I Know How a Hamster Feels

Do you ever feel as if you are running on a treadmill? So much to do, and so little time to do it? Why is it the older you get, the faster time flies? Don't you ever just want to cover your ears, close your eyes, and yell.."STOP! SLOW DOWN!!"

I am tired. I am ready for some time away. I need to refocus.

What is it that can't wait? What HAS to be done? Where do I most want to spend my time? Why do I have to leave home to focus? Has the demands on my time been imposed by ME? I think so....

I feel as if I have been on this treadmill for the past 30+ years. It has been a curse bred by necessity at times, and an incessant desire to please and make others happy.

I know the drill... "What would you most regret if you knew you had little time left?"

I would regret that I had not spent more time with YOU...my kids, grand kids, my husband, my dad, my friend and...my paint brush.

So here is to the new day...and to the Overhaul of my priorities...and to resolve...

A fun day!

I spent the afternoon today, in Orillia, learning how to machine quilt, at "Thimbles and Things." In the past I had tried to machine quilt, however, my abilities were limited to stitching a straight line.

We began our day by practicing the alphabet and progressed to straight lines and loops. Although I prefer a hand stitched quilt, I can certainly see myself using the techniques I learned today.

I need more practice. I would like to make a quilt for each of my grandchildren. I have made the oldest a quilt. I have three more to do. That number does not include he baby who is on the way, and I imagine, by the time I finish his quilt, I will have had LOTS of practice! I might even be ready for the advanced class!

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A weekend away...

My friend of 33 years and I, spent a much needed retreat weekend at Cedar Grove Resort, north of Huntsville this weekend. The rates were great...the accommodation...terrific, and the food...superb!

We booked in on their "off season." The weather was chilly, however, the cabins all had fireplaces, and Dee and I did not venture far from the couch, where we worked on knitting, and embroidery.

Such a beautiful place...and to think that our stay there was made possible by the hard work of the pioneers to this area who etched out a place that we would someday visit and enjoy. I am sure that their labours were difficult.

Did I say that the food was superb? I tasted fiddleheads for the first time....and pansies! How nice it was to be served a wonderful meal, and not have to clean up afterward!

I think these chairs have my name on them! Perhaps you might like to come along! You won't regret it! Absolutely lovely!!!

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Happy Mother's day, Mom!

I love you....

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No pics today...

I live in a small town on the eastern shores of Lake Simcoe. It is a sleepy town that seems to come alive at this time of year. More and more of the land surrounding the village, is being claimed and cultivated as farmland. Migrant workers are bought up from Mexico to turn the soil and do the heavy work that Canadians are either too lazy, unmotivated (or too expensive to hire) to do. Crop after crop is harvested throughout the spring, fall and autumn, and then our "guests" return home to families that they have not seen for months.

We have been lucky as far as our weather is concerned. Although we have had cool days, we have seen a great deal of sunshine and have had ample rain. I cannot help but wonder, however, at the reports that I am hearing, of snow in the West. Perhaps this is not unusual weather for Westerners... I don't know, but I am thankful that we have been spared this weather, as I am sure the impact on the crops grown here would be devastating.

My seedlings are beginning to sprout and I look forward to the end of the month when I can put them in the ground. If all goes well, we will have enough vegetables to preserve and ease our grocery burden...and that of our families.

I have been busy painting, knitting and sewing...and working when I have to. As I near retirement, I find I enjoy work less. I think that is a good thing in itself.

My thoughts drift today to the news that seems to get worse as time passes...the oil spill. I cannot help but think that, if we as a whole lessened our reliance on this fuel, that the world would become a more peaceful, and healthier place. It is a disaster of epic proportions, and wish I lived closer to help out in some small way.

So today's post is just a ramble...a collection of thoughts. I am glad that I have found this blogging community. For the most part, the blogs I follow are the writings of people who are doing their best to make this world a better place for themselves and their families... people who aspire to lessen their impact on the world, and in doing so, inspire the rest of us to do the same. Thank you for the inspiration!

What's blooming?

Today I mowed two lawns...BIG lawns...but I loved being outside. I took time to smell the roses...and tulips and apple and pear blossoms. All seemed to sing the praise of just "being."

Does anyone else hear their chorus?

I love all of the colours. There is not one that is more beautiful than the next...all different and all beautiful in their own way

What would this garden be without the diversity of colour and species?

Is the purple tulip more beautiful than its dainty little neighbour, the "Forget-me-not?" (How could we forget you?)

This shy little violet lay hidden beneath some shrub.

I think the flowers who look skyward remind us to do the same.

Pear and apple blossoms feed their nectar to the bees and later will feed their fruit to us. My trees are not touched by pesticides. It just doesn't seem right.

There is beauty in diversity...and you need not venture further than your backyard to find that beauty.

What lesson has your garden taught you?

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It's that time of year again!

And dontcha just love it?!

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