TO LIE OR NOT TO LIE? THE TRUTH!

Those little white lies. Don't do any harm or do they? Is is always best to tell the truth! Well it actually saves what you told someone about a situation. Catching someone in a lie, changes one's opinion of that person doesn't it? Let's say your friend has a new hair cut! Do you tell the person it looks great when you don't think it does? Or I usually say, oh you changed your hair! How do you like it? It isn't up to anyone to approve what someone does so pretending to agree or support or like something is rather fake. I like to say- there is another way to view the situation! Or there is another choice! If you do not like something, being honest can mean just not saying anything! Keeping one's thoughts and opinions to one's self can save the day. Fashion for example is very personal. So if you wear certain fashions or style doesn't mean others have to like what you wear and vice versa! Cosmetic surgery! The person with the deer in the head light lifted eye lids thinks he/she looks great and youthful. Do you tell that person honestly, you look like a deer in the head lights- probably not! That person probably thinks you look old and wrinkled! So just smiling and not saying anything can help. Helping children with their self esteem does not mean praising everything they do. But acknowledging and asking to tell about the activities in their lives sure helps! Listening is a good skill- grounds for another post! The truth and nothing but the truth does help. Or like the fisherman- the fish was this big!!! Is exaggeration a lie? What do you think?

NANA SAYS TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE COLDER WEATHER

Putting away warm weather clothes and assessing the fall/winter jackets and boots along with hats, mitts and scarves is a regular Fall ritual for parents. Having proper outfits before the cold weather hits is always necessary in a country like Canada. Of course usually new purchases for the little ones as they grow like little weeds. As a parent having your gear ready is necessary too. Coats to the Cleaners. Pulling out the scarves and mitts. Putting extras in the car for those days when the afternoon surprises us with some snow or sleet! Having a blanket or two in the car to cover little knees and legs in the colder days. For those with outdoor family activities like skating and skiing, that gear needs some attention too! I have little winter shovels for the grandchildren but keep an extra one in the car in case I need to dig out sometime in an emergency. Thinking and  preparing before it is a necessity keeps us grounded. No matter how much it is hoped the warm fall weather will stay, knowing that the weather will change at some point let's the organized person keep ahead of the game. Parents with young children it is a must. Teenagers can be part of the planning. They need to look cool with whatever fashion is the current rage. Of course teenage boys have not changed and often won't wear decent cold weather attire. However just having it availabe as it might be used let's the parent know due diligence was done.
Of course, if asked Nana will gladly make a hat or scarve for the occasion!!

YEARNING FOR THE OLD DAYS-CANADIAN COUNTRY

Sometimes when visiting a museum or a farm or just a drive in the country, the idea of simpler times without all the gadgets comes to mind. People socialize by talking and sitting with each other. Quilting bees or barns raisers or helping your neighbour with the crops or painting a city veranda. Faster isn't better. Having too much information can make one's brain explode.

An old tractor.

Wood furniture- hand crafted.

Farms have collections of tools.

Quilts favourites for generations. Luckily they can be found in craft stores or made by the local guilds.
The modern generation uses computer sewing machines even though some people still quilt by hand.
Do any of the items conjure up some thoughts or feelings for you? Do you have favourite "old times" in your heart?

FALL LEAVES A LESSON ABOUT CANADIAN TREES

Fall leaves are everywhere. Remember as a kid we needed to collect the leaves so we could label them to learn about Canadian trees. Put between two pieces of wax paper then ironed to give them a waxy finish. Put on bristle board and the science lesson achieved. Could it still be an activity with the young grandchildren to learn about the trees? Probably!! MAPLE, OAK, PINE, BIRCH would be some of the local ones. What do you have in your area?

SUNDAY-TIME FOR QUIET REFLECTION

I have always been an early riser. But sometimes lately finding myself getting up in the dark as the season has changed even earlier than normal. With Sunday, a time to reflect, give thanks to God for the day, the quiet is good for the soul. Detaching from the busy work week and immersing in personal endeavors, the energy is good. Too much thinking can make one's head explode so grabbing onto physical activities to redirect the energy outside of one's body let's nature take its course. Being too tired to think is really a good thing. Sometimes reflection is to have a good nap because the body is tired. For example, hours of yard work has that effect. A task accomplished so the siesta is well earned! With cooler weather in October, there is the urgency to get things done before the snow flies. It amazes me that work that sat during the nice, warm months of summer can be attacked with frenzy. My front yard that was a disaster is now- well cleaner after a first round of cleanup. Adolph had planted some tomato plants there in a sunny spot. So now they are cleaned up and the area looks better. The raspberry bushes that had spread like weeds are cut back. Actually I have been trimming and cutting everything back. Usually I like the wild look! Like life too much is just too much. So trimming the overgrown areas gets rid of the "too much". Ripping out the  perennial beds and leaving a plant or two for next year has been therapeutic. I think this is a reflection of how I am feeling these days. Looking at what I really want to keep. Although not ready for retirement just yet, I think my energy is telling me to get started on that process. Weeding, decluttering, purging, cleaning are ways to connect with change. Being in control of the change is a good thing too. Oh closets watch out as I may be ripping you apart soon!

A CANADIAN FALL WITH ALL ITS SPLENDOUR

Colours of Fall can be spectacular in places. The array and variety of trees in Ontario is huge. Many parts of Canada experience the joy of the Fall season. Finding favourite locations to see the colours on country drives can be a family outing.A bonus for the photographer!

One tree can stand out from the bunch.

Even one leaf can make an interesting photo for all to see!

An old favourite from a street in Toronto. Downtown trees can be pretty too tucked away in laneways or inner courtyards! Where are your favourite places to take Fall pictures?

YEAH JAYS

Although based in Toronto, Canadians coast to coast are hoping the Jays can go all the way! 22 years is a long dry spell to win the Eastern Division! So what does a winning team really do for us. Well it puts a smile on people's faces. Fans are happy. There are new fans that jump on the band wagon! Jobs make more money- like bars, merchandise and even the peanut seller at the games makes more. It does help the economy! I watch sometimes but really like the joy it gives people. If some children can be influenced to try harder at whatever they are doing then it is a good thing. Winning is a good feeling. Yes we do need to be good losers too! We all know that feeling too. So for now jump on that wagon and have a little fun!