NANA SAYS SUPERHEROES DON'T SPIT!

Children love us. Parents and grandparents and aunts and uncles! The closer the relationship the more we receive raw emotions and behaviours. Last weekend when I was spending some time with two of my grandchildren, they started to fight. While trying to settle the dispute, my little grandson started to spit. Something he does when upset. Rather than the nagging messages- please stop, it is unacceptable, I don't like your behaviour- I took advantage of the fact he had been playing with one of his superhero toys and simply said- " superheroes don"t spit". He stopped, looked at me and his hero toy and guess what- yes he stopped the unacceptable behaviour of spitting! Grandparenting like parenting takes creativity. Use the moment and what is in the moment! Respect the child's feelings because children just act like children! We need to discipline but it can be gentle and meaningful to what is happening now! Hey, grandparents have you come up with some creative messages or ways of diffusing situations? Learning to think before reacting to every negative occurence helps us to maintain our cool with the little people in our lives!

REMEMBER D-DAY AND THE SACRIFICES FOR OUR FREEDOM

D-Day will stand out as a significant day in history. As with other famous battles, it was the beginning of the invasion of Europe to restore the freedoms to the countries there from the Nazi rule. An international effort that included many Canadians. Juno Beach was our beach. In World War Two, Canada played a major role. In time , we helped to liberate the Netherlands. Although we have Remembrance Day in November, today is another time to reflect on this very important day. By remembering, it helps us to fight even harder for peace in this world! Do you have someone from your family that was there? What is the story? Write it down! If the person is still alive, say thank you! If you encounter someone from the Armed Forces, say thank you! In order to have our freedoms we have today, others made sacrifices for us!

WHAT WOULD YOUR DIAMOND JUBILEE LOOK LIKE?

As Queen Elizabeth the second celebrates 60 years on the throne, it is a time to reflect on  a life served. She is still going strong at age 86, working long past the average retirement age of most people. Many kind words such as dedication at the Thanksgiving Service today. What would my celebration of a life served be? What would your celebration of a life served be? We give eulogies at funerals but what about a thanksgiving service for the living. On birthdays, special anniversaries and awards kind words are often said. Would you want to have all the important details of your life shared? Would you want lots of fireworks for others to see? A huge monetary bonus? A plaque for your wall? A certificate with gold trim? A diamond jubilee- well then some diamonds!! Would you want to give your own speech? There were huge crowds as people in Great Britain always get out and wave the flag at such occasions. In Canada, we have our crowds for events too and can be flag wavers with the best of them! Would you want a crowd of flag wavers? 60 years in one job is quite a feat! Changing with the job and times takes constant awareness of the world around us! So what would your Diamond Jubilee be like? Give it some thought and get back to me! I am busy planning my event and writing my speech!

PLANTING THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

A trip to the nursery or farm lets us buy the seedlings to plant. Having a little vegetable garden can bring a supplementary food supply to any family. Urban settings with rooftops can have gardens too. Even the Royal York Hotel in Toronto has such a garden so the chef can pick fresh herbs and other produce for the guests' dishes. There is something about being self sufficient. In our modern world we depend so much on technology and being in touch with each other we may forget to be in touch with the earth! The latest gadget can not grow a potato or provide a bee to pollinate our flowers. Knowing about both is vital even in this modern world. For example, many young people believe they do not have to learn to spell due to spell check on their computers. Does the same sentiment apply to knowing how to grow a flower or a vegetable? I am optimistic as the number of people buying plants for their gardens or balcony pots is tremendous. The right vegetation and trees attracts the song birds. Use your gadgets to take pictures but remember to revisit the joys from our earth. If growing vegetables is not your thing, then visit the farms and small farmers' markets that provide them. Talk to the people who make a living from such work.

Since Adolph is writing a food blog, we decided to make more jaunts to the farmers' markets and country settings this spring and summer. Yesterday such a jaunt to a little farm near us - Russo Farm on Weston Road north of Major Mackenzie in Woodbridge, Ontario. Quick chat with the owner and I will be using those other photos at another time. Do you have time to visit markets in your hometown? Get out and support those who put food on our tables!

A POSTCARD FROM JAMAICA

Adolph and I had a cheap charter trip to Jamaica in 1975. We stayed at a resort in Oracabessa near Ocho Rios.It was about 3 hours from Montego Bay where our plane landed. We took several day trips to the Dunn's River Falls, Spanish Town and the capital -Kingston. Beautiful country!

A friend, Denise has taken it on as her favourite place. I have a number of postcards from her over the years.

2/19/77 "Dear Barb, Adolph and Natasha, Well, I'm back in paradise! It's raining today but there's always tomorrow-The fruit is delicious as you know and the people are great-Thinking of you! 1 more week here. Love Denise"
3/13/78 " Dear Barbara & Adolph- Being here again speaks for itself! Thinking of you. Denise"

3/12 "Dear Barbara and Adolph, Back to Paradise for the 4th time-it's lovely! Mainly relaxing and getting a tan. Hope to do some diving next week-Thinking of you and the children-Denise"
3/11 " Hi Barbara and Adolph! Well, trip #5 is lovely as #1.Here in Montego Bay for 2 weeks( with Mom). Climbed the falls in Octo Rios-fantastic! The weather has been consistantly sunny-85 degrees- this is the life! thinking of you-Denise"

No date but before 1987- " A warm hello from Jamaica! Denise"

Now Denise visits Jamaica with her son Cameron and many Christmas cards are from their time there.

The history is very rich with the mix of people, plantation and crafts. Sure is an interesting place to visit and tour or if you want stay in a resort on the beach!

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

HERE'S TO THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE

60 years to be a reigning Queen is quite a feat! What a joy to be in London for the Flotilla tomorrow! Apparently the last one was on the Thames over 350 years ago! The Brits do know how to throw a party!
Here's to Queen Elizabeth the second! Do you have any English roots? Our family on both my mother's and father's side have a few! There is so much written about the Queen that there is nothing more I could say! May be you can?

JUNE IS FULL OF PROMISES

A new month always brings new possibilities. My calendar is already full with grandchildren's birthday parties, a dance recital and an end of year annual dinner. It looks busy but also means there are social events and inclusion in life. Sometimes I wonder who and what would I be without the people- old, middle age and young- in my life that make my life. My commitments with the grandchildren bring meaning and purpose. Adolph is the main cook for many functions and as you know I am the cook's assistant. I still have lots of time to do my projects and writing. Oh yeah put a fulltime job in the midst of it all. The calendar looks good. June will bring fodder for my blog. There might even be some day trips in the busy schedule. How does your June look? If you are a busy working parent, the end of school always has its moments. Ending the school year and planning for the summer. Family vacation and where? Having visitors and day trips at home? It is a month full of promises!