Activities of Daily Living

 I'll begin my post with Cinnamon. He was watching Mayday with us last night! We are working our way through another series, as well, City Homicide. Happily, there is a new season of Professor T. We've lots to look forward to. What miffs me, as much as A/C's wife, Sue, are the stupid advertisements on Amazon Prime. 

Got back from picking up a grocery order and I have non-mental notes to remember! 

1) Should have powdered my nose first. 
2) Should have had breakfast first!

3) I have to remember I am Joe Brian there! (Poor woman couldn't find the order.) 
4) Apparently, I ordered ONE Brussel Sprout! I keep seeing the 100g and figuring I ordered that. 

It's lots of fun shopping on a Sunday morning. The streets and parking lot was quiet, except for this woman who kept dropping the F–bomb outside her car. She was older than me! 

I pulled out of the mall parking lot onto Wilson street, and nearly ran over a weasel. At first I thought it was a red squirrel. This is a file photo of one on our deck. The one I saw was crossing the street, in traffic. 

More CHORES

I am still working on my 60 gallon fish tank. I've a plan. Either buy one from someone in the area (30 gallons) or I repair the old one. I cannot repair it where it sits. We have to find someone to help me move it outdoors. I have a bit more cleaning to do on it.

<= The ladder didn't work out. I was afraid of falling in! 

If I get a new one, I'll hope my fishies don't grow as large as Percy. 

I was thinking of converting it into a vivarium. This looks like a fun pet:

I know my long-time followers have been following our Ottawa grandies. Jo (gr. 11) is happy to be done 3 of 4 exams. Today she writes Psychology/Sociology/Anthropology. Then her year is done.

Aster is finishing up her gr. 8 year. She has a graduation celebration this week. Grampa is under the weather so I think we'd best stay home. 

I have some small graduation presents for them. They are a surprise. I'm not sure when we'll see them. They have so much fun with friends, as well they should. 

The milkweed plants are in bloom.  I saw a hummingbird feeding at the plants. I was too slow for a photo.

I tried a macro.

More fun! The petunia.

Here is the egg sack from the arthropod eggs. They hatched, and turned into larvae.                    

I am obsessed with the Easter Question Mark egg! Or Eastern Comma. I'm not sure. The butterfly is so quick. 

Hah!

That's all the fun I had this weekend. Time to go put the garbage out in the pouring rain. These Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) keep us going. It's the big test of whether you can stay in your home or not. 

Have a great week! I hope you have fun with your ADLs

good neighbours

I am always amazed by the good people in cottage country. Whether it is a major snow dump for people too disabled to shovel, personal trauma; fires, sudden deaths, surgeries in far-off city centres, people in Muskoka give generously of their time, dollars and energy. In truth, many of us have personal and private issues that hit us harder during this season. In Ontario Victim Services can help guide you to finding help from the right places. People are on edge, with economic worries and the pressure of the season to deliver a postcard Christmas of joy and happiness.

There are many places to seek help.
There are many places that need your help.

Ontario Hunger Report 2008: The Leading Edge of the Storm. says that 314,258 people visited food banks in Ontario in March, 2008. Food banks are seeking perishable foods. Food costs have increased, a greater need has been seen in this current economic crisis. Those using food banks have been the working poor. The Ministry has promised to increase the minimum wage currently is is $8.75 per hour for those over age 18, and $8.20 per hour for teenage part-timers. By March 31, 2009, minimum wage is increasing to $9.50 an hour, a year later, 2010 it will rise to $10.25. Up here in Muskoka many have seasonal works, and students are employed summers. It is difficult to manage at this rate.

Women in crisis in shelters will find this a terribly difficult time of year. To empower them, our local shelter has asked for monetary donations, i.e., gift cards, so that mothers can be empowered to buy clothes or gifts for their children. They are the ones that know their kids best and can prioritize their needs.

Check in on neighbours frequently but do not risk your health by doing more than you can physically or emotionally manage. My husband, in trying to lift my late father, put out two disks and will likely never recover. Our parent's generation, having lived through The Depression, are reluctant to pay for services. There is a fear that finances will not last. I firmly believe, however, that it is well worth the cost to ensure that ADL, or IADL needs are being met. Meals on Wheels is an option for those who are housebound.

Reach out this season.