Monday, 9 April 2018

Random Acts of Kindness

Sometimes someone does something so unexpected and so kind that it takes your breath away.

A couple of weeks ago we found out that Mike needs to have surgery to remove his prostate. The prognosis is very good and we are very optimistic. But cancer is cancer. So there is always some worry.

Last Friday, at bridge, a lovely woman handed me a bag to give to Mike. She is someone who is very friendly, but I do not really know her very well yet. In the bag was a beautiful hand-made comfort quilt that she had bought from the Cancer Society for Mike. I cannot find the words to tell you how I felt. I gave her a big hug and wiped a couple of tears from my eyes.

Then I brought it home to Mike.  It is absolutely beautiful. With warm felt on the back to keep him warm.


You should have seen his reaction. He could not believe that someone he had only met a couple of times would do this for him. Talking about his feelings does not come easy for him but he told me she had to be a guardian angel. He was so touched.

My sister told me that at her church when you do something kind and unexpected for someone, you give them a green marble with the gift and tell them to pass it on.

I think that is a lovely idea. How great is it that a random act of kindness can make someone else's entire day? Especially these days when it is often so hard to stay positive.

I think Mike and I have both been given a little green marble that we need to pass along.

Any other feel good stories to share?









Sunday, 8 April 2018

Oops! Bad design, bad installation, bad ideas...

Bad choice of carpet for stairs


Nice view


Elegant and disgusting at the same time


Stretch...


Have a nice bath


Open any drawer, what you're looking for is in one of them


As long as your car is very very very small


How?




Saturday, 7 April 2018

Militant art

The pollution of our oceans is a very serious problem. There are many movements and campaigns that try to address the issue. Artists also make a contribution.



Image created by Jorge Gamboa of a plastic bag in the shape of an iceberg to make awareness of all the plastic that's found in the ocean.


Friday, 6 April 2018

National Tartan Day

Who ever heard of a National Tartan Day?

Of course- as soon as I read about it, I thought of our own TW. Upon further research, I discovered that it had nothing at all to do with TW! 

National Tartan Day originated in New York City when the mayor, Ed Koch, declared July 1, 1982 as Tartan day, a one-time celebration of the 200th anniversary of repealing the Act of Proscription (August 12, 1747), which had forbidden Scots to wear tartan.  Then in 2004, the National Capital Tartan Day Committee lobbied US House Representatives to designate April 6 as National Tartan Day, a day which was adopted on March 9, 2005.

SCOTS FORBIDDEN TO WEAR TARTAN! OH NOES!!
I think TW would agree that repealing the Act of Proscription is indeed something to celebrate!

So here we go...! Please concentrate on the tartans... nothing else. ; ))



Q- perhaps we can invite this guy to the next party? He looks like fun.

This one is for TW.  (Credit: Tantalizing Tuesdays)
From TW's private collection.



Can you guess which one is the TRUE SCOT? Watch the video to find out.



                                                       
Fun Fact!
  • Rachel Walker holds the Guinness World Record for wearing the most Tartans within 60 seconds.  Walker managed to put on 4 kilts within 60 seconds.

As I was looking for photos, I started to think about my own history. 
I have one Irish grandmother, and 3 Scottish grandparents. 

My mother was a Campbell. Historically one of the most powerful of the Highland clans. The Campbells were known for their brutality and cruelty. Apparently to this day in many Highland villages, there are signs in restaurants, inns, and pubs that state: "We don't serve Campbells." Luckily only one of my grandparents was a Campbell. 



My father was a MacClennan.  We had a large stained glass window in our house with the following motto. While I breathe, I hope.  I like that.  I think my MacClennan genes are winning out over the Campbell genes. 



Happy National Tartan Day Everyone!  GO PLAID!


Thursday, 5 April 2018

Spring, we are waiting...

I know many of us have been dealing with a cold , rainy, and yes , snowy spring so far.  The temperatures in my area look to be nasty for the next week.  As I cook yet another pot of veggie soup to ward off the chill, I keep thinking of the things I enjoyed last spring and summer. Sunny days, gardening, and of course grilling out.  Cheers to spring arriving soon !


         





Tuesday, 3 April 2018

Les Tours de Merle

I miss France and decided to take a little tour of a fascinating place in the south of the Corrèze. The fortress was considered impregnable, but history intervened and parts of it fell in the wrong hands for a while. The lords of Merle prevailed, eventually.
This is from Wikipedia:
The Tours de Merle are the ruins of a castle in the commune of Saint-Geniez-ô-Merle, in the Corrèze department of France. It was a feudal fortress from the twelfth and fifteenth centuries, which was subject of a classification as a historic monument since July 30, 1927.
In the fourteenth century, Merle included seven castles, two chapels and a village, owned by seven noblemen from Merle. 
During the Hundred Years' War, the English took one of the towers and a castle in 1371.
In 1574 the Calvinists took the citadel, where they established a garrison, they were driven out two years later by the co-lords. But the fortress was abandoned by those who preferred to live in places that were more pleasant and certainly more accessible.

















Monday, 2 April 2018

HAPPY MONDAY !

 I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend ! I know many of us enjoyed time with family  and friends. It's back to reality today - Monday morning !  It's the little things that count, so enjoy your coffee, spend time with your pets, talk to a friend, or enjoy the outdoors.  💜




         Or perhaps these are more appropriate .......Either way, have a great day!





             Thanks to my son for his help !!!                                     



Sunday, 1 April 2018

Saturday, 31 March 2018

Spring!

Spring has always been my favourite time of the year.

When I think of the springs of my childhood, I think of new shoes, a new dress and a new bonnet to wear to church on Easter Sunday. Somehow the days suddenly seemed happier and my sisters and I seemed a little freer. Because the days were longer, we could get outside after supper to play in the park across the street. Does anyone remember hanging upside down on Monkey Bars? The boys always got the baseball diamond but sometimes, if there were not enough kids to play, we might get the chance. At least until more boys showed up!

Spring circa 1956.




It feels like we wait so long for spring. And then slowly but surely, things start to change. This year the geese returned earlier than usual. Sometimes there are hundreds of them overhead. I remember the sound of them when we were in Montreal and Mike was working shift work. Late at night I might hear them honking as they flew overhead. It always brought a lump to my throat. It felt like a special treat to hear them but now we have so many and it seems like I am always running outside to watch them when I hear them calling. I have discovered that geese are much more romantic when they are flying overhead than when they are hanging out in the park messing up the sidewalks!



I know that spring is a lot slower arriving here in Eastern Canada than it is for many of you. There is still a lot of dirty snow on the ground and I know that we could still have a snowstorm or two, but today I found the beginning of new life in the garden and I saw my first robin. Maybe that is what is special about Spring... hope.


I just know this little green shoot is going to turn into something beautiful. And of course, because I cannot remember what is planted where, it is going to be a wonderful surprise!


Mike and I had a special treat today when we were invited by our neighbours to make traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs (Pysanky).  One egg took us about two hours! It is probably a lot easier when your hand doesn't shake!

As you can see Mike was pretty intent on what he was doing.



And here is my effort. I was quite pleased with it. The colours and symbols have special meanings. Leaves and flowers represent life and growth. The colour red is beauty/ love, orange is endurance and black is remembrance.




How about you? What do you like best about Spring?


Friday, 30 March 2018

A cat post

Some people say the purpose of the Internet is to let people enjoy photos and videos of cute animals... The following were shared on snapchat and I saw them on Facebook. There were pages of them, so I saved the ones I liked best.