IF IT HAS A SURFACE YOU HAVE TO CLEAN IT

The Spring air brings on the energy to clean. Preparing the house for the Easter Dinner next week, means taking a good look around and to clean the corners. Today I washed the curtains and windows along the front of the house. Each day this week I will continue to pick some fabric items to wash. The fragance of a clean house is welcoming ! The problem with my house is all my little knickknacks that need cleaning! But if it has a surface you have to clean it! Are you in the mood for spring cleaning?

A TIME TO LIVE AND A TIME TO DIE

Watching someone you love die,
Brings tears, you cry!

Until you think there there are no more tears,
Then the emotion, the anger, the fears.

The realization of the loss,
Let's you know who is the Boss.

Death waits for no one,
Can take you in the midst of fun.

As your cherished person leaves,
You learn the meaning of "grieves".

Grief seizes your head, your soul,
Surviving a day becomes a goal.

Barbara Di Mambro
Poems 2012

MY EASTER WREATH 2012

I have been trying to improve my creative projects and recycle items in my house. So using some ribbon, a wire wreath and an Easter bunny from previous years along with purchasing the plastic eggs on a stick, I made a new wreath for my door for this Easter.

So what do you think?

OUT LIKE A LION- A CANADIAN MARCH

What an unusual month- cold then one of the warmest on record then back to cold and chance of snow flurries today. It seems different but I recall other years with snow storms in the middle of April. My Sonya was born April 4th and on her arrival to the world a horrendous Ice storm and cold weather prevailed for the next week here in the GTA. Spring is never warm or good enough! Funny we always want to go from Parkas to shorts but it really does not work that way, does it! As with most northern countries, we always have a sweater handy. Dress in layers- layer up and layer down. Does weather help determine the nature of its people- I think so! We Canadians must be flexible, accept change-as it can occur daily, and find creative ways to stay warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. Hardy- don't forget hardy! Just the vastness of this great nation, means that a sunny day can occur on one coast and a tornado on another one! Are you having a sunny day? Is there snow in your forecast? Whatever you are facing? The good news is a new month is about to start. That will change everything!

DON'T CRY OVER SPILLED MILK

Is a piece of advice often thrown at us. When little things happen to us, we can ruminate and whine or just get over it. Can't change it! Move on! Clean up the mess! So whatever is happening in my life, I will try to move on. So I won't cry over spilled milk. However, I might cry if I spill my last glass of chilled white wine!

NANA SAYS HELPING CHILDREN DEAL WITH CRITICAL ISSUES IS TOUGH

It is emotional enough for adults to deal with stressful and life threatening situations. Knowing how to support and deal with the feelings of our little children becomes tough. Death means different things to children of different ages. Including them in the process, takes careful judgement on the part of parents. There is a lot of literature helping with strategies and considerations for parents- use these resources and then think about who your child is and what would be best. Parents know their own children better than anyone else. Remember there is no right or wrong answer on what to do! Just have the courage to do what you think is best!  Having children visit sick family members is important. Involving them in the process if only for a short time helps the sick person as well as allowing the child to know they did something. A beautiful handmade card! Some flowers! A box of chocolates! Or sometimes just a High Five from a grandson! Or better yet a hug and a kiss!

THAT LITTLE CANADIAN CROCUS

A crocus in your spring garden, is nature's way of telling us that life goes on.

As soon as some warm weather starts to occur, the green leaves then the colourful flowers emerge.

There are a variety of colours. Many years ago, when we ripped out all the grass in the back and put in boulders making paths and gardens, we planted many spring bulbs. Of course any gardener knows they must be planted in the Fall, to lay dormant in the earth coming up in the Spring.

My favourite colour purple abounds everywhere. Even have a little spring bug, for the bug enthusiasts out there!
Do you have a crocus or two in your garden? Do they renew your faith in the circle of life? Did you know it is a member of the Iris family? Just the beginning of many spring delights!