It just goes to show you....

This young fellow came to hang out while his dad was working.  Seems that his favourite thing to do...besides baseball...is fishing.  He was not out of the car long before he threw in his line and pulled out this beauty...FROM OUR DOCK!!!!!  We have never experienced such excitement!

Lucas lives in the country and doesn't have many friends that live near by.  I asked if he owned a hand-held game...DS or the like....and he said no.  Seems that he watches some TV, and plays on his own.  He likes baseball and hockey.  He is beginning to get into golf.

I wouldn't say that there is any deprivation here, would you?  Proof positive that you don't have to own the latest toy or gadget to be happy!

Talking about Buckets...

Perhaps it isn't so much about "buckets" that I want to talk about.  It is more about "what's in my bucket."

I've never had a "bucket list" as such.  Throughout the years, I would have filled a bucket if I had delegated one to the task of holding my wants and wishes.  I wanted to  become a nurse. I wanted to marry and have children. I wanted to paint.  I wanted to see Canada...own Royal Doulton...live on a farm....learn to kayak....write a book....  Some of these things I have accomplished, and as I satisfied one want, there was always another want to take its place.

Later in life, my wants differed.  I no longer had use for the Royal Doulton figurines that I had been gifted as a young adult.  I became a nurse, and raised a family, and did not have time to even entertain the thoughts of writing a book.  I learned to paint, and it pleases me still, and often I can etch out enough time for a jaunt in my kayak.  I have seen parts of Canada but have discovered that...there is no place like home.

So what would you discover is in my bucket..or on my bucket list if I had one?  Precious little in the way of "want".  I could not be happier than I am right now.  My cup runneth over.  I have a family that loves me and treats me with respect and who fill my "bucket" every day..  I have grandchildren to cuddle and a husband who tolerates my imperfections and loves me in spite of them.  I have good friends.  I have a roof over my head.  I have "enough."

Have you a "bucket list?"  Has it changed over the years?

A great Way to Spend a Rainy Afternoon!

Plans to go north to the Farmer's Market were changed today due to the rain.  I am not disappointed, though.  Sometimes, a day spent indoors is a really good thing!

I bought local strawberries at the local market and I am in the process of making up another batch of freezer jam.  After that, I have cukes to pickle.  

I am afraid that my garden is a bust this year.  I have gotten a few green peppers and the Indian Corn looks promising.  The weeds have gone wild in spite of my best efforts.  Next year I plan on having raised beds with really good soil, and for now, I will rely on the local farmers for my produce.

I have been watching the news with growing trepidation.  The US of A is in a real "Pickle" when it comes to their finances, and what effects our neighbours, is bound to effect us.  At the risk of sounding like an alarmist, I think it wise to have a little "extra" on hand...  My pantry is growing slowly.  I preach the idea of buying or making a little extra to my children, and I think they have got it.  My friend Diane and I have been of this mindset for years.

Whether or not you buy the idea of "peak oil" or not, you cannot argue that oil prices are climbing.  What do you think that this will do to the cost of the transport of groceries?   I am sure that this will effect the transport of goods produced within our country...and our continent, but think for a moment about foods that are processed overseas.  Can "we" continue to afford to send goods to China to be processed? 

I believe that things are not as bleak as they might appear.  We just have to get used to doing things in a different manner.  Locally grown and locally processed is so much more nutritious, and less expensive.  It also produces less waste and when you make it, you know what you are feeding your family.

I LOVE Sun Tea!

Thanks to Amber at "Unstuffed" I have discovered, and am LOVING Sun Tea.  Yesterday I made a batch using black tea and Pomegranate and Raspberry herbal tea.  I don't like hot herbal tea...  To me it is like sipping medicine.  I DO however like it cold!!  Yay!  I know that it is sooo good for you.