November 29, 2011

Twenty- Five Shopping Days Until Christmas.




I often wonder what this fascination with counting down 'till Christmas is all about. Don't these people know that the whole season flies past for us older folks? Why on earth can't people savor these things???? Give me time to take a look at the old tree and decide if I want to buy a real one or a new artificial tree. Do I want to get a sweater for the dog or a slicker? What can I get for the grand-kids? My kids? My close friends? The weird thing is when you and I figure all this out it will probably be within seconds of our last breath. 'Kids your Mom has found out something important.' Every one draws near and you or I breathe our last puff of air. I think what I am saying is this; none of it counts a fig in the Big Picture! What counts is the way we celebrate Christmas.

Which leads me to this bone of contention. Christmas is ....now wait for this brain storm....entirely too commercial. I absolutely rue the day some idiot shortened the word Christmas to Xmas. To me that is absolutely sacrilegious. Come on folks show a little respect. Christmas is literally the Mass of Christ. Hello people! We are still in a Christian country. Those who are citizens or legal immigrants; whose traditions and faiths come from another culture, you know you are welcomed to celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or Eid Al Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice in this country. However, remember also that the Christian traditions of Christmas should take precedence outside of your home or places of worship. Nor is it good manners, for instance, to give those who man the Salvation Army Kettles dirty looks just because they say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays in their own Christian country.

T
his celebration isn't about Walmart, the Grinch, or how much loot you get on the morning of the 25th. It is about THE BABE IN A MANGER IN BETHLEHEM. I am not against the different Christmas animations or stories like 'A Christmas Carol'. Nor am I against all the lovely customs that come with this time of year from Canada and from other lands; but let us remember that this day is to celebrate Jesus Christ's birthday in this country of Canada.

My last pet peeve is this. Every year the magic goes out of Christmas a little more for our children at an increasingly younger age. Why are people so anxious for children to grow up so fast? Heck, the other day I saw a girl no older than 7 getting her eye brows plucked in a ladies salon, on television. It is crazy and foolish the way the media, parents and peers seem to take joy in ripping away a girl's or boy's childhood. Things like the wonder and magic of the Christmas story, friends and family together for their Yuletide feast, Saint Nick's visitation, including a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, and the caroling services at churches across the land on Christmas Eve or Day seem to be fading into the past. Put a little time into starting or maintaining some lovely old Christian traditions.
Please stop the insanity and help a child stay in their childhood for another year. Keep your big mouth shut!

Now I am going to close my mouth and let you maul over my words. In any case remember the Babe, the reason we celebrate, and enjoy this season.

November 20, 2011

Funny Situation.


Last year at this time I was celebrating the American Thanksgiving. This year, as I am in my own country once more; I celebrated Harvest Home or Thanksgiving here in Canada this past October 10th. So I begin this blog by extending a hearty 'Happy Thanksgiving' to our southern neighbors.

I feel that I am in a 'funny' or unique situation. I watch all that is going on around me and realize that I am one of probably many; that won't be spending Christmas with their children. One of my children is far away, another
still isn't speaking to me; as they haven't for at least the last 12 years and the last is having personal challenges. So no grandchildren climbing on my knee.

When I was young and right up to my thirties, my siblings and I and our respective families always spent Christmas with our family. That is with my Mom and Dad. Now that both our parents are gone, we don't get together and that saddens me a great deal. The traditions that went with our Christmases past seem to have disappeared. The promise and hope that they came with those traditions have become invisible.




All this brings me to this clear and obvious point. When you have an opportunity to have good times with family and /or friends enjoy them because you never know when they will end. Think hard and long; as to who are the important people in your life. Once you decipher who are the main folks for you; make sure that they feel their importance all the time, not just on holidays. I can tell you one thing for sure, hindsight is always better than foresight. But if you think before you act, you may be fortunate enough not to have that running through your mind a few years from now.

The other thing that has come to mind about relationships and the holidays is this idea. If you want to give something to someone you love and don't have much dough then use your imagination and think of something nice you can create for them. Better something from the heart than nothing at all! Whether you give them a piece of clothing or a an ornament
you make or write a poem or short story; it will be appreciated as you are giving of yourself. Don't leave things till the last minute; whether store bought or homemade gifts are given. Be ahead of deadlines in all projects or you will be feeling bad because Sue got hers and Jane didn't. Most of all enjoy all the time you spend shopping or creating for or visiting with your special people. Be good company when you are with the folk that are so dear to you. That way you will probably have a chance to see them on the next occasion.

Last; but not least, don't whine about all the things that didn't happen last year or the conflicts that did etc. Stay in the moment and give of yourself without being a miser or placing limitations on the occasion, the people or yourself.

