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.

This and that

We had a delightful time.  She was very impressed with the place and the staff and would like to come again some time.

Last night, I went to a lovely event called The Wonderful World of Colour.  It was held at Hamilton Artists Inc on James Street South, near Cannon.  We used to have our writing group in their for many years.

I cannot believe the new and improved look of the building.  It is gorgeous and airy and spacious!

I was very impressed with the caliber of the artists who presented their work at this event.

Trudy Deys, Leni Haveman, Bert Schilthuis and Waltraut Weingartner. 

I took some pictures of the event and will post them here.

It was a long wait for the bus to get back but what can you do?  All in all, a most enjoyable time spent with compatible people.

The two pictures below are of the artists.

Thank you for dropping by and come again, should you have the time.

This and that

A good day today.  I really loved the poem on marriage that my daughter sent me.  Her friend sent it to her.

It had some good points in it.

We had a lovely chili dinner (just spicy enough without going overboard) after the annual meeting at church.

A friend of mine had thought that she and her friend might visit me this afternoon, but they were unable to come after all.

I could go out tonight, but I just don't feel like going out again.  I am missing a few nice things lately but winter does not agree with me, especially at night when it is so cold and dark.

I had a nice chat with my son on Skype this afternoon and he gave me an excellent idea for my poor hand to stop the terrible itching.  Take an ice bag and put it on the hand which I tried immediately and it helped a lot.

Lucky for me, I have those bags always in the freezer so they came in handy.

It doesn't solve the problem of "why" but hopefully I can see the dermatologist before my middle of May appointment and relieve some of this awful rash and itching.  Fortunately, it is not contagious but it sure looks  ugly.

This getting older is  not for weak minded people.  Patience is a pre-requisite for growing older as the body gets tired and seems to exhibit more problems than when one is younger.

I imagine it is similar to buying an older model car which has been driven for years.  It could easily break down at an inopportune moment and need a tune up.I guess how we treat our bodies when young will be shown when we age.  Good nutrition is so important for growing children and so many children nowadays live on fast food.  I shudder to think what their health will be when they are much older.

Thus, we humans as we age, seem to need tune-ups more often than before.

However, I still thank God that I have reached this age and, God Willing, will continue on for a few more years.  All that matters really in this life, is enough to eat, clothes to wear, and a decent roof over one's head plus good friends and, if one has saved, a little money in the bank for emergencies.

We come from God and we return to God.  This life is just a temporary measure and we break our backs working like this is the only existence, climbing the ladder of success, getting bigger and better houses or cars and yet, when you think about it, in the not too distant future, we will leave it all behind.  What matters, in my opinion, is how we have treated our fellow humans and animals, how we have cared for the earth, and what we have shared of ourselves with other people.  Above all this, and part and parcel of it, is our remembrance of God and including Him in our daily lives.  It is He who gives us the strength and  courage to carry on and face whatever comes in the future, which thankfully, we do not see.  It is often times a mercy that we cannot see into the future, in my opinion.

I always have loved the old Sunday School song "Brighten the Corner, where you live." and have tried to live that way all my life.  I have failed sometimes but I continue to try and live with that thought in mind.

Thanks for dropping by.

THIS AND THAT

I had a touch of flu on Thursday night and did not sleep until 5 a.m.   Needless to say, I slept until 11:30 that morning.  I still did not feel overly peppy but managed to get a bit of housework done.

Friday I stayed in the whole day just to get rid of whatever the problem was and it was very pleasant to be home.

I had borrowed lots of books from the library and once I get my nose in a good book, it is hard to drag me away from reading!   The really good thing about the library is that you can keep them for three weeks and can renew them for another three if you need to.  I think you may even be able to renew them twice.

Today Carmen and I are getting together and will go to a restaurant to enjoy a nice liesurely lunch.  we haven't had quality time together for a few years now.  Both of us have been so busy, rushing here and there and this will be wonderful to catch up on all her news.

She is a dear young lady.  Tomorrow, of course, is the Gala Event for the 60th Anniversary of Tower Poetry Society with music, poetry and refreshments.  Could that be any nicer?

I am so glad that that little bug or whatever it was, is now gone and I am feeling fine.  I hate to miss nice things.

Thanks for dropping in and please come again if you have the time.

THIS AND THAT

I haven't posted anything for a few days as I have been quite busy at home.  I was finishing off the last touches on a poem about my daughter and her entry into this world almost 47 years ago. I also was writing the article for HistoriCITY which will be published some time in 2012.

