My niece, Barbara, arrived today to spend the weekend, much to her father's delight as well as mine. It hasn't been so long since I have seen her, having visited her in Ottawa last month with my brother, Roy who is staying with me for the summer.
This is the first time, however, she has visited my home in Owen Sound, even though I have lived here more than 20 years. Our busy lives often do this to families. No matter, it is a pleasure to have her and Roy and I plan some events for her enjoyment, including a barbecue and rare performance by special jazz favourites, Bobby Dean Blackburn and his four sons.
Being a Globe and Mail reader, she clipped an article from today's edition - page A2 - as there was a mention of a person from Owen Sound noted in it. The article is a report on winners of a writing contest, somewhat of a back-handed compliment as the contest is for worst opening line to an imaginary novel.
The 26th annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest lists several contestants including one 'from Canada' who is someone I know about. She is the daughter of my former dentist and his wife!!
Congratulations Sarah Totton.

Posted by doreen at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Memories of our winters spent in Florida came rushing back when I learned of the death of a good friend yesterday.
Devere Newberry was a consummate gentlemen, a dying breed, who would treat everyone with respect and courtesy. Any conversation I had with him was given kind consideration as he would give his full attention to whatever we were discussing. And he never talked down to women, or men for that matter, despite his obvious superior knowledge about many subjects.
It was always a pleasure to be summoned for an afternoon libation at his and Dorothy's comfortable porch. We would all, about eight or ten of us, discuss music and the fun things that had happened to us. Seldom did we argue, even though some had differing backgrounds.
Devere's talent as a singer and entertainer contributed considerably to the annual talent show, held each year in the rec hall of Sanlan Campground. We shared the stage several times performing a comic duet. His script, polished in rehearsals, was crafted to make the most out of each laugh. Hilarious song parodies included "Give me a home where the buffalo roam --- and I'll show you a dirty house!! And his impression of Jimmy Durante always brought the house down.
Goodbye dear old friend and thanks so much for the memories.

Posted by doreen at 10:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Who wouldn't thoroughly enjoy a whole day of intense learning if it was presented as Emma Jane Hogbin did at this year's HICKTech, ( How Internet Connects Knowledge through Technology)?

Billed as a rural and modern technology forum the hour-long sessions, keynote speakers and panel discussions were geared to those who thirst for knowledge. Emma also catered to those who thirst for good wholesome food and local beer.

Yesterday convinced me that lifelong learning can be fun and works well when speakers are lined up with solid backgrounds and know how to deliver a presentation. Information gleaned sent so many ideas bubbling up in my head, I shall need the CD made of each presentation to refresh my notes.

At the end of the day I watched as many animated conversations continued well past the scheduled go-home time. And Bobby Dean Blackburn provided his unique rhythm and blues entertainment in the background. As we trundled out lugging goodie bags with useful stuff many of us had gained more than fodder for production, we had made several friends.

Must get back to my follow-up notes now and reconnect with Jane Zhang, program coordinator for Partnership Platform, who is going to help me with improving our church web site. That's as well as Anne Finlay Stewart, who had already made a suggestion that she is willing to work on with me.

Then there's Linda Wright who is working on e-channel delivery of a wide range of learning through Sioux Hudson Literary Council. When we discussed IODE's involvement, shipping needed materials to northern Ontario schools, we knew we had something in common.

Not to mention a local artisan who, needing some help with her web site content, hired me on the spot.

How cool is that?

Posted by doreen at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Happy St. Georges Day everyone!
Some people think I am soppy to cling to memories of the land of my birth after living more than 50 years in Canada.
It's not that I don't consider myself Canadian and subscribe to the laws and tenets of society here - even though I sometimes disagree with government.
But really, it's the people in both England and Canada who remain important to me wherever I am. And especially those who have left this earth, leaving me with memories I cherish.
Today I listen to music from the old sod, particularly the marches and classical pieces I learned as school. Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance wound up a St. George's hour on CBC Two as I remember my father whose taped collection of marches I inherited.

Dad 'borrowed his brother's birth certificate to join the British army which he served in for 28 years. Even though he missed action of the First World War, there was plenty of fighting going on. A dangerous mission to Turkey sent him home with a bayonet wound in his neck. He never spoke about it and when questioned about the scar, would laugh and say he fell over and bit it!
He did tell us about happenings while on guard duty at Buckingham Palace. One story lends insight to Queen Mary when she admonished her granddaughter, the present queen, as she skipped down the stairs boasting she was growing up to be queen! Queen Mary's retort is touted as being: "First, you must grow up to be a lady"
We loved to listen to anecdotes like these.
When he died here in Canada, a local branch of the Coldstream Guards Association formed an honour guard beside his flag-draped coffin. Gone but not forgotten. Luv u Dad.

Posted by doreen at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Aren't I the lucky one?

Being housebound has it's advantages. You get calls, snailmail, visits and email with good wishes. As well, with Skype I can chat with loved ones; my littlest grandson seems to be growing each time I see him on the webcam.

And I got flowers and chocolates for Valentine's Day!

My neighbour brought over a stunning flower arrangement from our garden club meeting cos the demonstrator asked if any members were sick. There were two different arrangements finished that evening and another neighbour, also housebound, got the other. Haven't seen hers but mine has about two dozen white and red carnations, baby's breath, ferns, the whole enchilada. Makes me feel very special.

This kind and thoughtful neighbour also brought over some lovely chocs - in a heart shape box - this time from her. She and a group of my jazz loving friends, with whom I usually tag along, are going out for Valentine's Day dinner and will be entertained by some of my favourite musicians.

But I don't feel sorry for myself as tonight I will play a CD by these talented musicians while I munch my chocs and enjoy the flowers. And I don't have to worry about leaving my warm and comfortable house to brave a snowy day.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

Posted by doreen at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our father used to say "these things are sent to try us" usually after an unexpected roadblock for one of us in our headlong dash through childhood. His words have come back on many occasions but this time I'd like to paraphrase him and say: these things are sent to guide us.

That's the way I feel today as I have finally conquered a particularly intricate knitting pattern for a pair of socks I have been struggling with for months, on and off. Not having lots of patience has been a stumbling block and having ripped out several tries, shelved the project.

A particularly lengthy bout of restricted movement recently has led me to study various shelved Fifo projects,(Find it finish it); among them this knitting. I had considered myself an expert knitter having learned as a Brownie at my mother's knee. Sailing through moss stitch, cables and Fairisle, I can't remember when there wasn't a bag of different size needles and something 'on the go' in the cupboard.

This particular pattern, in a book of advanced patterns loaned to me by knitting daughter, Lynda, stumped me. The drop/twist/pickup Austrian-inspired pattern defied my tight knitting! Unlearning a habit requires concentration.

But now that I have begun to download podcasts onto my laptop, I can listen to BBC dramas or Quirks and Quarks and watch what I am doing.

Posted by doreen at 04:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Hey Guys, here's a movie clip of my grandson, Avery, playing with his dog Kia. It was taken by daughter Tracy and it is now on my uTube page.

Posted by doreen at 06:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm not sure I want to return to the world yet. There's a blizzard going on outside my window and I heard this morning that part of a highway leading to Owen Sound is closed.
This is going to be a long winter, I think.

On the bright side, my voice seems to have returned, though not so much for singing some will be glad to hear. I hope to join my friends for dinner and a listen to Don and Rob tomorrow night after missing four evenings of jazz and chat.

This morning I made a new friend, or at least a potential one.
Wilda, sister of my friend Isabel, who died last week, chatted with me this morning about getting ready to leave Sauble Beach for Arizona for the balance of the winter, lucky woman.
We had met a couple of times in passing through Isabel's room while visiting her. At the funeral I learned that she had been coerced into knitting for IODE and we made arrangements for someone to pick up completed items before she left on Monday. As luck would have it, we have a friend in common who lives nearby. I wished her a safe journey and a comfy winter.

I had known Wilda recently visited India as Isabel showed me a lovely cashmere shawl brought back for her. What Isabel didn't tell me, although she might have and I forgot, is that Wilda went skydiving last year and plans to do some more. This despite having a pin in one ankle from two breaks!
I love to hear about women who are adventurous and look forward to sharing more tales with her. She also is fortunate in having a daughter move closer to her.

During the years she travelled south with late husband Fred, she did all the driving and took four days plus to get to their trailer. Wilda doesn't plan to take her laptop with her, unfortunately, as weight is a problem when traveling by plane but we promised to connect again in April.

It's stopped snowing so I had better scoot out and recover garbage bin before it blows into the ravine. Blow you perishing wind, see if I care.

Posted by doreen at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What an uplifting 20 minutes on line I had today.
Granddaughter Claire was announced logging on to Skype this morning and I quickly rang her chimes. She has a half day off from her job at Edinburgh Zoo and as we both had cameras operational, she showed me her sparsely furnished room with ensuite bathroom. Then she carried her laptop down the hall to show me the shared kitchen which is really quite large and fully equipped. One of her flatmates, a newly graduated student from Arkansas, was lounging there. The other flatmate is an artist.
Outside her window the view includes a stretch of parkland and a stately church. There are movie and live theatres close by and most other amenities as befitting a big city.
The last couple of weekends she has been away with friends to the north on hawking trips. This is a pastime she likes - she said she has gone shopping once since being in Edinburgh and only then for necessities. Not the usual 25 year old young woman.
As I am off on Saturday to Vancouver to visit relatives she sent her love and best wishes to those she stayed with while on the coast. Can't really keep up with where this travelling granddaughter has been but it warms my heart to know she has time for Bubba wherever she lands.
We now have a land line telephone number for her but this call was much cheaper!!!!

Posted by doreen at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Only one more day to go and our wonderful holiday in England is at an end. What a very special time it has been. I have learned so much about my ancestors; where some of them were born, where they moved from and to, where they died.
Incredibly, one of my cousins gave us insight into the family of a second marriage of my paternal grandmother, of which I knew nothing about until very recently.
Unexpectedly coming upon the gravestone of a relative, the probable ancestor of my maternal grandmother, while walking around a cemetery in Swaffam, Norfolk for the first time in my life, was a thrilling experience.
During the trekkiing around the countryside, I learned so much about other historical events not learned earlier in my life, I feel as though I have been on a super elderhostel tour.
The weather has been marvelous, considering the usual inclement moisture at this time of year. Who would have believed that October would have been a half descent time to tour Roman Baths, Stonehenge, Cumbria fels or Hadrian's Wall!
This has also been a pilgrimage; so many ancient churches, priories and other ecclestiacal locations and people have been encountered.
I think it will take me some time to get back into ordinary daily life when we get home but there's one thing I know and that is that I have much more understanding of what life might have been in the recent and long ago past in the land of my birth.
What a history lesson!

Posted by lynda at 04:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This has to have been the most brilliant day yet, to use the local vernacular for awesome. The most spectacular scenery unfolded as we drove, made sharp by a clear, sunny day, first to Glenridding for a look at a friends home territory on Ullswater Lake. On the way to Keswick we stopped briefly to view, together with several hikers and cyclists, the Castlerigg Stone Circle. Standing in the centre of this ancient monument, to we know not what, we tried to take photos of the mountainous views that surrounded us. At least it got me trying out some of the features on the digital camera not heretofore explored.
Caldbeck was our first stop for victuals, cheese scone with tea, which sustained us through a mad purchasing spree in the mill shop of knitting kits, notions and items knitted and woven from hand spun hardwick sheep wool among other sources.
We resorted to Madam, our name for Lionel's SatNav gadget, to guide us back to the route on our return from a wonderful excursion in the Cumbrian Mountains.

Posted by lynda at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The journey from our digs in Kendal to ones in Patterdale was a mixture of interesting side trips, spectacular scenery and hardly a wrong turn.
A suprising view of a peacock along the roadside, obviously escapd from somewhere much safer, contrasted to ubiquitous sheep on the steepest hillsides.
Unfortunately, Lynda could not view as many of the breathtaking views as I, watching for oncoming buses, lorries and speedsters as she had to much of the way.

Posted by lynda at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here we are at Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, having a conference with two of my cousins, that has been recorded on Lynda's laptop - which is what I am using to write this blog - all about our ancestors. Lynda now has 1200 names of people connected to our family. Now that's a tree!!!
This particular stop is to acquire details from Cousin Meryl Pace (Gardner) about what she remembers from her youth about my mother's side. Her son, Ant, also has delved into family history so we are gathering a considerable amount of detail regarding inlaws and outlaws. Also joining us for the day is Cousin Patricia Talmage (Gradwell) from nearby Cholsey who has much info on my father's brother Will Gradwell, whose childhood has only recently been revealed through orphanage records. As his story unfolds, a horrific picture of Victorian England has emerged. As cousins, Patricia and I have been in touch only sporadically so there's a great deal of catching up to do.
Talking about a step back in time:- A bit further back than Gramps etc., we trod the stones of the Romans while visiting Bath this week. We had a fascinating two hour tour of the complex on the original site in the centre of the city, and preserved as much as possible - crumbling stones and all. The baths offer a stroll through history on the very worn stone tablets surrounding a large pool where hot springs bubble up. Seating areas are depicted by illustrations beside the rooms where the locals gathered in various groups and numbers. An ingenious system of culverts and drains is still operational where heretofore used bath water was returned to the Avon River. A valuable free asset is a personal wireless guide allowing me to take as much time as I wish at each historical step.

Posted by lynda at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I picked up Dorothy's mail today at Kelso Villa. A very small errand I was glad to do for her daughter, MaryJo.

While chatting with one of the nurses who had looked after my sister in law, I kinda surprised myself and started to cry. Had only been back once there since she died but a flood of memories washed over me and although I thought I had got all cried out at the funeral last month, just saying I am going to miss her seemed to open the flood gates again.

All the nurses there are great and several said they would also miss her.
"She was feisty," said one, "but we enjoyed her." Another recalled that if it hadn't been for her there would not be an ice machine, a perk she lobbied for last summer.

Thinking about some of the good times we had together over the past 50 years, memories of her Jack and my Larry, the four of us, flashed by again.
There's no one left to reminisce about dancing the night away, sharing a hot tub or even arguing about words and pronunciations.

Who can I talk to now about our youngest children, born just five months apart? I remember the first time we sat the girls on her kitchen table; they could barely sit up and we remarked then at the likeness of the cousins. Over the years we often exchanged news from one or the other as Tracy and MaryJo always kept in touch with each other, even when oceans apart.

I envied her ability to read music and am grateful she patiently taught me how to sing alto by ear.

Oh dear, there are so many things I am thankful for in having her in my life.

Goodbye, dear Dorothy.

Posted by doreen at 06:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What a whizzbang few days I've had beginning on Thursday when two visitors arrived.
Shizuko Hayashi from Tokyo, accompanied by Toronto friend, Anne Van Egmond are members of 5W, an international women travellers organization.

Friday night, Anne and Shizuko joined a group of my friends for a birthday celebration; a fish and chips dinner in Southampton followed by a decadent evening of chocolate at Bruce Museum. A fund-raiser for the museum some dozen or so local chocolatiers spread their wares for sampling. One of our favourite jazz bands was on hand to provide dance music and Shizuko cut a few rugs. The Howlin' Dog Vintage Jazz Band was all decked out in tuxedos for the event. We brought home balloons and goodies which we are still eating. Anne left on Saturday returning to Toronto.

Shizuko is on a cross-Canada trip, from Kingston, Ontario to Nanaimo, BC.
While with me she has had her first experience in a private Jacuzzi bathtub and has eaten typical English/Canadian food as she wished. I did not serve her rice as she tells me Japanese rice is different. She had her favourite, sausages and mash, with someone else so here she cleaned her plate of bacon, egg, fried bread, sausage, tomatoes and bubble and squeak for breakfast.

We were fortunate that Doors Open was in Owen Sound while she has been here and we took in four locations on Saturday and three on Sunday, including attending morning worship at my church, Central Westside United. Next door neighbour, Helen Lewis kindly acccompanied Shizuko to the service as I was in the choir loft. As It happened the visiting minister, Rev. (Capt.) Mike Allen, had spent three years in Japan and so conversed with Shizuko in Japanese to her obvious delight.

She leaves me tomorrow when we meet with another 5W member from Petrolia in Goderich, where the transfer will take place over lunch. After a few days in Petrolia she flies from London to Thunder Bay to continue her westward journey. Whew!

Bon voyage to an interesting visitor who has given me many pleasant memories.

Posted by doreen at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

As I mourn the death last Friday of my beloved friend, Marg, I am reminded that if it hadn't been for her and husband Ken's kindness and generosity more than 50 years ago, I may be in a different place today. I can remember walking down their street, after being accepted as a boarder in their home, giving thanks to God for leading me to them.
Marg surprised me with a hot meal the first day I came home from work and had fed both my girls who were clean and contended. She cared for them as if they were her own, doing all kinds of little things to make our lives happier.
We spent many hours together while Ken worked the night shift on the railroad cementing a friendship that lasted through the illnesses and losses of life in both our families.
We may have physically moved away from each other over the years but she has always and will always have a special place in my heart.
May God bless you, dear Marg.

Posted by doreen at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by lynda at 10:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Wouldn't you know, I had been about to tell my faithful viewers (all three of them) about my new acquisition and number one daughter goes and tells it all over the place on her blog http://www.chiotti.com/lyndasez/2007/03/just_landed.html

When I opened my copy of Sydenham Hiker newsletter this week and saw an ad for used snowshoes - the old kind - wood and gut; telephoned on impulse and made the deal. I envisioned trekking out to the back shed with aplomb as well as visiting neighbours, servicing bird feeders and such like. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to upload a photo hence delay and being beaten to the punch - or punchline!

Now, I have to figure out how to get garbage bin and blue box out to the curb a little easier when driveway not plowed. Anyone got a baby sled?

Posted by doreen at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Another day snowed in and time for a change from mundane chores such as making beds, doing dishes etc.
Seville oranges are available this week and there was a time there when I thought I would not be able to pick them up at the store. Had called and asked the produce manager to save me some as I knew they would not last long.

I crept out yesterday, slipping and a sliding to the end of our street where most roads between there and the store were plowed. A temporary respite in the snowfall that has come down almost continuously for the past five days allowed me to return safely. About a metre has fallen they tell me - and it is to last all over the weekend. Check Bob's blog for pix.

So now I have the oranges but cannot find the recipé I used last year as, after basement reno, boxes of cookbooks et al were stored where???? Searched high and low until stopping to answer Skype calls from UK as well as Ottawa, got thrown off my resolve.

My fellow in marmalade, George, came over for a cuppa just before he set off to find his own oranges, and galvanised me to search anew but still could not locate my food folders.

And then began to search on line.
Well, I can't believe the number of different preparations offered for this old favourite, difficult to obtain here in Canada. Many were outdated, I thought, as so many had the long, slow process we used to do.

Turned to a couple of listed UK pages for help and found most also had long, complicated processes that didn't involve a food processor nor a pressure cooker, both of which I called into service last year.

Trouble with searching, I am inclined to get sidetracked as there are so many interesting pages to read. Now I must stop knitting a cover for my typewriter, as Lynda would say, and get to that marmalade.

Yes, it came to me in a flash, I had stashed the food folders closer to the kitchen but under some other dreck. Now if anyone wants my recipé, please wait until I finish this year's batch.

No, Roy, I will save for you only ONE jar this year. Try making your own!

Posted by doreen at 05:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

In case you thought I had died after such a short career in blogging, have now had a second wind, so to speak and am back on a new tack.

Been thinking about food lately after trying to clean out my freezer. Now I have deposits (courtesy of Lynda) of soup bones and other assorted basics, was rifling through background musings on food and am more determined than ever to get back to basics. Here's part of a piece I wrote some time ago.

If you read the ingredients on some prepackaged goods in the stores these days you may be surprised that not only has MSG or monosodium glutamate not left the scene, it is now in almost every can of soup you buy!

Remember when the Chinese Restaurant syndrome hit the news and those who are allergic to this chemical had the clout to obtain the sometimes still visible signs - no MSG - on Chinese restaurant windows.

Alas, not only is this chemical, which is a sodium by the way, added to a myriad of pre-packaged foods, it is even added to products trumpeting - get this - LOW Sodium!!!

I have yet to find a Knorr packaged soup without MSG, nor, except for Tomato, any Campbell's Soups. After writing to them several years ago asking if there were any plans to produce regular flavour soups without MSG I received a letter stating that since they had been using MSG in products for more than 40 years there were no plans to change.

For those trying to cut down on salt intake, the range of convenience foods thins. Ingredients listed on a package of shepherds pie mix BEGINS with salt. Didn't I read somewhere that largest ingredient usually is listed first?

After some research on another chemical - mycoprotein - disturbing reports surfaced after allergic reactions to an end product. Think I'll look into this.

Posted by doreen at 03:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Some people may think it is a bit late in life at my age to start something new, especially a plunge into the murky waters of technology.
BUT, here's me starting a Blog to burble about anything I wish and, ask or not for comments from people who read this.
Spam is a problem with most of us on line and this Blog has a special way of determining whether or not the commentor is a robot or a real person. Hence, when I I have learned enough to do so, I will allow others to jump in the pool here with feedback.
Which brings me to my newest endeavour at the 'Y'. Last week a few others and I plunged into a new program called Joints In Motion. Half an hour of special exercises gearged to those of us trying to ignore the arthritis in our sometimes reluctantly moving parts. Not all are seniors as many know and Diane led us through the most gentle movements you can imagine. Several of us are hoping that the session will be expanded to at least twice a week. After a couple of times at half a session of Aquafit, my asthma has sent me to the showers.
I said 'hello' to Dennis at the desk who did not recognize me without the blood all over my face. I thanked him in person this time for caring for me and staying with me at the curb outside the 'Y' where I fell more than a year ago. He held my hand and comforted me as I remember yelling at the pain on regaining consciousness. My glasses had smashed along with my nose so I could not see him clearly but the kind soul did not leave my side until I was loaded into the ambulance. Next it was a ride to the emergency department of Owen Sound hospital where I met many more caring individuals until I was released in care of daughter Tracy next day. It was some weeks before my 'coon' face stopped startling the shopkeepers.
One can be thankful for many things not the least of which are those we meet on the road of life.

Posted by doreen at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)