Bibles and Bagels Group Annual Dinner Out

Once a year, our group gets together to enjoy a restaurant meal.  This year, we decided to go to a Thai restaurant in Dundas, Ontario.

It was a good choice as the food was delicious and the servers were very attentive.  We had a table for the ten of us in the back of the restaurant.  There also was another large group there as well.

The restaurant was packed even at 6 p.m.  They must do a tremendous amount of business and I have to give them credit for their cleanliness, especially in the washroom.

It was a fairly dim light in there so my pictures are not the best unfortunately.  This little camera seems to be much more of an outdoor camera than for taking shots indoors.

I arrived late as there was a mix-up between a friend and myself as to where I should stand to be picked up.  Unhappily, we did not connect so I went back home, warmed up and called the HSR to see when the next bus would arrive.  I got the nicest lady who told me on the internet the Dundas bus that goes to Head Street is under the Number 5 line.  She also told me that I can still buy the seniors pass at the Go Station. The bus to Dundas runs only every half hour and then after 7, I believe it changes to once an hour. On Sunday it runs only once an hour, but I am not sure what happens on Saturday.

 My next bus was at 6:30 and it is about a half hour ride to Dundas.  The actual bus is No. 52 and says "Head Street" on it.  It is very confusing to me as there is another Dundas bus which does not go downtown Dundas!  By mistake I got on that one time during the day and ended somewhere in the country. I just stayed on the bus and did not dare get off until it took me back to downtown Hamilton. I saw lots of beautiful country places so it was a good experience in spite of my mistake.

 The lady told me my next bus would be at 6:30. I arrived a little after 7 p.m. at the restaurant..

For those interested who are reading this from other countries, HSR stands for Hamilton Street Railway and is the local bus service.  Most of their buses are accessible and people with walkers, scooters, wheelchairs and 4 feet canes can ride on them for free. I find that a huge plus in their favour.Seniors are also very well treated here in Hamilton, with a bus pass for $18.00 a month, unlimited travel within the Hamilton greater area.  At age 80, seniors get a free pass.

We had a really great time at the restaurant.  I sat next to Janet and we had lots of chuckles.  I handed out my new business card to everybody at the table.

My friend took me home.  My only problem with the restaurant was that it was very noisy as it was so full and I could not hear very well.  However, any restaurant would be the same.

I would recommend this restaurant for its good food and good serving staff.  It is near the corner of King and Sydenham in the downtown Dundas area.  The ambiance is good, the portions a fair size but perhaps a little too expensive.  I think that they charge a little more because it is in one of the more expensive sections of Hamilton to live.

Very nice for a special treat


This is the name of the restaurant and its phone number.

Bangkok Spoon Deluxe
57 King Street West
Dundas, ON
L9H 1T5

Telephone #             905 628-8808      



Have a great day and thanks for dropping by my blog.  Come again when you find the time.

Erster Advent - Advent Celebration

The rain came down, as if poured from a bucket onto people, as they waited for buses to take them to their destinations.

I was one of those people patiently waiting.  I was rewarded after a 15 or 20 minute wait when the Cannon bus arrived. My destination -  St. John's Lutheran Church.

The buses are always less frequent on a Sunday and on some routes do not run at all.  I was late by ten minutes and started up the steep staircase to get to the worship area.  Happily for me, as my old creaky bones were vigorous protesting, the usher saw me and came downstairs and ran the elevator for me. I was really grateful to him, as rain and arthritis do not make a good combination and I was in a great deal of pain.

This service is perhaps the most beautiful one of the year.  For those unfamiliar with the traditions of Advent, in Lutheran, as well as in some other churches, a wreath is made with red candles and red ribbons on it.For those who read this blog from other countries, a wreath is a round circle made of evergreen branches. Some people still use branches from the evergreen tree, but now most people use the wonderfully crafted ready made artificial ones. It is actually safer to use the artificial one as the candles will be lit.

On the first of Advent which was today, the first candle is lit.  Next Sunday will be the next one and so on.  It is meant to be a reminder of the coming of Jesus the Messiah into the world.It is done for four weeks in advance of Christmas.  It is a lovely tradition.

As many people may know, the 25th of December was chosen to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  At that time, Christians were persecuted by the Romans and many died as martyrs.  In order to blend in and not be noticed, the 25th was chosen as it was a date celebrated by the Romans themselves for one of their pagan holidays.

I always think it is interesting to learn why things happen.

The service was long, an hour and a half, but it sped by so fast. among the musical instruments played were a trumphet, recorders, flutes, piano and of course, the wonderful choir.

We sang some of the old favourites hymns  in English, others in German.  I am fortunate that I can sing in both languages which I enjoy doing.  I like going to the bilingual service when it happens as it allows me to stay connected with the German language.  When I was young, I spoke German but gradually I lost a lot of the language as I didn't use it.  In Quebec, where I am from, I went to the Lutheran Church where 3 languages were spoken, English, German and French.That was a little confusing, switching from one language to another. I can handle switching from two languages from the three languages now are beyond my ability.

