Monday, May 28, 2012

A delightful afternoon at the Club

I decided to pop in for a coffee and a good read of the various newspapers available.  As it was, Martinus came by and we had a great chat and then I had another lovely chat with Christine so it was a really good idea to pop in.

Tomorrow I have an appointment in the afternoon so probably won't get to the Club and Wednesday, have a hospital appointment so my earliest time will be Thursday when I take my two Toronto friends for lunch there and then, of course, Martini hour.

The Spring Newsletter is almost ready to go out and Amanda showed me the proofs. Looks good!

Amanda and Shendal were asking about Rosemary and I will relay that information to her.

All in all, a great way to spend a hot afternoon!  It was quite comfortable there.

Thanks for dropping by.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Armed schoolboy in tense stand-off with German police

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Armed schoolboy in tense stand-off with German police


I ask myself the question, has the world gone mad when I read articles such as this.

I know that bad news sells, but I wish that newspapers would print good news as well so that people do not get depressed and discouraged. When people get discouraged, they tend to just give up and say "what can I do about it` The fact is that one cannot do very much when there are problems in other countries except for giving financial help to organizations who help.

Individually, all we can do ourselves is try and live each day as it comes, making it a little brighter for those whom we meet. A smile, a wave, a cup of coffee with a friend, all those can be helpful. I remember giving a talk at a ladies group in Toronto many years ago, and at the end of the talk a lady came up to me and told me how much the talk had helped her. If I am remembering correctly, the talk was on how to make the world around you a little better by our actions, words and deeds.

If enough people do that, just imagine the effect it would have on the area where you live and even on oneself! It could be like a round ball, once it starts to roll there is no stopping it - kindness and friendliness can go from person to person. As some of you know, my motto has always been `brighten the corner where you live.``

Just a thought after reading about this very sad situation in Germany.

Thanks for dropping by.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

A visit to Kitchener, Ontario




A pretty little plant on their balcony.  Anna loves plants
A view from their balcony - some lovely trees
A section of the water in the park


At Crabby Joe's in Kitchener.
This place reminds me somewhat of Beaver Lake in Montreal where we used to go for our Sunday School picnics when \i was young.
What a super day it was - weather wise.  Warm and sunny, not a cloud in the sky.  It was a rather strange looking bus that took me up to Kitchener.  It looked more like a city bus than a long distance bus.  The seats were not padded and only a few looked forward. There also was no wash room in the bus which is not so good as the journey takes at least one and a half hours.  The bus went faster than the regular buses and it had a strange whiny sound as it travelled.  It was okay but not as comfortable a ride as it usually is. The only positive thing I can say about it is that it is accessible - no steps at all.  However, it also hasn't got a luggage compartment in the bowels of the bus.  One older lady had luggage and the only place it could go was on a square section near the front of the bus which had steel bars around it.  The driver said he could not help her with it either. I did not find him a very friendly driver at all.  I have always felt that Coach Canada staff have been very obliging and helpful.  Perhaps he was just having a bad day.

In any event, we got to Kitchener.  The bus went so fast though that it was not very easy to enjoy the wonderful scenery which is one of the things I like going on this route.  I was a little disappointed about that as well.

Billy met me at the bus station down town and we decided to stay down town and called Anna to come as well.  She took the next bus from her area which runs every half hour.

In the meantime, Billy and I walked over to Victoria Park which is behind the bus station. They have really improved that park and made it very desirable for families to come to. As I recall it from years back, it was a scruffy park, not really too safe.  That has all changed now.  There are families in it, single people, people with walkers and the city has made it lovely.

Bill at the entrance to Victoria Park

Bill inside Victoria Park

A nice little pond

We had to rest at times due to Bill's leg and at one stage, we sat down under a wonderful old tree.  On the other side of the tree, there was a man sleeping on the ground.  We spoke quietly so we would not disturb him.  I don't know if he was a street person, or just a tired man who felt like snoozing in a nice park.  At one point, he looked up and saw us but must have seen we were non-threatening and closed his eyes again.

Queen Victoria - with the usual words inscribed
It is quite amazing to me how Queen Victoria is described as a model wife and mother first and foremost and then her accomplishments as a stateswoman.  I cannot imagine that a statue of a male would say "model husband and father", can you?  I wonder if I am the only one who picks up on that fact?

When we knew that Anna's bus would have arrived, we made our way over to the bus station and she was there waiting for us.  It was good timing.  Both of them had places they wanted to eat at so I suggested a compromise.  Eat the main course at Crabby Joe's (Bill's choice) and then go to the tea room for desert and beverage (Anna's choice). 

The compromise worked but in the end, our waitress was so nice to us that we decided to stay and have desert there.  The deserts were lovely!  Same price as at the club.

I have posted a picture of Anna and Bill at Crabby Joe's above.  My machine will not let me post any more in the body of the writing as I would like to.

However, it is good that I can still post pictures.

I also took some shots of Anna on their balcony.  They have such a good size balcony and where they live is so well kept!  I am thrilled that they have found this wonderful place and they are so well accepted there.

We had a nice little visit at their home and then I took the Kitchener bus to the down town area and did very well in locating the elevator to take me to the main floor of the bus terminal where the out-of-town buses come in.  I was early but, as usual, I people watched and read my little book.

We had one of those mega buses, which I found out is run by Coach Canada, and the driver was a lady this time.  She was fabulous and very good to her passengers.

It was good to get home though as I  felt quite tired by this time. I took the 6:30 bus home from Kitchener as it would be still light when arrived in Hamilton.  All in all, a very pleasant trip and visit with Anna and Bill and Millie, their cat.  She finally came out so I could see her!

Have a great day and enjoy the long weekend for those who live in Canada!














Friday, May 18, 2012

The first year anniversary of Urbanicity

The Snack Table at Acclamation Bar - James St. North.

Jugs of water I presume plus plates for the snacks

First year celebration!
I was so glad that Martinus invited me.  It was at the Acclamation Bar on James N. That seems to be a very nice place to have a meal at some point in time.  The snacks they served were delicious.

I particularly liked the pizza.  I arrived early - just a little after 5 p.m. but there were quite a few people there already which was good.

I took some pictures of the 13 issues, some were displayed on the table and some were in other parts of the room.

Here is a shot of URBANICITY.

Urbanicity

Martinus Geleynse - Editor & Publisher

I also took some shots of the nice refreshments that Acclamation Bar provided.  They are above.

It was a lovely evening for such a fine occasion.  My congratulations to Martinus on a job well done.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

A nice time with Bernadette and Alvaro

We met at the club for drinks and then went out to the Black Forest Inn.  I took Alvaro on
a little tour of the downstairs area of the club and then we went up to see my favourite room but there was a meeting on so we did not go any further up the stairs.

Bernadette already had a tour when she came for lunch a few months ago.  Only Dave and Diane were there of the usual group, then Judy came and Martinus so we had some nice conversation.

I really enjoyed our time there and then we went in Bernadette's car to the Black Forest and had a lovely time there.  As usual, the food was great!

They certainly do a good business, very large portions and really delicious!  I took pictures but I forgot to ask them if they would like to be on a blog, so I will only post the one of me and a picture of a cute little table ornament.


Bernadette drove me home first and then dropped off Alvaro.  All in all, a lovely evening.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Another fantastic day - joyful as well as fun

Could yesterday have been any better?  I think not!  I decided to pop into the club for lunch and had a delicious bowl of potato and leek soup and a lovely sandwich.  The soup comes with home made bread and even with a small bowl, it filled me up to the brim.  I also had their delicious coffee.  The end result was that I brought the sandwich home and had it for supper!  After that I went upstairs to my favourite room where I have a fabulous view of James South.  I had paper and pen with me and took notes for a possible new poem.  I was all alone in this wonderful room except for a young man who was at the large table working on a project of some sort.  We just exchanged greetings and then quiet was the norm.  It was most enjoyable and I got lots of images in my head and on paper for a new poem.

I noticed that Christine, our wonderful head of the serving staff, brought him up some food.  I think next time I invite a guest for tea and the business lounge is free, I will use this room as it is so nice and airy.  I love the fireplace, the view and the ambience of the room.

I must have been at least two or three hours just enjoying the club when I decided that it was time to go home and get ready for the fabulous Mother and Daughter event at St.John's.  I walked there which I normally don't but it was light out still.  As I walked along, one tall, rather scruffy looking man, asked me for money and I said no, and then a little further on, a young native gal approached me and asked me for change.  When I said that I didn't have any change with me, she asked if she could have a hug instead.  She got that and it seemed to make her happy.  I don't carry money with me normally.  This young lady must be very lonely if she wanted a hug from a perfect stranger.  In Hamilton, it is against the law to beg.I checked it out with the police soon after I arrived here.  I give to organized charities who help the homeless.

