Wednesday, June 26, 2013

First Whitehern Concert was today

I had not planned to go as my usual group said it was too hot and they weren't going, but my friend Jeff emailed me and said he was going, so I went as I had set this time aside.

Actually the weather wasn't too bad, there was a nice breeze and Jeff gave me his seat so I would be in the shade.  He is better in the heat than I am.  Very kind of him.

I must remember to call one of the gals and tell them what they missed.  One woman with three gentlemen - pretty good odds eh?  All joking aside, it was a very enjoyable concert with Ruth Sutherland and Doug Feaver.

The concert ended before the rain came so hopefully everybody got home in time.

All in all, a good start to the summer season at Whitehern.

Thanks for dropping by.



N.B.  Jeff was on his way when the rain started so he sheltered at a place until the worst of it was over. He was not totally soaked that way.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

NEFARIOUS

An excellent DVD to watch
I was invited to come and watch this film which was shown at movie night at St. Paul's.  One of the ladies, Wendy, had arranged to invite Fr. Michal Kruszewski of St. Joseph's Parish here in Hamilton to talk about trafficking of human beings in other countries as well as right here in Canada.

He brought along Nefarious, a DVD which gave true life examples of what is happening now.

It was a difficult film to watch and not for people who are squeamish.  It showed parents in Cambodia selling their very young daughters to people who trafficked them as sex objects to work in massage parlours, strip joints and other undesirable places. It showed girls being kidnapped off the street in Moldova, subjected to indignities and cruel behaviour by their captors and later sold into prostitution.

What it did not show, and perhaps will show in future films, was how devastating mentally, physically and spiritually it is for the male victims of this heinous crime. It did show, however, many men from North America and Europe who go to Thailand solely to use under age boys and girls for the purpose of sex.

During this excellent film, it brought home the fact that it was not just poverty which caused the problem and was very often greed especially when it was run by organized crime.

In the western world, I was specifically moved by the fact that many of these young children first encountered sexual abuse in the "safety" of their own homes by a father, step father, relative or neighbour.  It brought to mind a story which I wrote many years ago called "Sally's Blanket" which I brought to a writing group which was mostly men at that time.  It was not received well as the men did not like to hear about this matter.  In fact, it was a very hostile environment and I never brought the story back again for further critiquing.

There is much more to say about this outstanding DVD and I would highly recommend it for people of social conscience.  For further information on how to view this DVD, one can contact St. Joseph's Parish at stjosephsparish.ca

This padre also passed around a book called "Invisible Chains" authored by Benjamin Perrin which is about trafficking in Canada.  I have not read it, as yet, but hope to be able to do so soon.

Thank you for reading this blog.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Cats - antics and cute things they do

As many of you know, I love animals, particularly cats and I have shared my home with so many animals over the years.

They have been the subject of many poem that I have written as well as countless hours of companionship and joy for me.

Here is a little poem (rhyming one) for your amusement.  Needless to say, I do not hit animals but give them lots of TLC.  It is just a fun poem which I hope makes you laugh.



There Once Was a Cat                       

There once was a cat who was big and fat
his belly wobbled from front to back
his paws on her waxed floor made tracks
to show his mistress where he was at.

No hiding place for this naughty cat
who tried to hide beneath the big chair
in hopes to escape a painful whack
this poor old cat who was big and fat.

His mistress had two chins which would wiggle
as she walked her whole being would jiggle
when Mister Cat would stretch, she would giggle
Lift him up, squeeze him hard and snuggle.

Mistress and cat, friends forever
sharing a beautiful life together.

©WilmaSeville2011




Boots - 19 years of age in his favourite position
June 20, 2013






I have written a few others about different cats that have shared my home over the years.

I hope you enjoy this little poem and it makes you laugh.

Thanks for dropping by.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Father's Day Event at Erland Lee Museum

This is the fifth poetry event that Conrad and Maria DiDiodato have put together to my knowledge.  It was another success and the setting of the Erland Lee Museum was perfect.  Here are some pictures I took of the carriage house of the museum where we read our work.






Here are some of the tools of labour that are on display in the carriage house.







This museum also houses pictures of the Women's Institute.  Erland Lee was a very supportive husband, way ahead of most of his peers where women were concerned.



Jeff and I got there early and sat on the picnic benches which were behind the house.  It was so lovely there.  Norma and James drove up shortly  and so we had time for a nice chat.


The event started at 1 p.m. Here is a picture of the buffet table.

Conrad welcomed the assembled guests to the event.  There were 13 invited readers but unfortunately one of them was unable to attend.
Conrad DiDiodato
host and fellow poet



Michael Morolla was the first reader.
Wilma Seville

(Special thanks to Jennifer for taking the picture)

Michael Mirolla





Jeff Seffinga


Becky Alexander
David Haskins
(Special thanks to Jennifer for the picture)(
Irina Moga

Daniel Kolos
.
Norma West Linder
Ellen Jaffe

Katherine L. Gordon
Stan White
James Deahl

It was a very nice event in a lovely place.  Some of the poets came from Grimsby, Brantford, Sarnia, Cambridge and Toronto.


