Thursday, December 24, 2015
Planting Garlic on Xmas Eve
The temperature is hovering near the plus twenty when I decided to plant some more garlic. I had already planted my regular amount and it is growing so I had some more cloves and planted some more. This hot weather is playing havoc with our trees as they are budding and even opening .I fear for the fruit trees as one other year we had a similar situation and the crop was a failour.
This December the Xmas cactus is blooming right on time for the holidays. They like the hot weather.
Tortiere Baking with Theresa and Doris
The baking of tortiere was a custom at our home for years. We used to make many in the past but now we settle for five. This year Doris was home to help with the top crust as no one can roll out crust like Doris. This year was no different as she rolled the top crust thin and smooth and placed it carefully on the top of the pie and made perfect pinches along the edge.
It was good to have her help as it brings her back to her younger days when she baked up a storm at Xmas time. Now I have a partner to make the Xmas buns for the family dinner.
It was good to have her help as it brings her back to her younger days when she baked up a storm at Xmas time. Now I have a partner to make the Xmas buns for the family dinner.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Back Home
Theresa and I have been away for a months holiday in Florida. Of course the weather was perfect but a little too hot during the first week where the temp soared .It was a homecoming of sorts as we joined our old friends in many activities. Eating at get together dinners seemed to be a favourite as we once again socialized with our American { Cuban ] neighbors. I played golf with my old partners every Tuesday and enjoyed the news about their life for the past couple of years.
We played for a pot of money collected over the past fifteen years from the new comers club. We each donated a dollar for a hole in one and over that time we never had one. With a $148 at stake we played for the pot. We were the last members of the club so we had a tournament. We shared the winnings and drank to the wealth we just acquired.
Theresa and friends did a great job of shopping and every day after our adventures we used the pool to cool off and gossip about our day. There was something soothing about being away and not having the usual contact with family as we had restricted communication as our accommodation had no phone or WY-FY It did cause us to miss our family.
Our trip by car was super both ways and the time shared during the drive gave us a great personal time . We had a good time but were happy to
be back home with family and friends.
We played for a pot of money collected over the past fifteen years from the new comers club. We each donated a dollar for a hole in one and over that time we never had one. With a $148 at stake we played for the pot. We were the last members of the club so we had a tournament. We shared the winnings and drank to the wealth we just acquired.
Theresa and friends did a great job of shopping and every day after our adventures we used the pool to cool off and gossip about our day. There was something soothing about being away and not having the usual contact with family as we had restricted communication as our accommodation had no phone or WY-FY It did cause us to miss our family.
Our trip by car was super both ways and the time shared during the drive gave us a great personal time . We had a good time but were happy to
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Tricky Weather
Today on November the 2 rd the temp came up to 28. We are leaving for Florida tomorrow and I feel cheated as it should be snowing or miserable but not beautiful. I should stay and enjoy this gift from our Indian Breathern who in their wisdom and need for some good weather declared that every year we should have Indian Summer. One week of sunny, warm days to give us something to think of when it turns to snow and 30 below.
All of a sudden the place is swarming with hornets, wasps and other flying creatures which make it impossible to enjoy a drink on the balcony. There is a strange change in our weather patterns lately as we just witnessed the windiest week in my memory and now this.We better get used to the unusual because that is the way it will be from now on, tricky.
All of a sudden the place is swarming with hornets, wasps and other flying creatures which make it impossible to enjoy a drink on the balcony. There is a strange change in our weather patterns lately as we just witnessed the windiest week in my memory and now this.We better get used to the unusual because that is the way it will be from now on, tricky.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Daylight Saving Time
I do not see the reason behind this tradition anymore. It seems to me that there once was a reason when energy was at a premium and the clock change was supposed to help with the cost of energy. Today it just seems to be part of Halloween. What ever the reason it has little affect on we older folks who do not keep or worry about the time except when it is our medication times or doctor appointments.
November 1 also causes a rumbling in the minds of we seniors and like the birds feel it is time to go south to avoid the cold weather.People in Florida brace themselves for the influx of Northerners and make all kinds of ignorant references to the problems we cause. They do not complain about the money we spend and the jobs we create. There seems to be a quiet truce lately as the population of about twenty million becomes home to nearly three million snow birds for six months. We are the prime mover in the economic health of Florida and other sun belt states.
Getting back to daylight saving time. I got up at my regular time but did not change the clock so I had an extra hour of daylight. Everything was quiet in our neighbourhood for an extra hour and that was a bonus. Guess I will need a nap this afternoon to catch up with the new time
November 1 also causes a rumbling in the minds of we seniors and like the birds feel it is time to go south to avoid the cold weather.People in Florida brace themselves for the influx of Northerners and make all kinds of ignorant references to the problems we cause. They do not complain about the money we spend and the jobs we create. There seems to be a quiet truce lately as the population of about twenty million becomes home to nearly three million snow birds for six months. We are the prime mover in the economic health of Florida and other sun belt states.
Getting back to daylight saving time. I got up at my regular time but did not change the clock so I had an extra hour of daylight. Everything was quiet in our neighbourhood for an extra hour and that was a bonus. Guess I will need a nap this afternoon to catch up with the new time
Friday, October 30, 2015
A Friend
Yesterday I saw a dear friend pass away from this life. For some it might become the end of a very active and endearing friendship.For me it was anything but as her memory will stay with me forever as a person who shared and enhanced my life for over a quarter of a century. We became a working team which from the very beginning was one sided as her knowledge and willingness to share it enabled me to mesh into Pembroke with relative ease.
Over the next nearly 30 years she became a wonderful friend to our family as well as work partner.Betty was one of the feistiest ladies I ever had the good luck to know and spoke her mind and never backed away from a controversial situation. More times than I wish to count she steered me away from a path which could have resulted in problematic situations not only in educational matters but in political ones as well.
Betty was athletic and only a few saw her make a move that was pretty dynamic when she could clear the main office desk which only the vice principal Doug could manage at a much younger age. She was fit and for her size mighty and as I was reading an older year book found out she was a track and field star when she attended Pembroke Collegiate. Betty loved the students and at the front line she managed to keep a stern face but had an understanding heart and a good sense of humour.
Betty shared her respect and admiration for her father who returned from the war with physical disabilities. Betty received a gift from her Dad that she held lifelong and that was of the beauty and value of reading. Betty said there was nothing written that her father wouldst read an passed this gift on to her. Betty took care of her Mom and her shared wish to become a nurse was interrupted but this did not stop Betty from becoming the best at everything she attempted.
All of our staff at PSPS loved and respected her for the valuable person she was and will dearly miss her. For me there will be a warm place in my hearts treasury for Betty (Mac)Burgess, she was a friend.
Over the next nearly 30 years she became a wonderful friend to our family as well as work partner.Betty was one of the feistiest ladies I ever had the good luck to know and spoke her mind and never backed away from a controversial situation. More times than I wish to count she steered me away from a path which could have resulted in problematic situations not only in educational matters but in political ones as well.
Betty was athletic and only a few saw her make a move that was pretty dynamic when she could clear the main office desk which only the vice principal Doug could manage at a much younger age. She was fit and for her size mighty and as I was reading an older year book found out she was a track and field star when she attended Pembroke Collegiate. Betty loved the students and at the front line she managed to keep a stern face but had an understanding heart and a good sense of humour.
Betty shared her respect and admiration for her father who returned from the war with physical disabilities. Betty received a gift from her Dad that she held lifelong and that was of the beauty and value of reading. Betty said there was nothing written that her father wouldst read an passed this gift on to her. Betty took care of her Mom and her shared wish to become a nurse was interrupted but this did not stop Betty from becoming the best at everything she attempted.
All of our staff at PSPS loved and respected her for the valuable person she was and will dearly miss her. For me there will be a warm place in my hearts treasury for Betty (Mac)Burgess, she was a friend.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
The Emergence of Democracy
After ten long years Canada threw off the shackles of a sour,toxic regime and emerged with a fresh young democratic and positive leader and a new Liberal majority government.It came about in a dramatic fashion with the Atlantic provinces painting the map red in every riding. The rest of the country went the same way with a surge of new people being elected to bring about change.
Most people realized that new blood and new ideas had to be presented and positive leadership was the answer. Harper served the country for ten years and should be given credit and thanks for his dedication to Canada. For any leader to serve like that contributions were made but in this case the old ideas became tired and the leader became toxic so the people spoke.
The future seems to be bright and the leader energetic but there is much to do and so many expectations will be demanded after all the promises. If the democratic process is revived and all members have a stake in the process our country will flourish and people will have new faith in our system. There must be patience as everything cannot be done in a short time but there must be perceived and seen progress on the promised programs.
I love the excitement of an election and the energy of all the candidates, not only the winners as I think of every person who dares and puts up his name to be judged by fellow citizens is a winner.One statement that sticks with me from Justin's remarks resonates with me. Justin said said that the opposition are not our enemies but they are our neighbors. That makes sense and my wish is that everyone in Canada comes together and works to make this country the best that it can be. The election is over and we have to contribute in so many ways to become a true citizen of the best country in the world.
Most people realized that new blood and new ideas had to be presented and positive leadership was the answer. Harper served the country for ten years and should be given credit and thanks for his dedication to Canada. For any leader to serve like that contributions were made but in this case the old ideas became tired and the leader became toxic so the people spoke.
The future seems to be bright and the leader energetic but there is much to do and so many expectations will be demanded after all the promises. If the democratic process is revived and all members have a stake in the process our country will flourish and people will have new faith in our system. There must be patience as everything cannot be done in a short time but there must be perceived and seen progress on the promised programs.
I love the excitement of an election and the energy of all the candidates, not only the winners as I think of every person who dares and puts up his name to be judged by fellow citizens is a winner.One statement that sticks with me from Justin's remarks resonates with me. Justin said said that the opposition are not our enemies but they are our neighbors. That makes sense and my wish is that everyone in Canada comes together and works to make this country the best that it can be. The election is over and we have to contribute in so many ways to become a true citizen of the best country in the world.
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