NANA SAYS STAYING CONNECTED WITH FAMILY AND GRANDCHILDREN HELPS US ALL

 At my January birthday lunch/brunch with family I blurted out that I loved my family.

Saying you are my people.

Being positive with grandchildren. Letting them know I enjoy their company.

During one visit played Go Fish several times. Opportunity to engage in a fun way.

Yes I tried to beat my grandchild. No easy wins.

Losing loved ones in our lives can not be replaced.

But staying connected brings peace and well love.

For me missing my spouse-Adolph has been hard. But telling little stories about us to my grandchildren helps me keep him connected to them.

Spending time with grandchildren means more to me than them. 

There have been studies that being connected to grandchildren helps with mental health of grandparents.

Did we really need a study to tell us? 

I think not.

#nanasaysstayingconnectedwithfamilyandgrandhchildrenhelpsusall#grandchildrenareneededforgrandparents'mentalhealth#keepinggrandpaalivebytellinglittlestoriesabouthime#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WHAT TO DO ON A SNOW DAY? WELL COOK AND STAY HOME!

 As the snowstorm that was predicted is happening, I look out the window to the sea of white.

Trees covered. Roads covered in it.

So the best thing to do is to lie low. Stay home if able.

Make an oven or slow cooker meal that brings aroma to the home.

Check to make sure all family is good.

Hopefully the plows will be out and clear the streets.

Stay safe everyone!!

#snowstorms#stayingsafeinthesnowstorm#beincomforatableathome#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BEING PATIENT PAYS OFF- AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE JOB

 Sometimes those early morning thoughts can be productive.

I was remembering a time in my life where getting that full time job took time. I had to settle for a part-time position with some shifts in another department to make up for full time hours.

Then being patient I eventually obtained a full time position. 

So why write about it. 

Worrying can bring such negative energy. Going through a tough time and wanting to find a solution can be stressful.

Reconnecting with other times in my life where things eventually worked out. 

Keep going. Put two feet on the floor. Do what is doable. 

Just do it.

Just stay positive. It allows positive energy and people to enter your life.

And be patient!

Patience is not necessarily a virtue but it is a good quality to have.

#patience#beingpatient#worryingdoesnotsolveanything#findingpracticalanswerstoconcerns#itistoostressfultoworryallthetime#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WINTER A TIME FOR QUIET REFLECTION ACCORDING TO SOME LITERARY MINDS

 I will discuss more after I peruse some books I ordered from the library.

One blogger I read weekly had a wonderful reflection on how winter let's us quiet our energy.

The Marginalian ( Brain Pickings) by Maria Popova. She quotes one wrier- Rilke- winter- the season for tending of the inner garden of the soul.

House of Kerrs wrote about there are no blooms in winter.

Read the post.

House of Kerrs

An interesting thought.

Also the whole metaphor about winter and its meaning.

The winter of our life.

Winter can be sadness, grief.

Embracing winter and all the emotions it brings.

So to read some soul reflecting books will help with the winter retreat for self.

#winter#winterreflections#soulsearching#beingfinewithselfreflections#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SOMETIMES WE ALL NEED A LIFT

 January with the throngs of winter often keeps us down.

Everyone needs a little lift to get us from one place to another.

Old fashioned cable car in Cassino Italy could do the trick.

Or the EX.

Getting the ride on the skyway to get a good view of the area.

Do you need a lift?

#gettingalift#knowingwhenyouneedalift#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-REMEMBERING A VISIT TO COURTICE EBENEZER CHURCH CEMETERY

 Genealogy has changed greatly.

So many databases online.

With Canadian Headstones and Find a Grave, a cemetery visit is not always needed.

In my 38 years of research, I have made many cemetery visits.

While persuing my photo files, I found these pics from the cemetery of the Ebenzer United Church 1669 Courtice Road, Courtice Ontario.

This is the older section of the cemetery. The older Witheridge family members are buried there.

A view of the newer section with the older one in the background.

Osborne is a family name too.

I was lucky to attend a family reunion for the Witheridge family many years ago.

On one of our excursions to the area visiting the Courtice flea market then coming to this church property to have a picnic lunch Adolph had prepared for us. 

Then to take some pictures, it was a good outing in 2012. 

It is one location I would take any family members wanting to do a family history tour.

Find a Grave has the headstones too. So for Witheridge I have visited the site and copied some photos. But remember to give photo credit and acknowledgement due to copyright issues.

#courticeontario#ebenezerunitedchurch#witheridgefamily#osbornefamily#apicniclunchinthechurchgarden#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ENJOY ALL THAT LIFE BRINGS-LIKE A GRANDSON HOCKEY GAME OR TRIP TO THE DENTIST

 Small events in our lives may not seem like much.

But embracing what life brings can take us on journeys.

So being a good Nana, I try to be involved in grandchildren's lives as much as I can.

Lately seeing some hockey games of two grandsons.

Taking another to a dentist appointment where we chat in the care.

Sleepovers with the littles helps too.

The social aspect is so important.

So being out and about helps to diminish the social isolation.

Not just enjoying those small occurrences but embracing them is what life is all about.

The small things become the big things.

#embracinglife#takingadvantageofthesmalloccurrences#grandchildrenhelpreducethesocialisolation#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

PATIENCE AND LIFE WILL HAPPEN! LIKE IN WRITING! SOMEONE WILL READ IT!

 As many of you know I have been blogging and posting since July 2010. 

What surprises me is the fact that some posts of intelligence get few pageviews?

If I post pictures, more come to visit.

Well a post I wrote in 2017 for Canada's 150 on Maple Syrup has received over 200 page views recently.

I am trying to determine who has been reading it. 

I can search by putting #21 which signifies one of the items for the 150. 

It brings me to the fact. To be patient. Some pieces of work take time to come to Fruition! If you want to read it go to 2017 on the sidebar and look for March 5, 2017.

Who would have thought an item on Maple Syrup would bring me some new readers!!

#maplesyrup#blogging#ittakestimeforpeopletoreadmystuff#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

RMEMBERING MOVIES I HAVE SEEN AS A COUPLE-DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE YOU LIKE TO SEE

 Adolph and I did have a different taste in movies.

When there were rentals from places like Blockbuster, I would say come home with a romantic comedy and he would come home with a drama full of shootings. Like Die Hard.

In our dating years one movie that stood out was Romeo and Juliette filmed in 1968. We actually saw it on Christmas Day 1968 at a theatre in Toronto.

In 1970 the movie that everyone loved- Love Story. I remember how it related so much to our life. When everyone was crying in the movie theatre Adolph made a joke about it. Many people looked at him with daggers in their eyes.

We loved Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid. The Sting that we saw at the St. Clair Theatre.

The Graduate.

Adolph's favourite movie of all time was The Sound of Music. 

Being able to buy VHS tapes and DVDs allowed us to watch favourite movies as much as we wanted.

Ben Hur at Easter has been a movie I look to watch as it tells Jesus' story in an unique historical way.

Adolph loved Hayley Mills so any movies of hers were good for him.

The Godfather was iconic too. We saw it a movie theatre.

I loved The Way We were but any movie with Robert Redford was for me.

Rocky.

Network.

The French Connection.

James Bond Movies over the years entertained us.

Traditional Christmas movies like Scrooge and It's a Wonderful life were watched many times.

I liked to go to movies on our anniversary so we saw Four Weddings and a Funeral.

One Anniversary we went to see Letters to Juliette. Adolph fell asleep and stayed asleep for the whole film. I bought it on DVD when it came out. So I told him one Saturday night at home we could watch it together. You guessed it he fell asleep during the film again.

The last movie we saw at the movie theatre was Dunkirk. Poignant.

I tried some on demand movies at home when Adolph really did not go out anymore.

So when I watch a movie we watched together in days gone by it brings up those couple moments.

#movies#lovestory#thesundancekid#thesting#dunkirk#rocky#network#benhur#hayleymills#thegodfather#scrooge#it'sawonderfullife#thewaywewere#jamesbond#vhstapes#dvds#robertredford#moviesbringbackmemories#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

IS IT DEALING WITH GRIEF OR LOSS- IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

 So I read an article published in the Good Times newsletter on grief.

A good overview.

But it made me think that grief is raw and more immediate.

Loss is permanent.

So remembering a loved one is it grief or acknowledging the loss.

Grieving is more intense.

Loss is forever.

So moving forward in life and grieving less but remembering the loss.

A loss in our lives never goes away. 

Whether the loss of a loved one, a job, a divorce, health, aging, empty next, moving to a new residence, a friendship and all the other losses that can occur.

So what do you think? Is loss manageable? Does grief rage for years or does it turn into chronic loss!

#grief#loss#aregriesandlossdifferent#Ithinkgriefandlossaredifferent#learningtolivewiththeloss#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

REMEMBERING BEACHES I HAVE VISITED ? DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE?

 For some reasons I have been in the mood to make lists of memories.

In categories.

So last night I was thinking of all the beaches Adolph and I visited in our lives. Sometimes alone as a couple and sometimes with family

I was trying to recall the first beach.

Maybe the waterfront on Centre Island, Toronto  we visited in 1967. Not a beach but like a beach.

