Go to the Water

For some reason getting up at 4:45 was a choice I made on Sunday. Many factors played into that decision, the biggest was I was hot and wanted coffee. Because it was Sunday, I started off the day by polishing and posting a new blog. As I worked on my computer, I looked out the window and saw this beautiful sight. The picture doesn't do it justice, but I realized the sun was coming up and I was going to watch the day wake up. What a great way to start a Sunday and a new week. I decided that I should make bread, buns and cinnamon buns. It had started to rain, and I always feel like starting the oven when it rains and is cooler. I checked out the freezer and the rhubarb I found was going to be a rhubarb sticky pudding in the near future. I feel so content when I am baking. At this point I am closing in on 11:00. I am realizing it could be a long day.  It seems the older we get the more we talk about what time we do what. Getting up early is for sure a topic of conversation. What type ...

I was just rolling through Facebook as I often do, when this touching post caught my eye. A final request was made by an elementary schoolteacher in Georgia. Before she passed, she asked that instead of flowers that people bring backpacks filled with school supplies to her funeral. Her final request resulted in hundreds of backpacks from friends, family and strangers. Children she had never met will have what they need to shape their future.  At the time of death, people want to do something. Often it is a donation to a charity either identified by the family or of the donor's choice. I have to admit, I am poor at giving to a memoriam, I'm not sure why. But I would certainly buy and fill a backpack. I don't think I am alone when I say, I love creativity. I am also all in when it is for a cause and especially if children are involved.  This woman is leaving a legacy behind. She just wanted to help children as the last thing she did. She had no idea the magnitude of her reque...

I am sure everyone can remember what they were doing on August 31, 1997, when the announcement was made that Princess Diana had been in a terrible accident in Paris and had died from the injuries she had sustained. She and her boyfriend Dodi Fayed were in a high-speed chase to get away from the paparazzi when their vehicle went out of control. They were both killed along with the driver of the car.    On September 6, 1997, Diana's funeral began when her coffin was carried from the palace on a gun carriage by riders of the King's troop and escorted by mounted police. The f uneral started at 9:08 and ended at 3:32. It was 384 minutes long. Two thousand people attended the ceremony. Over 2.5 billion people watched the event on tv.  Diana was dressed in a long-sleeved black woolen cocktail dress which she had chosen a few weeks prior. A pair of black pantihose and black shoes. In her hands was a picture of her sons, which traveled with her and was found in her handbag.  ...

I just made a trip to Saskatchewan. That means 4 hours of listening to the radio. I sing along with the songs, and I catch up on the news. The bit of news that stuck with me was the fact that Manitoba is the second lowest province for being happy. This is not the first time we have been low on the happiness scale. PEI was the lowest and is ranked the unhappiest province in Canada.   Right now, in Manitoba, we have many fires burning. In total 297 fires have started this year. The wind blows relentlessly, we are frequently in an air quality alert because of smoke, and it is extremely dry. The temperature goes up and down the thermometer like a roller coaster. So many people have been evacuated and are unsure of their new place to live or what they may be returning to. I guess those things could create unhappiness.  I understand our unhappiness, but PEI, really!!! I've been to their province it is beautiful. They are surrounded by water how perfect is that. At one point thi...

On Sunday morning at 10:20, I decided to make a pedicure appointment. I made it for 11:00. I knew it was going to be tight with only 40 minutes to shower, get dressed and drive across town, but I did it, with 8 minutes to spare.   Upon arrival I confirmed my appointment, then I grabbed the samples to decide what color of polish I wanted. For me, the process of picking out a color takes approximately 30 seconds. In those 30 seconds I managed to change my mind 4 times. The only stipulation is it is pinkish and has glitter. It is paddling season and pink is the way it is for me.  As I waited another woman arrived and took 3 of the 4 sample rings. She was intense on what color she was going to put on her toes. Clearly, she was not going to pick her nail polish in 30 seconds. We were called at the same time to our chairs, and we sat side by side. And so, it began, a new hour-long friendship. Right from the start, I really liked her because she struggled as much as I did to get...

I wasn't sure what I was going to post this week. I have several drafts started but I couldn't manage to finish one of them. As part of my morning routine, I went through my Facebook feed. I knew it would have something to write about. For some reason my feeds are full of Country Music Stars helping others financially and emotionally. I am one of those people that gets comfort and joy from seeing those pictures.  The one that warmed my heart was Blake Shelton sitting at the cemetery next to Toby Keith's grave. He was singing a song they had written together but they never got to finish it. It was the anniversary of Toby's death, and this is how Blake marked it. I am not sure how the picture was taken or how it hit Facebook, nor do I care. I just thought he was honoring a friend through music. Blake is human and it was clear he was missing his buddy.  During the horrible flood in Texas there were a number of pictures posted of the rich and famous helping out. Many were i...

I know everyone is familiar with the saying, "People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime". I understood what a lifetime meant, but I wasn't sure what a reason nor a season meant in regard to relationships. A little bit of research and here I am sharing what I have learned.     When someone is in your life for a "Reason", it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.  They are a "godsend" to you.   They will help you through a difficulty; guide and support you. They take care of you physically, emotionally or spiritually. Without any wrongdoing on your part, this person will say or do something to bring that relationship to an end. What we have to understand is that our need has been met, their work is done. Your prayer has been answered, and it is time to move on.  When a person comes into your life for a "Season" it is because it is your turn to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace and make you ...

I recently drove south of Brandon at 10:00 AM. I was in no hurry and that was a good thing because I got behind a vehicle going 60 kms in an 80 kms speed zone. As we doodled along a big truck pulls right up behind me. I was hopeful he knew I was not the cause for the speed reduction. Shortly, the slow-moving vehicle turns, and I am now the lead car. I quickly arrived at the speed limit and perhaps even above. For others it must have looked like I was towing the truck behind me, he was so close. I was closing in on another set of vehicles going slow and I knew the truck behind me was not going to be happy. In a blink of an eye, out he goes to pass me, there is oncoming traffic so close I was slowing down to let him in. He's not done; he guns it and passes the car ahead of me as well. He then swoops in between that car and a semi. Now the semi appears to be pulling him he is right behind him. Thankfully, we finally hit the passing lane, and the truck is gone like a rocket. I hope the...

B12 is an important vitamin that your body needs but can't produce. The role of Vitamin B12 in the body is to help make DNA, nerve and blood cells, it is crucial for a healthy brain and immune system.  A  Vit B12 deficiency happens when your body doesn't produce enough intrinsic factor or if you don't eat enough Vit B12 rich foods. Intrinsic factor is essential for Vitamin B12 to be absorbed in the small intestine. You can only absorb Vitamin B12 if you eat foods that are rich in Vitamin B12. Those foods are animal meats, dairy products, eggs and some fortified products such as breakfast cereal. Organ meats such as liver and kidneys are very high in Vitamin B12.  Vitamin B12 deficiency is very common. Speculation is that many people are choosing not to eat read meat. There have been cases of children as young as 6 diagnosed with having a deficiency. This is concerning because with the raging grocery prices buying food high in Vitamin B12 may not be affordable for many fam...