I suppose I could choose my camera but I'm not going to. Because no matter how much I love it, it can be replaced. What can't be replaced is a sweater that used to belong to my dad that he offered me a few years before he died. I'm so happy I accepted it. And even happier that I've kept it over the years.
It has a zipper in front and it's thick and warm and perfect for those brutally cold winter days when you need something to cozy up with while you sip a warm cup of tea. Not only does it remind me of the greatest father anyone could have ever had, but every time I put it on and wrap it around me, I feel like I'm being hugged by him.
Happy Monday, everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. The highlight of ours was the visit with my younger daughter. Here are the three of us in the downtown area. Don't I look like a proud mama?
And here's a look at where my daughter is living these days.
Together with four other girls, she is renting the unit with the huge balcony. It's a really nice place in a really nice neighbourhood. And most important of all, she is very happy.
Now, let's get to some funny stuff. This week's humour is all about starting school...
So the weekend is here once again. What are your plans? Ours include a visit with my baby girl who is all grown up and getting ready to start her second year in university. She never returned home after year one; opting instead to live year round in Ottawa. I miss having her here, of course, but she is very happy in her new city. We'll be driving up to see her this weekend and I'm very excited about that.
I asked her earlier this week if she was free for a visit and we worked out a time where she could fit us in. She's a social butterfly and you have to schedule a visit!
She asked me at one point: "Is there a particular reason you're coming?"
Me, in my head: "Because I miss you terribly and the house is not the same without you and the vibrancy and energy you added here is gone and it seems like forever since we've seen you and as a new school season begins I reminisce about when you were little and it tugs at my heart and I wonder where all those years went and miss waiting for the school bus with you and making your lunch and putting your school artwork on the fridge and reading you a bedtime story and kissing you goodnight and I just can't believe how grown up you and your sister are and that you've both moved out and that we're truly empty nesters and most of the time I'm okay with it because this stage of life is kind of nice but occasionally I'm not okay with it all..like today..."
Me, out loud: "We just want to see you, sweetheart."
I've been asked this question many times in my life: "Why are you so quiet?"
Many, many times.
By family members, friends, neighbours, coworkers, strangers, and on and on.
It's actually a very annoying question but one that doesn't seem to go away. So I roll my eyes and sigh.
I am an introvert, you see, so it's not unusual for me to say very little when I'm with a group of people, particularly if that group of people is not very familiar to me. When I first get together with individuals I don't know that well, I like to listen and observe. This allows me the opportunity to familiarize myself with the crowd.
Other times I'm not particularly interested in participating in a conversation that I can't relate to. Or a conversation that is so contrary to what I stand for that it would lead to a pretty heavy argument if I inserted my opposing opinion. Don't get me wrong, there are times when I will absolutely add my two cents in and defend what I believe should be defended. But first I will determine if this is a worthwhile battle. This is how listening and observing, first, comes in handy.
And, of course, there are times when you just can't get a word in. Because sometimes a group is dominated by the loudmouth who likes to listen to his/her own voice, interrupts everybody, rambles on and on, and completely monopolizes the conversation. This is the type of person that can lead to this exchange:
Are any of you introverts like me? And if so, have you ever been asked about being quiet?
I've learned that one of the best things you can look for in a partner is a great sense of humour.
I'm married to a goofball.
The most amazing man in the world is also one of the funniest. Whenever I'm not looking, he takes these types of nutty selfies. I have a collection of them.
Happy Monday! How are you all doing? And did you have a nice weekend?
You know what happened here yesterday? A downpour of rain! So. Much. Rain. It was great. After such a long period of drought, the more rain we get the better. And you know what else happened? The temperature dropped yesterday evening. So much so that when we took our evening walk after the rain had stopped, I actually had to bring along a light jacket with me. And wear it. Maybe this heat wave will finally break. And I'll stop having to change clothing more than once a day.
And you know what I'm going to do now? If you guessed share some funny stuff, you're a smart cookie. Here we go...
If you know the English band, Culture Club, you'll understand this one.
A cardinal sitting on our windowsill and singing its little heart out made me smile yesterday.
This has been going on for days now. This adorable cardinal has been hanging around our backyard, sitting on our windowsills, our deck, the trees, flying around the yard and singing joyfully throughout the day. We figure it either has a nest nearby or is from a nest nearby. Whatever the reason, we are thrilled at his presence and the entertainment he provides with his lovely song!
Happy Monday, blogging pals. How is everyone doing? What have you been up to lately? Not much to report on my end. We've been pretty sluggish, mostly because of the extremely hot days we've been experiencing for what seems like forever. A good portion of the summer has been like this:
But we did finally have get rain on the weekend. And last night when we took a walk it was cooler. Still a little humid, but cooler. What's it been like where you live?
While you get ready to answer that, I'll put together some funny stuff to start this day off right. Enjoy.
...your doctor or dentist or optometrist, and so on, looks young enough to be your son or daughter.
I've been noticing this a lot lately. This big age difference between them and me. It started with my optometrist who looks like he's in his 20s. I felt my age the day I met him.
My next encounter was at the dental clinic I've been going to since we moved here in 2009. My dentist left the clinic last year and another one came in and took over his patients. When the new one walked in to check my teeth after the cleaning, I wondered how he could be practicing dentistry when he couldn't possibly be more than...18.
Last month I made a doctor's appointment and - because my GP was on holiday - I was seen by one of the doctors replacing her while she's away. A young one. Very young. She looked about the age of my older daughter who turned 24 in June. And if that.
All these young people are up and coming. And it's truly wonderful to see the youth and enthusiasm and knowledge of the latest techniques and innovations. The reminder that I'm getting older by the minute? Not so much.
Happy Monday, to all! How is everyone doing? And what's going on? I hope life is being good to you. We had a surprise visit from my older daughter and her boyfriend on Saturday. The two of them had taken a mini vacation to Niagara Falls and on their way home to Montreal, they stopped by to see us. I was so excited when she called to ask if they could drop by for a short visit. Thank goodness we were home when her call came in! We don't see them as often as we'd like to, so you can just imagine how exciting it was.
How was your weekend?
While you think about that, here's some funny stuff.
Ah, the dog days of summer. We've been getting our fair share over here. It's been very hot and humid for quite some time now. The city has issued heat health warnings to all residents, but particularly to more vulnerable ones like the elderly, infants, young children, individuals working outside, people with chronic illnesses, etc. I think they should include menopausal women. Because extreme heat on top of hot flashes doesn't bode well for them...or for the people around them!
It's been quite extensive this hot spell and it wouldn't be that bad if only we'd get some rain now and again. But nope, no rain. None. It has been so dry for so long that gardens and lawns everywhere are struggling and really suffering. My own plants are barely managing. And I've lost a few that just couldn't deal with it anymore.
The most amazing man in the world and I have also been sleeping in my daughter's room in the basement for a few weeks now. When she moved out, she took the furniture from our spare bedroom instead of her own and this has turned out to be a blessing because we've got a bed to sleep on in a room that is wonderfully cool. So cool that you need a blanket. And because the foundation of our home is concrete, it is also very quiet. Cool, dark and silent; the ideal setting. I haven't slept this well in ages. It's no wonder she loved her room so much when she was here.
So we have been dealing with extreme heat and extreme dryness. If you've got some rain to spare, send it right over!
And speaking of heat, here's a fun song from all the way back in the early 80s when I was oh-so much younger. Enjoy.
About two weeks ago, I went for a routine blood test and was asked this question, which I've been asked many times throughout my life.
"No" I answered. "They don't bother me at all." And they really don't. I can watch the needle being stuck into me and even watch as they draw blood. What I can't do is watch when it's being done to someone else!
This past Sunday was like any other day in July: hot and sunny and very dry. With the exception of this visitor:
Yes, it's a bat. It fell onto our driveway in the middle of the day when the heat was high and the sun was beating down on everything. My husband was out front when this happened and he called for me to come out and take a look.
The poor thing looked exhausted and somewhat dazed. The most amazing man in the world (who is also one of the kindest) filled a container of water and poured it down the driveway, in case this wee one was dehydrated. Well, sure enough, he crawled over immediately to the water and started gulping some down.
And when he had his fill, he crawled up against our car's tire to take a nap.
Well, we couldn't just leave this poor critter on pavement that would be burning hot when the sun reached it. And certainly not out in the open where the neighbourhood cats and dogs and people would find it.
So, we scooped him up, moved him into a shady area in our garden among the plants and placed a couple of shallow bowls of water nearby.
He spent the day resting and rehydrating and sometime during the night he went on his way!
Here's a short video I took before we moved him to the bat cave.
It was a very interesting and unique experience!
I'm glad we were able to help this wee critter.
Happy Monday, everyone. And happy August! How did this happen? How did the whole month of July zip right by like that? How did half the summer - WHOOSH - go by so quickly? Next month is September and the start of a new school year and the arrival of autumn. Crazy stuff.
Okay, I don't want to think about that. Instead, let's laugh a little with these:
