REMEMBERING HALLOWEENS PAST

 I can't remember the last time I went to a Halloween party.

I do remember the first year in our house in 1987 we had a Halloween party.

I dressed like a cat and made a warlock top for Adolph to match the theme.

He decided to dress as a pirate with a patch over one of his lenses on his glasses.

What amazed was all the details that he did himself!!

A fun night with fun people.

I have dressed up to give out candies for years. At work I would wear a witches hat or dilly bober ears.

But no parties.

I do have lots of Halloween candy to eat if any is left over.

Oh the memories of Halloween.

#halloween#halloweenparties#rememberinghalloweenpast#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

OCTOBER ENDING-HOW WAS IT FOR YOU

 Weather wise, October was great.

Not all my yard work got done. But I am still plodding away at it.

Some community engagements like Arts Council at a big community event. Photographing Seniors Classes and trying to get more to use in this blog.

Some Christmas shopping started.

Thinking about next steps in my life.

Enjoying the grandchildren. Been to a couple of hockey games.

Movie with a daughter.

Well you know the drill. Reading. Writing. Crafting. Trying to find purpose and meaning to my life.

How about you? How was your October?

#october#octobercomingtoanend#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CELTIC ROOTS OF HALLOWEEN

 There are lots of stories and history of how Halloween started.

So a website that sends me emails, talked about the Irish roots of Halloween.

According to the Irish Family History Foundation, it originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Bonfires were lit and costumes worn to scare away ghosts. Marking the end of summer and the harvest, the dark, cold winter arrived. Celts celebrated the night of October 31st as the ghosts of the dead would return to earth.

Knowing more about Celtic and Irish roots the Irish Family History Foundation is a wonderful source for genealogy and history research in Ireland.

Meanwhile, enjoy Halloween with all its modern traditions that have evolved.

What is the tradition of pumpkins at Halloween that I would like answered??

#halloweenandirishtraditions#irishfamilyhistoryfoundation#celts#celtichistory#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

COMMUNITY DAY AT THE RICHMOND HILL CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

 Manning our Richmond Hill Arts Council table for several hours allowed lots of greetings to many community members.

Lots of entertainment, booths with info indoors and outdoors. Fun event for the Richmond Hill community.

Posted more people picture on my Facebook page.

#richmondhill#richmondhillcentrefortheperformingarts#communityinvolvement#richmondhillartscouncil#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

HALLOWEEN FUN IS EVERYWHERE

 I love the way homes are decorated for Halloween.

Some homes in Vaughan.

A house in Aurora.

For me in Richmond Hill, I put a medium and small pumpkin. It is the limit of my decorating.

How about you? What do you do for Halloween?

#halloween#decoratingforhalloween#funathalloween#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THE FIVE SENSES THAT ARE NEEDED IN CARING FOR A LOVED ONE

 Loving someone dearly then needing to provide care during a relationship is not daunting.

In any relationship- spouse, parent, friend, acquaintance there are often caregiving aspects.

So when a person needs support and assistance , what makes the life meaningful.

Is the illness chronic or palliative? It does not matter when dealing with what a person needs.

What helps to enhance independence. Dignity. What are the interests? Can those interests continue?

Well providing and meeting the needs of the 5 senses.

Sight-seeing.

Sound-hearing

Smell-aroma

Taste

Touch

SIGHT-SEEING

Make the environment around the person- the room, the rooms wherever the person resides pleasurable. Keeping it tidy. 

Having items within reach. 

Natural light. Sitting by a window. In warmer weather, fresh air from outside. Seeing the yard. Seeing the street. Being outside.

Any items within reach so person can access their own things. Put the sugar and milk in the tea. Can be exactly like the person likes it. 

Does the person wear glasses? Make sure they are available and used. 

To see clearly is paramount.

SOUND-HEARING

Music playing helps. A phone within reach. Depends on the person not too much noise and confusion is best.

Speaking softly or loudly depending on the hearing of the person.

Knowing the person does not feel alone. No need to tip toe around. Hearing someone is near or doing an activity like TV watching, computer, visitors brings stimulation to the home.

Hearing lets the person know he/she is not alone.

Would the hearing need to be tested? Not hearing well can lead to cognitive decline in some people.

If a person uses a hearing aid, makes sure it is in order and working.

TASTE

Food is good for nutrition. But more for the soul. When someone is ill providing food that is flavourful and what the person likes adds to the quality of life.

Drinks. Sugary drinks are fine. It is not a time at end of life to worry about a few calories. So if someone loves a pop, give them a pop!

Give a variety of food along with lots of favourites.

If some foods are hard to eat like an apple, then prepare it another way like baking it in the oven with some spices.

To conserve energy cut up the meat or other foods to make eating easier.

