GIVE WITH A WARM HAND

Not a cold one! A work mate tells me this is her mother's saying. Rather than reading the Will and this is what you will inherit, her mother has decided to help her daughter in the living. She can enjoy seeing her child use some money for things she needs. A cousin transferred a cottage to his children so he could see them enjoy it as well as continue using it if needed. My mother-in-law liked to give money when her granddaughters were taking a big trip somewhere . If my children say it's too much, I just tell them I took it out of the Estate! It is important to let the family in your life make their own way. Every aging parent does need a certain amount for their old age. However, I witness people hoarding whatever they have and threaten adult children with the Will- if you are not good to me, I will cut you out of it! I recall a book written that stated to die broke! Use up your resources in the living so you have enough to last for your needs but why have tremendous investments left if they were only for you! If you want your children and grandchildren to have them- well why are you waiting? Balancing the finances does take creativity sometimes. If we only knew how long we would live, then we could adjust accordingly! I also witness Elder Abuse in my work. Adult children refusing to use their parents' financial resources on their needs stating their folks have no money for things like private care or equipment. They are more concerned about losing a piece of the pie! So educating people to use their own investments and money for their needs as well as sharing what they chose to share in the living could reduce some of this exisiting abuse. Yes, it does go on more than you think! A parent assigns a child to be Power of Attorney to manage his/her money not to steal it! Most children are very respectful and do a great job! However, there are a certain percentage that don't! Some parents assign two Powers of Attorney as a double blind! Keeps everyone honest! So balancing what we need and sharing what we have as we age takes research and talking with our children! I like the warm hand, don't you?

NOVEMBER A MONTH WITH MANY ACTIVITIES

Christmas shopping is underway in a huge way. I am having trouble hiding all the packages from my grandchildren. Letters to the troops are completed, addressed and stamped-ready for mailing. Sunday was Remembrance Day so time was made to attend a parade and service in Richmond Hill.

This year was very well attended with the beautiful sunny day and the fact it was on a Sunday.

Many wreaths were laid from all levels of government, local agencies and even for some individual family members from various generations that had served for Canada. After snapping a few pictures, I placed my lonely poppy to join them. Can you see it in the picture? I like the Ottawa service where people put their poppies on the unknown soldier's grave. It becomes an array of red love!

Sunday is always a day to rest- after two grandchildren had a sleepover, finish some household tasks-vacuum and mop the main floor, fold some laundry and work on the two blogs. Adolph depends on me to type his blog. Actually he had his Minestra soup featured on the Gastropost page of The National Post along with many others. I was excited. He was complacent! His blog continues to be about food from his Ciociaria area and sometimes he tells about food he has tried from other regions. http://granpalovestocook.blogspot.com
Earlier in the day, walking back from the service- about 20 minutes from the middle of Richmond Hill, I found a tree that still had some leaves so took another fall picture.

A strong Oak tree with green leaves amongst the yellow, a little reminder of the strength of Canadians everywhere. Sometimes I wish Sunday could be cloned into two days! How was your Remembrance Day? Is Christmas shopping underway in your home? Are your little grandchildren keeping you busy?

A POSTCARD FROM STONEHENGE

In the Salisbury Plains in Southern England lies the rock formation of Stonehenge. On my first trip ever outside Canada in 1967, I had the joy of visiting this historic site. There was no fence surrounding it. People could touch it. Not now!

As you can see from the postcard I bought- no fence! A friend of mine visited England in 1980 and sent me a Stonehenge postcard.
September 25, 1980- Denise wrote " Dear Barbara and Adolph, Over here for 2 weeks-going to Stonehenge today- travelled down from Scotland yesterday and off to London tomorrow for a couple of day then home. Cheers! Denise"
Since I love history, I have books on my shelf about the mystery and the theories surrounding Stonehenge. Druids are the popular notion. So any visit to Great Britain is worth a visit to this site.
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.

WRITING OUR CANADIAN TROOPS

Each year our family composes a letter to send to our Armed Forces wherever they are serving in the world. It is easy to find the addresses by looking up the National Defence website and see the link- write the troops. If you want and it is easier just send a message via email. Think about the ripple effect of reaching someone that may need a kind message being so far from home and his/her loved ones. A little kindness going a long way!

THE MAPLE LEAF

For Canadians, the maple leaf has become symbolic of our nation. It's on our flag. It come from maple trees. There are a variety of these decidious ones that  grow across the country. One variety even make a delicious syrup. Hardy, changes colour in the Fall and rejuvenates in the Spring with beautiful green foilage. Its' seeds blow in the wind and make numerous new trees everywhere. Sometimes in our gardens where we do not want any new ones. No wonder it is indicative of our nation!

IN FLANDERS FIELD

In Flanders Fields, a poem by Canadian John McCrae- May 1915, has been recited by school children for generations in Canada.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead, Short days ago
We lived, feld dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; by yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

There are web sites and government sites telling many stories of the Great War and McCrae's story. Perhaps, look them up and learn more about our history. Did you have to recite this poem at Remembrance Day ceremonies as a child? I remember learning it in the early grades. It really transcends time and is so relevant with any modern conflict.

NANA SAYS CHILDREN ARE PARTICIPATING IN VETERANS' WEEK

Every year as we honour our Veterans at Remembrance Day , it is quite noticeable that young people are attending the ceremonies. High Schools across Canada now plan trips to memorials. Some even venture across to Europe visiting places like Vimy Ridge in France. Canadian history and our place in World history has become cool. This interest is due in part to our history. Actually, due to the involvement and commitment of our modern military going to places like Afghanistan and peacekeeping in Cyprus and other parts of the Middle East, our youth is viewing modern heroes serving our nation. News stories featuring our Highway of Heros on the 401, brings home the price that is paid to protect our country. Teaching our children not to glorify war but to promote peace takes a fine balance. Informing our young family members about other family members that served keeps the memories alive as well as saying thank you for the work. It helps with life's lessons of why it is important to resolve conflicts without injury. Honouring our Veterans also teaches that life can be tough with tough times. Do what you need to do in your family to remember. Wearing a poppy can be the easiest gesture. Besides they are rather pretty. Depending on the age of the child, too much detail may frighten the little ones while teenagers will understand differently.