NANA SAYS GRANDCHILDREN KEEP YOU YOUNG

And tired. The energy of little children is unreal. One or two grandsons can run and run and run and still not be breathless. Listening to the conversations and just the joy of life is good. Holding little ones gives more back to the big person. Recently having my littlest grandson sleep on my chest was so enjoyable. To stay current with life's new items all ages must be together. The wisdom of age can be imparted on the younger generation. The little ones can show us to slow down and see the world through young eyes too. Telling children the stories of the family and about family members no longer here can be a regular occurrence. Genealogy- one of my passions can be shared in a variety of ways. Starting with us and our stories and going backwards to parents and grandparents! My grandparents are their great-great grandparents so no need to try to give them all the generations back 400 years when the last 150 can be very informative. There's time for that! So a goal for the summer is to spend time with each of my grandchildren and make a special time or day of it. Doing an activity the child enjoys. It may keep me young but I know I will have a good night's sleep because I will also be tired.
#grandchildren#grandparents#genealogy#parents

CANADIANS LOVE THEIR HOCKEY

Hockey is a love of most Canadians- new and old. Children-boys and girls play the sport. Cold arenas with hot coffee for parents become the norm. Friendships are made. Tournaments are attended in various communities around one's province. House league and rep hockey are the words of the home. Many mothers use the time knitting, reading, doing their grocery lists or just talking on their cell phones to help pass the time. Fathers talk with each other or help as volunteer coaches to make sure the games happen. Across the country everyone has their favourite team- Vancouver Canucks, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens. In the playoffs always rooting for a Canadian team, although this year there may not be one for the Stanley Cup as the American teams are prevailing!! Shinny hockey played on the road. Little nets in basements to practice the infamous slap shot. Oh hockey! Oh Canada!

THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

Remember studying Ponce De Leon and his search for the Fountain of Youth. How to be young forever and continue living? Modern times have not changed. Except the hunt is in the form of wrinkle creams and cosmetic surgery, well you get the picture. Isn't youth wasted on the youth anyway? Some days I think about my girls as little girls then I see my grandchildren and would I change anything? Nope!! Different phases and stages of life bring different events- the good, the bad and the ugly. Frankly I do prefer the good!! The nice thing about fountains is tossing a coin and making a wish! So maybe not searching for anything but just enjoying the day, the life! The picture for the day- why? The fountain in the picture makes me think of the summer and trips to be made. So do I need a fountain of youth- not really- maybe just a fountain- warm not in this frigid weather- to dip my toes or toss a coin or make a wish with one of my sweet grandchildren! Might be a task for this year- to seek out pretty fountains! Of course, beside food markets to keep Adolph happy!

LIFE-WORTH LIVING

Building a life one step at a time is a wonderful concept. Living brings many layers to our psyche! Childhood memories! Youth! Years of adult issues and accomplishments! Disappointments! Surviving! Just plain living! Sometimes at the top of our game and other times feeling like we are at the bottom! There are days that take energy to get anything done. Then other days where so much gets done! Happy days! Sad days! Family times! Solitary times! Life!

THE BLUE JEANS CAN BE BAGGY

We know we are getting older when comfort is preferred over appearance. My blue jeans are stretch fabric so I can breath when I move. There was a time that looking slimmer than slim was the motto of the day. When the middle age rolls rolled in, it was more attractive to wear jeans slightly bigger but good quality to reflect my figure. Comfortable walking shoes are a must too. The good heels and leather boots are for short encounters and distances. When does it happen - not caring about trying to draw attention to ourselves through being the best dressed in the room? For women, it can be an age thing as men are always drawn to looking at younger women. You can be an unattractive 25 year old and an attractive 50 year old but the eyes are always on the youth. So comfortable jeans are the day! No one is noticing anyway! What kind of jeans do you wear? Are your jeans baggy? Should we dress to get attention? Should we dress for ourselves? Should we even be asking the Question???