REMEBRANCE DAY 2024-WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO REMEMBER?

 I always attend the Service in Richmond Hill. It is held on the Sunday before Remembrance Day.

So Sunday November 10, 2024 at the Cenotaph.

My program is a little wrinkled from the rain that started midway through the service.

The front design was from a Scout troop. Very pretty design.

What are you doing for Remembrance Day?

#remembranceday2024#attendingaservice#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

REFLECTIVETHOUGHTSBYBARBARA NOW HAS DONE 4000 POSTS

 Hard to fathom that I have done 4000 posts on this blog.

Some whimsical, some thoughtful, some photos ones and several themes.

I try to post every day but sometimes it just does not happen.

I still rarely post a pic of me. On Adolph's blog Granpalovestocook it had many photos of him as I wanted to show him cooking or at a market to keep it authentic.

I don't know that I will change very much of what I say or do. 

Sometimes I have reposted a former post or used similar ideas again.

It is hard to be original. I do have some basic values and themes I like to share.

So I will continue to write as long as I am able to write. And photograph. And see symbolism in the world.

Are there any ideas you would want me to share? Let me know.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbarareaches4000posts#writingonablog#barbaradimambro#themesformyblog#barbaradimambro

NANA SAYS LOVE ATTENDING THOSE GRANDCHILDREN'S GAMES

 Love being at the rink early.

So while waiting a couple of kids from Ty's team came out.

One player after filling his water bottle, turned and saw a family member.

He said Hi Granma and walked over to give her a hug. Such a sweet moment.

My grandsons always give me a hug too. Doesn't matter who is watching.

So watching them play is one thing. Getting that hug is priceless.

#grandsonshockeygames#goingtowatchthekidsplayhockey#gettingahugfromagrandchildispriceless#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

LIKE PEBBLES ON A BEACH WE ARE ALL UNIQUE

 Like pebbles on a beach we are all unique.

I love my collections of pebbles I collected from Sauble Beach Ontario. The water rounded out rock to make these very picturesque pebbles.

I keep them in a small jar as a reminder of how different we can be.

#saublebeachontario#pebblesonabeach#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro 

 

AS AN OLDER WOMAN I AM HAVING TROUBLE SORTING OUT THE GOOD GUYS FROM THE CHAUVANISTIST ONES-WE ARE NOT GOING BACK

 The American Election keeps my head spinning.

Those men who support Trump are a certain breed.

So when I see someone in a pick up truck wearing a cap or looking like a Trump supporter here in Canada I cringe.

I want to keep my faith in the good guys of this country and world.

But history tells us about the rise of men who are willing to do whatever it takes to control their countries. Especially to control their women like some countries in the Middle East.

Prewar Germany is such a nation.

The Roman Empire was bloody and brutal. 

Listening to rhetoric and nonsense coming out of the mouths of those supporters sound like Romans and Nazis. The Fascists in history.

Then there is this whole notion of woke liberals. Very left. Who are they and who are they supposed to be? I think the T Cult just labels them.

Even our conservative leader has used the word woke in a negative context. Our Constitution, our health care, our education system and our willingness to be a democracy is huge.

Woke started as a way to be aware.

The backlash against women and rights makes me cringe too. To think prochoice is still confused for proabortion. It means giving a woman the right to determine her own reproductive decisions. There are women who are prochoice who would not have an abortion. However they would not ever think to deny that another woman could have that choice.

Women and men have the right over their own bodies. All men were born from women.

Respect for all the women in your life.

So when I see an American that looks like a redneck endorsing Harris/Waltz I have to remember to listen and not judge a book by its cover.

I want to be aware and open minded and try to respect all. But right now I wish I could slap a lot of people and say get over it. Open your eyes. Listen with your ears. Be wary of the threat to democracy.

So as an older woman I want to stay engaged because I have grandchildren that deserve a democratic and good future.

We are not going back. 

#americanpolitics#beingdemocratic#listeningandnotreacting#whatiswrongwiththeTcultinAmerica#isitwrongtobeliberalthinking#wemustlearnfromhistory#harris/waltz#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FAITH IN YOUNGER PEOPLE-SOME GOOD EXPERIENCES

So I attend my grandsons' hockey games as often as I can. Keeps me near young people and well they are my grandsons. Love them.

Recently I had some work done on my home.

I had a leak and needed some shingles replaced. The young man in his 20s was courteous, efficient and very skilled. He took about 3 hours to get the work done.

Needing my eaves troughs cleaned, two young men in their 20s represented the company. They cleaned the troughs and one said the screws were too long holding the down sprout to the house. So he spent some time putting in smaller screws. All for the same price.

What I liked was how well both situations showed how younger people care about the work they do, Skilled, efficient and well nice people.

Like Socrates said two thousand years ago, what is happening to the youth of today. Well he was wrong and many of the people who worry about the youth of today, I think they are wrong too.

The youth will find their own way in this generation. By being a good, caring older member of the community I can role model good behaviour as well as acknowledgement of how well many of our youth and younger people are doing.

So home repairs brought some well needed reassurance that good work continues to be done.

We need good workers of all kinds but especially in the trades. Good skills all around.

Have you had some good work done lately? 

#homerepairswentwell#roofneedingsomeshingles#gettingmygutterscleaned#respectinghteyouthoftoday#socrateswaswrong#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DOES POLITICS HAVE YOU DOWN?

 Wars.

American politics.

Canadian politics.

I care more about what I can do locally right now. When I think about what could happen in America, my head wants to explode.

I worry about democracy. Look what happened to women in the Middle East. Backwards.

Women have come a long way in history but need to go further. 

Education. Equal work opportunities. Getting better jobs that are deserved and not a token.

Tokenism doesn't work.

There are bright qualified men and women. Working together for a better world. 

But I am concerned. Not for my me but my grandchildren and their generation and their future.

How about you? Has politics got you down right now?

#politics#americanpolitics#worryingaboutmygrandchildren'sfuture#education#equalopportunities#democraryisontheline#wedonotneedafascistdictatorshipinamerican#cantheconstitutionofamericabetakenawaybyafacistpresident#weneeddemocarayinthewholeworld#politicsisabummer

FALL REFLECTIONS 2024

 

2023- Orange Shirt Day

There are so many Fall images to see this time of year. October brings the beautiful Fall colours.

Roadside images.

Images taken in 2009. I always loved the Bullrushes.

A favourite sunflower by the fence photo.

My street in the Fall.

White pumpkins.

Just another Fall tree.

Of course these pumpkin sculptures from Willowtree farm near Port Perry.

Pumpkins and more pumpkins.

I need to search for more photos. I may or may not take a trip to capture more photos. But when my files contain so many it is easier to look through my files and relive those magical moments.

#fallimages#researchingmyfilesforfallimages#pumpkins#willowtreefarmnearportperryontario#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

OCTOBER THANKSGIVING IN CANADA

 Shopping and serving for a Canadian Thanksgiving is work but worth it.

I had my peeps. 11 of us for Thanksgiving dinner yesterday.

Appetizers, the traditional Canadian Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings and dessert with pumpkin and apple pies. 

It was lots of work as I try to clean my house as well as prepare for a meal.

I am a little tired today but for some reason not as tired as other years.

Maybe I am just in better shape than I realize.

So with the blessings of the season, what thankful thoughts do you have?

#thanksgivinginCanada#turkeydinnerwithallthetrimmings#pumpkins#turkey#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

OCTOBER- THE MONTH WITH PUMPKINS AND ORANGE AND FALL LEAVES

 

A pumpkin dog.

Farms with pumpkins

A favourite Fall lane.

And pumpkin man.

#october#fall#pumpkins#lotsoffallleaves#leavesontheground#fallinontario#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SOME COMMENTS GET MORE RETURN THAN A WHOLE BLOG POST!! GRIEF IS A DIFFICULT JOURNEY

 I made a comment on Hockey Patrol about the Gaudreau brothers' death and the hurt of one hockey friend.

I simply said-

GRIEF IS A DIFFICULT JOURNEY.

A FRIEND CAN NOT BE REPLACED AND WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED.

Simple comment. But so many young people have liked it.

Sometimes less is more. Not wordy but to the point.

Being a retired Social Worker has its advantages.

Reaching out through simple comments lets people know that grief is really, really tough.

#grief#hockeypatrol#thegaudreaubrothersdyinghashurtthehockeyworld#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ARTWALK IN RICHMOND HILL-FUN DAY TO HONOUR ARTISTS IN THE COMMUNITY

 

List of artists and participants at the event.

The Richmond Hill Arts Council is always there supporting the Arts Community in Richmond Hill.

I took over a hundred photos of the Artists and various staff working during the day at the Richmond Hill Centre for Performing Arts.

I posted on my Facebook page and tagged several people who were there.

It feels good to give others an opportunity to be seen.

Some samples of the art at the show. See the canvas on the top right. I bought it for $80.00. I loved the pink in it. The artist was Irene Schaefer.

Having some original art pieces in my home always brings me pleasure.

Art is good for the soul.

#art#ireneschaefer#artwalk2024#richmondhillartwalk2024#buyingoriginalartisgoodforthesoul

FLOWERS ON A RICHMOND HILL STREET

 

I love flowers and they can be found everywhere. By the library or the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts.

Do you like to take strolls in your own neighbourhood?

#flowersinthefall#strollinyourneighbourhood#prettypinkflowers#reflectivethoughtsbybarbaradimambro#barbaradimambro

TERRY FOX- THAT CANADIAN ICON-SO MANY RUNS TODAY

 Terry Fox wanted to run across Canada to raise money for Cancer research. He dipped his leg in the ocean in Newfoundland.

His journey was cut short Sept. 15, 1980 near Thunder Bay,Ontario. His cancer had returned and he died June 28, 1981 at the age of 21.

In a little parkette in Richmond Hill there is a sculpture and dedication to his Marathan of Hope. What is special is that so many parks and places across Canada honour the work of this iconic Canadian. I am not sure how many millions his efforts have raised over the years since his death but it is huge.

Today there would be greater hope for the cancer that took his life. How many lives have been saved by the tremendous efforts and research of his legacy. 

#terryfox#marathonofhope#cancerresearch#reflectivethoughtsbybarbaradimambro#barbaradimambro

BEING A WIDOW SUCKS BUT A YOUNG WIDOW IS SUCH A HEARTBREAK STORY

 Everyone that knows me, knows my sentiments on widowhood.

It sucks. Actually it sucks big time..

But this last week seeing two hockey stars- John and Matthew Gaudreau who  died killed by a drunk driver really slams the whole issue of widowhood home.

Two young wives, one pregnant with a first child and the other with two young children breaks my heart.

Their social media posts of how much they loved their husbands brought tears to so many eyes..

But their ordeal of a life without the loves of their live has barely started. It sucks big time for them too.

So to all the widows and yes widowers, we get it.

Just really sorry for your loss.

#widowhood#gaudreaubrothers#johnnyhockey#livingwithoutalovedonesucksbigtime#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#matthewgaudrea#johnnygaudreau#thehockeyworldiscryingbigtime#itistoosad

SEPTEMBER- TIME TO START ANOTHER YEAR OF RUSHING

 The summer went way too fast.

September always seems to get here and all the activities hit like a fast moving train.

Several meetings this week.

More next week.

Birthdays to celebrate.

Time to clean the house and the garden.

I feel like I need an energizer to get everything done.

Or perhaps slow down and realize that the Fall has some beautiful moments too.

#september#gettingbacktoactivities#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

HOW TO BE A GOOD TRAVELER-SOME TALES OF A BAD ONE

 Coming home from my dad's funeral. June 2027 from Kelowna

I had paid for the seat on the plane as I have always done just to get the seat I wanted.

A mom with a child sat beside me but then she was moved to another seat and another passenger came there.

At the end of the flight the mother of the young mom came to thank the passenger while giving me dagger looks because this other woman had traded seats and I had not.

I remember the family of six who had not reserved their seats like I had and came late to check in and had to be placed apart.

So why does another traveler with a child and family think they should take over the seating arrangement.

I think parents with children can book their seats together or come early to the flight.

I understand children need to be with a parent-always so accommodations can be made. 

Every passenger on the plane has a story so don't assume the lady not giving up her seat that was paid in advance is not a nice person.

#travelling#givingupaseat#everyonehasastory#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SUMMER GARDEN MERGES INTO FALL-HOSTAS ARE BLOOMING

 

Adolph liked to plant hostas everywhere in our gardens front and back. When he planted this ring of hostas in the front I was not fussy at the time.

