND ANNIVERSARY-TWO YEARS OF COVID

 So March 11, 2020 the WHO declared the pandemic.

Who really thought it would still be with us?

A few weeks.

Maybe a few months.

But the up and down.

Lockdown.

Our of lockdown. Back in. Back out.

Vaccines were liberating. Then the nonsense of the antivaxxers.

Made a public health issue political. 

Will the antivaxxers and antimaxxers not continue to wash their hands or think it will be okay to cough in someone's face??

Today the airport was rammed with people travelling for March Break. Two years ago the Pearson Airport was desserted.

Let's hope we are really moving forward with this virus. 

As for me, double vaxxed and boosted. All the family is vaccinated. So far all is well.

Let's hope next year at this time we can look back with a big sigh of relief!!

#secondanniversaryofcovid#lockdowns#vaccines#antivaxxers#antimaskers#movingonwithlife#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

 Being a strong, caring woman makes for a better world.

All children regardless of gender or sexual orientation need strong female figures.

Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, teachers, doctors and many more.

Respecting all makes for stronger and more compassionate people.

So International Women's Day is a day to celebrate what should be celebrated every day.

#internationalwomen'sday#respectallgendersandsexualorientations#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NANA SAYS HAVING A GRANDCHILD TO HUG IS LIFE

 With all going on in the world, a simple sleepover with two grandchildren is a wonderful life.

Eating together.

Talking. Laughing.

One even lost a baby tooth so I was able to play Tooth Fairy!!

Having noise and people in the house means so much to me.

So Nana gives the parents so needed time with two away but Nana was the real winner.

#sleepovers#nanaloveshergrandchildren#playingtoothfairy#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FREEDOM IS WAKING UP IN OUR OWN BED

 War is always unpleasant. Horrible images. Unnecessary death and destruction 

In our family other generations fought in wars for our freedom.

Freedom to agree to disagree.

Freedom to vote in an election.

Freedom from tyrants.

Just getting up and no fear of war around me today.

So we need to support the freedoms of all people on this earth. 

#freedom#freedomtodisagree#freedomscomewithaprice#freedomincanada#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THE FIGHT IN UKRAINE IS REALLY A FIGHT FOR ALL OUR DEMOCRACIES

 We do not want to go backwards.

The Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Countries had their democracy back.

There are many megamaniacs in the world eyeing areas they may want.

Our world peace is at stake

Democracies are at stake.

#democracy#democraciesatstake#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

PRAY FOR PEACE

 It may not be what the world could use.

But prayer collectively sends good positive vibes to the world.

So sometime today- alone or with loved ones- pray for peace!

#prayforpeace#worldneedspositivevibes#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CAN ONE EVER HAVE ENOUGH PHOTOS?

 Our current times gives us tons of photos. Selfies, digital, many cameras at an event.

!0 of the same pose.

Only a few decades ago, roll film. 24 pictures to a roll. So careful to get the right picture.

As a family goes back a generation there are fewer pictures. Often a posed one at a photographer's studio.

In the genealogy world, one picture of a gggrandparent can be so precious.

A photo is a moment in time. Events, birthdays, weddings, backyard barbecues, pets, sunrises, sunsets are some of the notable pictures everyone takes.

Of course we all have our favourite photos of ourselves and others. 

Some moments in time stand out more than others. 

In a box all jumbled or meticulously organized in photo albums are the extremes. Digital or print in folders or themes.

Photo books are so popular. I have done a few. I get better at it with each new one I create.

The first one can be saved so others can be created. The Pan Am games, my 45th anniversary and a lovely one on spring flowers.

So the question? Can we have too many photos? Depends on family ties. People throw away albums and pictures. Others hunt down photos like a bounty hunter for future generations. 

For me, I use them in family stories, my blog, send photos from my album to the picture in the pictures. For example, I knew my girls would not want 50 pictures of my nephew. But he did and he could save with his daughter.

So sharing, forwarding, using in local histories helps to preserve them. Our old house on Weldrick Road has been posted to several local facebook and historical sites. One picture shared many different ways.

I love photos and can really not have enough. But knowing how to organize and share them makes the task so much better.

How about you? Do you take lots of photos? How do you organize them?

#doyouhaveenoughphotos#photosaretobeshared#life'seventsinphotos#amomentintime#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

IMAGES OF WAR ARE NEVER PRETTY

 In my lifetime, I have seen those pictures from WW1 andWW2.

In my teens, night time news of the War in Viet Nam.

The 7 days war in Israel. 1967.

Wars in Africa.

The Gulf War.

The War in Afghanistan. 

And now Ukraine.

Never pretty. The loss of life. The unnecessary destruction. Senseless.

People trying to survive. Explosions.

For everyone- not pretty! 

Man's inhumanity to man. For what!

Lies that Ukraine needs to be freed from what.

Just a move to get more territory?

So images bring up so many emotions and feelings. I am not really angry right now.

I am very sad for the human toil and cost.

Helpless to do much. So donations to vetted charities that can be on the ground in neighbouring countries.

I hate war. 

#warisneverpretty#vietnam#israel#africa#ww1#ww2#lossofhumanlife#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MARCH INTO A NEW MONTH

 March always comes with a hope the cold winter will end soon.

Of course March can be cold and snowy and whatever.

But the hope of flowers starting to break through the ground keeps me going.

I am looking for those snowdrops. Any day now!!

Somewhere under the snow they are there.

#march#snowdrops#springishere#warmerweather#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro