Anyone that moves to a new subdivision knows the meaning of this saying. First there's the dirt, then the new grass and the realization there is no privacy. When the fence is installed, no matter how small the yard there is a sense of privacy and ownership. With little children in a home, there is the ease of space to run but not to run away- like the street which always has a pull for little children. If you live next to a hoarder, it gives a wall between the garbage and your own yard. People with pets can have them poop in their own yards and not yours. Fencing designs have evolved. My wooden fence looks so dated compared to the modern ones. It does the trick with all the tall trees now to give a place to escape the world- not the noise though with the sound of traffic from Yonge Street! Everyone can create their own space with individual imaginations. Do you have a fenced in yard? Does it give you the privacy you need? If you could have an ideal yard, how would it look? I still would like a gazebo!
Welcome
Inspiration for this blog came from my cousin Roy. His daily reflections of the events in his life have been thoughtful and interesting. Family, friends, colleagues are welcome to read my blog.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
NANA SAYS CHILDREN LOVE ART
A trip to the McMichael Collection July 4, 2011.
The entrance to the Collection is quite attractive. The setting itself is reflective of Northern Ontario. The trees have grown over the years to create a forest like effect.


The entrance to the Collection is quite attractive. The setting itself is reflective of Northern Ontario. The trees have grown over the years to create a forest like effect.
As some family members were skeptical that my little granddaughter Sophia would not like her visit to the McMichael collection in Kleinburg, I was not. She loves to draw, colour and craft using a variety of resources-Nana has a good supply! Crafting in a variety of mediums have been a part of my life. As you know the permanent collection consists of the Group of Seven, First Nations and Inuit art and artifacts as well as some temporary collections. For our visit on Monday, Marc-Aurete Fortin art collection was on display. It is described as an experience of colour. Little Sophia when asked in each gallery room what she liked the most, she picked pictures with lots of colour. Her little drawings always have lots of colour too! We were fortunate too to be able to visit the new Sculpture Garden and Enhanced Grounds that had opened on July 1, 2011.
The sculptures were created by Ivan Eyre. Visitors follow the path and see them as an outdoor gallery. Sophia loved them, insisting I take pictures of each one. " Nana, you need to get this one." It was a reminder of another time when I took my girls to the Art Gallery of Ontario and my oldest daughter was enthralled with the Henri Moore Sculpture room there. Children do have a shortened attention span so the visit followed the pace of my granddaughter and not mine. There was an art camp for children going on that Sophia observed. I mentioned to her that her mother had gone to an art camp one summer when she was little. Perhaps when she is older, it may be an option if she has an interest.
We had bought some art postcards in the gift shop. Sophia was able to pick one for herself- she picked a Tom Thomson-entitled Wildflowers, 1917. An interesting choice as not only did it have lots of colour but the flowers are so similar to the ones she loves to pick.
I enjoyed the day. Not only was I with one of my favourite people but able to observe her experience of something I love. The McMichael is one of my favourite places to visit. Exposing children to art at a young age just expands their knowledge and ability to like a variety of interests. Do you take your children/grandchildren to favourite activities? What are they? Do you enjoy seeing the child's experience? Tell me your thoughts! Do you even like art? Perhaps it is time you revisited a gallery or two!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
ONE YEAR OF BLOGGING
And more blogs to come. Reflecting back on the year, I have found the blogging process such a wonderful opportunity to write. Write ideas, write clinical concepts, write short vignettes, just write. Using my photos to convey the message has urged me to view the world with a creative eye to take not only pictures but to consider- wow I could use that in my blog! Sometimes I will peruse my photos and a blog comes from the photo and sometimes I have an idea and I search for a photo to accompany it! I want to develop my Nana Says series further. My Sunday blogs that are now- A Postcard From- series let's me review not only my travel stories but those of others who have crossed my path. Have you noticed my Canadian themes! They actually bring in readers from around the world. Love it! I really think I have been blogging all my life but was not able to publish my stories, poems, articles- not from trying- but from the fact some editor did not want them. My photos have been entered in many contests, used on photocards, enlarged but are not great sellers either. So the use in the blogs give them a chance to be seen! Thank you to my regular readers- cousin Roy; friends like Mary and Rose; my favourite workmates-Amy and Heather; brother and wife-Reed and Edna; some cousins in Italy- grazie Paolo, Roberta, Carlo; and all the others who drop by occasionally- please keep visiting and give me your comments. Just go into the comment profile and type your name, post and watch for the commands to transcribe those funny letters to make it legitimate. If you have an idea you want me to reflect, well just let me know. Must run as the world is waiting, actually my husband wants to grocery shop! Keep on visiting!
Monday, July 4, 2011
HAPPY JULY 4TH
A weekend of Nations' celebrations. Although we can have our differences, I always feel good that Canadians and Americans make good neighbours. There are other countries and nationalities that would be difficult to have on our borders. Then our Mexican cousins to the south are wonderful too. Trips there are always fun. So here's to celebrating democracy! Let's continue to hope other nations on this great earth will be given the opportunity to determine their own course. What are you doing with all the celebrations? Did you have a good Canada Day? Are you celebrating the 4th of July? Do you have some special family celebrations?
Sunday, July 3, 2011
A POSTCARD FROM CASSINO, ITALY
Cassino, Italy is the birthplace of my husband, Adolph ( Adolfo). He came with his family at age 9, June 29 1959 is when the landed in Canada. I have been to Cassino three times. Adolph has made more trips to visit family and to take care of the property there.
The handwritten postcards are from his mother- Mamma. After we were married in May 1971, she and my father-in-law Joe went to Cassino in August 1971 to transfer the land there to their two sons- Adolph and Tony. It was a difficult trip as Joe had ALS- Lou Gehrig's disease- which exacerbated during the trip.
Mamma wrote on one card- Cara Barbie-Abbiamo trovato tante accoglienza dai nostri parenti ma sono rimasta tanto delusa arrivederci presto. Love Mama.
To Adolph she wrote- Caro Adolfo- Spero che state bene, io non vedo l'ora di tornare con voi qui abbiamo avuto tanta accoglienza da tua zia e Pia e tutti sono stati, contenti cordialmente vi salutiamo. Mama.
Cassino is about an hour's drive from Rome- in the middle between Rome and Naples. It is famous for its Roman Bath- Teame Varroniane, Montecassino- the Monastery on the mountain, war cemeteries and some interesting Roman ruins at the base of the mountain. On my first trip there in 1991, I loved the piece of an old Roman road still exisiting. During World War Two, Cassino and the monastery was bombed to the ground and needed to be rebuilt. To have those Roman ruins saved seemed like such a miracle! Cassino Antica can been seen in one of the postcards. Adolph still has several cousins who live there. We keep in touch and throughout the years they have been very graciously hospitable to our family especially my children. Both girls have had holidays in Italy and have been so well received on several occasions. Vive Italia! Vive Cassino!
If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will give you my address.
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Saturday, July 2, 2011
SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVING IS EASY
Is such a wonderful phrase and feeling. People starting to go away, enjoying summer activities and just slowing down. For me, increasing my activity level is usual . On vacation this week and one goal is to power walk with my weights up the hill to the Library every day- 20 minutes, not a big deal. On track, two days, two walks! I see others bike riding, walking, jogging! And of course that low impact exercise- gardening! What will be the summer reading! Newspapers always have so many suggestions. But a good book by the lake, the beach, on the back porch is always a fine summer goal! I have a small pile of unread books- fiction and non-fiction I will attempt to read. It is more difficult to do indoor chores as the outdoors calls me. What do you love about the summer? What are you planning? Do you find the living easy?
For those who have been trying to comment- just put your name in the comment select profile box as I have changed the setting to allow this to happen.
For those who have been trying to comment- just put your name in the comment select profile box as I have changed the setting to allow this to happen.
Friday, July 1, 2011
CANADA DAY
July 1 a day to celebrate. Changed the name from Dominion Day in 1982 to Canada Day.We are a 144 years old now. July 1, 1967- Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Upper and Lower Canada-Ontario, Quebec- declared us a country under the British North America Act. Still loyal to Britain as one of the colonies. Other provinces joined later- Manitoba-1870; Prince Edward Island and British Columbia-1873; Alberta and Saskatchewan-1905 and then Newfoundland in 1949. 1898 saw the creation of the North West Territories and Yukon. Nunavut created in 1999 is the newest territory in the North. As a country we stand on guard- loyal and free. Still three main solitudes- Aboriginal, English and French with cultural diversity- we are a compassionate and strong people with a love of country! This year has the newlywed Royal couple- William and Kate- visiting our beautiful land. Personally, I will be having pancakes for breakfast, going to a local celebration at Richmond Green- large park with many activities-, have hung my big Canadian flag outside and hopefully finding a spot to watch the fireworks later in the evening. What will you be doing to celebrate this special day? Do you have special family traditions? Are you patriotic? Or will you watch the celebrations from Ottawa from the comfort of your family room couch?
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