Heads or Tails

My Wasp Attack

2014-09-06T22:58:00.000-04:00

Went for a walk. Had a nice breakfast. Was reading the paper when I decided to head out to the garden to pull weeds, as the soil was soft from the previous night's storm, cleanup and spread soil and grass seed as another gardening season is coming to a close.

I was almost done with the front yard, snipping a few dried leaves, when I felt a sting and saw a wasp on my left wrist. As I brushed it off, I felt stings on my right arm and leg. At the same time, a number of its family members came out of a bush and flew around me. I screamed, dropped the snippers and ran for the front door.

Some time ago, the door would have been unlocked but since reading about opportunistic thieves who enter the front door while the homeowner is in the backyard, I always lock the door. That's all well and good to thwart a robbery but not while trying to evade angry insects as I tried to get the key in the lock with one hand while waving the other around my head.

I finally got the door unlocked, rushed in and saw a few wasps were now on the inside with me; great. I stripped by the door and rushed to the kitchen sink to wash my arms while wondering if I would have a bad reaction to the stings and how to get these pests on the inside back outside.

As there was no reaction apart from feeling like I had rubbed a scotch bonnet pepper on parts of my skin, I quickly showered. Back downstairs, I could see a few wasps buzzing around the front porch and wasn't about to open the door to shoo the inside wasps out and invite outside wasps in. I'm sorry to say, I had no choice but to swat them; it was them or me.

At some point I have to retrieve the snippers and yard waste bag, put them in the garage and figure out how to deal with a nest of easily provoked wasp, living in my garden.

Last winter, with its abundance of snow and ice and all the shovelling I had to do, condo living was looking quite attractive. If I have to dress like a beekeeper to do my gardening, moving to a condo and spending Saturday mornings relaxing with the paper is looking pretty darn good.

Will keep you posted.

This is August, Right?

2014-08-15T19:42:00.001-04:00

The calendar says it's August but the temperature tells me it's a nice autumn day.

What happened to hot August days when all you wanted to do was moan and complain about the heat and find some shade, preferably with a tall, cold drink? Where are those dog days of summer when we hear about people trying to fry eggs on a hot sidewalk?

Do you remember kids in bathing suits running through sprinklers or splashing in wading pools? When was the last time you saw any of this? Or for that matter, when was the last time you saw two or more sun icons in a row with no hint of cloud, on an extended weather forecast?

Normally, I would take this cool summer in stride but after a winter of ice storms and lots of snow, I don't think it was too much to ask for some warmth this time of year. Spring was cooler than expected and the snow took forever to melt. July brought lots of rain; fine, great for our gardens. What if a picnic we look forward to each year was rained out? Not to worry; at least August will bring the sun. August will have heat to warm our bones. We told ourselves we are bound to have that elusive summer in good old August.

Well here we are, the middle of August and it is cold, not cool, cold. The kind of temperature that would be perfect in October and has me seriously considering turning on the heat. Who leaves home these days without a sweater, scarf or light jacket? In all honesty, Autumn is my favourite season but still, I do miss real summer weather; not the stifling hot days but warm, sunny days broken by a few showers here and there. I have to say: August, you've disappointed me.

I always get a kick walking into Costco in August and seeing winter coats on display. Who, in the middle of hot, sunny August, is thinking of winter coats? Well, looks like Costco is onto this weather thing and maybe we should be stocking up on warm apparel just in case September rolls in with a bad attitude as if an icicle is stuck up its butt.

Will keep you posted.

Summertime

2014-06-23T01:37:00.001-04:00

Summer is here and to help welcome it and set the stage for fun, sun, parades, festivals, picnics, BBQs and just plain old hanging out in the yard or park, have a listen to, Summertime from Porgy and Bess.

I've loved this song from the first time I heard it and a few years back when I took singing lessons, (why no one is banging on my door to offer a contract is a mystery:), this song was part of my repertoire.

A wonderful song for a fun-filled time of year. Ella Fitzgerald, among others, sang it beautifully. Sam Cooke's version is my favourite, however, for sheer fun, here's Billy Stewart's rendition. Kick back and have a listen. Shaking of body parts is encouraged.

Happy Summer!

Will keep you posted.

Happy Father's Day to Single Mothers

2014-06-15T10:12:00.001-04:00

One of my daughters just wished me a Happy Father's Day. I actually laughed out loud and then gave this some serious thought, because as a divorced single mother, raising three daughters on my own before the eldest was even ten, I have had to be both mother and father to my girls.

It was not always easy but I am so happy I was able to raise my daughters and provide some wisdom to help them along the way to adulthood. It helped that I was raised by both parents, Charles and Viola, and I drew on their guidance to help me guide my daughters.

Single mothers, don't despair. Do the best you can and be available for one-on-one discussions with your kids (by the way, this part never ends:). You won't have all the answers but I believe your children will appreciate a genuine effort. Years go by quickly and in the blink of an eye, they will be adults making their own way through life, hopefully drawing on the guidance you provided.

So, to all you women who singlehandedly raised your children, providing motherly and fatherly advice, have a Happy Father's Day! You've earned it.

Will keep you posted.

Gorgeous Spring Day

2014-04-06T18:04:00.000-04:00

Finally, a gorgeous spring day and appreciated after our long, wild winter. So many people are out and about making the most of the lovely sunshine and mild temperatures but I do believe those enjoying it most are my cats. I let them in the backyard and they are rolling around on the patio, stretching out in the sunshine and claiming a prime seat to survey their domain. They know how to appreciate a great day.

Nothing is yet sprouting in my garden, usually crocuses would be up by now and tulips and daffodils would be peeking out. Lots of work to be done raking the beds and lawn; so many leaves since raking was cut short when the weather changed so quickly last fall and I don't ever remember seeing so many pine cones. Raking those should be fun.

Anyway, nicer weather is here and I will be back in the garden soon. In the meantime, I will be like a kitty and enjoy the sunshine, without the rolling around on the patio although that may be therapeutic.

Will keep you posted.

Spring, Where Are You?

2014-03-23T13:39:00.000-04:00

Purple Tulips

Spring officially arrived last week according to the calendar. By all other markers, it's no where in sight; well, not 100% true. I can hear birds singing and the few days of sunshine we've had, I could feel the promise of spring in the air. However, I am still wearing winter gear and won't think of taking a chance on heading out in dress shoes because in the space of a few hours, I would be slipping and sliding across icy patches or getting cold slush on my feet.

It has been quite a winter with ice storms which severely damaged trees, lots of snow (I know there is a lawn somewhere under the mounds of ice and snow) and cold temperatures which helped to curtail my early morning walks. I could have braved the temperatures as I am used to walking throughout winter but dared not take a chance on the icy walkways this time around. Bad enough trying to navigate such conditions on two feet so why tempt fate and have to do it with a cast and crutches.

I don't believe a change of seasons was looked forward to so eagerly as this spring; even my cats are ready; they have been braving the cold porch in anticipation. Winter has overstayed its welcome like a bad guest and I am ready to, once again, feel the warm spring sun on my face, see the promising green shoots in the garden, watch the birds at the birdbath, start working the earth again and imagining what my garden will be like this year.

I'll be patient a little while longer as the wait for spring weather will not be as long as the winter we just left. Then again, what choice do I have?

Will keep you posted.

A Sad Anniversary

2014-01-19T19:58:00.001-05:00

It's been a year since I got the shocking news my good friend had died suddenly. What a start it was to 2013.

To say I miss her would be an understatement. I think about her all the time and still find myself longing for one of our long phone calls where we would be reminiscing and laughing about childhood antics and stories about life in our old country. I miss our how-are-things-this-is-just-a-quick-call-to-check-on-you which sometimes was really short and other times could be a good old-fashioned gabfest.

Her birthday came and I remembered, just no card this time. Same with Christmas. For whatever reason, I never got around to sending out Christmas cards. The box made it to the dining room table but nothing further happened to it except to be put back from whence it came. I received cards from friends and one was from my friend's daughter who had decided to follow her Mom's tradition and send cards to her Mom's friends.

To make sure family and friends did not think I was letting go of a tradition I love, I called everyone on my Christmas card list, and my friend's daughter as well, to wish them a Merry Christmas. It was the first Christmas without my friend but her daughter stepped up to keep one of her mother's traditions alive making an old friend very happy.

