KEEP OUR FRIENDS CLOSE BUT YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER-SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT CARNEY BEING NICE TO TRUMP

 Diplomacy makes politicians walk a fine line.

Dialogue has to happen.

Our trade war with the United States is such a fine line.

They are not our friends. More like enemies.

Considering the long history of shared interests and respect it is a real sad moment in the history of both our countries.

There is no respect from the current administration. It is a game where they want to be the winners.

Winners for what and who. So many workers on both sides of the border are affected.

Canadians care about all our workers. We care about the work they do. They did not ask for this trade war.

Usually a game has set rules. This current game keeps having the rules changed almost daily to appease one man.

So some are saying Carney is not doing enough. Hard when the opponent keeps changing the rules. 

Knowing that administration lies and will try to win at any cost. Machiavellian isn't it?

So we will keep our friends close but know to keep our enemies closer.

And of course cover our backs.

I will do whatever I need as a Canadian to support all Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

#keepyourfriendsclosebutyourenemiescloser#Carneyisdoingwhatneedstobedone#cannottrustthecurrentamericanadministration#supportingcanadianscoasttocoasttocoast#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SUNDAY WALKS ARE THE BEST

 I like the quiet of a Sunday walk.

There are fewer cars and people. I feel alone with my thoughts.

Walking up Addison by the fields, I noticed a line of early morning mist along Yonge street. Took a quick photo on my cell phone.

The Library looked lovely with that row of trees along Hoskins changing colour. I saw a cardinal flying quickly form one plant to another.

Noisy birds chirping in the woodlot at the library.

A man with his backwards jays cap, wished my good morning as he walked by me on Atkinson street. I yelled go jays go. He smiled. I know I am a nerd.

One young paramedic sitting outside the by doors of the paramedic site. My walk takes me by the Police Station with the Paramedics there as well.

Lots of people on the free tennis courts at the park.

Of course, I gave a little kiss to the memorial plaque for Adolph as I always do. Grandpa's park. So many memories there.

Although my walk is a reflective exercise, I always try to pay attention to the world around me. I want to keep my observation skills honed.

Oh those quiet Sunday walks.

#quietsundaywalk#richmondhill#cardinals#honingmyobservationskills#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#grandpa'spark

RICHMOND HILL- FIRE SAFETY EVENT OCTOBER 4 2025

 

So trying to attend as many local events this year to experience the community, I attended the 2025 Fire Safety Event at 191 Mackenzie Drive Fire Hall.

Well planned out with an event schedule, it let me know what was happening. 

I try to take some photos to have as a record.

The 10 AM Auto Extrication demonstration was interesting with fireman doing the demonstration while a supervisor explained the process. It showed how a car would be taken apart to extract a person trapped in the vehicle. Safety measures used were stated. I wanted to laugh when a door was taken off for example and the crowd responded with oohs and awes. It was difficult taking good pictures as usual the tall big men stood at the very front of the barrier so short people like I am had trouble seeing the procedures. I moved around to try different angles.

So I saw a Fireman who looked like a boss standing and approached him to ask him a question. I wanted to know if there was a person in the car would a blanket be placed on him/her. He was very informative explaining the process. It was very similar to Crisis Intervention counselling that I knew well. When I asked him if he had ever performed an auto extrication he reflected an event he had performed. He shared how Dads of girls always take care of their girls. Sweet. I also told my story of the day Adolph was unable to be aroused Feb. 11 2018 and while the paramedics were getting him on the stretcher, two firemen were shoveling a path to the ambulance. He said maybe he was the one doing it. Remembering that day always touches my heart. I thanked him for talking with me.

I continued around the event taking some random photos.

Two fire trucks ready for action.

I am always looking for images to use at a later time.

The old vintage fire truck I have seen at many events.

I did not take many photos of booths.

However when I saw this group I decided to get some group shots.

Richmond Hill Professional Fire Fighters Local 1957. Cooperative weren't they!!

I spent about an hour at the event. Walked home.

I reflected on how our community is well supported by hard working first responders. I know we can rely on them.

For me, it was good to be out and about on a warm October day. 

