What Excites You?

Every time that I think that it is time to post here, I wonder what I can write about...what exciting thing has happened since I last wrote.  I have come to the conclusion that there is little...precious little...that I would consider exciting.  As I journey to my friend's blogs, I become a little envious.  One blogger parachutes and climbs mountains.  Another cycles everywhere. Some write about their journies in homeschooling.  Many write about their adventures in farming.

I feel as if I am stuck in a rut.  I work.  I craft.  I used to paint.  Once every two years, we travel.  That is it.  Is it that I have lost my ability to imagine something more?

Perhaps it is the day.  Dark clouds are overhead.  Snow looms on the horizon.  The next several months will be spent, for the most part, indoors.  I have much to do inside, but is the inevitable drive in the snow that concerns me.  I worry about my family who have no choice but to drive in it.

Let me ask you?  What excites you?

Worth forwarding... (and Dad... I love you.)

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high
gear to provide Canadians with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods --
merchandise that has been produced at the expense of Canadian labor. This
year will be different. This year Canadians will give the gift of genuine
concern for other Canadians. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift
giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by Canadians hands. Yes
there is!

It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in
a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates
from your local Canadian hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some
health improvement.

Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, Canadian owned
detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a
book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down
the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift
receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or
driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift
certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about
a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this
isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town
Canadian with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or
motorcycle, done at a shop run by the Canadian working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a
local cleaning lady for a day or a pedicure, facial or a soothing massage.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is
struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin
their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery
and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave
your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at
your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese
lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of lights, about
fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to
burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining Canadian pockets so that
China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about
us, encouraging Canadian small businesses to keep plugging away to follow
their dreams. And, when we care about other Canadians, we care about our
communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine.
THIS is the new Canadian  Christmas tradition.

Forward this to everyone on your mailing list -- post it to discussion
groups -- throw up a post on Craigslist in the Rants and Raves section in
your city -- send it to the editor of your local paper and radio stations,
and TV news departments. This is a revolution of caring about each other,
and isn't that what Christmas is about?


BUY CANADIAN - BE  CANADIAN - The job you save might be your own

This is the best email in a loooooong time.  That's why I'm forwarding it.

Thoughts on Bullying...

A teacher in Newfoundand was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had the children take out a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up, stomp on it and really mess it up but do not rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty is was. She then told them to tell it they’re sorry. Now, even though they said they were sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bully’s another child, they may say they’re sorry, but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home.

The Passing of Time

As we move into the sleepy time of year, I am reminded of the passing of time.  Wasn't it just yesterday that we welcomed our first grandson into the world?   And wasn't it just yesterday that we welcomed our first granddaughter?  Eight short years have passed since our first blessing arrived, and now our grand-baby blessings number five!  Two more little ones will make their grand entrance in the new year.  How much fun is that?

Living here in our little home on the Talbot River, it is not difficult to witness the passing of time.  We welcome the arrival of water into our inlet in May.  Fish, frogs, dragonflies and insects soon follow.  Geese bring their mates, and soon after their little ones, to the safety of our waterfront.  Our birch trees bud...and then blossom into beautiful foliage.  Long forgotten flowers make their appearance as a reminder that life is constantly renewing, and revisiting.

Too soon, the summer passes.  Leaves turn to yellows, reds, and browns, and fall from the trees in great numbers.  Flowers wither, and nutrients move into their roots and bulbs.  Geese gather in flocks and formation.  Ducks visit one last time, as the water recedes from our inlet. 

The Trent System is now closed to boaters, and the water level is dropped to accommodate the rainfall that is inevitable at this time of year....and the snow which will soon follow.

Everything is focused on preparation for the cold, sleepy days of winter, which are as inevitable as the spring that will follow.

What are you doing to prepare for the changing of the seasons?