THE SUPPORT TEAM

In every workplace, family, home there needs to be a support team to help get the job done. Doing your own job then some- makes for a fuller life. Taking the time to look around you to determine if someone needs a helping hand. Being the one that usually does not say no but knows when to say no allows others to know they have someone to use as backup. At work the social workers cover for each other when they are away. At home as a couple, we are a solid team helping each other with chores and errands. In the family system, dinners and babysitting help out the modern stressed parents in our lives. As I look down the road, I will be the one someday that will need to use the support team. Aging will bring slowing down, needing a ride and even help with the normal activities of daily life. But not today! Lots of energy to give a cheer and to get going with the tasks at hand! How about you? Do you support the people around you in positive ways? Are you happy to know you are needed?

THE HARVEST HOME

Everywhere across the country the final crops are being harvested. Corn in my area always reminds me of the previous generations who depended on harvesting and storing the crops for winter. Our area, hundreds of years ago was home to the Huron Nation whose staple was corn. Although they were already gone from the area when Champlain arrived in the 1600s, the historian in me smiles and wonders if their spirits prevail!

DO YOU FEEL GOOD IN YOUR OWN SKIN?

I have been doing some soul searching lately. Reviewing times in my life and feeling good about the situations I have survived along with the support and love I have given to many people. Do I feel good in my own skin? Well I do. I do not have the amount of money I wanted for my old age but I know I will survive. There are still lots of items on my Bucket List to keep me hopeful that I will do them. It bothers me though that so much is put in how much a person earns for a living and the size of house they have. Many people are maximized to their eyeballs in debt but they look good- with the leased Mercedes and huge home with little furniture! In my lifetime I have had the advantage to know and be around some very wealthy people- not the professionals like doctors, lawyers and engineers who think they are but the very wealthy. My first exposure was at age 17 on a trip to England. My sister was seeing a friend she knew from university. She wanted to see if their romance could be rekindled. Well, a family townhouse in downtown London full of 200-300 year old antiques, a driver for the Rolls and a Country Cottage in Salisbury near Stonehenge was a clear indicator of wealth. Later I discovered his father was one of the wealthiest people in England. Yes, there was a property in Scotland and Spain that was visited many times during the year. The living room at the "cottage" was three times the size of our rambling family bungalow in Richmond Hill and real servants- not a weekly cleaning lady paid under the table. Were they happier as individuals- not really but hospitable to put up with the country bumpkins from Canada. Fast forward to my husband's years in the Construction Industry and my exposure to many wealthy people again taught me to feel good about who I am. Holding my own at dinners and business affairs, knowing I could discuss any subject gave me an adult confidence to be me. There was no need to compete as I had the education and the grace to enjoy whatever events came my way. Then life happens and health issues arise and some of those wealthy people got sick like anyone else. Making it through their 50s became a challenge!  I can give a list of people I have known that did not make it to their 60th birthday! Worried about old age, they did not even finish middle age! However, we do live in a society where money seems to talk and consume some people! If you are not highly paid then what? You can not be happy with your life! You must be seen as jealous of anyone who makes more? I think not. The things that might keep me awake at night are the unfinished projects, finding the time and yes energy to do them! Sure I am looking for ways to augment my income, why not? But those projects will not make me wealthy but perhaps provide a vacation or two- remember my bucket list! I do feel good in my own skin even if it is a little wrinkled in some places! Do you feel good with who you are? Do you ever want to leave social events where money, money, money is the discussion? I know I do!

NANA SAYS FALL MEANS GATHERING LEAVES WITH THE LITTLE ONES

Teaching our children about nature can happen in many ways. As the trees start to change colour here in Ontario, I was reminded of a favourite childhood activity. In school and home, we would gather a variety of leaves from different trees to make a poster board of leaves or put some in a big book to be pressed over the next copy of months. A favourite technique was to take a leaf, put it between two pieces of waxed paper and press with a hot iron- of course the adult did it. Those waxed leaves could be taken to school to use in the Fall themes. Knowing Canadian trees is still good general knowledge for our children. Gathering the leaves helps to identify which leaf comes from which tree. So my grandchildren will help Nana get leaves from the Oak, Elm,  Maple, Plum, Pear, Ash, Pine trees in my yard or on the other yards nearby. Since I have lots of waxed paper to use, we can revitalize an old tradition. The little ones love collecting the pinecones from the various coniferous trees in my yard. There can also be a little lesson about the Boreal Forest in Ontario. Which trees stay green all year and which ones lose their leaves in the Fall? Of course, just helping them to look and see the beauty in the beautiful Fall colours. Or another old tradition- rack a big pile of leaves and let them jump in them! Sometimes children do not care what kind of leaf it is!

SAM THE RECORD MAN- WHEN A CANADIAN ICON DIES

There are many symbols and people that are icons in this country. For the musician and music world, Sam Sniderman, who had the record stores- Sam the Record Man- was their hero. He believed in the music and made money selling the records, tapes and other memorabilia associated with music. In Toronto, the iconic store on Yonge Street in the downtown core was a favourite tourist attraction. With the internet and downloading, many record stores lost business since they did not keep up with the online buying and selling. Sam died at 92 and with his death it is a reminder of many things Canadian that transcended generations. I think of Pierre Berton and his books that annoyed historians since he wrote in a folksy manner. However, he wrote about all things Canadian- from a railroad that united a country, a war, a gold rush and many other important events that made our history come alive. Gordan Sinclair with his opinions on everything allowed us to think and often disagree with him. Barbara Frum who hid her cancer until her death and wrote from the heart about all things Canadian. Terry Fox and his mother who taught us to have a dream and keep the faith. Do you have favourite Canadian icons or heros for whom you would write a eulogy? Many of our heros were not the richest in the world but they did make a difference to the masses. They left a mark!

PREPARING FOR THE THANKSGIVING SEASON

Thanksgiving will be early this year- October 8. For the host and hostess, preparation begins weeks in advance. Starting with some Fall decorations around the house, the initial grocery list and the big decision of whether to buy a fresh or frozen turkey. My preparations have begun with the purchase of the dinner wine and a trip to a farmer's market to buy some squash.

Since I am expecting not only dinner guests but a house guest in a week, the Fall cleaning has been bumped up with some outdoor tidying as well as indoor clutter cleaning. The spare room usually the grandchildrens' sleepover room is ready as well as the pink bathroom-grout cleaned on the tile floor has kept me busy. Households across the country are anticipating family get togethers. It is wonderful time to enjoy the harvest. How are your Thanksgiving preparations going? Are you like I am- you like to take it one item at a time or do you wait until the last minute, getting everything done in a hurry?

A POSTCARD FROM QUEBEC CITY QUEBEC

With the start of the school year, it reminded me of a high school class trip I took in Grade 13 to Quebec City in 1969. So I looked for some postcards I bought.

The three top postcards from that time period. The church across the water is on I'lle d'Orleans where we took a bus tour. The church with the cars is Notre-Dame-des-Victoires built in 1688. I remember how excited we were as students to be in a Canadian church that was so old. There were two students who originated from England who were amused as by their standards it was not that old. Notice the cars in the parking lot- 60s vintage. The painting is from inside the church- Jesus runs across Saint Veronica by Boyermans(1577-1640)

My girls went on class trips to Quebec City too bringing home some postcards as souvenirs. It is a quaint, lovely city. Very similar to an Eurpean city, it draws tourists year round from Canada and the United States. It is close to Saint-Anne-De-Beaupre famous for skiing and religious retreats. Unfortunately where a famous movie star lost her life too.
If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.