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.

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

A SUNDAY MORNING WALK-A POEM BY BARBARA

 QUIET MORNING WALK

MY FAVOURITE DAY TO WALK

SUNDAY

THE STILLNES IN THE AIR

REDUCED TRAFFIC

THE EARLY MORNING VIBES IN MY SOUL

EMBRACING THE WALK WITH LITTLE DISTRACTIONS

REDUCED HUMANITY

IS WHAT I CRAVE SOMETIMES

THE LIBRARY, THE CONDOS, THE HOMES

WITH PEOPLE SLEEPING

I STRUT ALONE WITH MY WEIGHTS AND BACKWARDS BASEBALL CAP

RELISHING IN MY PACE AS EACH TIME I WALK I BECOME STRONGER

UP THE HILL

AROUND THE LIBARY

ALONG MAJOR MAC

THROUGH THE LITTLE PARK

I KISS ON THE PLAQUE ON THE BENCH

ALONG HARDING 

DOWN ADDISON 

THEN HOME

Barbara Di Mambro

August 17, 2025

VE IN EUROPE- 80 YEARS SINCE THAT DAY

 August 15, 1945.

Victory in Europe after a gruesome 6 years of war,

To remember. To honour all who fought. To remember the atrocities.

Adolph's folks saw the war in Italy.

Family friends had people who were there.

My Dad fought in the war.

The rebuilding that had to occur.

We must learn from history. We must remember all that it brought.

#veineurope#august151945#rememberingallwhofought#rememberingallwhosurvived#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

HOPE FOR A BETTER DAY IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER-STANDING UP FOR ALL THE GOOD IN THE WORLD

 Yes support the underdog.

Keep hopeful about all that presents as bad.

Don't let the Social Media Billionaires take away our hope of a better day.

Vote for good.

Support all people.

Be like the sunflower. Gira al sole.

Be strong. Shine.

Demand justice for all.

#hope#justiceforall#sunflowersofhope#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

AUGUST- TIME TO REV UP SUMMER ACTIVITIES

 So time to do some publicity for two groups.

Garden cleanup starting with the big overgrown sections. But leaving some plants for winter for the bulbs and bees and other critters.

Planning for September activities in a small way.

Calling friends so visits can occur.

Needing to decide what can be thrown out from my garage. May do a Free Stuff sale. LOL

Easier than hauling it to a charity location.

And read and read and read. Behind in my reading.

It is still summer so must enjoy the summer.

#augustactivities#read#planning#gardencleanup#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

RICHMOND HILL- COMMEMORATIVE BENCH FOR MAHSA JINA AMINI

 I had noticed the bench on my walks up the hill and around the library. I thought it was just for someone's loved like I did for Adolph.

So yesterday I decided to park at the library P parking and sit on the bench.

It is a commemorative bench.

In Memory of

Mahsa Jina Amini

when passing on September 12, 2022 sparked

"Women, Life, Freedom" demonstrations around the world.

including on this site October 1, 2022.

A Persian woman.

Untimely death in Iran.

So on October 1, 2022 up the hill from my house on Addison Street at the corner of Major Mackenzie and Yonge/ Hopkins and Addison, more than 30,000 people of Persian descent walked up Yonge Street from Rutherford coming to the area around the Central Library to demonstrate and give speeches.

I could hear the chanting from my house. The neighbourhood was lined with cars on every street near the library.

Two hours or more then they were gone.

So sitting on the bench overlooking the area where the demonstration took place.

Facing East to Yonge Street and very far in the distance- Iran.

A peaceful spot for quiet reflection this Tuesday morning.

#richmondhill#benchforMahsaJinaAmini#commemorativebench#apeacefuldemonstration#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FARMER'S MARKETS ARE A FAVOURITE ACTIVITY OF MINE- FRESH LOCAL PRODUCE

Miss going to Farmer's Markets with Adolph.

But I still find a small local one at Hillcrest Mall that gives me some good fresh Ontario and Canadian produce.

 

Cherries from BC. Tasted like the ones I would pick at my parents' home in West Kelowna. They had two cherry trees in their backyard.

Peaches from Ontario. Tomatoes and celery from a farm in Southern Ontario.

Shabatura Produce from Windham Centre Ontario.

Cheese from a company from Barrie at the Meat, sausage and cheese booth.

Rosemary/garlic cheddar cheese that was so tasty. Superior Cheese company from Barrie Ontario

I buy the smaller sizes. Shopping for one means to limit what I buy so there is no food wastage. 

I made bruschetta with the fresh tomatoes.

Chopped tomato, chopped garlic pieces, fresh parsley from my pot on the porch, oregano, little olive oil mixed all together. Enough for a couple of meals. I had some with two pieces of toasted sour dough bread.

So supporting Canadian farmers and workers while having a tasty Sunday at the same time.

Oh Canada.

#localproduce#cherriesfromBC#ontarioproduce#superiocheesefromBarrie#shabaturaproducefromwindhamcentreontarior#peaches#tomatoes#celery#cherries#reflcetivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

RESOLVING SOME LIFE PROBLEMS IN A BIG WAY

 Life is moving along.

Some big issues are being resolved.

I feel like a big dark cloud is being lifted off my head.

It feels good to feel good for a change.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#lifeisfeelinggood#life'schallenges

WOKE, LIBERAL, CARING HUMAN BEING ARE NOT BAD WORDS

 Woke.

Liberal.

Caring human being.

I am proud to call myself a decent human being.

Caring about all in the world. Not liking racism and other hard uncaring ways to be.

#caring#woke#liberal#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MID JULY REFLECTIONS 2025

 Walk.

Bunnies

Coldplay and reflections on the concert

Reading in my little spot at the front.

A hockey tournament.

Tuesday soccer with a grandson.

Sun tanning.

Organizing.

Reflecting on life.

#summerevents#summerreflections#coldplayconcert#reading#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

PEACHES THAT SUMMER FRUIT-PEACH BITES BY SONYA FOR A SUNDAY NIGHT DINNER

Using fruit in season. Peaches from Ontario.

Sonya made some recipes a few years ago for her blog.

Peach bites.

Fresh peaches.

Porscuitto

Bocincinni

Basil. I used fresh from my garden pot on the back porch. 

A nice tasty simple meal for a Sunday night with a drink. Usually an appetizer but it worked as my meal.

Then I put a fresh peach in my vanilla yogurt today for my 10 am fast break.

Now how to use more summer fruit.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#porsciutto#bocincinni#basil#ontariopeaches#supporingontariofarmers#eatlocal

WONDERFUL ONTARIO PLACES TO VISIT CLOSE TO HOME

 1. Niagara on the Lake then wineries and Niagara Falls.

2. Tobermory- Bruce County

3. Kingston and cruising on Ontario and St Lawrence River

4. Port Perry

Lake Scugog and boats

5. Toronto- oh so much to see and do

Each trip into the City brings something fun.

So I guess I need to write posts on certain areas and events in Toronto.

Lots of fun things to do in Ontario.

#portperry#tobermory#niagarafalls#niagaraonthelake#toronto#kingston#travellocalandsupportCanadians#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro