DEMOCRACY IS A FRAGILE VALUE- TO RESPECT THE MAJORITY'S DECISION IS NEVER EASY FOR ALL

 We must support the world democracies.

So Ukraine and Israel are top of my list. They are doing our fight.

Terrorists can not reign. 

And now we look south.

What the hell is happening there?

A convicted felon can run for President. 

I worry about American democracy. A government can change the law. Look what they did with abortion issue. Put women back 50 years and they call themselves a democracy.

I am glad to be Canadian. But I hope the right wing faction in some quarters does not get a louder voice. We can not turn back the clock. 

It is Pride month. And I am proud that the celebration in Toronto welcomes people from all over the world to celebrate here openly and with community support.

One person. One vote. No one person should have a louder voice than any other voice. No one person should be blocked from voting. 

It is democracy. 

If the person you do not like wins but the majority voted for that person then so be it.

Whoever wins must work for all the people, not just the ones that voted for him/her!

So supporting democracies in the world, also protects our democracy. 

Hatred can not reign. 

So as Canadians we should search our souls and make our democracy the best in the world.

#democracyisafragilevalue##canadiandemocracy#ukraine#israel#whatishappeninginamericandemocracy#abortionshouldnotbeanissuein2024#supportfreedom#supportdemocracy#reflectivethoughtsbybarbaradimambro#barbaradimambro

JUNE 2024 REFLECTIONS

 The weather was hot and cool and hot again. I wish it would be consistent.

Birthdays were fun. Cake is always welcome.

A Grade 8 graduation of one grandson.

And seeing Tyler win an athlete of the year award.

Seeing my youngest grandson play soccer on a Monday night.

Community events with lots of photos.

Indigenous day.

Morning glories on the side of the road.

Supported the Edmonton Oilers in their run for the Stanley Cup. Made Canada proud.

Community meetings are over for the summer. The speaker at the OGS June meeting was good. And I was able to provide the information for the Richmond Hill Historical Society Bert Hunt winner- Vera from Richmond Hill Then and Now. 

Reviewed Adolph's arrival in Canada story and posted to the Cassino Italian Immigrant facebook page.

Garden is a jungle but I am letting it grow and will chop everything back in September. Thank heaven for my hedge trimmer. The best purchase for my outdoors.

June made me realize I need to up my game. More outdoors. More walking. More photography. I am becoming a little lazy. So give myself a goal of 10 books to read. Exercise more in a slow methodical way like low impact gardening.

Plan some day trips. Farmers markets. At least the Hillcrest one is always good and close to home.

Maybe some lavendar farms and other farm trips. Of course a beach trip would be nice.

So June you were a good month. 

#june2024reflections#graduation#birthdays#soccer#farmersmarkets#farmtrips#communitymeetingsareoverforhesummer#adolph'sarrivalincanadastory#reflectivethoughtsbybarbaradimambro#barbaradimambro#cakeisalwaysgoodtoeat

EDMONTON OILERS GAVE US SOME RENEWED CANADIAN PASSION

 Okay I am a Maple Leaf fan. I remember the 1967 win well.

I remember Canada beating Russia in 1972.

I watch Canadians at the Olympics. I just love it when Canada and Canadians do well.

So for the Edmonton Oilers to make a comeback and force Game 7 was incredible and made me proud as a Canadian. Those Edmonton fans- well the singing of O Canada still rings in my ears. So much pride.

Seeing Connor McDavid wait for all his team mates to leave the ice was such a leadership move. 

What I don't like is the way American media has dissed him. Then the trollers on social media- get a life.

So he didn't return to ice to get his Conn Symthe trophy! Did you really think he needed to hear booing from Panther fans. I think not.

The team already won with their comeback. Well they lost by one goal. They did not win the Stanley Cup but they have kept the hearts of Canadians beating coast to coast. Many of those Canadians do support other teams but having a Canadian team made us just support the Oilers for their run.

Do we realize the margin between winning and losing is so slim?

Basketball- one simple basket in a game of many.

Swimming, running, bobsledding etc Often by fractions of a second between winner and second place.

I think Social Media has it advantages. But it allows for some garbage, hate and putdowns of good people.

What I find rather disgusting is when hockey commenters or other sports guys who do not play sports and could not go out and give it their all, put down the players. It is one thing to talk about the skills but to put down people, well is it really okay?

Bullying, name calling is not tolerated in schools anymore. But it seems if you have a microphone and a media presence garbage can come out or your mouth.

The Panthers had several Canadian players and one is from York Region.

Well so is Connor McDavid. And his folks are still here. 

I have two grandsons in local hockey leagues. So I have this renewed interest in the sport. I would hope that criticism of them would be meaningful and not poisonous. 

Hockey players and all sports figures have families, friends and well personalities. They have emotions and feelings like anyone. To say they have to be tough enough to take it. Okay but not hate, spite and outright jealousy.  

Perhaps the best thing is to keep your social media accounts private and do not read the hateful stuff. 

So I hope the Oilers know and the whole team as well as all the support people around them that Canada was and still is proud of them. Stanley Cup or not. You gave us great hockey. You gave us your all. And for that I say thank you.