#richmondhillprofessionalfirefighterslocal1957#richmondhillfireandemergencyservices#paramedics#autoextricationdemostration#richmondhillontariocanada#191majormackenziedrive#wellsupportedbyfirstrespndersinourcommunity#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#2025openhouseevent#firefightersintherichmondhillcommunity

OCTOBER-THANKSGIVING PREPARATIONS, HARVEST HOME, PREPARING FOR THE COOLER WEATHER

 Sad to see September go. I achieved some activities but had hoped more organizing would be done.

Boring activities are hard to approach. Motivation is not there.

So October hopefully will give me that motivation to get things done or not.

Some previous Fall images. Maybe these will help motivate me to get going.

#fallimages#gettingorganized#someactivitiesarejustboringandhardtogetgoing#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SEPTEMBER 30- A DAY OF REFLECTION

 One day a year for Truth and Reconciliation.

But every day should have us remembering and giving respect to all who have lived on this land.

I am Canadian not a colonist. After 5 to 7 generations in North America I think I can say I was not responsible for our history.

What I am responsible for- is what happens today.

Respect.

Water on the reservations.

A hand up not a hand out.

Equal opportunities for all. 

Education.

Health Care. Medical Services. Mental Health Services.

Dental Care.

Dealing with Sex and Human Trafficing.

Orange that healing colour.

Taking care of myself so I can be there for others.

#dayofreflection#truthandreconciliation#september30#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DO YOU EVER THINK HOW THE SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS AFFECT PEOPLE?

 I just had a thought about my sister. Covid isolation was hard for everyone. I made cloth masks before the disposable ones were readily available.

There were free masks in Alberta where my sister was living. She tried to get a free one but they had run out. So when she went home and checked her mail there were two cloth masks from me.

A small act from a sister.

So always do that little thing you thought of doing for someone. It might just be the thing they need in their day.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#smallactsofkindness#justdoitifyouwanttoreachouttosomone#barbaradimambro

DAY OUT AT A RETIREMENT HOME FOR LUNCH

 

Invited to a sampling at Del Manor in Richmond Hill was a fun hour with the Arts Council group.

Made by the Chef the five items were tasty.

The shrimp, lobster with fish eggs was different. The spring roll made fresh was a filler.

There was a harpist playing for the event on the back terrace with us.

They gave people who were interested a tour of the facility. I declined as I had visited several when I worked at the hospital. And I am not ready to be a resident!!

A simple local outing broke up the day.

#delmanorrichmondhill#afoodtasting#goingoutforafreelunch#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE ROBERT REDFORD MOVIE? EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION

 So by now you know I loved Robert Redford. Actor, director, environmentalist, supporter of small film producers with his Sundance Film Festival.

Husband, father, grandfather. He dealt with sorrow in his life.

And handsome.

But mostly a fine human being/

I loved all his films.

The one I loved the most was Out of Africa. The story. The scenery. The relationship between the two main characters.

I always felt I was in Africa sharing a part of the history there.

So what is your favourite film with Robert Redford?

#robertredford#sundancefilmfestival#outofafrica#afinehumanbeing#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SHARON TEMPLE VISIT WITH THE RICHMOND HILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

 Fun to spend September 11, 2025 in Sharon Ontario.

The Sharon Museum and Gardens located in the small town of Sharon has Quaker roots to the early 1800s.

The Temple was a meeting place and not a church.

The Exhibit room in the Exhibit Building.

The Temple.

Jacobs ladder to the second floor where the musicians played.

The pillars. Four reflecting

the values- love, faith, hope and charity.

Our guide Madison-curator of the Museum.

Original chairs.

Every member had their own chair.

Music was important as can be seen by this organ.

Supporting the Indigenous roots of the area.

Vera standing by the pillar with the word faith. Her name in Ukraine.

The grounds were lovely with vegetation reflecting the natural flora of the area.

Entrance to the Museum.

Our group.

Goodbye Temple. It was a good day.

#sharontemple#sharonmuseumandgardens#richmondhillhistoricalsocietyvisitstheSharontemple#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

TWO FAVOURITE PEOPLE DIED THIS WEEK-BEV THOMSON AND ROBERT REDFORD

 Bev Thomson was an amazing Canadian broadcaster and journalist. At age 61 died too young. Wonderful on screen and off. Canadians loved her. Bev fought cancer battles and advocated for women.

Robert Redford-actor, environmentalist, supporter of human rights and the little guy in the film industry. Sundance film festival helped so many in that industry.

I have all his films in VHS and DVD. Some favourites- Out of Africa, The Natural, and his earlier films Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid. Adolph and I saw The Sting at the St Clair theatre in Toronto. Everyone came out of the movie smiling and happy.

Those blue eyes- he was so handsome. Loved his family. Dealt with the loss of a son. Loss of a baby with his first wife. 

So I cried some tears for both of them and their families.

The world is a better place because they both were here. RIP special people.

#bevthomson#robertredford#theymadeadifferenceinthisworld#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

I DON'T CRY AT FUNERALS BUT I MAY CRY AT A WEDDING

 Funerals are the edge. Weddings are a beginning.

Depending on the age and circumstances, a funeral is a celebration of a life or lives sometimes.

Sad. full of grief. Condolences to the family, the spouse, the children.

A wedding is a new beginning. A time to celebrate differently. Two people. Like salt and pepper with light and shadows.

Celebrating the start of the couple together. 

For me always remembering how happy I was on my wedding day. One of the happiest days of my life. I really wanted to be a wife and not a girlfriend anymore.

So when do you cry? At both a funeral and a wedding or just one?

#weddings#funerals#notcryingatafuneral#cryingatawedding#newbeginnings#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ANYONE ELSE TIRED OF THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE WORLD- I JUST WANT PEACE FOR ALL

 With the kids back to school, it is time to think about Fall goals.

I find myself watching news and feeling nauseated at times.

The American political scene and the slide into Fascism hurts my soul. To think that the relationship with Canada is permanently severed. 

Then our own politics and the Conservative leader wanting to end the Foreign Worker Program. Hello who do you think picks our food that Canadians do not want to do that work. 

Health Care needs so many workers too.

The wars. The allies with Russia, China and North Korea are scary. What is it about Slovakia? Remember 1968 when Soviet tanks rolled into Czechoslovakia! Now they are divided into two countries.

Keep your friends close but your enemies closer.

People in Ukraine. People in Gaza. The earthquakes in the world.

So I feel helpless often. But not hopeless.

I really do hope that through this chaos we will come out the other side.

#newsisharmfultooursouls#foreignworkerprogramisvitalforcanadianeconomy#becarefulofwhoisanallytowhom#keepyourfriendsclosebutyourenemiescloser#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SEPTEMBER-THE TRANSITION MONTH-MORE LIKE A NEW YEAR THAN NEW YEAR'S

 September with the beginning of cooler weather brings the the busyness of the month.

Back to School

Back from the cottage.

Meetings start up after a summer break.

Garden needs major cleanup.

For me, waiting for some good monetary news. Trying to plan some new year trips if I have the finances.

Getting rid of stuff and really looking to where the next place would be.

The transition to accept the days are getting shorter again.

But also Birthdays this month to celebrate.

My weight is down due to some exercise and diet control.

So September bring it on.

I am ready.

#september#newmonthnewyear#waitingforgoodthingstohappen#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BACK TO SCHOOL EVOKES SO MANY MEMORIES AND THOUGHTS

 Watching the news of students arriving for residence in Toronto's universities.

Back to school supplies in flyers and email ads.

Thinking of my grandchildren going back to school.

I liked school and missed classes when I finally graduated in 1975 with my Masters degree.

November was different. There were no exams or essays needing to be written.

First day in class. First days on campus.

I hope all the children and big children enjoy their school year.

#schoolmemories#backtoschool#firstdayinclass#Ilikedschool#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS!!

 Always loved the song from the Sound of Music. A few of my favourite things.

One of my favourite movies. Out of Africa

On my Sunday walk by the library one of my favourite buildings

Elephant.

Colour purple.

Quiet Sunday walks.

Peaches with chocolate ice cream.

#favouritethings#elephants#sundaywalks#reflectivethingsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MUSKOKA CHAIRS FROM THE SUMMER OUTINGS 2025

 

A pink chair in Unionville

At the Dairy Queen in Richmond Hill.

Richmond Hill- Mill Pond.

Richmond Green in the spring.

I think I like the pink one the best.

#muskokachairs#richmondhill#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro