Go to the Water

We are not even at the end of the second month of the new year, and I already have learned some new and valuable lessons. The first lesson came the day I went to do a load of wash; I pushed the button and there was nothing. My washer was dead. I have a stackable, and the dryer worked, so there was power. This is my second set of stackable washer/dryer in 18 years. Some of my neighbors are still using the original set that came with the condos. Several years ago, my original poured all of its oil out on the floor, and I got a new set. So, there I stand looking at set #2 and thinking this can't be happening again. I am not a family of 15, it doesn't run constantly, how could it be worn out. I went to a google search and literally found nothing. I decided to put my search aside and have a long phone conversation. I then reworded my google search and this time it said to "unplug" it. Even though my washer didn't have any visible electronics, it apparently did. As I pl...

From February 6th to February 22nd, the Olympic Winter Games are taking place in Milano Cortino, Italy. The Olympics are steeped in history, beginning in Athens in 77 BCE. The revival of the modern Olympics took place in Athens in 1896. The revival was aimed to promote international peace and understanding through sports. There were 280 athletes from 12 nations competing in 43 sports. Since the revival the winter Olympics were introduced in 1924. They have alternated between summer and winter games every 2 years since 1994. This year Canada sent 207 athletes: 108 women and 99 men. This is the first time in history that Canada has sent more women than men. They will compete in 14 sports and 16 disciplines.   The opening ceremonies are spectacular, and this year was no different. When the athletes start to come in all dressed the same, representing their countries, you can sense the excitement. Canada arrives early in the parade of athletes, and I am always excited to see them. ...

I am starting this post with a quote from Jeff Prost, the host of Survivor. He said, "everyone has a story, and once you know their story, they make sense".  When you think about it, the adversities a person faces during their lives, is their story. It is how a person molds and adapts to the challenges that they have faced in their lives that makes their story make sense.    When I worked in Palliative Care, I would often say to a patient, "tell me your story". People's lives are fascinating, and at the end of life, it can be releasing to be given an opportunity to share about their life. As we age, we start to feel like our stories aren't very important. It is just an old person talking about the past. It is unbelievable what some people have been through in their lives. To be given an opportunity to share their story makes them feel like they made a difference, their life was worthy.       Story tellers come in a variety pack. There are good story te...

Today we are putting January 2026 in the past. Anyone that has made the decision to live in the Canadian prairies knows to brace themselves for January. This year, each day seemed to hold its own little weather adventure, most of which were not that much fun. I have to admit I am looking forward to turning the calendar to February.   January is a special birthday month for my family. My Mom has a daughter, a grandson, a great grandson and great granddaughter and now a great great grandson that celebrate their birthdays in January. We are a small family, but one quarter of our family celebrate their birthdays in January, three on one day.  My Irish twin sister turned 70 and we spent some time together that day. She came home from Pheonix to celebrate with her family. She has a grandson and a granddaughter born on her birthday, so why not! I told her that she could check out how being 70 works, and then, when it is my turn in November, I can decide if I am going to do it or...