It was indeed a year of firsts without her but she will always be remembered, even as we move towards the second and subsequent anniversaries. Good friends are remembered fondly. We should live life in such a way that when we are gone, we are missed and remembered fondly.

Will keep you posted.

Why Bother Stocking Up

2014-01-12T15:22:00.001-05:00

Why do I bother stocking up on extra items? Okay, this works for some things I use on a regular basis such as paper products, soap, toothpaste and laundry products but for some items, I can guarantee I will forgot I have extra on hand.

When I go through my kitchen cupboards, I come across items, way at the back, that I had forgotten about and have been buying on a regular basis. This is wasteful and shameful as I am spending money on what I already have and sometimes end up throwing out goods that have passed their expiry date.

The icing on the cake though was finding a container of de-icer crystals in my garage, today, hiding in plain sight, long after after I had used what I thought was the last, during the recent ice storm. As luck would have it, none could be found in stores and I kept telling myself I should have bought extra before winter started.

To think I have been walking gingerly along my ice-coated walkway and driveway and all this time, there was de-icer in the garage. In 2014, I vow to be better at keeping track of what I already have; it's the sensible thing to do.

Will keep you posted.

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

2013-12-24T07:09:00.001-05:00

Why The Hate for Gay People (Ugandan Law)

2013-12-22T14:28:00.002-05:00

It's almost 2014 and here we are looking in on Uganda, where it appears there are no pressing problems so their MPs can spend time passing an anti-gay law to imprison homosexuals.

It boggles the mind that in this day and age, when knowledge is at our fingertips and we can educate ourselves, we have so many people, especially in power, who think it is their bounden duty to antagonize, disrupt and destroy the lives of people who have done nothing wrong but be true to themselves. Why don't they do some research and realize that gay people have been on this earth from the beginning of time and that homosexuality is found throughout nature.

Why can't they realize that gay people are not choosing to be gay just like straight people are not choosing to be straight. I really don't remember any triggers when I was going through puberty that pointed me to being a heterosexual. I also can't imagine getting up every day wondering about the sex lives and genitals of those close to me furthermore of complete strangers. Why would it matter to me? And why this obsession with punishing them for something they can't help? Why not leave gay people alone and just let your god sort it all out in the end since you believe there will be a reckoning? By the way, these christians believe we are all created by their god so did their god make a mistake with gay people?

These poor excuses for human beings in Uganda and elsewhere should be mindful we are for a short time on this earth and we should just let people live their lives without the intrusion of ignorant people making horrendous laws. As for the so-called Christ followers, especially those from North America exporting their venomous beliefs, who get in their pulpits and pews and thunder that homosexuality is wrong; who died and left you in charge of sexuality? If you answer, Christ did, please remember he never once pronounced on homosexuality or any kind of sex for that matter and if you choose to mention Leviticus, then you must follow those laws in their entirety or you are tagged as the worst kind of hypocrite and your god may find you wanting.

Just leave people alone to live their lives just as you would like to live yours without interference from viper-like people who claim to speak for their god. Get a damn life! This world would be better off all around.

Will keep you posted.

Rules To Live By

2013-11-12T14:34:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I wrote about my daughters giving me advice and how our roles had reversed. That got me thinking about the rules they laid down for me, after they had all left the nest, to ensure my safety and that I won't be found dead in my bed or the bottom of the stairs. Here are a few of the rules:

If going out in the evening, I have to let them know. Once I forgot to do this and my cell was off. Guess what? I came home to a note on my pillow informing me middle daughter had called youngest daughter (who was still in my neck of the woods) and instructed her to go to the house and see if all was well with me.

When going down the stairs, I must hold on to the handrail at all times. I must stop running up and down the stairs as I am wont to do (some days it's the only exercise I get::). I must also look out for cats on the top step as this is where they like to hangout and once, middle daughter fell down the stairs after tripping over a cat. Please note I was not the one falling over a cat.

As I work at my computer a lot, I get random texts from middle daughter telling me to put my shoulders down from around my ears and reminders to do the neck and shoulder exercises as previously instructed.

Stay in contact with one of them each day. Thankfully I'm one of those older people happy to use technology and social media. These days, I text more than I talk and they can always check to see if I posted on Twitter or Facebook or responded to a one on one message or in our group texts.

Not only have certain rules been implemented on my behalf but just a few months ago, I went on a trip I had previously said I was opting out of because first born daughter could no longer go due to a scheduling conflict. She informed the travel agent to switch the ticket to my name and THEN I was informed.

So far, the rules make sense and the trip was heavenly and if this is how they will look out for me in my later years also known as the second childhood, then I'm in great hands.

Will keep you posted.

Role Reversal

2013-11-11T13:49:00.000-05:00

My daughters have been giving me advice. After years of guiding and encouraging them, I now find myself in the position of receiving guidance, encouraging words and at times, the proverbial slap upside my head.

I have been doing some serious introspection to fully understand why I am the way I am and how to be less of a worrier. Self-reflection is the easy part; actually making necessary changes that result from this exercise is the head cracker. Why? After years of worrying whether I was doing the right thing and making the correct decisions, while single handedly making a decent life for my daughters, it's difficult to change that part of me. I still worry about the girls but now I worry about making decisions that are right for me.

My three daughters and I have always been a tight-knit group and I always had an open outlook and they could discuss anything with me and not be judged or have that information used as a cudgel later on. Of course it has not always been an easy road and we never agreed on everything but we valued each other's input and tried to walk the talk as they say. One thing I always treasured was hearing my daughters tell me they knew their secret was safe with me and that I would never mention a thing to a sister unless they gave the green light.

Now the roles have been reversed and I am listening to my daughters speak some hard truths to me and of course, they come from a place of love. Not only, are they telling me what I should be doing to relieve stress and make some wrongs right, they are actually backing up their opinion with detailed information from observing me all these years. They have actually pointed out where I tend to sabotage situations so I can save myself potential agony (more than likely of my own doing) down the road.

I appreciate their input and who better to get advice from than the people who know you best plus I don't have to lie on a couch, these therapy sessions can be spontaneous and best of all, the price is right; well maybe a nice home cooked meal here and there.

Will keep you posted.

Sears - What It Meant To Me

2013-11-10T21:16:00.001-05:00

Sears Christmas Wish Book 2013

Sears will be moving out of some prime location malls, including my home mall as business is not what it used to be and this news is leaving me a little melancholy.

My memories of Sears are mostly about catalogue shopping. I remember as a new mother and with toddlers, how much I depended on Sears to get what I needed for my children, my home and myself. With three small children, packing them up and leisurely strolling through the mall was not an option. I did my browsing and shopping through Sears catalogues, my online experience of the day.

Sears catalogues, and there were many throughout the year, were looked forward to but none more so than the Christmas Wish Book. The Wish Book had its pages of gifts under $10, $15, $20, etc., any toy you could imagine, games, party clothes, coats, jewellery and oh yes, fruit cakes although I have not seen those recently. The pages of Christmas decorations! Were homes really decorated like that? Not mine with three active kids but I could live vicariously through the catalogue. As my daughters got older, they would go through the Wish Book and mark exactly what they wanted for Christmas; it made my life so much easier.

Browsing the Sears catalogue was stress-free and somewhat therapeutic; no rush, no fuss, no hustle, no bustle. I would sit at the table with catalogues and flip from page to page and be inspired, envisioning how each room would look with an item(s) or zone in on an outfit or three that became must haves. Between the catalogue and the store, I have at some point, made purchases for every room. How much more simple could it be to place an order? You chit chatted with a customer service rep who, after the order was placed, would ask if you were interested in hearing what was on sale and of course who couldn't use a couple more towels or another set of sheets? Any items on backorder were identified and you were given an expected delivery date otherwise, the order was delivered next day and at that time, there were no additional delivery charges and the driver would take a cheque. Eventually, delivery charges were added and orders took a few more days. As the girls got older, we would shop in the store but catalogue browsing was still something I enjoyed and I would still place orders.

As time marched on, my girls developed their own style and we started shopping at the new stores that were popping up but Sears still drew us in and we could always find something we liked. For me, it was their excellent selection of eye-catching, high quality handbags. Often someone would compliment me on a bag and would be surprised when I told them where I bought it. Just this year we made a trip to the store to buy bathing suits and beach wraps for our March Break trip. One stop worked for all of us.

I am sad to see Sears, that tried so hard to be everything to everyone, close some stores. Sears filled a need for my young family and for that I'm grateful. I look back fondly and I hope Sears will be able to revamp, be sustainable and help create memories of what a department store still could be for some. We all want the best for an old friend.

Will keep you posted.

My Ghost Story

2013-10-25T21:28:00.000-04:00

Boo!

Halloween is approaching and at this time of year, there are many stories of ghostly encounters so I have decided to relate my own. What? Doesn't everyone have a ghost story? :)

Many moons ago as a teen and Girl Guide, another Guide and I spend a week as helpers at a children's camp. The location of this camp was at the historical soldiers' barracks built in 1790 and located on the seashore. It is a huge location and beautifully landscaped. The children and supervisors were assigned to a large dormitory and my friend and I had our own room with two single beds. It was on the same level as the dormitory and there were many empty spaces on that level. Our front door opened to a verandah along which we walked to the dormitory and the stairs to the outside. The back door opened on to a corridor and we had to cross that corridor to get to the bathroom. At one end of the corridor, there was a big room; I don't remember what was in this room, if anything.

We settled in. During the day we had our meals and activities with the children. At night we talked into the night. One day, we started noticing the toilet would flush and we knew for sure no one was in the bathroom because it was just the two of us assigned to use it. Also, because we were two young ladies, no one was allowed to come and go on that floor and the children and their helpers had their own facilities. We kind of ignored it the first few times and then one day we asked someone why the toilet would flush on its own and we were told maybe it was because of the tides; remember this facility backs on to a beach. We swallowed that and I'm sure you would too.

The piece de resistance occurred one night when we heard what sounded like someone, wearing slippers, walking along the hallway towards our room. You know that slapping sound slippers make against the floor. We sat bolt upright, looked at each other to make sure we were hearing the same sound, hightailed it out of the room to the dormitory and pounded on the door to be let in. We told our story and spent the night in bunk beds.

For the remaining time, we would use our room and the bathroom during the day but come night time, you couldn't pay us to be in that space; we spent our nights in the dormitory. I always wondered if, with the centuries old history and the number of soldiers who were stationed there, some of them going off to war never to return, there were wandering souls still haunting their old barracks or if those stationed there decided to have some fun with impressionable teens. I know which version I prefer.

Will keep you posted.

End Of October Already?

2013-10-25T13:16:00.003-04:00

I can't believe my last post was in June; where did the time go? Here we are in October, exactly two months away from Christmas. Time really seems to be flying at warped speed the older I get.

Barbados Grand Kadooment 2013

Anyway, it was quite the summer with a trip to Barbados. It was an enjoyable time; two of my daughters took part in the Grand Kadooment parade in a costumed band. I, on the other hand, having no costume or wishing to have one, decided to "jump" with the band that requires none and brings up the rear. It was so much fun and the next few days, my calves attested to dancing for a number of hours along the parade route.

The garden survived my absence with the help of my daughter who was house/cat sitting and a neighbour. The veggies I planted in pots did well but if I do this again, I will need a sandier soil as some of the carrots were bent every which way; still delicious and 100% pesticide free. Beets and hot peppers were fine but I won't buy a mature bell pepper plant again; it was not the best return on investment but that could be due to inconsistent watering (someone confessed:). I did notice it was a thirsty plant. The biggest producer was the cherry tomato; up to last week it was full of tomatoes. Picked some and lost more because of the cold weather setting in and the garden needing to be cleaned up. If only we had a few more warm weeks. I will plant this type of tomato next year. In all, I harvested enough from all the plants to share with neighbours. The garden has been prepared, cushions and décor put away and chairs stacked for the winter.

Another year almost over. Have we done what we promised to do? Remember those New Year Resolutions? I have not accomplished all I set out to do but I continue laying the path. I had some detours and I major, unexpected but lovely right turn which I am over the moon about. It's not too late to review promises made to ourselves. What I have learnt is life is not always a straight path, there will be bends, detours, U-turns and sometimes a particular path is a dead end and I have to regroup. I'm trying to ensure I don't stop and become disillusioned but learn from the hiccups and move on. At times this is easier said than done but what is the alternative?

