FEELING TALL OR FEELING SMALL

Towering above the crowd in height or intellect takes some humble thinking. When looking down it is important not to offend anyone intentionally. Often in life, one can offend without even knowing it has occurred. One's use of language and use of big words can offend. Caring about one's appearance can offend someone who is not so meticulous. Knowing stuff like history or geography or political views can offend. So how to live a life without offending. Well, it is not your problem. Being who you are is more important. Life can brings people to you that will be offended by you just because!! You are the wrong height, nationality, sex, from the city and not the country- well you get the picture. Trying to please everyone just doesn't work. Be prepared- yes there will be people that will not like you for no reason!! Their reason, but you will never get it. To have lots of acquaintances but few friends is what works for me. Do I get offended by others- you bet! But it is my problem and my task to examine why! We all can be triggered by issues buried deep inside us. Perhaps from childhood, work experiences, life experiences! What we do with them, shows our maturity and wisdom! The wise person accepts that life can be very complicated and yet simple simultaneously! So feeling tall or feeling small can occur daily! What do you think? Do you acknowledge when you have been offended? Do you blame the other person? Do you self-reflect? Do you just pour yourself a coffee and sigh- oh well? That's life!

A CANADIAN SANTA CLAUS PARADE 2014

Every town or city or community across the country will be hosting Santa Claus/Christmas parades. Trying a different one this year, I went with one daughter and family to the Aurora-" Under the Stars" parade. Another town just north of Richmond Hill. It was different with the Christmas lights on the floats or wrapped around trucks or cars. Night pictures are difficult to take so I tried my hand anyway. It was just fun to be there with 3 of my grandchildren.

Going south down Yonge Street through the old town of Aurora. Floats pulled by horses!

Church groups come out.

Marching bands.

A child waving as Santa arrives!
Lots of locales come out for the event. Many visit from other communities. Throughout York Region there will be parades in every area. What about your town? What about your community? What can you report about the festive activities of the season?

A COUNTDOWN TO A CANADIAN CHRISTMAS- 5 WEEKS TO GO

An early cold snap and snow storm delayed some Christmas activities this week for people in the GTA. Taking 2-3 hours to get home, few wanted to venture out again to shop. Outdoor Christmas lights are starting to spring up on many houses. Mine are ready in the hallway with some thinking and planning of where to hang them outside. Usually around a few bushes and my Oak tree. Some strings from tree to tree which makes more of an impression. Items are being organized for the local food bank. Local newspapers scrutinized for church bazaars and craft sales to support local efforts. Many churches have food hampers and gift baskets for local families that need assistance at Christmas time. Two local Santa Claus parades will happen. The Saturday night one in Aurora and the afternoon one in Richmond Hill. Toronto already had their big parade last week. It used to be called the Eatons Santa Claus parade but when that huge Canadian icon of a store closed, the parade became sponsored by other corporations and just is called The Toronto Santa Claus parade. Our local one is small scale compared to it but Santa still arrives. Local bands and social groups participate so there is the spirit of the community. Across the country there are many towns and cities hosting their own parades. So in my household, the 3 parcels to family out west with gifts wrapped inside are ready to be sent out next week. My Christmas newsletter is composed and will be put in the Christmas cards. Next week I will begin to write and address them. My system- start with the International ones, then the United States ones then ones to family in other provinces and last the family members close to home. A few hand delivered. Oh I know there are those people that send an email. Yes I print them up and put with my cards but an annual card is not really a big deal to send to family and friends. Of course keep a good list. One year I sent two cards to one cousin! Guess I just was thinking of him too much! I have organized the planning with my daughters- what events, what babysitting to occur so those items will be reflected in future posts. Sorting the gifts bought already will occur this weekend. With little kids visiting my house and getting into every closet, it is harder to leave things unwrapped or just in store bags. My children told me when they were adults of course that as children they became very good at removing the tape to peek inside wrapped gifts- hum!! One of my daughters has already taken the Santa picture which is on my fridge. The year my mother-in-law passed away I took my adult children so we could have a picture with Santa. I wanted to do something whimsical that year. It's a cute picture with the 3 of us. So if you are going through a tough year, find some magical moments in Christmas to give a perk. Some Christmases I try to have a unique little theme to give to others. The one before the 2010 Olympics, I did an Olympic one with my hand knit red hats and the Hudson Bay mitts and Olympic glassware. Perhaps this year will bring a special item to several family members. But you must wait until Christmas Day to find out! Of course, Adolph starts to lament as I look for every cheesy Christmas movie I can find on TV to watch.  I do have a good collection of adult and children's Christmas movies. The Little Drummer Boy is a good film to give a simple version of the Christmas story to little children. Baby Jesus is the reason for the season. So finding ways to keep that in perspective too!

