Wintas Computer and Solutions

What a pleasure it was dealing with the young fellow at Wintas.  He was extremely helpful to my friend Rosemary and myself with purchasing a webcam and explaining how to install it.  When we got to her place, we could not do it so we called him back and he said to come back to his store, and he would show us how. He was so patient and kind to us even though he was rushed off his feet.

I would certainly refer others to his store. 

As it happens, my neighbour Vince got in the elevator as we were returning and I remembered he was a computer expert and asked for his help for my neighbour Rosemary.

He had everything running smoothly within five or ten minutes.We have been practicing on Skype so she gets used to it. 

What a real blessing those two young men were to my friend and I.

It has been a little too busy a day for me as I went over to bring a framed picture to a Russian lady which I had taken of her and her granddaughter.  My Russian is zero and her English is almost the same so it was difficult to communicate.

However, she is a very nice lady and I am glad that I finally managed to get over there.

All in all, a very productive day.  I plan on having an early night tonight.  For those interested in the Hamilton area, Wintas is on John Street.

Wintas Computer's number is 905-2706

http://www.wintasdigital.com/

email:  info@wintasdigital.com


Thanks for reading my blog and have a great day!

Pay Pal has sent me an e-mail saying I have money!

What an amazing thing the internet is.  I just cannot get over it.

 I checked my bank account and it has not been posted there yet but when I phoned my bank, she told me that they usually post things overnight.  I will check tomorrow to see.

I also learned something else in this new endeavour for me.  My payment was in American dollars and with Pay Pal there is a fee, I guess to convert it into Canadian dollars.

I do know that Pay Pal between Canadian places is free of charge as I have done that.

I am so thankful to have learned how to use the internet although I have a lot left to learn in order to come up to speed with young folks.

Thanks for reading my little entry and revisit when you can.

Canadian found dead in Dominican resort town - World - CBC News

Canadian found dead in Dominican resort town - World - CBC News

Art Show at Whitehern

There were many talented young high school students who exhibited their work on this sunny, warm Sunday afternoon.

I was very pleased to see this wide array of subjects that they portrayed in paint.

I was also extremely pleased to see that people of different religions participated and there seemed to be a real spirit of fellowship between the different artists.

A shot taken from the entrance of the garden

The fabulous young musician - multi talented

I think I heard his name was Ryan

His music was amazing.  This young man will go far with his music!  It was most pleasant.

A general view

The fellow in the orange shirt was the judge - he is a visual artist

It was difficult to find shade in the garden and the sun was extremely hot.  I sat with a lady whom I had seen at the weekly concerts last summer.  We introduced ourselves.  A friend of hers came over and I recognized her face but didn't remember where I knew her from.  It was June who worked with me at the Catholic Family Services.  She worked at outreach services and I worked as a senior peer councillor.

She told me that two of the ladies who left there have started their own moving company and are specializing in moving seniors.  I know both of these ladies and if I ever move, I will certainly contact them as I like both of them.  I worked with them for over four years and we never had a cross word!

What a small world it is. 

My friend Jennifer came as well so we found a little patch of shade and sat together.  Had a lovely time and it was well worth going to see.

Congratulations to Liz Corey who organized this event.

The internet is such an interesting place

Awhile back, I wrote about my experience with Skype and how much I liked using it.  I did say that it is not perfect but it is pretty good.

I received an e-mail from a lady in San Francisco offering me a business proposal.  I thought about it and double checked with my son, and he said that it would be a fine idea so I went for it.

I thought about it again and realized that it would be the truth, not a fabrication in any way, and it would also help her business.  On my blog about Skype and how much I like it, you will see a small advertisement for her company.  I wish her well and hope that it will bring business to her.

A very interesting experience and my first time doing such a thing. 

Life sure is interesting!

I love Skype and webcams

I talked to my friend Nor in Malaysia for about an hour this morning.  She has a webcam as well and she was able to show me parts of her house and most of the time, the quality was very good.  Sometimes it faded out though.  If it is 9:30 a.m. here, it is 9:30 p.m. there.

We have not seen each other since 2000 when I interviewed her for the paper.  We have kept in touch though through e-mail and now will do the same through Skype and webcam.

What an experience it was!  It was almost as good as if she were visiting me here at home.

I just cannot get over being able to talk for free.  I have such fond memories of Nor as we used to talk every night on the phone when she was in Toronto as a "fellow" doing research at the hospital downtown.  We chumed around quite abit at that time. 

I also was able to interview some of her fellow doctors who came to Toronto and I was invited to visit them in their temporary homes.  I interviewed two more of them from that group as well.

They had a little gathering and I was invited.  What a delightful time I had and such down to earth women they were.  All of them very highly educated, but without putting on "airs". 

Nor and I even went up to Kitchener to visit my daughter and we had a good time there as well.

It was so wonderful to hear her voice again and see her face.

What a marvelous thing Skype is! To learn more about Skype and other solutions, read these VOiP reviews.”

Gazebo on Mount Royal to honour writer Mordecai Richler

Gazebo on Mount Royal to honour writer Mordecai Richler.  I found this in the Montreal Gazette today and thought I would share it with my readers.

It is good to see a Canadian writer honoured.  In my opinion, Canada has so much amazing talent but we are not a people who boast. Naturally, that is a generalized statement.

Doesn't it make a reader feel comfortable, when they read of a place they know? Lachine, Montreal, Toronto and now Hamilton hold special places in my heart and sometimes I bring those places into my work. 

Although Mr. Richler passed away ten years ago, his words will live on and on.  I find that wonderful.

Thanks for dropping by.

My narrative poem published now

John Stiles, who is a Canadian writer living in England. has published my narrative poem and sent me the link.


> http://howyahdoon.blogspot.com/2011/06/death-of-harry-flannigan-by-wilma.html


Just click on the link and it will take you to the poem which is on his website.  Google his name and you will see many interesting things about this writer. 

I met his parents at a function a while ago and his Dad gave me his e-mail address as he publishes other peoples work.

I had never thought of sending any work to England but now that I have, it is opening up a new door for me.  John has also been so kind as to send me some other English publishers e-mail addresses.

It is wonderful to see how God works.  If I had not been invited by my friend Jennifer to go to this function, I would never have met John's parents and I certainly would never have thought of sending my work over there.

The world is a very small place now with the internet.

Thanks for dropping by and  I hope you will find the time to come again.  Have a great day!

Puddicombe Farm Poetry Event 2011

Conrad and Marie DiDiodato were our gracious hosts for this annual poetic reading.  This year, it was held at Puddicombe Farm which is in Winona, Ontario.

Winona, for those who are unfamiliar with this town, has a peach festival each summer.  I hope to go one year just to see this.

Not only does this delightful couple rent a space to hold this yearly feast of poets, but they also provide a lovely buffet.  It is held on Father's Day.

For more information about Puddicombe Farms, google the name and you will see some interesting facts about this place.

There were some very well known poets among the readers, one coming all the way from London, Ontario, another from Brantford, others from Toronto and of course, local Hamilton poets.  The theme for this year was nature but other types of subjects were welcome as well.

Conrad DiDiodato - teacher, poet, blogger - our host



 Conrad welcomed the assembled guests and  introduced each poet with a short biography.



Andreas Gripp - London, Ontario poet

 

Wilma Seville - Hamilton poet

These were the first two readers.  I was glad to be among the first readers as I tire very easily.

Michael Mirolla

David Haskins - Grimbsy poet

Jeff Seffinga - Hamilton poet



Karen Shenfeld - Toronto poet







James Dheal - Hamilton poet (originally from Pittsburg, Pa.

Norma West Linder - Sarnia poet





Suzanne Robertson - Toronto

Daniel Kolos

George Down also read from his beautiful work.  He also mentioned Mary Anderson's new book which has just come out about the McQuesten Family.  George read us two poems of his which were included in her book


All in all, a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon, listening to beautiful words spoken by poets.

I took some shots of the grounds as seen from above which I will post here.

A view from the gallery

A wonderful weeping willow tree

David, Jeff, Rosemary - enjoying the fresh breeze

A small part of the farm

Thanks for dropping by my blog.  Hope you have enjoyed your stay.

For Conrad's blog, please click on http://didiodatoc.blogspot.com/

Jack and Winnifred

My parents were a team, my Mom staying home to raise the children until we were teenagers, my father working to support the family. She then took a job in an art shop which she really loved.  It also was a part time job. 

In all the years, I have never heard any arguments between them and, at least before the children, they presented a united front.

I was blessed to live in such a family and I thank God for the godly upbringing I had.

They were very protective of each other and my Dad and brother cared for my Mom who had Alzheimer until she died.  It was so lonely for my Dad without her as they had known each other since they were 14 years of age.  They were married at age 25 and remained married for over 50 years.  Death parted them.

My Dad was very handy with tools and repairing things and he kept our home well repaired.  I wrote a story about our home when in Creative Writing at George Brown.  I should dig it out again and revisit it.

Jack and Winnifred - a real team.

Thanks for dropping by.  Stay tuned for Puddicombe Farm news later on this evening.

Have a great day!

A little set back

I tried so hard to print off my cover sheet  to introduce each poem for the Puddicombe Poetry event tomorrow, but the printer says something is stuck inside.  I lifted it which would be okay normally as it is not heavy, but by doing that, I have reinjured myself.

I now have joined the "yelp chorale" again.  My ribs were starting to feel better and I was so pleased as I am not a very good patient!  In fact, I would say patience is not my best quality when it comes to me being ill!  I am very patient with others who are sick though.

Fortunately, I went to the Farmer's Market yesterday and also the library.  I am now back into reading Edgar Allan Poe.  I love his imagination. 

The problem still remains how to print off my cover sheet.  I don't know how to use a library computer - have never done it and also walking over there will be painful.

My only hope is to find somebody who can see the paper and take it out.  Both Andrew and Ken are not available.

Fortunately, I am not a last minute person and all my poems are run off already.  I can always write it out by hand I suppose.

Another thought would be to send it to  one of my pals who are also reading and they can print it out. 

For every problem, there is a solution!

Stay tuned for news tomorrow of the Puddicombe Farm Poetry Event.  It should be an exciting time.

Thanks for dropping by.

Book Trailer: Canadians at War

This book is written by a lady I know here in Hamilton, Ontario.   It should be a fascinating read and well worth the price of purchase.

Susan Evans Shaw is very well known in this area.  She is Co-chair of Arts Hamilton Literary Arts Committee as well as very involved in Lit Live and various other literary events which go on in this area.


Thank you for dropping by and I hope that you may find this book interesting.

My narrative poem compared to Edgar Alan Poe's story

The gentleman in England who published my short story has my narrative poem for consideration right now.

He sent me an e-mail saying that my poem reminded him somewhat of The Teltale Heart by Edgar Alan Poe.

I was lucky enough to find this story on the internet and enjoyed reading it a great deal.  I can see why it reminded him in some aspects of my poem.

I thought Mr. Poe's story was fabulous!  I am glad, though, that I had not read it before I did the poem.

I would highly recommend reading The Teltale Heart by Edgar Alan Poe.

Thanks for dropping by.  Have a great day!

Tower Poetry Society June Book Launch in Whitehern

It was a cool day which was very pleasant for those assembled in the gardens in Whitehern.  We have had some really hot days and this was a refreshing change.

Valerie Nielsen, our President, welcomed the  many guests to the garden.  Her gracious manner made everybody feel very welcome.

Valerie



Jeff Seffinga - Editor in Chief

 We had readers from Sarnia, London, Brantford and from different parts of Greater Hamilton.  I saw many familiar faces which was very pleasant for me. 



Joanna Lawson, former Editor-in-Chief




Stan White - Brantford

  Stan's poetry is often very funny and he has a very dry British wit which I enjoy very much.



David Haskins

Peggy Fletcher - Sarnia poet



James Dheal

Norma West Linder - Sarnia writer

Susan David - writer and painter



Jeff Seffinga


Thanks for reading my blog and I hope you will return when you are able to.

  The different people reading took about an hour and the weather held off.

All in all, it was a very successful event.

Badi women of Nepal are trapped in a life of degradation

Badi women of Nepal are trapped in a life of degradation

If you are able to, please take a moment and read this excellent article written by Mark Magnier of the Los Angeles Times on June 12, 2011.

The life of the Badi women in Nepal is well depicted by this reporter's ability to use his skill of writing to paint a picture of what life is like for them.

It certainly moved me enough to share this story with those who read my blog.

I wish I knew how to help these women,  and others like them, get out of this vicious unending circle.

Thank you for dropping by and please come again when you are able.

Afifa and Paul Sutherland

Event - - Writing East Midlands


When poets Afifa and Paul Sutherland were in Hamilton, Ontario, I had the great pleasure of meeting them personally.  I held a poetry salon in my home in their honour.

Paul is the publisher of Dreamcatcher magazine, which is based in England. Both of these talented artists have so much to offer this world.  They both write poetry and also Afifa's does gorgeous art work.
It was wonderful to have met them and we keep in touch through the internet.

Have a look at what they do by googling their names.

Thanks for reading my blog.

A wonderful afternoon spent with a good friend

What a great afternoon we spent together.  Jeff picked me up at a little before 1 p.m. and we went to Waterdown to a waterfalls there.

There had been a bad storm the night before and the water coming over the falls was muddy brown and coming with great force.

The waterfall

Another shot

Different angle

It was Jeff's idea to go to a waterfall and since he knows them better than I do, I asked him to pick one.  His choice was excellent and there was a lovely shady tree which was so wonderful to sit under on this very hot and muggy day.

Flushed face due to the extreme heat!

Jeff

We enjoyed a picnic lunch together, drank a thermos of coffee and talked to people who walked on the trail.  It was very enjoyable.

Observe the falls in the background

Jeff,

me

The whole afternoon went extremely well until we went to the observation deck.  Jeff had gone to put away the picnic things in the car, and I proceeded down the stairs.  I don't quite know why, but I fell down three or four steps and landed on my metal cane.  It was not a very pleasant experience as I was in a lot of pain.  It very much looks like the metal cane had broken some ribs on the right side. 

Fortunately Jeff came down and he was able to help me up.  If it had been some of my lady friends, they could not have pulled me up. 

Here is a shot of the "after" picture.  I wasn't smiling but Jeff said "smile" so I did.  I was quite shaken up and was hanging onto those metal bars for support.

After a  little rest, we went for a little walk as I said I was fine.  Here are some shots we took on the walk.

Red robin on the fence

Jeff, I should have did a close shot with the zoom

buttercups.

A lost cat, advertised on the Bruce Trail where we were.

Smokey Hollow Trail - Waterdown
Also known as Great Falls

After we left there, we took a ride over to LaSalle Park which is in Burlington.

An interesting tree trunk with new life

I liked these leaves, so Jeff took this picture.

Hamilton as seen from Burlington

A sailboat plus a big ship with the steel works in the background - Hamilton

Mom and Dad and baby Swan

A great shot

Jeff took a lot of the pictures at La Salle Park as I still was not feeling too steady.

Burlington's Yacht Club

Mallards

A wild rose - we have them in Quebec as well.

The Industrial Side of Hamilton as seen from Burlington

A wonderful sailboat in Burlington

It would have been a perfect day except for the fall.  However, it could have been worse - ribs heal by themselves.

Thanks for dropping by my blog and have a good day!