Will keep you posted.

She Did What?

2013-06-29T18:34:00.001-04:00

Going through the checkout line in a supermarket is usually quite unremarkable. There is the occasional hitch if an item scans at a higher price that we thought it was or we have to identify a strange looking vegetable for a cashier so she can determine the correct code. They scan; we pay and off we go.

I have seen cashiers lick their fingers to make sure they were giving the customer correct change, that no bills were stuck together. A nasty habit indeed but today, I saw a cashier do what I thought I would never see a cashier do, she spat into a box at her feet. That action was so unexpected and disgusting, I automatically recoiled and my visitor, who was purchasing the items already on the conveyor belt, looked at me as if to ask if he had really just seen what he thought he had seen.

We wondered if she was so comfortable spitting in front of a line of customers, what the heck would she do when no one was around? Upon returning home, I decided to call the store to let them know what I had observed. They asked me for her name. Well guess what? In wanting to get the heck out of that store, I never looked for a name tag neither did I ask for the spitter for name. What I do know is that although I like to shop at that store for its fresh fish and exotic fruit, I can honestly say, today was my last day shopping there.

Will keep you posted.

My Vegetable Pots

2013-06-24T18:28:00.002-04:00

A few weeks ago, strolling around yet another garden centre looking at plants for which we had no more garden space, my neighbour and I were seduced by a section of mature vegetable plants. The size of the plants, the fact they already had tiny green balls and we won’t have to wait weeks to harvest, as we would for the seedlings we had recently planted, confirmed the deal. We paid $12 each for a tomato plant (my neighbour) and a bell pepper (me). The pots had a built-in cage for support so we were set. They would do well on the patio.

Bell Pepper

My neighbour grows vegetables. I am more of a perennials (flower, shrubs and trees) kind of gardener but I used to have space for a few vegetables, usually tomatoes, beets, hot peppers and herbs but over time, that space was taken over by perennials, quelle surprise! I have a number of pots in my backyard that I fill with colourful annuals. This year, I decided to plant them with beets, carrots, hot peppers and tomatoes and I still added some flowers for the colour I can't do without.

I started this post talking about the mature plant purchased for $12. When I mentioned to my neighbour that I could go to the farmers’ market and purchase a whole lot of bell peppers for that amount, she reminded me that I can’t beat the joy of walking into my yard, picking a pepper and knowing it’s as fresh as it can be.

That’s one of the joys of having a kitchen garden. I try to forget the very wet year I discarded my tomato plants, filled with green tomatoes, after a major slug infestation; just too many slugs for my comfort level. I also remember the year a few chili pepper plants produced so many peppers, I was about to run out of neighbours, friends and co-workers to give them to and had so many in my freezer, I was still using them well into the next year.

Fingers crossed that my vegetables will do well in pots. At least I know for sure the bell pepper won’t be a problem. Take a gander at that pic.

Will keep you posted.

What’s The Matter With Some Christians?

2013-06-13T15:27:00.001-04:00

As I listened to Ugandan gay rights advocate, Frank Mugisha being being interviewed on the The Current on CBC Radio, I became sad and then angry at the tale he was telling about LGBT people being persecuted in Uganda.

I was sad that in 2013, we are still spending so much time and effort to malign and ostracize LGBT peoples. The anger came when I learnt the Ugandan anti-homosexuality bill, supported by evangelicals, was back in the news after it did not pass in 2011. Why are Christians promoting homophobia? What bible do these people read? Do they know the life of their Christ? Where does Jesus advocate that LGBT people should be targeted, ridiculed, tormented and even killed in his name?

Every morning I get up and make decisions to ensure I have a productive day. I think about what to eat, if I should I go for a walk, do I need groceries, which part of my business needs my focus, should I cut the grass and do a little gardening (or rake or shovel), should I go for coffee with my neighbor or dinner with a friend. At no time have I ever hopped out of bed and thought today would be a great day to set my sights on people trying to live their lives, who have no bearing on my life and go out of my way to harass them by picketing, writing nasty comments on social media and supporting groups and politicians to ensure their lives are a living hell.

I became angry at this type of malicious behavior by Christians which serves to make others question what Christianity is about; I cannot imagine any sensible person being drawn to such people. If you call yourself Christian but do not live by the following command from Jesus Christ, you need to stop calling yourself Christian. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." It appears this is not a suggestion but a very clear directive and there are no exceptions.

If you believe in fairness and allowing people to live their lives without fear of persecution and death for who they are, it’s worth listening to this interview and to follow Frank Mugisha on Facebook and Twitter to keep abreast of his activism, quest for justice and the latest on the Ugandan bill.

Will keep you posted.

A Sunny Spring Day

2013-05-01T17:31:00.001-04:00

Tulips and Forsythia

Hooray, Hooray, the first of May... some of you may know the rest of this ditty but I'm not about to add it here:)

Spring has been a long time coming; well, not the actual season which arrived as scheduled just the warmth associated with it. I was able to wear my cold weather gear, on my early morning walks, well into April without breaking a sweat.

There is nothing like a warm, sunny spring day to reawaken my spirit and make me feel absolutely alive and ready to tackle outside projects, whether cleaning up the back garden, scrubbing the birdbath, cleaning out the little pond or putting out the patio furniture; not that I am about to do any of that today except the birdbath. I felt sorry for the birds trying to have a bath in soggy leaves.

Let’s hope we have seen the last of the cold days since this has been an unusually cold spring. Now is the time to enjoy the spring blooms; the beautiful tulips and daffodils, the bright forsythia, the new shoots and buds and the birds visiting the yard. Almost time to bring out the patio furniture and garden accessories and visit garden centres to see what I would like to put in this year, whether old stalwarts and/or newbies.

A sunny spring day is like a tonic and today I'm having a double dose.

Will keep you posted.

Compassion

2013-04-22T11:20:00.003-04:00

It’s a week since the Boston Marathon bombings. We feel for those killed and injured and we hurt for their families and friends.

There were outpourings of grief, anger and compassion. We all grieved for the sufferers. Anger, understandable in such circumstances, drove too many to direct their wrath towards perceived enemies before the facts were known.

The compassionate did not stop at grieving. They did not let their feelings of revulsion at the bombings hold them back. They stepped up and helped where there was a need. They were the first-responders and ordinary citizens running to the injured and frightened while others were running from. The compassionate exhibited courage.

The compassionate also wait for facts to become known; they see the perpetrators and not their religion nor their ethnicity. They show empathy. The compassionate did not take to news feeds in droves to write the vilest comments about killing and bombing who they perceived to be enemies. I stopped reading comments on various posts as I could no longer stomach the lunacy some of us thought was a good thing to commit to the internet for posterity.

The compassionate reflect on the history of targeting groups and the bile unleashed that could not be undone. They, although concerned for the suffering of their fellow country persons, remember that daily, in other parts of the world such as Syria, bomb blasts are a way of life and their compassion extends to all.

We would do well to be less angry and to embody the meaning of compassion.

Will keep you posted.

Dressed Alike

2013-04-15T22:41:00.000-04:00

"Sisters"

We had stopped at a favourite restaurant, Fisherman’s Pub in Speightstown, Barbados for a bite. About to head to our tables, I heard someone say, “I had to come over and say hi to my sister.” Looking around, I came face to face with a woman dressed exactly like me, down to the style of our sandals.

We know showing up at the same event and meeting a mirror image is something women dread but who could feel horrible on a beautiful vacation day, in a restaurant on the beach with family and friends, looking forward to enjoying lunch?

My “sister” and I introduced ourselves and realized we were on vacation from the same country and lived in neighbouring cities. We found the hilarity in our situation and had a good laugh, captured by one of my daughters (I am on the left).

The next night, family and friends met in Oistins for the fish fry, dancing under the stars and karaoke. Who should we run into but my “sister” from the previous day but this night, we were not dressed like twin daughters of a doting mother.

Will keep you posted.

My Very Good Friend Has Died

2013-01-16T12:43:00.000-05:00

When you answer the phone and the caller asks if you are sitting down, all you can do is brace yourself for whatever news is coming your way that requires you not to be standing. Absolutely nothing prepared me to hear the news; one of my best friends was dead.