Note: Believe when I say that I wrote that last bit for myself as much as you folks!

November 11, 2011

Lest We Forget.


In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.




November 9, 2011

An amazing photo by Brian Jason Bedford



I think this is so necessary especially in these times of recession. I believe that people should have this in mind before they make any decisions. They just may make fewer decisions that damage their relationships with others. It might also encourage people to ask the opinions of those who will be affected by their decision. It would probably make everyone happier; if we could all follow through on what we say or promise more often than not.

October 28, 2011

Spooks and Spirits Time!



Halloween for most of us who have had children was the time of year for collecting candy and playing small harmless pranks; thus the expression "Trick or Treat". It is when the Catholic Church and some Protestant churches celebrate the lives of all saints, known and unknown. The eve of All Saints is known as All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. All Saints Day is November 1. On All Saints Day, we celebrate these saints of the Lord, and ask for their prayers and intercessions. The idea of All Saints Day is tied to the concept of the Communion of Saints. Catholic and Orthodox Christians believe that the saints of God are just as alive as you and I, and are constantly interceding on our behalf. Remember, our connection with the saints in heaven is one grounded in a tight-knit communion. The saints are not divine, nor omnipresent or omniscient. However, because of our common communion with and through Jesus Christ, our prayers are joined with the heavenly community of Christians.

However, most protestant Christians do not celebrate this day as Hallows Eve but as Halloween. Halloween is an annual holiday observed on October 31, which commonly includes activities such as trick-or-treating, attending costume parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.

Some folklorists believe its origins to be in the Roman feast of Pomona celebrating the goddess of fruits and seeds. The festival of the dead called Parentalia, more typically linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain. The name of the festival historically kept by the Gaels and Celts in the British Isles is derived from Old Irish and means roughly "summer's end". Later Irish, Welsh, and Scottish folklore use it as a setting for supernatural encounters; but there is no evidence that it was connected with the dead in pre-Christian times, or that pagan religious ceremonies were held. The Irish myths which mention Samhain were written in the 10th and 11th centuries by Christian monks. This is around 200 years after the Catholic church inaugurated All Saints Day and at least 400 years after Ireland became Christian. The word Halloween was first seen in the 16th century and represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All-Hallows-Even or evening. Although the phrase All Hallows is found in Old English, All-Hallows-Even is itself not attested until 1556.




All the Halloween symbols are taken from many sources, including national customs, works of Gothic and horror literature and classic horror films. Among the earliest works on the subject of Halloween is from Scottish poet John Mayne in 1780, who wrote about pranks being pulled at Halloween. Robert Burns' Halloween 1785 made the idea of ghosts and ghouls running around on Halloween quite popular. Elements of the autumn season, such as pumpkins, corn husks, and scarecrows, are also prevalent. Homes are often decorated with these types of symbols around Halloween. The carving of jack-o'-lanterns springs from the souling custom of carving turnips into lanterns as a way of remembering the souls held in purgatory. The turnip has traditionally been used in Ireland and Scotland at Halloween; but immigrants to North America used the larger, more available, native pumpkin. The American tradition of carving pumpkins is recorded in 1837. It was originally associated with harvest time in general, not becoming part of the Halloween celebration until the mid-to-late 19th century. Other Halloween symbols include death, evil, the occult, or mythical monsters. Black and orange are the holiday's traditional colors.

Trick-or-treating is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, "Trick or treat?" The word "trick" refers to a "threat" to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. In some parts of Scotland children still go guising. In this custom the child performs some sort of trick, like singing a song, or telling a ghost story, to earn their treats.

The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays dates back to the Middle Ages and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of souling, when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls' Day (November 2). This tradition started in Ireland and Britain, although similar practices for the souls of the dead were found as far south as Italy. Shakespeare mentions the practice in his comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593). In Scotland and Ireland, Guising is a traditional Halloween custom. It is recorded in Scotland at Halloween in 1895 where masqueraders in disguise carrying lanterns made out of scooped out turnips, visited homes to be rewarded with cakes, fruit and money. The practise of Guising at Halloween in North America is first recorded in 1911, where a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario reported children going "guising" around the neighborhood.

American historian and author Ruth Edna Kelley of Massachusetts wrote the first book length history of the holiday in the U.S; The Book of Halloween (1919.) Americans have adopted these practices. They are making this an occasion something like what it must have been in its best days overseas. All Hallowe'en customs in the United States are borrowed directly or adapted from those of other countries.The earliest known use in print of the term "trick or treat" appears in 1927, from Blackie, Alberta, Canada. The thousands of Halloween postcards produced between the turn of the 20th century and the 1920s commonly show children but they are not trick-or-treating. Trick-or-treating does not seem to have become a widespread practice until the 1930s, with the first U.S. appearances of the term in 1934, and the first use in a national publication occurring in 1939.

Halloween costumes are traditionally modeled after supernatural figures such as monsters, ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. However; with the passage of time, the costume selection extended to include popular characters from fiction, celebrities, and generic archetypes such as ninjas and princesses. Costuming became popular for Halloween parties in the US in the early 20th century. Just as often for adults as for children. The first mass-produced Halloween costumes appeared in stores in the 1930s. Halloween costume parties generally fall on, or around, 31 October, often falling on the Friday or Saturday prior to Halloween.

Because the holiday comes in the middle of the annual apple harvest, candy apples or toffee apples are great Halloween treats made by rolling whole apples in a sticky sugar syrup, followed by rolling them in nuts. At one time, candy apples were commonly given to children, but the practice stopped fast because of widespread rumors that some individuals were embedding items like pins and razor blades in the apples. While there is evidence of such incidents, they are quite rare and have never resulted in serious injury. However; many parents assumed that such horrible practices were going on because of the mass media. At the peak of the hysteria, some hospitals offered free X-rays of children's Halloween hauls in order to find evidence of tampering. One custom that persists in modern-day Ireland is the baking of a barmbrack. This is a light fruitcake, into which a plain ring, a coin and other charms are placed before baking. It is said that those who get a ring will find their true love in the ensuing year. This is similar to the tradition of king cake at the festival of Epiphany.




Notice: All information for this article was taken from Wikipedia.

Experiencing God!


I feel as though I have been traveling for most my life. Well of course, I have physically moved from place to place; but my spiritual journey is more what I am contemplating.

These days it doesn't seem as though people like to hear you say anything about your faith; but at this time in my life particularly I am not very interested in keeping myself aligned with the status quo. I am more concerned with my relationship with the Almighty. I want to make it clear; that what I am about to say, has nothing to do with Jim Carey, George Burns, or any other Hollywood idea of the divine. Sometimes, I wonder if all the speculation, comedy, sarcasm, and inappropriate drama around the subject, from that quarter, isn't doing more harm than good. But that is another subject entirely. Not even going to broach that one.

At present, I am involved in a bible study; that talks about how we humans can go about really 'experiencing' God. I have learned so far that a lot of my ideas were sort of impractical and unfounded in a lot of ways. For instance, the word servant has always meant to me a
person employed by another, especially to perform domestic duties or a person in service of another. This isn't a workable definition when it comes to a the reality of our relationship with God. To be a servant of God is quite another thing. God tells us that He does His divine work through us. That we can do nothing, for him, on our own. Not even, Jesus does anything on his own. The Father works through Him as he he works through us. This is illustrated in John 5: 17, 19-20. Well that is one of the paths I am taking spiritually in my life at present.

On a less theological note, I wanted to say in this blog; that I am taking the sidebar update off my blog today. Having it on a site that I see many times a month does not help me
forgive and forget these people. I will leave it on the other site as I have rewritten it to be a little less mean spirited. It has to be out there; as a sort of warning to others who find themselves on their own.


Note: The book 'Experiencing God' by Henry & Richard Blackaby and Claude King is the one I am in the studying within a group.


October 16, 2011

Fighting the Battle!

Just got back from worship service. I know I don't usually talk about my faith on my blog but today I am going to touch on a few things I think and believe. The Pastor's talk was all about which battles to choose and who chooses them. She pointed out that our battles belong to the Lord and all of them needed God's strategy. (Joshua - chapters 5 and 6 )

Well my discovery for today is this: Most of my battles are the kind that I have to let go of now. I cannot keep digging t
hem up and dusting them off. That is like saying to the God of my understanding; "Father, you didn't do a good enough job in fighting for me in the first place!" Every day in every way it is becoming more and more clear that there is a God and I am not Him. I must recognize that He did do a great job from the start. He could not have helped it. He is omnipotent and therefore perfect in everything He does. All that I can or should do is follow His guidance and all the good results in my life; are ultimately to His glory.


Life is not boring. It is up to us to be enthusiastic and make the most of the day! The God of my understanding wants me to be Joyful and in the moment!

Okay having said that, with His help, I have resolved to be less timid when I want to do something, curious enough to explore, a little more aware of all the talents that He has given me, and be Joyful in living life!


October 10, 2011

Thankful But In Pain.




First Canadian Thanksgiving I have had in a decade. Friday passed without a hitch, thank goodness. Saturday passed quite uneventfully until my niece and sister picked me up around 5:30 pm to go out for dinner and to the Observatory. We had a lovely dinner at Swiss Chalet. But it was quite exorbitant considering the food was the same as in the 90's and the noise factor was far too loud for comfort. We finally arrived at the Observatory around 8:30 pm. It took us another 10 minutes to get from where we parked to the Observatory entrance. When we got to the door the guide told us we had to go to another building to get tickets. While my niece went to get the tickets, my sister and I waited on the lawn for her.

When she returned she told us th
at it was not accessable to those who had disabilities. So my sister and I couldn't go but we encouraged my niece to go ahead. We waited about half and hour and she came back and said that it was going to be another hour till she would get in there to look through the telescope. She decided to go for a refund; which the girls in the other building gave her. Needless to say we were all glad to get back to the car. My niece had a hard time turning around on a undersized "2 lane dirt road". We finally made our way out of there.

The thing is this. When my niece went to the site for this Observatory which houses one of the largest telescopes; if not the largest, in North America she was sort of disappointed. The design of the site is very poor and the information limited. If some American concern was trying to tell people about the site, you can be sure that it would have fireworks on a video and they would be bragging about their telescope like crazy. Now, there is nothing wrong with th
at is there? So how come we Canadians are so overtly modest about the neat things we have in our country????

Okay, yesterday morning my housemate upstairs went to hospital from church as she was in pain with a digestive condition. I often watch the television upstairs but her dog wanted out so I put her on her outdoor leash. It came time to bring her in after night had fallen naturally. Yours truly took a header onto the cement steps after tripping on the dog's leash and a hose that had been left in the same vicinity. I think I strained my all ready arthritic legs and my left arm so that will take awhile to heal. However I scraped my face up a bit and that isn't comfortable either. What I dislike about it, is peop
le notice and then ask me what happened. If I hadn't scraped up my face there wouldn't be any questions. However, one of the gentleman downstairs helped me out by giving me first aid which I though very gallant.

Today I went with my friend for breakfast and spent the rest of the day around home but away from the front steps. I used
the side door as an extra safety measure.




Again, Happy Thanksgiving folks!

September 28, 2011

Three Thoughts

I have three thoughts to cover today aside from this one. I am missing my kitties; Morin and Teddybear. Now for my three cogitations, here goes!



I feel as though the time has come to just go ahead and forget what has gone before June of 2011. I won't forget the lovely memories I have made. However; I will strive to forget all the negative people, things, and the nightmare that was part of my experience at the end on Long Island. There is nothing to be gained in their remembrance. I am working everyday to make my space a positive environment for Dylan and myself. It is important to feel comfortable where we live. So I am trying to decorate it so it feels like our own home. I do need a dresser, a bookshelf and a display case or cabinet; so I am on the look out for somethings that will do the job.

On to the second thought. I really enjoy the net but sometimes one can chat too much and the real world suffers. I do know some people that have absolutely ignored important messages I have sent them. I believe we have to keep the real world and the virtual world in perspective. It is very important to do this, just so one doesn't read too much into what people say on a chat, message system or phone.
Beware also of scam artists trying to rip off your identity; whether they are people you think you may know or not. Report any bogus banks and financial institutions you get in your email as well. Having said that I have a lot of good honest old friends online and enjoy chatting with them often.




The last and third thought is about the winter 'garden' I propose to grow. I want to put up a shelf on my insulated basement window so I can grow some simple pots of Rosemary, Basil, Thyme, Cherry Tomatoes and some sort of greens. I need salads and zing in my diet. I may even want to grow some chickweed. I am also looking for any articles on 'spelt'. One of my dearest relatives has told me that baking with 'spelt' and substituting it for bread would do a great deal of good for my health. If anyone has done this please leave a comment and website source with it.

Well that is all for this posting. See you again in October.


Note: The young baker was supplied with oven mitts so he would not burn his paws.

September 12, 2011

Brunch!

This past weekend brought all kinds of surprises!

I thought that I was going to succumb to pneumonia before Thursday
night ended. But alas! I was even more miserable with the same flu-like symptoms the next day. My friend and landlady had her hubby drop off a bottle of ginger ale and subsequently she dropped off some Fowlers; aka Dr Fowlers, on Friday and the makings of Lemon Balm Tea on Saturday. By Saturday night; after being looked after through all the symptoms of this illness by my in house friend and the other lady above, I was actually feeling better.




Well the point of all this is I ended up
being able to keep my brunch date on Sunday with my family. My second oldest sister, niece, and sister by marriage that live here in my area and I were brunching with my third oldest sister on her yearly trip from her home in Australia. I had not seen

her in person for over 20 years. She looked remarkably young and much the same as I remember her. We do keep in touch but nothing is better than being face-to-face.

All of us went to a restaurant I had not heard of before. It is part of a chain in Canada called Cora's. They only serve breakfast. The establishment serves a lot of luscious, fresh, fruit along with the usual bacon and eggs. They open at six in the morning and close at four in the afternoon. Their menu is gargantuan. Everything was absolutely delicious. We all had a lovely time together. I just wish that my visiting sister and I had been able to have more time to ourselves; but time constraints and a busy schedule made that impossible. Perhaps next year will be different now that I live in the same area as everyone else. At any rate, it was lovely to see her.

The occasion also gave my dog, Dylan a chance to shine. Unfortunately, I had to go back to my niece's place for a second time. Suffice to say, I had to walk with him over to 'hear the Boxer and the Dandie Dinton bark' after I had already been dropped off after brunch. I'd left my purse in my sister-in-law's car like an addle-brained old aunt. She drove 6 to 10 miles just to return me my handbag. Even though she has a cat, she seemed quite taken with Dylan; when she met him
on her second trip. I was extremely surprised when she drove Dylan and I to the park across from my home in her nearly new Hyundai. My visiting sister stayed home to pack for her plane trip this morning. By the end of the day, I was still full and definitely ready for bed.

Unfortunately for the week of September 12th to the 18th the flu came back with a vengeance on Tuesday! So now I have been sick up to this past Saturday. (Sept. 17th) and just feeling better again. Maybe this time I can truly declare - 'This too shall pass!' - with conviction.

N
ote: Every animal pictured in this article is owned by one of my siblings, my niece, or myself. The Labrador-German Shepherd mix lives in Australia, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier lives with my niece and sister along with her Boxer in this area, as does my sister-in-law and her Bengal Cat, and of course Dylan, my precious Pomeranian.
*By the way the stats ran dogs 4 and cats 1; but I wouldn't worry for the cat folks....Bengals are extremely powerful.

September 2, 2011

Pleasant Visit

I am lucky enough to have some lovely relatives left on this old earth. I spent a wonderful afternoon this past week with my niece and sister. Let me tell you, the latter lady makes a mean macaroni salad (hmmm...try to say that real fast a number of times in a row). We had amazing banana bread with coffee when I arrived and then had lunch around 1pm. They have a lovely garden and my niece maintains it very well. It was quite mild so we ate in the garden. As usual my sister and I reminisced together over incidents that happened long ago. Here I am, to the right, in their garden; with Dylan, my Pomeranian.

Midweek the three of us visited Richmond Hill Public Library. Now there is an impressive building. I went up the elevator to the upper floors and looked out the windows. No word of a lie - I could see downtown Toronto. I was shocked to see a little kiosk on the main floor just inside the turnstiles. They sold coffee, tea and pastries. I guess its all part of the libraries attempt at trying to win back customers from the internet coffee bars and the internet in general.

Don't get me wrong. I love my P.C. I love posting on my blogs, working on my writing projects, and maintaining all my websites. But; I hope the day never comes when we don't read books, research in the library, and appreciate the written word printed on actual pages. Here is something really important to remember. If you drop a Kindle, while in the tub it's 'kindling'; but if you drop in a paperback then it will usually dry out.

Note: Got driven to the Ontario Service building to deal with health insurance. I won't be able to use OHIP until the month of December! Oh well just keep me in your prayers so I won't have accidents or get sick until after January.
*My sister is coming to visit people here in North America...sure will be nice to have her visit me before she goes back to Australia! *

August 24, 2011

New Perspective

I, Dear Readers, have decided not to rail on anymore about my problems. I have made a decision to only write and try to think about what happens in my life that is positive for at least the next 2 or 3 months. So if there are not many posts in that time you will understand. I don't have anything to write about! Honestly though; I believe that should make my perspective sunnier. I know that I can't go into winter with this frame of mind or it just may turn into a very long, cold, depressing time.

So, in this happier frame of mind; I tell you that my friend in New York has said she has sent some more boxes of my possessions. My little dog Dylan continually is a source of fun and joy to me. I have a few new friends here along with the couple I have known for more years than any of us care to admit. I often have very int
riguing and interesting conversations with these people and that is what I missed when I have been alone. I have enjoyed arranging my lovely buttercup yellow (yech) room quite nicely; although there is more to do to make it even more comfortable and homey. That is all good and positive!






I am going to a barbecue with my friend Ardelle on the weekend; which should be fun. We also intend to go to a backyard picnic after the Sunday service. I am enjoying church again every week and going to another kind of meeting semi-regularly. I am getting more work on the net daily. My spirit is getting lighter by the hour since I made my decision. Never know; I just may be dancing a jig soon.

Note: Got my 5th box from New York on Friday; but still waiting on the 4th. Glad to see the 6th box turn up Monday/today! Looking forward to the 7th box with all my cds and dvds that she said she would send. However I am still waiting on the 4th box.

August 20, 2011

Hauntings.

Not by ghosts or spirits, but memories that are sometimes hard to take and sometimes welcome for a while. Still trying to get over the horrible nightmares that come with loss of any kind. But it will take time, patience and prayer.

I just wonder why I let people push me around sometimes. I think it is in my nature to try to make peace with people and to always think of how that other person must feel. The trouble with that way of thinking is I quite often end up getting burnt in some
way.

Since 2001, I have lost nine people close to me; including my Mom, Brother, Husband and Roommate and Friend. Quite a few of those close to me have terminal illness or conditions, and it is a matter of time before they are gone. I wonder why God doesn't prepare us for this earlier in life so it isn't so devastating every time it happens. The loss of the ones I love is the hardest part of my life to accept.



But almost as hard is the loss of home and possessions. I wonder why people, when they are involved in dealing with others don't think in terms of 'how would I feel if this happened to me?' or more towards the idea of 'treating others as they would like to be treated'. If we are put in a position to view someone as a friend or acquaintance one minute and a stranger the next; it is a wonder that we aren't all grasping, money grubbing and mean by nature.

We never get over the loss of someone we love or anything for that matter; but we can learn to live with it hopefully and not let it haunt us.



Note: Please leave your opinions on this subject or any other of my blogs in comments below each posting.

August 4, 2011

Just Let Me Get Through This!

Well folks I am here and I am still standing. I do want to begin to live life to the fullest once more. It will be and is different than before I met Dennis or Tommy. I pray I can get back to feeling like my old self again. After all that has and hasn't happened; it is going to be very hard to get back to 'normal'. It was a temporal and a financial impossibility for me to move all my things back here to Canada. As a result I have very few of my possessions left.

The one thing that would make life easier on me here, would be having a car. Unfortunately, buying a car is out of the question; much too expensive. Things would go better if I had my own transportation. I could go and get my health insurance, social insurance and Ontario drivers' license set up. Nothing is central here; that is to say the health is in one place, then 10 miles up the road is the social insurance, and the license is somewhere else.




I have had a lot of nightmares about the sad, horrible way, my late partner Dennis died. I am kind of hurt that I was not able to say goodbye to him properly. He did not have a real funeral or memorial service to my knowledge while I was there - ten days after his death. I have woken up in a cold sweat, a lot of nights lately. I find myself very angry at a lot of people for the course of events after his death. E
veryone seemed to think a person my age, should be able to somehow read minds. That I should be able to 'get on with it' better than those who had been with their loved one for a longer period of time. Truth is that Dennis and I knew each other for over 6 years before we got together.

Then; if I am lucky enough to fall back to sleep, I end up dreaming about my late husband Tommy and his last days on this earth. The fact that I was not able to bring a lot of the many things that were given to me by my parents, siblings, children, Tommy and Dennis; is very hard to take.

Thank God; one kind person who was close to Dennis, has promised to send a few of my possessions to me. Of course I am paying the postage for the boxes; as I should.

Modern life is obviously not built to accommodate death, widows, or other loved ones. When someone dies, the consensus seems to be that the person's death is an outright inconvenience. That anyone really close to them must be 'dealt with' rather than comforted.
Kind of makes me wonder about the 'human condition' or is that the 'condition of humans'?

I really don't know how the God of my understanding is using this mess to teach me; but I wish he would get on with it. This situation has been going on since I got here on May 25th; but more so since around June 13th. I thought these were supposed to be our golden years; when my partner and I would live out our lives in relative comfort. Makes you kinda wonder what on earth all the struggles throughout life were all about.

Ah well. I will have 'it' back together soon. It is that, just for the moment I have forgotten where I put 'it'.


Note: I got 3 boxes from New York. Hope to receive at least 4 or more.

July 26, 2011

Just A Thought


The World is filled with so much good,
That brings us joy and pleasure,
But true fulfillment only comes...
When Christ, we love and treasure.




I am God's kid and have many different aspects to my personality. Any time I try to be the best I can be, I feel I am doing the God of my understanding's will. He guides me along my life's path every day. When someone suggests I do something in my life; be it big or small, I feel compelled to get His guidance.

I have an inquiring mind even now at the ripe old age of 63. I believe in being able to constantly redefine or tune-up my belief system. Basically speaking, I believe in the same things I did when I was confirmed at 12 years of age. Hopefully; with as much optimism and unyielding faith as I had then.

However, I do not believe blindly nor do I believe all of the same things others in any given church say I should. I believe that faith is personal and that intellect is a very tiny part of any act of faith. I believe it is done by and within the heart and soul of a person. I think that it is one of a very few emotion driven acts that are truly honest and valid. It is also the only act that is there when you wake up until you go to sleep at night. To me living in this world can be a celebration; if each breath and move you make, is part of that faith in action.


July 19, 2011

New Home!




Well folks, I am still setting up my new home. I have a large room and I share kitchen privileges. Got a place for my dog, Dylan, and I to lay our weary heads and a place to work on my computer; so the important things are covered. The other cool thing about one room is there isn't much housework. There is a little park nearby, where we can grab some early morning exercise. According to Dylan that is around 7 am in the morning.

The neatest thing about it is that I am renting from one of my dearest friends. We have known each other for over 40 years. She has a garden in the backyard here; that she can enjoy to her hearts content. She has planted a lovely herb and flower garden. She comes over during the week and has mini-holidays from the stress of the outside world.

I am able to visit my oldest sister and my niece as they only live a couple of blocks away from me. I really enjoy that.

I am enjoying my days working away at my computer and setting up my business sites once and for all. Hopefully I shall be able to get it set up by the end of the summer. I will post a notice here when I have been able to do that.

A girl friend of mine is sending the few boxes I salvaged from all the possessions I moved with from Oklahoma to New York. I had to leave a great many things in New York. It has been very confusing and frustrating with the postal strike, Dennis' untimely death, and all. I hope that all the boxes I earmarked
and their contents arrive intact just as I packed them.

If any of you live around the Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada area just e-mail me at rdshultz@gmail.com and perhaps we can get in touch.

Talk to all of you next time ...and if you have a moment I sure would like to see a comment or two!


Good News Note: Glad to see that Barry, Dennis' brother, is out of the hospital as of July 23rd!

June 28, 2011

Agatha Christie Is Spot On!


I offer this as an quote that represents some of my experience in all my travels since living here in Canada in 1998. Oh Agatha ...you were spot on then and you are now as well!

"You know the people who always have a noble and good reason to mask their meaner actions? The people who 'have to be honest' when they want to be unkind, who 'thought it their duty to repeat so and so' who are such hypocrites to themselves that they go through to their life's end convinced that every mean and beastly action was done in a spirit of unselfishness! Try and realize that the opposite of those people can exist, too. People who are so cynical, so distrustful of themselves and of life that they can only believe in their bad motives." -Quote from "Remembered Death' by Agatha Christie; author and observer of people and thus a philosopher.

I might add that there are also those of us who are manipulated because of our openness, by the above people and get shafted; because we foolishly and naively trust too readily.

May 30, 2011

Hopefully Get Canadian Ducks in a Row!


Well folks in Canada now and becoming a refreshed Canadian citizen bit by bit. Looking into what I need to do here to get settled. Had to leave most of my things in the states. Hopefully those who are keeping the few things I boxed to mail to my new address here will do what they said they would. I will try to get back online permanently as soon as I possibly can.

May 21, 2011

Have to go home to Canada.

Unfortunately I have to go home to Canada. I have a problem though. I must find a home temporary or other wise for two lovely, litter box trained, neutered, adult tabbies. I haven't been able to find a less expensive home here on LI for myself, my dog and my two kitties. I can only afford to take my dog with me. I have been trying to get them a place to go since my husband passed away on April 15th. Been working on this since I realized I would not get another home here at the end of April. The cats need a good home by May 23rd or morning of the 24th at latest. I feel very distraught and am worried sick about this problem. Surely there is someone that can pick them up right away as I have no car. If you love animals and can help me out please do! My phone number here at my soon to be old home is 516-454-2399. Please message me on twitter or face book before 12pm tonight or phone me as I will be off internet after 12pm.
Ruth Shultz
Please I need help!



Note: I was able to find a place for them thanks to the kindness of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter (no kill). With luck my babies will be adopted.

April 29, 2011

Need an Apartment!

I need a place to lay my little head and nap with Mom!

With my loved one gone, I need to find a new apartment as I cannot afford the one we rented together. I haven't got enough money to go back to Oklahoma nor do I really want to return. I need a place that I can afford on Long Island, New York. I pray that I can find a studio apartment. Something that is nice and less expensive. I need a kitchenette, a half bath and a large area to live and sleep in. If there is anyone that knows of a place like the one shown here on craigslist; I would appreciate you replying to the advert. Don't people realize that there are people with modest incomes that are good honest folk who just need a home of their own? - that one little corner of the world where they can be themselves? Please reply if you can help as I need a place yesterday!


And we need a place to lay our heads and use our litter box!

April 17, 2011

Notice Of Passing From This World.

Dennis Baer
13.12.1949 to 15.04.2011


I lost my partner in life unexpectedly of heart failure on Friday morning
at 11:30 P.M.


I am sad at his passing and will miss him for all time.




Note: I will not be posting anything for the rest April and most of May.

March 24, 2011

Letter to America


Dear America,

Please find below a suggestion for fixing America's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to banks and car companies, that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan:

There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire. Twenty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American CAR. Twenty million cars ordered - Auto Industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage - Housing Crisis fixed.

4) They MUST send their kids to school / college /university - Crime Rate fixed.

5) Buy $50 of alcohol / tobacco / petrol a week - There's your money back in duty / tax etc.

6) All social and health programs should be set up properly and in a 'democratic manner' as in democrats..

7) Stream line the armed forces and treat the men that come back better than those that came back from Vietnam.

8) As more money will probably be needed, have all members of the Congress and Senate give back their falsely claimed expense and second home allowances and pay the armed forces. Then if there is any money left use it to defend other countries.

It couldn't get any easier than that!

Yours truly,

Ordinary Joe American

Note: This is not an original letter. My girlfriend sent this to me but as a letter to the prime minister of Canada. English isn't the only thing that the USA and Canada have in common. Thanks Muriel.


March 13, 2011

Use Our Hearts!



Here it is around 5 am and I haven't been able to sleep since I woke up at 3 am. Sometimes the restlessness comes from being a little older these days. I find it very strange and some what humorous being classified as a 'baby boomer'. After all I suppose I am in my second childhood; but it really shouldn't count!

I still think that Big Brother is watching us all; perhaps even more than in November 14th of last year; when I wrote an article with that title. I know for a fact no one has read my article entitled "Our Friends Deserve Better" from that same month; otherwise I think that the government would have been more forth coming. What is happening in these United States...heck the whole of North America, stinks! A lot of the things that make this nation fair and comfortable for the poor and middle class are evidently coming under the Republican sword. Things like unions that make sure people are treated fairly, all the many loan and grant programs so people can keep their homes, and proper health insurance for everyone that can't afford the horrible prices of modern medicine. It just might help to give fairer taxes instead of cuts to the rich. Much the same things are happening in my birth country of Canada. Honestly; if some of the Scandinavian countries can afford to have their citizens enjoy life to the extent they do, why can't this democracy in America continue to improve ours as well?

All of us, regardless of political persuasion, should just forget our differences, start thinking with
our hearts and work together. Maybe then, we would have a chance of pulling this country out of the economic toilet in which it is drowning. Then all of us would be able to have a share in the American dream and it would no longer be a myth to the majority of people who live here. Perhaps then, there would be less jealousy and anger over who has what and why.

It saddens me deeply when I think what the children and grandchildren of our generation are going to have to face if we don't fix this dilemma. People came to this continent of North America to find self-respect, a more abundant life, and their own little piece of Eden. Unfortunately, no one was/is monitoring themselves as they go along in life. To have proper esteem for one's self one must respect others in all regards, to have a more abundant life one must fight for the rights of others and to have your own piece of Eden you must help others find theirs. The GOP are terrifically good at blaming the current president for all the ills befalling the USA now. However they seem to forget the horrific order of things thanks to their party and former Republican presidents; that Mr. Oboma inherited from them. Perhaps the majority party in the Capital should remember this and then maybe we can fix this mess that they have created.


March 8, 2011

Fun With A Business Feel

I really love creating new articles and seem to have a small talent of being able to write one after the other on related subjects. Now as to whether they are good is something you should ask someone else as I am obviously bias. The writer within me is neither in a position to praise herself to the skies or to be extremely self-deprecating. However they can never really be completely honest about the quality of their own writing. At any rate I hope you do what the computer kitty to the right hand column wants you to and click on the 'here' and see for yourself.


I have been writing on one subject or another for years now. I started writing at the age of four. I believe I wrote an expose on what happened to my day- sitter's wallet. To say I was and am a rather intense character, would I believe; be an understatement. Have been intense most of my life. I think, for the most part, I have tried to enjoy life the very best I can; while hopefully not making other peoples' lives at all miserable. I try to be kind to others and to eat my vegetables every day.

So dear readers, I guess what I am saying is do the most, the best, and with happiest attitude that you can possibly muster. Oh and keep on dancing!