LIFE IS LIKE A GOOD SLICE OF CAKE

Cakes come in all shapes and sizes. Every occasion can warrant a cake. From birthdays to weddings to retirement cake is served. Let's celebrate! Have some cake!  Vanilla or chocolate or lemon! With icing or plain like a coffee cake. Often heard, too full for cake but save me a piece and I'll have some later. Cake from scratch! Or a boxed one! Or from a good bakery! Life is a cake! With all its variety! So have a slice- big or small!

NANA SAYS CANADIAN COLD WEATHER BRINGS SOME THINKING

Nana says the fun begins of bundling the little ones for the cold weather. That layer of snow pants and boots and hooded jackets makes the start to the day longer. Then finding the spots in the house to dry any wet clothing later in the day. Of course your teenagers think it's cool to leave a jacket unzipped and wear running shoes in the winter- hum! With the wind chill in our area, reminders about potential frost bite on our exposed skin. Then the dilemma- gloves versus mitts! Gloves can be prettier but mitts are warmer. Teach little children about the concept of layers. Putting some air between the layers of clothing allows the body's heat to keep us warm. Wearing mitts allows the fingers to move and keep warmer. hats or heads covered- teach 90% of the body heat can go out the head. So little one if your head is warm, you will be warmer. Easy! Adults need reminders too. The smart ones are already wearing appropriate clothing with reflectors- especially those who walk dogs at various hours of the day. Yes- the road safety. Teaching children and teenagers that cars can slide on slippery roads so keep your distance. For example, at an intersection waiting for a light, stand back from the street. Not every driver drives according to conditions and can wipe out very quickly on a turn. Even on my route to work on a secondary road with two corners, there are at least two accidents every winter with cars driving too fast and going off the road. I know when I cross in a crosswalk I have the right of way but teach your children to look for the driver's eyes. If the driver is not looking at you, the driver does not see you. So teach children not to step in front of any car unless the driver is aware. Winter safety is not much different than year round safety. At least the children are off their bikes. However you may get an argument as often adults are riding their bikes on icy, snowy streets. Many parts of the country have experienced bouts of snow and bad weather already. Southern Ontario usually does not get the real snow until December. However, it has arrived. At least we are not in Buffalo. I think they have had the worst storm so far for anyone this Fall. Actually the weather is cold but winter has not officially arrived even though it feels like it has. So it does feel more stressful currently with the new norm. With the hats, mitts and scarves, always remember to have more than one as we all know children misplace those items so often. If at school, visit the lost and found box often to find missing items. Oh winter!!

COPING WITH THE COLD CANADIAN WINTER

Bundling up for the winter weather takes more time. But keeping warm is important!

With boots!

And hats and scarves. Mitts and gloves! And a warm coat- Canadian winter weather is manageable. Embracing the change in temperature takes fortitude. A willingness to use each season for the beauty and positive aspects it can bring. So why do so many people lament about winter or head south to avoid it for months. So what can keeping warm mean? Protection against the cold! Having control over an uncontrollable situation! Going with the flow- the colder time of year. Oh Canada the home of ice and snow! How Canadian eh?

MONDAY MONDAY

A snowy Monday morning makes the drive slower and tedious. Mondays are hard to take at the best of times. After my layoffs from work over the years I tried to act as if I was just lucky to have a job and well welcome Mondays. Then I decided lots of people have jobs and are not very grateful but resentful they even have to work. So I found a middle ground. I could be mixed- wish the weekend was longer and be happy when Monday is finished so I could continue on my projects at home. Don't get me wrong, I do love my job but sometimes the politics get me down. Being home doing my own thing does bring lots of pleasure too. So here's hoping this Monday will bring joy, opportunity to learn and appreciation of life. It is just another day after all!