2021

Good Morning All! Welcome to another hot day in Edmonton. I will be over the moon when our a/c is serviced next week and I am willing to bet that Mr. Alvin feels the same. I certainly am not going to complain about these warm days as our summers are relatively short compared to our winter / cold months. So we do our best to keep cool. I would have escaped to the basement with Alvin but packing him up and down the stairs is not easy. He weighs a good 30 pounds give or take and I have to carry him a certain way so as not to hurt his knee any further. So we just spend our evenings in front of the fans. I do hope it cools down later in the evening.

Last night I was fixing the living room blinds so that Alvin could clearly see outside without having to strain looking through them semi open.
I noticed there was a little robin standing on the top of the front flower bed. It didn’t seem to be too disturbed by me watching through the open window with only a screen between us. It hopped about and into the dirt amongst the flowers, all the time holding something in its beak. I love robins. Partway through taking photos through the screen I decided to go outside and see if I could snap a photo or two. I was able to get a couple of our little visitor. I was thinking that perhaps the little one may be thirsty so I took a clear glass storage container and filled it with cool water. As I stepped off the last step and edged closer to the little feathered one, it semi flew and hopped onto my neighbour’s front flower bed. Surprisingly enough it didn’t fly away but hopped onto the grass. The water is left for any birdie or perhaps a bee needing a drink.

The second photo behind the screen is of the robin and is the first photo I took and then I went outside.

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  Little Visitor

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  Alvin

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  Keeping an eye out

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  Flower power

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  My little piece of heaven

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  Panoramic shot

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  Fav thing on hot day

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  From my vantage point

Well as our life continues to change with our new norm, we just continue to live one moment, one day at a time. Trying to keep some sense of sanity, patience, definitely patience and knowing that things will get better.

I am grateful that our sofa is comfortable but even at that it is not our bed. With the heat we struggle to get comfy and sometimes can make for a long night. But we will get through it, just one day at a time.

Wishing you a wonderful Friday.

Continuing to live each day with kindness , respect, compassion, patience, understanding love an gratitude.

2021

Good Morning ALL! Well another morning where Alvin was up at 4:47 a.m. (going in the right direction). The sky is overcast and there is a bit of a breeze which is refreshingly cool. We will be going for a walk in a few minutes so it will be enjoyable. Starting tomorrow our temperatures are going to soar with temperatures reaching 30 on Saturday, 32 on Sunday, 34 on Monday and Tuesday, 36 on Wednesday and Thursday, 33 on Friday and 31 on Saturday. Yikes. I had not looked that far in advance until now. These numbers represent degrees above in celsius so it will be hot. 30 degrees celsius = 86 degrees fahrenheit and 36 degrees celsius = 96.8 degrees fahrenheit. There will be no walks at noon or after work for the next week or so at that rate. We will make sure that we are up and out early in the morning so that we get that exercise and fresh air in before the heat of the day. If you have a pet please ensure that you are NOT out and about when there are extreme temperatures. You may be wearing shorts and enjoying the heat but they are wearing a fur coat and do not enjoy the heat. If they were in the wild, they would be sleeping in the shade somewhere trying to keep cool. Also do not take your pets with you in the car if you plan to make any stops. DO NOT LEAVE THEM UNATTENDED IN THE CAR. Please. Make sure that both yourself and your pet are hydrated. All creatures whether two or four legged require hydration. WATER, please. Also the asphalt will be hot and can burn the pads of your pups paws and the sidewalk will be hot as well. Take yourself and them for a walk in the early morning. Then stay somewhere cool. If that means the basement – then the basement it is. We may be spending time in the basement.

There is no chance of being overheated this morning and I am grateful for the reprieve from the heat today, this morning. We will certainly enjoy our walk.

When I was thinking that perhaps Alvin’s eyesight may be failing ….. I noticed when he was outside earlier that he was watching a bird in the air. The bird had not made a sound so he had to have seen him. He appeared to be following him flying in the sky. So the water dish thing. Not sure but luckily he likes to drink out of his new travel water dish so perhaps I will just starting giving him water out that way when we are in the house as well. Or try a new bowl. Hopefully this phase will not last. Oh, my boy.

Well it is time to head out for that walk. Stop and smell the roses and then come home and have some coffee.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday. Be safe and careful. Enjoy each day. Live in gratitude.

Continuing to live this day as every day with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, understand and gratitude.

Always, Love Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

 

POEM FOR SUNDAY MORNING

Window open bird chirping singing a song.

For a mate?

To me or for the world?

Clouds rolling in and partially blocking the sun.

No breeze.

Just still.

Now only the clicking of the keyboard keys.

Alvin resting on his blue blanket.

We woke up to a beautiful sunny morning a bit ago.

The weather seems to be changing from minute to minute.

There is now movement in the trees a breeze is coming up.

As I strain to hear something more than my fingers touching the keys.

Alvin’s breathing is constant and easy.

Heard a sound perhaps a door closing.

Is the world begin to wake up; I do not know.

Yes, I hear noise.

There is movement.

My immediate world is waking up.

Slowly but surely …. on this Sunday morning.

The world, my world is coming alive.

A bird flies by in my line of vision.

I love these quiet moments.

In the distance I hear noise but cannot identify.

Time to go back downstairs.

Time for us to eat.

Time for us to get this day going.

Coffee and toast and blueberries.

Alvin his food and of course blueberries.

This is the start to my Sunday.

As the clouds roll in and envelope the morning sky.

You can see the darkness taking over …

Slowly not so much.

Will it rain?

Perhaps not.

Sunday morning.

 

CY Lewis, July 7, 2019

 

Just had to share.  I am in love with the sky.

Last night at sunset.