SMELL-AROMA

Sometimes the aroma in the home can be enchanting too. The smell of baking. Some spices are more odorous like cinnamon and rosemary.

If incontinence, the smell of urine and bms can be in the home. So vanilla candels. Sprays if the person can tolerate. 

Cleaners with a good smell. For example, Pinesol with its different fragrances and scents. Not heavy duty cleaners like those used in the hospital. .Rinsing out urinals and commode chairs helps with the overall feeling in the home.

So using food preparation not only for eating but to provide a different aroma in the home.

Flowers with a scent.

It is important however for those with respiratory issues that strong scents may be counterproductive. 

So probably sticking to the aroma of food would be most tolerable for most people.

TOUCH

Holding hands.

Hugging good morning and good night.

Sex is touch. For so many couples that feel comfortable with each other variety, can help. Improvising helps too. So many companies that provide products for an ill person have wellness sections that sell vibrators and other useful items for couples. For many men being able to satisfy their partner is still so important. Having a healthy, sex life does not end when a person becomes ill. If anything it contributes to a longer life.

When it comes to the touch of washing and cleansing a person, keep in mind that some may feel uncomfortable exposing their body to outsiders. Even a trained caregiver. So a trusted family member may need to be part of the showering or washing process. It is okay to give a soaped washcloth to the person to wash their own private parts. Again improvise on what works for the individual and your relationship with the person.

Cleaned washed hair feels good. Cream on the back, arms, legs reduces itchiness.

But clothes that are comfortable help with the touch aspects.. Nice fabric. A blanket that is fussy and cosy helps with touch issues. Flannel pj bottoms rather than pants. Cardigan sweaters over tops that can be buttoned or unbuttoned depending on the weather and temperature of the area.

A good skin product to help with keeping the skin intact. Skin breakdown is a serious concern. So making sure the chair, the bed or wherever the person is has comfortable and flexible materials to help with this process. 

SOCIAL

Not a sense but the SOCIAL is so important.

 Bring the celebrations to the person. Have that bday party in a different venue with the person.

Phone calls. Visitors. Emails. Texting. Keeping in touch with loved ones that do not live nearby.

Along with TV, a newspaper, a book, a puzzle keeps the person stimulated. If unable to use the computer but has a question about an item, print it up for the person to read on his/her own.

Sit and eat together. If not eating sip a tea or coffee with the person while he/she eats.

 Daily social routines help everyone. It keeps the relationship going.

Have written information on the medical history and medications handy so if needed the person does not have to be asked the same information over and over again.

Just being in the same room quietly doing different activities. The normal engagements of a couple do not change when one is ill. 

Being around a loved one can be the best treatment technique. It benefits everyone. 

#caringforsomeoneusingthe5senses#touch#seeingsmelll#aroma#hearing#tasting#feeling##social#knowingwhatthepersonneedsanddoingit#skinneedstobechecked#caringforalovedone#makingfoodthatistasty#aromainthehomemakeslifeeasier#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DOES ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO WALK IN THE LEAVES AND HEAR THE RUSTLING UNDER FOOT?

 I walk as much as I can.

So this time of year I walk through many leaves. On the road. On the sidewalk. On the lawn.

The sound of the rustling under my feet is comforting.

I don't know why.

I just like the sound.

Each season brings some pleasure.

How about you? Is there something pleasurable about Fall??

#fall#rustlingleaves#walkingintheleaves#takingpleasureinsmallactivities#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

IS ANYONE ELSE GLAD THE ELECTION IS OVER? BUT THERE ARE DISAPPOINTMENTS!!

 I can only speak for Richmond Hill.

Glad to see David West is still mayor.

Disappointed about Raika losing by a slim margin.

Other councillors were sent packing. Some new and some old.

I like knowing my local politicians. Not that I really need anything but maybe someone else does.

So I will carry on and hope our new council does their job.

#municipalelection#gladourmayorisDavid#somedisappointments#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-FINDING LOST CHILDREN- IS IT WORTH THE COST?

I watched a documentary on researchers trying to locate and find what happened to children who had attended residential school and did not come home.

The lead project research Katherine Nichols for the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation has been combing records and potential sites. Tedious but hoping to continue to find names.

Buried.?

Lost?

Would it help the descendants to know?

It made me think about our genealogical pursuits of unknown ancestors.

The industry around genealogy.

The companies.

I reflected on a baby death in the family. Mary Margaret Alton died within a week and supposed to be buried in Valentia.

Or somewhere else in Mariposa Township.

I know what happened to her. The parents knew.

I want to find her burial site. So I can add it to the family records.

Then it made me think about communities who do not know what happened to the children. The survivors know a little. But nothing definitive.

So yes it is important to find the graves. The names. Comb the records. 

If my family history is important to me then I need to respect that it is important to all communities that care to seek answers.

#searchingforanswers#tryingtofindthelostchildren#whathappenedtothosechildren#barb'sgenealogytidbits#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

USING POINTS FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

 Okay.

I collect points on anything I can.

I have learnt to use points towards items previously.

Now I use most of them for gift cards that I can use as gifts.

As a retired Senior, it is vital to get the biggest bang for my buck.

How about you? Are you a points collector?

#usingpointsforchristmasshopping#cashinginpoints#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NANA SAYS CHILDREN'S ART TELLS A FAMILY STORY

 I love to receive art from my grandchildren.

So my daughter Sonya sent me a pic from Allegra.

A family story.

A love story.

A grandchild's impression of it all.

What do you think?

#grandpa'sstory#afamilystory#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

HOW TO MAKE A CROCHET PROJECT FOR THE FALL

 I love to make blankets for others.

So I have one project on the go right now.

The blue and yellow are very pleasurable colours to use.

It is a pattern I have used often

Rows of:

Single Crochet

Double crochet in back of single crochet

Single crochet

Cross stitch

Then single crochet.

Repeat these rows

The texture is good. 

I work on a project like this every time I sit down to watch some TV. Keeps my hands busy.

#crochetprojectforthefall#simplecrochetpattern#blueandyellowwool#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FALL PICTURES IN FULL BLOOM IN MY HOME TERRITORY

Found this sweet view behind a community center where the Arts Council was meeting.

Stopped an took a quick shot.

Okay the street where I live with some beautiful trees in fall bloom. My favourite building the Central Library in the distance.

I have many Fall photos in my collection so to go on  a long country drive for some current pictures was not in my agenda. So finding these shots so close to home fulfilled a photo need.

Where do you like to take photos?

#fallphotos#fallinfullbloom#photosaroundthecorner#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

TIME TO VOTE FOR LOCAL POLITICIANS

 We can vote online. I am going to do it today.

However, there is something about going to a polling station and being part of the ambience of

voting in person.

I feel lazy so will vote from home.

But I will vote and I hope you do too in Ontario.

#votingformunicipalpoliticians#vote#localpoliticiansmatter#remembertovote#votingforthosethatcanmakeadifferenceinyourlife#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-BALL POINT MARIPOSA TOWNSHIP UPDATES

 Attending a virtual online meeting about resources in the librairies in the Oshawa, the handout gave me some new sites to peruse.

One was the Lake Scugog Historical Society.

Lake Scugog Historical Society

I found some interesting articles. I discovered another book written on the HMS Speedy as many know its story about the sinking in 1804.

The story is always relevant to our Ball Point story as the murder occurred in the Ball Point/Washburn Island area.

The book entitled the Wreck of HMS Speedy- The tragedy that Shook Upper Canada by Dan Buchanan.

As I often do I will search for any references to Ball Point Mariposa Township. So I found an article by Dan Buchanan debating whether the Farewell Brothers Trading post was on Washburn Island or Ball Point. He has made an outline on all the historical references. I have used all those references in my previous essays written in 2019. However, it is another resource that has been summarized very concisely.

I emailed Dan asking him to be a speaker at one of our York Region meetings in 2023. Then I sent him a second email outlining my research into the Ball Point property.

I asked if he knew about any Royal Ontario Museum digs at the Point. He believes that the Trading 

Post was on Ball Point based on a resource he saw. Apparently trading posts were inclined not to be on Indigenous site properties for security and business reasons but located separately but nearby. Since Washburn and Ball Point were hunting grounds for the Indigenous in the area north of Oshawa. To him it made sense that the trading post would be separate from the hunting grounds.

I remember a young girl in the 1950s seeing an rectangle dirt patch on the east side of Ball Point where the family would swim. It was across from Washburn Island. My dad told me that the Royal Ontario Museum had done a dig. He was tired of all the archeological involvement so did not allow anymore to happen. He did not ask for any reports. In other references I have seen that Kidd did some research in 1951. It would not be about that dirt patch as it is earlier than my recollection.

When I was researching Ball Point's history I wrote ROM in 1999 but the curator at the time said they only had field notes that would not be shared. She advised me to write a Archeological service in Peterborough to determine if they did a dig at Ball Point. I did not get a reply from them so left that part of my research.

Since consulting with Dan, I want to follow that lead again. But now I may say it is to determine if that rectangle patch of dirt was to determine if the trading post was there and not an indigenous site. It makes sense now since that dirt patch was very close to the water. It would not make sense to be a burial plot nor a spot for a lodge or other native housing.

So to write ROM again as well as a professor at the University of Calgary I have consulted previously.

As in my essay on the Murder at Ball Point, I always believed it is why Sharpe was killed. His death and arrest of the Native responsible led to the sinking of the Speedy. Our little Ball Point has a piece of that history.

For the full essay, go to the side links for April 12 2019 and into the April, May and some in June posts on Ball Point in 2019.

I will update as more becomes available.

#ballpointmariposatownship#mariposatownshipvictoriacounty#mariaposatownshipcityofkawarthalakes#HMSspeedyandthesinking#researchonballpoint#researchingballpointneverends#royalontariomuseum#writingaboutballpoint#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#farewellbrotherstradingpost#washburnislandmariposatownship#rememberingadigonballpointasachild

BABY LOSS AWARENESS WEEK

 Any parent who has had a baby loss of any kind needs to be supported.

An early pregnancy is a loss.

A full term is a loss.

A termination is a loss.

An ectopic is a loss.

A baby death is a loss.

These losses never leave the history of the person or couple or family.

Extended family miss the little ones lost.

There are community resources.

As a Social Worker, I used Pregnancy and Infant Loss Network. PAIL, Amazing group to reach.

So be supportive to all who have had any loss.

#babylossawarenessweek#babyloss#miscarriage#ectopic#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

COVID RESTRICTIONS-DID THEY WORK-ONLY 45,000 DIED AND NOT 450,000

 I think Covid restrictions worked.

It was a plan in process.

45,000 Canadians and counting died.

Many unvaccinated died needlessly.

The misinformation yahoos! Please be quiet!!

I find the criticism daunting. It was a good thing to reduce activities and travel.

It was a good thing to follow good public health protocols.

Masks, vaccines and limiting activities worked. 

Remember pandemic or no pandemic wash your hands!! Still the best infection control technique.

For those people who lost loved ones be kind and consider their heartache.

For those experiencing long time effects of a covid illness be kind.

For the health care professionals who were on the front lines be kind.

For those in all service industries like grocery store workers, garbage collectors, hydro workers etc be kind.

For the anitmaskers, antivaxxers, anti any consideration of all who suffered it is time to get on to the next cause. Maybe care about a cleaner environment and get on that bandwagon.

Having received my Bivalent booster yesterday I am thankful for the health care industry that gives me a chance to have a healthy life. 

So were restrictions good. Yes. Just compare our per capita stats to the US and Canada fared well.

45,000 and counting Canadians died. It could have been 450,000 and counting. 

Did we learn from it? Yes. Will it prepare us for the next pandemic? I hope so.

What are your thoughts? Are you tired of the critics? Are you thankful for the efforts that were made?

#covidrestrictionsworked#45000Canadiansdied#longhauleffectsofcovid#vaccinesworked#masksworked#followingpublichealthprotocolsworked#tiredofallthecritics#tiredofmisinformation#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THANKSGIVING IS ABOUT FAMILY AND BEING THANKFUL

 Okay I am thankful for my family. Blessed to have my grandchildren which is a legacy for Adolph and me.

This year I am thankful to get a clean bill of health and eyes checked which are good too.

I am thankful for the Health Care professionals who continue to provide care, research and have kept us well during the pandemic.

One sunflower brings sunshine. A field brings so many blessing.

So reaching out to others and keeping joy in our lives has so much meaning.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving weekend?

#beingthankful#thanksgivingblessings#sunflowersbringsunshine#afieldofsunflowers#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FALL PROJECTS UNDERWAY

 2 yard waste bags from the front on the curb today.

Back yard has debris piles that I may or may not bag. Leave for the critters and bag in the Spring. I'll see!!

Northern Projects is a fun activity. Pick a project from the group and send the required items. Now I am involved in sending to 6 children for Christma..

Knitting a large canvas to do some embroidery on it.

Crocheting a blanket for a family member who lives far away.

Christmas thoughts and wondering how to reduce my budget and still be generous.

Meetings and webinars keep me busy.

And yes more sleepovers planned.

How is your Fall going?

#fallprojectsunderway#northernprojectsareagoodadventure#knitting#crocheting#christmasplanningbegins#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

OCTOBER-MEANS FALL IS REALLY HERE

 With changing colours and pumpkins and fall veggies, well Fall is really here.

Some previous images. So maybe it is time to get that camera and take more Fall pictures.

#fallisreallyhere#octobermeansfallisereallyhere#fallimages#takingpicuresinthefall#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

OCTOBER-FAMILY HISTORY MONTH

 I have written Barb's Genealogy Tidbits occasionally. 

So for Family History Month, I think it would be a good idea to repost some of the essays I have written for new eyes.

I have tried to submit to newsletters where an article may be read by a few.

I have had better success on my blog of responses from others.

Writing a family story takes research, source citation and review. It is more work than it looks.

So using those essays again and again gives validation to the work.

Well be ready for some of those submissions.

#familyhistorymonth#rewritingthoseposts#familyhistoryreasearhistimeconsuming#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro