Grandchildren - and drivers driving at the speed of stupid!

 How joyful to drive into the city to babysit grandkids.

It would have been more joyful if we didn't have to contend with stupid drivers trying to cause an accident. It was 9:00 a.m., and s/he didn't like the driver in front of us doing exactly the speed limit. The car in front of us turned off shortly after, while driving at the posted 60km/hr in Gillies Corners.

Drive safely, someone out there loves us.

Role play: Sleeping Beauty
(Josephine's idea!)

Time for art!

Gobo (hand puppet!) kisses her
 and she wakes. (My idea!)

Grandma's turn. (Josephine's idea!)
Jofee took the photo, too!

Caitlin, her mummy, ADORED puzzles in Day Care.
We'd drop her off, and she'd barely have time to say good by.
She'd head straight for the puzzle table!

Good job. Give yourself a pat-on-the-back!
Jofee shared with me that HER Papa doesn't like it
when she jumps on his stomach!

Meantime, Grampa rocks Izzy to sleep!

Wrong cat. Took him in last week!

The day before was not quite so much fun. Having to get Sady into the vet. Attempt #2! The first attempt we were both scratched and gave up.

I put food in the cat carrier. Of course, Oliver just leaped in. Finished serving #2 of food.
Sady had a bitter pill to swallow. She was very angry being in the carrier. Last time she was in it it was moving day, and it wasn't pretty.

Turns out Sady has a urinary tract infection and needs 'banana medicine', in the form of pills for two weeks.

Day 1: Hid the 1st pill (2 x's/day!) in her food. So far so good. 13 pills to go.
Day 2: The 2nd pill she threw up. Yes, I made Joe look to see if she threw it up. Yup. The next morning pill Joe ground up into her food.
Click for the Camera Critters meme.

On such a winter's day

After such a winter's day...
My ribbons blew on the horizontal!
I decided to talk a walk in the forest the following day.

I forgot my walking stick. It really helps, especially to check out snow or water depth!

I did remember the backpack with my trusty water container, walkie talkie, GPS, hankie, camera, videocam.

Off I go. Deer path where they trod

After the first 30 minutes, off came the mitts and scarf, and I had to open my coat. I kept on chugging. Fascinated with the path, I thought the plan great: follow the deer tracks. They all lead back home anyway!!!

MISTAKE: much deer pee and poo on the path. Plus, the deer just walk under low-lying branches. I had a branch go under my glasses. Dumb move!

Granddaughter Josephine would be thrilled!

Where Bambi lay

If you ever wondered what the deer did at night, wonder no longer. Lots of places where they obviously nestled down into the snow, under the trees.

I've written lots about Reading the forest's story...
For it is a story.

Dead trees with holes in the bark. In summer it will be green, buggy, but now it is peaceful with a crisp, clean cold.

Why'd the deer poke her nose in the snow?!

I'm a liken' it here. :-)

Bog in winter, no walking here in summer without hipwaders!

Lovely day for a walk, too bad I waited until the clouds covered the sun!

Home, sweet home. 

Perhaps I should explain that the first part was a tumble in the forest! 

The first segment: what happens when you lose your footing and the camera is running!

Discovery of deer poo for Josephine (0:18). The beauty of the forest.

Watch yourself at the drive through!

Here is another update: Feb. 12th, 2016
Seriously, this man has issues.

FEBRUARY 12, 2016

Bracebridge resort owner found guilty of harassing OPP officer

High Falls Chalet Inn owner Brian Coldin has been found guilty of criminally harassing a Bracebridge OPP officer.

Here is an update on this story!


I wonder why a famous lawyer, Clayton Ruby, defending a case feels the need to write a Letter to the editor: There's no harm in nudity ?

I believe that we cannot determine the intent of Coldin's actions. Walking around his property nude, while he was in a park, is a slippery slope. There are sexual innuendos here. He and his 3 male buddies, went through the drive-through nude. What's with this? As a woman, dealing with the fear of walking about alone in the dark, I could easily feel scared. As a child I remember walking through a Toronto park, shortcut on the way home from school, and seeing a flasher, or seeing a man sitting in his car on a downtown Toronto street, flashing his penis for me, a youngster at the time. Those were sick people. Can we imagine that this man is any more sane?

He DID offend the young women. If they were my daughters working at the drive-through, I'd be fighting this issue tooth and nail. This is why I write this post. If he wants to change the law, do it with dignity. If Clayton Ruby, high-priced civil rights lawyer, wants to change the law then do it politically, not through the newspaper or defending someone with court-documented socially unacceptable behaviours, and do it without offense.

If Coldin feels the need to expose himself to a young woman in the drive through, could he also feel the need to expose himself to younger children?
If he felt the need to be threatening and violent with the public, what else would he do in the presence of a young woman? This is about power and control.

Yes, I may have gymnophobia, as one commenter accused, but it is tied more to my fear of sex and violence, especially with the latest crime story of theRussell Williams case. He used his hands, fists, and penis for the purpose of violence and control. Until we can separate paraphilia from nudity, I reserve the right to choose which penises I want to view!

As a mother, grandmother, retired teacher, I am appalled. This case is more than just public nudity.

He was threatening neighbours (see Town Without Pity: the W5 YouTube video, part 2, part 3), and local plumbers, trying to access other cottages on a deeded road access. Things escalated in 2005. I can see how the anger by all would result in this frustrations. But it would appear that these are self-inflicted wounds.

• 7:00BrianColdin1.wmvby merlineaton784 views
• 7:00W5's Town Without Pitty Part 1by Tylorne330 views

My initial blog post generated some interesting responses for nudity advocates.

Public nudity - save us from them!

UPDATE:  Court told of threats, ATV chase

 Matt Driscoll, Nov 03, 2010 - 5:55 PM

The public nudity advocate is also facing charges:

Court heard that on that day, three men in a pickup truck travelled on a dirt road through Coldin’s property to reach a cottage where they were going to do some plumbing work. According to Crown attorney Frank Giordano, Coldin raced after the men on an ATV and cut them off after passing at a high rate of speed, which should lead to a conviction on dangerous driving, he argued.

Other news reports...his photos makes him look so sweet! Biased media...

Yet, he's been violent, or threatened violence, with plumbers and OPP.

Nudity not intended to offend, says Coldin

Court | Dec 01

BRACEBRIDGE — Brian Coldin spent the morning in the hot seat...
Arguments on the case resume on July 5th, 2011.

• Charges against resort owner upheld
• Court told of threats, ATV chase
• Coldin appeals to human rights tribunal
• The right to bare arms
• Coldin says nudity helps protect him
• High Falls Resort owner facing charges
• High Falls Resort ordered to release confiscated vehicle

Workout fever & channel changers

Yes, I try to workout most days, usually at 10:00. It is a bit of structure for my day, and gives me some discipline. Can't say it's doing much for my waistline, but I can't imagine my size if I *didn't* work out!

Since I don't tape my fave shows anymore, this little TV doesn't have the capability, I channel hop, which is a great distraction. I usually work out in the afternoon on weekends, just for a change, and watch Chick Flicks on W!

I usually click between three shows:
NATE Burkus (Home Designer), MARILYN Denis (CTV, Canadian talk show; fashion, make-up, 'age-defying crap', pop TV US stars, because CTV carries US shows, a few Canadian stars), and ELLEN Degeneres (Comedy, games, talk show, US actors).

I prefer the themed shows, like Nate's. Or his used to be! You know what you are going to get now. Today it was 25 minutes on Dancing with the Stars people. Seriously. YAWN. I was ready for some decorating ideas. CLICK. Change channels.

Oprah has had on a variety of guests. You never knew if it would be Dr. Phil (psychobabble, but great lines), Dr. Oz (medical issues), or just who might be flogging a book or a movie. Since I taped it, I could be choosy. CLICK! Then, once the latter two began their own shows, I was quite disappointed with their attempts to 'jump the shark', some days.

None of these people are sticking to their expertise or their premise.

I learned an elementary drama activity, called Channel Changers, from a colleague. The kids would write a show, based on a few sentences from a variety of programs. It could be quite clever and fun. I think of it as I exercise...

ELLEN:  Opening stand-up routine. Love her humour. Dancing! Good motivation for me. I moved faster, stopped watching my exercise timer. Gotta..., make it to..., 40 minutes!  Commercial. CLICK 
MARILYN: Victoria Secret model - flogging underwear men can buy for their women. Friggan' size 2's. Barf. CLICK
NATE: Women's undergarments. What's with this theme? -grossed him out. If he's not going to talk about it with dignity... CLICK
MARILYN: Clara Hughes & depression. Pretty depressing...been there, done that, got the t-shirt.  CLICK
ELLEN: Crazy photos, or was it videos?! Love it. Commercial.  CLICK
NATE: Jennifer Weiner and parenting.  Talking about being a working mother. Nate doesn't have kids, me neither!  CLICK
MARILYN: Young kids and money.  My kids are on their own; they are adults. They're doing quite well. CLICK
ELLEN: Giving a car to two deserving women. Love it. Commercial. CLICK
NATE: Elizabeth, warm dreams. Delightful 8-yr old whose raises money and/or coats for the poor. Loved her. But when is she just a little girl herself? Commercial. CLICK
MARILYN: Age-defying make-up. I worked hard for these wrinkles. Why's everyone want me to exercise more and look younger? This is as good as it gets. CLICK
NATE: Tech toys. (Can't afford 'em!) CLICK

Jess chopped this for me!

MARILYN: 20-something fashion designer. Flogging size 2, juvenile clothes. As if. CLICK
NATE: Amy Sedaris. Flogging her craft book. Loved it. Looking for such a book. (Bought it. Regret it. It's a stand-up routine in a book format with no craft info. Reviewed it, was called an idiot for buying it and hating it!) Commercial  CLICK

ELLEN:  Justin Beiber. Surprises a major 15-year-old fan. Like, whatever, man. CLICK
MARILYN: 15-year old demo-ing new iPhone 4 & Crackberry. Can't afford them or find a good reason to buy one being a retiree, tho' I'd love one! Also, granddaughter uses Skype on it. Has a GPS so you can find it, if lost. (I know someone who could use that app!)  Must not watch... CLICK 

NATE: Do-It-Yourself. Pro-handyman (?) demonstrates DIY doing bathroom tile, badly. Drops a wad of grout on the stage. (Check YouTube's

How To Tile a Bathroom Floor - The Home Depot)  Crikey. CLICK

MARILYN: Tiffany Pratt - glitter pie art.  I have a degree in ECE, I could do this segment. I know how to set-up a room for kid's doing art. I know how to facilitate art. Especially art that doesn't look all the same. Many sources of info on the web! Cripes.

OH, look! I'm at 40 minutes. Whew. Time to haul in some wood. In the shed, on the sled. Betcha Bambi doesn't work for food!
Food is in the closed shed door. Wood on the lefthand addition. 




There is no greater mistake than the hasty conclusion that opinions are worthless because they are badly argued. -Thomas Huxley, biologist and writer (1825-1895)

Someone wants to buy my blog!

What am I to think?
That my blog posts dating from 2007 are worth $500 ?

I've put blood, seat, tears, gas, energy, time, and love into my blog. What are they thinking?

I've create gifs, taken $50,000 photos, and put a lot of joy into my blog. It's not about selling anything, or marketing myself.
What price do you think I should ask?  :-)

'Paul' to me

Hi, I am interested in purchasing your blog .
I represent a firm that purchases entire blogs, that is, the URL as well as the content of the blog. We use these blogs to improve the search engine rankings of our clients.
Our firm requires that the blog has correct English and grammar. It must have original content (not duplicate content from other blogs or websites) as well as having no pornography or other distasteful content. In addition, the blog must be able to be found on Google.
If you are interested in selling your blog(s), please reply with your URL(s) as well as your asking price(s). An actual offer for your blog would happen after a detailed analysis of it that showed that it met all of our criteria.
Below is the typical pricing (in US dollars) based on the PageRank of your blog:
PageRank 1 - from $200. to $300.
PageRank 2 - from $250. to $400.
PageRank 3 - from $340. to $575.
PageRank 4 - from $475. to $700.
PageRank 5 - from $625. to $1,000.
You can contact me at paul@evolvedmanagement.com.
Thank you,
Paul,
Evolved Management

Snowmobile incident on Lake Rosseau

What a horrible event. One group trying to pull a sled from the ice, while another snowmobiler goes flying through to speed over open water from a bubbler.

I've seen the kids tracks, not seen them do it.

The 17-year-old hit the 40' tow rope (what were they doing?), and has lost a couple of teeth. Rope burn, road rash on his hip, cut on his forehead, swollen mouth.

Snowmobile accident on Lake Rosseau injures teen

A 17-year-old snowmobiler was clotheslined on Lake Rosseau Saturday by a rope being used to pull another snowmobile out of the ice on a narrow finger of the lake near Peninsula Road in Port Sandfield.

At approximately 2 p.m., a group of people were attempting to free a snowmobile frozen in the ice, with a long rope and a pulley attached to a nearby dock, said Bracebridge OPP, who attended the scene. When pulled tight, the rope spanned 40 metres across the ice, police said.

Jebb's Creek has a cold tenant

Jebb's Creek, east side of Rideau Ferry Rd.

It was surprising. A beautiful spot. We usually drive by and I sneak a peek.

Jebb's Creek, west

 Look more closely, though. We drove into town, and I spotted this critter standing on the ice.

I made JB stop the car on the way back, just across the bridge, and walked back north to see if the critter was still there.

By the time we returned, a couple of hours later, it *was* nestled back in the open water, now on the west side of the bridge, hiding from me behind the snowy rock.

  The ice on the east side had melted. No more ice walks for it. The poor thing look frightened and frozen. it really hunkered down behind the snowy rock.

Tay River, Perth, ON

Jebb's Creek runs into the Tay River, seen here in the middle of the town of Perth (settled in 1816).

Tay River, Perth, ♬ summertime ♪♫♩♪

It regularly freezes and thaws in the colder weather, but it never freezes completely.

The Tay, seen best at the southern end of Wilson St., Perth, is one of my favourite spots.

There is a cafe right at the corner, with outdoor patio in summer, festivals, too.

I am really looking forward to patio weather again.

Port Elmsley, ON - amazing building remains!

Dignity House Day Hospice Day #4

Lanark County's Dignity House Day Hospice

Art

Leanne's gift Dignity House Day Hospice

Leanne Alward
A precious princess
1974 - 2003

Dignity House Hospice is grateful to have received a gift of tea cups and saucers. We use these with our clients and volunteers during our Day Hospice at lunch.

My dear internet friend, Susan Oling, a marvellous photographer, and outdoors naturalist, read about Dignity House tea cups, the idea of Alanna Scanlon (Program director, B.ScN), and offered to pack up her precious collection to send for our use.

We are grateful for the gift both tangible and spiritual.

Please read about Leanne. Her mother's beautiful words honours Leanne's spirit and demonstrates how we can grieve internally (our emotional response), mourn externally (funerals and Celebrations of Life), and manage our loss, yet give back to others. We can recognize the difference Leanne's life journey made on this earth.

What I most respect about Susan's mourning in the dignity she holds for her other daughters, and the importance that living in the present is for a grieving parent.

This is the tribute written by Susan Oling, Leanne's mother:

This is my golden favourite!

Leanne Alward was the second child born of 4 daughters, and we were blessed with the gift of her life for twenty-eight years. She was always a quiet baby, and very popular in her school years, but worked hard for her accomplishments. We were fortunate to have seen her as a bride; she always said it was her day to be 'A Princess!'

Leanne loved children, was always drawn to her youngest sister or baby cousins, and of course dreamed of having her own. But it was not to be. She worked two jobs as an Early Childhood Educator, and was looking forward to studying for her Montessori School Teaching certificate the following summer at Sheridan College.

On November 9th, 2003, she suffered severe head drama from a horseback riding accident, and on Nov.13th our dear Lord came and took another daughter home.

Leanne was not successfull in being an Organ Donor, but she did restore sight for two blind men and helped to regenerate skin for severe burned patients.

Leanne was always so kind and thoughtful, she loved spending time with her Grandmother Elsie, as well as the young children in the family. We know she would be proud to share her pretty little china cups, giving moments of pleasure to those who participate in Dignity House Day Hospice.

Thank You Sincerely,

 Her Mom, 

Susan Oling

Susan writes further:

 I was fortunate to have the help of a group called Compassionate Friends and even talking to the parents on the forum that was accessible from Leanne's Memorial Website...they were all a big help, but mostly knowing what Leanne's view's on life and death were and how she would expect us to keep living our lives for her....is what gave me the strength to keep moving forward...I also enjoyed the publications of John Edwards, James Van Praagh and Silvia Brown....they gave me hope and inspiration. And of course a good friend of mine who's son died of Aids so early in life....she also gave me the strength and hope to move on with my life, to support my grieving daughters and honour Leanne's Memory...I also experienced new found strength with my spiritual beliefs ....as they say, If God brings you to it, he will help you through it...

Grief - we do much research, and do not absorb its implications.

Professionals' Experiences of Grief Counseling: Implications for Bridging the Gap between Research and Practice

"After controlling for contextual factors and time since death, complicated grief symptoms were higher among caregivers with less education, among families with lower prior conflict but higher conflict at the end-of-life, who had family members who had difficulty accepting the illness, and who were caring for patients with greater fear of death. Additionally, hospice utilization moderated the effect of fear of death on complicated grief. " Complicated Grief Symptoms in Caregivers of Persons with Lung Cancer: The Role of Family Conflict, Intrapsychic Strains, and Hospice Utilization Betty J. Kramer, Ph.D., MSSW, Melinda Kavanaugh, MSW, Amy Trentham-Dietz, Ph.D., Matthew Walsh, MPH, James A. Yonker