Go to the Water

When I think of the colors of Christmas, I think of the traditional colors of green and red. When I think of Christmas trees, I think of a real fir tree that everyone had when I was growing up. I remember when they started to make artificial Christmas trees, which I might add, looked dreadful. The die-hard real tree people were known to say, "I will never have an artificial tree. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a real tree". Now, not many homes have a "real" tree. The artificial trees are beautiful. They are simple to assemble, as most of them already have the lights attached and ready to plug in. They come in a variety of colors and sizes. I have downsized to a simple 4-foot snow tipped tree that takes approximately 5 minutes to assemble. It doesn't have the meaning a tree used to, it simply brings the glow of Christmas into my living room.    A "White Christmas" is what we are the most familiar with. The song, "I'm dreaming of a ...

My Rolodex consists of the people that I go to for an answer, to connect me with another person, or to give me sound advice. A simple text or email to one of my rolodex people, and I am up and running. When it comes to the point that I have to use my rolodex person, I always do as they suggest. That is the point of spinning my rolodex, to get a sound answer. The thing I really like about my rolodex is whoever I ask, also has a rolodex of their own, and if they can't help me, they may have someone that can. There is always someone that knows what I need to know.  I read a touching comment on Facebook, which was the inspiration for this post. A young lady who was living on her own, called her dad for help because throughout her life, her dad always knew what to do. The dad was obviously touched to be called, and he hoped that his daughter would continue to call him for help and that he would know what to do. Google search and Facebook are places that definitely know what to do. I hav...

From time to time, I use the word "splurge", and on occasion I have heard someone else use it. When I heard the phrase, "we deserve to splurge" I felt like I was missing out on something. I have never put any thought into the fact that we deserve a splurge, but why wouldn't we. The word "splurge" is a universal language, if means you are clarifying to another person that you are aware you spent too much, or possibly didn't need the item, but you really wanted it, and you bought it. You can now relax; you deserve to splurge, and no explanation is required. For me a "splurge" is spontaneous, somewhat reckless. I now know that a splurge can be planned to meet your own goals. It is called " smart splurging". Impulsive splurging is what I am familiar with; it is driven by emotion and often leaves us with a sense of remorse or guilt.  Smart splurging requires thought and is intentional. It starts by putting money away. It's about ...

Today is my Birthday eve, tomorrow I will be 69 years old. As we all know the number that follows 69 is 70. That means in 366 days I will be entering a new decade, and this is my last year in my 60s. I don't think I am looking at my "best before date", but I am thinking about how old I have become and what little effort it took to get there.    I am assuming that turning 70 is going to have an impact on me, and I will need a year to prepare for it. When I say impact, that means I have no clue how it will affect me, but I know how I roll and I'm pretty sure it will be impactful. There is no "age is just a number" in Faye world. When I look at my mom at 91, I think I have a fighting chance. There is longevity in my family as my grandmas were 98 and 96 when they passed away. They also had sound minds for their age, which I am very hopeful I will as well.  Growing up important birthdays are far and few between. Of course, the first birthday is exciting, then the...

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...