USE YOUR SUPER POWER!

It is my suspicion that everyone has a super power. You might already know what yours is, you may even have a few, but I believe  we all have at least one!

Now being "kind" is  a Great Super power and something we can all do. But do you know how powerful kindness is? It strengthens your immune system, gives you clarity, calmness and a heart full of love! Your super-powered kindness benefits those around you, creating a positive environment and spilling far beyond your act of kindness, whatever that may be.

Super powers can run in families! When you model kindness, you raise kind children. Both my kids are kind and generous hearted!

And just look at these two happy dudes! That my husband Sheldon, one of the most generous humans on earth with Andrew who is one of the Best Huggers on Earth. Both are super powered with Kindness. 

So, here's the point. We are heading into the Christmas season. My word, how crazy are the stores, the traffic and even our own families?? Can I encourage you be kind? Wait your turn patiently, hold the doors open, read your child and extra book at night. 

Today, Sheldon and I along with another couple dropped off a couple of totes full of food and Tim Horton's gift cards to a few homeless people who, believe it or not, are living in tents. Sheldon sent out the word and many of our friends generously helped us provide for them. It's cold out there people, Really. Cold. And we don't have a homeless shelter (though we are really close).

Now, more than ever, it's time to use your Super Power!!

IT'S FUNNY WHAT YOU REMEMBER

I had a birthday this past week. No major milestone, just another year marking the passing of time. I've reached my 56 year on this earth and it got me thinking of all the things I've stored away in my memory banks. 

This picture was taken in 1971 at Lake on the Mountain in Picton, apparently when jumpers were all the rage. I'm on the far left squinting horribly. And a few things have happened since then! 

For one thing technology has exploded. I remember returning to school after Christmas break. I was in Grade 10 at the time. The fella in front of me in Drama class (Chris Baker) had the strangest watch I had ever seen. It was digital! We went from a manual typewriter, to an electric one. You would be amazed how much clackety noise a classroom full of electric typewriters can make. Now here I am with a Laptop and an Apple watch! And Pong - I can't remember whose house I was at but somebody got an Atari for Christmas and we spent hours watching those two little lines ping that little white dot back and forth, back and forth. 

In the early 1980's Caesar Salads became popular. There was no dressing to be had in a jar, you had to make your own, which included a raw egg and lemon juice!

I remember when Pringles, Wunderbar and those miraculous things called "ATMs" showed up. 

And music - I went from little 45s to full on record albums, cassette tapes to CDs (I never went in for those 8-track tapes...). If I was trying to record a song on the radio, that meant racing into the living room and hitting the "record" button on the tape recorder if your song came the radio. 

I remember when Elvis died, waiting in line to watch the original Star Wars at the theatre, and a whole lotta hype around disco. 

Perhaps my memory banks are getting full. There's a lot in there and I suspect it may be getting selective about what it hands out, not to mention how long it takes to find it. 

But I think I'm OK. I can still sing word for word The Boys are Back In Town by Thin Lizzy (circa 1976). It's funny what you remember!

OH THOSE GOLDEN DAYS

The Golden Days of October have come to an end. I've closed the windows and turned on the furnace. But oh, those were glorious days! 

My bike is now tucked away for the winter in the shed but I managed a few beautiful rides before I said adieux!

One Sunday afternoon was perfect weather wise and I headed down to the trail along the waterfront.

You wouldn't know from this picture but this was a very busy spot at the time! 

Golden trees overhang my backyard and this beauty was showing off a bit.

Then, we had lots of rain and lots of wind resulting in, well, this:

Within 5 days, the golden tree was stripped bare and there was nothing left to do but rake up her coat of many colours.

November is now taking centre stage with her gray moodiness and the promise of snow; quite a contrast from the dazzling last couple of months! 

But the shovels and winter coats are within reach and I guess I'm as ready as I'll ever be. The Golden days are over and now it's time to hunker down - we could be in for a snowy ride!