Birds Everywhere

This morning I was made aware of a bird migration because of the sounds coming from our back yard. Robins, starlings, sparrows and flickers were having a feast on our small blue berries from the Boston ivy. These birds were not too friendly to each other and as the idea of sharing it was not in the cards. The robins were most protective of the food source and made every effort to keep the other birds from feeding on the plentiful supply of seeds.

When the leaves fall from the ivy it exposes the blue berries and the birds flock to the food source. The usually timid robin seems to have a monopoly on our vines as they take great steps to keep all other birds away.The robins who live in our yard all year except during the coldest weather get fat on the natural foods found here. This appears to be a good year for birds as they look healthy and ready for their trip south.

Some of the sparrows stay here all winter and a pair has taken up housekeeping in one of our bird houses. I just cleaned it out this week and the sparrows are filling it once more with dead grass and fodder from the garden. We had a visit from a red shouldered hawk the other day but it never stayed long.It seemed to be staking out its territory for the winter. Birds add a lot of interest to we who are nature lovers and we hope to see many more birds on their way south during

the next few weeks.

Political Road Show

The past few weeks have been eye opening for Canadians who already been completely devastated by the actions of our politicians at all levels. The  House of Commons and the Senate have reached new lows in the public eye as leadership was missing on all sides and scandals abound to cause a media feast while we look for some solutions to the national problems.

No one has any sympathy for the disgraced senators who are entangled in a money grab of huge proportions and the PMO was strong arming the Senate to throw them out without due course of justice..This haste to summary convictions of these renegade Senators goes against every principle by which our system operates and even though they appear to be guilty they must be given a trial to carry out the decision and consequences

What is most alarming is that there appears to be a scheme or cover up directed from the PMO  and this must be clarified and corrected..The country is being treated to a media frenzy caused by wild statements and stories that have changed by the day. In order to restore confidence in our government we must have a proper inquiry to get the facts and settle the problems.

After this is settled the government bodies have to get back to work and clear up the more important issues of the day that being carrying out the duties of the elected people to make life better for Canadian Citizens.

Family Get Together on Sunday

Troy had his B'day on Monday but circumstances were such that family were unable to assemble so here we were on a beautiful Sunday. Glenda hosted the family and friends and did the baking of the cake for Troy.Everyone had a moment of glory with stories and jokes and because some were home from university in the city there was interest in the life as a student in Toronto.

The neat thing about these parties is that with so many days to celebrate special events we get together often. Next week we will be celebrating Lynda's two daughters  and Phils. There are so many that I lose track of everyone.The main thing is that staying close as a family is essential.

Hidden Treasures

For the past weeks I have been searching through my pictures and papers to find appropriate inclusions for

my latest book about my educational experiences. Many boxes and albums are set out and as I sit quietly to look through the collection I realize that this is no small task. Each picture has a story to tell and each paper note or letter demands attention.

I begin to stroll through years of personal history and get lost in the past and leave the present. Hours go by and I have not even looked through the first small box. Items such as a name card brings me back to an event from the early days of my life and my brain quickly begins to show pictures which I had hidden way back there in the dark recesses of my mind and I once again relive the experience.

This short snippet coming from my past shoots out an emotional response and as the hours go by I am a wreck impacted by the images thrust upon me by these objects. Pictures and letters are powerful reminders of how it was in the past and as I continue my journey I am treated by shared hidden treasures. I look through my personal junk quite often and when people tell me to de- clutter I wonder if they realize that they are asking me to throw away my history and record of what was once reality. I live in the future mostly but love these reminder of the past and shall hold on to my hidden treasures.

A Baby No More

On Monday we celebrated Troy's B'day by taking he and his Mom out to the Keg for dinner. It was his actual birthday and he turned 17. This was a significant day as he is no longer the baby of the family. He is well on his way to being a man and baby would no longer describe this person who meshes with adults and conversations which belie his age.

Troy has made quite a mark during his youth as an athlete and excels in all his endeavors .This year he has to make some major decisions regarding his future. He is determined to make the decision that is his and I have full confidence that it will be the right one.

It hardly seems possible how quickly a few years pass by but when you remember the many events and good times we had sharing some of the growing up days with Troy we can say that the time was well filled with boy things.There were always surprises with this young fellow as his wonderful trait of being aware of his family and friends and continues to be so makes him stand out as a caring fellow.

Now Troy is no longer considered to be the baby (but he always will be) of the family we look forward to sharing time with Troy the young man. Happy B'day Troy and many more.

Oh What A tangled Web We Weave............

Never were words so true as the web being woven in Ottawa is an utter disgrace and an embarrassment to Canada's citizens and a black eye for its government. The drama we have been witnessing over the past months is so ridiculous  with all the work that should be done and our representatives prorogued and now tied up with scandal.

Our Prime Minister swore that he would never appoint another Senator when he was on the election trail. Soon after he appointed 30 friends and loyal Conservatives with the idea he would have complete control over both houses. His appointees however had their snouts too deep into the taxpayers trough so he had a problem with that control he needed to maintain his ego for micro managing every aspect of the government workings.

A couple of Senators would not go away quietly so the PM planned a scheme to rid the senate of these unworthy souls. His chief of staff was the first to take the rap and left the PM's office in disgrace. Next there were a number of Senators who had to be dealt with but as they decided to stay and fight more trouble arose as many more people became involved. The PM was in a bind and had to keep his nose clean and his story straight to remain untouched by the scandal. That was the mistake as he could have told the truth in the first instance and only a minor glitch would have occurred. He chose to remain the white knight stance and hence the tangled web was started to be woven  by the fifth estate and the people of Canada.

The conservative caucus is taking the heat for the mess and as of last night the poll released gave the Liberals 40 per cent, the Conservatives 30 percent and the NDP 26 percent. This will change as the drama continues but we can see that when there is too much power in one place the blame is placed there also.

God Bless Canada and lets hope our lawmakers wake up and get to work making this Canada of ours a better place in which to live.

Jacuzzi Adventure

After two days of rainy , miserable weather I had a visit from my nemesis Arthur, arthritis that is. With the weather conditions we had aches and pains returned to every part of my old bones and I really missed going south. My answer to the situation was to have a good soak in the Jacuzzi.

Our Jacuzzi is not used very much but I decided it was the answer. These large tubs are not designed user friendly. They are large and high off the floor and made of the most slippery material known to man. They cause older folks a challenge just getting in. Before entering I turned up the water heater as Jacussi's take more than a tank of hot water. That being done I tried to be as graceful as possible to get in without slipping and to turn around to be able to sit down in the now very hot water.

Before attempting to sit I added bubble bath to the hot water and was immediately treated to a massive bubble explosion. I left the tap running to keep the level of the water in question until I was finally placed safely in the tub.Slowly lowering my aching body into the water was a challenge as the water was way too hot so I tried to adjust the temperature by adding cold water while safeguarding my entry. Carefully I lowered myself into the water and instant relief became a reality.

I was now stretched out ,up to my neck in hot, soothing water and the best was still to come. I never really knew how to adjust the controls on the tub but the noise of the bubbling machine was a welcome addition to the process.I lay there in utter comfort enjoying the feeling of the pain leaving my body when Theresa came to check to see if I was OK. I was and returned to the joy of the hot bath.

After twenty minutes or so the water began to cool and I decided to get out of the tub. This was another challenge as the slippery surface made it almost impossible to turn to get on my knees. I finally managed and then a fear of slipping and falling caused me to be very cautious. I had to lift my bad right leg out of the tub but that tall ornate tap was just in the way.

Theresa  entered just in time to help my balance and I escaped the tub to be safely on the bath mat and the welcoming warm towel. I still had to face that image of seeing myself in the mirror and that brought reality home that I was no longer 21 years old. I dried off and in the warm confines of my housecoat I felt that satisfied and safe feeling reserved for times of personal satisfaction. I moved to my comfortable chair in front of the TV and watched the hockey game already in progress. That half hour did wonders for my arthritis but I wondered if I could stay awake for the game.