The faster I would go, the slower I would be!

Or at least that is the way it seemed to me!  I still am working on the sitting room, washing everything in sight, moving furniture around etc. etc.  I need to find somebody to get on a stool to get down my curtains so I can wash them plus the inside of the windows.

The time yesterday passed by so fast that I did not notice it.  I was supposed to take the bus to my son's place for supper (BBQ) around 5 p.m. but it was after 5:30 by the time I noticed the clock!

I hurriedly phoned and said I would take the next bus which I did.

Fortunately, it was not a long wait so I was only about 15 minutes late which was not too bad.

Ken is the cook when it is BBQ.  He made steak, potatoes and carrots.  He made a very small steak for me and I still could only eat half of it!

We sat outside on the patio to eat which made it the first BBQ of the season.  Jody, baby Eve and Ava, the dog, were home as well so we really had a good visit.

Ken volunteered to drive me home which was a big help to me.

Here are some pictures.

Jody and Eve

The first flowers in the back garden

The little cutie with her dear Mom

Eve was as good as gold and is a smiley baby and very good natured.  

She came to me easily and was not afraid.  It was so great to see that part of the family again.

Thanks for dropping by.

Long distances for travel in Canada

I was thinking of visiting a friend who lives on the other side of Oshawa.  I called the Grayhound and they do have a bus that goes directly there but the price is very expensive - over $50 one way even for a senior.It would take 7 hours of travel or if I went overnight, it would take four hours. Only two day time buses, one around 5 a.m. and the other at 9:20.  Both times are really not good for me.  They also have only one night bus at 10:10 p.m.

I then called Go Transit and their price is more reasonable.  It was $17.70 one way for seniors, but the way is very confusing to me and I am afraid I may get lost.

I would have to take a bus from Hamilton to Aldershot.  Transfer to the Go Train and get off at Oshawa.  From Oshawa I would need to take a Peterborough #88 bus. I would then have to ask to get off somewhere before the Go Station.

I would not have hesitated before, as this person was a very good friend of mine and we have not met for about 14 years.  However, my sense of direction is very poor and I'm not sure I could go myself.

I will see if the person is willing to go into Toronto and meet downtown for a few hours. I wish I could get this person to use a computer and go on Skhpe,that would work very well, but so far that has not worked out.

Ah well, there still is the phone, thankfully.

Thanks for dropping by.

Funeral

Today was a rather sad day but yet a celebration of two lives well lived.  The church was packed which showed how loved Kathe (Katharina) and Achim were.

These two kindred souls had come from Europe and met and married in Hamilton.  They raised a family and led a good life, kind and considerate of others. Pastor Daniela Mertz officiated at the celebration of life for Mr. & Mrs. Alken.

In their shared lives, they always did everything together, and even their children mentioned this in their Eulogies.

Achim died one week before Kathe and now they are reunited in God's care.

Church bells were run as Achim loved them, both before the service and after it was ended.  Kathe had requested the folk song, "Am Brunnen vor dem Tore which was sung so beautifully by Barbara Pettinger.  There were hymns in English as well as German. There were readings from the Bible, prayers and a short talk by Pastor Daniela.

After the service, some people went to the interment at Woodland Cemetery while others stayed behind in the church hall and chatted. After the people returned from the internment, we all sat down together to enjoy the wonderful food which was put together by the Hostess Commitee, who outdid themselves.

Open faced sandwiches, platters of vegetables and fruits, and so many choices of wonderful tortes and cakes. Coffee and herbal tea was also available.

Together in life, Kathe and Achim, together in death, a new life within the sheltering arms of God.
May God give comfort to the members of the family and friends who will miss them dearly.

From God we come, to God we return.

WOMEN OF DISTINCTION GALA

It was the YWCA Hamilton Women of Distinction Awards  Gala which was held at Carmen's Banquet on Thursday,  April 16th.   It celebrates women who have shown leadership, dedication and service.

