Myfanwy's Journal

I love Classical Music

2011-08-12T11:42:00.000-04:00

When you work in an environment that can make you crazy, if you let it. I recommend a dose of classical music. Classical Music is not all Mozart, Bach and Bethoven you know. I am not into the heavy "Chamber Music"or the extended operatic arias but there are some selections I would highly suggest.

The 1812 Overture is excellent for dealing with cranky customers. There are some people you just can not make happy. I little cannon fire in the background makes it easier for me to listen to their whining.

Ravel's Bolero...Makes filing a damn site more fun..

For book keeping I like some Debussy. It is restful and helps me to concentrate.

I listen to CBC Radio 2 while I am at work. Give yourself a chance and switch your dial to FM you may be pleasantly surprised.
I leave you with this video clip; this gives me goose bumps. British Airways liked the music so much they used it in an ad at one time.

Now, wasn't that beautiful?

Greetings

2011-07-24T15:37:00.000-04:00

Back again, after a hiatus. Working full time again and that took some getting used to. My grandson is beautiful and is a joy to us all. All fifteen pounds of him the little porker..lol

Logan and his Aunti Julia

I have hardly knit anything lately, Rather I should say I haven't finished anything. Started a couple of things but finished little. Lost track of all the blogs I used to read faithfully, out of touch with my Ravelry groups. Why? I have no idea. Not as if I have been writing so I can't use that as an excuse.

It seems as if my get up and go packed it's bags and has left me lethargic. It may have taken a while for summer to get here but it is here with a venegance now. The grass is dried out and there are more flies in the house than the Amityville horror. Nasty beasties...shudder You know the blue bottle ones that dive bomb you. Hate them.

Have spent way too much time on Pinterest. It is a virtual scapbook. You download this little "pin it" thing and when you come across a picture of something you like on the web, you "pin it" to your album. A way to waste time BIG TIME!!

Got a new phone, all high tech savy but unless I am in a free WIFI I hesitate to use the data as I fear using too much. Guess I am not as high tech as I thought.

O.K. I guess that is it for now

Mom's Birthday

2011-05-20T08:59:00.000-04:00

Today would have been my mother's 86th birthday. Somedays I feel old, really old. The time is flying by, which is evidenced by this blog.
My grandson is home from the hospital and is thriving, my grand daughters are growing into teenagers, there is a new baby expected this fall and my retirement will be here before I am ready.

My baby and his baby

I sound like an old lady moaning about "Where did the time go." Sorry. This train of thought started when I got a little cotton sweater out of the drawer the other day. For a "store bought" sweater it is really cute and I was thinking about when I bought it.

I started counting back and remembered a picture taken in Amsterdam when I was getting on a canal boat. The sweater was bought for that trip. Then it hit me . That was 19 yrs ago. Nineteen years. Gone zap out of my life.
Another 19 yrs gone that fast and I will be almost as old as my mother the last time I saw her.
I am sure I have more than 19 yrs worth of knitting in my yarn stash. Crickey.
Mom always said, "If your not getting older your dead." So I should just shut up...lolol

First Day of Spring Surprise

2011-03-22T08:59:00.001-04:00

This is my new grandson, Logan Gabriel, 2 months preemie, 3 pounds 12 ounces. Now I know it has been said that all preemies look pretty much the same. But, this baby is the best looking preemie I have ever seen!..lol
In less than 4 hours his mother was admitted to one hospital, shipped by ambulance with 3 EMS, an OB DR and OB nurse to another hospital with a specialized NICU, and delivered by c section. Throughout it all she maintained a peaceful attitude while my poor son was beside himself with worry.

They can't even hold their baby yet which breaks my heart.

My baby and his baby.

2011-03-12T09:08:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning we woke up to this......

The poor wee birds are hiding in the shrubbery....

and I am supposed to believe....

Spring is around the corner.

I got a new toy

2011-03-10T06:52:00.000-05:00

Who would ever have guessed that I would turn all "techie" in my senior years?..lol
This was such a good buy ($29.95) that I had to have it. So far I have used it to play facebook games. It has tons of uses. I just have to learn the software.

Some things are inherently Canadian..

2011-03-08T16:52:00.005-05:00

Skating on the Rideau Canal in our nation's capital, Ottawa.

Buying a beaver tail at one of the shacks. A toque and wellies in the same picture how perfect.
Yes, those are the Mounties in their dress "Reds."
( Just for the tourists you know, they kind of expect it)

Not this kind of beaver tail

This one all crunchy and sugary!

In honour of Fat Tuesday, I am sharing the recipe for this quintessential Canadian treat. Enjoy, we have 40 days of Lent ahead of us.
Recipe for Beaver Tails:
Ingredients:
½ cup warm water
5 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 pinch of white sugar
1 cup of warm milk
1/3 cup of white sugar
1 ½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
5 cups whole wheat flour
1 quart of oil for frying
2 cups white sugar
touch of cinnamon
Directions:

In a large bowl, stir together the yeast, warm water and the pinch of sugar. Let stand until it is a slightly foamy (approximately 5 minutes). Then add the other 1/3 cup of sugar, milk, vanilla, eggs, oil and salt. Stir it all until it is smooth. Mix in about half of the flour and continue stirring it. Gradually add more flour.
Turn the dough onto a floured surface when it is firm enough. Knead for approximately 6-8 minutes. Add more flour if you need it to form a firm elastic dough. Place dough in a greased bowl and cover.
Let dough sit covered until it rises and doubles (approximately 35-45 minutes). Lightly deflate the dough and pinch off a piece the size of a golf ball. On a floured surface use a rolling pin to roll out the small ball of dough into an oval shape. Put it aside and cover it with a tea towel while you continue to do the same with the remaining dough.
Heat approximately 4 inches of oil in either a deep-fryer (375 degrees) or a wok or a Dutch oven. Before placing the flattened dough into the oil, stretch them into ovals and thin them and enlarge them (to resemble the tail). Place the tails in the oil one (or two) at a time. Fry in the oil, turn them once until the tails are a deep brown. This process usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Carefully remove the tail from the oil and let it drain on a paper towel. Place left over sugar in a large bowl and add the cinnamon. Toss the beaver tail into the bowl while it is still hot. Shake off any extra sugar and cinnamon mixture.
You can also add another topping of your choice (i.e. chocolate sauce, jam, cheese).
Enjoy!

February Blahs

2011-02-24T18:13:00.001-05:00

I came home today with a headache. Thought a cup of tea would be the ticket. Filled the kettle and went to change into a pair of comfortable jeans and out of those damn panty hose. Wondered why the kettle hadn't boiled. Back into the kitchen to find the kettle still sitting in the sink. Sigh....
Went and got a couple of Advil while the tea was brewing. Drank the tea forgot to take the Advil.
It's not Alzheimer's really...really

I am knitting a baby sweater, as a favour, out of (shudder) acrylic, the tale of which really belongs on the other blog. It has not been a joy. Everything that could/has gone wrong. We are not experiencing joy in
"Knit Ville." Not when I have 4 oz of silk and 5000 beads calling to me. But that, as I said, is another story.

It snowed AGAIN. My car looked like a marshmallow AGAIN. We are not amused. My renewal notice came from the car insurance today. In honour of my 43 years driving (with one little fended bender in 09) they are delighted to inform me my monthly insurance rate has been decreased by...wait for it....Three dollars.
That wouldn't buy me a packet of stitch markers for the love of.......

I bought a lottery ticket. I am sure it is rigged. I didn't win. Totally will have to re think my retirement plans.

I have a very long memory...

2011-02-07T21:50:00.001-05:00

...I distinctly remember when she did this!

Never Forgive A Traitor
For those of you too young to remember, Hanoi Jane AKA,

(Jane Fonda), is a bad person and did some terrible things

during the Vietnam war. Things that cannot be forgiven!!!!

And now OBAMA wants to honor her...!

In Memory of LT. C. Thomsen Wieland who spent 100 days at

the Hanoi Hilton.

IF YOU NEVER FORWARDED ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE FORWARD

THIS SO THAT EVERYONE WILL KNOW!

She really is a traitor.

A TRAITOR IS ABOUT TO BE HONORED KEEP THIS MOVING

ACROSS AMERICA

This is for all the kids born in the 70's and after who do not remember,

and didn't have to bear the burden that our fathers, mothers and

older brothers and sisters had to bear..

Jane Fonda is being honored as one of the '100 Women of the Century.'

BARBRA WALTERS WRITES:
Unfortunately, many have forgotten and still countless others have

never known how Ms. Fonda betrayed not only the idea of our country,

but specific men who served and sacrificed during Vietnam .

The first part of this is from an F-4E pilot. The pilot's name is Jerry Driscoll,

a River Rat.

In 1968, the former Commandant of the USAF Survival School was a POW

in Ho Lo Prison the ' Hanoi Hilton.'

Dragged from a stinking cesspit of a cell, cleaned, fed, and dressed in

clean PJ's, he was ordered to describe for a visiting American 'Peace

Activist' the 'lenient and humane treatment' he'd received.

He spat at Ms. Fonda, was clubbed, and was dragged away. During the

subsequent beating, he fell forward on to the camp Commandant 's feet,

which sent that officer berserk.

In 1978, the Air Force Colonel still suffered from double vision (which

permanently ended his flying career) from the Commandant's frenzied

application of a wooden baton.

From 1963-65, Col. Larry Carrigan was in the 47FW/DO (F-4E's). He spent

6 years in the ' Hanoi Hilton,' the first three of which his family only knew

he was missing in action.' His wife lived on faith that he was still alive.

His group, too, got the cleaned-up, fed and clothed routine in preparation

for a 'peace delegation' visit.

They, however, had time and devised a plan to get word to the world that

they were alive and still survived. Each man secreted a tiny piece of paper,

with his Social Security Number on it, in the palm of his hand.

When paraded before Ms. Fonda and a camera operator, she walked the line,

shaking each man's hand and asking little encouraging snippets like:

'Aren't you sorry you bombed babies?' and 'Are you grateful for the humane

treatment from your benevolent captors?' Believing this HAD to be an act, they

each palmed her their sliver of paper.

She took them all without missing a beat.. At the end of the line and once the

camera stopped rolling, to the shocked disbelief of the POWs, she turned to

the officer in charge and handed him all the little pieces of paper.

Three men died from the subsequent beatings. Colonel Carrigan was almost

number four but he survived, which is the only reason we know of her actions

that day.

I was a civilian economic development advisor in Vietnam , and was captured

by the North Vietnamese communists in South Vietnam in 1968, and held

prisoner for over 5 years.

I spent 27 months in solitary confinement; one year in a cage in Cambodia; and

one year in a 'black box' in Hanoi My North Vietnamese captors deliberately

poisoned and murdered a female missionary, a nurse in a leprosarium in Ban me

Thuot, South Vietnam, whom I buried in the jungle near the Cambodian border.

At one time, I weighed only about 90 lbs. (My normal weight is 170 lbs.)

We were Jane Fonda's 'war criminals....'

When Jane Fonda was in Hanoi , the camp communist political officer asked me

if I would be willing to meet with her..

I said yes, for I wanted to tell her about the real treatment we POWs received ...

and how different it was from the treatment purported by the North Vietnamese,

and parroted by her as 'humane and lenient.'

Because of this, I spent three days on a rocky floor on my knees, with my arms

outstretched with large steel weights placed on my hands, and beaten with a

bamboo cane.

I had the opportunity to meet with Jane Fonda soon after I was released. I asked

her if she would be willing to debate me on TV. She never did answer me.

These first-hand experiences do not exemplify someone who should be honored

as part of '100 Years of Great Women.' Lest we forget....' 100 Years of Great

Women' should never include a traitor whose hands are covered with the blood

of so many patriots.

There are few things I have strong visceral reactions to, but Hanoi Jane's

participation in blatant treason, is one of them. Please take the time to forward

to as many people as you possibly can. It will eventually end up on her computer

and she needs to know that we will never forget.

RONALD D. SAMPSON, CM Sgt, USAF 716 Maintenance Squadron, Chief of Maintenance

DSN: 875-6431 COMM: 883-6343

PLEASE HELP BY SENDING THIS TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK. IF

ENOUGH PEOPLE SEE THIS MAYBE HER STATUS WILL CHANGE..

Visit Marotta Controls at the Surface Navy Association National Symposium, January 11-13.

Hyatt Regency, Crystal City , VA, Booth #1202

Good bye Punta Cana

2011-01-23T12:05:00.002-05:00

We came, we saw, we conquered....

2011-01-23T10:38:00.000-05:00

... and yes faced with an unending supply of intriguing foodstuffs my resolve went out the window and I indulged.
The scales are up the tummy is bloated but the clothes aren't tight. Go figure that? I was probably a day away from total disaster, we came home just in time. A week back on my normal lifestyle and I will be O.K.
The weather was postcard perfect. Sun, the odd puffy cloud, temperature that never went below 30 C during the day and cooled of to 20C in the evening. No cooking, cleaning, no problem. I swam, read, played in the sea and have come home sporting a toasty tan. I never even got a sun burn! A good time was had by all. Two weeks was perfect and hopefully we will do it again next year in another locale. We will have to start saving our pennies now!
Flying into Toronto and hearing the temperature was -15C was enough for us to want to hide on the plane and sneak back to the island ... lol
I missed having peaches on my cereal, 2% milk, Canadian coffee. It was a small price to pay for 2 weeks of respite from the cold.

last day on the beach

view from the balcony

very clean resort....I wondered how they kept that dust free

view from my lounge, was it really 2 days ago?

7am


beach shopping

the "Travelling Bug" has one last cervesa at the airport

oh poo, time to go home

We are at the serious countdown...

2011-01-03T12:51:00.000-05:00

Absolutely everyone I talk to, including myself, is hacking coughing and sneezing. We survived the holidays only to herald January with an infestation of the common cold. Too much over indulgence - raise your hand with me if you are guilty - and a deluge of icy rain, "Voila." While I feel a little crappy I have decided that nothing will keep me from that plane on Saturday morning. If I have to drag my body across the tarmac by my bloody fingernails... OK, OK, I over exaggerate but you get the idea.
Today marks 5 more sleeps before we leave. If you want me to be completely accurate it is really 4 sleeps and a nap because we leave London at 1:00 AM Saturday morning to go to Toronto to catch the plane.

a teaser

I have downloaded books and magazines (and paid for same, after having a talk with my daughter about the morality of pirating literature off the web, bastards steal her books, Hurrumpf) onto my e Reader and the ipod is loaded with cd's and podcasts. Sunscreen, after sun, deodorant and hand sanitizer have been purchased. Paper has been cancelled and the mail is being held. So I guess once I do the laundry and pack we are "outtahere." By the time I pack the battery charger, batteries, assorted cables, digital camera, e reader, and ipod I will be lucky to have enough room for clothes....lol Carl has to worry about the computer plus "accoutrement."
...off to the laundry room

Oprah, Shame on you.

2010-12-26T08:38:00.000-05:00

I admire Oprah Winfrey. She is a self made woman who should be held up as an example to every young woman. No matter how your life begins, and hers was a nightmare, it is possible to achieve greatness.
That is why I am VERY upset at the recent attempt to portray her thin when she is not. She is giving a very mixed message here.
The cover of the Oprah Magazine is so obviously photo shopped when compared to the most recent photo I wonder that she condones it.
On one hand she encourages woman to be the best you can be but this visual message says appearance is more important. Yes, I am going to write to her.
I am disappointed.

Good Will Unto All...

2010-12-24T18:04:00.000-05:00

This is Christmas Eve and I have just baked..again. The house is filled with the sweet aroma of butter tarts and the spiciness of meat balls. The kitchen floor is washed and I quit. No more baking ... that five pounds will have taken up permanent residence on my hips.
While I was chopping, measuring, whipping and pouring I was thinking of how fortunate I am. Finally after years of uncertainty I have peace in my life.
This year has had it's ups and downs. January started off just about as bad as it can get when Mom went to be with our Dad. I can hear my mother saying, "When I am gone, don't grieve for me. Get on with your life." Yeah right Mom. There have been moments when I have found that hard to follow. As she did not hold with disobedience I have done my best. Some days are pretty damn hard.
I lost forty pounds, which is a good thing. We ARE getting older, the alternative is not in my game plan so I deal with the aches and pains.
Work, or rather the lack of lately, has been a little of a stress builder. What it has shown me is how much I really NEED to live on and how much I spend.
In the spirit of this season, I would like to add this thought. There is no need for "Political correctness." Canadians lived for years with out it. What we had, which is now lacking, is respect. I wished my co worker a Merry Christmas and he accepted it in the spirit it was given and when he said Happy Hanukkah I knew what he meant. We shared our wishes and extended blessings in the context of our cultural beliefs. This respect was taught to our children. We are all children of a higher power AS WE SEE HIM/HER. If you truly believe in your higher power suppose you show it with understanding and respect?
Fanatics will always be with us. There is evil afoot in the world. Throughout history, there has been a desire for world domination by one sect, religion, country or culture. I find it interesting that Ronald Regan, shortly after becoming President of the United States, said, "How quickly our differences worldwide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world." I realize many will snort and take that as a fanciful statement but as a child of the 50's, before micro waves, cel phones, computers and walks in space, I have to ask, " Have you looked at what has happened in the last 40 years?" Are you so smug as to think even that is out of the realm of possibility? Where will the fanatics be then?
If I can't ask that question on my own blog well then where the heck can I?
So here we are on the cusp on a new year. We over taxed and over caffeinated Canadians can look out on the world and shake our heads as we give our country away smug in the belief that everyone likes us. Our total indifference will be the end of the country as we have known it. We are perceived to be weak in the eyes of the world. The Olympics last February may have been our swansong on the world stage. Only time will tell.

My Christmas wish this year is that we step out, make eye contact and say, "Merry Christmas" with warmth and feeling so that regardless of the words the true feeling of "peace on earth, goodwill unto all" will be conveyed. Who could be offended by that? Someone will be whether we say it or not.
Merry Christmas to all my readers. May we all know the peace that passes understanding .

In training for retirement.....

2010-11-30T17:27:00.000-05:00

Day one of my "laid off" status or as I prefer to think of it "retirement training." Didn't accomplish anything earth shattering today. Started munching on yogurt covered raisins this morning to the point of nausea.

Henry VIII

Watched 10 lots of yarn NOT sell on eBay. Most disappointing. I had watchers but no bidders. The first week was very encouraging, this week not so much. I listed 2 collectible dolls. Suddenly struck me this might be a good time of year. I used to be into that sort of thing now I am just trying to downsize all the time. Who knows I could have a winner here? Who said I wasn't optimistic?

Venetian Clown

So I had fun doing that. Tomorrow I have to do something a little more constructive. Didn't knit a stitch today, at least not so far. My Nanowrimo didn't work this year, as I mentioned yesterday. Although I find that disappointing, and I have no one to blame but myself, I am going to set aside time each day and work on last years story. All is not lost. I just have to get into a routine.
See you tomorrow........

A month of waste

2010-11-29T09:04:00.000-05:00

It is true and no mistake that as we age time flies by. I lost the whole month of November. It slipped into the time warp continuum or what ever. Anyway I find myself staring December in the face. My Nanowrimo failed and I feel a waste as well. Watched "Julie Julia" on Saturday and I know exactly how she felt. Where Julia Child was her inspiration Elizabeth Zimmerman is mine. Woe is me I have no direction. Carl says I am too hard on myself.
However, I have 2 pounds to go to reach my self imposed goal weight so I guess I am not a complete waste.
I do have a vague memory of this picture being taken. My snow suit was blue. Jodphur ( spell check doesn't even recognize this word...riding pants) pants were very desirable because there was lots of room for your dress. Little girls in 1950 wore dresses you know.
I have two Christmas "do's" coming up. Next weekend will be gallons of tea and tears as 4 of us child hood friends will get together. Three sisters and myself. Our mothers were the BBF of the day. Mine was "Mrs. C" to them and theirs was "Mrs. K" to me. In the 50's, it was not thought respectful for children to address adults by their Christian names.
We have not all been together in one place in probably 30 years. This will be a tissue and camera time. If only our mothers could see us now..
Then the following week will be The Family Brunch. My daughter in law came up with the idea of us all getting together in lieu of gift giving. To have my dear man and all my children and grand daughters in one place at one time is gift enough for me. My youngest brother and family will be there, my other brother and nephews who are far away will be greatly missed. My Mom would be so happy that on this first Christmas without her we are gathering on what would have been my father's 87th birthday. It will be a very emotional time and I am such a softy I get weepy thinking about it. My Great Auntie Kate always said my tear ducts were connected to my bladder...lol
There will be lots of pictures in the weeks ahead. Time to dig out the Christmas jacket I made 17 years ago. Mom and I used to take turns wearing it. She wore it one year I wore it the next. This would have been her year so I will wear it to the Brunch.
So, on top of everything else I am laid off. Now doesn't that suck? Hopefully it won't be for a long spell. I have a message for the Canadian government. The HST did not stimulate business. It is not helping the small business man. We never wanted it. Do you know how much 13% is on a new furnace and air conditioner? More than I make in a week. That is WHEN I was working. What a bunch of fatuous #$%*.
Stay tuned for more exciting news next time.....

What more can we say?

2010-11-09T21:56:00.000-05:00

Nanaowrimo is afoot.

2010-11-06T08:54:00.000-04:00

The Tzarina's Star

This morning I will have about 2 hours of uninterrupted time to write. The coffee is made, breakfast has been consumed. Yesterday I wrote the prologue.
My inspiration for this year's book is the broach pictured above. As far back as I can remember my mother wore this on "special" occasions. When I was little she would let me hold it while I sat on her bed. I don't know where she got it. It has always fascinated me and so the story begins...

This is how I am doing it.

2010-11-04T19:06:00.000-04:00

Everyone keeps asking me, "How did you loose the weight?"

This is a typical evening meal for me: I am all about the fast and easy.

This looked so good tonight I had to take a picture. Took 10 minutes to make. It was delish!

And I am well satisfied. I use Rancher's dressing instead of butter on my veg.

Here is what I did. In a small shallow fry pan

I lightly fried 5 fresh mushrooms cut in half in about a tablespoon of olive oil, on a low heat

Move the mushrooms over to the side and add a fillet of fish ( tonight it was tilapia)

Cover and let it simmer

While it is doing that I cut up a small tomato and cleaned a handful of broccoli florets

Took the lid of and dumped the tomatoes and broccoli and and covered again.

Then I got some grated Cheese out of the freezer about 2 tbs and some dried cranberries.

Checked the fish it was moist and flaky ( about 5 min). Drained the water off ( from the tomatoes) and added a splash of juice from an opened can of mandarin oranges. Covered and turned the heat up for a minute or so.

Gives it a taste of orange.

Reserved about 25% of the fish for my lunch for tomorrow.

Put all the rest of it on the plate, sprinkle with the thawed cheese and the berries. Garnish with rancher's dressing

Serves one.

Girl Soup

Yes this is me in the hot tub last weekend with two of the grands. It actually started to snow. The steam keeps the air around you remarkably warm, getting out was another story.

NaNoWriMo strikes again!

2010-10-17T12:20:00.001-04:00

Here we go again. I wimped out last year before I really got started. So I am back at it this year. Just because I have nothing to do except tons of knitting. Makes me think of Colin's voice recognition soft wear. Talk and knit at the same time. I should check with Carl and see if he has that program in his repertoire.
For the unintiated I am talking about the National Novel Writing Month. It happens every November. The goal is to write 50,000 words in 30 days. In 06 and 08 I won, last year I think I got to about 8000 words when things broke down. We were so swamped at work I didn't have it in me to to type a word when I got home from work.

I still like the story I wrote in 2008 and it has been in halfhearted rewrites since then. I had a good story line last year and may work on that theme again unless I get another brainwave before midnight Oct 31st. No starting before then, no cheating.
So Carl is off to Motown today and I am all by my lonesome. The sun is shining, the breeze is wafting but at 15C (60F) it is a little too cool for me to sit outside and knit. I went to see my BFF yesterday, wish she lived closer. As much as I like London I have no friends here to visit on a Sunday afternoon. Poor me..lol

I am going to BBQ a chicken and cranberry burger for my lunch..so yummy. Still working on that last five pounds.

Breast Cancer Awareness

2010-10-05T06:51:00.001-04:00

We are bombarded with images everyday. After a while we don't "see" them anymore. We may even become annoyed at the repetition. I am sure at some point we have all said, "It is October and here comes those pink ribbons again." The company that Carl works for has designated one of the Air Buses as the "Pink Ride" and the image of the jet on the side of the Sprinter is now painted a bright pink.
We should not loose sight of what those pink ribbons represent. I have encouraged women every where to get a mammogram. Finally I listened to myself put aside my busy schedule and made my appointment. That was about six weeks ago. A week after I received THE phone call. The one that says, "The radiologist would like you to have an ultra sound. There is an abnormality (AKA "a lump") in your left breast. We have made an appointment for you on October 4th." ( five weeks away at that time). Too bad I wasn't a politician or a sports figure I would have been in the same day.
So this morning after killing off millions of brain cells in the last five weeks alternating between sure it was nothing and doing the "OMG OMG what if scenario" Carl and I went to the clinic.
London has a new Breast Screening Center at St Joseph's. I had a Digital Imaging Mammogram and an Ultra Sound AND the results all in two hours. I have a stupid little water filled bubble. All that worry for water. I have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
If it had been Cancer I would have had the best chance of a complete recovery because of early detection. If your reason for not making an appointment is because you are afraid they may find something, well that is pretty silly. You can not be so busy that you ignore your health. Get off the procrastination highway and make your appointment today.

6 Arrowroot cookies later....

2010-09-30T23:48:00.000-04:00

New followers! Brave souls...welcome all ye who enter here! On to today's thoughts................

I am not hungry. But you know when you want something to eat and you don't know what it is? It is a dangerous place to be in. I mean you could graze your way through the fridge and still not be satisfied.
I thought about fruit. Nope. I have Skinny Cow ice cream bars. Nope. I even considered a peanut butter and jam sandwich. Nope. I finally settled on baby cookies. Sigh. I quit while I was ahead.
Who am I kidding? What I really fancy is a slab of old Canadian cheddar cheese, a loaf of dark rye bread thickly spread with BUTTER and (and don't gag) strawberry jam washed down with a bottle of German white wine.
I swoon.
I have come too far to give up now. I will indulge when I can be satisfied with a slice of cheese on a slice of rye bread and a glass of wine and skip the butter and the jam.
Over on the knitting blog you will see how I have been keeping myself busy and distracted.
Five pounds to go!

Subtle Message

2010-09-21T15:25:00.001-04:00

Last night we watched the premier of Mike and Molly. A seemingly innocent story of two lonely people who meet and fall in love. The premise is sweet but I was disturbed by a couple of subtle messages I picked up on. The first was "Yes, we are fat therefore we are funny," and I caught 2 blatant homophobic comments that were in ~~bad taste, uncalled for~~, unnecessary (Come to think of it, if it's homophobic it will always be in bad taste, uncalled for and unnecessary.... you know what I mean.) I detest name calling and humour at the expense of an other's feelings. Morbidly obese people have an addiction to eating the same way an alcoholic has an addiction to alcohol.
Our society is degrading more in every way if this is the best television can come up with in the way of "entertainment."
Had this program been about how two shy people "who happened to be overweight" meet and fall in love, I think would have had some merit. Remove "overweight" from the equation and there is no story.
There could still have been humour but this is unkind and I was embarrassed for them.

Absolutely delightful

2010-09-21T05:56:00.007-04:00

Nothing much has been going on working, knitting and watching what I eat or rather what I don't eat.

It is all about choices.....

2010-08-28T11:44:00.009-04:00

As the title suggests, life is all about the choices we make. I am a great list maker and goal setter. I need these guidelines to accomplish anything. Deadlines ? Well, I am not so good with pressure. I had set myself a plan, over on the other blog, to reduce my yarn stash. AKA, stop buying more wool than I can conceivably knit in this life time. Cue the hysterical laughter. If you knit you understand. So bearing that in mind and weighing the desires pictured here... I broke my yarn fast and "treated" myself to 3 hanks of Ultra Alpaca Fine, the colour is called Blueberry Mix. Almost as tasty as the fattening stuff and the added bonus is I am down another pound this morning. I shall now retire to the lounge on the patio to indulge in my vice.

The last ten pounds from hell,

2010-08-19T06:44:00.016-04:00

If the gods have blessed you and you have never struggled with your weight then you had better leave now. Go on pack up your knitting and your skinny bum and take off.
I am frustrated beyond belief. This last ten pounds just won't go away. It is stuck in bits all over me and although I appreciate the fact that I am much healthier in reality I WANT THIS LAST BIT GONE. Specifically the Two pounds that keep coming and going and have been doing same for the last month. I will not be a dumpy little old lady. Five foot three is a respectable height and a proportionate weight is all I ask. This summer has been a blister and I am SO glad I was not hauling around all that weight, oo it would have been nasty. My dear sweet man was shocked when I mentioned I had 10 more pounds to loose. He exclaimed,"Where," when I was bemoaning my lack of progress.

Joan from Little Red Mitten recommended this book. We have been talking 4 ply fingering, Mary Tudor and total knitting insanity. She sent me an email telling I had to read this book. What a scathingly brilliant idea. So why didn't I think of writing it? It is a light read and I am enjoying it very much ... kicking myself the whole way for not thinking of it myself. Ce la vie! All the better if it distracts me from my nemesis, the scales. On my way out the door Carl called me "Skinny Minny" ....sweet man...he can be tactful.

Update My Portfolio

2010-08-16T06:26:00.003-04:00

My colour muse is tapping in my brain. I feel another fair isle project coming on. So I yutzed around in Ravelry and that's when I discovered that I am sitting on a gold mine..of sorts.
For the uninitiated Alice Starmore is THE Fair Isle Knitting diva. She has also has a book on Celtic designs that is to die for and Aran Knitting. Words escape me to describe this woman's contribution to the knitting world..
This soft cover book originally sold for around $26 in 1998. Amazon is offering used copies for $299.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have all her books. In mint condition. O=M=G
The only thing is I can't part with them for any price so I guess they go into my portfolio.

All calmed down.

2010-07-30T08:18:00.003-04:00

This morning the air was fresh and with the sun roof open, travel mug of steaming coffe in hand, I drove to work and didn't even get one red light. Peace has been restored to my infinitesimal spot in the universe. I have so much to be thankful for and yet I allow others to influence my emotions.

If I can't rant and rail here where can I? Thanks to all who helped me realize I am better than all this.

It is a good day today.

Will it never end?

2010-07-29T06:58:00.009-04:00

There are experiences in life that drastically change us forever. We are of course a product of all our experiences but some things truly have a life altering effect.
As the years go by we learn to "live with" these memories. Only the most naive expect us to "get over it." We don't. We carry the wound inside forever. Periodically something happens that brings that experience to the forefront of the brain. It threatens to absorb our thoughts, the scab is, effectively, ripped off and the wound bleeds again. Having your tormentor defended in any situation is unconscionable to us. When ones children are involved the rage is comprehended only by another mother. I am getting to old for all this drama. I should adopt the ancient Jewish custom of burying a box of stones and declaring the person dead. Maybe then I would gain some peace.

How cute is this?

2010-07-27T17:27:00.001-04:00

...and I am getting new personalized plates!

Humidex and fuzzy hair

2010-07-23T08:46:00.005-04:00

OMG the humidity today is brutal. Never ever wash your hair on a humid day. I am a mass of fuzzies. This is the day I really appreciate all the weight I have lost.

My camera has gone on a short holiday, without me, and will be back next week. So, more gratuitous pictures of THE car and the daisy on the dash will have to wait. Someone had the nerve to honk at me this morning because I didn't go around the corner fast enough to suit them. HELLO??? I am driving a new car! Wild abandonment driving will resume at a later date. Yesterday some boob decided at the last minute not to turn left from the left turning lane but to go straight and cut me off. Very pleased to report the brakes and the horn work extremely well. I felt compelled to make a hand gesture which under normal circumstances is entirely out of character. I chalk that up to new car stress.

Heaven Blue 2010 VW Beetle

2010-07-22T05:52:00.008-04:00

I am so pleased with my new car I could just about bust. Come winter those heated seats are going to be my best friend. Sigh, who knew I could be so smitten with a car.
For years I have said , "A car is something that gets you from point A to point B and keeps you dry when it's raining." Snort. Little did I know the effect of a 2.5 L engine and a moon roof!
Oh and yes there is a pink silk Gerbera Daisy in the dash vase. Which made all the guys at work gag. Jealousy will get them nothing!

Ginko Biloba in my front yard!

2010-07-18T09:58:00.009-04:00

The branches are like paws waving in the wind.

I have been asking everyone from the day I moved here, "What is this tree?" No one could answer me. Back in the school days beyond we were charged with pressing leaves in waxed paper,(no resemblance to that stuff they sell now) and labeling great sheets of Bristol Board with them as class project. I have a rather large repertoire of leaf designations in my brain sans the identity of this one.
It took a door to door salesman, who happened to be a botany student from the university, to tell me. Rather, he told me before I asked him. I answered the door chime and he spurted," Would I be interested it "whatever" and DID I KNOW WHAT I HAD GROWING IN MY FRONT GARDEN?" I am almost expecting a parade of university students this fall to observe said tree and discuss it's status in hushed tones.
It is the best known example of a living fossil!! How about that?
This fossil is from British Columbia. The Ginko Biloba Tree is on the endangered list as "threatened."
Our tree is a mere infant compared to this one from Belgium. It appears ours is a "male" as I have never observed any seeds. However, I understand ginko has an anti aging property.
Maybe I better go harvest a few leaves and make tea.

I wonder if I should call David Suzuki?

Car shopping

2010-07-11T08:29:00.000-04:00

I am frustrated beyond belief. Car shopping has to be the worst experience. I have read more about cars than I ever expected I would in my whole life. My opinion of some of the salesmen is right up there with purveyors of snake oil. They will tell you anything. The only one I liked, a woman, sold Smart cars which I have been convinced is just not enough car for the money.
Then the insurance companies are right there to carve their pound of flesh. All in all a most upsetting experience.
My other beef is with the car companies. What's with the black interiors. Blech! Do you know how hard it is to find a car with a light coloured interior? The aforementioned smart car comes with a red or blue interior. The VW Beetle has a cream interior, IF you can find one left.
Not totally giving up yet but pretty pissed off.

Lost, Misplaced and just can't find.

2010-07-07T06:52:00.011-04:00

On this day 1928 the bread slicing machine was invented. Sliced bread, by which all good things are measured!

The heat continues in our part of the world. It was 45C in Port Stanley, on the lake, where it is supposed to be cooler than in the city. That's 120F and this is Canada and if we all lived in igloos, as some people think, things would be a trifle damp right now.
No, this is not my car I wouldn't have been surprised it my tyres had looked like this when I left work yesterday. Perrier ads are very apropos these days. Look at the camera lens, too funny.
I have done it again. Story of my life so it can not be blamed on age. I have misplaced something. It is very frustrating. I can hear my mother's voice in my ear, "If you have looked in all the likely places then go look in the unlikely places."...sigh

Antiques and micro chips

2010-07-06T06:29:00.006-04:00

I made reference the other day to the "voices." This is how my daughter refers to her characters fighting to be heard when she is in the throws writing. She is on her third (or is it fourth) book and I am not even out of the starting gate. I think I need a mentor. With a big stick.
Through the devices of the WWW I heard from a dear friend with whom I had lost touch. One day whilst wondering where she had ended up, I posted on a search wall. About a year later she whimsically googled her own name. She was shocked to find a post saying "looking for..." It was good to touch base with her and I bring this up to say she was my "big stick." The one thing she said was, "Harry Potter," should have been mine...lolol She always believed I had it in me to write a blockbuster.
So I have this first draft written. It is unmitigated drivel and crap and I would be embarrassed for anyone to read it. Having said that it has some redeeming features. My early morning voices have added to the mix and now I am thinking of combining 2 story ideas into one. Or jacking the whole miss into the tip. There is no reference to knitting in either of the plots. Considering the state of my aforementioned knitting this is probably a good idea.

2010-07-04T08:37:00.009-04:00

A new follower!

The lazy crazy days of summer are truly upon us. No summer holidays for me this year as we have opted to save our time for the winter and head south for 2 weeks in January. I mean way south and over to the Pacific side. With all that nastiness going on in the Gulf and Carl wanting to go to the Dominican or Jamaica...well, I guess we shall just have to wait and see.
My knitting has completely broken down. I am stuck in the mind numbing phase of the lace project. The Faroese wool is not working with the beautiful Aran pattern I bought through Ravelry.
So this means either a new pattern or new wool. Double crap. I think I shall have to put them both away for now while I "cogitate." I am waiting delivery of wool for a winter sweater so here's hoping that works out. In the mean time it is back to the project that has me bored to tears. Two more pattern rounds and at least I get to add some beads to the edging.
I am car shopping. Carl is having a fit. My little dodge is starting to cost me $$$ and I am concerned what will happen next. It is 8 years old now and I am thinking it is time to move it along. Carl just bought a 2009 Dodge Caliber. It was time for his 1997 Jetta TDI to go to the big car lot in the sky. It was a big decision and the time was right. He will miss his little diesel engine.

So.....Julia and I took a Smart car out for a drive. I loved it. I was a nervous wreck driving someone else's car and although the engine is different I am sure I could learn to handle it.
It was fun while it lasted. Practically speaking we get a lot of snow in the winter and some mornings our crescent is not plowed by the time I leave for work. Carl has safety concerns about me driving this car. "But, it is so cute." I wailed. Saner minds prevailed. So now I am looking at a VW Beetle.
I woke up this morning with, as Corinne would call it, "the voices," fighting to be heard. Maybe if I stuff a micro card in my ear at night some of these good story scenes would be recorded by morning. No? Oh well, I have enough bits of ideas to write another War and Peace. Which, yes I am rereading.

The True North Strong and Free.

2010-07-02T08:37:00.006-04:00

Yesterday I was at work for most of the day. The powers that be decided that we should work on the 1st and then have a 3 day weekend. At the time it seemed like a good idea until the day arrived. The phone never rang..oh bliss..but the thought of everyone else swanning around pools with a brew was most disconcerting. Then the computer went tits up and I didn't get to do month end. I got sent home at 2:30 with a full days pay. I love my boss.

We stood in our garden last night and watched the fireworks going off in the park behind us and I sent up a silent prayer of thanks to my Higher Power. I live in a free country where explosions of light and thunderous noise is in celebration of life not death. We live in a safe country where our biggest complaint is the HST, well taxes in general. We go out of our way to welcome anyone who wants to live here and compromise our life style to accommodate theirs. Not perhaps the smartest thing we do but, we are what we are.....Canadian!

I am fiercely proud of my cultural heritage. I think it is important that everyone acknowledge their roots. This is Canada the great melting pot. Stir us up, bake us in the summer and freeze us in the winter and we come out CANADIAN. My children are CANADIAN. My grandchildren are CANADIAN. I live in the BEST country in the world.

Oh, What a Night!

2010-06-28T06:17:00.010-04:00

My high school years were revisited on Saturday evening. I laughed, I cried, I clapped my hands over my head and I did the hand jive. It was emotionally cathartic. "I Walked Like A Man," and lept to my feet "Woo Hooing" with the rest of the grandparents. If you weren't a teenager in the 60's you simply can't understand what a fantastic evening this was to everyone of us who experienced this music first hand.
My darling man looked at me bemusedly and said,"But it's not really Frankie Valli." It was as close as I am going to get.
Here's a clip of the real Franki Valli, forty seven years later he can still wind up the crowd. I get a kick out of the fact that these "4 seasons" weren't even born in '63.

The end of an era.

2010-06-25T08:53:00.005-04:00

This is closing day on my Parent's home. The treasures have been dispersed and today someone else will own the yellow brick house on the circle. I am feeling old today.

When my parents bought that house my brother's were in public school and I was a new bride.

I remember my father and I taking some things into the house prior to the movers. This was a government sponsored move and there were some thing my mother did not want to trust to anyone else other than Dad and me.

As we got out of the car in front of the house I said to him, "I bet the neighbours are peeking out the windows saying," Look at that sweet young thing with that dirty old man." Dad replied,"Oh no, look at that distinguished man with that little gold digger." My Dad was 47 at the time. I miss his wit.

I have been an emotional orphan since January but today this physical transfer of property has hit me harder than I expected. My children have said the same thing. To them this was Gran and Grampy's house and it is hard to comprehend anyone else living there.

Feast your eyes on this!

2010-06-25T06:31:00.003-04:00

Them's be 2 stones on that scale. Breathing hard on 30 pounds lost. Looks like I will be at this all summer chipping at the stone pile. Once the crowing is done the humiliating thing is admitting I put all this weight on in the first place.
Crap. Definite plus is that clothing on sale is usually in the smaller sizes.

Summer Days and a Tartan Tale

2010-06-21T08:48:00.022-04:00

What a gorgeous weekend. As usual far to short. Pictures of our private WWKIPD over on the knitting blog. We thought about going to a more public function but you know I deal with the general public all the time and frankly spending my day off with hoards was not my idea of relaxation. The weather was perfect and the rain never happened. What more could you ask for? Sunday I crashed in the garden to knit and Julia arrived and then stayed over for some supper with us and then I drove her home.

One major accomplishment this weekend was the "cleaning out of my closet." There is no way what fit me last winter will fit me this winter( woo hoo) so out they went. I am of the "change your clothes when you get home from school" generation so my work duds show very little wear and we laughed when I realized I have been wearing some things for about 10 years! ...or more. (cringe) I am going to treat myself to a new kilt for the winter. Mine has become very shabby. It's more than 20 years old. Now that I have my grandmother's cameo I want knit myself a nice "fruity" ( generous, gathered, lacy) jabot to wear with it. Jean made one recently and I am inspired.
I shall have to go to Elora or Fergus to buy my kilt. I know of two excellent Scottish shops in both those towns. They have the where with all to provide me with the correct tartan. ... See left.

I must tell you a story, I don't think I have told it here before. About 20 years ago I had a really nice Black Watch Tartan Kilt that had been sent from Scotland. I had friends who were going to a Tattoo in Toronto and they kindly included me in the group. In keeping with the theme so to speak I wore my best blouse and velvet jacket and my Kilt. We were to stop at a private home in Toronto for drinks and gather another couple before heading out to the Armory. As I removed my winter coat in the foyer of the home, a voice boomed behind me.
"By what right do you wear the Black Watch?" I just about jumped out of my skin. Without even thinking I turned and snapped back, "By right of birth, the Campbell's gave the Black Watch the tartan, I am a Mac Diarmid, Campbell of Breadalbane." The man stood there with his mouth open staring at me. My friend, watched this confrontation and howled with laughter. He knew the moment he saw me that this would happen and had been waiting. What he didn't know was I had the right answer. Turns out his friend was the then President of the Black Watch Society in Toronto, who had a right bee in his bonnet about who should be wearing what tartan. My Nana would have been "reet prude" of me. He laughed pounded me on the back and announced to everyone that I was a "good 'un."
~~fun memories from an other wise very difficult time in my life.

Glorious Summer Starts.

2010-06-16T08:38:00.004-04:00

These warm presummer days do my heart good. I so dislike the cold...shudder.
The flowers are blooming and the grass is green. The humidity has been high, portent of steamy days to come. I am not complaining, believe me.
This Saturday is WWKIPD, world wide knit in public day, and I am planning to join the knitters at Little Red Mitten in St Thomas. Just hoping the rain holds off. Must call DD to see if she would like to go with me. I have already hauled out the cooler to pack lots of "bevies" and lunch.
The HST starts July 1st. and we will be paying 8% more tax on things that were exempt before. It is wicked the amount of money we pay for inept government. If the government was a business it would have gone into receivership and the CEO would have been jailed for misappropriation of funds long before this. All this and we are still in better shape than "south of the 49th."
As an outsider looking in, I observe that the "love affair" with any new President is usually over by the time he takes the oath of office. I really doubt if they would be any happier if McCain had been elected. They would have found fault with him too. It is a thankless job and it is a wonder anyone would want it.
Now, to BP and the oil spill. I refuse to believe that this could not have been settled long before now. Put your ego in your pocket ask for help from EVERYONE, try EVERYTHING and for the love of god stop talking and do something! Today!
While they are passing memos up and down the corporate ladder and wringing their hands I see the residents of Louisiana have defied the "law" and are sucking up oil off the beach with a "shop vac on steroids." It works, so why aren't they using it more? Oh right, it wasn't BP's idea.
*snort*

Oh sigh

2010-06-11T11:43:00.004-04:00

I am trying to remember to cut myself a little slack. I just kinda opened my mouth, unintentionally stuck my foot in and swirled it around whilst trying to get it back out again. No hard feelings. I am the one cringing. Made myself look foolish. Oh crap. Everyone else will forget it and I am the one replaying in my mind what my big mouth uttered....

Slacker Too...

2010-06-10T08:49:00.006-04:00

In this world of cyber everything. We seldom take the time to catch our breath. My children are always telling me to slow down.
I was "rushing" when I fell in January and "ratched up" my ankle. I was trying to hurry when I was clipping two huge shrubs last night. Walking up to our front door was almost like entering Sleeping Beauty's castle. One shrub had encroached upon the front window and was blocking out the light. To say that one had to be six feet high would be conservative. I am 5'3." This meant holding the clippers over my head and furiously chopping away. By the time I finished my arms were trembling and I was drenched. I gathered up all the clippings and had to admit I was done in. My arms trembled so badly last night I had to use two hands to hold a glass of water and I couldn't knit! Now that is bad. Today I am still shaky.
So, I said all that to say this. I need to cut myself some slack.
The other Susan, a gifted designer, was very eloquent and I agree with her sentiments. Please read her post from June 4th ( if you can tear your eyes away from the patterns on the sidebar)
I am a slacker, how about you?

Where did May go?

2010-06-06T21:49:00.006-04:00

Susan, David & Paul or Susan and "the boys" as Mom referred to us. My sister in law just posted this on Facebook. It was taken back in January when we were together for Mom's funeral. Hard to believe it has been five months. I was talking to David today which is of itself not unusual but the situation was. Get this.......

My blue tooth is on crack. I programmed every one's number into my cell phone with voice commands. When I say "home" it calls my brother Paul. I double checked. There is no mistake in the programming. So today, after having this happen numerous times. I took the time to reprogram the phone. When I want to call home I say "Susan." It called my brother David in Ottawa. I give up. Stupid electronics.

I fully expect the next 2 weeks to be terribly busy at work. At present there is only GST (5%) tax on a furnace/air conditioner. Once the HST comes it the tax jumps to 13%. Bastards in high places wasting money on the backs of the tax payers again. Oh don't get me started.
Many people who are "thinking about it" will suddenly want the job done before the end of the month. Oh joy. You can't even pay for it ahead of time and then have the equipment installed after July 1st. The government will want the extra tax. OK that will do for the rant for this week.

I am a year older, basically feel the same, a few more wrinkles than last year, maybe a little shorter (lol). Thankful for my health and that I am loved. Can't ask for more than that.

"The twenty-fourth of May,

2010-05-24T10:02:00.031-04:00

...is the Queen's birthday."
That is the song we would sing as we tore home from school on the Friday of the long week end. Heavenly taste of summer, the long weekend in May was treasured. My grandparents would come on the huge steam engine from Toronto. I grew up in Fort Erie and the train station was a busy place filled with noise, clouds of steam and the babble of passengers.

My wonderful grand father "Ernie" would depart the train first and then wait with the conductor, both extending their hands to my Grandmother, the ever immaculately quaffed and beaded lady, to assist her down the steps.

She would have pitched a fit if she knew I had posted the "cottage picture" of her, in a previous post. Hugs aside I would be anxious to get home because I knew what Ernie had in his valise. It was brown leather and had a shiney clasp and his intials,"E H C" in shiny gold metal letters. Inside would be fireworks, sparklers AND a "burning school house." Oh the bliss.

Here I am 55 + years later and spending my long weekend creating another book cover. This time for gothlet- grand daughter Tea's birthday.

....which is not fininshed yet. But hey the weekend isn't over yet. Finished pics will be over at Nantyglo Needles.

Tomorrow would have been my parents 64th Wedding Anniversary.

Point-au-Baril summer 1946 Oh Daddy, crazy socks...lol

My Dad loved to tell everyone they were married on the 25th and I was born on the 31st. just to hear my mother leap to her own defence and say, "A year later."
He was a devil of a tease. After being married almost 50 years he would still introduce her as, "This is Ann, the woman I live with."

Summer Memories

2010-05-19T06:53:00.008-04:00

No, I wasn't born in the dark ages. These pictures were taken at Point-au-Baril on Georgian Bay, in Ontario the summer of 1959.

My Great grandparents built the cottage, "Winnie Lone," on a 9 acre island about 2 miles from Point-au-Baril Station. We either rowed a boat or took the little motor boat to the station to pick up the mail or groceries. The cottage did not have electricity or running water. Trips to the station meant bringing back a big slab of ice for the ice chest. Nana made the most delicious peach pies on her mother's wood stove.

There was a screened in porch on two sides of the cottage. My bed was at one end. On hot summer nights I could watch the moon travel across the night sky through the screening.

We had a battery operated radio and a wind up gramophone.

Nana taught me to play canasta by the light of the kerosene lamps. The chimneys would get all sooty if the wick was too long. My job was to clean with them with newspaper the next morning.

The newspaper was, of course, the Toronto Star. My grand father worked in the mail room for 35 years.

As this birthday approaches I suddenly realize that I will be the same age as my Grandmother was in this picture. I now have grand daughters the age that I was when this picture was taken.

It is a blissful vivid memory. It truly was the best of times.

When you have little hands you have to use your teeth to hold the extra cards.

The frost was on the dandelions.

2010-05-10T08:25:00.008-04:00

I was not pleased to see the frost in the garden this morning. We have this rule in Canada.

"Nothing in the ground before the 24th of May."

Spring frost is so unpredictable. I put the heater on in the car in the morning and there are days when I have needed the AC on when I leave the office. It is all very up and down.

Yesterday was a quiet day for me. Carl was away for most of the day. I knit. I napped and of course I thought of my Mom. It was good to have contact with all of my children this weekend. It helped.

I love this picture. You can tell my Dad loved my mother. She was a special person. When Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer he said he would go to a hospice. Mom kept him at home and cared for him. The week before he passed away he told me, "Your Mother has been a tower of strength, I could not have endured this without her."

"And when the boats come in..."

2010-05-08T10:10:00.016-04:00

If you are a first time visitor here you may not be aware of my "Private Disc Jockey." After years in radio Carl has a huge music base to choose from. He often picks a selection of music for us. My own radio station so to speak AND he gives the weather. No commercials
This morning he played Jane Morgan's hit
"With Open Arms." This is the album cover. It is a romantic song that we enjoy. If you go look it up on google videos you can have a listen.
So that made us wonder if she was still around. Well she is and still singing. If I look this good at 88...yes, I said "Eighty-Eight" I will have No complaints.
My cleaning diva was here today so everything looks wonderful, I made a big pot of potato leek soup. Yummy..... and I will finish up the laundry tonight.
Carl is working tomorrow I plan on watching "Young Victoria" and knitting the day away.
My first Mother's day with out one..sigh

Today is VE Day and as the daughter of Two Veterans I give thanks for the peace which occurred 65 years ago.

"A- plink- a- chunk"

I feel fab-u-lous.......

2010-05-03T09:00:00.008-04:00

So, I walked into the office this morning and conversation ceased. Three men just stared at me. It was very funny. I mean it is a bit of a shock. I was grey on Friday and a blond on Monday....lol

I got, "Susan, that looks really good." and "I wish my wife would do that!" The boss was startled when he came in and saw me and let out a weird noise and then looked at the other three with that look that said, " Did you see her?" I am feeling fabulous. It is about bloody time. After work I am going to have a make up consultation at the Bay, befitting my colour change!

It's dawn....

2010-05-02T07:21:00.009-04:00

This is the best time of the day. The open window allows uninterrupted bird song to fill the room.Typing is accomplished by the glow of the screen as I really don't want to turn on a light yet. Dawn comes slowly today. It is brighter out there but the sun isn't up yet. The coffee has been made and I am sipping the aromatic brew from my "#$%* Off I'm knitting mug."

Yesterday the hair disaster was corrected and I am a blond and loving it. Carl is over the moon. Julia and I went shopping and I picked up some new duds for work and play. So I am feeling pretty good about myself. Weight is down again this morning.
I came across these pictures of Mom.

In 1994 Mom went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Dad wanted to go but he had a pathological fear of flying. He encouraged her to go anyway. Mom came home to find Dad sick. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and we lost him three months later. Mom never spoke very much about her trip after that. These pictures were found in a bag of papers. I also found a diary of sorts that Mom kept during her trip. My plan is to sort out her notes and then transcribe them into a booklet. I also found a certificate of sorts that states "Hannah Cottrell will hereafter be known as a Jerusalem Pilgrim."

Oh Gawd.....

2010-05-01T07:40:00.004-04:00

I specifically said to the hair "person", I do not want brown."

Three and a half hours and $$$ later I have a somewhat brown head with highlights.

We are not amused.

Let me retrace my foray into this foolishness.

I have been in a rut and I needed a pick me up. So I decided in a moment of weakness to colour my hair...again. I should have reread some of my old posts on this subject. Then on my way to the grocery store I decided against it. Then on the way home I decided to go ahead.

I went into the salon and said I wanted to talk to someone first. We had a consult with the stylist and the owner. I said I did not want it dark, I did not want it BROWN. I got both. So they added 90 gazillion foils to lighten it. It is still brown.......... sigh...... stupid Susan stupid.... this morning, I am going back, they are going to fix it at no charge.

I am filled with ennui.....

2010-04-29T10:35:00.006-04:00

I am drowning in a sea of tedium. There is no excitement in my life these days. Get up go to work come home watch TV or read and knit. That sentence would be more effective it it was written as one long word like thus:

"getupgotoworkcomehomewatchtvreadknit"
Interject big SIGH........
I'm seldom bored as I have lots of things I would like to be doing, just not what I am doing right now...lol

Relaxation Techniques

2010-04-27T08:36:00.016-04:00

Two of my favourite books happen to be "Jane Eyre" and "Persuasion." Which just happen to be written by Charlotte Bronte and Jane Austin.
My latest relaxation technique, when I am unwinding before sleep, is to ponder what Jane Eyre packed in her trunk when she left Lowood School. As a teacher she was paid 15 pounds per annum, which even then was a pittance on the excuse she would have no expense, her room and board was covered and she "would keep no society." So what did she pack? I seldom get past a night dress and cap before I fall asleep. It is all about distracting my mind from reality.

More comments on the news of the day....

2010-04-24T10:52:00.007-04:00

The latest rumour is that William Shatner is being touted for the post of Governor General for Canada. This is an honorary position as the Queen's Representative in Canada. The residence is Rideau Hall in Ottawa, an elegant and stately mansion.
I was very much relieved to hear that he does not feel he would be suitable for this position. I had visions of the quaffing of Romulan Ale at state dinners and memos written in Klingon. He would have to have the guys from the Big Bang Theory on staff to translate. It is a wise person who knows his limitations.
Now that this is settled may I suggest the 10,000 + people that signed the petition on facebook would be better served putting their attention toward the petition against Karla Homulka, AKA Leanne Teale, getting a pardon. The country is going to hell in a handbasket. It is a travesty of Justice that this murdering bitch is even out of jail now she expects a pardon. If you are not familiar with the case go "google" her. The whole thing turns my stomach.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

2010-04-23T06:51:00.006-04:00

This has got to be the neatest idea I have seen in a long time. I have cords at the office that always seem to fall down the back of my desk. I plan on implementing this when I get to work.

Red letter day. I have lost a stone. Back in November I mentioned that things seemed to have shrunk in the closet. Well, it was a bad time of the year, right before Christmas, then I lost my Mom and well, my motivation went out the window. It is back! My sweet man asked me the other day," How's the diet going? Have you lost any weight yet?" God love him.

What the heck is Earth Day actually?

2010-04-22T08:47:00.007-04:00

Today, I am informed by the morning radio, is Earth Day. Ok now what? Do we send flowers? Has our life become so regimented that we need a day to remember the earth? It isn't as if it is hard to miss. Or am I just being picky? Just add it to the pantheon of Secretary's Day, Grandparent's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Flag Day, and on infinitum.

I am sorry but I really don't see the need for these "Days." Be respectful to your parents, your employee's and your environment every day. Mind you if I don't get a Mother's Day card I will be crushed.

Once upon a time children went outside to play.

2010-04-21T13:14:00.009-04:00

When I was a child, back in the dark ages, before electronics we couldn't wait to get out of the house. Going out to play was a commandment. Spring meant roller skates, oiling the bike, a new skipping rope and the luxury of a new "Indian Rubber Ball." They were the best bouncers. My father used to sigh when he saw the sidewalk chalked up with hopscotch patterns. We picked pussy willows in the spring and tiny violets in the summer. I thought nothing of riding my bike miles across town to the lake, just to eat my sandwich and read for a while in the peace and quiet. Gone all day, on my own, no cell phones either. The whole purpose of going out was to get away from my mother.. I wince now, but hey I was normal.

We knew how to play out side and keep a low profile. Holy, you did not want to drawn any adults attention. You might get sent inside.

This week, at work, we got a frantic call from a home owner. Let me explain that high efficient gas furnaces have an exhaust out the side of the house. This exhaust does not have a screen or any other ventilated cap. It is vital for the furnace that it remain open. Which is why it should be checked for leaves blowing into it in the fall. Anyway, "Junior" had been sent out to play.
He didn't want to be outside when his computer/TV/DVD player and X box were IN the house.

He put the garden hose up the vent shaft and turned the water on. Water was pouring out of the furnace flooding the basement. She called us to say there was something wrong with her NEW furnace.

Our technician almost had a stroke when he got there and saw the mess. Of course her warranty is null and void and all repairs will be their responsibility.

Being a mean mother, just ask my kids, I would make that little beggar pay back every penny. There would be NO computer/TV/DVD player and X box.

It is more than likely in this "no accountability" society he will get away with it. Damn good thing he's not mine.

P.S. Don't forget to contact me to collect your free thingamaboob!!!

Make that appointment for your mammogram today or join "Thingamaboob" on facebook.

It's all about "The Girls."

2010-04-19T06:48:00.027-04:00

This past week I received an interesting email from the Canadian Cancer Society. Too many of us have been touched by this terrible disease. Either personally, our friends or family members.

There are moments when we can do nothing but weep in frustration when we witness the effects of this terrible disease. We encourage, we pray, we walk, we fund raise and we battle.

There is something else we can do and that is BE INFORMED!

Every other year, in my birthday month of May, I have a Mammogram. The boob crusher, call it what ever, I go and have it done. Does it hurt? It is uncomfortable but only for about a minute.

Why bother? About 10 years ago, whilst having my yearly check up the Doctor found a lump. I had done hap hazard breast self exams. I didn't find anything. How many of us think we are impervious? These things happen to "other" people. I was stunned. I had the lump checked out by a specialist. The biopsy reported "a water filled cyst". I opted to have the cyst removed. Day surgery, in and out. I was lucky. Damn lucky. As I am now a member of the "over 50" club I have my mammogram every two years with out fail. I want to encourage you to do the same.

As women, we often tend to put everyone else's needs ahead of our own. You need to take the time to do this for YOU.

The Canadian Cancer Society has kindly provided me with some of these "Thingamaboobs" for my readers. These beads, ranging in size from an apple seed to a cherry tomato, represent the various sizes of lumps and when they are detected. Respond to this blog post, telling me you have booked your appointment for your mammogram AND/OR join the Thingamaboob" group on Facebook and I will gladly contact you and make arrangements to send you your own thingamaboob so you can pass the message on. You can click on the image below to enlarge.

Ladies, we owe it to "THE GIRLS." Lets not fail them now.

Just a bunch 'o stuff....

2010-04-11T09:51:00.005-04:00

Love this picture. Starting the day with a little humour beats the heck out of being grumpy. Waking up in good health should be enough for anyone.
Speaking of Grumpy...I had a run in with the car insurance company this week. My policy was renewed, I am supposed to be grateful, and then they wanted double my monthly payment the first month for first and last. ????? and they tried to take it from my account 5 days before it was due. Well, you know what happened. Mayhem.
Enough of that I will only get myself worked up all over again. Folks I am here to say that along with death and taxes the insurance companies are another thing we can not escape. Scum sucking bottom feeders. Sorry, that wasn't very lady like.

Back on the humour front.....I do appreciate clever people. This handy warmer may not be suitable for the office but when I have finished paying taxes and the insurance company I may have to resort to cooking on the above.
...only kidding

Another Saturday.....

2010-04-09T06:42:00.003-04:00

Yes, I know it is Friday but the last two days have felt like Saturday to me. Yesterday I managed to sort out 3 grocery bins and 2 grocery sacs of books and one sac of DVDs from my little room. I stopped off at two places locally and came out with $92.00 not bad when you consider I only unloaded the equivalent of 1 and half bags. The boot of the car is still full to brimming.

Canadian Tire is selling these plastic boxes, shoe boxes is what they call them, any way they are perfect for yarn. I am trying to round up all my sock yarn and lace weight in a place where I can see exactly what I have. This will mean closet diving today. It is pretty bad when the cedar chest is full and I start putting bags of wool on the closet floor. Shame on you Susan!

I had thought of taking a trip today but the weather is turning back to Canadian Spring. Cold with perhaps some snow flurries. I am leery of icy roads so I will stay in and work on the bears. Happy to report that I have almost finished the knitting portion of this project. The plan for today is to do just that and weave in the last of the ends. If the sun comes out tomorrow there will be pictures on the knitting blog. I am looking forward to the stuffing and embroidery as then they will come to life.

My project list, "What I am going to knit when the bears are finished," is getting longer. I now have wool for a sweet little spring sweater and yesterday I came home with some cotton for a summer sweater.....sigh. That is why I am using clear plastic boxes. I can see the yarn colours on the shelf. Then there is the rose tablecloth. I have the cotton for that too...yikes

I have swatched for the Queen Susan Shawl Project but haven't had the time to actually begin. There are just not enough days in the week ...lol

Afternoon TV is the pits so today it will be a Jane Austin marathon staring with Pride and Prejudice...woo hoo

Why am I NOT at the office?

2010-04-08T07:55:00.011-04:00

Here I sit sipping coffee at 7:55am. A time when I should be sitting at my desk. I had yesterday off and today and tomorrow.

Good thing: I get to go shopping at Little Red Mitten and knit on the Bear Project and watch TV in the middle of the day ( I have special channels in HD).

Bad thing: No work no pay. Should not be going to wool shop.

...sigh... Some people drink...what can I say?

So this week I am having a taste of retirement. Work is very slow at the moment so I am temporarily "laid off." Next week I know I am working so there is no panic. Yet.

As aforementioned I went to Little Red Mitten yesterday to buy a ball of brown wool to finish the bear knitting. I succumbed and all will be revealed on the knitting blog.

Today I am going to finish sorting the craft/computer/my den room. I have so many books, a result of years of sewing and knitting. I put about 10 quilting books on Kijiji. Asking price was a fifth of the value. Not one nibble. I have knitting books I have long past the need for as well. Britt's Mom works for a used book shop and I think I shall just pack them up and take them to her. It is a bit of a drive but as I am not working tomorrow. I may just do that. We will see. Now, that really gives me motivation to finish sorting today. I have a small TV in there so I will put on the Gosford Park DVD ...again...and get to work.

I received an interesting email from the Canadian Cancer Society asking if I would like to participate in an awareness program through the blog. There will be a "prezzie" to those who respond. Sounds like fun and motivation to take care of "the girls." More on that later!!

Another weekend flies by....

2010-04-05T06:44:00.003-04:00

The car was repaired by 1:00 ish and Julia and I were off to the Little Red Mitten. Julia was looking for black yarn to make a chunky jacket. I was "along for the ride."
We both fell in love with this little quick knit jacket pattern from Diamond Yarns AND their merino and silk yarn.

Julia will be posting more about this on the knitting blog.

Yesterday we drove up to Kincardine to take Julia home and visit with Michael and family. Youngest son and his love came with us. Michael was having computer issues and beside vising his brother our newly Graduated I.T. Technician had an opportunity to impress his older brother.

We presented a rather hysterical picture when we paused for a comfort stop. When the doors to my little Neon opened and 4 adults, one husky and one dachshund emerged. The bell tolls it is 7:00am and I must get ready for work.

Was it ever thus?

2010-04-03T07:46:00.006-04:00

Car woes. There was an ominous "BANG" from the rear of my car whilst Julia and were on the way to the grocery store. Julia thought I had run over a "bum". Thank you for that. I thought the tire had blown. Neither, my brakes were not responding fully AND a chorus of metallic sounds accompanied the drive of 6 blocks home.
I expected Carl to be able to diagnose the problem and tell me how much it will cost.
After all he has the man gene right? He can tell you when a piece of music was written, who sang it, when and who published it but he was disappointing me in the Car Diagnoses Dept.
He got on the phone to the Auto Pro dudes who fixed the brakes last year and they talked "man." The up shot was. Don't drive the car!
So here I sit with my morning coffee awaiting the tow truck. This is seriously cutting into my wool shop plans this afternoon with Julia.

Spring has Sprung....

2010-04-01T15:21:00.007-04:00

and thankful I am too. I finally saw my first pair of robins (not this two) . The true harbinger of spring.

The snow is gone and we shall be enjoying balmy temperatures today and tomorrow before things return to a more realistic spring.

Youngest DD is here for the weekend and we are going to be working on the Teddies for Tragedies Project. Carl is working on Saturday and I hope that Julia and I will be able to take a packed lunch and go down to the Thames River with the dog. If all goes well pictures to follow.

My ennui is dissipating with the cold weather and I am slowly feeling better. As my eldest DD says " I need sunshine." Time is the great healer, "they" say. I still miss my mother terribly and always will. It is the "getting used to" part that I am having a problem handling. I keep wanting to call her or tell her something...oh crap there I go again. She aways said my tear ducts were connected to my bladder.

Back to the weekend. I promised Julia a trip to m LYS "Little Red Mitten." Last outing was when Corinne was here and she bought me a gift certificate. This means I can have guilt free shopping. Woo Hoo. The long weekend beckons and I am happy to embrace it.

Enjoy the lovely spring weather and have a blessed Easter.

Ann Coulter pack your bag and leave.

2010-03-25T06:50:00.006-04:00

OOO I am so annoyed. Who is this ignorant woman and why is she on a speaking tour in Canada? Ottawa had the good sense to kick her to the curb now she is in Calgary. She had better watch her mouth out there.
I heard her, on television, whilst she was here in London. There is no excuse for bad manners and bigotry cloaked in the guise of "free speech." This type of trouble maker will keep the world at war and foster hate mongering.
O.K.that is my rant for the day.

Wiping a tear from my eye....

2010-03-23T22:56:00.002-04:00

...Buggar.....

I laughed until I couldn't speak...Carl didn't get it

Girl's Day Out

2010-03-21T08:48:00.009-04:00

Thursday was a wonderful day off. Corinne gave me a tutorial on tapestry crochet. Pics of my mitts, well, at least one, will be forthcoming. Explanations were accompanied by Welsh Cakes and tea. A good time was had by all. Then we took a trip to Little Red Mitten. I had to show off "my" wool shop as Corinne had taken me to "hers" in Burlington, namely, Spun. Then we were off to the mall and Chapters with a stop off at Harvey's for some intestinal disruption...shudder, take my word for it Harvey's has gone down hill.
In between the crochet and the wool shop Carl stopped off at the house to grab a free coffee and a hug before he hit the highway. My youngest granddaughter swooned when she saw the Excursion Limo out front of the house. I made sure her feet were clean before we let her sit inside for the mandatory camera op.

Her sister was unimpressed and just wanted to get to the book store.

It's the little things in life....

2010-03-10T08:13:00.006-05:00

This morning I watched the odometer on my car roll over to 111111 kms. Yes, I know, "Small things amuse small minds." Other than that a long day stretches ahead of me. That retirement counter doesn't seem to be moving very quickley.

Broccoli Soup

2010-03-08T20:51:00.005-05:00

Onions and celery simmering in butter
Add broccoli, and chicken stock to veg, simmer and puree.

Make a roux

..thicken..

Pour into the broccoli mixture

... Stir over a low heat...

...in a separate bowl, blend the flour, shortening and baking powder...

add some left over cheese..grated..

add milk roll them out and cut into biscuits..onto a greased sheet...bake in the oven

ooops cheese biscuits brown quicker..still flaky inside...serve with soup.

Yummy

We went to the pictures!

2010-03-08T06:43:00.002-05:00

Carl had the whole weekend off. This is practically unheard off. Saturday we went to see Avatar. Carl is not a fan of Fantasy, Science Fiction or anything like that. So, I was surprised when he brought the movie up in conversation. He knew I wanted to go and off we went. It was enthralling and beautiful. I am not going to spoil it for you by giving anything away. It is a long movie, over 2.5 hours, and I could hardly stand when it was over. I may just buy a blue ray player when this comes out on disc, just to watch it again.
Sunday we went to the "man" stores looking for a battery for an air pump.
Other than that we spent a quiet weekend together.
Carl found a recipe on the Internet for Cream of Broccoli Soup that looks really "delish." I am going to make it when I get home tonight. It looks super easy. I will let you know how it turns out.

Happy Birthday Corinne on St David's Day

2010-03-01T06:17:00.010-05:00

If she had been a boy...Well, she would have been named David after "Dewi Sant"

The Daffodil

Jean made reference to seeing a man wearing a leek on St David's Day, I have a faint memory of Grandpa coming to the house with a leek pinned on his jacket. We all thought it very funny.
The Red Dragon

The above is what I think of on Saint David's Day and a big plate of Welsh cakes...see previous post.

On a trip to Wales I bought my Mom a fridge magnet with the following poem:

To be born Welsh
is to be born privileged.
Not with a silver spoon in your mouth,
But music in your blood
And poetry in your soul
- Wilfred Wilson

I always called Mom to wish her a Happy St David's Day. This is the first of many celebratory days this year that I will miss talking with her.

Today is the day.......

2010-02-28T08:29:00.003-05:00

Whatever happens today with THE hockey game Canadians everywhere know that we have done the best we have ever done. We have been inspired to be the Best we can Be. We have 13 GOLD METALS!
Canadian Patriotism has not been this high since 1967 when we all sang "C-A-N-A-D-A we love you."
Now we "Believe."

Getting ready for St David's Day......

2010-02-27T21:45:00.006-05:00

WELSH CAKES: are a specialty of South Wales. Essentially they are griddle cakes (called a bake stone in Wales), but they can also be cooked in a heavy pan or skillet.
1 lb. (4 cups) plain flour ( I use Brodies self rising flour)
1 teaspoon baking powder
10 oz. (1 and 1/4 cups) butter
6 oz. (3/4 cup) sugar
pinch of salt
6 oz. (1 and 1/2 cups) currants
1/2 teaspoon mace
1 egg
a little milk

Mix together the flour and baking powder with the salt, then cut in the butter with a pastry blender. Add the sugar, spice and currants. Mix in the beaten egg and just enough milk (about 3 tablespoons) to make it the same consistency as short-crust pastry. Turn out onto a floured board, roll out and cut into rounds about 3 in. across and about 1/2 inch thick. Cook over a medium heat (I use an electric griddle at about 275 degrees) in a very lightly greased pan or bake stone for about 3-4 minutes on each side. If they brown too quickly, lower the heat, for the inside must have time to cook thoroughly so that it has a brittle, sandy texture. Serve either hot or cold. Some people like them with butter, sprinkled with sugar, cinnamon, jam or honey when they are a day old. Not that that ever happened in our house. Makes approximately 20 - 25. Welsh Cakes are called Pice ar y Maen in the Welsh language.

The week end looms.

2010-02-26T10:24:00.012-05:00

Ever notice how long the weekend seems on Friday? Two days filled with possibilities, plans and ... laundry.
The knit together is tonight at Little Red Mitten and as much as I would like to go, I shouldn't. That's all there is to it. I will buy wool, more wool, lovely wool and they stock the yummiest. There is cotton on order from them now for the next table cloth.
I have to get back to Sophia's sweater. Actually I want to get back to it before the winter is over. Not that that appears to be anytime soon.
On the knitting front I have been busy with the Knitting Olympics. I could actually take an evening off as I am down to the last 2 rows and then the cast off. Go over to Nantyglo to see the latest progress.
Speaking of the Olympics I have to say the sight of all those reserved Canadians unashamedly decked out in red and white and flag waving has been a revelation. Almost American-like in our patriotism. So unlike us and about time too, I must say.
Carl came across this on YouTube. It is excellent and I would like to share it with you .

Thank you Tom and the P.M. is right we will probably apologize for our exuberance when all is said and done. A few more pictures in the summer when the temperature gets over 30C would have been a little more realistic.
A typical Canadianism is "Thank you" we say it all the time. I caught myself at the Tim Horton's drive thru. The conversation went like this:
:Welcome to Tim Horton's
me: I would like a medium steeped tea with milk and a tea biscuit.
: Will there be anything else?
me: no thank you
: that will be $2.08 please drive thru
me: thank you
at the window.
: passes me the tea
me: thank you
: passes me the the biscuit
me: thank you
: gives me the change
me: thank you
: Have a good day.
me: thank you
That's 6... SIX thank yous all for a cuppa tea. Shaking my head. I had no idea. I started listening at the check out at the grocery store. I am not the only one. Who knew? See we do have something else beside "eh" and I am not going to count the number of times I say THAT word in a day.

Science Class 101

2010-02-24T08:53:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, all day, I pondered the age old question: "What to have for supper? "Then it hit me. Pie, chips and beans.!! I thought about the flaky pastry, crisp golden chips and the steamy goodness of maple beans...I swoon. My man is Canadian to the core and I knew "Mr. Meat/Potato and Veg wouldn't be thrilled but he would survive.

Carl wasn't going to be home until about 7:30 pm so I calculated when to cook the pies, when to turn the chippy on and when to heat the beans. He was home right on time. The pies came out of the oven, the chips were simmering and the beans were hot. I was almost drowning in saliva and fainting from hunger. I prefer to eat much earlier.

After heating the beans, I turned the heat off the burner on our black cook top a few minutes before I got out the "Corell" dinner plates in preparation for dishing up this wonderful nosh. The pies slipped onto the plates I had put on top of the a fore said cook top. I dished out the beans, the mapley aroma wafted around my head. I was lifting the chips out of the oil when there was an ungodly BANG.
Carl came hurrying up the hall to see me standing frozen in front of the stove. There were chips and beans everywhere and shattered slivers of white glass. Nestled in the middle of this were 2 beautiful "sparkling with shattered glass" meat pies.

Herein lies the science class: Untempered glass will shatter when applied to direct heat. Corell dishes are glass. Cook tops are still hot even when they are no longer glowing red. Give me a gas cooker anytime.

Back to the story: I only wept a little as we threw everything into the rubbish. Corell may not break if you drop it but believe me when it shatters there was glass everywhere even in the hot oil of the chippy. It is a marvel that I wasn't cut as the dinner plate had split into wicked shards of glass. Not only was the cook top covered in glass but it had exploded across the counter top and across the kitchen floor.

About 45 minutes later, after we had vacuumed up glass, dumped the oil, washed counters, rounded up the chips that had flown into the air when the plate exploded and disposed of the remnants of glass and the dinner, I threw together a cesaer salad and thawed and heated up some leftovers from the freezer. Then I had heartburn.

Canada did win a gold medal right before this fiasco so the evening wasn't a total loss.

Tonight it is going to be "take away" I am on strike!

Mary Grace's Red Velvet Cake

2010-02-13T18:12:00.006-05:00

This recipe came from my friend Jacqueline in the mid 1970's.

I used to make this cake in heart shaped pans every Valentine's Day. My children loved it. So here you go........

Thoroughly cream 1/2 cup Crisco ( vegetable shortening) and 1 and 1/2 cups white sugar.

Add to above: 1 small bottle (2 oz) red food colouring and 2 well beaten eggs. Beat together.

In a separate bowl mix together 2 cups (Brodie's) cake flour and one tablespoon cocoa.

Add the flour mixture to the cream mixture alternately with 1 cup of butter milk.

Mix in 1 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in 1 tablespoon of wine vinegar.

Bake in 2 - 8" round pans (greased and floured) 350F for 30 to 35 minutes. Frost as desired. Enjoy with someone you love. I daresay that this cake will find a whole new following with the "Twilight" crowd.

You are not alone...

2010-02-13T11:36:00.003-05:00

Dear readers south of the 49th you are not alone. Today it is snowing London. I tried to take a picture but it doesn't do it justice. The flakes are the size of teacups. Then it stops only to start again. Now they look like thimbles.
The Olympics have started and I can't ever remember such a campaign of national pride. The "I Believe" commercials must have been written by the guys who came up with the "I AM CANADIAN" ads. They are very effective. How some ever, how many of us cringed in our chairs when the cauldron malfunctioned?????? Oh crap! Not a good sign in the wake of the horrendous accident with the young luge athlete. Frankly I did not need to see that news clip replayed.

I walked into the room just as it was being played the first time. It was terrible and I hope we never become so jaded that we are not affected by such a tragedy.

I have signed up for the Yarn Harlot's "Knitting Olympics." See "other" blog.

I have to go out grocery shopping...spit..on Saturday yet. EEE I hate the crowds. I will go knit now shop later.

I'm baack...

2010-02-09T06:53:00.009-05:00

This has been the worse couple of weeks. Minus the escape to Mexico, of course. As wonderful as that break was the reality when we got home was worse than the usual post holiday slump.

I have been on an emotional see saw.

So I had a think and I asked myself, "What would make me feel better?" I grabbed the yellow pages and called up a cleaning service and hired a couple of girls to spring clean the house.

They clean like I knit. I ooo and ahhh over wool and they rejoice in a shiny tap and sparkling grout. This is a match made in heaven.

They will be back every Monday until the whole house is done. They even wash walls and windows! No, I am not giving out their names I am keeping them to myself. When the whole house is done I am going to have them come in every other week to do the big stuff. This is the best gift I have ever given myself. It means I am on a "wool fast" but hey Lent is coming anyway.

Only in Canada would we truck snow to a venue! The Olympics start on Friday and there isn't enough snow in Vancouver. Hello?? Vancouver?? I could have told them that. They should have picked Timmins. Lots of snow in northern Ontario.
I got an email this week from a friend I had lost touch with. I had put a post on Lost Trekkers People Search well over a year ago. Just for the fun of it she googles her name and there was my post. It has been 15 years since we have been in contact! Wow, time does go a lot faster when you are older. It was good to touch base with her and find out what has happened in the intervening years. We have both had a rocky time of it. She made me laugh when she said she kept reading the Best Seller's list looking for my name.
I missed Sandy's birthday in January. Sandy who never forgets my birthday or Christmas AND is always there to encourage me. Mea Culpa.

My concentration has gone south but I am knitting Teddies for Tragedies. I am on my third one now. It is mindless garter stitch for the most part and I am using up left overs from Michael's Vest. I did, however, have to go out and buy some more "bear" colour. That was before my cleaning Diva's. I will be knitting out of the stash for a while, no problem with that.

Mom always said, "If I go in my sleep don't mourn me." She would also tell me to pull myself together and get on with my life. I am really trying but some days it is just too much to ask.

to abbeysmum

2010-02-04T20:15:00.004-05:00

Thank you for the recommendation for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It was a great "on the beach book" and I have already thanked someone else for the suggestion....sigh Then I looked back in the comments and found you. I have gone out and purchased the hard back copy of the next one.

Tomorrow is Friday....TGIF....I am emotionally worn out this week. .

Today has been a hard day...

2010-02-02T18:56:00.005-05:00

Oh my, I have had a hard day preceded by a hard weekend.
How many times did I go to the phone this weekend to let Mom know we were home safe? How many times did I think, "Oh I have to show Mom the pictures from Mexico?"
Today is the 2nd of the month and I have been weepy all day. Then Carl called me at work to say he will be away on a charter trip this weekend. I immediately thought," Oh I will go see Mom."...sigh. So I am a wreck, all over again. My ankle is better but today everything hurt and my concentration at work was completely off.

Back to the real world.

2010-02-01T05:48:00.011-05:00

Sigh...It was wonderful and now it is not just a memory but a plan to return. We were at the Las Brisas Resort, Huatulco, Mexico, the Pacific side, south of Acapulco.
Click on the pictures for a better view!

The little flower in the centre is a ...gardenia. I almost fell over when I saw it. My first thought was, "wait till I tell Mom." That happened a lot. The flowers were beautiful and I found the huge shrubs, next to the squash courts, covered in gardenia blooms.
This the view of the snorkel beach from the Mexicana Restaurant. We had planned on going snorkeling but had to fore go that plan. I There was no way I could wear flippers..lol.. next time though.....
I even got Carl into a "Guayabera" a traditional Mexican shirt. This was taken about 6 pm in the evening it was 30C.
He took me to the "Kasbah"...but we weren't impressed with the meal. The atmosphere was wonderful however.
Right hand side of the Manzanilla Beach.
This foot ended up in that ocean. I took this picture the first day. It was a chore but Carl got me down to the waters edge.
Can you see the iguana? there were a couple on the resort and they would appear in the darnedest places.
When I had enough of the saltwater there was the pool. The deep end was 6'8". The pool is higher than the ocean level. That is Tangolunda Bay beyond.
The greatest disadvantage of the resort were the stairs. They do say they are not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. I had 2 good feet when we paid for the holiday.
Another shot of the bay.
View from our room.
Sun rise the last morning.
Waiting for my return.
There are more pictures over on the face book link and a 360 degree video of the beach.

We are planning a 2 week holiday next year. We may try one of the other resorts. Lots of time to decide. The food in the Buffet restaurant was wonderful. The selection was mind boggling. The a la carte restaurants were a little more disappointing. The weather was perfect and I feel rested. My nose is burnt, my foot is much improved and my grief not quite so painful.

Back to work today and I know I will be busy. There will be a mountain of paper on my desk. Carl just left all bundled up in his pork pie hat, leather coat and gloves. Big difference from his Panama jack hat and shorts..lol
I brought home a bag of sand, some shells and coral from the beach that I am going to put in a jar on my desk I want to savour this holiday for a while yet.

The Women who came before......

2010-01-19T07:10:00.011-05:00

Paul came across this picture while compiling photos for the DVD in honour of our Mom.
The young girl in the front, Mary Ann, would be my Great Aunt. The woman behind her is my Great Grand mother, Hannah, on the right my Great Great Grandmother, Sarah and on the left, my Great x3 Grandmother Catherine.
The only one with a hint of a smile is Granny Jones. She was obviously a widow hence the black ensemble.

The other two women are pretty stern. It must have been impossible to relax strapped into those corsets. Sarah, on the right, was a miserable woman who decided my grand mother , also named Sarah was going to come and live with her. There was no discussion. Pack your bag you are going and that's all there was to it. My grandmother was still in school at the time. Her grandmother was a tyrant. Mam had no social life and everyone was surprised when the tall quiet town "Bobby" began to "walk her out." My Grand mother was 5 years older than my Grandfather. This is their wedding picture: I see my mother in her face. Mam had a stroke and passed away 4 months after my mother's 16Th birthday.

My wonderful quiet grandpa looked the same his whole life. He was the youngest of 4 boys, his three older brothers all became clergymen. Grandpa didn't speak until he was 7 yrs old. He had a speech impediment and a Welsh accent. I never had any trouble understanding him.
This is my Mom. My mother had all these baby gowns and when I was a little girl she cut them all up and made slips for me. Makes me cringe to think of it. But that was my practical Mother. These gowns were all hand made.
This is my Mom at 3 yrs, she looks like her mother. I miss her so much........sigh
Three more sleeps and we are off on the plane to Pacific Mexico. I want to get away so badly.
I am worn out.

Not for the squeamish.........

2010-01-13T18:09:00.006-05:00

Went to the doctor today for a follow up. It is as bad as it looks. Take my word for it.
When it happened it hurt dreadfully, the sight of it now is justification for the pain. It is so swollen my toes tingle. I can't put weight on it yet the sole of my foot is swollen as well. The black mark is the location of my femoral pulse. They used a magic marker that won't wash off. My wrists are sore and my armpits are too from using the crutches.
I just wrapped it again because is continues to swell without the bandage.
edit: Saw the Dr. it is a level 2-3 sprain.

A whole world of hurt

2010-01-09T09:40:00.011-05:00

Here we are a week later. My world has been turned upside down and given a thorough shaking. I never did like a roller coaster ride. Time to pick up the threads and knit my life back together. Instead of looking at gaping holes I have to think of them as lace. We met so many of her friends and I learned things about my Mother I hadn't known before.

It was true, when I think about it, our mother never said good bye when we were talking on the phone. We joked about how one minute she would be there and then "click" she was gone. Turns out she did it with every one. Phrases like "Well I won't keep you any longer ...click" and "That's all for now ...click" were common place.

Last Saturday morning she wasn't well and the nurse asked if she would like someone to be called, "Oh no," she said and then she just went to sleep.

She used to tell us, that when her time came, if she went in her sleep we were not to mourn her but be glad she did not suffer. I will agree with that but I will still mourn her passing. My little brother ( lol) has posted about Mom over here.

And now......In the what in the world could happen next scenario.......

Carl went to the doctor yesterday and he has bronchitis. Not severe but in time to nip this in the bud as we will be in Mexico 2 weeks from today. Last night he ran a hot bath and had just settled in when........I fell in the side hall at the top of the basement stairs. It is a wonder I didn't pitch right down the stairs. I caught the railing just in time.

Evan came running. I thought I had broken my ankle. Poor Carl had to get out of the tub get dressed and start the car. I couldn't seem to get up on my good foot I was terrified on loosing my balance and A. falling down the stairs and taking Evan with me or B. loosing my balance and standing on my shrieking ankle. The ambulance was called. Four hours later, 6 X-rays ( do you know how many bones are in the foot?) and I was home. The Doctor in emergency said to me, "I am sorry it's not broken." I know sounds funny but he explained it to me. A break heals in a given time a sprain lingers on and on and on... So I have crutches now. I will probably need a cane by the time we leave for Mexico. I will have to be careful not to go over on my ankle in the next couple of months. Oh and the old house slippers. The ones with no tread on the bottom. They are now in the rubbish.

Oh gentle readers I am not finished with my tale of woe. They sent me home with a vial of tablets for pain. It appears I do not tolerate codeine any more. I was up at 3 am with stomach pain and the dry heaves. Oh joy oh bliss.

I am sporting a dandy bruise on my right wrist and I have wrenched the thigh muscle on the same leg as the damaged ankle. Could be worse I could have wrenched the other leg then I would be well and truly scuppered.

Here are Gran's Brood. She was so proud of them all:
Back row: L to R: Corinne (mine), Amanda (Paul), Matt ( David), Michael & Evan & Julia (all mine) Front row: L to R: Doug (David) & Stephanie (Paul)

They kept us laughing.
As David put it, "We are now the senior generation." Sobering thought, eh?
Paul and Debbie, Susan with Carl, Ghislaine and David

My Mummy

2010-01-02T17:43:00.003-05:00

Hannah Davies Cottrell

May 20, 1925 - Jan 2, 2010
".... her children rise up and call her blessed."

The First Day

2010-01-01T09:06:00.011-05:00

No resolutions here!
Just wanted to get that out of the way right off the bat.
Goals...yes!
New Header to start the year. Explanation is as follows:

Last Spring I purchased a lot of fleece with the intention of spending my summer days off work spinning in the garden. Well summer didn't lend itself to tranquil days and the whole plan fell through. This year I would like to take up spinning again. It would be nice if Mother Nature would co operate.
Looking at this sweet little Irish Granny's face reminds me I better up my RRSP deposits.

IN grade 9 I read War and Peace and loved it! It was my first introduction to an epic novel. One of my teacher's said to me,"You can't possibly follow that book. I whipped out my biography page. Every time a new character appeared in the story I added them to my list. It would be nice to read that again.

I have always thought that Gardenias are the most beautiful flower. The fragrance is very heady and although the petals are thick and waxy they are still very delicate. This year I would like to remind myself to take a moment to smell the flowers.

...especially gardenias.

With respect to Queen Victoria's memory this is my symbol for the Queen Susan Shawl from the Ravelry Heirloom group. My yarn has been ordered. I am studying the pattern and I have begun a swatch to get my fingers used to the fineness of the wool. More about this in the coming year on the knitting blog.

This year I would like to finish one of my books and send it to a publisher. It is a murder mystery. I have been held upon the identity of the murderer. Everyone I thought of seemed so obvious. This morning it struck me. It all seemed to fall into place. Motive and opportunity. Now I just have to force myself to re read what I have written and decide if it is a good as I think or if it is, as I suspect, unmitigated drivel... Progress on this front will be found on the writing blog.

Between my life with my dear man, knitting, writing and working full time I forsee a very busy year.

Post Christmas/Pre New Year's limbo

2009-12-29T07:03:00.008-05:00

We have entered that no man's land between left over turkey and putting away all the decorations for another year. I traditionally do that New Years Day. Everything looks so bare afterward. If I eat another cookie I swear I will bust. I have been non stop munching. Carl had to work Christmas Day in the evening. Boxing Day we went to see Mom in the hospital. She wants out of there. Well, actually she wants to go home. I am not going to be the person to tell her that is not going to happen. She is weak but has her faculties...most of the time. Which is a great relief. Now if we could get her moved somewhere a little nicer we would all be happier. I mean how hard could it be to put her chair by the window. They want her to sit up each day. Parked in a corner staring into a bleak hospital room .... blech! Poor Mummy, I cried on the way home. I hate leaving her.
I woke up this morning with that dry scratchy throat that usually heralds laryngitis. Oh joy... oh bliss..sarcastic comment by me. My nearest and dearest mumbled something like, "Oh that is too bad." (me thinks I detected a snicker) So here I am on my break at work. My throat hurts to talk on the phone. As long as it doesn't ring I may actually get something done.

After lurking on the Gossamer Web Group on Ravelry I have decided on my Major project for 2010. I am going to knit The Queen Susan Shawl. I am up for a challenge and this should just about fill the bill. I emailed Fleegle with my yarn choice and I have started to swatch with some cobweb merino I had in my stash with some 1.75 mm needles. I have knit with 1.25 mm before. So I mean," How hard can this be?" Sure tempt the knitting gremlins, fool. I downloaded the 73 page pattern and have given it a cursory read. Some major studying is in order. It appears to be basic stitches and I will concentrate on completing the center panel before I move on to the edgings. Choices choices I have to pick which center I will knit. That will be the second step.

The first step was deciding on colour. I was all set to go for a deep Isle of Capri Blue when this appeared before me. Ergo, I have decided upon this delightful yumminess, called Black Plum! Merino, Cashmere and Silk.
When I am old.....I will wear luxury!

I have also started a new picture header for the blog for 2010. Choosing the pictures has always the most fun. Narrowing them down to three or four is the hard part. I would like to represent the Queen Susan Shawl as that will be my major knitting project this year. It is still up in the air what else I will choose. Stay tuned for that. Back to the shawl. I will be tracking the progress on the knitting blog. I may add a progress bar over here just for fun..and to keep me focused. Three weeks and 2 days and I will be basking in the sun on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.....sigh

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T20:27:00.003-05:00

Well, I hope everyone has had a Happy Christmas. Carl got called into work so that meant we had to have our Christmas supper at 2 pm. It has been a quiet day. I tried to call my Mother (at the hospital) there was no answer. My brother and sister in law and nieces were there today and By all accounts she ate a roast beef dinner and cherry cheese cake that Deb brought in. Hopefully Mom was sleeping it off. Tomorrow we are going to see her.
Carl just called he is on his way home. We are going to have our coffee and pie at 9pm. Probably not a good idea for me I will end up with killer heartburn. Ah well it is Christmas.
Thought you might get a kick out of this picture. Recognize the ponytail? Yup, that's Gene Simmons. He and Carl (on the right) had quite the chat while Carl was driving them around. I was impressed that Gene sat up front like "real people."

It's very disappointing.....

2009-12-23T08:16:00.007-05:00

I am a trusting soul I know. You think I would learn but noooooo.
Poop
I went out to my car this morning and the inside was a tip. I forgot to lock the door last night. The glove compartment was emptied, the storage box between the front seats was emptied. They even went through the litter box.
Missing: one Rosary, (how low is that?) and my cup full of change ( my emergency coffee money).
I would have a little more compassion if they had taken the hat, mitts, scarf and the quilt of the back seat thinking perhaps they were cold and alone. They obviously have no literary skills.There was a Chapters bag with 2 new books left behind.
If this tale sounds familiar it is because It has happened before. As I said you think I would learn!
So, whoever you are I have one word for you, KARMA.
I will not let this bother me. My Mother continues to improve a little "loopy" at times but forgivable in a "little old lady." I just want to see her back up on her feet and out of that hospital. The rest of my family is thriving and I am better now that I have ever been.

Christmas week.......

2009-12-21T05:45:00.014-05:00

If you haven't read Franklin's latest cartoon then I would suggest you go do so now. I laughed so hard.
Here we are at Christmas Week and I am over whelmed. My mother is on the elevator of reality again. When I got there yesterday she very politely asked me,"...and may I ask who you are?" Then the "doors open" so to speak and she is back with us before she is gone again to another floor. It was a very stressful visit. My brother will be at the hospital today to demand some explanations. We will have a conference via Skype tonight.
My computer at work did a nasty on Friday...ahem...user error. Sometimes we can't blame everything on computers. Good thing I have my own personal IT Tech. About 8 hours to unscrew what I screwed up. Go figure one click at the wrong time.
I discovered a new toy and amused myself last night creating Tattoons of my nearest and dearest.

I dare say they will have no trouble identifying them selves. I am going to do the grand daughters next.

Two Advil morning

2009-12-17T06:54:00.006-05:00

Yesterday was a three Advil morning, I am being optimistic.

We arrived at the hospital to find Mummy sitting up in bed. A little confused but chatting away. David looked at me, as if to say, What are you doing to me? Hey, I said ask your brother. She knew who we were. Paul almost fell over when he arrived and saw her. I said, "Please tell your brother about the last three days." The Dr never came in to see her. I am sure he thought there was no point. By the end of the day she was munching on a donut and sipping a Pepsi. Two things she seldom if ever asks for. One of her grand sons was there also. We all laughed and talked all afternoon.

I think this is an "energy surge" the last hurrah so to speak. Not to doubt the efficacy of prayer and if she continues to improve this is a gift from God. Sure, she will get stronger and I am ready to collapse. Today I am going in to work for the day. I have to call the chiropractor as my right side is in spasm I can hardly type and I have so much to do. David will call after he sees her today and after he talks with the Dr. She had a CT scan yesterday.

Thank you all for your prayers.

Abbysmum: I am going to the book shop after work and look for those titles. I need some escapism right now.

Exhaustion

2009-12-15T22:01:00.003-05:00

I am worn out. tired, pooped, stressed. you name it. I am waiting for my brother to arrive on the 1 am train. It hasn't snowed until tonight...of course. Carl is in Toronto on business this evening and "if" he gets home in time he will pick up my sibling at Via Rail. If the 401 is snow covered it will slow him down and I will bundle up and go to the station.
Corinne and Evan went with me to visit my Mother today. She is weak and vague. I had an opportunity to speak with the Dr. She has pnuemonia and the Dr says she is "spiraling down." Tomorrow I will go with my brother back to the hospital, meet with our younger brother and see how she is doing. Poor Mummy would not like to see herself like this.....

What a day!

2009-12-14T09:51:00.002-05:00

Thirty years ago around lunch time today I first held my "chosen sweetie." He was 5 and half months old and was so wonderful to hug. His father and I met at the adoption agency office with our social worker and the baby's. Her name was Miss Rose and she wanted to meet with us before she felt comfortable parting with her charge. He was an adorable baby and everyone loved to snuggle him.

Now he is tall and slim with premature grey in his black hair. Hard to believe he was such a butter ball. I am so proud of the man he has become.

Today was my Grandmother's birthday. I called her Nana my children called her GeeGee ( short for Great Grandmother). She passed in her 97th year. Today she would have been 113 yrs.

A class act all the way from her high heel shoes, White Shoulders perfume and her ever present string of beads. She has always been my example. I miss you Nana.

To round out this emotion filled day, is the status of my mother. We went to see her yesterday at the hospital. She was asleep when we got there. My first impression was "Mummy where did you go?" There is hardly a lump in the blankets she has become so small. She is loosing her brightness and her concentration wanders. I took the unprecedented action of signing on her behalf for a procedure that must be done and she refused last week. Without a "thorocentisis" (sp?) she will continue to go downhill. The emotional impact of taking this action has over whelmed me. My mother has always been a commanding presence in my life. My father used to say she could teach a Scots man how to be frugal and a Sicilian how to hold a grudge. Suffice it to say you didn't cross her. Now she is a frail little person. There are risks involved but the risk of not doing it outweighs any other. My brother's are in full agreement it has to be done. Hopefully as her breathing improves she will get stronger physically as well as mentally. So, I am a wreck.

Hola Mexico!

2009-12-12T09:51:00.009-05:00

This is the Las Brisas resort (red roofs) in Huatulco Mexico. South of Acapulco. Our flight is booked and paid ( with cancellation insurance...just in case).
That is the Pacific Ocean! Six weeks from now I am going to be having breakfast under a palm tree. Packing will commence after the New Year, too many things going on right now to think about it.
Once upon a time when I was a wee girl there was such-a-thing as the "Children's Tea Party." Mrs McMillan, (I remember that her hair was worn in braids wrapped around her head)was the dietitian at the hospital and rented a flat from my parents. She hosted one of these tea parties and the pink bell in the picture was a favour from that day. It had candies in it. This had to be prior to 1955. I think of her every year when I hang this on my tree. The smurf is one of the toys that has been on the tree since my children were little.

I am not good at this...

2009-12-10T11:27:00.007-05:00

Mom is supposed to be having a procedure today. Or rather at 9:30 am today. The Dr. was supposed to call my brother who was going to get some answers out of him before hand and then call me.
Waiting is not my strong suit. I do not wait I knit to I distract myself. I am at work on a tea break. I do not have knitting. The phone is not ringing to keep me busy.
Instead I am watching the clock. That was a mighty long 2 hours and still nuttin'.
I pruned my plant.
Emptied the recycling box.
Back to the book keeping........

later the same day: Oh, fun we get to do this again tomorrow, nothing happened today.

Winter Deluge

2009-12-09T08:25:00.005-05:00

Last night it was cold and it was snowing. Very pretty... as I didn't have to drive in it. This morning it is a deluge. The temp is above 0, the "ketch" basins are plugged with fall leaves and the water is backing up in pools into the roadway. The rain continues to pour down. Pedestrians are in dire peril of becoming engulfed in great swaths of water every time a car tears down the street. Yes, "tears" as in driving too fast. All the little boys are behind the wheel this morning deliberately driving through the puddles trying to see who can throw up the largest sheet of water. Winter comes to Ontario. Next it will freeze and then we will really be in a pickle. I was thinking of driving to Chatham to see my mother in hospital but 1. I am uncomfortable driving in the dark and 2. icy roads scare the begeezus out of me. Looks like I will be creeping home tonight.

On the knitting front: Truly I am knitting with a "hot" needle now. Here I thought I had everything figured out and now I discover Michael's vest needs another motif in order to be long enough. This was the week I thought I would be "cutting the steeks." Maybe this weekend. Wait, it has to be this weekend. Not a problem I can do this.

Home made bread

2009-12-07T06:37:00.007-05:00

My mother is in the hospital again and I have, of course, thought a lot of the past when she was a vibrant active person. We never had "store bought" bread in the house when I was growing up other than 3 times. Once when she had her tonsils out and then when my brother's were born. It was the "cross I bore" that I had "funny" bread for my sandwiches in my lunch pail. Children can be so cruel. " How come your sandwich looks funny?" I had a friend that used to come over to the house and would inevitably sit on the bread where it was rising under a blanket in the corner of the couch. This was before the days of "family rooms" where the living room was the room we lived in. Eating was done in the kitchen and homework and sleeping was done in the bed room.
Oh, for such a structured life in today's society.
My grand daughters, 2 of them, came for the weekend. We shopped, went to the movies, dragging Carl along, and had a smashing good time. Skip Disney's latest offering of the Christmas Carol in 3D. It could have been so much better. Alister Sim is the quintessential Scrooge and somethings should just be left alone. Youngest GD wore the Digital 3D glasses the rest of the weekend. The movie queen diva doncha know. I call her "Tallulha"...as in "Bankhead".....go google it.

Cotten Pickin'

2009-11-22T18:52:00.008-05:00

It seems inevitable that today would go by with out a mention of President Kennedy's assassination. As the population ages, and that includes me too, it lessens in importance and becomes a moment in history. As hard as you may find this to believe the same thing will happen about the bombing on 911. We have become so hardened in our response to human anguish. I can't help but fear for humanity.
On a more joyful note. We watched a program about Folk Singer and American Icon Pete Seeger this evening. It was wonderful and brought back bitter sweet memories of our younger days. He is 90 now, hard as that is to believe. We learned a bit of trivia I had to pass on.

Have you ever heard the expression "cotten picken'?" For example in "have a cotten pickin' good time"...etc. Meet Elizabeth Cotten who wrote the song. "Freight Train" when she was 12 and sang with Pete Seeger when she was in her 60's. She hadn't sung or played guitar for 40 years when she went to work for the Seeger family. She was left handed and played the guitar in a way that became known as ...."cotten pickin' !" She was born in 1895 and was still singing into her 90's.

I just love a feel good story. She sings her song at about the 4:25 mark in the above link. Enjoy!