TIME TO REFLECT-THREE YEARS BLOGGING

July 5th marked 3 years of writing this blog. For 1 and 1/2 years I have been helping Adolph with his food blog. http://granpalovestocook.blogspot.com  I have a small readership and many pageviews daily. I appreciate my cousin Roy's lively and often fun comments. I like reading his blog too as well as looking at his pictures on Flickr. It is not always easy to decide what to write. Sometimes ideas come to me on my walk to work but if I do not write them down, I may have some recall issues! I love being on the lookout for photos to use. So I take pictures of everything. They may be useful at a future date. I have been getting Adolph to go to markets and events. Taking his picture can be painful as he does not always want one but it is proof we actually went to a location together. There are some people who read me in Russia-please write a comment or two. If you want write it in Russian as I have several Russian speaking work colleagues, they could translate for me! I appreciate that people do like my blog-heh comment as I would like to know what you are thinking, really I do! If I miss a day or am otherwise unable to write, I feel like something is missing! I love writing. The blog has stretched me in so many ways. So I will keep going. I will try to remember to download and print posts regularly. I am trying to think of some new themes to use. Perhaps more of my genealogy adventures or fun family characters. Don't worry Roy, we all know you are not a character! So thanks work mates, family, friends here in Canada, US and Italy as well as other interesting places. Keep reading!

HATS OFF TO CALGARY 2013

Each year the Calgary Stampede engulfs the city. This year it is more poignant as the flood almost crippled the city. Today it starts with a renewed passion to continue. Recovery is an amazing quality. So dig out your cowboy hats and send some love and support west! Unless you live in BC then send it east!

WORRY IS A WASTED FEELING

Worry can be connected to anxiety. We all worry sometimes about something. It is human nature. Worry can lead to fretting which is rather bothersome. Rather than worry, do something to help alleviate it. Worrying about passing an exam can be fixed by actually studying for it. Worrying about a car breakdown on a road trip can be helped by some maintenance and an oil change prior to the trip. Worry can be connected to past events leading to heightened anxiety! Identify what is bothering you and the level of your feelings will diminish. Too much anxiety can lead to full blown panic attacks! Deep breathing helps. If this is a persistent condition, you may need to see your doctor and be assessed for some medication to help calm your energy. A little worry may lead you to action! So stop worrying and get going!

THE TIGER LILLY- A CANADIAN ROADSIDE FLOWER

Tiger lillies are prevalent during July. Along any road or highway with a ditch and a little water they can be seen in Ontario currently.

Easily transplanted to a home garden, the flower is a joyous colour. There are several clusters in my garden.

It is a good flower to have at the back of a garden. Since it grows very tall, it gives height. I can not remember where I retrieved my original bunch years ago. They can be divided at the end of flowering to plant in a new section of your garden or to give away to someone looking for flowers for a new garden. Do you have tiger lillies in your garden? Canadian-eh?

NANA SAYS THE SUMMER IS A GOOD TIME TO WORK ON PICKY EATERS

With the season of local fresh fruit and vegetables, there are many opportunities to include children in food choices along with making it fun. Short trips to farmer's markets where they can help to pick the vegetables. Growing a few vegetables in your own garden or in a close relative's like a grandparent gives children a lesson on how food grows. Making platters of veggies and their favourite dip as a dinner entree can make summer eating fun and less work for the parents. Fruit arrives each week during July and August. Take plums and their variety of taste, size and colour. Making them sound and look like a treat is a great way to introduce more fruit. Fresh strawberries- eating alone, with ice cream or chopped up in a plain yogurt adds another vitamin enriched item to the diet. My grandchildren like to pick our raspberries fresh from the bush. Tomatoes come in big and small varieties. As tthe bounty of the summer season progresses, include them in snacks on outings. Little containers with chopped fruit and veggies make for impromptu picnics. When hungry, children and even some adults eat what is available. If you like to make muffins, cookies or cupcakes, fruit can be included in those recipes. There are uses for veggies such as zucchini in zucchini bread. Similar to a banana bread. So work on your little picky eaters while including farms, markets and outings to food festivals as a family project. Yes, remember to teach them to thank the farmer for growing the food!

CAN LOVE PREVAIL?

Sometimes people touch us in an endearing way. The elderly couple in the picture go for a daily walk near my house. They live in the Assisted Living facility up the street. They hold hands so they can hold each other up! Love in old age! Their walk is slow but steady. He needs to stop every once in awhile to rest. She waits! What makes it work? How did they last so long? What secrets about living could they tell us? Do we love someone through all the times? What is it like to have someone in old age? To have a purpose- a little walk every day with your honey!

CANADA DAY 2013-PANCAKES WITH MAPLE SYRUP AND PEAMEAL BACON

Canada Day is always celebrated on July 1 of each year. We are 146 years old since Confederation but of course Canada has a longer history. Canadians like pancakes for breakfast, attending local ceremonies and fireworks at night. There is often coverage from Ottawa of the hoopla there! T-shirts in red and white are worn. I actually have a purple one- not surprised eh? It is a time to be thankful we live in one of the best countries in the world. Peace earned by many times of conflict-with a price! Tolerance! Acceptance! Lots of good manners! And smart people! Never assume good manners and honesty mean we are stupid! Just nice! Hard working! Love our family! We know how to eat well. There are traditional dishes from all parts of the country. Today-fresh maple syrup on my pancakes with some Canadian peameal bacon. Then off to Richmond Green for some of the day's festivities and may return for the fireworks or not! For those with a birthday today-have a good one! What are you doing to celebrate our special day? Alittle history-it used to be called Dominion Day! So what year was it changed to Canada Day? What 4 provinces were the first to become United? What was the last province to join the Confederation in 1949?