URSULA

 My mom"s sister Ursula has been at my side since my birth. I was born at home and she helped the midwife. In 1954 she cared for me for several months while my parents were setting up home in Canada. (SORRY photos are in reverse order.)

It was late May. We're having cake on a Sunday outing somewhere outside of Hannover.. 

March snow did not stop us from the outdoors. 

In February my aunt volunteers to care for me. My mom, on the right, is explaining some tidbits about my care before she departs to assist my dad who left months earlier.

 In 5 days I'm flying to Hannover with my sister to celebrate Ursula's 90th birthday. Auntie is very happy and so am I. She has arranged for us to stay right on site at her am amazing retirement home. This visit I think I'll fit right in. I have senior status now. But I'll need to live 25 more active years to get to her benchmark!   

Clouds

This scene shows the Toronto skyline from the window of the eye clinic where my stitches were removed on July 6th. To me it resembles paintings depicting stormy weather in the 1800's. What do you think?

BUTTS

There are far too many butts in the can. I think maybe hubby needs to curb that taste for those Cuban cigars, though I fear he may not like my nagging. He has decided that a good cigar is allowed at his age.
It's one of the pleasures he believes he has earned. It's very hard to argue with that!

Strawberries

 Two of our planters are full of srawberry plants and now they are ripening. While the yield is small the pleasure is enormous.

 Do you grow them too?

Wow!

  Wish that a cure for the skin disorder was available. In the dust bin is some of the skin that Buddy sheds constantly every day. The amount is huge. Keeping him comfortable is very important but also challenging. 

These days he smiles at us and tells us he's making plans for his birthday dinner party. A new Harry Potter movie will be released on his BD and that's tops on his wish list. WOW!!

Gertrud

Seated in the middle is Gertrud, my paternal aunt, my favourite. She spent her entire life caring for others in an exemplary way. I hope that some of her goodness will be carried forward by my own children whom she loved dearly like a grandma. Her birthday was June 9th.1924. 

Tricycle Birdbath

There's a mourning dove on the handlebar She likes the small birdbath we created.

Yellow finches are spending time at the feeder on the right of the nectarine tree in blossom. Though all are small items in my backyard they bring immense joy.

Ellie, our new cat, also enjoys the birdbath and feeders. She's only able to go outdoors on a leash. We must keep the birds and her safe from harm. 

Adoption

Meet the newest member of our family, Ellie. Our youngest daughter decided to adopt her from a rescue centre on Saturday.

Ellie has made herself right at home. She has accepted us cautiously but willingly and we enjoy watching her become familiar with us and our home.

She makes us all smile.

CHERISHED

   Here are snaps of just a few lovely planters that were prepared by my children for my Mother's Day surprise while I was away. What a thoughtful thing to do. For the entire season I shall be able to look at these and cherish what they have done for me. Hugs to them!

NECTARINE TREE

 At long last we have something spectacular in our backyard. There's only one little tree and it has blossomed. Here's a glimpse of it since I was there to capture its beauty.

Watery

These indoor plants sit untouched by the droplets outside.
May the rain that keeps falling day after day brighten the gardens outdoors for us to enjoy. Hope you have a pleasant weekend. Here it's Mother's Day on Sunday.

CLUE

What creature has worked so hard to create this pond home?

 I wish I knew. Do you? Give me a clue if you do. Thanks.


This long weekend, wherever you are, may you enjoy some festive and happy times. 

NESTS

 The birds are back. Their nests seem open to the public since the trees have not yet had the warmth they need to open their foliage. Hopefully the eggs have not yet been laid. It is too cool.

ARTIST'S WORK

  My niece created a lovely tapestry. I'm showing you one part of it.
The bright colours and the design are so lovely that I smile and think of her. She gave her work of art to me years ago and I'm honoured to have it still.

Sitar

This sitar is sitting on a dresser abandoned in our upper hall. Originally I bought it for hubby but when SMK saw it she asked to have lessons. Within a short few weeks she learned what many take years to master. Her ustad, a Mr.Khan, was most impressed with her ability. Still my multitalented daughter preferred visual art and has chosen it for a career. Thus the sitar remains a dust collector. I hope someday she will make better use of her musical ability because it is a special gift. 

 

HARD

Our Buddy's a skilled, high functioning Down syndrome young man who struggles daily with a skin condition (over 80% of his body being affected) that just doesn't give him any relief. There are trial programs of injections that offer some improvement but the medications come with a huge lists warning of serious side effects. What a dilemma!

There are days now when he can hardly walk. The pain in his right knee is severe. If only I knew a way to help. I am saddened by his suffering but must not show it. He is so brave and I must be too. But it is hard.

My Carnations

          My sweetheart's Valentine bouquet one week later.

       He seems to know where to buy very fresh ones. They last.

          I feel so lucky to have received them. I enjoy them.

Hannover Royals

We hear and see so much about an upcoming royal wedding. Just about every media event refers to it. ELLEN is the funniest and in that spirit I'd like to mention that because I am from Hannover I ought to be invited. Buddy too. As you can see we know how to be dressed and ready for such a festive event. 

Now all we need is the RSVP card and we'll be on our way... LOL

Icicles

They hang from the eaves. They look spectacular. Yet they are a source of danger. There's the obvious of one falling. But there's another that is not well known but very destructive. 

That's because there's a damage to the roof. When water does not run off properly via the downspouts it remains in the troughs. There it can cause rot and mould too. The wood becomes weakened. Our landlord needs to take some action soon or his investment property will become a liability. Since we plan to move later this year he'll have an empty house making it easier for him to access and repair the roof and walls the are showing water damage..

SUNSHINE

The sun is pouring down on our deck and even though it's a cool -13C this orchid's warm and cosy. It has been tricked into believing it's in a tropical paradise because of a pane of glass and an indoor heating system. It awaits pollination but there's little hope of that happening. Hope??

We have created a lot of artificial environments to grow plants. They are intended to be for our benefit. Have you ever been to a food producing green house? 

COOL

Hopeful, excited and happy. These are some of the words to describe my daughter's feelings about her very first business. She and her partner are almost ready to launch their shop and join the world of enterprise and free trade. Since our family has been much involved (her sister designed the flyer, business cards and t-shirts) I felt I had to do my part and share this event on my blog.

Maybe Buddy's love for dragons influenced their choice of a logo? He likes to think so.

Piling Up

 The fluffy white stuff just continues to grow and grow.

Do you have some photos of this last storm?

Rabbit Hops

I was walking along the pond in snow and to keep busy I began to study all the pet tracks. This one was different. So I captured it on my phone.
Do you agree that a rabbit has hopped by?

One More

The contrast of the aging red poinsettia and the budding yellow orchid, the snowy background, all captured my fancy and I just had to take more shots. 

 There are two blooms now. I find the colour pattern of a patch of white in the centre very striking.

Samie's Orchid

This lovely blossom has just opened . The plant sits on our kitchen table where there is plenty of exposure to the sun in winter.  It took exactly a year for this plant to bloom again. All of us are very happy that it did. It's such sunny contrast to the deep snow nearby on the deck.

Have you ever had an orchid? Have you ever had it bloom again?

FAUNA

                                  The little fellow watched me from above, 

While this critter chose to look up at me.

          Were they admiring me in my new swimsuit as I lay by the pool?

FLORA

A snow storm is on the way but I'm focusing on these at least for a few moments.
                                Blossoms seem to pop up in hidden places.

This is one of my favorites.

FLAMINGO SIESTA

 At the Grand Palladium in Mexico it's siesta time and just like these beauties, we took the time to relax and enjoy the paradise setting that surrounded us.  

 It ended too soon but we'll travel again because it's fun to come home.

Watermarks

It's January 1st, one of the warmest days recorded for some time. The snow recently plied up on those chairs has all melted away within a day. The rainy background separated by the window glass has created an unusual effect for a snap of our indoor plants. Watermarks??

Happy New Year

When the clock strikes 12 may your passage into the newest year bring you into your best ever!!!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

Bubby's house and the tree. He's so happy that tomorrow the eve will be here.

A Basket

Each year one of hubby's clients brings him a huge basket of selected goodies. He seems to like the way hubby helps him save taxes. What a kind gesture. Here's a snap of the one that just arrived. It's under the tree and Buddy is smiling. He loves this time of year. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays  to you all. 

FUN

During the holidays we love to drop by our neighbours' homes and celebrate with them even if it's just for a brief moment. That's because it's fun.

 Do you spend time with your neighbours?

Soft and Fluffy

It's St. Nicholas Day today and the weather here has brought us the gift of our first snowfall.

It's very loose and covers everything in such gorgeous white piles. Now I'm really feeling like the festive season is here. Time to get ready for a lot of fun. But first we'll need to dig out the snow shovels.