NOT A RADICAL LEFTIST-BUT I RECOGNIZE A NAZI SALUTE

 I am not a radical leftist but I do recognize hand and sign gestures.

I recognize the significance of them.

The world has seen too much hate. It is not a time to have history repeat itself.

The good in the world needs to prevail.

The far right does not need to overtake the sensibilities of being a moderate thinker.

To respect everyone's rights and needs.

So salute and hand gesture and whatever you think will incite the masses. Remember the masses are not that gullible.

I am also always confused with the name calling of the radical left and woke and whatever derogatory term is given.

It is okay to be very conservative but not okay to be very liberal. Both can exist in the world as long as respect is given.

Just saying.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#notaradicalleftist#moderatethinker#notanextremerightisteither#respectingtheopinionsandviewsofothersbutnotbeingapushovereither#wokeisanoverusedword

MEXICO AND CANADA ARE GOOD NEIGHBOURS AND GOOD ALLIES FOR THE WORLD

 So world watch us shine.

Canada and Mexico are not for sale.

We are allies in North America and always have been.

One of my favourite places is Cancun Mexico. And there are so many other places to visit in that beautiful country.

With all the nonsense coming from the USA, it has only made us stronger in our convictions to continue to be good neighbours.

Threats are just that. Play my way or you will not be my friend.

History teaches us to watch our backs and also to see what is coming.

#mexico#canada#alliesfortheworldtosee#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

TOUGH TALK, SHOCK AND AWE-CANADA IS NOT FOOLED MR. PRESIDENT-WE ARE NOT FOR SALE

 Bring on your tariff threats. Bring it on.

Canadians are resilient and strong.

We have survived a lot. We are respected on the International scene.

Well even liked.

We are not folding or cracking nor do we ever want to be Americans.

We like most Americans as friends and allies. 

Even have family members. 

Why make a good thing into a bad thing? We are your neighbours to the North. Mexico to the South.

North America. So much we can do together peacefully. 

So take your Right wing Conservative rhetoric and your Oligarchs and just chill.

And listen to the words of Bishop Budde. Important words.

Canada- Strong and Free!

#STFU#notimpressedMr.President#canadastrongandfree#donotwanttobeamericanever#lovebeingcanadaian#likethingsthewaytheyare#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#canadaisnotforsale

TURNING 75- ALL THE BLESSINGS THAT COMES WITH IT

 75 Blessings and more

 A High School Sweetheart

Being Prom Queen. 

A wedding day to remember.

 A honeymoon to Hawaii

 My BA

 My MSW

 My first job

 Natasha comes along

 Sonya comes along.

Girls get married.

Six grandchildren.

My last job for 16 years in Hospital Social Work.

My travels to Italy, Mexico, USA, England, Israel and across parts of Canada.

Healthy. 

Home.

Lots to eat.

Family and friends.

Being able to write and craft and participate in community events and organizations.

Just being alive. Enjoying life as Adolph would have wanted me to do.

There are just so many blessings to write about. But I think it is better that I just decide to get on living and doing.

#blessingsoflife#somanythingstobegrateful#rememberingthegoodlifethatIhavehad#travelsaregood#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DEATH IN AMERICA-DOES ANYONE ELSE FEEL THIS WAY?

 Winning by a 50% margin does not mean everyone in America supports the new regime.

Harsh far right thinking is scary. I prefer the middle of the road when both sides can respect the views and opinions of others that do no harm.

Now in America there is a world of do harm.

Basically if someone does not agree with the regime, then harm can be done.

What happened the Right to Free Speech that is embedded in the American Constitution?

I hope and yes pray that advocates for all will continue to have a voice.

I really commend Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde for her sermon on January 21, 2025. It was not liked by the current dictator but it needed to be said.

For me I think she had real balls.

For religious people, Christ taught us to love the weakest amongst us. To do no harm.

In our Canadian Constitution, the rights of all are protected as well.

I feel there will be dark days ahead. But as an optimist it is time to buckle down. Grin and bear it. Do what will bring peace and love to the world while not taking any crap from south of the border.

But I do feel I need to grieve the current situation like a death before moving forward.

Just saying!!

#deathinAmerica#freedomofspeech#americanconstitutionrespectsfreespeech#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#bishopmariannedgarbudde#episcopalianchurch#Christtaughtustolovetheweakestamongstus#canadianconstitutionrespectstherightsofall#gettingreadyforthedarkdaysahead

BE LIKE GHANDI-BOYCOTT THE THINGS YOU DO NOT LIKE

 I did not watch any of the Inauguration January 20th. Martin Luther King Day was more important.

I did not watch any live coverage.

Unfortunately there are always recaps the next day, like today.

I think he is a disaster for the world.

Europe is already buckling down.

Canada is ready to retaliate in a trade war if necessary. 

So not needed.

The conflict in Israel is winding down and hostages are coming home.

 I pray for peace and for God to correct this evil upon us.

#boycottevil#lookforthegoodintheworld#wedonotneedatradewar#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

JANUARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

 A month of birthday celebrations.

It was Adolph's special day on the 7th.

Both Domi and I celebrate on the 22nd.

Some fun stuff from my birthday celebration for 75 years.

The family also put together a video with extended family sending some good toughts and fun wishes.

And I got to eat some good cake.

#birthdaycelebrations#75yearsyoung#enjoyingmyspecialday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WHAT TO DO TO HELP SOMEONE IN A CRISIS- SHOW UP!

 What do you need to do to help someone in a crisis?

Show up is often the answer so what does it mean.

Go and see the person. 

Make a phone call. Text. Email.

Bring food.

If it is a natural disaster. Well donate. Money. Clothes. Hygiene products.

Donations to main stream charities are often the easiest as they are the boots on the ground.

If a person needs shelter, offer shelter at your home.

Being with the person or family is often the way to show you really care.

Listen. Don't be an advice giver.

Remember you are showing up to be there for the person, family or situation. It is not about you.

So it there someone who needs you to be in their corner, go ahead show up!

#showupinacrisis#showuptoshowyoursupport#donateinacrisis#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

OH CANADA-STRONG AND FREE

 Oh Canada- strong and free.

America. Not interested. We have many allies worldwide. Part of the British Commonwealth of Nations. GFY.

#canada#strongandfree#canadawithmanygoodandhappycanadians#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#canadiansforastrongerandfreecanada

ON TO BE ON A BEACH IN CANCUN MEXICO

 

Love the place. Love the people.

First trip to Mexico in January 1985. 

Always a wonderful ally of Canada as part of North America.

We are the bread between the meatball in the middle.

#cancunmexico#mexico#northamerica#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaramaydimambro

CRAFTS ON THE GO

 TV watching in my cozy family room is a good time to work on one of my many crafts.

I always have a knitted item, something to crochet and an afghan stitch crochet item.

I have two and a half bins of finished items that I stock pile.

I use them as gifts.

What crafts do you have on the go?

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#craftsonthego#knitting#crocheting#barbaradimambro

WHY I LIKE TO READ THE PRINTED WORK AND HOLD THAT BOOK IN MY HANDS

 Reading a book has always been part of my consciousness.

With audible books, ereaders some people prefer that way to hear the words.

I like to hold a book in my hands. I can find a favourite place to read. Sometimes the chair in the kitchen by the window for good light. Curled up on the couch in the living room with a warm blanket.

I like the feel of a book. I like to see the printed word.

I discovered years ago I am a visual learner so seeing and not just hearing helps me to remember more.

Perhaps on a road trip, listening to a book would be okay though.

So what is your favourite way to attack a book? Visually or auditory?

#readingabook#listeningtoabook#auditoryisgoodforsomepeople#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WATCHING CBC NEW YEAR'S COVERAGE SHOWED HOW UNITED OUR COUNTRY CANADA REALLY IS

 What does a senior do celebrating New Year's Eve alone.

Well the coverage on CBC that visited Canadian communities coast to coast to coast.

Adrienne Arseneault and Jann Arden in Toronto while Ian Hanomansing and Ali Hassan were in Vancouver.

Canadians proud to be Canadian.

Visitors from the USA and other parts of the world visiting family.

Seeing Newfoundland ring in the New Year. The Maritimes and then Ontario.

The fireworks in Yellowknife. 

The discrepancy in the temperatures. 

No mention of discontent. No divisive talk. 

We really are an united nation. A democracy. We can have our differences but also our similarities.

So 2025 we will show the world how strong we really are.

Happy New Year! And thank you CBC for a wonderful evening of celebration.

#cbc#newyear'scoverage#canadianspiritisaliveandwell#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro