Not the best of endings after such a good start

I had invited a friend to come for tea at my club and was looking forward to it.

It was a brutally cold day when she arrived but she was well dressed for it.  We met downstairs at my place and walked over together.

We had a lovely tea with some treats as well and then we decided to take a little tour of the club.  There wasn't much time left as the club was due to close at 4 so we didn't go very far.  

Unfortunately, she fell down three steps on the main floor and happily staff saw it and rushed to help her.  I was a little ahead of her, not realizing that she wanted to see what the room was and when I looked back she was lying on the floor in a heap.

She appeared to be all right so we finished our abbreviated tour and then left the club.

Unfortunately it seems that she is not all right and is in pain now so she will see her doctor today.

I am hoping that it is just bruised and will heal.  

Not a good ending for the day I must say.  

A new experience in my old age

What is it they say? Ah yes, it is  "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Well, yesterday I proved that this saying is not true and in fact, it can be a detrimental saying and stop an ageing person from even trying!

It may take a little longer to process information or learn how to do it, but, yes, it is possible to keep on learning and to achieve a good result.

That is enough philosophy for today.  Why did I start on this thought pattern you may ask, particularly since I have just risen and am drinking my morning coffee!

Let me fill you in on the details so that you may understand.

I have a friend who is having a dispute with her landlord and I was requested to be a witness for her side in the court case.  She also brought a fellow tenant as a witness.  I came as a friend and as moral support.

I have to say that I was very impressed by the judge.  She was patient and very thorough.  While my friend was giving her evidence and showing the many pictures that we both had taken, the other witness and myself had to wait outside the court room.

The guards were lovely (commissionaire) , they brought out a chair for me to sit on, brought me water to drink twice and even closed the blinds as it was extremely hot in there in the corridor.

After two and a half hours of testimony by my friend, the first witness was called in which was me.  I wasn't sure what to expect.  I had to swear to tell the truth and I was warned that not to do that is a criminal offence.  For me, it was easy, I had written out what I wanted to say and organized my thoughts.  Most of what I said was admissible in court but once I think the judge stopped me nicely and said that I had not seen it directly but rather had been told by my friend, so it was not admissible.

I could understand that, so just carried on.  I think I was on the stand for about 15 minutes what with both sides asking me questions about what I had said.

I was then allowed to remain in the room while the next witness was called.  I suspect his testimony was more relevant as he has lived there many, many years.

We had only 15 minutes left of the allotted time and to give the landlord's agent a fair allotment of time to present his case, we will need to return again.  It is only fair in my opinion that he be given equal opportunity to state his case,

It might be a month down the road so hopefully the weather will not be as beastly cold as it was yesterday.

We parted company after leaving the building and as it was close to 5 p.m. I went to my usual spot on Thursday night and spent several hours there with good company and interesting topics to listen to and to participate in.

I was very, very tired when I got home and put off calling people until I was fresh the next morning.

So you see, you can teach old dog new tricks.  It was an easy experience for me and the judge noted right away that I was hard of hearing and took that into consideration.  I appreciated that very much.

Next time we go, my official part is over and I will just go as moral support.  My friend will not get a decision right away but it will be mailed to her home once the decision is made. It may take two weeks or so after the decision is made plus the mailing time.

Today I plan to work at home (housework) and to continue working on two poems (a poetry contest) as time is rushing by and the deadline is looming. I also plan to bake a cake.

Thanks for dropping by and have  great day.

Canvassing experiences

Eyes cast down, they scurry past me lest I have a chance to ask them for a donation for the Foundation I am canvassing for.

Some (at least two so far) have broken out in a run and rushed down the ramp in order to avoid my little table.

It is amazing how many skills people use to avoid coming face to face with a request for donations!

I am thankful for the ones who have stopped and donated cash.  Most of them did not want receipts.

I may have to resort to going door to door but I am not thrilled to do that as I don't enjoy knocking on people's doors.  I also have canvassed on Facebook and also to friends who have emails so hopefully that may bring in some money for the Foundation.

It is a good thing that I have a thick skin and don't take it personally.

Human nature sure is interesting!




THIS COMMENT CAME IN TO MY PERSONAL EMAIL ADDRESS:

Many thanks for your kind spirit and time Wilma. Reaching out to others to remind them how fortunate they are is so important. Many of us live a drive by life and forget to practice gratitude for our health. If everyone gives something small or large it will make a difference.  I'm so proud to call you my friend.  Thank you SO MUCH ❤️

Linda

THIS AND THAT - AN UPDATE ON A SNOWY DAY

I thought it might be a good idea to try and catch up on my personal blog.  I have been so involved in a Facebook site of both Lachiners and Montrealers that I have neglected this blog. What wonderful memories  both those pages  bring back to me and I have also reconnected with some old school friends in the Lachine Site.  Both are closed groups which means that it is by invitation only.

On another note, due to the inclement weather outside, I thought I would try and brighten this page up by taking some pictures of some of my house plants. One of them is even beginning to bloom.  I hope that that means Spring is not too far off!

This little fellow is blooming and I expect more blooms in the near future.

I grew this fellow from one clipping from my friend Marty in Toronto.

I think kind is called Moses in a bush but am not sure.

When my children were small, we used to have this type of plant which grew along one wall.  We used to call it "Philly the Dendrum".

A splash of greenery does not go amiss when the weather is cold outside and the wind is rattling my windows up here.

Today was a bad weather day but in spite of that, for the Annual General Meeting for St. John's, the church was packed.  Today was also the day where my friend A Yi flys back to her home country.  She has made a lot of friends at the church and will be missed. Her daughter will stay with the Pastors and their family.  It worked out well for everybody and the daughter will visit me once a week.

We stayed for lunch and the young people made it.  It was a delicious bowl of chili with sour cream and cheese on top.  For dessert, we had ice cream and a wafer which was also good.  Coffee and tea were available as well.  All for the price of $8.50 each for adults and $5.00 for children.

All in all, a very nice occasion.

Over the last few weeks, I also have been rather busy with downsizing and going through things.

These winter days I don't get out much except to go for appointments or to the library so there is not much to write about.

Thanks for dropping by.