I rarely see a picture that has as much feeling as this one....so had to share. Can anyone be more sincere than this dog????
Monday, December 22, 2008
Bah Humbug Reformed
It has recently come to my attention, that my Blog is rather depressing and pessimistic. Hmmm I hadn't really noticed that.
My holiday spirita have, however, perked up.
Last evening I spent an enjoyable time watching The Christmas Carol (Alistair Sims) and The Gathering (Ed Asner), with my oldest and youngest daughters.
We laughed alot....chatted alot.....ate Chinese food alot.....and enjoyed each others company very much. We even tried to figure out where our family got their sarcastic attitude from....my daughter having asked the Holy Chow man if he was going to mail the food, when he asked for her postal code. Oh well.
I confirmed my feeling that this season is indeed a time for connecting with the people you love, and not worrying about anything else.
To top it off, and get me into more of a Holiday mood, I received a Christmas card and lovely note in the mail from my daughter Jenn in Bolivia. My spirits can not be brighter!!
I look forward to being in church on Christmas Eve and connecting if only in spirit with those whom I love, even though they are elsewhere. I know that they are aware of how very much they are loved, not only at this time of year, but always and no matter where they are. All in all....I am very fortunate and am thankful every day for my blessings. Merry Christmas....to each and every one.
My holiday spirita have, however, perked up.
Last evening I spent an enjoyable time watching The Christmas Carol (Alistair Sims) and The Gathering (Ed Asner), with my oldest and youngest daughters.
We laughed alot....chatted alot.....ate Chinese food alot.....and enjoyed each others company very much. We even tried to figure out where our family got their sarcastic attitude from....my daughter having asked the Holy Chow man if he was going to mail the food, when he asked for her postal code. Oh well.
I confirmed my feeling that this season is indeed a time for connecting with the people you love, and not worrying about anything else.
To top it off, and get me into more of a Holiday mood, I received a Christmas card and lovely note in the mail from my daughter Jenn in Bolivia. My spirits can not be brighter!!
I look forward to being in church on Christmas Eve and connecting if only in spirit with those whom I love, even though they are elsewhere. I know that they are aware of how very much they are loved, not only at this time of year, but always and no matter where they are. All in all....I am very fortunate and am thankful every day for my blessings. Merry Christmas....to each and every one.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Merry x mas or whatever you call it
I'm starting to wonder why we insist on ramming our Christmas traditions down the throats of those who do not really celebrate this religious holiday as one of their traditions. It seems like we lose our common sense at this time of year. One only has to look at the people trampled to death in WalMart to see that there is something basically wrong here.
Crowded parking lots, shopping frenzy, going into needless debt??? All because a child was born two thousand years ago in Bethlehem??? There is quite a disconnect.
The reason I write this post is....that...I received a Xmas card from my newspaper boy. Not just myself...but thousands of Toronto Star customers. I guess "the Star" felt that sending a personalized card from your carrier would make you want to send him a monetary gift at this season. The problem is.....my "paperboy" has probably never spent a Christmas season before in his life. With a name like Mohammed Yusarif....I really don't think that he knows anything about why we celebrate this time of year. Then....why are we teaching him that this holiday, which we so passionately believe in....and celebrate...is just a matter of obtaining money from wherever. Is that how we want other cultures and faiths to see our holiday???
Funny enough....he signed his card...."from you Toronto Star career". At first, I thought they were offering me a job....then...I realized he had just spelled the word "carrier" wrongly.
Yes....there is something definitely wrong with the way we present our beliefs to other faiths and cultures...and for that matter....to our children.
It is, however, not too late to change their perception. At least...I hope not.
Crowded parking lots, shopping frenzy, going into needless debt??? All because a child was born two thousand years ago in Bethlehem??? There is quite a disconnect.
The reason I write this post is....that...I received a Xmas card from my newspaper boy. Not just myself...but thousands of Toronto Star customers. I guess "the Star" felt that sending a personalized card from your carrier would make you want to send him a monetary gift at this season. The problem is.....my "paperboy" has probably never spent a Christmas season before in his life. With a name like Mohammed Yusarif....I really don't think that he knows anything about why we celebrate this time of year. Then....why are we teaching him that this holiday, which we so passionately believe in....and celebrate...is just a matter of obtaining money from wherever. Is that how we want other cultures and faiths to see our holiday???
Funny enough....he signed his card...."from you Toronto Star career". At first, I thought they were offering me a job....then...I realized he had just spelled the word "carrier" wrongly.
Yes....there is something definitely wrong with the way we present our beliefs to other faiths and cultures...and for that matter....to our children.
It is, however, not too late to change their perception. At least...I hope not.
Friday, November 28, 2008
The Christmas Tree Lighting
This probably is not the up-beat kind of post that you want to read.....but it is very necessary that I write it....since I am "reflecting" on this site.
Tonight..I dragged out the well-worn Christmas tree...and it's decorations.
It was with such a heavy heart, that I almost put it away again....but one must keep up the appearances of being happy at this time of year.
Actually, this season was never a favourite of mine...and I have always been more than relieved to have it over with ..for many reasons.
This year will be probably the first year that I will not have my family together....one daughter away with her partner...one having recently moved to Bolivia...and the youngest, wanting to spend Christmas elsewhere for her own personal reasons. In any case...it makes me reflect on Christmases past....and the wonder through a child's eyes of this blessed season.
I remember well the excitement of getting the girls to bed and slowly and quietly putting the gifts from Santa under the tree. More about this process perhaps in another post.
It makes me feel akin to those who spend the season without the comforts of home....and love ones. Those who society has let slip through the cracks...and those who are laden with token gifts and thoughts....one day out of a long year.
In any case...the tree is up...the lights and decorations are on....but it will come down as soon as Christmas is over....as usual.
One bright spot was the annual placement of the nativity scene, on the mantle. A ceramic set that I made 31 years ago, when I was pregnant with my middle daughter. To think that that set has followed me from place to place....for so many years....through so much history....happiness.....sorrow.....through so so much....is a miracle in itself. It is showing the trauma of time....but then again....we all are. God Bless Us...every one.
AARRRGGHHH!!!!!!!
Well....I must admit this blog thing is not coming along as well as I had hoped.
Firstly....I mistakenly put a post in the draft file, which may be there for eternity unless I can figure out how to get it out.
I don't think program writers realize how hard it is for a "non-computer person" to understand the manuals offered. I may as well read it in a foreign language.
In any case....my blog is now public, due to the fact that I cannot figure out how to "invite" people to read it!
I did some research on the word - Reflection....and found the very one that I wanted!
Sherry Swain writes....(have no idea who she is....sorry Sherry) Reflection enables us to evaluate experiences, learn from mistakes, repeat successes, revise and plan.
That is the exact goal that I have here........and now......I will post this before it gets put into that wonderful place called....Drafts.
Come back soon.....stay safe please.
Firstly....I mistakenly put a post in the draft file, which may be there for eternity unless I can figure out how to get it out.
I don't think program writers realize how hard it is for a "non-computer person" to understand the manuals offered. I may as well read it in a foreign language.
In any case....my blog is now public, due to the fact that I cannot figure out how to "invite" people to read it!
I did some research on the word - Reflection....and found the very one that I wanted!
Sherry Swain writes....(have no idea who she is....sorry Sherry) Reflection enables us to evaluate experiences, learn from mistakes, repeat successes, revise and plan.
That is the exact goal that I have here........and now......I will post this before it gets put into that wonderful place called....Drafts.
Come back soon.....stay safe please.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Anonymity vs. Fishbowl
I just returned from two days in Kingston Ontario, visiting the lovely Sarah.
We just "hung out" vegging and watching last season's episode of Ugly Betty.
I am always amazed at how normal people live....outside of Toronto. As one who has lived most of their life in the big city of TO, I tend to be perpetually unaware that there are other ways to pace one's life. Kingston, tends to be a bustling place....with it's many university students....but...it is still a far cry from the hectic crazy pace of Toronto.
It makes me want to look to a quieter, slower lifestyle whenever I visit smaller towns/cities.....and yet, I remember well, how bored I was in the smaller town of Port Elgin.
Not so much bored....because I had two small children at that time...but really trapped in a fishbowl, so to speak.
Perhaps there is a "happy medium" location which would make more sense to me.
Hmmmmmm
We just "hung out" vegging and watching last season's episode of Ugly Betty.
I am always amazed at how normal people live....outside of Toronto. As one who has lived most of their life in the big city of TO, I tend to be perpetually unaware that there are other ways to pace one's life. Kingston, tends to be a bustling place....with it's many university students....but...it is still a far cry from the hectic crazy pace of Toronto.
It makes me want to look to a quieter, slower lifestyle whenever I visit smaller towns/cities.....and yet, I remember well, how bored I was in the smaller town of Port Elgin.
Not so much bored....because I had two small children at that time...but really trapped in a fishbowl, so to speak.
Perhaps there is a "happy medium" location which would make more sense to me.
Hmmmmmm
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
In The Beginning.....
Well.....hopefully I can wrap my head around all the offerings of this blog site.
Please be patient...as this novice will try to get up to speed with the rest of you bloggers and hopefully contribute some "reflections" of interest....or....perhaps not.
In any case....it is going to take awhile....
stay tuned and come back soon.
Please be patient...as this novice will try to get up to speed with the rest of you bloggers and hopefully contribute some "reflections" of interest....or....perhaps not.
In any case....it is going to take awhile....
stay tuned and come back soon.
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