Now I love them. It suits the space and makes my chaotic front garden look good.

When I return from a walk, I smile to see them. It is almost a message to remember him.

#hostas#frontgarden#adolphdidsomegardening#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

A POSTCARD FROM BARB AND ADOLPH-POSTCARDS TO MARE-STORIES FROM TRIPS MADE

When Cass was clearing out his Mom's house he found lots of interesting items. 

I received a box of momentos Mare saved from letters, cards and postcards I had sent her over the years. So postcards to add to my collection gave snipets of time from my travels.

Fun to share here on my blog.

The postcard from Mexico. 1990.

Feb. 4, 1990. dear Mare, Mike and Cassidy,

We're doing everything all in 1 day. I must have walked 10 miles together. We.re rolled in the surf, collected shells, ate too much, too much sun. We plan to rent a car & visit Tulum one of the Mayan sites on the coast. We already saw a small ruin just off the beach. tell you more when we return. Love, Barb &Adolph

Lake Simcoe.

Aug. 6/90. Dear Mare & Mike, Having fun with 4 grumbling, hungry adolescents who never have enough to do. Do you like the area- notice the shape of the canal leading into the lake. Interesting and symbolic. See you when I get back. Love, Barb, Adolph &kids

First trip to Italy.

August 20/91

Saluti da Roma. It's amazing how much Italian I can understand. I know when I talk I must have an accent. We are at Lillina's apartment for the week. It's very central but noisy. The old cities are so full of history. I could take pictures all the time. Adolph is glad to be alone again. Think about it. 4 days with his mother and 3 female relatives. Need I say more. Love Barb.

                                    

Adolph's hometown of Cassino.

Aug. 17,/91

Hi Mare,

Italy is fun. We flew over Rome before landing. It was beautiful from the air. The driving is interesting!. The first day Adolph drove us up the mountains of Cassino on the narrow, twisting roads. We've been to the beach. His cousin drives like a mad woman. I kept getting asked are you tired, are you hungry- 500 times. We went to the Open market this morning- just like our markets at home. Will have lts to tell you. See you soon, Love Barb&Adolph

Our Anniversary trip.

May 13/96 Dear Marilee, Roma is still busy full of interesting people and expensive fashion. Platform shoes are in fashion again- Want a pair! Lots of fun practicing my "broken" Italian. Take care, see you soon. Love, Barb& Adolph

Trip for Mom's birthday in the Okanagan.

June 26/97 Hi Mare, Hope all is well. The Valley has grown but it's like home with Tim Horton's Donuts, Zellers, Block Buster Video etc. All the same stores. I'm enjoying the slow pace and taking time to smell the roses. Mom & Dad are fin. Take care. See you when I get back. Love, Barb

Last trip to Italy in 1997 with Adolph.

Sept. 15/97

Hi Mare. We're seeing the sights of Rome & Vicinity again before heading to Sardegna. Rosario & I took an hour's drive to see Cerverteri. However it's closed on Monday so I took pictures through the fence & bought postcards. On Sunday, we went to visit some "sights" with Lillina & Rosario-closed! So I have  lots of pictures of the outside & through the fences of places. Maybe we'll try on Tuesday-things will be open. Love Barb & Adolph 

Trip to Mexico in 2000 with the kids and boyfriends.

Feb. 22. 2000. Hi Mare, How are you managing with my cat. Fabulous beach. Hotel is okay. We're right across from a big mall. I've bought some silver pieces and my clown for my collection. I hope to get the girls on some tours. Adolph & I walk on the beach. The soft sand kills our calves We've been eating like pigs so must do some exercise to try to balance the input of food. Take Care, Love, Barb, Adolph, Tasha, Sonya, Domi & Andrew

Postcards are rarely sent anymore. On my last trip to Tobermory I sent a dozen to people I knew and even one to myself. Like vinyl records maybe they need a revival.

What do you think?

#postcards#postcardstoMarefromBarb&Adolph#barbwritespostcards#italy#romeitaly#romaitaly#mexico#okanaganbc#visitingitaly#visitingbc#postcardsgiveaperspectiveonlifewhentravellingtootherplaces#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambeo