I want to tell you that I have had some bright thoughts lately. I had two this morning at 6 am that I planned to retain long enough to write them here on my blog.It didn't happen. This is the slump between Christmas and New Year's. Christmas decorations seem as out of place as if it were the middle of August. Same with Christmas music. And I must say that almost goes for Christmas candy too. Maybe I'm anxious to get on with just the plain old winter season. The landscape is beautiful but making it through the cold season is kind of like running a marathon. The finish line is in sight...just keep on trucking.

Traditions

"Tradition is the illusion of permanance". I just read this on another blog. It made me feel better about not having many Christmas traditions. We seem to do something different every year. Definitely our tree holds no warm feelings.I'd better not get started. However we do try to stay aware (or beware) of people.

On a more normal note the community Living Nativity Scene drew a crowd of maybe 50 or 60 folks last Monday night. Garry's mother would have been overwhelmed to see their old barn being used for the backdrop.

Thanks to Dorie for preserving and sharing these pictures. You'll see me and Edie amidst our extended family members.We were not a needy family were we?

My original memory of the day came when I was scooping my cereal out of the milk for breakfast. I used to pretend my spoon was the boat coming to rescue the rice krispies as they floated dangerously around in the liquid. Some stuck to the sides of the bowl and those were the poor victims trying to climb to safety. ..hmmm

More

(this pic is from 2003-2004)

Just to elaborate...I've always sensed that there was something going on in relationships when you invite someone into your home. If we were animals it would be like letting another come and tramp around in your nest....in your own little space where you've been cuddling all by yourself.

Then to think about feeding them...that's another ball game. I had a chance to ponder the calendar from Sobey's which included recipes using their products. Wow...you could have a feast if you were into shopping. So much is predone for cooks.

However...I believe we should all work at visiting each other.It's a lost art as they say.

Etiquette

Found this enlightening suggestion on the Oprah site. Regarding entertaining...hmmm. Taking someone out to dinner at a restaurant is like a peck on the cheek. Inviting them to your home is equivalent to a French kiss.

I know that there has been a lot of discussion about buying kitchen aids for making apple sauce. This one has been handed down by my mother. Granted my production is not on a large scale. And I do get a warm feeling when I visualize how many times she used this in our kitchen at home. Works for me.

This is the first snowman of the year. I remember the first years of our marriage.With no children at play the snow around our house was ...could I say pristine.Then came the 15 years of steady child rearing when the grounds were covered with tracks. It's just another one of those feelings that give me a warm glow.

Plant

Jill...this is your plant again...the one I'm keeping alive for you.I repotted it and I don't think it liked it but it's having a little growth spurt now. The green paint is just a trial run...Colin had it left over from Maria's bedroom makeover. My choice will be just a little duller..but it does make the plant look good eh?

Baby

Just to give you a little picture of where I am these days. Having a new grandchild is heavenly. In the morning I choose my clothes according to what will be soft under the baby's face when I put her on my shoulder. Today we grouped around the lap top and studied the latest video, waiting for the movement of one little eyebrow that turned her face into an expressive scowl. It's just a grand parent thing ..hmmm

Mud

I don't seem to choose enlightening topics for this blog.I'll include this just to keep in touch. Having a new grandaughter changes my world for the time being. I do have that problem of being slow to change channels in my world. I don't think that two channels at once are workable for me. ( there's a sister who doesn't have a clue what I'm trying to say...not sure I do myself)
Anyway how'd you like to have these work clothes in your laundry basket. I cleaned them once but I'm not going to be a happy camper if they show up like this again.

Fuzzy

Garbage day so I've ventured into the dark corners of the bottom shelf of my fridge. Did you know that what looks like fuzzy curled up bundles of grey fur were actually 3 large cooked beets from another era. Or in Phyllis Diller style I could say they were my son's science project.

This incident was related to me last night by Garnet.

As a speaker continued his delivery, one listener got up and left the room. The speaker said.."I don't know why he left but I have two choices. I can think that he didn't like what I was saying and wanted to leave. Or I can think that he thought my speech was great and he wanted to tell the folks on Main Street to come and listen."
Garnet has found that this has helped him so many times in life.I'm not passing my opinion on this lesson but I'll ponder it.

Treats

The best Hallowe'en memory (other than snitching the homefudge out of my kid's treat bags) was brought forth at Mark and Julie's wedding reception. Mark's buddies were sort of roasting him with tales from the past. Stephen regaled us with the ritual Mark had of treating his buddies to his candy treats and then after getting them real thirsty...he'd SELL them a can of pop. Way ta go, Mark!

Food topic

Now I'll talk out of the other side of my mouth. Last night our seats at a social gathering were next to the food table. The ladies arranged the sweets while the musicians were still playing so I had a lot of time to assess the situation. First I pictured the ingredients being purchased and the ladies fussing in their individual kitchens over the preparation of these luscious sweet concoctions-combinations that when chewed return to the original separate ingredients in your mouth. And then of course the next picture came to my mind of a body ...sort of built like a lego block figure. Only instead of lego the building blocks were these squares all bonding to one another to produce the dimensions...not a good picture.

I heard this true story lately...my school chum had only a couple of months after being diagnosed with extensive cancer in her internal organs. During a phone call of inquiry of what she was doing at that particular moment/day..she replied "I'm sitting here eating a WHITE roll".
So that's what I'm (Evelyn) doing today ...eating a while roll and not beating myself up about it.
Sorry I don't have a scripture to enhance this concept.

One of those times

Remember how the saying goes....the great thing about having grand children is that you can enjoy them and then send them home...Yeah! And I can send these sneakers home too.

Stuff

When I'm down at Mom's I look for a hand thing to do while I'm visiting. Remember the paintings...and the hooking? Now I take my lap top and work in Power Point. For years I've kept a year by year record of the activities of those around me. Now I'm redoing them and putting the info in catagories for quick look up. What I'm finding at the end of the day is that I am discarding so much trivia.....and I seem to feel the same about stuff. If I don't need it I decide no one else does either. I guess I might end up a minimalist. How's that Bible verse go about straw and gold?Or is that talking about your acts?
And by the way, I heard a lady with cancer relate that her doctor warned against coloring her hair or even painting her nails. What'll I do?

Good or bad?

All you healthy people? Do you use a non stick frying pan? My latest purchase warned me not to heat it without oil in it...the fumes would be fatal to birds. Hmm

Science

I should have been a kitchen scientist.....well for fudge anyway. Today I had left over whipped cream from Thanksgiving and concluded it could be made into fudge. The first time I found out what happens when ...well I'm not sure what happened but when I came back to stir it I couldn't move the spoon. Back to the stove with some milk added...boiled maybe a minute and it turned out beautiful.
Did you know that the remedy for that sick feeling when you eat too much sweet stuff is to go to the cupboard and get something salty...and crispy. Hmmm

Anniversary

Maybe I heard it before but tonight I got a picture again of why Garry was late for his wedding. It was a Saturday night. He was working on a job that would have extended into Sunday if not finished.French speaking bosses didn't get an accurate assesement of his urgency to finish the job. Now that I know him better...it's just the way he is. Hmmm Tonight we celebrated 43 years together....among other things that would be 43 Christmas trees. :o)

Winnipeg

"You been farmin' long?" (seems like an appropriate comment for our pic on the praires north of Winnipeg)

Not always as they seem

What's that word you use when you're recognizing God's perfect timing...good or bad?
Last night in the foggy dimming light about 7 o'clock we were doing our evening drive thing. (By the way while Garry picks up hitch hikers,I'm usually classifying them as bad guys)
As we approached a wooded area, a man (dark clothes,hat over eyes etc.) quickly darted from the left side of the road to the right to put himself in a position to hitch hike us. He slithered into the back seat telling us that we had just saved his hide. He related that a bear had started to follow him and when he shooed it away it did run into the woods. WHEN he looked up he was horrified to find that it had come out of the woods onto the road in front of him. (he had been on the opposite side of the road to get away from it) Sure enough as we pulled away in the safety of our vehicle there was the bear within a stone's throw of the highway.

Rich

Funny what speaks to a person. When I was a kid I used to walk on the back lawn and dream of an in ground swimming pool there. I pictured that happening only if I were in Hollywood. However in 1980 we had one. Filling it back in 10 years later was a joyous day for me (the caretaker ) Swimming pools were not a sign of prosperity.
Yesterday three generations of us had lunch in our Sun Room. (actually a former bedroom with extra windows) It was a Kodak moment for me because as we lolled in the September warmth on soft chairs a hired student spent the day painting our deck on the other side of the glass. That made me feel pampered. Poor guy..he was the one with a sore back.Hmmm

Stars

The skies have been really starry lately. From one smallish bedroom window the sight is heavenly. Moving down the hall to a larger window the sight is dimmed. The reason? At least three powerful outdoor lights guard the property on the premises.How sad is that? The bad guys are infringing on our lives and they're not even there...maybe home in bed sleeping. Hmm

Rainbow

The thing about a rainbow is that it's so short lived. I did have time to run back and get my camera. It fades so quickly. When I got to the neighboring community there it was -big as life. And then in the paper yesterday morning...there it was ...in Halifax.

Last day...

There should never be the last day of vacation...or the last day of anything (positive) ..It's tainted by the fact it's so close to the end.Here's a quote from a friend. "When the time grows short you just want to make the most of every second, and at the same time you want them to go and get it over with....once the tail lights go down the road, wipe your tears, have a cup tea and pick up where you left off.Oh yes and remember the special love your friends (family) have for you. "

Good by sister...and hurry back.

Inheritance

You know...I could be in line to inherit this property someday. I think it was a hen house in its day.

Artsy people

These are my present hooking projects. Don't artsy people just tire you out? Outwardly they're very productive but I can tell you there are definitely areas where they can't do a thing.Hmm

How was that again?

Inspired by the blog of my friend Carol I will relay this incident . Sitting in Out Patients I was the third person there as 2 females caught up on the latest happenings. The first one had only a beer and a half, got stopped in a road block , failed the breathalyzer, had her car towed to the next town, lost her license for a year, has to go to that class or what ever...and how 'bout this...was handcuffed at 3 am by RCMP officers with pink furry hand cuffs.The second one had lost 2 kids in a fire, had her 3 one taken away to be raised by his grandmother.She said "I never had a chance to be a mother"
Garry has always said I lead a very sheltered life and don't know how the rest of the world lives.
Now there's a mission field. Hmm

Remember

Remember the photographers from Singapore that were so taken by our mailbox. This was made by a friend in the 70's. I guess it does sort of stand out as being unique.

Storm day

This was a big job...reorganizing and labelling my music files.The magazines titled Truck News are long enough to act as file folders when I use duct tape across the top and bottom. Works for me. I guess you call it redeeming the time if I was able to do something constuctive while tracking Hurricane Earl on the Weather channel....You can see the kitty, my water and the Bits and Bites. hmmm

My Task

When I was talking to K last night I realized what my thrust has been the last week or so. I've taken a stand against those who write complicated instruction books. So without realizing what was happening to me I see now that I've taken on PhotoShop. In the middle of a summer afternoon when I'm shaking my fists in the air I'm quite sure I should have stuck to simplifying the functions of our digital alarm clock.

This picture is the one I have enlarged and it hangs on the wall in the sunroom.That is actually the morning dew turning it into a wonder of jewels.

This one is just as intricate. Because the day was hot and dry I decided to spray it myself.I'm not sure it's the same thing. I once sat beside a battery powered candle waiting for my eyes to adjust and its light to fill the room .It never did. Unlike a real candle flame which brightens the corners as time passes.So what's the difference...Hmm

What is it?

So what is it about communicating this way. I'm thinking maybe our eyes register more than our ears. The written word definitely is processed slower by our grey matter. I'm stealing a picture off my friend's Face Book page...It's the adjoining town...the tide coming in around the muddy banks. Love it.

Same spot

S See Mom and little Evelyn on the left. Edie was a stand in as we reenacted the moment on exactly the same spot in the pic on the right. You can see the slope of the roof and the chimney up the side of the house. We had toured the sprawling structure in a previous year but it was very special to be outside this time and see where we used to roll down the grassy hill and have tea parties at a little table on the back lawn. I don't know how the universe works but I'm thinking there was kind of linking up with matter and matter....hmmm

Auditory

I always thought I was an auditory (I don't think I've got the word right) person as opposed to one who gets kicks out of seeing stuff...or feeling things. Hearing something seems to be what my brain processes best. This came to my mind today as I sat in the open air waiting for kids. I realized that if I were questioned as to my sharpest summer memory it would be the sound of flies or bees or what ever buzzing around. It's a sweet, comforting sound...Hmm

Rock

Some time ago Colin hauled a big rock onto his lawn and considers it as a landscaping plus. This morning I looked on it with different eyes. New colors and lines made it appear as a very artsy creation. I asked Matthew what had been done to it to make it look so much prettier. He had only one word..."bird poop".

Board Games

Had the kids 3 days in a row so we just left this set up in the Sun Room. Remember how much fun it is/was to play this game of Life. We had to convert some Monopoly money but we've got all the parts now.And of course the funniest part is when you get that car filled with all those pegs simulating kids and you're still trucking down the road towards the Day of Reckoning.I love board games...

I've already told you how this came about. Buster is a Christian friend since the 80's. His paintings were on his Face Book site and I commented on this one. I had spent alot of time at this bandstand site when I was a kid He phoned and said he 's giving it to me.Sweet or what.!

This is the blueberry field where we had our picnic. Off to the right is the spot where Maya crouched behind the shelter of an umbrella and had a pee. And then her Dad dried her bum with the end of his t shirt. How special is that.!

It's good to have a laugh

This just stuck me really funny... Craig's guests from Singapore photographing our mailbox

Instruction Books

The little book is my personal instuction book...like how to pay bills on line etc. I'd like to say the Bible is my instruction book...when problems have faces it's a challenge. Anyway you can see why I think you could leave me alone here for a year and I'd be contented working away on my projects.

This is George and Garry at a restaurant at a camp ground in Advocate. Our original plan was to try out a very fancy eating place ,Wild Caraway, that we had seen written up in the paper.Because it was filled with customers we tried a little out of the way camp ground. Lo and behold the manager was a Newfoundlander and the theme for the weekend was Christmas. So we were able to sit down to a Jig's Christmas Dinner...complete with potato, turnip, carrots, cabbage,dressing, turkey, salt beef, gravy, cranberry sause and peas pudding. Plan B for us was 10 out of 10.

We borrowed the hymn books from church and gathered the friends that really like to sing.Dorie opened her home and the guests brought the munchies and beverages.Before it was over we'd progressed to Joy to the World and O Holy Night. What a great time!

In the style of a three year old I say..." I love my sun room....I love the coziness."..Here you see that while we four all sit in a comfortable chair our feet can use the same foot stool . Friends since '72.

Just got back from a live theatre presentation. Guess which one we saw. Notice how my glassses sit crooked on my nose? I had a pair that did that all through grade 7 and 8.

How would you like to walk down this aisle on your wedding day? Jill and Brian were married yesterday in Fiji. All the little details worked out perfectly. Love you guys!

On another note....this was a startling revelation. As I watched Alive at 5 tonight they listed those who were celebrating their 50th anniverary. Would you believe they were married in 1960 !!!! I vaguely thought it would be in the late 40's maybe. hmmm

At the Antique Tractor Show,,an ongoing demonstation during the day was a carving demonstration using a power saw. At 3 o'clock they autioned off the finished product. The proceeds were for the IWK. Garry was embarrased for the show planner because of the lack of bids.When he bid $125.00 the auctioneer cried "Sold" and for 4 days we've had this sitting on the back step. I said that the first person that came along who showed any affinity towards it could have it. It went yesterday...whew!

Monday

After I did my errands in town I dropped in to Mom's for lunch. Thankfully I was wearing my usual cover up blouse and when I took it off I discovered my top had been put on inside out. It does have a deocorative front but it still looked sort of "right"

This is the same 64 year old that had a hard time choosing the easy route into town so that I wouldn't have to cross too many traffic lanes. hmmm

Missed it?

Phil was getting ready for our pre service hymn sing. This pic is for those who missed his dramatic fall, grabbing the nearest thing for support as he lost his footing on the steps. Thankfully all is well and we can look back and laugh. For a minute there it looked like he was going to be wearing the pulpit.

This is my new piece of furniture . I guess my cat didn't like being pushed off when I lay down. She tried another chair in the corner and then promptly took up this perch. She'd have it to herself today because I spent the day at the Antique Tractor Show on the other side of the county. Dad's tractor was one of four that Colin displayed. I took a lawn chair , sat beside it and had fun answering questions.

If anyone has spent any time with Dorie over the last year you'd notice her working away with a tiny crochet hook and fine baby yarn. At the kitchen table, in her lazy boy in the sun porch, in her spot in the living room... you'll find her crocheting and enjoying her glass of wine. She has designed her own pattern of toques for new born babies..a pioneer in the field as others have all been a knitted product.Winter months and her idea that she is in a depression has left her thinking that her work is unnoticed and unappreciated. Yesterday the letter of all letters arrived in her mailbox. The nurses in Halifax have recognized the neatness and the perfect fit of Dorie's hats and have asked for the pattern to pass on to other crafters. Way ta go, Dorie.

Polite

Just watched the second run of Regis and Kelly from P.E.I. One topic is the politeness of Canadians. I have my own take on that and this is absolutely true. When I'm in Springhill, thinking I might cross the street (j walking I guess you'd call it) ...I keep one eye on the traffic load but with my body I have to turn my back on the street and pretend I'm not going any place. If a passiing motorist get the slightest hint that I'm thinking about crossing, he'll hold up traffic behind and stop for me.

Now the fiddle players can advise me about my hand positions and so on. I'm self taught....Mom looks so small sitting there...she loves to accompany me. I get no appreciation from my sisters...they're used to listening to the Andre guy....they said...Hmm

I'll be trying it

Thirty five years ago on a warm summer morning Mark was born...9 pounds 3 ounces. He was a great little baby. Maya put the candles on herself. Julie made this very impressive looking cake from my recipe which she read from the Rodney Community Cookbook(to which I submitted my renowned entry) . As I was amazed at the height of it we checked the recipe together. Would you believe the book calls for only half as much of one ingredient (vinegar) compared to what I've been using all my life. Thankfully, in spite of the error(?) the result is a much better product.

While we're on the cooking subject...the frosting has 8 ounces of cream cheese in it. ...now that makes a luscious dessert.

Talking

I guess I don't really mind talking to people. At the church supper I met Linda T.'s brother.He had cared for his wife in a wheel chair and she died two years ago...and now he eats out all the time cause he doesn't like his own cooking. And I heard about the garbage man's surgery to relieve his hiatus hernia....and that Lornie F.'s grandaughter has just arrived by plane today for a visit...and Lilla who is approaching her high nineties has had stitches in her head after a fall...
This is really different for me. I think last year I somehow managed to get in and out of the same "supper" without talking to a soul. Would we want to be consistent creatures? Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

Prank

I've never been the victim of a prank call before. Apparently it's a taped message you can send to whomever and have the call display show whatever number you choose....all through the computer. Whew! (that was a sentence for Michelle.) Anyway the man accuses you of taking his newspaper every morning...and as his tone escalates he signs off by saying he's coming over right away to settle it once and for all....and angrily retorts he'll be there in two minutes.
I wasn't fooled by it but supposedly a lady in town was getting her baseball bat ready.

Jill and Brian are being married on July 22.....like 16 more days. I thought maybe we could party in Rodney at the same time....hmm Fiji time is 4.15 pm and Rodney time will be 1.15 am.What can we do with that...family?

Just copying something Bill Crystal said

When you’re a teenager you think you can do anything… and you do
Your 20’s are a blur!
30’s ….you raise your family You make a little money And you think to yourself….”what happened to my 20’s ???”
40’s - you grow a little pot belly You grow another chin The music starts to get too loud One of your old girlfriends from high school becomes a grand mother!
50’s - you have a minor surgery You’ll call it a procedure… but it’s a surgery
60’s - you’ll have a MAJOR surgery The music is STILL loud but it doesn’t matter because you can’t hear it ANYWAY
70’s - you and the wife retire to Fort Lauderdale You start eating dinner at 2 o clock in the afternoon You have lunch around 10 Breakfast the night before. You spend most of your time wandering around malls, looking for the ultimate soft yogurt And muttering “ how come the kids don’t call! how come the kids don’t call?”
Your 80’s you’ll have a MAJOR stroke You end up babbling to some Jamaican nurse who your wife can’t stand But whom you call MAMA

Now I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth. I don't approve ...or I should say I don't cover things to protect them for a later date. These pitchers sit up on my high shelf in the kitchen . The grimer greasy coating on the tops of them was yuky! It didn't take much to decide to cover them after their cleaning before I put them back in place. The little white one was earmarked for Maria by Ida. The green thermos one gave us the go ahead to be sick if Mom brought it to our bedside during our childhood.

Garage Sale

Does this picture seem small or what? Too complicated to try and do it over. Dorie took a break from her Grammie setting and we went to Marilyn's garage sale. It'a amazing but I came away empty handed. I say it's the ability to see the future...to be able to picture or not picture something in your life. This is also the vision you need when you shop at Frcnchies. Not everybody has it you know.

Betty A must be 78 by now. She reminds me of Mom in her Christian walk.She's been the primary person in the life of Travis (grandson) since he was a baby. Bowel cancer and malignant melanoma have been her trials among other health issues.

Anyway he has graduated from Grade 12. Garry used to bring him and his brother home on Sunday afternoons to give the grandparents a break. Then when Travis grew into a teenager he didn't know what to do with him. ..Hmmm