Sunset

My mind started racing and then jumped back to the last conversation we had. All I could think about was this person being as alive as could be just a few days ago when we were talking and laughing about our childhood and wondering where we could find someone who had the skill to make a traditional dish we loved. My brain could not accept my friend and death together.

The caller was talking but I was not absorbing much. Finally a bit of clarity and I asked how she had died, thinking maybe an accident would explain the suddenness of it all but that was not it. She was found sitting at her kitchen table. I hoped death was quick and painless.

I called my daughters to let them know their "Aunt" had passed. They asked if I wanted one of them to come over. No need; although in shock, I will be fine.

My friend is gone; her funeral will be on Saturday. A new year and suddenly we are reminded that although we wish each other a "Happy New Year", for many, life will run its course from sunrise to sunset.

I will miss her; may she rest in peace.

Will keep you posted.

Mary, Our Centrefold Cat

2013-01-15T16:20:00.001-05:00

Here's the lovely Mary, one of Tracey's cats, posing like a centrefold model.

Mary, Our Centrefold Cat

Mary and her sister Rhoda are as different as chalk and cheese. Rhoda is independent and only comes around to be stroked and scratched otherwise, she's off sleeping in a cosy setting, making her own play or just observing the birds and squirrels in the backyard.

Mary, on the other hand, will follow you around. She'll scratch at the bathroom door to get in, stand on the edge of the tub between the shower curtains while you shower and lie on the bed and watch you get dressed.

Like children in a family, cats have their own personality and our Mary is no different. She is like the kid who needs lots of attention. The thing is, that attention is usually on her terms; don't pat her beyond the growled warning otherwise, she'll reward you with a scratch.

Here she is, hanging out in the basement. This photo made us laugh and she stayed like that for some time watching us laughing at her pose.

Will keep you posted.

Engaging With Each Other

2013-01-15T11:42:00.000-05:00

I had a craving for a nice deli meat sandwich for lunch so I went up the street to the supermarket to get the fixings; fresh crusty buns and spicy prosciutto cotto.

I decided to pick up a few more item unrelated to lunch and headed down the cleaning supplies aisle. As I walked by, a woman who was looking at the supplies, turned towards me. She said she did not have her glasses with her and could I help her in choosing cleaning supplies for her bathroom tiles.

Not a problem. She informed me the grout was stained and she needed something to clean it. I explained about cream cleansers as opposed to liquid and showed her the brand I use, with bleach and without, and I also told her she could use an old toothbrush to help in removing stains from the grout clean. To hear me sell this product, you would think I was working for that brand:).

Anyway, she decided to go with my recommendations (with bleach and without) and the icing on the cake, they were on sale.

Most days, we go about our lives and rarely interact with strangers. We seldom smile at each other, make eye contact or engage each other with small talk. Maybe our reluctance is based on our fear the other person won't reciprocate. This lady took a chance in asking me a question and I stopped and chatted with her - no earth shattering discussion but we engaged with each other for a few minutes.

We must remember, there are more people out there who are like us and will respond positively that those who will look right through you. So let's share a smile and stop for a few minutes when called upon. Who knows: maybe you too will have an opportunity to discuss cleaning options.

Will keep you posted.

It Never Fails

2013-01-11T17:00:00.004-05:00

Every year, without fail, a Christmas item gets left behind.

Let me explain. Over the years, I've learnt not to seal and store the boxes and bags of Christmas decorations for a few days after banishing Christmas for another year. I do this for one simple reason; as soon as I seal and store the containers, a Christmas decoration appears, like magic.

Pillows & Placemat

It does not matter how much time I spend checking the pictures on the walls to ensure all picks tucked behind their frames have been picked, making sure the front door wreath is accounted for (an easy one to forget unless you leave the house) and moving furniture to look for balls the cats have been batting about; no matter how much checking I do, as soon as I seal the boxes and put everything in storage and continue about my business, I will find an item. It never fails.

Having spent most of the past week working on my business (uploading new product pics and working on a campaign), the boxes were out longer that usual and today, I finally stored Christmas and you guessed it, I found not one but three items. Two throw pillows and a placemat, set aside together so I won't miss them, were missed and they were in plain sight.

Oh well, into a closet they go until we uncrate Christmas in eleven months.

Will keep you posted.