A table set, ready for guests

The candles were a gift for the guests - it signified that we are the light of the world.


In any event, our evening went well.  The church hall was packed to the brim, and more chairs and cups and saucers needed to be brought in.  Other ladies from Grace and Transfiguration as well as Wellingstone Christian Homes came which swelled the numbers significantly.  It was great to see them all there.  It was a very harmonious evening. The guest speaker was Evelyn Myrie, who is a well known personality in Hamilton.


Evelyn  Myrie - guest speaker

Her topic was well done and she had her audience laughing at some points in her talk.  I really enjoyed what she said.  I will write up the evening for the Eastern Synod Newspaper and see if they have space as it involved several Hamilton churches.

In my opinion, one of the highlights of the evening was when Thandi  and her friends sang to us in two parts of the programme.  The ladies were all dressed in their very pretty attires from Zimbabwye and they sang like birds.  Very beauty indeed.  What a treat to listen to them.

Thandi and friends - all accomplished singers


As usual, I opened the meeting with prayer and we had some lovely poems read by other women.  We raised money amongst ourselves to help a women's shelter here in Hamilton.  It was over $300.  That will be a good help indeed.

We closed with a sung benediction which was beautiful.  I took pictures of the event including the beautiful table settings.  So feminine and so elegant!

Needless to say, the ladies who bake at St. John's outdid themselves once again.  They are specialists in making tortes and other delicious cakes!

I walked home and was lucky enough to catch the Number 2 which took me almost to my front door.

All in all, a fantastic and lovely day.

Monday, May 14, 2012

A lovely Mother's Day!

Rosel at a British pub near the water

Me, at the British Pub
I went to St. Paul's  and Dorothee gave me flowers which was extremely kind of her.  She is a student and she really shouldn't have done that.  However, I must say that they look so lovely on my kitchen table and I think of her generosity each time I see them.

My friend Rosel called shortly after I got home and suggested we to either to Bronte or Port Dover.

I have been to Port Dover several times and had been only once or twice to Bronte so chose Bronte. It is part of |Oakville now and it was a good choice.  I took pictures but do not know how to download on this new computer.  My son will come tonight to help me.

We went for dinner at a British Pub and thoroughly enjoyed that as well.



Some of the many boats moored there

A new monument to the fisherman

At Bronte -  part of Oakville, Ontario

Sorry I have not kept up the blog as I should have

A friend of mine mentioned that he had noticed that I had not been keeping up my blog.  I think he meant this blog, my personal one. I will attempt to remedy this right now.

The reason I had not kept it up was simple!  I was too busy doing things outside of the home and when I was home, I was editing a book for an author.

My busyness included going to a wonderful concert held at St.John's which featured The Tempus Choral Society with Brian Turnbull as the Conductor.  Our own Jane Wamsley was the Accompanist.

This group was delightful. The Tempus Choral Society has been in operation since 1971 and was known at that time as the Tempus Youth Choir.  Upon the urging of adult graduates of the youth choir, the conductor Brian Turnbull re-formed Tempus as an adult choir.

It has an open membership (no auditions - all welcome who love to sing) and its members are from Oakville, Hamilton, Burlington, Milton and Mississauga. The choir give two major concerts each year, at Christmas and in the Spring.  They have performed in New Orleans, Boston,Charleston and this summer will be going to Cinncinati.   They have won trophies and certificate for their work both in Canada and in the United States. Their music is diverse.   They sing a mixture of broadway, film, gospel, blues, folk, traditional, jazz and fun.

As part of this wonderful performance,  "Four over Forty" performed as did " Entre Temp".  ''Four over Forty'' are 4 gentlemen who are long-time members of the Tempus Choir.  They sing 4 part voice harmony and perform at smaller functions, benefits, coffee houses both in Hamilton and Oakville.  They also have recorded two CD's.

''Entre Temp" is a smaller ensemble based in Hamilton.  It has twenty members and they must audition to become part of this group.  They have sung at the Germania Club and at benefit concerts in Hamilton for the "Out of the Cold" programme.  They sing chamber music, jazz, swing, madrigal and blues.

This wonderful afternoon cost only $15.00 and was well attended.  A wonderful way to welcome the Spring!

Thanks for dropping by.