UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO REUNION BROUGHT A GOOD TIME IN THE DOWNTOWN CORE

 Attending my 50th University of Toronto reunion brought me downtown.

Using my Presto card I swiped on at Metropolitan Vaughan subway station in York Region.

Getting off at the Queen's Park Circle subway stop.

University and College.

Queen's Park in the background.

There is always some street art to discover.

Spirit of Discovery

A tribute to Francophones. Notre Place.

I got myself in the photo.

Old building with new glass towers in the background on College Street.

Steward Building on the South side of College Street.

University of Toronto sign.

I wish I had captured more photos but not bad for one day. It just makes me want to go downtown again. Now that I can easily get into the city by subway.

Of course you know why they call it University Avenue because it is beside the University. 

#toronto#torontoontario#universityoftoronto#queen'spark#universityave#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

50TH UNIVERSITY REUNION AT UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

 I graduated with my Masters of Social Work June 12th 1975,

I had not attended any reunion events over the years. 

It just seemed special.

Convocation Hall- University of Toronto

Adolph was always proud of me.

So being invited to a 50th reunion on May 30 2025 was too hard to pass up.

The campus has changed. No cars are allowed in King's College Circle now. It has become a green zone.

There was a ceremony with all attendees receiving a 50th Reunion pin.

I take terrible selfies but I tried. So seeing some modern students I asked if they would help with a first photo.

King's road into the compus by the Alumni sign. Photo on my phone.

Photo on my camera.

Taking some building photos I asked another reunion person if she could take a photo of me. And I took some of them on their phone cameras.

In the same spots where I stood 50 years ago.

Convocation Hall in the background.

Signs as we walked into the Hall.

Different crowd scene as we had some refreshments after the ceremony outside. Luckily it was a beautiful sunny day.

One last photo of me by Convocation Hall.

I didn't know anybody until after the ceremony I saw someone with whom I went to High School.

I was the only one from the Master of Social Work class so I wondered did I miss a special class invite by the School.

All in all I loved being downtown in the heart of the City. Inspired me to go again.

#50threunion#universityofToronto#june1975graduation#may302025reunion#masterofsocialwork#torontouniversityreunion#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

A GOOD EDUCATION SHOULD TEACH AND SUPPORT CRITICAL THINKING AS WELL AS COMPASSION

 Anyone else tired of seeing the MAGA cult leaders who are educated not acting as if they can think critically. They focus on the right wing rhetoric They denounce as liberal or compassionate thinking as Leftist, far left.

So feeding the poor or support Food insecure people with food stamps, food banks is what too far left.

Proper health care and supporting the needs of all people.

Even with our Conservatives in Canada to support the vulnerable seems too left.

What is left anyway?

So to analyze and think critically needs some compassion as well. 

Take day care. By supporting parents with affordable day care money is actually saved in the long run.

Two parents working full time pay taxes. Children are in day care for such a short time of their lives.

Home care to chronically ill saves money as well. Having a person supported at home is less expensive than any short hospital visit.

Being able to reflect on different points of view helps to obtain a broader perspective.

Be a critical thinker with compassion attached.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#criticalthinking#havecompassion#criticalthinkingwithcompassion

RICHMOND HILL SPRING FAIR 2025 WAS A GOOD TIME

 I represented two groups at the Spring Fair.

The Richmond Hill Arts Council and The Richmond Hill Historical Society.

I had Damiano there to help with the event so he could earn the remainder of his student community hours.

I take lots of crowd pictures and people from the various groups. This photograph of drums in a row is the most artistic photo I captured.

#springfair#richmondhillhistoricalsociety#richmondhillartscouncil#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

RESILIENCE-HELPS TO HAVE A GOOD LIFE

 Resilience.

The ability to get back up and keep going.

Or do we really have a choice.

The alternative is to lay down and die. Or endless depression.

Whatever life throws at us does not have to be liked. Tolerated. It can suck big time.

But getting back up and standing on our own two feet makes for a good life.

#resilience#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#gettingbackupandfacinglife#barbaradimambro

THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS LOST- BUT I WILL ALWAYS BELEAF

 Disappointing.

Depressing.

Sad ending to a good season.

But I will always be a Leaf fan.

Just saying!

#torontomapleleafs#mapleleafs#torontoontariocanada#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SPRING 2025-TIME TO EMBRACE THE TULIPS

 Over the years I have photographed so many tulip captures.

2025 is no different.

                   In my front garden.

                           Hyacinths at the David Dunlop Observatory.

Tulips by the Richmond Hill Center for Performing Arts.

Tulips at the Richmond Hill Central Library.

I find myself loving all the tulips. Especially the ones that are clustered together.

#tulips2025#photosoftulipsaroundthecity#lotsofbeautifulspringflowers#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

                

MAY 15- ALWAYS A DAY TO CELEBRATE

 No matter how long Adolph has been gone, I always wake up ready to celebrate our anniversary.

May 15, 1971 was one of the happiest days in my life.

My favourite photo. Simple. Always loved the books in the background. Both of us were avid readers.

We just look so happy.

His brown eyes. My blue eyes. And I always loved his beard.

Good memories.

Blessing to have had a long marriage with a good man.

#marriagememories#anniversarymemories#rememberingAdolph#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MOTHER'S DAY WAS CELEBRATED WELL

 Both my daughters and families gave me a wonderful day.

Lunch with one family.

Dinner with the other one.

Saw 5 of my 6 grandchildren. Sophia was working but we had a phone conversation as her Mom opened her Mother's Day present.

Just good to be with family and the people I love.

#mother'sday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#beingwithfamilycountsthemost

MAY MOVING ALONG-TIMETO LEAVE POLITICS BEHIND AND START SUPPORTING CANADA ON A DAILY BASIS

 I am tired so much nonsense coming from America.

So watching our Toronto Maple Leafs play is giving so much needed relief.

Sending messages to my grandsons gives me joy. I can be in their world.

If I take care of my grandchildren then I am taking care of everyone's grandchildren.

At a meeting last night, my Social Work ethics and values came out.

So maybe Canada and the world need more Social Workers to promote and support social justice.

Or just Justice for all the good in the world.

So Canada as I am awake today, I am always challenging myself to try to make this country and the world a better place.

#canada#socialworkers#socialjustice#makingallgoodintheworld#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CANADA WILL COME THROUGH ALL THESE TROUBLED TIMES- WHY BECAUSE CANADIANS ARE STRONG

 Calling us names.

Belittling our Armed Forces.

Accusing us of living off America for decades.

200 billion dollars of what. Deficit. Loans. Lies.

Well perpetuate the lies.

There is one factor that is missing.

Canadians are not pushovers. We will stand our ground.

America does not need us.

Well maybe we do not need them either.

The friendship between the two countries is over. Project 2025 won for America.

It is not our project. 

We will come out of all of this stronger. 

So what can each individual Canadian do. I will support Canadians coast to coast to coast with purchases. Advocating for our workers.

I will have their back and hopefully they have mine.

Maybe our plants building cars can flex with the skills and machinery to building weapons of war to protect our country and boundaries.

I am tired of the 51st rhetoric. It is school yard bullying.

Time to STFU.

#canadiansarestrong#canadianssupportingcanadians#canadaistiredoftherhetoric#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MILL POND IN RICHMOND HILL ONTARIO- TIME FOR A MORNING STROLL TO GET SOME PHOTOS

 In an effort to get out of the house and visit places for photo opportunities, I visited the Mill Pond in Richmond Hill.

A boardwalk, a gazebo and many benches make it a place for locals to visit. The playground for children works well too.

                                                      A Canada Goose coming for me.

Always Muskoka chairs.

Foliage by the water.

Looking back towards the road.

Enjoy the photos. Some better than others. But I am getting out of the house and looking for images to share. Less political talk.

#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#photosatmillpondinrichmondhill#photosmakeastatement#canadagoose#benches#gazebo