When we arrived, it was already full of both men and women who were there to support their candidates and to celebrate what women do.

Quite often, women are the unsung heroes of life, and it is good to see them recognized and valued as they should be.

I was there to support two candidates, Linda Marshall and Zaynab Al Waadh.

Just to be nominated is an honour and although just one of my candidate won, I am so proud of both of them for the contributions they make to society.

The organizers had set up two large screens on each side so that the large audience could see well.  I was able to hear most of what was said which was very helpful to me.

The dinner was very good, served I think, Italian style.  I found that very good as one could help oneself to as much, or as little, as one wanted as it all was on platters and bowls and spaced out over the evening.  My table mates were delightful and very friendly as well.

I had the opportunity to speak to Zaynab's Mom whom I haven't seen for quite some time.  It was lovely to see her again.

All in all, a very great evening, one which I enjoyed very much.  It was my first time going to this event.  I was most fortunate to get a ride both ways as Carmen's is on the Mountain and quite far from downtown.  One of my friends, Kelly, picked me up at my back door for which I was most thankful.

On the ride home, I had the opportunity to ride in a BMW with Linda and her husband. A very smooth and pleasant ride.

As the dining room at Carmen's is dimly lit, my pictures I took are not too great.  I took one picture from the screen as it was larger.

I also took some pictures of Zaynab in the main foyer which turned out quite well.

I wanted to take some of Linda but unfortunately she had her coat on already and was ready to leave so I did not get one of her.

Thanks for dropping by and come again.

Zaynab

Zaynab and some of her friends

Another shot - very nice young ladies

All in all, a fabulous event - something to remember and to cherish.

POETRY EVENT AT ARTWORD/ARTBAR

A lovely event, for a brisk but nice Spring day. As most of you who read this blog knows, April is Poetry Month.

Ron opened up his cozy bar on a Sunday just for this occasion which was very gracious of him.

This cute little bar is a place where people can gather to have a light snack, a beer or wine and listen to local artists play music or read poetry.

It started about 2:45 and ended at around 6 p.m. with many poets delighting the audience with their work.

Here are some pictures from yesterday.

James Deahl - M.C.

David Haskins

Norma West Linder

James is an excellent master of ceremonies I find.   My window of opportunity to take pictures was dependent on how much space was between the two people ahead of me, but thanks to a zoom lense on the little camera, the pictures are okay.

Laurence Hutchman

Anna Yin

I am hoping that I can find out his name for the blog as we have never met and I did not hear his name.

Anna Yin and guitarist Mark Harry - a lovely combination

I really enjoyed the music and poetry together.  At Tower Poetry we do paintings and poetry together.  I would love to try music and poetry but I do not know who to ask to play.

John B. Lee

Our Host - Ron

Lynn Tait

Bernadette Rule

It was a lovely reunion of like minded people who enjoy the spoken word.  There were several poets from Sarnia, Ontario, one from Port Dover, one from Mississauga, one from Grimbsy and I think one from Toronto, plus, of course local poets from the Hamilton area.

It is always good to touch base again with fellow writers.

Thanks so much for dropping by.   Poetry rocks!!!!

What a great time we had today

We had a splendid dinner at the club and then sat around in the lounge for a couple of hours just catching up.  They left at 4 p.m. in order to beat the traffic home.  As usual, the staff were wonderful and the food was very good.

Asma and I have known each other for twenty years, hard to believe it as time has flown so fast.

We caught up with all the news and are planning to have a family  reunion with all the grandkids in the summer when I come.  I am co-grandmother of this tribe!

It was great to have this opportunity to talk with Nosheen and find out how things are going with her and her job and family.

Here are some shots.

Left to right - Asma, Wilma and Nosheen standing

Cat fish dinner with risotto

Nosheen's choice

Nosheen, Wilma and Asma

It was great to get together and enjoy a few hours together.

Thanks for dropping by.

