NANA SAYS CHILDREN TAKE THINGS LITERALLY

Speaking and explaining things to young children is enjoyable. Recently, Nana was trying to help one of my grandsons understand a school situation. A child with special needs was acting differently. So Nana who had lots of experience in that field at one time began to inform him. "The person is different, so it is important to try to get into his world." My sweet grandson looked at me puzzled and said no Nana, he was born here. The awareness that children watch shows and movies about other worlds and aliens and superheroes came to light. My daughter simply said children can take things literally! I just smiled. The thought occurred to me about how many times when we all talk and mean one thing but it is taken literally so a different meaning occurs! In my life and work, I see and hear deeper meanings of many conversations. However, those around me may not be so deep. Checking in, especially with children to determine if they have actually understood what was meant. Simple words. Simple discussion. Perhaps let the child explain a situation rather than explain for him. With my grandson, I was simply trying to reinforce that people can be different. Lesson learned from a little one, literally!

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY IN CANADA 2016

Not sure if a lot will happen in my day today. As I reflect on what it means to be a woman in modern times,  things have changed since my youth. 1975 was the first Women's Day in my conscienceness. For example, working in health care more female doctors are present and in fields now unlike 40 years ago when I started in Social Work. More men are nurses and accepted for being nurses. Education is available to everyone. No more pulling girls out of school in Grade 3 like what happened to my mother-in-law in Italy in the 1930s to help clean the family house. What was her mother doing? Well maybe some countries still deny an education to a girl.  Even when I was dating my husband there were teenage marriages to older men. However in some groups and cultures it is still happening! Hum! Women in some countries still experience death in childbirth due to unsanitary conditions. Babies still die! Education and health are the areas to promote everywhere. Fight against sexual abuse and domestic violence! Improve the playing field for girls and boys! If we raise girls well and have caring women the world will be a better place. The women become wives and mothers and friends and community workers so all will be a lasting legacy. Mothers can raise amazing sons to become amazing men. They can work and live together with their spouses so they be amazing Fathers too. Supporting Women on this special day supports everyone. A good woman loves the men in her life. So men and boys love the girls and women in your lives. Help to make the world a better place for all of us!

SO WHY NOT!!!!

THE WORK WEEK BEGINS-MONDAY, MONDAY

Mondays are always hard for everyone unless job hunting then there is a jealousy that others have a job and you do not. When I had two lay offs in my career, there were years of going to work on Mondays that I refused to dislike them as I always said to myself " you are lucky to have a job, Barb!" Then one Monday, I said- heh, all these other people are complaining so why do I have to be so cheerful and grateful about Monday? Maybe it is because I am a cheerful and grateful person! Despite it, weekends are better. The down time! Able to have an afternoon siesta! Mondays always feel like there was so much left undone! The promise to keep at stuff each night until fatigue takes over! The best Mondays are vacation Mondays! I do find myself singing the Mamas and the Papas song- Monday, Monday ........ How will your Monday go! For those who are retired, better than most I am sure!

LIFE IS LIKE A BOWL OF COMFORT FOOD

A good lasagna on a Sunday afternoon hits the spot. Times when eating something fresh or fun brings comfort to life. We all have favourite foods that make our day. A large dish of ice cream! French Fries! A steak on the barbecue! The word comfort- a sense of physical well-being; things that make life easy or pleasant; console in grief! Come into my home and make yourself comfortable! That feeling of being at ease! Escaping from the woes of the world to the comfort of our home with our loved ones! Can I make you something to eat or perhaps a warm beverage! Comfort, comfortable, comforting- all words that bring a sense of relaxation! Now for some good comfort food on a Sunday! What brings comfort to you? What is your favourite comfort food?

THE HARM OF GOSSIP

Adults complain about the younger crowd and the gadgets used to spread ill thoughts or bully. Yet gossip has always been around school, workplaces, friends and family groups. It is equally as harmful. We think it is okay to know dirt about celebrities, but is it?  Doesn't everyone deserve some privacy in their lives? My advice- loose lips sink ships! So if you do not want someone to know your business then do not tell them. Trust your closest friends and family. Another piece of advice- if someone tells you something, keep it to yourself. The person can tell a hundred people, but you do not have to tell anyone. In moments of weakness we all share information, sometimes because we need to vent. That venting should not become fodder for gossip. A wife can complain about a spouse. A child about a parent. A workmate about a bad day at work. Should that rant become public gossip? I think not. One can have a difficult marriage for example. But there were moments of love to be remembered if the spouse dies. However is there good gossip? Maybe, so and so had their baby! Guess who got engaged? Just be careful what is shared! Especially if someone shared a secret with you!

NANA SAYS IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET CHILDREN TO WEAR APPROPRIATE CLOTHING

Okay. It is -10 with a wind chill. Everyone is bundled up. Then a teen boy walks by me with his spring jacket pulled down over his bare hands, runnings shoes and no hat. Sound familiear. It made me reflect that times have not changed. I remember my High School classmates doing the same. Too cool to dress for the weather. At least in this day and age, there are hoodies so a quick flip and the head is covered. So if the teenager will not wear appropriate clothing, is it surprising the chances that are taken in youth that often lead to injury and sometimes death. Running shoes slip on ice and bones do break. Hopefully a head is not hurt. I always have extra mitts and scarves in the car for those occasion that they may be needed. Chances with driving fast. Chances with everything. For what reason, to be cool. These risk taking behaviours often do not end. Look at the 30 something that has to go in the back woods country and an avalanche occurs. Was it necessary to go there to risk a life? Are there ways to instill safety measures in our children along with having fun? A good ski run can have some exciting moments too! Respect for others! Helmets, padding and other safety equipment are used in all sports now. If we could only get that teenage boy to dress for the weather!

MARCH-IN LIKE A LION

Winter storm warnings for parts of Canada today. The GTA will get slammed. However, the winter has been better than normal so having the first big storm in March and not November is a blessing. March the anticipated month that brings Spring at the end. It is really a winter month but heh those desperate for Spring live with hope. The winter sports enthusiasts  are lamenting their season is coming to an end. For this blogger, I just keep plugging away at projects, walk to and from work, and take what life has been throwing at me. February saw the conclusion of one writing project. So on to finishing other projects which include major decluttering of corners in the house! Love my little shredder. Put out 6 small bags of shredding in the trash! So March on in life! After we leaped from February! I can hear the lion's roar! The cold is here with winds sounding in the background! How do you see your March? Of course those not acquainted with the saying- if march comes in like a lion then it should go out like a lamb or vice versa. Most of us like it to come in like a lion then it is more optimistic the weather will improve. Canadians do like to talk about the weather, eh!