There was one song sung by the choir which just enthralled me.  It is called "A Caribbean Noel" by Shayla Blake.  The choir outdid themselves there.  It was such a catchy tune and they must have practiced a great deal just to keep the rhythm going.  They were tremendous!

The church was well filled in spite of the downpour.  We were all invited downstairs for refreshments and as they always do, the ladies provided a veritable feast.  It was good to see both men and women serving.

Helpers went from table to table offering choices of the different tortes (cakes of many layers).  Some poured coffee, some served platters of open faced sandwiches, and some replenished the milk at each table.

This was a day that temptation ruled and only the very strong willed were able to resist the scrumptious tortes,

Needless to say, I did not resist temptation but fell happily into the trap of eating such heavenly sweets.

All in all, everybody seemed very contented and happy.  It was all well organized and ran smoothly.

A day to be remembered and cherished.

Thanks for reading my blog.  I wish you a  Joyeux Noel, Merry Christmas, Feliz Navidad, Frohliche Weihnachten well in advance in case you do not have a chance to revisit the blog before the actual celebration.  May your season be happy, filled with family and friends who care for you, and may you remember those less fortunate who have nobody to spend Christmas with.  Some missions to the street people may need help with serving Christmas dinner, some may need help with peeling potatoes.  There is always something willing hands can do to brighten up the corner where they live.

Have a great day!

A presumption of guilt

A presumption of guilt

MY LATEST PUBLISHED STORY

http://howyahdoon.blogspot.com/2011/11/gift-short-story-republished-with.html



Please click on the above link to read the story.  It is about a Canadian soldier returning from Afghanistan, his family and all told from the point of view of a special gift.


I would like to give credit to my German speaking friends as well as my son Kenneth who enlightened me tremendously about our Military Forces.

Thank you so much for all your valuable input.

An eventful day at Jackson's Square

I must say that living downtown certainly makes life very interesting.  I had been to the Hamilton General to visit a friend in the hospital who had fallen and broken her arm.  I stayed at least two hours which is unusual for me, but she appeared to want to visit so I stayed.

In the bed opposite, a young man lay.  Yes, that is correct, I said a young man lay.  I just cannot agree to having men and women in the same room!  This poor fellow had been shot in his own place by some unknown intruders.  Apparently he was brought in late at night.  I hadn't heard about that on the news.

There were two men and two women in the ward.  After the visit, I went back home, checked my email and replied to some, then took my walker and went to Jackson Square.  As I was explaining how I wanted my business cards done to the very nice young lady at Grand N Toy,  I heard a lot of swearing and turned to see a big fellow led out with his hands in handcuffs behind his back.  After paying for my order, I left and walked past the Royal Bank and heard another commotion.  This time I saw a man on the ground in the bank in some distress and making strange noises.  One older lady told me that he had a mental health issue.

Needing a little change from all this commotion, I decided to take my book back to the library and sit in the children's area and watch the market from above. I enjoy doing that for two reasons.  One is that I love being around children and two is that it is fascinating to see people walk downstairs in the market, poking their way through it.  I must have sat there at least half an hour before I left to go and get some fresh vegetables from the market.  I also bought some things at the drug store (food items) and now I am set for another week.

I am so glad that the drugstore has food as the nearest little food market is on James Street South, at Augusta.

Right now, as I write at this late hour of 12:50 a.m., I hear yelling on the street.  I think somebody must be having a little too good of a time!  It does not sound like a threatening noise so I assume some fellows have drank too much and are whooping it up.

Living downtown sure can be an interesting adventure.  There is one fellow who basically has taken over the bench in front of the CIBC.  He sits there with his hat extended or oftentimes he lies there but still with his hat extended.  A friend of mine, Eric, who also was a reporter, told me of his adventures with, shall we call him Richard.  He got a little too close to the bench and it must have disturbed his little nap.  Richard looked up and said to Eric "White devil".  Now Eric is a gentle soul, very kind and soft spoken.  It certainly was not a good description of him!  I spoke to the caretaker of a nearby Church who is downtown all the time and he knows this fellow and has seen him do drugs and drink heavily. He lives in a shelter on James North.  Unfortunately, his abusive behaviour has caused people to toss him out from various places.It is sad really to think of such an elderly man (at least 65 years of age) behaving in such a way.  Where is his dignity?

I often think what has caused people to take such downhill turns in their lives?  What circumstances have driven them to degrade themselves to this state?  Sometimes it may be bad choices, sometimes a job loss and no future employment opportunities, and sometimes it is a choice they make themselves.  I remember in Toronto when I did street work on Friday nights, there was a lady called Victoria.  She was always at the same corner, over the hot air vent.  We got quite friendly and I would go down and visit her.  A Toronto paper wrote up her story, her daughter out in Vancouver happened to see the story, came for her and brought her back to live with her.  However, Victoria did not like the confined life with its rules and regulations and returned to her street vent.  It was her choice. From what I understood from her history, she had once been a nurse at St. Mike's.  I don't know why she ended up on the streets.

