ARE YOU A PILLAR?

Pillars is front of buildings make a statement. Some people are pillars in their community! Pillars in their workplace! I like to think some of us are just "little pillars" in our families. Without anyone really knowing we are there steadfast and strong helping to hold lives up for ourselves and others around us. So are you a pillar? If so, what kind would you be? Gothic? From the Middle Ages? Modern? Or Renaissance? Or do you need a pillar in your life to hold you up?

NANA SAYS JUNIOR KINDERGARTEN STARTS IT ALL

As two of my grandsons both started Junior Kindergarten yesterday, I thought about how their school career has begun. In my day there was just one Kindergarten. Now Junior and Senior or JK or SK as they are called. Parents with hopes and dreams and lots of fears were common. Hoping your little "tyrant" will calm and fit into the school norm but be bright! Some parents even are thinking down the road to university and careers! As Nana, I was just hoping my little sweeties would get through the day, like their teacher and be excited enough to tell me about the new phase in their lives. Where they will be headed is not on my mind! My home will continue to provide learning opportunities, books, crafts and fun activities in the house and garden to be a support to parents and school. Of course, just love and encouragement and a listening ear as they are my grandchildren- like other grandparents- just proud and glad they are in my life! Grandpa feeds them! Food is important too! So here's to all the little JK kids out there and others who are advancing in their grades. Like my granddaughter now in Grade Two who was excited to be with her friends!

DO WE TAKE OUR HEALTH FOR GRANTED?

As long as we feel well, health is something we do not really think about! We are told to eat well and exercise and do not walk in front of a bus! Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze into your arm! There are small things we can do for our health. Less sugar! Less salt! Less fatty foods! And stay away from people that do not cover their mouths when they cough or wash their hands after going to the bathroom! Check out our parents and determine if we came from a good gene pool! What is health? Aging catches up with us and we will get something! However, not everyone gets that message. As a health care provider, it never ceases to amaze me that older patients and their middle age children get surprised when Mom or Dad actually get sick. " My 91 year old Mom was still driving her car, why did this happen to her?" " Everyone in our family lives to 110- how did he get sick at 96?" Since the average life expectancy is 82, why do people not think anything over that number is icing on the cake? When our body functions work well, it is a blessing! Slowing down is better than a dead stop! So next time you think about how you are feeling, count your blessings when most of your parts are working just fine. Some aches and pains mean you are alive!

ROMANCE, INTIMACY AND SEX-ARE THEY THE SAME?

While walking this morning, I was thinking about the new craze- reading the trilogy "The Shades of Gray". I have not read the books but have done a little research. Erotica, dominatrix, leather, collars and handcuffs are some of the ideas presented in a couple's life. Apparently the second book delves into their relationship. What I have found interesting is asking others who are reading the books what they think? The clinician in me! One of my friends found her younger daughter-in-law surprised she had ventured to read the books! Each generation reads something to do with sex. Ancient times in Hindu life it was the Kama Sutra. Not just a book on sexual positions but outlining a goal of Hindu life. Kama- sensual or sexual pleasure and sutra- a thread or line that holds things together. It really was a guide to virtuous living and the nature of love and family life. Lady Chatterly's Lover and The Joy of Sex are books that have passed my way! Old copies of Playbook and Penthouse with the letters to the editor that seemed unreal. So my questions- romance, intimacy and sex are they the same? I think they can complement each other. Everyone needs some romance in their lives. Look at the amount of flowers and chocolates sold on Valentine's Day! Even flowers just because can bring some romance! I think it is romantic that my husband brings me coffee in the morning while I am getting ready or even before I am out of bed! The little things that help a relationship to thrive. Intimacy can be many things- holding hands, rubbing A5-35 on sore joints or the goodbye kiss as couples part! Just sex in a couple's life without some romance or intimacy can exist but does it keep the relationship going! I love one ad on TV where a young couple are walking and they swing past an elderly couple holding hands. The young woman looks back smiling at the old couple! Is she thinking I hope I have someone when I am that old? Or how romantic? Or some cynics- they are holding each other up! The question? Perhaps the answer is- we need all three. Do they help a relationship to last? Probably! Does the latest craze hurt couples? Probably not as with my little research it is mostly women that are reading the books! I do not know of any man admitting to the craze! What do you think?

OLD KINGSTON WITH THE NEW

One of my favourite photos from our summer ventures is the first image taken from the path leading into Fort Henry. There is something timeless about it. Thinking about the soldiers that guarded the area against the invaders from the south! There was a quiet on the hill. The second image shows the view of the city of Kingston revealing a modern world.

JUST A HAMBURGER JOINT

Adolph and I decided to go to a local hamburger joint for dinner. Banquet burger and fries with a diet coke! The Steer Inn has been in Richmond Hill for over 50 years and is still making burgers- good ones! They will be closing in the near future to make room for development on Yonge Street. It seems strange that many moons ago, I sat with Adolph as a teenager sharing a burger and drink with him. I would never have thought that 45 years forward I would be with the same person eating in the same place. Just a few memories from some good burgers over the years! Do you have a place that brings back memories for you?

A POSTCARD FROM SAUBLE BEACH ONTARIO CANADA

Last weekend at a friend's cottage in Wiarton Ontario, it reminded me of an earlier time when the same couple invited us to the parents' cottage near Sauble Beach. This beautiful beach is close to Owen Sound- about 3 hours north of Toronto Ontario. I found these postcards I bought at the time- early 1970s.

The beach is very popular and with the Falls nearby makes a wonderful Ontario vacation. It is on Lake Huron as part of the Bruce Peninsula. On the other side of the Peninsula is Georgian Bay( Lake Huron) with its beaches- Washaga Beach the most renown. Manitoulin Island is accessible from the top end of the Bruce Peninsula or driving north to access it from  Espanola- along the Trans Canada Highway.

I received a postcard from a family member featuring the S.S. Norgoma- the ferry that took people to Manitoulin. "Dear Bub, Tante Leni and I are having a pleasant little hunting holiday here! Fine weather-beautiful scenery-pleasant surroundings. Hope everyone is well. Love, D. xxx"
It is from the mid 1960s. The postcard of Georgian Bay is very typical of the area- rock formations with coniferous trees trying to grow tall.
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.