REMEMBERING A MOM

Four years since my mother passed away. Sometimes the memories come to light. Like homemade fudge and pies. Painting things gold in our childhood home when gold was a fad. Camping and canned beans. Love of family. Eccentricities and interesting views of life- like the children of Mu phase. Hosting everyone in the home in Westbank- when moving west told everyone to come and visit us- which of course hoards of people did for years and years. Learning to drive at a later age so she could get out of the house to shop! Mom is Mom!

A PARTY WEEKEND

So Super Bowl Sunday is finally over. A week of hype! What a show! Of course it is said that many people really just like the half time show! Was there a football game. The Americans know how to go over the top! The amount of food eaten and beer drunk, makes for good revenue for many. This blogger decided to make the ribs, wings, fries and veggies and dip for my football fan. With a cake to top it off, our own little eat fest at home. Good aroma in the house with slow cooker cooking the ribs all day! Actually most of the weekend was not a party but the usual indoor stuff and sorting and planning. Back to work. Why are weekends so short and the work week so long?

A WALK IN THE MALL-A NEW CANADIAN TRADITION

Jokingly I told my husband I am going to write a sequel to the movie- A walk in the Woods. He has now become a Mall walker! People who go to the local malls before they are open and walk. Safe, supervised, well lit and no ice or snow! Since his surgery, he has realized that walking is a good and safe exercise! Hum! Many of you know that I have used walking as my primary exercise for years. When ambitious I do some weights and stretching, dancing, yoga moves to strengthen my muscles. Right now I need to be more ambitious. Some people walk their dogs. So the third sequel could be- A walk in the Park or walking the dogs! Or was that a song long ago! Walking is safe and easy.It does not need to be competitive. Although Adolph finds that many walkers walk faster than he does! He feels slow.Your own pace is the rule- no competition! Afterwards meeting with a group of guys to have a coffee and talk! Exercise and social! Good for the soul! For many elderly folks it is a true blessing. When Spring comes, the goal is to walk part of the way to work with me. Maybe he will have to pick up the pace! We'll see!

DON'T LOOK TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD

One suggestion I often use when someone is facing a life threatening disease or occurrence-deal with the present. Don't look too far down the road! Someone may want to know how much time they have! If there is treatment and a program, then do what needs to be done. Put activities in one's life that have meaning! Yes there will be a new normal. Life has changed. But there still is life! So go with it! On that road of life, relish every moment!

FEBRUARY DEPRESSION

February is a tough month for those who have clinical depression. The long winter months catch up with the person. So if you are having symptoms of depression- poor sleep, poor or overactive appetite, poor concentration, not interested in normal activities, suicidal thoughts, disconnecting from your social circle, seek some help! Families with loved ones with depression, keep an eye on them too. Offering hope and another tomorrow is so important for clinical depression sufferers! Remember the person does not chose to be depressed, it is psychological! It is an illness like every other illness! Reach out and help someone! You will be glad you did!
#depression#clinicaldepression#winterblues#recognizingsignsofdepression#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#offeringhopetodepressedpeople

GROUND HOG DAY IN CANADA 2016

Every February 2, the tradition of the ground hog seeing his shadow or not means how quickly Spring will be coming.

In Ontario, up on the Bruce Peninsula is the town of Wiarton where the friendly groundhog is Willie.

Other places across Canada- Nova Scotia has Shubenacadie, Manitoba has Winnipeg Willow or Manitoba Merv and Alberta has Balzak Bill. The tradition says if cloudy there will be no shadow for the groundhog and an early Spring. If very sunny and he sees his shadow then 6 more weeks of winter. Of course the big event in the US is in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where our Willie competes with Punxsutawney Phil. Some think it is a silly tradition where the referee dresses in formal wear to help the groundhog with the prediction. I just think it is fun and another excuse to fight the winter doldrums. I have written other posts each year on this special event. So if I see my shadow does it mean anything?

CHANGE IS GOOD AS A REST

So they say. Trying new things and having change forced on a person are two different things. Dealing with changes, new ideas and restructuring in a workplace sound easy. Everyone has to get on board. Embrace the excitement of the changes. Working long enough many of the new ideas look like recycled old ones. Once told that life is like a circle. By the time one gets to the other side of the circle have to learn again what is on the other side. New clothes are fun. A new car-nice change! Throw out an old couch and get a new one. Try a new restaurant. Some changes can be okay and actually fun. Hey it is a new month.February- Heart and Stroke month. Valentine's Day. Family Day- a Monday off from work. A short month so closer to the change that Spring brings. As long as in the change, one can wear the favourite cardigan for warmth. Or have one's coffee just right! Then- the more things change the more they remain the same!

All we are saying is to give a change a chance! Or is that peace according to John Lennon! Have a good start to the month and week!