North side of the house,

South side of the house

So many different colours.

So beautiful.

The bird is singing a song once again.

 

Happy Sunday.

Time to get rolling ….

 

Always, Carol  & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 15th day of June, 2018.

How about Friday photos?

My life in photos ….. last night.

After the rain …..

The grass was glistening …

The flowers standing proud and tall ….

A rainbow …..

Favourite items ….

Most favourite guy …. me, Alvin ….

I cannot help but smile when I see the bright colour checks reflecting from the sunshine to the MOSIAC to the wall.

The biggest smile is on my face as I take the photos of Mr. Alvin with that chew treat dangling from his mouth.

Looking so somber …..

Gotta love my boy …. what a cutie …..

Thank you Alvin ……

At 4:08 a.m. this morning we were first up and there was one lone bird in the back yard or close by that was singing up a storm.

Sounded so beautiful.

Hopefully the birdie was okay.

 

Special Hello to: my daughter and family …… thank you guys for your love and support.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 13th day of May, 2018.

The sky is bright filled with the morning sunlight and there is a breeze.

Coolness filled the bedroom this morning.

Grateful for that on a day that will be very warm.

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Happy Mother’s Day.

We all play a role in Mother’s Day.

You may have given birth to a child.

You may have adopted a child.

You may have adopted or rescued a pup or a cat or a bird or a squirrel.

You may have given refuge to another human being.

It does not matter how or who you have given mothering to but it matters that you do.

To all those Mothers out there.

Happy Mother’s Day.

You arise early so that you can make breakfast for your charges.

You walk and talk with them.

You love them and comfort them.

You hope that they will be in good health.

You hope that they will be kind and good to themselves and to others.

You hope that their life will be abundant.

Above all else … you have faith.

So on this one day a year that is specially marked for us to celebrate our Mothers.

Let us do so.

Be creative.

Walk with them, talk with them, spend time with them.

Mothers do not WISH for you to bring them fancy jewellery, huge bouquets of flowers or dinners at a fancy restaurant.

They just want YOU.

Happy Mother’s Day.

To all the Mothers out there, the others that I know and the ones that I do not know.

You are precious.

There could not be life without you.

Happy Mother’s Day.

With Love….

 

 

Written by Carol Lewis on Sunday, May 13, 2018

 

 

Special Hello to:  MOMS, Happy Mother’s Day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 8th day of January, 2017.

Just saw a magpie (bird) fly by my office window.

The sky remains overcast with the morning cloud cover but in gapes I can see pure blue sunny sky.

It is quiet in the house.

Alvin is laying in the hallway waiting for me to come downstairs and start our day.

We were up several hours earlier so that he could go outside and have his breakfast, of course.

But then I felt it was too early to rise so back to bed (not the sofa this time).

Last night my sleep was filled with many dreams.

Unfortunately I do not remember them.

We have had a good weekend.

Yesterday my daughter and our newest addition came to visit before and after Aspen’s Doctor visit.

I love having them over.

Aspen tried her best to induce Alvin to play but he just could not find his way yet.

He will.

We feel as we watch interact that they will one day soon.

One of those things ….. they just need to spend more time together.

Alvin is not a puppy any longer so things sometimes take longer.

One of those “age” things ….. which I can attest to.

Baby Milo has already figured things out but then they are with each hour 24 hours each day.

Aspen is such a sweet creature, and I am so happy that she has joined our family.

We love her and I am grateful that she found her way to us at the most perfect of times.

She brings a loving, calm, peaceful presence with her.

She is a YING to Milo’s YANG.

They balance each other.

She will continue to teach him good things.

He is definitely still a puppy and she has taken the mother role.

We do miss our Elton and Miss Penny, and they will forever be in our hearts and minds.

 

As time passes on the younger ones will take over most of our everyday thoughts.

But always our beloved Elton and Penny will be in our hearts.

There is room for each one in our hearts for all time.

To all those who have lost a loved one recently whether two-legged or four the grieving process is different.

Take your time, remember them, and always keep them in your hearts as a memory for all-time.

To Sundays a day to reflect and perhaps relax before heading to the week ahead.

Special Hello to: my sister, thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 14th day of June, 2016.

It is a bright and sunny morning here in Edmonton on this 14th day of June.

Alvin and I enjoyed our walk last night.

It was so nice out.

 

Cute story:

Last night on my walk from work to the bus I came across this man walking down the street.

Okay, you say, nothing “cute” about that but wait …..

He was sauntering along smoking on his cigarette like this was the most normal thing in the world.

Or perhaps he was just trying to get a rise out of people.

But no matter.

What did I see perched on his shoulder but a pigeon.

Yup, a bird on someone’s shoulder in sort of downtown Edmonton.

Pretty sure it was a pigeon.

It was a medium size one.

I was walking behind him keeping a normal walking distance.

One man passed us and he said Hello and could barely contain the smile.

He almost made it passed the man.

We came to a trash can and the man pulled in and I passed him.

I wanted to turn around but though that might be a bit tacky so I did not.

But I was smiling all of the way to the bus.

I guess you just never know what/who you are going to meet on the way to the bus after work.

 

Well time to get this show once again on the road.

I hope that this little story made you smile as it did for me.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: all those people who love and respect animals.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…… HAPPY EASTER

Well considering that today is Easter Sunday, two days ago was Good Friday and tomorrow is Easter Monday …. I will simply say HAPPY EASTER.

No matter whether you celebrate this time of year or not …… it is a HAPPY DAY…

Here in Edmonton, the sun is shining and the birds are likely singing (if I had the window open).

So from me and Alvin …… our thought for this day is ……. RELAX and ENJOY…..

Always, Carol and Alvin