Here are some further pictures of  the plaques on the walls.







An afternoon well spent with friends and fellow poets.  Thanks for dropping by.


Poetry is alive and well in Hamilton and vicinity.



Donna and Jennifer

Jennifer took all those neat close up shots.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Carmen's Birthday picnic

Nina and George picked me up about 11 a.m.   I had brought my three picnic chairs with me in case there weren't enough and somehow we managed to fit them all in.

It was so good to see them again.  We arrived at Coronation Park in Oakville by 11:30 and started to set up.  The weather was perfect and the spot was gorgeous.

Oakville is a very high end city and this park reflected that, with lots of picnic tables, and wonderful play area for the children and very clean.  I wish that innner city parks in other cities could be so nice as this.

George - the Father of Anita and Wally

Carmen, showing off her gift of amber from me

A side view of Waldemar - husband of Carmen
\\



Setting up the picnic table.  Nina and George and I arrived first and a wonderful young man helped Nina to move two picnic tables into the shade.  He was such a good person.  Neither George nor I can do any heavy lifting.  There are so many good folk out there, quietly living out their lives while making things better for others.  They are the salt of the earth.  This young man was one of them.

Carmen was not well as she had laryngitis and was unable to talk much.

It brought back memories of the time my daughter and son-in-law got married.  We held the wedding at home as it was more suited for them but I think the stress of it all, caused my voice to go.  Everybody teased Bill to say that his new mother-in-law could not nag him as she has lost her voice.  It was quite hilarious and a few days after the wedding was over, my voice came back and I have never had that problem again and that is almost 26 years ago now!

As for nagging, I treat Bill just as I treat my other children - and I sure try my best not to nag!

Now back to the wonderful picnic.  People drifted in well after 1:30 and so we began to picnic.  The weather held up so wonderfully well and it was not too hot.  I was in my element in the shade and people watched plus interacted with the other guests.

I was particularly impressed by a group across the path from us.  When it was prayer time, they all stopped what they were doing and one of the men acted as the Imam led the prayers right there in the park.  My hat is off to them!  They were quiet and respectful to others but nevertheless, they put God first and worshipped Him.

They had lots of fun too, eating and chatting, children running around playing tag and other games.  They stayed even longer than we did.

Add caption
Anita and little Phoebe with the pinata.



Striking the pinata to get the candy out

It was great fun to see the children at play.  I love being around little children as I find them so very refreshing.  They bring me joy as I watch them and interact with them.


Nadine and I went for a nice long walk along the waterfront and found out that we have so much in common.  We both see so many injustices in this world with prejudice and inequality due to racial intolerance.  We spent about an hour together sitting and chatting on a bench further down in the lovely park.  It was so wonderful to spend this quality time with her.

Anita and then Wally went to look for us and brought us back to the picnic area.  We had not realized that we had stayed that long.

Birthday cake was served and everybody partook of it.  It was a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and quite delicious.



Here are some more shots from my camera.

Nadine took this picture of me during our walk

The splash pad for children

I loved this tree and Nadine took my picture with it.


Friends and some family

Family group

Now for a few more shots which I took while on our walk.




It was wonderful to see the two parents and the goslings.  There was also a sign that coyotes have been seen in the park as well.  Fortunately, we did not see any.

The little princess in the box


Howa's little ones decorating a birthday box for Carmen
All in all, a fantastic day in which to celebrate a big birthday.  I had such a good time there, especially with the children and going with Nadine for the walk by the water.

Thanks for dropping by.


Sunday, June 9, 2013

Germannia Park - Binbrooke

What a lovely spot we had for our St. John's picnic .Binbrooke is not too far and I was fortunate enough to be able to go with Waltraut and Herbert.

They served lunch, I think it was bratwurst, sauerkraut and potatoe salad and then there was deserts to buy as well at extremely economical prices.  This year they did not serve hamburgers.

It was a very clean area with lots of picnic tables and miles of green grass and a beautiful lake.

It wasn't a big crowd but it was a good crowd with everybody being friendly.  Waltraut picked me up at 11 a.m. which was just perfect for me and she had already picked Herbert up.

We arrived in time for the worship service and then lunch was served.

Here are some pictures.

Near where the games were played


There are RV's there 



I sat and read for awhile and then went over to see the children's games.  It was great fun to watch the children play.  There were also adult games as well.

After the games, I went to sit right at the water and started the makings of a poem.  It was so wonderful to be able to write again - the dark times seem to be over now and I am again writing.I really think the long winter had an effect on me.





It was heavenly for me to sit there by myself and just write.  So peaceful.

Thanks for dropping by.  All in all, a wonderful day spent with good people.