SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS, FALL CLEANUP AND PREPARATION FOR THANKSGIVING

 September has been productive.

More garden cleanup. The front area looks better with the dead plants gone.

Shopping for our big feast next week. 

One birthday celebrated and another today. A grandson and a son-in-law.

Hockey games. Art Walk. And more community events to come.

Another opportunity to take lots of photos.

How is your September going? Are you getting ready for the Autumn months ahead? 

I will revisit some of my better Fall photos. I really do not need to drive around the country snapping photos.

#september#septemberactivities#gardencleanup#gettingreadyfortheFall#gettingreadyforThanksgiving#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

RICHMOND HILL ART WALK SEPTEMBER 23 2023

 So another booth at a community event for the Richmond Hill Arts Council.

The Art Walk featuring Richmond Hill talented artists. Put on by the City of Richmond Hill, what a fun day.

You can see the 150 sign in the background.

So many tables and tents.

I was able to chat with several artists new and old. Some new faces and some familiar faces.

I could take breaks and go and watch my grandson play hockey at the Elgin Barrow Arena.

Such a beautiful first day of Fall.

#artwalkrichmondhill#artistsofrichmondhill#richmondhillartscouncil#supportingtheartsinrichmondhill#takingphotosofalltheartists#havingfunattherichmondhillartwalk#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

OKAY FALL ARRIVES ON THE 23RD- FASHIONABLY LATE

 So Fall is around the corner or well it will arrive overnight.

The beautiful September days are deceiving so I will just pretend that winter will not ever arrive.

Yard work is calling me. I ripped out the grape vines and will probably dig out the roots. I planted it years ago because every Italian should have grapes in their yard. I used the grapes to make Adolph grape jam.

But that part of my life is over so goodbye to the grape vines.

I am trying to say goodbye to parts of my life.

I am trying to say hello to new parts of life.

I am trying to tread water with some parts that are keepers.

So Fall in all its glory will be relished before the boots and hats and parkas and scarves need to be hauled out.

So this picture makes me want to grab my camera and take a better photo.

How about you? Do you want to take Fall photos?

#fall#fallaroundthecorner#fallpictures#takingfallpictures#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WHEN PLAN A AND B DO NOT WORK, I HAVE TO GO TO PLAN C

 Trying to sort out my personal situation has plans.

So lately two plans ie A amd B did not materialize.

So to Plan C.

I do feel disappointed that I thought some areas of my life would be fixed and I could really move forward.

What happened?

Well other people got in the way and I can not go forward without that input.

Which gets me to the realization that even though we all like to think everything is possible, sometimes it is not. Others, life, events get in the way.

So being resilient, I am now trying Plan C. If that does not work there the rest of the letters in the alphabet to use.

Do you have plans that depends on others? Do you have to change your course in life? 

#changeofplans#hardtodependonothers#planA#planB#movingontoplanC#hardtobereadyforchangeanditdoesnothappen#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FALL ARRIVING IN ALL ITS GLORY-DO YOU LIKE FALL BETTER THAN SUMMER

 My favourite month is May.

I love the Summer.

I love Christmas.

Fall is okay. I tolerate Winter and all it brings.

So Fall does bring the beautiful array of colours to the world and here at home.

Day trips with Adolph were always fun. These photos from trip to Port Perry in October 2014. Still love them.

A Fall laneway. Where does it lead.

A field of pumpkins.

Willowtree's fun pumpkin man or the dog. So sweet.

Do you have Fall favourites? Always good to grab the camera and shoot some photos.

#fall#fallphotos#willowtreefarm#pumpkinman#pumpkinfield#ajauntinthecountry#lovethosecountryroadsandlanes#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND A HOCKEY GAME

 Celebrating my youngest grandson's birthday was just an ordinary family time.

13 of us. My granddaughter brought her boyfriend. The other grandparent came to the party.

So it was a good time with pizza, cake, ice cream and lots of veggies and treats.

Easton liked the chess set he wanted. Even Tyler who plays chess liked the set. So maybe siblings will play chess together.

So to a hockey game with family who could stay. My grandson even got his first goal of the season.

Fun stuff.

So being out and about and attending family events keeps me well- mentally that is!

Physically I try to exercise or do daily events that are physical. Like Yard Work!! So just good to be out of my head with people I love.

So September rolls along.

With a table full of goodies how can it not be fun??

#birthdaycelebrations#hockeygamewithagrandson#beingpartoffamilyevents#stayingmentalllywellwithfamily#familyiseverything#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

RICHMOND HILL HERITAGE SUMMIT CELEBRATING 150 YEARS A REAL SUCCESS-SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

 With over 26 organizations participating in the event September 10, 2023 there was a good response from the community.