Another time, again in Toronto, we found a young girl who had been forced into prostitution by a pimp who told her he loved her.  Unhappily she believed him.  The organization I worked with managed to get her safely away from him and back to her parents in the States.  That was in the 1980's.

The Salvation Army is out with the kettles already collecting for Christmas for the needy and I try to give something every time I go past them.  The Sally Ann does worthwhile work.

Well, on that note, shall close for now.  I am not able to sleep for some reason so went on the computer to amuse myself.

Thanks for dropping by and come again some time.

Shirley Margit Elford

A photo of her taken from her Memorial Service Order of Service

Today, November 20, 2011, a memorial service was held at  Liuna Station for Shirley Margit Elford.

A private family service had been held prior to this public memorial.  Shirley was a well known and much loved Hamiltonian.  She was born on August 4, 1943 and died November 10, 2011.

She had been battling ovarian cancer for several years now with courage and determination.  Her strong faith stood her in good stead in this period of time.  She lived out her Christian  (Lutheran) faith in her daily life and how she treated others.

 Liuna's auditorium was packed with very few seats remaining unfilled.  I will  name a few of Shirley's contributions and achievements here.

     President Women's Art Association of Hamilton
     Chair Art Selection Committee Hamilton Public Library
     Board Memver - Glass Art Society UA
     President Theatre Aquarius
     Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation Board
     Art Gallery of Hamilton Board Member
     Board of Governors - Art Gallery of Hamilton
     Hamilton Community Foundation Board
     Co-chair with Hon. Lincoln Alexander Strengthening Hamilton Community Initiative
     The Women of Distinction (YWCA)
     Woman of the Year in the Arts - City of Hamilton
     The Hamilton Gallery of Distinction.

Shirley's motto which guided her life was "Loving humankind.".

She was a  daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a world famous glass blower, but above all else, she was a loving and caring human being who made friends wherever she went.

I first met Shirley at the former Henderson Hospital in February of 2006 where we were both patients in the Rehab Unit to get our mobility back.  Shirley had had a fall outside in the dead of winter and lay on the lawn unable to get help as her husband  Gerry could not hear her call for help.  By her sheer determination, she crawled from the spot she had fallen and up the stairs to the front door in spite of a broken hip.  

There were two in our room at the time and they made space for Shirley by bringing in another bed.  Nancy, Shirley and I got along very well.  After we left the hospital, we kept in touch by phone and via Facebook.

I remember when her Glass exhibition opened at The Art Gallery.  Her daughters came in and helped her dress and a wheelchair accessible cab took them to the opening night.  In spite of her pain, her determination once again showed through and she was there for the event.

Another recollection of the time we spent together in Rehab was when we both cried together over a sad movie about Alzheimers as both of us had been touched by family members with this disease.  Shirley was a gentle soul but that did not mean she was a pushover!

She got things done and was a respected and loved figure here in Hamilton.  I have never seen so many people come out to a memorial service as I did today.

Let me describe the service.

Piper Jim Stewart played the Lament as we all stood for the beginning of the service. It was so beautiful.  Her brother Bud Sinclair welcomed everybody on behalf of the family.  The Editor of The Spectator, Dana Robbins spoke of Shirley as a Community Leader.  He also gave special mention to Lincoln Alexander, the former Ontario Governor General  who was present.  In fact, he arrived when I did, and I held the door open for him as he was pushed in his wheelchair by his new wife.

There also was music by Michael Mancini and Phil Rose who played and sang, "On Eagles Wings."  It was very well done.

Diane Brokenshire spoke about her long and intimate friendship with Shirley and brought up some humourous things which people seemed to enjoy.

Sarah Gueverra sang one of Shirley favourite songs "Angel".  This young lady sang like an angel and it touched many people.

Ann Elford spoke about her Mom and something that brought tears to my eyes, was when they played Jerry and Shirley's special song that they used to dance to "Perhaps Love."  They were so much in love with each other, sharing life as it came through sickness and health.

I thought this was very endearing when her four grandchildren came up to the front and one of them spoke about his grandmother. Everybody applauded them.

Pastor C. Dechert, a Lutheran pastor whom I know, said a beautiful prayer for Shirley and her family and friends. He is a personal friend of the whole family.

The last word, though was by Shirley herself.  She appeared on the screen and talked to all of us and told people how much she had appreciated us.  At this stage, it was hard not to cry and I saw a lot of people, including men, dabbing their faces.

Amazing Grace was played by Piper Jim Stewart to close off the service and guests were invited into the next room for refreshments.

It has been a very moving day and one I will not forget.

Thanks for reading this blog and I hope I gave you a little glimpse into the life of a good lady who made a difference.

Spiritual Life

reconnect with God, Allah, Islam, spirituality - Beliefnet.com

For an excellent article on staying connected with God on a daily basis, click on the link above.  This physician writes very well and has made some good points.

Enjoy!