Waiting for my friends

The sun is shining, the weather is warmer and I am looking forward to seeing two dear friends from the Toronto area.

The seminar that the younger lady is going to ends at 1:30 so I assume they will come shortly after that.

I think it must be downtown at the Federal Building as the young lady has something to do with Citizenship ceremonies.

A wonderful day, good friends to see, what more can anybody ask for?

Thanks for dropping by.

Sunday's events

It was a gorgeous day yesterday, sunny and bright.  I suggested to my friend Rosie that we go to the waterfront and spend some time there. She prefers Pier 8 so we went there.

We spent some sun filled time down there and then went to Burlington to buy an ice cream.  The ice cream shop at Pier 8 is not yet open and she felt like an ice cream.

I was rather disappointed in the lack of cleanliness at the place we went to.  In fact, the tables, the floor and even the windows needed cleaning.  My bag fell on the floor so I immediately washed it when I returned home.  I will be glad when the ice cream shop at Pier 8 opens as they keep it very clean there.

Somehow, when it is not clean, I do not enjoy going.

While I was gazing out the dirty window, I saw a fox run by.  It was an amazing sight to me as I have not seen one for a number of years.

Thanks for dropping in, and have a good day.

P.S.  If it snows in April, you can blame me.  I washed my winter coat yesterday to put it away till next winter!

Had a good time at my poetry group this afternoon

We had a very good crowd today, including three young people who were the winner of the library's literary contest.  They each read their poems out loud.  They were in Grade 8 and 9.

When I think back to my young days, I would never have had the courage to speak or read anything in front of a large group.  My hat is off to these young people!

We then had our regular workshop.  I brought my little poem about "The Picture."

Before my son was born, more than forty years ago now, I had made a needlepoint picture of a little boy praying.  Each day I would do a row or two waiting for the time for the child to be born.  At that time, one had to wait till the child arrived to know if it was a boy or a girl.  I was already blessed with a dear little girl.

This picture still hangs on my wall and I was thinking of how it came about and wrote a little poem about it as a memory.

I was most fortunate to get a ride to and from the group today.  It makes it much easier for me, especially in the colder weather.  Next month is the last workshop meeting plus our AGM.  It is also the Mother's Day Tea at church where I pour coffee so it will be a busy day for me.

Thanks for dropping by.

Past Chair's Gala

What a lovely event it was.  I had a very nice time as I was sitting with three people I know, two of them quite well.

Our table was mostly gentlemen as was most of the attendees.  It sure was nice to be surrounded by elegant gentlemen dressed in Black Tie!  

Some of the ladies wore long dresses and some wore party frocks but they all looked pretty.  I made some new acquaintences as well which was nice.

The food, as usual, was fabulous!  Too much for me, unfortunately, but I will try and remedy this for the next Black Tie event as I cannot eat that much at night or I pay the price.

Amanda was kind enough to take a picture of me in my outfit and here it is.  I have no idea why I kept my hands like that, it was unconscious but you will get an idea anyway.

One of the gentlemen walked me home which was very kind of him as being out on the street late is not the best thing to do.

Thanks for dropping by.  Have a great day!

Easter Sunday at the Club 2015

Easter weekend was not the best weather  but what can you do?  My son and I enjoyed a lovely buffet at my club.

Here are two pictures.

Ken, enjoying the buffet

The Easter bunny popped in to the delight of the many children who attended. The children looked adoreable in party clothes.

After the Easter Bunny went to the different dining areas, Amanda announced that there was an Easter egg hunt on the second floor for the youngsters.

I do enjoy being around children so much and this event is special as is the Christmas party.

It is the Past Chair's Black Tie Event tomorrow night for which I have an invitation.  It will be an elegant affair.
I am honoured to be invited.


Two more big events coming up in the near future both of which will be fun!

All in all, I am enjoying life and thankful for all my blessings and the lovely friends I have.

Thanks for dropping by.