OPPOSITES CAN BE FUN IN A MARRIAGE

In a marriage, having differing views and interests can bring variety. Many relationships begin because opposites attract! There are often common values and beliefs whether from the same background or religion. So initially it can appear there are major differences but the basic elemments are consistent. Love can prevail! Working on accepting each person as unique as a grain of sand on the beach. Like the salt and pepper added to your meal- they complement each other but have a distinct taste. Man and Woman! Husband and Wife! A couple but separate while together! Each with strengths and vulnerabilities! What are your thoughts about marriage? How do you make it work? Do you think you are different from your partner or very similar?

A CANADIAN-JAPANESE FEEL GOOD STORY

The Tsunami in Japan in March 2011 was devastating to so many people and areas of Japan. We are told the debris that is in the Pacific Ocean continues to head to North America and especially the coast of British Columbia in Canada. This week a fellow Canadian Mark Davis that likes to beach comb found a container with a motorcyle on a very remote beach. It was from debris from the Japanese Tsunami. Did he want to keep the find? No. His kindness to try to find the owner as it had Japanese license plates was to contact the Japanese Consulate. He wanted to know if the owner had survived. His first thoughts were about the person who owned it. The rest is history- Ikuo Yokoyama is alive and the owner. He lost family members, his home and probably lots of hope for his future. Harley Davidson in Japan is having the bike shipped home and will fix it before returning it to Ikuo. It's just a bike but it is something to give back from a terrible disaster. Both men want to meet each other. I feel proud to have a fellow Canadian with a good and generous heart. His first thoughts were to return the bike. Does it mean there are stories to unfold as the debris continues to hit our shores? Will there be a special connection between Canadians and Japanese? I hope so. Perhaps it is a lesson to see if there are other connections we can make as Canadians with other parts of the world. Mark you are a fine human being and like many other Canadians-very mellow and low key about the whole thing!

NANA SAYS OUTDOOR PLAY IS GOOD FOR CHILDREN

With the warmer weather here, the outdoors becomes a great playground. A fenced in yard can keep children safe. Depending on the day- bug spray, sunscreen , a good hat and we are now advised to use sunglasses for not only adults but children of all ages. My yard is paths and gardens so teaching the little to leave the dirt in the garden and the stones on the path is a constant struggle. We are creating a little area under one of the trees so it can become " a fort"! Cheap plastic toys, a wagon and somewhere to sit makes for fun! My yard is full of rocks that the children like to climb and sit on! If you do not have a yard, there are many parks with lots of equipment or just go to the grassy area for some creative play. Make a picnic! Low tech! Old imagination! Listen to the birds- identify them. Teach about the trees! Pick up pinecones- then try to find uses for them! Nature becomes a lesson in constant progress! Walks, jogging and long bike rides work for older children and teenagers! If you are a lucky one with a cottage, learning the rules of the water- swimming, boating- learning to canoe or row a boat, and whatever the area brings in terms of wildlife and vegetation! Every adult becomes a teacher! Of course reading a book outside or doing a craft with natural products becomes fun. What do you have in your yard? Can an area become a castle for a princess and prince? Can a section of your garden become the little one's spot for flowers or vegetables? Get a bird book and a natural atlas for your area! Have fun looking up new any unknown "thing" with the family! Even if teenagers appear to be totally uninterested, keep at it anyway! They continue to learn through osmosis! As we spend more time outdoors with the children in our lives, it can have a great benefit on us! I find the screaming, and sometimes fighting that occurs with my grandchildren is less annoying as the sound evaporates into the air! Of course, helps with naps and sleeps as the play and air does tend to tire children. Tires adults as well! Oh the great outdoors- just love it!

MAY- MY FAVOURITE MONTH

A new month always offers a chance for a new beginning. It is my favourite month as it is really the start of the real warmer weather. The trees and flowers continue to bloom. Althought this year, it felt like May from the middle of April with all the vegetation about 3 weeks ahead. My anniversary occurs in May so there is an opportunity to celebrate. I like to take a vacation week around the long weekend to give me some time to work outside, tidy inside and yes- a day trip or two! Eating outside starts to become the norm. After a day cooped up in the hospital, it is welcoming to sit and eat dinner on the back porch. As the days continue to become longer, renewed energy and the ability to be more physical. I try harder at staying up later. Do you have trouble during the winter months making it past 9 p.m. at night? I love the extra daylight as it means more can be done at night which seems like day! I like the idea there are 4 months of "summer" even though it is not officially summer until the end of June. Perhaps it is just psychological but it goes to my soul! May- renewel! Time to get going! Be outside! Enjoy the flowers, trees, birds, the walks, bike riding! How do you feel about the month of May? Is it just another month to you? Sometimes it is just the idea of doing and going that gets me charged! What gets you charged this time of year? If we do not find the time to do the things we enjoy, life can become a blur!

APRIL 2012- AN EMOTIONAL MONTH

Two birthdays-Sonya and Brody, a new baby in the family and a funeral made this April very emotional. Small celebration for my daughter on the 4th with all the hospital visits occurring. On Easter weekend to lose a close friend who was my son's-in-law's mother was such an emotional turmoil for everyone. My grandson's #4-25th- was very poignant as it was the first time Cheryl-Granma was not present- celebrating and missing someone can occur at the same time. Then for my niece to have a new baby boy-27th- before the end of the month brought renewed joy to our family system after the loss of Mom-Nana in February. A short month but a varied one. How was your April? Was it busy? Did you have some emotional times? Personally, I have never had an April so emotional in my life! How about you? Is there a particular April you remember?

APRIL- A MONTH WITH THIRTY DAYS

Thirty days hath September, April, June and November! All the rest have Thirty-one, except February which in Four has One day more!
Months with thirty days seem to fly by quickly! It never ceases to amaze me that even adults will say- April only has thirty days. It came up the other day that I cited the little rhyme learnt in about Grade Two when we were studying the names of the months. Some people use a knuckle way learnt in Europe to figure out which months are shorter- the knuckles are the thirty one and the dips are the short ones! It really is very simple- Get a Calendar! One with the overview of the whole year will straighten out the debate! It is a universal method!

A POSTCARD FROM PANAMA

I so lucky to have a cousin and his wife- Roy and Margaret- who are travelling to exotic places. In March they travelled to Panama staying at a rain forest resort.

They sent me a postcard that arrived in late April!

Roy wrote- " Hi, Barb- Thought you'd get a kick out of getting this card. We're fine & having a good time but too much free food & drink! Take Care! Roy & Margaret "

The lady in the postcard is performing Gnobe-Bugle dressmaking which is the result of the european influence on colonial times. The gown is made of very colorful fabric trimmed with geometrical figurs in contrasting colors, usually in the chest or the sleeves according to the information on the back of the card. I think I would like it there for the craft aspect. Maybe another place for my bucket list!

If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com so I can send you may address so you can send me a postcard.