MEMORIES OF ALGONQUIN PARK

I belong to a Facebook Group- Memories of Algonquin Park. I finally found all my saved brochures from 1973 and earlier posting them to the site. Memories come in many shapes and forms. Focusing on one area of my life- Algonquin Park makes me realize how a piece of land can have so many memories- from childhood to teens to married life.
It would be fun to go there sometime when family are visiting. Just seeing Rock Lake where we camped in the 1950s and 1960s as a family. Last time I was there was 1973. We had camped on Lake Opeongo in August 1974 with friends.

#algonquinpark#campingasakid#memoriesofAlgonquinpark#rememberinggoodtimes

NANA SAYS GRANDCHILDREN ARE GOOD FOR GRANDPARENTS

I am starting to see research that having grandchildren in your life helps with your mental and physical health. Anyone who loves their grandchildren already feel the love. Having several generations available does give a different perspective to everyone. The little ones learn and see an older generation. The older generation gets to experience the new activities and gadgets from a different perspective too. Being support to the parents by giving them people who love their children for help in many situations. A recent article in  GOOD TIMES by Wendy Haff talks about the bond with your grandchildren.
GOOD TIMES
It is an interesting read and deals with the wonderful subject. Incorporating grandchildren into your life. For me I recently had one of my grandsons help me pick the grapes with me. We talked about how I used to make grape jam. Since my husband is Italian born having grape vines was a must for the garden. He sampled the grapes then later wanted me to pick some of the tomatoes and other veggies growing in pots on my back porch. Since he loves red peppers, he even decided to eat a fresh red pepper.
Little activities can bring conversation.
The important thing is time according to Wendy's article.
#grandparentsandgrandchildren#researchongeneralwellbeing#activitieswiththegrandchildren#lovingyourgrandchildren#spendingtimewithgrandchildren

SEPTEMBER-5 WAYS TO START FALL CLEANING

Seasons force us to change. Hot to cold. Cold to hot. As Canadians we must be flexible due to the weather. September rolls around and well it is a wake up call. Enjoyed the hazy days of summer now back to the regular schedule.

1. September is in our face. Summer is over soon. So doing a survey of the home, garden and garage of what needs to be cleaned. Not necessary to do it all in September. But having ideas of it all.

2. Check the supplies in the home. What cleaning products? Clean or freshen with some paint. Wash or dry clean curtains and other items. Doing the check first before starting. Nothing worse than getting started and not having what is needed.

3. Making a plan. A room at a time. A theme at a time. One neighbour used to wash the window in one room of her house each week. Not necessary to do them all. However, there are window cleaning companies that can take the burden off self cleaning. Do you want to do it all or pay for a service? Cleaning companies will do a big clean for you. Each day can have a job. Or leave it to one day per week while doing other things. Feeling good about doing it yourself is okay. But no guilt if you find it boring and would rather pay someone else! Part of your plan could be you find cleaning your house boring!!

4. You can look at Fall cleaning as a job not a chore. Hard to do but sometimes there are hidden treasures to sell, donate or if not a treasure toss to the curb. Using September and into October/November to do a good go around on the home let's all of us do other stuff in the Winter months. My stuff is writing and craft projects. Maybe this winter organizing all the photos better, cards and scrapbooking for the grandchildren.

5. September tells us to get started. Kids are back in school. Days at the cottage are numbered. The leaves will be falling and need raking. There are lots of activities too. So rewarding ourselves with some apple picking for example at a farm after some hours  or days of cleaning can be a reward. Buying one of those home baked farm pies! Remember to pace yourself. Hard deep cleaning and gardening can use muscle groups that have been dormant. So no hero cookie. When tired stop, and know there is another day.

Fall cleaning and sorting clothes has its small rewards. There is a sense of control knowing one can keep their corner of their life together. So how is your Fall cleaning going.
#fallcleaning#5waystodofallcleaning#Septembertimetogetstarted#makingaplanforcleaning#oneroomatatime#howisyourplangoingforcleaning#itcanbeboring

A SENIOR MOMENT- WHAT DOES IT MEAN

Aging is one of those processes that sneaks up on all of us. Some face it terribly or not at all. Others embrace it and brag about how old they are and what they can do. Others moan and groan about all their aches and pains and how the Italians say it- the Povera Me! The Poor Me syndrome!
But being a senior is as diverse as the Seniors themselves. We have books on what to expect from our baby, our preschooler, our teenager. There are lots of parenting books and blogs on good parenting etc. But how to be a good Senior. Is there a book for family members on what to expect from their Senior? When does one become a senior? Some discounts start as early as age 55!! But there are some people 55 who think they are still middle aged!! Some discounts are at age 60 and others well age 65!!
I will tell you it did take me a while to ask for the Senior's discount. I needed to hide my age at work due to the ageism discrimination. You know what happens now? You guessed, no one asks they just give me the Senior's discount. I guess I really look like a Senior.
Back to those Senior moments. Yes they can be little memory gaps- like what was the name of that actor. But if looking closely it was an actor from the 1940s that has not been in our consciousness for decades. Trying to remember the names of every person we ever met is a little disconcerting. To punish ourselves for needing to look something up like the name of the actor- who cares!
The pace of the world is fast. Keeping up with all the new gadgets and using the old gadgets- well we are really more proficient than we think.
Just using this computer, uploading, scanning, using the cell phone for pictures and messages, texting, knowing how to write a letter- well you get the picture. Seniors have come a long way in the world and all the changes that have occurred in our lifetime and it is not over yet.
Seniors have skills, knowledge and can say done that been there!! If you are smart use the knowledge of those around you to help with the modern times. For example, some of those organizational skills are really just old ideas recycled.
A true Senior just feels blessed to have reached the age to be able to be a Senior. As a baby boomer it has been shoved down our throats on how we will cost the system so much money in old age as we all boom into it. If we do the math of how many started out- sure! However, in my family and friendship circle at least 5 baby boomers that I knew died in their 50s. Did not use any old age government services! 3 High School mates died way back! So that's 8 I know! So think of all the other baby boomers living and how many they know that are no longer around.The original numbers do not stick. Sure there are lots of us but not as many as you think.
The smart young people should cater their goods, products and services to us Seniors too. We still need stuff. We like to party. We like to go out. We are social and do like being around people of all ages.
So at 68 and a half- I sound like a little kid don't I. But sometimes I feel like a Senior and sometimes I feel like a little kid. Sometimes somewhere in between. So yes I am a Senior. I will take any Senior discount that I can. I worked hard enough for my money just like most other people. I am blessed to have family and the opportunity to spend time with my grandchildren. How about you? Are you a Senior and how are you embracing your age? Any thoughts!!
#Seniormoment#embarcingaging#seniorshaveknowledgeandskills#knowinghowtouseallsystems#seniors'discounts#thepoveramesyndrome#getupandgetgoing#seniorsonthemove#babyboomersareaging#beingaSeniorisoneoflife'sblessings#beingavailabletofamilyforgrandparenting

NANA SAYS FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL IS AN ADJUSTMENT

Getting back into the swing of things is always a challenge. Although we all need routines and some sort of schedule to get things establishing it takes some adjustment.
The first day of school is over. So knowing who the teacher will be for the year is settled. Not everyone will be happy. Not being in a class with one's friends can be disheartening for many children. Yes they can make new friends but they really wanted to be with the old friends. Let's face it! There are favourite teachers and teachers that are tolerated. Some teachers are just better than others.
At home- oh the lunches and the dinner prep and getting the homework done. Remember it is the child's homework and not yours. Let your child accept the consequences if it is not done. A good life lesson. Remember down the road that first boss will appreciate a good worker.
The lessons and extra activities need that schedule too. The driving and getting it all done. Do you have a support team? Like grandparents, aunts, uncles or car pooling!!
We all get through the first week. Just glad it is a short one.

A POSTCARD FROM STRATFORD ONTARIO 2018

Stratford is a wonderful Ontario town. Home of the Stratford Festival. World renown array of plays and musicals with many famous actors vying for a chance to perform here. Ironically it was my first trip there. So I had the opportunity to go with two wondeful friends- Rose and Mary.  I have been to live entertainment and plays elsewhere but not in this place close to home. So I had the opportunity to see a Musical and spend some time exploring the downtown core and shops.

The Visitor's Guide for 2018 gives a wonderful overview of all the plays and activities of the season. Martha Henry is starring in The Tempest.

I bought a few postcards and took as many pictures as one can take when walking with friends.

My photo of City Hall on an August day. The building stands very prominent in the town. Historic buildings are always wonderful photo ops.

Stratford sits on the Avon River.  There lots of swans in the river. Rose informed us that the swans are paraded in a winter shed in the Fall where they stay until the Spring.

A gate to a pretty walkway inscribed with a Celtic phrase- Tir na nOg- meaning Land of Youth.

 Our Italian cruisine lunch was at Fellinis restaurant on Ontario Street.

Service was very good in a pleasant atomsphere. The combos were good. I had the Ceasar Salad with the Lazio pizza. Why? I was thinking of my husband who was born in Cassino, province of Lazio in Italy.

Don't you love their business card??

We ventured back to see the Musical- The Music Man at the Stratford Festival Theatre.

A fun upbeat show with lots of songs and dancing. The audience was receptive to it and the atmosphere in the theatre was joyous and friendly.
What I loved was the grounds? The landscaping was superb.

There is even a sweet statue of Shakespeare himself.

Overall a fun and informative day. The town is a blend of modern and historic buildings. A little town outside Stratford called Shakespeare was interesting for me. There were many antique shops. Too bad I am not in the market for new stuff. Just visiting Shakespeare another day to peruse those stores would have been right up my alley. I love old stuff and absolutely love antiques.
Would I go to Stratford again? A resounding yes. If I could not drive, there are buses from Toronto as well as rail service.
#StratfordOntario#StratfordFestival#themusicman#musicals#historicbuildings#oldcityhallinStratford#oldcelticsaying#landofyouth#oldtownsarefullofwonderfulsites#FellinisItaliancuisine#italianfood#laziopizza#fundaywithfriends#adayinthecountry

SEPTEMBER- THE BEGINNING OF THE END TO SUMMER

With hot and humid weather it is difficult to think that the end of summer is at the beginning. Of course, we could have a warm Fall or Indian Summer.
September with back to school, the summer vacations are over, back from the cottage, time to start to clean up the gardens- well you get the picture, September is a time to get going.
Or it can just be another month. Only 30 days though. So one less day to do stuff.
So what tidbits will I share in September. Well there will be a few.

#endofsummer#Septemberbringschange#gettingbacktoroutine#gardencleanup#IndianSummer#schoolisbackin#homeandchange