April is here. Birthdays in my family.
Easter to celebrate.
Hopefully will resolve some personal matters.
Some of my fence is down.
TV has some issues and may need a new one.
But life is good.
How is your April starting?
#April#easter#aprilbirthdays#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Grief does not have a time limit.
Your loved one will always be missed.
The initial intensity goes away. Grief just changes direction.
It comes up with a song, a memory, a favourite day.
Missing someone who was loved is lifelong.
So remembering all the little things about Adolph is okay. And giving a kiss to his plaque in the park is okay.
#griefchangesdirection#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
I was walking as much as I could over the winter. But boots and slippery sidewalks or roads did not appeal to me.
So this morning I started my Spring walking. 30 minutes up the hill around the library through the park then along the road back to my house.
The birds were singing.
The field is flattened from the weight of the winter snow.
Not many people, just those walking their dogs that I go out of my way to avoid.
Adolph's plaque survived the winter and still on the bench.
I always give it a little kiss. I know- I am lame.
The ground is so brown but there is hope being spring that the world will liven up again.
Oh, those walks. Good exercise but better for the soul.
#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#morningwalks#plaqueinthepark#thebirdsweresinging
Okay two grandchildren went with me to lunch at Wimpys in Aurora.
It is an old fashioned diner.
A junk box on the table. Pictures from the 50s era with relevant music playing.
Waving to Nana, thanks for our lunch and time together.
#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#wimpysinaurora#50sstylediner#eatingoutwiththegrandchildren
I want to be positive but my heart is breaking for the world.
Mostly for the children. I worry about my grandchildren. I worry about all the children of the world.
Especially the ones in the war zones.
Darkest before the dawn.
So we stay hopeful for a better day.
And for the snow to go away.
#hopeforabetterday#springaroundthecorner#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Okay. March 1 is very cold.
So in like a lion goes the saying.
Hopefully it goes out like a lamb.
So much to do in March.
Birthdays to be remembered.
Well the weather has been warm. Then another snowfall and lots of shoveling and cleaning the car.
Then the snow melts.
Then it snows again.
Oh well it is St. Patrick's Day. So maybe with the luck of the Irish it will stay warmer.
#stpatrick'sday#warnthencoldthenwarmagain#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
March is the month of change.
Warm then cold then warm again.
But I always see it as new beginnings.
Clean the house.
Prepare for Easter/
Decide on what needs to be done next.
Get organizing and ready for the next steps in my life.
#reflectivethoughsbybara#barbaradimambro#marchthemonthofnewbeginnings
I understand we do not want nuclear war.
But the war on Iran by the United States and Israel is wrong. It is trying to drag the world into the conflict.
Not a defensive but a preemptive strike.
We need to support Ukraine and have that war settled with peaceful and doable resolution for the Ukrainian people. Sudan needs support. I care about their children.
We have our issues and need to improve the lives of all Canadians.
I support the Canadian stand that we will not be dragged into an American conflict.
I support our stand to do what is right for the Canadian people.
We must support our workers. We must stand up against violence of all kinds.
We must get clean water for all.
We want Alberta to be a part of Canada, always.
We want Quebec to be a part of Canada, always.
Finding new trading partners. Distancing from the United States reliance for trade and our economy.
Staying connected as they are our neighbours but knowing the trust is gone.
Allowing differences of opinions. Allowing differing political views but not at the cost of hurting anyone.
As was seen with Tumbler Ridge all political leaders showed up for the community there.
We already have a trade war with the United States. We did not ask for that war.
We support Mexico. We support Cuba. We respect their sovereignty.
We do not have a malignant Administration to try to dictate to the world. Why should less than 5% of the world's population try to control the other 95%?
I needed to state my mind today. I need to stand up for the children of the world.
What are your thoughts on the world's conflicts right now?
#IdonotagreewiththeIranAmericanIsraeliwar#protectallachildren#canadaneedstotakecareofallcanadians#Alberta#Quebec#didnotaskforthetradewar#protectingcanada#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barabaradimambeo
I have embraced more hockey in the last few years because I have grandsons who play the game.
The deliberate hit on Auston Matthews that gave him a substantial injury was just mean.
If it happened on the street to me, the police would have charged the assailant.
In hockey, it is just a 5 game suspension.
The same player also took out Crosby during the Olympic game.
Taking out star players with such force is not okay. Condoning violence should not be part of the hockey world.
Checking and allowable defense is part of the hockey world. Learning such actions is part of the hockey player's world. I get that. I see it in the younger crowd. That thump on the boards keeps us awake.
But wanting to injure healthy players is just violence. Let's not call it clean playing.
To see Auston who is such a great player having to heal is wrong.
Always a Leaf fan. But also caring about clean hits and following some other star players to stay well.
As a retired health care worker, caring about the health and well being of people is part of my blood.
So an injure Matthews hurts my soul. He deserves health and well being.
I do hope his knee heals as well as it can. I do hope the medical team around him do a great job. Like I always hope the health care teams around everyone who needs care gets it.
So what do you think. Is it assault? Or is it just hockey?
#austonmatthews#kneeinjury#assaultorjusthockety#checkinginhockeyokay#learningtoplaycleanly#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
How many times have you been tempted to retort sarcastically or say something mean then you stop yourself?
It is not a bad thing.
It just makes the world a better place. Changing harsh words with less harsh words helps.
I find not responding to the negativity on Social Media is good. If I don't like something, I just write BOT? I do think so many of the long winded comments are BOTS or TROLLS so why respond.
Making compliments. Be courteous. Listen before reacting.
Making the world a better place starts with being better.
Not to be a pushover or a wimp or afraid is not what I am saying.
But not being one of the bad guys or gals is what I am saying.
Also- limit how much socializing is needed in your life.
If I am not around negative people then I do not need to respond.
How about you? Any thoughts?
#saysomethingniceornotatall#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Okay being at a arena with High School students rooting for their team was so much fun.
Aurora High School had a first final game at the ACC-Aurora Community Centre March 3, 2026 against the team from Keswick.
The crowd of students with horns and loud cheers would stand behind the goalie to distract him. When they changed ends, the whole crowd would go to the opposite end to continue.
I understand he is the President. You laughed at his joke- misogyny at its best. In the boys will be boys locker room
But the picture of all the "boys" smiling behind him sends a clear message.
You support him. You are a Trumper. You are Maga.
Please don't say we are athletes, we do not do politics.
Yes you do, it is politics. Always and forever.
The players returning to Canadian NHL teams are tainted in my eyes.
Our Toronto Maple Leafs with our America first captain- Auston Matthews is tainted in my eyes now.
He made it very clear. He can be proud to be American. No problem.
I am a proud Canadian.
But to say he is not political. Well in my eyes you are Maga and a Trumper now.
You supported him.
A pedophile.
A convicted felon.
An administration that wants women to return to the kitchen.
An administration that wants to take the vote from women.
An administration that threatens other countries sovereignty especially Canada and Greenland.
Not political. But no little crumb to validate how Canadians may be feeling.
What is very sad, however, is the fact the President used the team for his own gain, not really celebrating the team but himself.
Ottawa Senators with its American players. How do you feel?
The world geopolitical climate has been thrown on its head. As players you had a chance to support the feelings of the world.
Being a proud American but also supporting how others are feeling would have been nice.
What I am seeing is many men who had remained silent speaking up and supporting all the women and yes men in their lives.
Men who are tired of misogyny and being thrown in the bath water with all those men
Thank you for speaking up. Thank your for partnering with women. We are partners in life. Supporting all that is good.
I know it is just Hockey. But the picture counts. Young men supporting him.
I am disappointed as it is the year 2026.
As Canadians, well maybe we will be less supportive of the America only players on our teams. Just saying.
#torontomapleleafs#austonmatthews#ottawsenators#nationalhockeyleague#supportingtrumpinavisualphotowithhim#misogynyatitsbest#womenareoffended#Iamdisappointedasitistheyear2026#sureitisjusthockeybutnotpolitical#okaytobeaproudamericanorcanadian#supportingapedophile#supportingaconvictedfelon#canadaisasovereignnatarion#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Canada came home with 21 medals. Loved all our athletes regardless of a medal win.
To compete on the world stage with the best of the best.
Our Dance team with their bronze. Wonderful for Piper Gilles who came back from cancer to compete so well. Paul Poirier her partner and great supporter.
Our hockey teams with their silver medals after a hard fought battles.
McDavid, Spooner, Phillip-Poulin, Marner, Crosby and the list goes on.
Silver lining with golden hearts.
Our speed skaters. Our skiers. Our curlers.
Those who did their personal best. Love them all.
#2026olympics#hockey#curling#sking#speedskating#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Weeks have passed since the horrible tragedy in Tumbler Ridge.
I offered online condolences. Supported some charities to help the people on the ground.
My thoughts go to the sweet girl Maya fighting for her life and some semblance of normality for her family.
Parents, families, community grieving.
Our leaders came together in solidarity for the community.
A school shooting. Children and teachers and staff should not go to a school and be unsafe.
Canada is safe but we do have our flaws as has been seen by this terrible event,.
To remember the lives lost. To remember the wounded both physically and emotionally will be a new Canadian tradition.
Remember Tumbler Ridge.
#tumberridge#aterriblecanadiantragedy#supportingthefamilyandcommunityoftumblerridge#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
So they lost the game by a goal.
They played with soul
So close and yet so far.
Silver is amazing. They are amazing.
They played their hearts out.
They made Canada proud.
We love you women's hockey. Such a role model for young girls and women everywhere.
#womenshockey#theyplayedwithsoul#canadarocks#canadianwomenrock#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Widowers are not grouped into groups. If you are a widower you get invited to couples events and people try to set you up.
Widows on the other hand are encouraged to join other widows in groups or settings. They must want to be together.
Not.
I am not interested in being around just other widows.
Couples, singles, divorcee-male and female. But not the widowed club.
Why do people including friends think I have so much in common with only widows?
Told- I have a friend that travels with other widows. My other widowed friend does this or that. Who cares?
No thank you. Often I would rather just be alone in social settings. I do not need to travel in groups nor entertain in groups.
Simply put. I miss my husband Adolph every day. I will always miss him every day. Hanging out with only widows does not change that feeling.
In social settings I like a variety of people.
Even my couple friends only see me alone and not with their spouses anymore. Even though we were couple friends. I have been replaced by a cousin and wife so the three couples does not include me anymore.
So how about you? Are you a widow that finds yourself left out of events or social situations? As a widower does the same apply to you? Probably not!!
#widows#notjoiningthewidowsclub#widowersaretreatedifferently#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
I love the Olympics.
I love my Canadian athletes.
Watching the opening ceremonies was so much fun.
But when Canada entered and got one of the loudest ovation it said something about our place on the world stage.
We are loved.
So Carney's speech and standing up for world peace and middle strength countries has given us such a voice.
Crowds do what they do. Other countries were booed. Individuals have the right to express their feelings.
Thank you Milan for the support and love.
VIVA ITALIA! FORZA BENE!
Now let's go and compete in a respectful way.
#olympics#gamesbegin#canadagetsagreatovation#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
I have plans for February. To get the activities done that did not get done in January.
Photos organized.
Clean clutter corners.
Work on future planning and trying to resolve one major issue that is taking just too long.
More social events.
Flowers and chocolates for me for Valentines.
Working, Exercising. Reading. Writing. Just keeping busy as I have been a little too complacent and not doing much.
So how about you? Do you have plans?
#february#feburarythatshortwintermonth#watichingmyfavouriteshows#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
What an amazing response to the rhetoric from our southern neighbour.
It is a rallying cry for all of us.
Canadians can agree to disagree. We are not a cult. We are not robots.
But we do respect each other. We can tolerate regional differences.
The west hates the east. But those of us in Ontario love the west. So there. Just saying.
We help others as needed and are helped.
Forest fires have crews crossing borders and even oceans to help each other.
Our hydro crews have helped other provinces as needed. They have gone south to help as needed.
So Prime Minister Carney, keep it up. We do thrive because we care.
Canada thrives because we are Canadian.
#canadathrivesbecausewearecanadian#markcarney#tiredofsouthernrhetoric#canadianssupportingcanadians#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#keepbeingcanadian#supportourcanadianathletes#beingproud#strongandfree
So as a Canadian I felt so proud of our PM on the world stage.
You don't have to vote for him in the next election but be proud of what he said.
As Canadians we can have our differences and can agree to disagree.
But when push comes to shove we must stand our ground.
So let the negative Canadians come forward with their thoughts.
Conservative- You can't eat a speech. A little jealous Pierre. Why not just say it was good for Canada to shine on the world stage. Up there with Zelensky.
Australia liked it and invited the PM to visit.
So Students memorize his speech. It was a good one.
#carney'sspeech#thejealousyofconservatives#mostcanadiansloveditandaresosproud#soproudtobecanadian#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
With the geopolitical climate heating up, Canadians can not be complacent that no one especially our neighbour to south would not invade us.
History has shown us that the average person can take part in protecting their nation, their community, their family.
With Carney's speech at DAVOS, it really is a call to arms. To be ready.
It will be tough before it is peaceful again.
So Finland is an example of how they resisted the Russians in World War Two.
Guerilla warfare. Learn about it and how it works.
Resistance during World War Two throughout Europe. When the Allies arrived, the plan was there from the Resistance movements in France, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark and other countries.
Viet Nam. Afghanistan. Examples of wars America did not win.
Look at the resistance in the Ukraine. Russia thought they would take it in two weeks.
Canada has Rangers in the North. We have a military base in Alert.
We are tech savvy. We have the population that would resist.
Look at the small movement of buying Canadian. Avoiding travel to USA. Supporting Mexico.
The Kentucky Bourbon industry has been hurt.
There are some sarcastic tweets that what would we use- NERF guns. Silly people.
Women are here. Canadian women that are mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and more than willing to protect our own.
New trade alliances. New partners. Reinforcing the old partners.
NATO. British Commonwealth of Nations. Pacific nations. We have friends and alliances.
So what do you think? What ideas do you have? BOTS please stay away with your negativity. So let us keep our eyes and ears to the ground. What do you need us to do?
#carney'sspeech#newtradealliances#Canada'scivildefenceforce#protectingourpeopleandcountry#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Recently the American Ambassador to Canada- Pete Hoekstra- was disappointed that Canadians are not embracing and welcoming a close relationship with the USA.
It was like a parent or teacher or preacher telling us we were bad people. Like how dumb are we to reject American alliances.
He seemed to scoff at the idea that Canadians are still upset over the 51st state rhetoric.
Well sir look at the meme map by your President January 20, 2026 of an American map over Canada, Greenland, Venezula and Cuba looking like the USA owns all of us.
Leave Greenland alone.
Leave Cuba alone.
Leave Canada alone.
Stay in your lane.
Leave the EU alone.
Do you understand why we are not laughing or taking the knee to your current Administration?
We can and will protect our own country. We will protect our Artic frontier. We will stand strong and free.
As a sovereign nation along with many other sovereign nations in the world, we are tired of the rhetoric.
Your nation's love of Putin and what he is doing to Ukraine is so pitiful.
Our current Prime Minister- Mark Carney said it all. The old world order is over. We have moved on to supporting and enhancing our own nation's support of our people. We are making new alliances and making old ones stronger.
Canada is not a perfect nation. We have regional differences. We agree to disagree. We support each other.
We will find new partners on the world table. Maybe we will still invite you to a meal or not. I just wish we were not your neighbours.
#canadaisasovereignnation#notlaughingattherhetoric#petehoekstra#leavegreenlandalone#leavecanadaalone#leavecubaalone#leavevenezulaalone#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Early morning with its eerie look.
so hang in there. And wait for the light in your world.
#darkestbeforethedawn#waitforthelight#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
Venezuela invasion.
Threats to Greenland. Canada established a Consulate. Germany is sending a military ship.
Threats to Cuba.
Threats to Columbia.
Escalation in the Middle East and Ukraine.
Iran protests.
ICE increasing their threats on domestic people. One death.
The administration is operating under chaos theory. Have many stokes in the fire to distract from ulterior motive. Keep everyone looking everywhere.
Canadians more concerned about the US threats to our life.
I just feel our peaceful but not perfect nation is under fire.
We did not ask for this fight with our southern neighbour but we will be ready.
What to do? Pick one issue. Pick one conflict. Get each of your 20 friends or people you know to pick one conflict. Get a team for that conflict. Share results.. So instead of looking everywhere and becoming dizzy, the focus is concentrated with your own results. And what you can do. Every small effort combined with other efforts gives us a fighting chance.
So are you ready?
I know I will be. How about you?
#2026startedwithturmoilfortheworld#toomanyconflictsintheworld#beingreadyforafight#canadian'speaceisatstake#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#beingreadyinwhateversmallwayyoucanbe
2025 brought so many political challenges.
It brought a solidarity across the country to buy Canadian which is continuing. Hopeful.
New world allies.
Not travelling to USA in droves. Yes some people have a Florida residence so feel compelled to go there. I am glad I do not have any property there.
So being aware of defending our sovereign nation from one major foe that used to be a friend.
We need our own foreign policy. We need to make the Artic more defendable.
Being kinder to all Canadians. Embracing Social Justice. Yes I am fine being Woke as it means I believe in Social Justice.
Go Juniors in the Hockey Tournament.
Looking forward to the Olympics. Looking forward to World Cup games in Toronto.
Canada coast to coast to coast.
So if we stand up for Canada in the world, we also stand up for the world.
So let's hope that Canada will stand up to all the challenges presented. One Canadian at a time.
#wokeforsocialjustice#socialjustice#canadaembracingcanadians#weareasovereignnature#defendingcanadafromcoasttocoasttocoast#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro
One of the biggest highlights was the COLDPLAY concert last July. My granddaughter and I were on one side of the stadium. Sonya, Andrew, Brody and Tyler were on the other side.
50th Reunion of graduating from the University of Toronto in 1975.
January was my 75th birthday.
Grandsons playing hockey.
Terry Fox Ride of Hope through Richmond Hill.
Grandson playing soccer.
I need to hunt for more photos.
#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#favouriteimagesof 2025#hockey#mcmichaelcollection#soceer#rideforhopeforterryfox