I have a thought to write a poem about significant events in my life and also write about it in prose.  Eventually, I will make it into a book for my family members.  Nobody in our family has ever done that.  Bernadette actually suggested that idea to me several years ago, as I have had some very unusual events occur. I have now done the second poem and have a plan for the third poem in my head.

I was quite pleased with both groups of poets this month, only a few changes in a word here and there.  I had three people come up and compliment me on the birth poem at Poetry Center.  That was very nice of them.

Carnegie Gallery and Tower Poetry will be teaming up to present art and word together.  I plan to go to pick a painting to compose a poem about.  I remember when the husband of the artist asked my permission to keep the framed copy of my poem about his wife.  It touched him so deeply.  I was pleased to give it to him.

I have participated many times in this work but last year was just too busy to go out to Dundas.

Dundas is such a pretty part of Hamilton and well worth the long ride, especially when it is all decked out for Christmas.  I have taken Toronto friends there.

The day is shaping up very nicely, the sun is out, and St. Paul's is having their picnic.  I am going to Mary's event this afternoon though.

Thanks for dropping by and have a fantastic day!

Time out today

I just had to get out today, in spite of the cold.  Borrowed tons of DVD's from the library and actually succeeded to check them out myself!  I learned that you can only do five at a time.

Then I went over to the Farmer's Market and bought some groceries.  I really like the new look.  I asked after one of the vendor's and found out that this elderly couple decided to retire.  I am happy for them as it must have been very tiring to have to be in the market so early when it was open.  They were a lovely Hungarian couple and I shall miss them.

One of my neighbours is very interested in buying my Amethyst pendant so I am considering selling it to her as she really has her heart set on it.  I had hoped to keep it myself.  I'm still not sure I want to sell it.

I plan to put a sterling silver chain on it.

Tonight is Poetry Center and Alvaro will pick me up.  I am debating going as I haven't written any poetry since I started on my short story.  Mind you, I could go and enjoy the company as they are a jolly bunch of people!

We'll see.

Have a great day and drop in again some time.

This and that

As usual, ArtWord/Artbar hosts, Judith and Ron were their usual nice selves and made everybody welcome.
James Dheal was the M.C. for this event.  Most of the readers were from Toronto this time with the exception of Andreas, (London), Ellen (Hamilton).  I only knew Andreas and Ellen so did not feel comfortable taking pictures without permission.

Andreas Gripp from London, Ontario

Andeas Gripp

Ellen Jaffe

Yesterday I went to ArtWord/Artbar for James' last  afternoon programme until April.  Unhappily I missed a chance to read some of my poetry at the Carnagie Gallery in Dundas but I had already committed to going to James' invitation.

Sometimes there is nothing going on and then days like yesterday, there were three things that I could have gone to and enjoyed all of them.

I certainly was sorry to miss the other two events but glad that I went to the afternoon session. 

I took only a few shots of the readers that I know and have their e-mails.  When I got home, I sent the pictures to them and received a reply back.

There were six excellent readers there yesterday afternoon.  I really love having things in the afternoon as I am more alert!
Jennifer picked me up which was so kind of her.  The No. 4 bus only runs every half hour so now that the weather is getting colder, I am pleased to have an invitation for a ride!

All in all, a lovely afternoon.  I did not go out to the other event (Lit Live) although I know there were many excellent readers (another six scheduled).

It really is too bad that so many things are on the same day!

Now onto other matters.

I haven't written on my blog for a few days as there was nothing really exciting going on. I do enjoy those days when I can just relax and do "my own thing", don't you?


My friend Carmen lent me quite a few Hercule Pierrot DVD's and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them. Only two more to go and then I shall return them


On another point, I took some shots from my window and will post them as well.


Retirement is the best time in life, at least to me, as I can write, read, listen to music, go out or not, take my time in doing things and the list could go on and on.  When one is a child, one has to please parents and teachers, when one marries, one has to try and please one's spouse, when one works, pleasing the "boss" is of the utmost importance if you want to keep your job, but retirement is finally time to just please yourself!

I have never quite understood how people can be bored in retirement.  I just love it!

On that note, shall close and post the pictures of the view from my window.

I find it fascinating to see the reflections on the glass building across from me.  Such beauty, and at the click of my camera, I can capture it to share with the world.