WHERE DID THE MONTH GO

Was heard a lot today. It's already February tomorrow. I did not find the month to go quickly as the goals rather than resolutions set for 2011 are on track. Family celebrations, vacation week, progress on projects, granddaughter sleepover- well you get the picture. January is a tough month to get motivated for many. I guess they did not get started. I love January because there is no outside work to do at home- other than snow shovelling! Inside activities get my full attention. It seemed strange to me to hear anyone say the month went quickly- usually the complaint is about the summer goes by in a wink! Most people complain about the cold so one would think they are happier we are one month closer to Spring. I just feel happy I kept the one main goal- to have as many blogs as the days in the month! Did the month go quickly for you? Are you just happy to be trudging along? Are your goals for 2011 on track? Or derailed?

DO WE APPRECIATE DEMOCRACY?

No matter what we may think of individual politicians, Canada is a democratic country. As events continue to unfold in other parts of the world as people are craving their regimes to be over by demonstrating in the streets, do we as Canadians appreciate the freedoms we have? We can vote or not! As many people chose to stay home and not vote in all levels of government- a freedom that many in other nations desire. Our laws are exemplary and protect us. Our police and armed forces are there for us. We women have had the vote since 1917 and have not looked back. What freedoms do you cherish? What do you feel about our democracy? Do you love being a Canadian as I do? What are your thoughts?

SIMPLE SUNDAY PLEASURES

Often by slowing down to do the simple things, life really can be so enjoyable. Watching the Sunday Sermon on TV, some grocery shopping, a mid-morning breakfast, reading the papers cover to cover then deciding to work on some projects all brought a sense of being and doing today. Slowing my energy brought the joy of the day. By taking the time to think about the tasks at hand, I felt contentment and enriched my life. Made dinner for Adolph- he is usually is the cook so gave him a break. Oven meals are great that way- put them in the oven and continue to do other tasks while the cooking occurs. Do you have some Sunday pleasures? Are you alone? Are you with people? Saturday was busy as usual with the grandchildren but Sunday really was a day of rest!

BULLDOZERS ARE LIKE SOME PEOPLE

Pushy. Overstating their point of view. Noisy. They do get work done but can monopolize the environment. We need bulldozers. They have a purpose. However, it is good to know we can turn them off and leave with the key until we decide it's time to start them up again. Do you have bulldozers in your life? Are you a bulldozer? Maybe it's time to rest and let someone else have the spotlight!

HISTORICAL EVENTS IMPACT OUR LIVES

And often make us reflect about where we were, what we were doing and who was with us. I thought of this reflection after watching a segment of Canada AM about the 25th anniversary of the Space Shuttle explosion. My life has been influenced by the Kennedy assassination, the Viet Nam war and all the protests, Trudeau era, Diana/Charles wedding and her eventual death, major world disasters and of course, September 11th to name a few. Sometimes events coincide with situations in our own lives so the identification and emotions are closer. Our folks who lived through the Great Depression and World War Two brought their memories and experiences into our lives. Our children will have their own set of events that have an influence on them. Not everyone will have the same experience and observations from an event. Are there events that impacted your life and still bring emotions? Do you review history and see connections to today? Do we learn from those events? I find being connected to a big event somehow makes my small existence seem more important. Do you ever feel the same way?

YOU'VE GOT MAIL

We can receive mail in different forms. Email is fun but I still love the feel of sorting my mail- junk mail and all. It is like spam but I do not worry about a computer virus! Cards, bills, magazines and sometimes the odd letter makes its' way. Even a late Christmas Card arrived today that was sent Dec. 21/10. As a stamp collector, I still save the envelope with the stamp on it! It is even more exciting to receive a parcel! Door to door mail still occurs in older neighbourhoods. Since moving to this house in 1987, I have been going to my mailbox down the street so when a parcel arrives at my door it is a special occasion. Of course ordering online helps to keep bringing those parcels to my door. Letters saved from years of living can be a testament to those in our families. For decades I corresponded with an aunt in Edmonton. I have her letters in a little bundle. My mother does not write anymore due to her Dementia so her letters and cards remind me that there was a different time. Love letters, postcards and other written momentos arranged chronologically give a history that can be visited periodically. The correspondence can be part of the family history or arranged neatly in a scrapbook. Since I like the written word, I save significant emails as they too have valuable thoughts and family information. Do you like mail?

OUR MARKS IN THE SAND

We all like to make marks in the sand. Sand castles can be our artistic creation. Then a wave, the tide can wash all away. We must not fret at the loss but walk again on the beach, creating something else.

There is always another day- we like the water- ebb and flow!