THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

We win some. We lose some. People come and go in our lives. I am thinking of my Mom, my Mother-in-law and my dear friend Cheryl-my son-in-law's Mom- as a new addition to the family arrived yesterday. Another son for my daughter and husband. Are these people looking down from heaven at their latest family member? I hope so!

GETTING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF A PROBLEM

Are you ever stuck on how to solve a problem? Think of your options. Trouble choosing which one. Ruminating and pondering. Then the light bulb goes off and the solution presents itself. Life can have many problems or concerns or dilemmas. Often the solutions are straight forward. But those times that bring sleepless nights are not good for the health. Facing them head on brings a sense of accomplishment and relief. Facing and not running away from them is the way to go. So why are you waiting? Get going and solve that problem.

DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING?

Sometimes life's journey has no clear direction. We are told to make goals, plan, save- well you get the picture. However there are times where just waiting to see where life will take us is as much as can be accomplished in the day. Just getting up and putting one foot in front of the other. Do you know someone with depression? Often this is the experience of that person! So reach out and be there for that person! If it is you, then call a friend! Don't suffer in silence!

AN APPLE A DAY IN CANADA

It's apple picking season in Canada. Depending on the location some apples are ready sooner than others. Bought in the stores or at a market or a trip to apple pick with the kids it is a fun time. Sparta, delicious, mackintosh, gala or whatever your favourite may be.

An apple orchard is a welcoming place. Walking up and down the rows to select the ones to  take home. A ladder to reach the high branches. Local farms have areas for picking. Brooks Farm in Mt. Albert has many activities along with apple picking for families. The children really love it.

Teaching children where food grows is an important life lesson too.

Farms offer opportunities to see animals and understand the methods of old times and modern living. Like the century old fence made with boards.
Apples are a good source of nutrients. You know the old saying- An apple a day keeps the doctor away! It may be true but apples just taste good eaten fresh or make into pies or apple crisp. Fall desserts with apples are tasty! So go eat an apple!

THE NUMBER 13!

Sunday the 13th is not like Friday the 13th. Almost midway through a month! The number 13 can be bad luck to some people. Or in Christian faith- Jesus and the 12 disciples! 13 very important people. Numbers can have meaning or not. We all have a favourite colour but do we have a favourite number! Well I don't! Age wise 29 seemed good but it is so far behind me now that even my kids are older than 29. So today is just another day in the month of September. So does the number 13 have any significance for you?

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11TH

Everyone  remembers what they were doing and where they were when the news of the attack on New York City, the Pentagon and the plane crash in Shanksville PA. A day that changed the world in North America. The day we looked at our lives and those around us differently. Who can we trust amongst us? With the current conflict in the Middle East, we can not forget. Striving to help those refugees in need but urging governments to stop the conflicts. Always trying to strive for world peace is humanity's struggle! As we remember, also try to think of one kindness to do today. One hand reaching out to help another! I believe there are more good people in this world than evil ones- yes there are evil ones. But good will prevail. Lessons from September 11th are with you! What do you remember? What were you doing? Stop and reflect then move on!

NANA SAYS DID YOU ENJOY GRANDPARENT'S DAY

It seems there needs to be a day for everything. Having a grandparent's day is okay. My joy in being a grandparent is just having those little munchkins in my life. I don't need a day. I have the whole year. I don't need any thanks as life gave this great blessing and joy to be a grandparent. Knowing people in my life that did not have the opportunity to enjoy grandchildren- dying before they were born. I only knew one of my natural grandparents- my maternal grandfather Ernie Ellis and he died when I was age 5. I had one paternal great-grandmother Gammie who died when I was age 8. My step grandparents did their best!  So being able to establish a relationship with the grandchildren and be part of their lives has given me the opportunity to be known by them. Something I did not have as a child. I see adult grandchildren connected to their loved ones in the hospital. It is very precious. Grandparents can make a difference in children's lives. They make a difference in the grandparents' lives. It is a win-win!