Go to the Water

A Death Doula provides emotional, spiritual and logistic support to someone that is dying and their family. Doulas offer a variety of support services. They help with the emotions and fears that are present with an impending death. When possible, Doulas will meet the patient and family prior to hospitalization. Together they make a death plan which includes end of life wishes, memorial services and practical tasks. Doulas are not required to have a medical background but take on the role of advocating for the patient's needs. Following death, they continue to support the families as they navigate their grief.     I am sad I never had the opportunity to work with a Death Doula. I love the thought, that families can have a doula guide them at such a difficult time. What a blessing for the patients to have their own little angel, knowing and doing what needs to be done at the end of their lives.   When I read an article written by a Death Doula, I wanted to share m...

Guyana is a country found on the Northern coast of South America. The entire country has a population of nearly 800,000, which is a similar population to Winnipeg. Guyana is also known as the only country in the world that is self-sufficient in providing all seven of the food groups. The food groups include fruits, vegetables, plant-based protein, dairy, fish, meat and starchy carbohydrates.  China and Vietnam can sufficiently produce six out of seven, followed by Brazil at five out of seven.  Afghanistan, United Arab of Emirates, Iraq, Macau, Quatar and Yemen are not self-sufficient in any of the food group.  About 40% of Canada's total food supply is imported. Vegetables are 50% of our imported food and 15% is for fruit. The cost is $65 Billion annually. This includes fruits, vegetables, seafood and processed food. The reliance on imports is directly associated with seasonal availability and consumer preference. I had very little knowledge as to what and how much import...

For Twenty years now I have been part of "The Time Change". The concept is twice a year in designated areas of Canada; the time would change to either "spring forward" or "fall back" an hour. I have tried to get my head around why someone would think changing the time twice a year is a good thing. My google research states that it started in World War I as a wartime measure to conserve fuel. I have also read that DST allows for earlier daylight hours in the spring. I would like the powers to be to consider a revision on the "Time Change". WWI was some time ago now, conserving fuel is not something that is done anymore. Early daytime hours were needed when farming with horses. With the new farming equipment, they have incredible lights which enables the farmers to work in the fields at all hours. A perfect world for me is for everyone to keep the time they have and work around the darkness.      People that live in Saskatchewan have it made. They ...

This year I decided I would attend the Remembrance Day service in my former community. My sister is very involved in the service there, which is held at the Cenotaph. It was a simple, yet meaningful outside service that represented three communities. Mom at 91, was there wrapped in blankets and a guilt. We are not sure, but we think she has attended about 70 Remembrance Day services. She was one of three 90-year-old people at the cenotaph. Following the service, we went to the Legion for coffee and donuts. What a flashback to my childhood. We enjoyed a short program and then beef on a bun. As always, the Legion members made sure you were well taken care of.   In 1942 when Dad was 20, he left his home for the first time and joined the Army. He spent time in Quebec and then went to Dunderin for advanced training. From there he went overseas to Scotland and England, followed by Africa and Italy. His job was to truck fuel to the tanks. Growing up Dad didn't share many war stories,...

I heard on the radio that many people use November as the month to reset. It is a time to declutter and deal with things before the year ends. The announcer was initiating interaction with her listeners and wanted them to post what they called their clutter spot and what they do to manage that area.   People with clutter zones often give them a pet name. My friend said that all her bills and uncompleted forms are in the same box which she calls her "Action Plan". According to her there are various levels of the plan, but it is all in the same box waiting for action. I have a " Command Center" which I stole the name from my dear friend. My command center is not as grand as hers, but one none the less. So, my pet names are the "command center" in my laundry room; the table is the "landing pad" for things that have reached their expiry date and have to be dealt with. The "holding pen" is the bowl on the table, which periodically gets clean...

History was unfolding on Saturday evening, November 1, when the Toronto Blue Jays had a chance to win Game 7 of the World Series, something they had not done since 1993. The Jays took an early lead and held it for several innings. A Dodger home run changed the game to a tie which led them to extra innings. A broken bat and two out on one play ended the hopes and dreams of the Blue Jays and our nation to win the World Series. The 32-year drought continues.    It all began in 1977 when Toronto was going to join the MLB. The team needed a name and the organization opened up a contest and received 30,000 submissions. From those 4,000 were unique and were turned over to a panel of 14 judges. They submitted a list of 10 finalists to the new club's board of directors. "Blue Jays" was selected as the name that Toronto's Ball Club would use.   One of the most common names submitted was the Toronto "Blues", but it was already being used by the University of Toronto.  ...

I am a meeting nerd, yes, I enjoy meetings. I like to come together as a group and make a plan. My favorite part of a meeting is how people share personal stories to make a point. At a recent meeting, that very thing happened. The discussion was about the benefits of exercise after having breast cancer. A friend shared that when she had reached her 5-year breast cancer free anniversary, she asked her doctor what she needed to do to stay that way. His response was, "promise me you will do 150 minutes of exercise every week". Another woman went on to say, "150 minutes of medium to high intensity exercise a week, lowers reoccurrence by 55%". It was like time stood still as I processed the fact that two and half hours of exercise a week is not only a good way to stay healthy, but it is saving lives of breast cancer survivors.   In 1996 the first Breast Cancer Dragon Boat team was developed by Dr. Don McKenzie. All members of the team were women with a history of breast ...

I have written about women and friendships many times, and here I am again. There are lots of catch words to describe friendships such as being in someone's tribe, BFF, sista or in a sisterhood. Some women have a large circle of friends, whereas other women are content with one dear friend that is there through every aspect of her life.    Every time the gals from my paddling team get together it is a celebration. We call it a practice, meeting, volunteering or whatever we choose for that night. But, in reality it a celebration of friendship and survival. Some of those friendships started in 1999 and others are only a couple of years old. Maybe it is the stories, but it seems like we have known each other for a much longer time. This group emulates sisterhood, and it is an honor to be part of it.    If I had to advocate for something, it would always be the strength of a woman. Women have learned how to be adaptable. Through their entire lives a woman's body goes thr...

I seem to get inspiration for posts when I am driving and listening to the radio. That is where this post came from. I heard Jelly Roll speaking and he said, "give to the least". If he is singing, he is sharing his inspirational words between songs. He uses any platform he can to send a message.  When he was at an awards show he took his time on the stage to say to the crowd, "I realize that I am standing here because people took time with the least". Jelly has a deep faith, and he continued on to say, "the world is hearing about Jesus like they haven't in decades. There is a revival happening in the United States where you can't go on a corner and not hear about Jesus. Now go get 'em Jesus. Go feed the poor, go visit the ones in jail, we are done talking, it's time to show".  Jelly Roll knows how to give to the least. He gave $200,000 to the detention center where he had spent time as a youth. The money was used to build a music  studio. J...

I am not a bird lover by any means. I am not entertained by watching the birds at the feeder or the cute little hummingbird drinking the red water. My Dad's family can be described as a walking talking bird book. I do not have the same passion. My choice of birds would be the big birds. For me, they are teachers and we can learn from them. I think we would all agree that the e agle is the most majestic bird there is. When an eagle is spotted it commands our attention, for some reason we feel a connection with them. It is rare to ever see more than one eagle at a time, because "Eagles Soar Alone".   An eagle presents as a fearless bird; nothing will hold them back. They are known as guardians of the sky, soaring high above keeping a watchful eye on the world. They are unique in that they are the only bird that loves a storm, they will fly fearlessly into it. Their wings are designed to allow them to ride the current, rising higher with very little effort. Once they get abo...