Arrivals

Spring finally made it’s way into our area May 22 when these blossoms appeared. For our area that is quite late. But of course what arrives next is extreme heat and storms. That is our forecast for today.
Today is also my little sis’s BD. I recall her arrival in the 50:s vividly. She is a born Canadian.

My SIL shares a BD with my sis. Happy times as they came to my place to have fun.

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July marked the arrival of grandbabe in my sister’s arms first BD and Buddy’s. It was held at SIL’s house up by Lake Simcoe and kids went kayaking before heading nack to UK.
In three days I head to UK for the next grandbaby’s arrival. I hope to arrive before baby but it is getting very close as daughter is having some prelabour symptoms.
And for the first time Buddy and hubby will follow me two weeks later. I pray for their safe arrival. I shall try to stay calm during all this. It is hard.
Arrivals can be both fun and stressful.

OLD TECHNOLOGY REVIVED

    Friday May 4th a powerful 110km wind howled through our area and knocked down trees and created huge power outages. The above photo is a candle on my highboy reflecting a bit off the photo of my three childres' collection. It was past 9pm and I retreated to my room to listen to an old walkman that I had in a nearby drawer. All it needed was fresh AA batteries and I had those too. I had intended to gift the walkman to a Cuban but it never left my drawer. It is pictured below. It needed headphones to pick up reception and to listen to anything. No built in speakers came with that model. It was also useful for playing and recoding tapes. I still have a few the kids made.

   It was a comfort to listen first to a thought provoking talk prgram and then to a comedy channel that presented jokes from comedians 
dating back to my youth, names like Jack Benny and Dudley Moore. By 10pm I had had enough so I removed my ear buds , switched off the battery supply and blew out the candle. After a few moments I  drifted into a deep sleep.

     In the morning I awoke to a silent house and I realized it was still   power is out . UGH!!! So I decided I needed to search for a transistor radio with speakers to listen to programs. With no power a bit of radio news and music would be pleasant. I soon found one. Although it was last used in 2013 the battery was still good. 

I just had to post pictures of my old devices that I once marvelled at and thought were once very high tech. LOL

What is remarkable is that these items were returned to us after a house fire 10 years ago. They had survived and were still in good working condition when I unpacked them from the boxes of saved stuff put together by the insurance people.(We are still waiting for money for the fire damage though!)

I used to have that transistor in the last photo on my classroom desk over 35 years ago to play classical music while my pupils did their math work. They enjoyed the background music.

Saturday afternoon we went to hubby’s office to charge our devices for the upcoming day. We stayed a bit and watched streaming videos while hubby did his thing. At 7pm we headed home. Since our gas worked using a match we were able to heat water and food. We had candle jight dinners both nights.

Our power finally came back that evening around 9:30 pm after we had relit the candles. Of course we took time to watch a bit of TV.

    Since the weather was cool our food in the freezer and fridge remained safe enough to be consumed. We were spared losses. Others were not so lucky.

Do you have any of your old tech around that still works?

What a Pattern

Buddy and I were amused at the way the snow melted over the day are happy to be out walking . Soon we hope to see leaves and green grass.

Crazy Icy April 2018

The final photo is how it looked on Monday April 16. There was more icy snow in the forecast and schools were closed. Today the snow is still all around. We had ice falling off our famous CN Tower. Businesses near by were closed to protect people from falling ice. We even had to shift a baseball game because of this dangerous icy mess that caused a hole in the stadium roof. A double header was played the following day. Most crazy was people still opted to drive like idiots causing over 1600 plus accidents with one fatality. Whoever says climate change isn’t real is living in a bubble and does not see the global picture. It is 29C in the London UK area. That too is not what is a norm.

 It srated fast on Thursdayafternoon.

 Ten minutes later ice pellets became very visible.

 Out front the road and walkways were an icy mess. We were warned to stay imdoorrs.

This is a closeup of the pellets found on our balcony.

Easter 2018

   Buddy and I wish you all the joys of spring Easter and any other special events happening at your end. We decorated a bit and coloured eggs too. Tradition makes it our annual thing to do. However our family gatherings have shifted to brunch away from home. It was fun to be out surrounded by other like minded people who preferred to dine out. People came dressed in all sorts of outfits from very fancy to a few who were a bit too casual though there were no torn jeans. An Easter bunny paraded from table to table and a piano player’s music was welcomed in the background. I am happy wewe able to spend this time and reflect on how fortunate and blessed we are.

Reshaped by Irma

   (January 15 to 22,2018 Memories Flameco Cayo Coco)
This photo taken from our corner balcony gave a great view of the cruel harsh makeover the hurricane forced onto this area of the keys in September. It wiped out entire forests of tall palm trees that used to give shelter all along the beach. The hard coral on the coast vanished under the sand. The ocean water receeded a lot thereby creating a wider surface of beach sand  to enjoy. I cannot imagine how an ocean can shift itself so drastically. But it does. I saw the before and now the after.
   Much work by every resort employee went into clearing up all the mess left by Irma and they toiled with speed and pride to get the resort back to a place that both they and their guests would enjoy again. 
   We sure did.  And having been there before we were amazed both by what a storm can do to restructure the landscape and how hard and fast the determined staff has managed to clear and rebuild all that was needed.  They were given the tools and supplies promply and they did whatever they could. Chefs, waiters, housekeepers all did everything needed until the place was ready for them to resume their regular roles. And they greeted and welcomed us back with big smiles happy to see us again. Incredible.
   Of course some took a moment to share their story of their experience and we listened with much admiration. 

Winter ExodusWin

  Winter is harsh and Buddy and I are heading south to be more active.
The photo is the view from my bedroom window. It is -20C and just too icy cold for winter fun. We hope some walks along cayo beaches off Cuba will get us more active and healthy.
  We hope the weather won’t impede our flights. 
  Let the fun begin as we leave today.

CHRISTMAS 2017

   On Sunday Buddy went down to the basement to bring up our tree as it was going to be cecorated later in the day. The tree is stored in three parts and usually it has been put together by a sister. This year was different. While hubby and I were binge watching Crown he managed to put the tree together as seen in the first photo. I was so happy for him as he felt very proud of this achievement.
   After supper his sister who dropped by joined him in putting the ornaments on the upright tree. First they figured out the lighting and added a remote for easy on off options and then they put the skirt around the base. There was lots of laughter and then we were called to see their creation. The smile I captured on Buddy’s face says it all. His joy brings joy to us.
   I took a close up of an ornament as our greeting to all of you.  Here’s wishing you the very best this holiday season. Seeing my reflection in it made me recall what a busy year has just passed us all globally and locally. May we be grateful for our blessings once again.
    MERRY CHRISTMAS AND SEASONS GREETINGS MY FRIENDS
             

International Arrivals

   Buddy waits patiently as I check for our prearranged taxi ride. We have come to spend a couple of weeks at our daughters to play with our grandgirl.
   The wee one is 17 months and already talks a lot and she has a mind of her own. With yes and no she selects what she wears and eats. She is so well coordinated that she can balance well on a tiny stool. I was quite surprised at the speed of  her development.
   Great news ; next grandbaby is arriving in June.
   We continue to try to keep up with all of you by reading and commenting. If we missed you lately please give us a nudge in the comment section.

OKTOBERFEST

the third week of September was one of unusually high tepmeratures. It was hotter than mosr of our July,August was this year. And since we wanted to enjoy the moment we set our for Wonderland on Sarurday September 23 where they had the theme of Oktoberfest.

Buddy was enjoying a tukey knockwurst with sauerkraut while trying to stay cool in the shahe as it was 38C. We managed to get on a log ride and were completely soaked. How refreshing.

 The evening came fast and we enjoyed our day trip. It has been years since we did a Wonderland visit.

  We love this season and are new to white pumpkins that are appearing this year. I hope your fall is as nice as ours so far.
  We do pray for help to the many less fortunate and try to send a bit of help and lots of positive vibes.
There are some very uprooted people on the globe at this time. We care.

Glimpses of Clouds

Soaring in the atmosphere brings us closers to cloud formations and sometines they appeal to our senses with awe. During my recent jouney while Irma, Jose and Maria cloud formations were toturing massive expanses below them the clouds surrounding our planes created a palette of art for the eyes to feast on.

Ursula

   She wanted to be home. She wanted to move on. Today her wish came true as she drew her last breath in her bed in her home. She had a long and very active life dating back to,1921. She will be missed. I was blessed to be at her side in Hannover. May she rest peacefully now.

Ursula is the little one on the left beside her mother Gertrud and her big sister, Marianne, my mother. I assume the photo dates back to about 1923 when Ursula would have been two.

For Compassionate's Sake

   I left by plane on September 12th and arrived in Hannover on the 13th. I just had to make this unplanned flight. My 96 year old auntie was ready to pass on. Her wish was just that and I needed to see her and hold her hand and stroke her forhead as she had done for me many years ago wben I was seven and in her care while my parents had left to forge out a new life for us in Canada. Auntie took me to many places including school back in the 50's. She is my Mother's sister, Ursula.
  Today she lies semi concious in her apartment. It is her wish to pass on there. She no longer wants to eat or drink. She wants to move on but it takes time before her body will shut down.
   In a couple of hours I'll go back into her flat to sit and hold her hand while classical music floats around us from the radio. I might talk a bit about out days spent together. It is what I care to do for both of us. I 'm in a guest flat close by.

From my chair beside her this is the view. There are some plants on the window sill that daughter and I gave her 17 years ago when I brought  her to meet her great auntie. Tomorrow daughter will arrive from UK with baby who will meet great great auntie. That is family life. We come together for compassionate's sake. 

We love her. 

Buddy too.

Harbour Front

The rope ladders look like one could climb into the heavens.

This is a view to the island where Billy Bishop Airport is situated. Seeing the planes not far off and birds all around makes me wonder how safe the captains feel about their take off. Beyond the island on a clear day one can see the Niagara Falls area.

I love how highlites of our city, the Roger Centre and the CN Tower were captured with the tall ship in the for ground. It even seems like the tower is sticking out from the condo. I wonder if the mother and  her two little tots live in a highrise close by. They are not visible. Only her bag and two strollers are. She is off chasing them somewhere behind the tree.

SPIDER-MAN Homecoming

   We went to the 3:15 matinee at the VIP Theatre yesterday, opening day of the newest Spiderman film in 3D. Buddy has always been a fan and couldn't wait to see it. He received a movie pass as an early BD gift so it made sense to get in on the action. 
   It was a challenge to book online. Each time I master one account things have to change. I had to start with adding a new account that would then merge with my original one so my points would remain. It took me a whole hour and at the end I was instructed to print my bar code to take to the movie theatre where real tickets would have to be printed at a kiosk. No more print at home option. 
   That was weird but I went to the actual ticket counter. Kiosks are a visual challenge with intructions and buttons to get right. We had reserved seats. I got that all wrong. They have the screen in reverse position to most live theatres so I chose seats too far from the screen during the online bookimg. As the usher took us way up we asked to change and as we were in a rather empty room changing to seats closer to,the screen was no issue. 
   Nicely seated in comfy chairs we ordered our meal and drinks and settled in for the show to begin. There were at least 20 minutes of commercials before the movie began. (Wish the extra fee for VIP could get rid of that.) The lights went out for the main feature and we watched with delight.
   A newbie Spiderman in the making was worth all the effort because the movie was fun. It was less dark and more appealing to our taste.  Buddy left smiling. I left happy too.
   Now we have a new option to use our ticket stub to buy a digital film at a reduced rate of $19.99 on the new account I had to create.  Is that really a bargain price? 
   More challening will be getting it done correctly online. I am curious to give it a try but wonder about how it links all we did that day together. The stub carries a lot of information. 

Glass Concert Hall

  On June 21 the three of us took  public transit into downtown to attend a concert. Karl Orff"s Carmina Burana was being put on as part of the TSO collection for the celebration of Canada's 150 years of Confederation on July 1st.
   We were a bit early so we walked around the area and were amazed at the many new glass high rise buildings that had sprung up around the concert hall that opened 35 years ago. 
   Glass as a building material has had me wondering for many years. While it appears to look so glamorous I wonder if it can stand the test of future weather changes or time.
The concert itself while composed in the 1930's was a stark contrast to modernity as it was made up of many vocal pieces all written in latin about secular peasant life around Bavaria at about 1300 A.D. The information had come to Karl from notes from a monestary and he found a superb way to tell it. It was a thrill to hear it.
     Grand child turned today. Buddy will be 44. I move up a notch too.
           Happy 4th of July to many American friends.
P.S.  Carina Burana may be found on Youtube if you want to hear it. Many of you will recognize the opening.

Gitfed Moments

I love when flowers are given to me by hubby. He still thinks of doing this.

Buddy is happy too at those special moments yet they are now fewer.

And sadly hubby forgets when he brought them at times by asking how they came to our table.

We just cherish good moments now no matter how brief.

There is a huge downside to memory loss. It is the anger and frustration that the afflicted is filled with. Fear too.

We focus on gifted moments whenever we can.

CELEBRATING MILESTONES

She wasn't even born this time last year

and already she's standing at the bookshelf 

finding something that appeals to her tender age 

of 10 months at the local library. I cannot get 

over the speed at which an infant moves from 

helpless to one of curiosity and testing all that

is around. My daughter is a most patient Mom.

Buddy, like all of us, is smitten by this tiny person. 

We are all excited that the family is visiting again soon.

They will be back for 

Canada's Big Bash 

celebrating 

150 years as a nation as she turns 1!

Time passes fast so it won't be long from now that 

we'll be together again.

              She uses her right tippy toe to balance herself on the floor and 

                   places her left hand on the shelf for firm support. Standing        alone has developed. Walking support free will come soon.

                   

Special Times

Spring has arrived late and after a snowy beginning of April by today we  finally have a bit sunshine and a bit of warmth so a planter of the season has been put in place by our front steps.

Buddy wanted the indoor of our home to show a bit of Easter so we decorated. In the kitchen he placed a little chick and small yellow bunny on the table. We are showing a photo of what he put on the dining room table. The bunnies are for his sis and BIL.

 Grandbaby and parents arrived last night from UK just for the weekend as we have a family wedding on Saturday. 

Today we have my sister and some family over for lunch.

This is truly a special time to share with family and friends. Where ever you are and whatever you are celebrating we wish you joy and peace.

Unusual Tulips

It was NewYear's eve when hubby made a kind gesture by arriving home with a bouquet of fresh cut flowers. White tulips, a very unusual flower for this time of yer. I was thrilled for my Mom passed on a tradition that one should have fresh flowers to go into the new year. Tulips were one of her favourite flowers. Earlier in the day Buddy and I had tried to pick up cut flowers at our local grocers but nothing worthy was left so we just brought home a few delicacies for our threesome to enjoy later that eve. 

Buddy had asked for a party. I assured him we would have fun. He went down to the basement and brought up the hats and goodies that go with the tradition just before hubby came home.

Hubby still manages to head to his office though he gets very little done. At the moment we don't want to take that from him until becomes absolutely necessary since it is one aspect of his daily routine that helps his sense of self worth and identity. He believes he is fine.

Since by now many major clients as well as his trusted long employee have left him because of his behaviour that lead to huge arguments and disagreements it seems okay. His ability to be precise as their accountant is likely compromised as his dementia increases. No clients currently are at risk. He still has a few small trusted clients willing to hang in for now knowing things are changing.

It has been two weeks that the tulips came to our home and today they are still upright. I have never had tulips last so long. It is truly an unusual bunch. I smile when I see them.