Christmas Shopping

Not that I have to mention it but Christmas is fast approaching. That means all you big kids are beginning to consider what to buy other big kids and little kids for Christmas.
I had given it some thought and for this year and I decided I would try to buy on a more local basis. When I mean local I mean stuff made in Canada, being Canadian and all. I had no idea how difficult this would be. It seems everything is made in China!
Nearly every piece of clothing I pick up "made in China". Every litte kitchen do-dad or piece of plastic "made in China." Toys, stuffed animals, games "made in China." One would think they are just raking in the bucks albeit in small amounts as this stuff is inexpensive. So one has to ask - why is 90% of everything we go to buy cheap and made in China? I even spotted a Roots (clearly Canadian) sweater and upon checking the label - you guessed it "made in China".
There are some things I can guarantee you can buy Canadian without too much difficulty: maple syrup, cheese, local native goods such as moccasins.
I've decided to expand my goal to include Canada and United States. Today I will be going to an art and craft show called "The Maker's Hands". I'm pretty sure it will be mostly "Made in China" free and perhaps I can pick up a gift or two without blowing the bank up.
This is a bit of a challenge and I know there will be a gift or two under the tree compliments of China but with all the focus on local products and our economy I'm willing to give it a go.

The Many Hats We Wear

It will be Halloween in about 3 days which got me thinking of the many different things I have transformed into on Oct. 31.

For the longest time - seemed like years, I was a skunk. I still remember the fur tail made stiffly with wire and the white strip down the back.

I was a clown once and of course a vampire.

One of my favourites was the back end of a horse - no kidding. My sister was the front and we would get into position with me at the back underneath the sheet at each house. Then to speed up the process of getting to the next house we would separate and run to the next house. Back to the back I would go and under the sheet for the next Trick or Treat! I don't remember getting a lot of candy that year......

One year my girlfriend and I went as "Electro Woman and Dina Girl" (1970 something, I was Dina Girl). At one house we stopped at a rather drunk fella opened the door and slurred ya gotta do a chtrick....

So we sang the intro for the show with great flourish. He was pretty impressed!

See video.....I think I could still pull it off...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqB36FsglEE&feature=related

Time for the Ice Scraper

It seems since the son got his license he has really taken over my car. I never see it anymore and that means I am STILL riding my bike. I'm not good with cold weather (not enough insulation on the bones) and my extremities in particular are always cold but as I have to get to work somehow, the bike will have to do.
So the other morning there is a definite chill in the air and I can see my breath as I take Amelia for her morning walk (in the dark, under the stars). Taking note of this I dress appropriately for my ride to work.
Extra sweater -check
Mittens - check
Ear warmers underneath my helmet - check.
Ice scraper....
Ice scraper, I hear you ask?? Aren't those for Canadian car windshields on winter mornings so you can see where you are going? You would be right but as everyone was scraping their windshields I was scraping the seat of my bike. Not that the frost would make it difficult for me to see but, well, it would have made for an uncomfortable bike ride you understand. So I scraped away and off I went.
I biked down a hill and the cold air brought tears to my eyes and took my breath away. I biked underneath trees dropping golden snowflakes all around me. I did my best to keep my hands warm and failed. I was very tempted to bike through the leaves all piled up along the curb of the road like kids waiting for the Christmas Parade but I thought better of it as I was not sure what was underneath all those colours and hitting a big stick with a curb on one side and cars zipping by you very close to the other would not be a good idea.
It's a whole new experience biking in the fall. My sister - bless her heart, will bike all year long, straight through the winter. I should add she will be turning 50 next year. I salute you Heather, ice scraper raised high.

I think that Tree is Smiling...

Some people would call me a tree hugger and they could be right, although I'm not sure exactly what the definition of a tree hugger is. But I am someone who loves trees - they calm me down, they keep me cool on a hot summer day, they whisper in the summer, rustle in the fall and clack in the winter.

Trees seem to have personalities to me. For example Maple Trees are like moms - they always are welcoming with branches low enough, inviting every child around to hop on up and snuggle into the crook of a branch. You will often find a big swing attached to them! Whereas Oak trees are like beautiful, estranged ladies. They have lofty branches, looking way down at us and elegant leaves. Pines and cedars are a race of their own - never changing, solid fellows that can take the weight of the winter snow easily (can you hear them singing "hi ho, hi ho"??). And then there are birches and willows, elms and sumacs.

I was out for a visit to "The County" last week and happened to snap a shot of a tree elf - no really I did (see picture). He's peeking out at me quite suprised thinking I couldn't see him - but I did.

I guess it is true - I am a tree hugger, lover of trees, whatever. I need them around me, rustling, laughing, clacking and whispering. Scripture says the "the trees of the fields will clap their hands." So, you see. I'm not crazy after all!

Old Habits Die Hard

One of the hardest things I have ever had to personally conquer is/was smoking. I had my first cigarette at the age of 14. Coughed, hacked and felt terribly nauseous. The second one, well I was hooked. By the time I was 18 I was up to nearly two packs a day! Yikes!!
But, I had a new lease on life at the age of 20 (that being a personal invitation from Jesus to start all things new with a fresh batch of mercies each morning), and with that extra booster of strength and power I began to kick that habit. I had my last cigarette somewhere around the age of 22 - actually it was only half a cigarette. I am very happy to say the shackles have been removed. BUT I know danger when I see it and it would seem I am a smokeaholic - meaning cigarette smoke still smells pretty good to me and I had better stay clear of them because one of them would probably send me back on the road to two packs a day. I am definitely not someone who can "take it or leave it". I'm all in.
Which, sadly, leads me to my Frumpy Sweater. You know, the one I was supposed to dispose of some time ago. The one always covered in cat hair and toothpaste dribble down the front with holes in the pockets etc. etc. Yes, I admit it, I'm wearing it as we type. But, I want you to know, I've tried, really tried, to let the old girl go. I bought one sweater to replace it but it was so cute I wanted to keep it nice. Besides every time I picked up Frodo the cat he would get his claws stuck in this sweater and it would take at least two people to extricate us. Then, I bought another sweater; pockets, comfortable and Frodo Friendly. I threw it in the wash and lo and behold it shrunk! So here I am, still wearing old Frumpy.
It took me quite a few years to kick cigarettes - may take me a while to shed this sweater. Old habits die hard ya know.

October's Beauty

It's October in Ontario and truly one of the most beautiful times of the year to be here. The trees take centre stage and show off their gorgeous colours, the fields dress in coats of muted tones - gold, burnt umbre, purple and yellow, and there is just enough coolness in the air to help you sleep at night. I should mention the incredible abundance of produce. It is a real treat to the senses walking through the local market: bright orange pumpkins, peppers in all shapes and sizes, squash, potatoes, apples, apples and more apples, tomatoes and frothy stands of mums!

In a week's time we will be celebrating Thanksgiving here, and we reallyhave so much to be thankful for. You should come visit! There is always lots of food on the table and at least two pies for dessert!

Ami in the Window

The picture above is one I, and my whole family, come home to on a regular basis. We walk up the steps and there, sitting in her favourite chair, the one she chewed up as a puppy, is Amelia.

She is waiting, and watching, and waiting. She waits for me to come home, or my son to come home or anybody to come home. And while she waits she watches whatever is going on outside the big window to a world she can see but can't go to. Often she just falls asleep to while away the hours but as soon as she hears a car or a familiar step on the pavement, there she is watching and waiting.

How often have we been in that same spot, waiting and watching.

Waiting to grow up,

Waiting to fall in love,

Waiting to leave home

Waiting to come home

Waiting to marry

Waiting to live your life

Waiting to die

It seems we spend a fair bit of our life in that "on hold" mode. We start early too - "I can't WAIT for Christmas." says a 4-year-old. Already chomping at the bit, ready to jump time ahead to that perfect moment, aka Christmas day.

Patience is a virtue they say. The bible calls it a "fruit of the spirit." One worth nurturing to growth and maturity. If I think back on the number of times I've had to wait for something or someone vs. the number of times something (or someone) responded immediately it is quite clear which way the scales are balanced.

So why do we fight this virtue, this spiritual fruit? Why not let it grow and exercise it and learn to savour the moment in life we are at instead of wishing it away. Any parent will tell you simply blink and your children will be heading out the door and it will seem like only yesterday you were dealing with a terrible 2 year old.

In a couple of months I will be turning 46. This was a bit of a shock as I was convinced I was turning 44 - big difference here. I'm a lot closer to 50 than I thought! There is a very good chance I'm at least half way through my life span, if not more. But I've tried to live my life with patience, savouring each moment, especially the good ones and bearing up under the bad ones. When my sister died so young it left a strong imprint on me of how very fragile life is. I did not want to miss a minute of it. So, like Ami, when I'm waiting I watch - watch everything that's going on, not wanting to miss anything. And like Ami, I also rest.

I hope you are too.