Music - one of the loves of my life!

Ah today I heard a wonderful duet, of a cellist and a pianist in absolute harmony.

As I was listening to their work, I closed my eyes and a germ of an idea was born in my mind for a poem.

It is strange how ideas come into the mind. Had better get cracking before I forget the idea! Poetry groups are starting up again in September......

Am very happy today and really enjoyed the woman minister's topic. Very down to earth and sensible! I really like her style.

A day well spent in Kitchener

Another view from their lovely balcony.

A street view from their balcony.

Bill on his new balcony. It has a lovely view of a wooded area and is extremely quiet.

The dining area - set for a light supper. Their balcony runs the whole length of the sitting room/dining room. She will be able to grow plants and vegetables on it next year.

Their dining area.

A small section of the dining/living room. Anna resting on her big chair.

Had a lovely drive via Canada Coach to the bus terminal in Kitchener. My son-in-law Bill met me and brought me to their new place.

It was only a 7 minute drive on the city bus from the bus terminal and we caught the bus right away. Otherwise we would have had to wait 1/2 hour for the next bus.

Once they learn the bus schedule, they will know how to time themselves.

I loved the new area, lots of trees, three shopping centers, Central Library but the best part was their new apartment.

It is a low rise one, two buildings, A & B. Very clean, very quiet and has elevators and they have a huge balcony! I would not mind living there myself as it has lots of cupboards and closets.

We got to work immediately and started the unpacking and arranging things and by the time I got the 6:30 bus back to Hamilton, the apartment was beginning to shape up quite well.

I cooked supper for them and did up the dishes before Billy took me back downtown. He will pick me up for several more trips until I get used to the area.

All, in all, I am so thankful to God for their new environment and new beginnings.

I am one happy Mother!

The use of language

Today a friend of mine and I had a discussion of the use of language particularly when it applied to bodily functions.

Needless to say, we were on opposite sides. I personally preferred to use more genteel language as I was brought up that way. It is certainly not lady-like to use such terms as "s h t "now or ever was!

Another friend who was with us must have thought we had lost our minds, discussing such a messy topic!

I'm afraid this friend of mine and I must agree to disagree. I will continue to use genteel language as I am comfortable with that form of communication, while alas, he will probably continue to use his own method of communication!

A visit from my good friends from Toronto

A really nice picture of Sonia!

Margie & Rene - on the little train. We all loved the train.

A fine feathered friend!

At the Discovery Center - Sonia and her pal!

The birthday cake - it was delicious!

Rene and Marg

Sonia with the statue at Pier 8.

August 23/09

The weather was threatening but after trying for more than three weeks to get together for a picnic here in Hamilton, we all decided we would do it no matter what!

Rene, Sonia and Margie arrived at 1 p.m. and we decided to go where there was shelter which was Pier 8. We were lucky and got one of the three picnic tables under the awning near the cruise boat.

We have known each other for about 35 years now, if not more, and are very comfortable together. Sonia and Rene and their three children are from El Salvador originally. I met them when I was taken to their place by a Central American friend Rosa Maria, as they were having some difficulties and I was very involved, at that time, with refugee work. They are a wonderful couple, solid and dependable people whom I am proud to call "friend".

Sonia and Rene brought Chinese Food and a birthday cake for me so we finally got to celebrate my birthday.

After our picnic, we put everything in the car and took the little train around the whole waterfront. They just loved that. Even Margaret was impressed and enjoyed it. She is originally from Denmark and has celebrated her 89th birthday. In January, God Willing, we all will celebrate her 90th!

I took lots of pictures and will have some printed out for Margaret as well as send them via computer to Rene and Sonia. Eunice was ill so she could not come, unfortunately. She would have loved to have come and really was looking forward to it, but alas, she has some kind of bug and could not come.

All in all, a terrific day! Still have to look at my birthday presents which they so kindly brought for me.


How spoiled I am!

Excitement building up and up....

Ah, it has been more than 10 years since I have held a party. I used to do parties very often when I lived in Toronto.

I have booked the party room and paid my money down and now am in the planning stages.

I have a musician booked, a poet, and have put out feelers about other people participating in the entertainment part.

I have this really neat games book and shall do research into suitable games for a mixed crowd.

I already have 5 confirmed guests and I haven't even started inviting people yet.

I love a party!!!!

My adventures at the Dundas Cactus Festival

I really should say, lack of adventure though! I waited till Sunday afternoon to start out on my trek to Dundas as the sun was not directly above and it should be a little cooler by then.

Needless to say, I waited and waited for the 52 Dundas bus which came at 4 p.m. The driver was really nice though and he let me out at Hatt Street and Main and pointed me in the right direction for the Festival. Otherwise, it would have been a very long walk for me.

He also told me to take the bus back on Main Street as they had been rerouted for this occasion only.

He was so very kind and I really appreciated it. I value kindness in people - it is one of the most wonderful traits that a human being can cultivate.

Unhappily for me, the vendors and events were just packing up so really didn't see anything. I did look at one jewellery stand. I asked her if she made them and she said to me that she had tried twice to learn how to make jewelery but was unsuccessful.

I mainly went there just to see prices on jewellery at fairs so I did succeed in what I wanted to do.

Being the very practical persons that I am, I brought my shopping cart (which broke) and a stool to sit on plus my water bottle. I had to wait a very long time for the return bus but I managed to talk to a few people while sitting waiting at the bus stop. Saw some wonderful dogs and their owners and one of them was a St. Bernard. He was up to his owner's waist.

In spite of the heat and the very long wait for the buses, I did enjoy being out among people.

I was delighted to get home though to my nice cool apartment!

The Widow/Widowers Group picnic at Gage Park

This little waterfall is inside the Greenhouse.

Wild roses - a thing of beauty. In Quebec they grew on country lanes and I am so glad to see them here in Hamilton as well.

My tree and I - I love trees and they will be here long after I am gone!

Some of the lovely roses at Gage Park.

Jen, James, Jeff, Carol and Gordon. Picture taken by me.

I am happy to say that it went very well and we had a nice variety of food. Everybody was very congenial and seemed to have a good time.

After we had our picnic lunch, we cleared it all away and then some of us went for a walk to see the flowers and also to the greenhouse. It was beastly hot in the greenhouse so we had to leave there.

Jeff picked me up and brought me home, right to my back door which was a huge help as I had two bundle buggies to carry all the picnic stuff.

He reminded me that it is also the Dundas Cactus Festival this weekend so perhaps I may go on

Saturday or Sunday afternoon.