Go to the Water

I was at the Coop food store by 8am on a Sunday. It was obvious that time of day was very slow for them. What was also apparent was, it was a day for dads to take their tiny daughters grocery shopping. First encounter was in the produce department. This young man and his maybe year-old daughter were having a wonderful time shopping. She had her dress on and her sticky up ponytail on top of her head. She also wore yellow glasses. I decided my best approach would be to watch from a distance as opposed to running over there and gushing. Dad would pick something up; he discussed it with her, showed it to her and then into the cart. I just wanted to watch them and their interactions for the entire time. But I moved on, and lo and behold around the corner was the second dad and little girl. They weren't as interactive, but they were clearly enjoying grocery shopping together.  I love watching girl dads.  Moms are intense when shopping, dads putter more. They make constant references...

I hope that everyone had the pleasure to see the "Centurian Environmentalist" on the weather station. She lives in Vernon, B.C. and is 102 years old. Every day she goes out and "picks up things that shouldn't be there". She said, "humans need to be thinking more about the environment". Everyone in the community knows her. She carries a cardboard sign that says, "May I have a ride". When she gets tired, she simply pulls out the sign and someone takes her home. Vernon has honored her contribution to their city and has named a street after her.  This story just warmed my heart, to think a woman that is over 100 years old is helping her community in such a devoted manner.   In Brandon, we have a woman that also cleans up the ditches. She is certainly not the age of the woman that lives in B.C., but she is in her retirement. She and her bike are seen at various spots in and around the city. She has been doing this for years. She was featured in th...

The definition of someone that putters is that  they move or go in a casual, unhurried way, they are always doing something.  I have some very significant people in my life that describe themselves as someone that "putters". When I watch them, especially when they prepare a meal, they are calm and take their time. The thing that sticks out for me is, they seem to be getting a great deal of pleasure out of what they are doing. They are singing or humming as they work, in a state of contentment.  The opposite of someone who putters is a "go-getter". A go-getter is someone who is very energetic, determined and able to deal with new or difficult situations easily.  I think that would be me. I don't have as much "go" or "getter" as I used to. I guess I am just a "getter". If you are someone who likes to putter, or a go-getter you have to appreciate the other way of doing things. I know I am someone who can "slap" together just ...

A talk show host described society as one that  "Questions Everything". I found her two little words interesting. I have noticed that a simple conversation can develop into a debate about facts, followed by a google search. "Let's look it up" is common in any conversation, which brings clarification and a conclusion to the topic being discussed.   I followed up with my own google search and I loved the information I found.  The article was written by a person that is a "millennial". I pulled the information from his article that I thought explained my point further. Millennials are born between 1980-2004. They are described as having their own political views, wrapped up in technology, diverse and unique. They are also known to be questioning.  Millennials question everything. They have a relentless desire to understand. They are an inquisitive generation. They look forward to the next step to make it better. They like to challenge norms that have been...

I had a lovely time at Moose Jaw at our  cousin retreat. The cousins try to get together once a year and we take turns being the organizer. This year it was my turn; it has been my turn for 3 years. For a variety of reasons, we weren't able to get together, but this year it happened for those that could make it. Moose Jaw should be so proud of how utilized their downtown is. They have embraced tourism in their city, and it is a wonderful place to visit. We enjoyed the newest tunnel experience, "Bunker 24". I would advise if you were going to go on this tour, read up on the Cold War. We went to "Hopkins Dining Parlor", toured the Canadian Forces base and the Yvette Moore Gallery. We spent many hours just hanging out at our B&B and all its beauty.             I took my job as organizer very seriously and utilized our Facebook page to keep everyone up to date. I suggested that everyone bring their "favorite snack". When the retreat members confus...

Today is Mother's Day. A day that mothers are recognized with gifts, cards, flowers and other lovely things. A day to say "Thank You" either through the written word in a card, text, phone call or in person. It's Mom's Day and so much more. For many today is also a day to celebrate a woman that have stepped in for a variety of reasons. A woman that seems to say and do things that a mom would do but isn't your mom. We all have those women that are so special to us and today is the day we think of them.    This day of recognition is incredible if you fit the category of "Mom". Like so many things in life, if the pieces come together, it is wonderful. For many women today is bittersweet, it may be a day to just get through. They will be putting on a brave happy face when inside their thoughts are somewhere else. For some reason life has been unfair and today may be a struggle. Just know you are not alone and it's okay to feel that way.  I just got b...

I am just fascinated with the effects of home remedies. Historically, people didn't have access to health care, and they had to use something to help them feel better. Many home remedies are centuries old yet continue to be effective.   Some members of my coffee group were talking about an old remedy for a cough. It is a mixture  of one tablespoon of each of the following:  lemon, honey and vinegar. Add to a cup of hot water. According to the girls at coffee, rum works as well. I have used honey and lemon but never added vinegar, nor rum. Vinegar is an antibacterial, it can be used as a digestive aid, to dress wounds and for a cough.   If you have a sliver and you can't get it out, soak it out. You can use a variety of things to add to the water such as Epsom salts, peroxide or baking soda. A banana or potato placed over the sliver will also draw it out. Moving on with more tried and true remedies here is one I don't understand but I love it. Put a bar of s...

Recently I have been hearing a knocking sound coming from the back of my vehicle. Even though I pretended it was a normal vehicle sound, I knew it wasn't. I want to clarify something, I absolutely "HATE" dealing with anything related to a vehicle. Even a simple oil change is something that sucks the life out of me, and all I do is show up at the dealership. But as a responsible vehicle owner I knew I had to deal with the current noise, it was not going away on its own.  I had taken considerable time to think of where I would go to get my vehicle repaired. I had decided to move away from the dealership. Getting an appointment there is as hard as getting a doctor appointment. I always want to support small business and so I made my choice of a family-owned shop. Years ago, when I had a car, I took it to this shop. At that time, they had a female mechanic, and I liked that. Any woman that knows more about a vehicle than make, model, license plate and color, is someone I want...