#edmontonoilers#oilers#oilersfans#edmontonalberta#alberta#oilersmadeacomeback#connormcdavid#stanleycup#theylostbysuchasmallmargin#socialmediacanhavesomerealgarbage#panthers#grandsonsinhockey#canadaisproudoftheoilers#canadianslovesports#ocanadasungbyoilersfanswasamazing#sportscommenterscantalkshadetoomuch#sportscommentersshouldsticktotheskillsandnotthepersonalitiesofplayers#okaynottobehappyaboutthelossfortheoilers#reflectivethoughtsbybarbaradimambro#barbaradimambro#richmondhillontariocanada#richmondhill

JUNE CELEBRATIONS- GRADE EIGHT GRADUATION

 A June celebration for a Grade 8 grad.

It is always a blessing to attend family member celebrations.

My grandson Tyler finished Grade 8 with a commencement with his fellow students.

He had been on as many sports teams all year and received Athlete of the Year along with 3 other students.

Proud of him for being such a fine young man but mostly for being my grandson.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbaradimambro#barbaradimambro#junecelebrations#gradeeightgraduation

COMMUNITY MEETINGS- RICHMOND HILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

 Our last meeting of the season was June 18th with a celebratory awarding to a long time member who had been the Treasurer- Laura for several decades.

The Bert Hunt Heritage Award was given to Vera Tachtaul who administers the Richmond Hill Then and Now Facebook page.

I wrote the press release which I am including here.

Some photos were taken on my camera by my friend Agnes.

Jim Vollmershausaen, our Chair is presenting the award to Vera. 

It was a fun night with cake and the Bring and Brag event.

More people attended than the usual crowd.

Now a break for the summer.

#richmondhillhistoricalsociety#berthuntheritageaward#veratachtaul#jimvollmershausen#bringandbrag#barbaradimambro#reflectivethoughtsbybarbaradimambro#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#funwithotherhistorybuffsatourcommunitymeeting

FATHER'S DAY WITHOUT A DAD

 For most of us we knew our Dad.

When that Dad passes away, it is a huge loss in our lives. 

Father's Day brings it home. But to embrace the good times and the bad times we had, remembering is okay.

Some children were deserted by their fathers and did not know them.

I had two Dads. My biological Dad and the Dad that adopted me. I always knew them both and saw them both. 

It was not confusing for me but when I mention it to others, they get confused.

It is my family story and legacy.

So for those missing their Dad last Father's Day, I am with you.

Today, however is 7 years since my step-dad died. So remembering is what I am doing.

It is coming up to 4 years since Adolph died. I know my girls and grandchildren are missing him.

Their Girl Dad.

#dads#father'sdaywithoutadad#knowingyourdad#biologicaldad#stepdad#rememberingadad#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

UNSOLICITED ADVICE

 Why do some people think giving advice is their prerogative! 

Did I ask for your opinion?

Well no, then be quiet!

I was chatting with the fellow where I buy my lotter tickets.

He likes me as he can ask me questions about many things.

He was getting tired of customers who had negative opinions and comments about the government, life, and other issues. He wanted to know my opinion about the same issues. So what do I say.

I tell him my views and what I think of what he heard.

I add that he does not have to agree with me or the many customers that he serves. He has the right to his own opinion.

However, they are customers so he can listen to them, take their money and wish them a good day.

And be his own person.

It is hard sometimes in the service industry to have to be polite, nice and listen to crap from others.

What do you think? Are you the one listening or the one dishing it out to others!

#unsolicitedadvice#unsolictiedopinionsoneverything#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

PEACE COMES WITH A PRICE

 Peace comes with a price.

As we remember DDAY today and all other conflicts our Canadians have served for country, knowing the sacrifices they made are poignant.

Peace is here. We want it to remain here.

Providing people that serve and protect is necessary for that peace.

As we witness conflicts in the world, pray that peace will come.

#peacecomeswithaprice#conflictsintheworld#dday80thanniversary#rememberingallthatservedandservenow#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

JUNE 6 1944- 80TH ANNIVERSARY TODAY

 160,000 people involved. How many Canadian families have an ancestor who was at Juno Beach?

Services in Europe and around the world to honour and remember those who were there that day.

Ellie Park served in the SOE. Did his missions help DDAY?

Parkin Alton trained gunners at home in Canada. Did that training of men help DDAY?

To those that didn't return home but remain in cemeteries in Europe.

Thank you!

#dday2024#80thanniversary#rememberingdday#parkinalton#elliepark#cassinocemetery#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

STEPS OR MINUTES- EXERCISE HOW YOU WANT

 People like to do steps. Counting, counting, and so on.

Some exercise by how many kilometers they run, jog or walk.

Some like to do the recommended minutes of exercise every day.

So whether you count steps or just keep active every day with whatever turns your soul, there is no rule.

Even some jobs are more active so a gym is not needed. But others love going to the gym so go.

I like to walk. Gardening is low impact exercise. I do weights and sometimes plank. Planking is supposed to be good to do every day so I think I may include it more often.

So what do you do for exercise?

#exercise#walking#countingsteps#minutesofexercise#weightsaregood#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

POEM- ME TO WE

ME TO WE

As life evolved

Our love

Brought kids

A home

Fun, vacations

Building then losing

Trying to build again

Surviving, Being

Then life brought death

And it's me again

I miss we

I loved being we

May 5, 2024

JUNE-THE MONTH WITH LOTS OF CELEBRATIONS

 Welcome June.

Convocations.

Birthdays. 

Outdoor barbecues.

Of course a peonie in full bloom always makes June so special.

#june#flowers#birthdays#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro