SOCHI MADE CANADA PROUD-THANKS

As the Winter Olympics at Sochi head into the final days, it has been an incredible run of triumphs and disappointments for many athletes. I am always amazed at the level of excellence with all the participants. Elite athletes are a different group that inspire generations of people. The difference between first and tenth can be very little. Those that make it to the podium honour their home countries. As a proud Canadian those medals mean so much. However for other Canadians who did their best we can be proud for them as well. To the people of Russia and the community of Sochi-thank you for a great Olympics!!

NANA SAYS SOCHI OLYMPICS HAVE MANY LESSONS FOR CHILDREN

The Winter Olympics in Sochi does not just teach children about sports but many other aspects. Across this country in copious classrooms of all ages, children are celebrating Sochi. Pretend Olympic ceremonies with fake torches children are participating. World maps on the walls showing the countries where athletes originate. Learning where Sochi is and more about the country of Russia. A map of Canada with the hometowns of our athletes are teaching little Canadians about Canada. Sportsmanship and the need to respect each other are  paramount too. An example, the Canadian cross country ski coach running on the track to give the Russian skier a new ski so he could finish the race he had lost with dignity to cross the finish line in front of his home crowd. The spirit of the Olympic with its original intention that people participate together and may the best one win. Even just finishing the race is so important too. Knowing the athletes are elite. Knowing that hard work pays off but does not always make one a winner. Seeing children and youth inspired by the whole event makes this Nana smile. Learning about feelings and what it meas to feel patriotic is now in their conscience. Winter sports can be fun and rewarding! For young girls seeing women compete in similar events as the men inspires as well! Yeah Sochi! An added note, this writer now knows where Sochi is located and am actually revisiting Russian history learnt in High School! Good for children of all ages!!

A POSTCARD FROM LA BEFANA

January 6- Ephiphany on the Christian calendar where Christians of Eastern Orthodox, Russian Orthodox and others celebrate Christmas. In my husband's home country- Italy, there is the legend of La Befana. The story goes that when the Magi- the three wisemen were lost they stopped at an old lady's house asking for directions to find the Christ Child. She was busy so did not go with them but then regretted her decision and forever after went searching for Jesus by visiting houses with children looking for him. Children in Italy put a stocking for La Befana by the fireplace or the door.She visits January 5 the night before Ephiphany. If they have been bad they get a lump of coal but if good some candies and other treats and presents! When our children were little, a local Italian banquet hall- Cassino Place- would have an annual Befana dinner/dance. It was fun to take the girls as well as my mother-in-law as it was another celebration for them. Of course I do not know where La Befana lives now and do not have a real postcard from her but I am certain she has probably made some "bambini" very happy today!

#labefana#january6#italiantraditions#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF BLOGGING

Well over 700 plus posts and a readership that has touched all the earth's continents, I am proud to say blogging has become part of my life. Some regular readers such as Roy, Amy, Edna, Heather and other family and friends in Canada, United States and Italy are thanked for their loyalty. Especially Roy for his interesting and sometimes funny comments. To you in Russia who read daily, let me know who you are so I can thank you for your attention. My weekly visitor from Germany, comment sometimes. If you do follow me, then why not become a follower so I know who you are. Perhaps, you can suggest some themes. Those who read regularly know I have some recurring ones- A postcard from, Nana Says, Canadiana, history,whimsical, clinical, garden and flowers, crafts and sometimes whatever strikes my mood of the day. I plan outings to find and photograph pictures for the blog. Of course, not every photo is amazing but it does help to tell a story. Since I love symbolism, look for another meaning in some of the photos I chose. I really hope you enjoy reading the posts. My choice to try to post every day can be challenging. In order to write and write well, it is vital to commit to writing. With my dictionary and thesaurus handy and lots of photographs, I venture every day to try to commit words to post! With well over 13,000 pageviews I know I am reaching someone! I also assist Adolph with his blog- http://granpalovestocook.blogspot.com/  The photographs and typing are mine- the food and recipes are his very own creations. The sarcasm belongs to him! Perhaps his blog will venture into a family cookbook! Mostly I have found a very creative side to me that I love to share. With my work and life experiences, I have knowledge and expertise to communicate to others! I can also learn from others' reactions to my posts! Feel free to comment. If you are unable to post a comment, then email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will transcribe the comment to my post. So what will another year bring? Will I think of some new recurring themes? Do you have suggestions for me? Again thanks for visiting and do come again!

#bloggingforovertwoyears#funwritingaboutallthingsinlife#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#findingideasforposts

THE CHALLENGE OF WRITING A BLOG

This is blog 501. It has been an adventure to find ideas and themes to keep writing. The advice of other bloggers is to write every day. It is such good advice as it creates a discipline of blogging. Wednesday is easy- now it is my Nana says theme. Sunday too- with a Postcard From! The other 5 days bring many challenges and sometimes a photo I took weeks ago with a blog idea in mind which can finally be used. Since I can follow how many pageviews occur on each blog and who in the world is reading me, I am constantly amazed at the the blogs with the most "reads". People in the world are interested in the down to earth Canadian themes I have written. Yes, not regularly but I have had readers from every continent. There are regular readers not only from Canada and the United States but Germany and Russia. So to those readers thank you for visiting. Writing advice from years ago states to write about what you know. Trying to be an expert on everything, well it does not work. Some of my clinical blogs have responses on my private email. Some people have complained they can not comment so email me your comments or find me on facebook and comment there. I will add your comments to the blogs. As most of you know, I love Narrative Therapy which using your story to help to reflect and honour your strengths. Thus I want to hear and know and think about your reactions and real thoughts to any blog. Do they conjure up ideas and thinking?
As a clinical Social Worker, I always want to reach others who may be struggling with a problem and need some guidance to find the right person or resouces to help. Even the right book! Like my favourite- A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis on his journey with his grief after his beloved wife died.
I love blogging as it helps me to consolidate many areas and interests in my life. I hope you have enjoyed reading and sharing with me. Are there any favourite blogs you have enjoyed? Tell me. Are there themes you would like me to consider for you and your group? What do you want to know about Canada and this Canadian? Are there parenting or family issues you are seeking guidance? Crafts, gardening, photography can be used to work with problem areas in your life-they work for me! So please keep on reading and helping me to challenge myself to write!

VISITING WORLD WINERIES

It's on my bucket list to visit and tour as many wine regions of the world. My favourite is white wine although I will drink red wine if it suits the dinner. On three occasions, wine regions have been visited. On our anniversary trip to Italy in 1996, Adolph and I took a day trip to Frascati- a small town in the Colli Albani- the small towns- just an hour from Rome. By train we passed many vineyards terraced on hill sides. Frascati is famous for its Villas and white wine. Since that trip I have enjoyed the wine Frascati and Fontana di Papa -two wines from the region even though there are many more. It helps to remind me of that special vacation. Near my folks in the Okanagan Valley, British Columbia is the winery- Mission Hill. Took a tour there and was able to sample their fine wines. The Okanagan Valley is noted for its fruit belt and wineries- large and small. I will buy a bottle from that region occasionally to support the industry there. The Niagara region in Ontario is famous of course for Niagara Falls but due to the Niagara Escarpment is able to produce fruit and of course vinelands for many wineries. Several years ago Adolph's social club was hosting a day trip to the area, lunch at Brock's Monument and tours of several wineries- Jackson Triggs and Carolines to name two. My goal for the trip was to buy a bottle from the various wineries and they continued to be enjoyment at several dinners after that tour. Niagara is also known for the famous Canadian Ice Wine. It is always interesting that every year the right cold must happen to pick the grapes at the right moment to make the wine. On one trip to Italy our Ice Wine was a special gift to a cousin there. Europe has many fine wines but not Canadian Ice Wine. So three tours already completed. I like a nice white wine from South Africa called Two Oceans- maybe one day I will tour there. Love the wines from the Rhineland- know there is a wonderful boat cruise down the Rhine stopping at several locations- sounds inviting doesn't it? California has some great wines- love to tour there. That Mateus- white, rose from Portugal- a vacation there would be okay. Of course, the wines of France- their vineyards would be wonderful to visit. And I hear the cheese is good. Wine and cheese parties every day! Australia has some wines- don't know if they are great but the continent itself would be a wonderful place to see anyway. Russia is known for Vodka- like wine but maybe it has possibilities too to visit. Have you toured any wineries? Do you even like wine? Is there a wine region you would like to visit? Do you like white wine or red- or really do not care! Maybe you are a beer drinker- hear there are some great beer tours like in Belguim that has more beer than any other country and a glass for each kind!