Rock Lake, Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario where I camped with my family in my childhood.

1970 photo.

Of course the beach in Hawaii on the Waikiki strip. Kuhio Beach at the end of the street where our Economy Hotel was located.

Diamond Head in the background. 1971

Jamaica- Oracabassa beach. 1975, View from up the road of hotel and beach area.

Barbados- Lawrence Gap. 1976

Bahamas- Freeport.Lucaya Beach. Remember this beach as it had a piece of a ship stuck in the sand. Every new tourist tried to pull it out. 1982.

Cancun Mexico. 1985, 1990. 2000.

1985

1990 after a major fall huricane that took out some of the beach and two pools at our hotel.

2000. Trip with girls and boyfriends.

Florida- 1988. St. Petersburg. Madeira Beach.

 Fort Lauderdale Beach.  

Looks like the scene from a Bond movie, sort of!!

The beaches were stops we took from our cruise.

Magen's Bay, St. Thomas. 1988

St. Croix. 1988

Acapulco, Mexico,1989. 

Sarasoda  1991

Sperlonga Italy 1991

Sardinia-Sardegna 1997

Ontario has some good beaches too.

Olifant Beach near Wiarton while visiting a friend's cottage.

Trips to family cottages.

Kerr cottage City of Kawartha Lakes.

Ball Point Mariposa Township Ontario.

Path from the cottage to Lake Scugog.

Of course Wasaga Beach, Georgian Bay north of Toronto. A common favourite for everyone.

The lake front in Port Perry, Ontario. Not a beach but a water area Adolph and I visited often.

 

My favourite beach photo. Our honeymoon.

But the best beach anywhere is the one you have your butt sitting on!!

#beaches#beacheswhereAdolphandIvisited#sperlongaitaly#stcroix#stthomasmagensbay#cancunmexico#wasagabeach#floridabeaches#ballpointmariposatownshipcityofkawarthalakes#lakescugog#waikikihawaii#lakefrontscanbelikebeaches#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#olifantbeachwiarton#cityofkawarthalakes#sperlonga#lucayabeachfreeport#barbadosstlawrencegap#olifantbeachlakehuron#sometripsaloneandsomewithfamily

JANUARY AND BACK TO WORK FOR MANY

 January with its blues makes one either roll over or start to reenergize. 

I have decided to do the latter.

There are the usual ongoing projects.

Genealogy.

Stamps.

Writing.

Photography.

Crafts.

So combining and integrating my interests will be a January project or projects.

Slow and steady. No rushing but finding those areas in my life and reduce, reuse, declutter, organize.

Stamps for example will be making 6 smaller collections for my grandchildren of duplicates.

Photos- albums, sending some to other family members, uploading, colorizing BW to colour.

Of course there will be birthdays celebrations, an anniversary, and plans for whatever comes to mind.

So as others head back to their full time jobs, I will be treating my projects like work to get the energy to get them done.

Keeping my hands busy will help to keep my mind busy. To get out of my head with those negative thoughts to convert to positive thoughts.

How about you? Do you find January a difficult month?

#january#januaryblues#gettingenergytodoprojects#gettingbacktosomeprojectsthathavebeenongoing#beingpositive#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambr

WHY DO WE FEEL THIS YEAR WILL BE BETTER THAN THE LAST YEAR?

 I read with trepidation that so many expect 2023 to be better than 2022.

Each year brings something in our lives.

Birthdays. Vacations. Deaths. Births. Illness. Good Health. Money. No money. Well the list could go on.

For me. To be with family more. To enjoy the simple moments rather than try to pretend life has to be razzle dazzle.

Community activities.

Online webinars.

Inperson meetings.

Writing. Crafting. Organizing. Decluttering. My main events.

Celebrate the good times.

If we look hard enough there could be reflections that give meaning.

#newyearmaynotbringallyouwant#willthisyearbebetterthanlastyear#trepidationaboutanewyear#rememberingthegoodtimes#acceptpingallthatlifebringstous#stayingalivemeansitisnecessarytokeepliving#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

A NEW YEAR- 2023 WHAT WILL IT BRING?

Lately so many people have said I hope 2023 is better than 2022.

I often say be careful what you ask for.

Each year brings the good, the bad and the ugly.

To think the worst year is behind you and the next will be better is quite optimistic.

I usually ask for a good year. Then I go about making it as good as I can.

No resolutions. Just more of just keep trekking!!

It is okay as one ages to like the status quo. To like some things to stay the same after all the changes that have occurred in one's life.

So blow that horn and celebrate and prepare to ride out the new year and all it brings.

#happynewyear#newyearcanbringgoodtimes#newyearcanbringbadtimes#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro