AUGUST MARCHING ALONG

Trying to embrace the month even with another heat wave.

Some reprieved today with some cooler temperatures.

Had a good week with a jaunt downtown with friends.

Lunch out with a daughter. Lunch in with another daughter.

I like the social that is positive.

I need to rethink any groups I have joined. If not positive do not want to continue.

I like my genealogy writing and connections.

So August marches away.

How about your August! How is it going!!

#augustmarcheson#howtoenjoythesummer#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NANA SAYS SPENDING A DAY WITH GRANDCHILDREN SOOTHES THE SOUL

 Okay they are noisy.

They are busy.

But knowing that love prevails.

Unconditional.

Spending time with grandchildren makes life so sweet.

Hearing one read. Hearing one tell a story.

Just being with them. Knowing they are from your gene pool is so gratifying.

The house needed some activity and some noise.

Nana get bored with the quiet.

#nanalovesadaywiththegrandkids#spendingtimewithgrandchildren#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

AUGUST STORMS ARE LIKE LIFE

 A storm with the wind, torrential rain and sometimes damage.

Then the calm.

Life has many storms.

Too many sometimes.

When we are in the middle of a storm trying to hold on. Tredding water to keep our heads high.

Then it stops and the sun comes out.

Even with the sun often we can be suspect that all will be well. 

The storms affect our psyches. We can not trust the good times.

We can feel vulnerable.

So how to let go of the storms. Learn from them but move forward.

Enjoy the good times. The sunshine. Try to be happy.

We know there will be other storms. Life will always have storms. That's life.

But get a better life jacket for our own survival.

How about you? What storms have you faced lately? Do you trust the good times?

#lifeislikeastorm#life'sstorms#thesuncomesoutsoenjoyit#don'twallowinthestorms#enjoylife'ssunnydays#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FIRST TRIP TO ITALY 30 YEARS AGO AUGUST 1991

 Adolph wanted me to go to Italy. He had taken his first trip back with his mother to do some papers on a personal matter.

I remember flying low over Rome before we landed and could see the colloseum.

We landed at Campino- one of Rome's two airports. It was an old military one converted to a modern airport.

We were met by a driver who took us to Cassino.

Spending a few days in and around Cassino gave me a good picture of Adolph's birthplace.

The view from his Cousin's home.

Monte Cassino Monastery on the mountain.

The church where the family attended.

Memorable moments. The visit to the English Cemetery with so many Canadians buried there.

Monastery in the distance.

Antica Cassino.

I always loved this pic. The sheep on the old Roman Road.

It is a miracle the sites survived the war.

The Springs.

We went to Gaeta and Sperlonga for a beach day.

To Rome where we explored the Eternal City. His cousin let us stay in her flat which was at the Piazza Flaminia.

A day in Florence.

A day in Pompei.

Two travel albums with all the memorabilia on this trip. 

I was fortunate to return two other times and able to explore other parts of Italy.

I found the Italian people so hospitable and friendly. 

Memories are the bonus of life.

#firsttriptoItaly#30yearssinceourfirsttrip#memoriesofCassino#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#Englishcemetery#anticaCassino

ICU IS NOT A PRETTY PLACE-GET VACCINATED

 The health care workers are great.

But to be a patient in ICU is not great.

It is not like the movies- a little nasal prong and the patient is lucid.

You are likely to have tubes in every hole in your body.

In bed.

Lights on 24/7.

Noises of the machines.

During COVID very limited visiting from any family.

To risk getting COVID because you will not get vaccinated will not be the best decision you ever made.

Yes people go to ICU for lots of reasons. But to be full with COVID patients makes extra work, strain and stress on the staff, the system and the families.

Being sick takes away from your quality of life. If your life continues.

If you still chose not to be vaccinated, then follow all the public health protocols to the letter. 

My advice- stay away from unvaccinated people.

#icuisnotpretty#unvaccinatedgetsickwithcovid#followpublichealthprotocols#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

IN THE HOME STRETCH LET'S NOT RUIN ALL THE GOOD WORK

 Covid numbers looked good. Then a little rise in numbers and now a decline today.

We were down to 4 new cases in York Region a few days ago and now back in the 30s.

Keep getting vaccinated.

Do not be complacent.

Wear that mask.

Wash your hands.

Limit your contacts for just a little longer.

Don't rush into crowds yet.

We are almost to the finish line.

#covidprecautions#staythecourse#don'tgiveupyet#getvaccinated#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

#GETVACCINATED THURSDAY

 For all those who are vaccinated, encourage others to do their part.

No time to waste. School goes back in so soon.

September is around the corner. 

I do not know about you but I want a safe school year for my grandchildren and everyone else's grandchildren.

So those who are hesitant, get off your butts and get the jab!!

#getvaccinated#getvaccinatedthursday#getthejab#doitforthekids#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro