Why We Have Children When We're Young

My 4-year-old grandson spent the afternoon and night with me last night. At first he didn't want his Mommy and Daddy to leave without him, but when I asked him if he wanted to play "hide and seek" he kept telling his parents to leave. So, after about an hour of running up and down stairs, finding unique but not too hard to find places to hide (note below he found me in the bathtub behind the shower curtain), he decided he wanted to play with the cars and other toys I keep here for when he comes to visit. Thank goodness my younger daughter had come over to see him because she was able to keep him occupied for quite a while since I had to catch my breath. (I'm very very old and feeble now that I'm a Gramma, you know!)

After he'd run the course of half a ream of paper drawing shapes, houses, smiley faces, and trees, he wanted to go outside to play. But since the grass was too soggy and he didn't have his boots, nothing would do but to go for a walk (think "run") outside. We bundled up and watched as he ran ran ran ran ran around my little neighbourhood. He took a tumble once and daughter and I held our breath waiting for the cry, but he was a great little trooper and got himself up saying, "I'm okay!" And off he went running again. We played a bit of hide and seek in the tiny little park down the road and I let him take pictures of the bushes, houses, and even the red sky before we headed back inside.

However, before he would come inside the house, he just had to check out the driver's seat of Gramma's car. So in typical male fashion, he checked out all the mirrors and other accoutrements in the car before pretending to drive. Patience, Gramma!

His dinner consisted of crackers, Smarties, jujubes, and a bit of milk. He's not much of an eater, but when he's hungry he will eat. But I don't force him. We drove daughter home and went in so little N could see her place. After a thorough look around, we went home and played "catch" with one of my little stuffed dogs and a teddy bear. I must say he's very good at throwing and catching, considering he's only 4. At 8:30, we both put our jammies on, brushed our teeth and climbed into bed. I gave him my giant flashlight and his Leapster to play with while I watched Midsommer Murders (my all-time favourite thing to watch if I'm home on a Saturday night...Um, when am I "not" home these days?)

Hmph....

But I digress. He was still going strong at 9:50 so I told him he had 5 more minutes to play and then he had to put the toys away. Each minute I told him how much longer and when the time was up, do you think he said "Okay."???? Of course not! He's 4, remember? He told me he wanted to win! So, I said okay. (Well, I'm Gramma, right?) But I was very surprised that in about two more minutes, he announced, "I won!" He put everything down, cuddled right up to me and within 10 seconds he was asleep!

We got up early this morning and I took him to church, wondering what this new experience would be like for him. But he was amazing! He was so good, smiling and giving people little waves. He enjoyed standing up on the chair while we sang and was quiet when it was time to pray. (not that he understands ANY of this, mind you) After 45 minutes of unbelievably angelic behaviour, he suddenly announced (in a regular voice, mind you, so everyone could hear him), "I want to go home now!"

My friend quickly took him to the nursery area so he could play with the toys there. I go to a very small church and, unfortunately, today there were no other little children for him to play with. But he loved kicking a soccer ball around and played with the cars and other things. After the service was over, he had a great time sharing his two cars with another young boy (in grade 6) and they had a hilarious time making them crash into each other. (More typical male behaviour.)

Just as we were entering the restaurant where we'd decided to have lunch, little N's Mommy and Daddy arrived. He was thrilled to see them and we all had lunch together before he went home.

I don't remember ever being this tired when my own children were young but right now I'm so tired I can hardly see straight and just want to go to bed. I guess this is why we have children when we're young. We need that endurance and perseverance to be able to keep up with all that energy little ones possess.

Don't get me wrong, though. I love this little guy more than you could ever know and I would never trade any time I get to have with him. It's been a long time since anyone asked me if he could cuddle with me. I'll never forget that - ever. *sigh* Just look at this photo! Anyone who has ever had children knows that this is the picture that gets us in the heart every time.

Happy Groundhog Day

According to lore, if the groundhog emerges from his burrow on February 2 and sees his shadow, he will be frightened back into his hole, presaging another six weeks of winter. A cloudy day -- and no shadow -- means winter will end early.

The results so far:

Shubnedacadie Sam (Nova Scotia): Spring

Punxsutawney Phil (Pennsylvania): Winter

Wiarton Willie (Ontario): Spring

General Beauregard Lee (Georgia): Spring

Balzac Billy (Alberta): Spring

Buckeye Chuck (Ohio): Spring

Staten Island Chuck (New York state): Spring

Malverne Mel (New York state): Spring

Woody Woodchuck (Michigan): Spring

Ms. G. (Massachusetts): Winter


I'm not sure about around here. I guess it depends what time the groundhog poked its head out of its hole. It wouldn't have seen its shadow this morning, but it would see it now as it's beautiful and sunny. One can only hope!

The Italian Cypress Tree

To learn more about Saturday Photo Hunts, click here.

THEME: Narrow


The following was taken from here.


Latin Name: Cupressus sempervirens
Country of Origin: Persia/Syria
Height: 20 to 25m
Uses: Windbreak, furniture/coffin making, essential oil production and decorative use.



PROFILE:
One cannot think of Tuscany without thinking of the magnificent cypress tree, so quintessential and symbolic of the Tuscan landscape that it has adopted the name of "The Tuscan Cypress tree." Although this is a somewhat fitting name, it is however grossly incorrect as its real place of origin was almost certainly Persia or Syria and was brought to the Tuscan area by the mysterious Etruscan tribes-people many thousands of years ago who considered the plant to have mystical/supernatural connections. It is a tree that can survive for up to 2,000 years or more, and while the other deciduous trees would lose their leaves in the winter, the cypress trees retained theirs- rendering it supernatural in the eyes of the early tribes-people.


To such an extent was this supernatural connotation that the Etruscans chose to plant the tree around their sacred Necropolis (burial grounds). They believed that the supernatural powers and strong, fragrant essential oils could ward off demons and even the smell of death itself, thus ensuring a safe passage into the afterlife. The fragrant wood of the cypress tree, being rich in resinous essential oils takes many years to decompose, rendering it ideal for coffins and sarcophagi. In fact, the wood is so strongly scented that the tree was planted around the houses, churches and cemeteries in Tuscany as people believed that the air was "freshened" by the tree, giving rise to the quintessential "Tuscan landscape" that we hold as being typical of the area.


This wonderful mysterious tree has unfortunately been suffering from a terrible and fatal canker that has put it under threat of extinction in recent years. However, for once genetic engineering has been useful in saving the species from extinction by having provided a new variety named 'Bolgheri' that is resistant to the disease and offers some hope for one of the most treasured of all of Europe's trees.


CYPRESS CULTIVATION: Prefers a sunny position with free-draining soil but will tolerate shade and even the thick, heavy Tuscan clay. They prefer a trim in the early spring to maintain their shape and prevent the branches from being opened up and split by the heavy winter snowfalls. A good organic mulch such as animal manure or hay laid around the base of the plant at planting will ensure that the plant gets a healthy start. Regular feeding will ensure rapid growth.

CYPRESS USES IN THE GARDEN: The cypress tree offers the gardener an incredible vertical, visual statement, unrivalled by any other that will invite the human eye to change direction, creating interest and, not to mention, a Mediterranean feel wherever it is planted.
It provides an ideal visual block to hide unsightly objects/views and provides a useful windbreak on exposed sites and can even be used to frame interesting views, giving added importance to a view across a valley etc. All in all- an excellent tree for any garden, or for any street.

This is a photo I took in Tuscany in October 2006. I was intrigued

by these trees as everywhere I looked I could see them in the

landscape or on the horizon.

Skywatch Friday - Italian Sunsets

These are two shots I took of sunsets while I was in Italy in the fall of 2006.

Hope you like them. I was new to using my digital camera.

This was taken from our hotel room patio looking towards the Cinque Terre.

This was taken from the boat on our way back from the Isle of Capri.

The water was very choppy that day and one woman got seasick.

Shopping for my Baby Girl

I had such fun this morning at the local children's consignment shop. I looked at baby girls' things for my granddaughter (arrival in about six weeks.) I was absolutely beside myself with joy! There were so many clothes to choose from and it didn't take me long to decide on four outfits. I browsed a bit more with a view to the future and I know I'll be shopping there a lot. I bought four outfits for a total of $18.11 Cdn and a set of three onesies (brand new) at London Drugs for $7.99 Cdn. This precious little bundle of joy is going to be the best dressed baby in town even if most of her things are "gently used."

Anyway, this is what I've bought...so far for my new little Princess Elizabeth. (We've already been told her middle name will be Elizabeth, her Mommy's middle name. Her first name will be announced when she's born. My mother always used to call Jamie "Princess Elizabeth" and I may just do the same with this little doll.) I think I did quite well today with my purchases, don't you think?

Brand-new onesies.

White velour with satin trim and blue stitching

Two-piece cotton pj's with orange trim

Every little girl with Scottish ancestry has to have a plaid dress with

a black velvet and white lace-trimmed collar.

"Kiss me. I'm a princess."

Isn't this an adorable jeans outfit?

B is for Breakfast

Gosh, Wednesday again already! That means ABC Wednesday that I just joined in on last week. This week it's the letter B. Well, I thought about using B is for Boxer (my dog) but I just recently did a post on her. Then I thought maybe I'd do B is for Blarney Stone, which I've yet to kiss. But I don't have any photos of it so that won't do. Oh, I know! I'll do B is for baby! No, I want to wait until the new baby arrives and will do a huge post on that. (Only about 6 weeks to go) I've got it! B is for BREAKFAST. I haven't had it yet and I'm hungry. I think I'll have some scrambled eggs and a nice big mug of coffee.

Ah, that's better. Since I've become much more vigilant about my health (diet and exercise) I have breakfast every day. Sometimes, it's cereal with a bit of fruit and I mix it all up with 1/2 cup of fruit-flavoured yoghurt. I don't like milk on cereal so this is how I get my calcium. It's actually like eating dessert! Try it! Other days I might have a muffin with yoghurt and fruit or like today, scrambled eggs. Except they aren't real eggs but Eggbeaters because I can digest them better.

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so whatever you do, don't rush out the door to work or school without a healthy breakfast. Think of yourself like a car - you need fuel to run. Your brain will work better and you can control cravings so you'll maintain or even lose weight if you need to. For more ideas on breakfast recipes, click here or here.

Bronte Country, Haworth UK

I love England - everything about it! I love its history, its architecture, its climate (so like my own), its people and culture. I come from British ancestors that go back a long long way. My sister is our family historian and she's verified family all the way back to the year 1555 when my several times over great grandfather was born in Kelsagh, Suffolk, England. I am the 35th generation since then. The next time I visit England, I plan to try to find the family gravesite.

Because of my British ancestry, I try to keep up with as many customs as possible. For instance, our family Christmas morning breakfast consists/ed of Ayreshire bacon and fried eggs along with fried black puddin'. We do the Christmas cracker thing at dinner, too, and everyone has to wear his/her "crown." Boxing Day is big in Canada, too, and we usually have visitors over or else we go out visiting. It's a day of leftovers along with finger food like sausage rolls or other hot appies, cheese and crackers, etc. I follow the lives of the British royalty and was just as distraught as the English when Princess Diana was killed.

Last Saturday in our daily rag (as we like to call the local newspaper), there was an article about the Bronte sisters - Charlotte, Emily, and Anne who became famous authors. You may recall Wuthering Heights, by Emily Bronte, a novel far ahead of its time because it smashed purist morals with its rough language and passionate characters. (No one could ever do a better job acting the roles of Heathcliffe and Cathy than Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon in the 1939 movie). And who has not heard of Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte?

The three sisters originally published under the pseudonyms of Currer, Ellis and Acton Bell in 1846. However, when it was discovered that the authors of these stories were three daughters of a clergyman, interest was piqued.

The sisters grew up in Haworth, Yorkshire, a small but crowded village sustained by the working poor in the local textile mills. It was apparently a grim place with bleak weather and blustery winds. The village suffered from lack of a drainage system, which contributed to outbreaks of cholera and piles of human and animal waste in the streets.

Haworth today is a much more romantic place. It's atop a steep hill in Yorkshire and attracts more than 7 million visitors a year to its still-quaint streets and Bronte-themed activities. The Black Bull (see below) and White Lion Inn, all popular in the mid-1800s still serve customers today and Main Street is kept tidy for picture-perfect snapshots. The buildings are well-preserved and visitors get a real sense of the Brontes' time from the active work of its citizens and the Bronte Society. The parsonage where the girls grew up has been carefully converted to the renowed Bronte Parsonage Museum (see photo below) and each room is filled with furniture and the belongings of the family.

My next trip will be to England so I can visit friends I have there, some new blogging friends (I hope), and to see other parts of the country that I haven't as yet seen. Those areas include Cambridge, a bit north-east of London; Suffolk County; and the south coast from Brighton to Portsmouth. I'd like to see the Isle of Wight as well. Finally, I absolutely MUST see Bronte Country, which is a bit west of Leeds north-west of London. The friend who will travel with me has been to England many times, too. We actually spent a week there in 1997 before doing a 2-week tour of France. We're used to the train system, so plan to base ourselves in the Salisbury area and just take overnight bags as we hop on and off the trains to get ourselves from place to place. Oh, it's going to be a wonderful trip! (Can you see me over on the top right waving from one of the beautiful hiking paths in England?)

Longing for Italia

Vicki & Leslie Wine Tasting in Tuscany

After a marvelous meal tonight with a friend at Presto Cucina, a wonderful little Italian bistro in Vancouver, I started thinking about my fantastic trip to Italy in 2006. I got looking at my photos and thought I'd share with you a few showing how much I was smiling then.

Italy is one of the most beautiful countries I've ever visited. It surpasses England in climate (sorry my British friends) and even France. Of course, this is just my humble opinion and I certainly haven't seen that much of the world...yet. However, I did love the architecture (both ancient and modern), the food (oh my goodness, the FOOD!), and the people. Along with seeing major tourist attractions, I had the opportunity to visit many little towns and villages off the beaten track and met some "real" Italians. Having spent 4 weeks in Italy including a week in Sicily, I can hardly wait to return to this wonderful country - and I will one day. There is so much more I'd like to see and revisit. Who would like to join me?

The group has its first dinner at Piazza Navona in Rome.

One of the statues in the Piazza Navona.

On the boat approaching the Cinque Terre.

The group takes a photo op on the cliffs of the Cinque Terre.

In Tellaro, a little village near Lerici which is across from the Cinque Terre, our base for 5 nights.

looking down on Portofino, where all the rich & famous stayed in the 50's and 60's

Pretending to be rich and famous while lunching in Portofino

A photo op by a vineyard in Tuscany

Our last night in Rome after 4 weeks traveling

(I was tired by then and forcing a smile).

How many smiles can you count in this post?

Saturday Photo Hunt: Old-Fashioned Scrapbook

Old-Fashioned Scrapbook

I'm a bit late doing this Saturday Photo Hunt, first of all because I just decided to give it a go. Second, I'm probably in the furthest west time zone of most people doing it. But, if you happen to find me, check back next week to see if I've had time to do it again.

I decided to show you my late mother's scrapbook. She started it when she got engaged to my Dad back in 1942 and saved all the cards, notes, and telegrams that he sent her while he was away in the war. It starts out with little cards congratulating her on her engagement, goes on to all her wedding cards, Valentine, Christmas, and anniversary cards and finally to birth announcements and cards of congratulations on the birth of my older sister.

It's interesting to look back at the style of cards people sent then. There were the usual neutral ones along with humorous and romantic ones. Dad even sent cards to my sister when he was away and Mom carefully tucked them inside this scrapbook. She saved this book and all its contents and now I have the honour of keeping it for future generations to see. Hope you enjoy the photos.

I am feeling blessed

Things are really looking up.

Daughter #2 is doing much much better and will probably be able to return to work in about 2 or 3 weeks. She actually went out tonight with a friend to see U2 in 3D at the Imax Theatre downtown.

Daughter #1 went for her 2nd ultrasound today to check on baby's progress and it's been confirmed that it's a girl. I am SO excited - for them and for me - as I know how blessed I have been to have daughters. It's the first time since my parent's generation that there will be a boy and a girl in the same family. My sister had 2 boys and I had 2 girls. Only about 6 weeks to wait now.

I think Josie and I just might go shopping along 4th Avenue before lifting a glass of wine at that cute little Italian bistro where we're dining tomorrow.

Sky Watch Friday!

I've noticed quite a few people are involved in Skywatch Fridays. One afternoon in November, a friend and I were walking along the dyke trail just outside of my little village when I saw the sun trying to peek through the dark grey clouds as a storm approached.

Then, I looked towards the east and a cacophonous racket and saw thousands of Canada geese flying back towards the waterfowl refuge. I think they'd been having a trial run before taking off south for the winter.

Lunch Date

I had lunch today with the "potential charmer" I mentioned a few posts back. It was actually a very nice lunch with good conversation and some laughs. He's the first man I've gone out with who actually asked me right out (well, not immediately but in the course of the chatting)if I wanted to get married again! That sort of threw me for a loop but he said that he didn't want to make the same mistakes he'd made in the past. I thought that was quite honest of him. He also paid for lunch before I had a chance to even realize the bill had come and when I tried to object, he just smiled and said, "Too late." I think he's worth another date. Unfortunately, he doesn't live in the same city as I do, so I'll just have to wait and see if he gets in touch. But wouldn't it be nice to be courted for a change? It's been so long since there've been any real contenders and it's going to be pretty difficult to get to know each other well from a distance. However, if it's meant to be, it'll be. In the meantime, life goes on.

ABC WEDNESDAYS

I just discovered a new idea from mrsnesbitt'splace where you post a photo using letters of the alphabet. Apparently, it's already gone through the alphabet and they're starting at A again. I like the idea so thought I'd join in.

So my thought for the letter A is Aladdin. My daughter loves the movie and sings the song A Whole New World all the time. She's an awesome singer and does both parts - Jasmine and Aladdin - and when she gets going, I stop everything just to listen to her. So here's a photo of Aladdin and check out the youtube video of the song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2CVLWOoNsY.

An Awesome Award

Josie has awarded me with a lovely compliment - one of her 6 choices for "Wonderful Women of the Web" award. I am blushing from her accolades but at the same time am quite honoured. She knows what I went through in 2007 starting Jan. 13/07 and continuing on until Jan. 1/08 and she feels I've been very courageous to share the sorrows (and some joys) with you all. There were times when I thought I would bore everyone to death with my tales of trials and tribulations, but it was absolutely amazing how so many people came to my aid with prayers, emails, and good vibes. This year has started out well enough and I'm hoping I'll be able to do more for myself - like getting more done on my book, do a bit of traveling (even if not too far from home), entertain more, and get out socially more often.

Apparently, my job now is to pass this award on to the women whom I think deserve it. If Josie had not already nominated me I'd have her first on my list. But I find I've been visiting a lot of women who are in Britain or are ex-pat Brits and she doesn't visit these ones so I think I'll mention some of them. Even though I enjoy all my regular sites I have to narrow it down to 6. So here goes:

Liz in Wales has a blog called "Finding life hard?" My father's mother was born in Llandudno, Wales and all my life I've wanted to see her homeland. I've managed to go two or three times for brief periods, but will be doing a driving trip around the coast some day soon. I love visiting Liz for several reasons. We are both Christians and she currently works part time for her church as did I years ago. She has a crackling sense of humour (you should see her current blog title: "Soaking my thighs in red wine") and has just recently added a puppy to the family. You must go and visit and tell her I sent you.

Welshcakes Limoncello is a semi-retired language teacher who was Liz's neighbour but moved lock, stock, and barrel to a town in Sicily. Her blog, Sicily Scene, is just that - a daily slice of life as a Brit adjusting to life in an Italian town. She has me in stitches about her escapades at the local post office and when the water truck comes to deliver in her little neighbourhood. She's always trying something new in the cuisine department, too, and has lots of photos of her attempts at Italian cooking along with photos of her new friends' dinners. You get hungry just reading her site.

Casdok's site is titled "Mother of Shrek." She is the single parent of a non-verbal 19-year-old son with autism. She lives in Surrey, UK, and writes some powerful posts. She strikes me as a very strong (emotionally) woman who loves her son with all her heart and soul and will do whatever it takes to give him the best life he can possibly have. Some of her latest topics have been "Is sleep the new sex?" "Body language" "Autism abuse lives on" "Sign language" "the art of dust" and her newest is "Only the moon howls." She also has a great sense of humour along with her serious side and I highly recommend you take a peek and tell her I said "Hi."

Shirl, of "Shirl's the Girl" is a sweetheart! She also lives in the UK and I recently realized that she suffers from MS. But she has such a great outlook on life and busies herself with crafts. Recently, her hubby bought her a cute little hand and foot warmer that looks like a lamb. She named it Lola. Lola is now the subject of a future book that I sure hope she finishes. Go to her site and read the bit she's done and see the photos - adorable! Whenever I go visiting there, I just want to reach through the screen and give Shirl a big hug.

Nancy in Panama City, Florida is my next choice with her site called "Too Wonderful For Me." She, also, is a Christian woman who loves her husband, children, and grandchildren right along with the Lord. With a wonderful sense of humour, I can also feel some of the pain Nancy suffers when she makes comments like "there is so much sorrow and sadness in the world that sometimes we just need to laugh..." And laugh, I did, when I read her hilarious renditions of shaving her legs in the 6th grade and getting her ears pierced against her parents' wishes when she was a young teen. You MUST read these posts!

Finally, close to home is jmb, who always posts about intriguing topics. She's in a walking club and helps to manage a blogpower website, along with interests in travel, music, books, flora and fauna. From what I read on her site called "Nobody Important," she's retired from hospital pharmacy and refers to her husband as "the old scientist." I'd love to meet her and since we live only about 1/2 hour from each other, we probably shall meet one of these fine days.

As I've been writing this, the sun has set in the west and I can just see a bit of pale orange glow above the treetops outside my window. That means it's time to think about dinner and an evening walk. Although it's been beautifully sunny for 2 days now, it has also been crisp and cold so I'll have to wear my wooly cap tonight. As I wander the neighbourhood, I'll look up at that huge full moon and think of all the wonderful women of the web, thanking God for each and every one of you and the gift of friendship.

A Few Good Quotes

Just simply for a bit of fun, and as a follow-up to my previous post about most men's inability to seduce a woman, I found a few quotes and this hilarious (in my humble opinion) cartoon. Enjoy and feel free to comment on any or all of the quotes.

Being in therapy is great. I spend an hour just talking about myself. It's kinda like being the guy on a date. Caroline Rhea - comedienne

Critic: a legless man who teaches running.

Anonymous

Satirist: a man who discovers unpleasant things about himself and then says them about other people. Peter McArthur – Canadian writer

Egotist: a person more interested in himself than in me.
Ambrose Bierce (1842-1914) – writer and satirist

Age does not protect you from love but love to some extent protects you from age.
Jeanne Moreau - actress

Compromise: An amiable arrangement between husband and wife whereby they agree to let her have her own way. Anonymous

Seduction? Ha!

There's a website called "Seduction Chronicles" - a resource for men who don't know the first thing about how to talk to a woman, ask a woman out on a date, and all sorts of other important facts if they want to be successful in the dating world.

You'd think this would be a great site for older teens and younger men, say from 20 - 35. However, from my experience men of all ages, if single, could use this resource.

I didn't start dating again until more than 5 years after my husband died. So that means it's been 10 years of on-again/off-again dating for me. You wouldn't believe the number of men over age 50 who are looking for a wife, if not just a companion - but you also wouldn't believe the number of men who still haven't learned the first thing about women!

The number 1 turnoff about men is that they talk incessantly about themselves and if the woman actually is successful in commenting on something about herself, the conversation inevitably turns back to the man.

It seems that men think it's a great compliment to say something like, "Hey, looking great. You been working out?" HUH? Isn't that something a woman says to a man?

Men also seem to think it's hilariously funny to talk about sex and tell you sex jokes. Um...I don't think so! At least not until you've actually HAD sex with each other.

Women don't want to hear about how horrid you felt this morning and how much phlegm you hacked up, either.

Where are the classy men who would like to meet a classy lady? I'd love to meet someone who takes the time and energy to actually seduce me with intelligent conversation and romance.

I am supposed to meet another potential charmer this week and I'll let you know how it goes. If it doesn't go anywhere, I'll be tempted to recommend that website mentioned above. Then I'll continue to go it alone - sometimes it's more fun that way.