I am with the Richmond Hill Historical Society, York Region Branch-OGS/Ontario Ancestors and the Richmond Hill Arts Council.

So as a member of the Historical Society I suggested my two other groups to participate. 

Yay a good success.

Always a good way to promote our organizations.

So I posted my 145 plus photos on my Facebook page.

Some of the banners who represented people there.

Our fun poster of the event.

The Richmond Hill Community Concert Band played a medley of pieces.

Ted Barris a Canadian journalist and writer of 19 books presented on Canadian medics in several wars. His book Rush to Danger chronicled his research and gratitude to our service men and women. It is available at various book stores and online resources.

Always good to promote Canadian writers.

And a love of gardens.

It was a good day and evening.

#richmondhillheritagesummitseptember10#2023heritagesummit#richmondhillhistoricalsociety#richmondhillartscouncil#yorkregionbranchogs#yorkregionbranchontarioancestors#supportingtherichmondhillcommunity#beingthereforourcommunity#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-MISSISSAUGA OF THE CREDIT

 While visiting the Canadian National Exhibition, I visited the Mississauga of the Credit Booth and display in the Enercare Building.

Always informative, it reminds me of the genealogy of our First Nations.

It is easy to scan the QR Code to reach their website for more information

Those of us who live in the GTA or southern part of Ontario it is easy to recognize the Territories and Treaty Areas.

I have more information from the booth. History and timelines.  I put it on my bookshelf in case my grandchildren may want to do a project using the resources. Not everything is online. It is good to have print documents in your hands.

I am sure if more information is wanted you can contact the website on the QR Code.

#mississaugaofthecredit#informationontreaties#learningaboutallCanadians#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NEW BEGINNINGS ARE A MIXED BLESSING

 A new school year always comes with hope the children will like their teacher, have friends, learn, and maybe just enjoy school and have some fun.

Some new beginnings are thrust upon us. Like the loss of a loved one. A layoff from a loved job. 

Moving to a new home can be mixed. Is it a step up or downsizing? Was it wanted?

Starting again at anything can bring mixed feelings then.

Even when we are in charge of that change the anxiety about it can be overwhelming or not!!

So I face some changes. I have been anticipating moving from my big house one day. I prepare continually as I look through my stuff, deciding what I want to keep and what can go.

But not knowing where I am going next causes too much anxiety. So I try to subdue those vibes and just plod along with my organizing, decluttering, looking for the next place and staying positive as possible.

Although the path seems dark, there is a light at the end that always brings me hope and encouragement.

Are you facing any new beginnings? Do they seem doable or just too hard to do? Do you look for help from others to face these new beginnings? What are your thoughts?

#newbeginnings#lossofalovedisapainfulnewbeginning#movingcausestoomuchanxiety#startingagainisalwayshard#changebringsfearsandanxiety#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

HOPE FOR A GOOD SCHOOL YEAR FOR ALL MY GRANDCHILDREN AND YOURS TOO

 September brings  a new school year. Lots of anticipation for it to go well.

May all my grandchildren have a good school year.

One off to university.

Two to grade 10.

One to grade 8.

One to Grade 5.

One to Grade 3.

So I hope the best for all of them and for your grandchildren too.

#offtoanewschoolyear#hopeforagoodyear#hopeallgoeswell#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CANADIAN NATIONAL EXHIBITION- A DAY OF FUN WITH A DAUGHTER

 Canadian National Exhibition or better known as the EX to all who attend is a cheesy fun day for all.

Went September 2, 2023 for a few hours with my daughter. No rides. No games. Just walked around and ate some food in the FOOD Building and an ice cream later.

The Air Show with the jets and all the noise made for a great day.

Always fun to spot the CN tower from the parking lot.

I bought some and ate it later at home.

Crowd scene. Typical throughout the day.

 The Flyer sign from an old midway ride called the Flyer.

My photo of the Flyer 1985. A great memory. It was a scary roller coaster for its time. Now roller coasters are far scarier.

Fun times. A go to place every year.

#theEX#canadiannationalexhibition#let'sgototheex#texantornado#candycane#candyfloss#imagesofthecne#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

HELLO SEPTEMBER-THE MONTH FULL OF CHANGE AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

 August preparations has given me a head start on the September events.

Meetings.

Community events.

Assisting working daughters with grandchildren.

Writing.

Doing.

Being.

September. Bring it on.

#september#septembercommunityevents#beingbusyinseptember#doingandbeinginseptember#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro