Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and Welcome to another Thursday morning.

This one being the 14th day of November 2019.

Can you believe it?

Time feels as though it is passing in hyperdrive.

Super fast.

 

Well this has been sort of an odd morning.

Alvin was up at first about 3:30 a.m. although he did attempt to make me get up prior to that time.

Downstairs we went.

I gave him his glucosamine chew as per usual.

Perhaps that is my problem.

He is taking that as a treat.

But I give him the benefit of the doubt and usually he has to go outside.

I know that if I have to “pee,” there is no holding on for more time.

Bathroom here I come.

So I give him that same consideration, respect, if you will.

After the outdoors and his medicine we went to sleep on the sofa for another 1.5 hours.

It was broken a bit but I managed to get him to lay down until just before 5:00 a.m.

Then it was breakfast and he was in a hurry.

I could not give him his food fast enough.

Then drink of water and outside.

He was in and out several times over the next while as I wrote in my Gratitude Journal and ate my breakfast.

Oh, I share my banana with him ….. he started to get excited as I cut up the banana but I managed to quiet him with only one word.

What the word was now …. perhaps “softly STOP.”

I think it was “STOP” but before even 5:30 a.m. ….. it may very well have been another word.

Anyway, I am babbling.

Can you babble with words?

Of course, you can.

I write as I speak.

Once we came upstairs he seems to have settled down.

I know that last night when he was outside before bed there were a couple of dogs barking in the near distance.

There was also a FULL MOON (or close to it).

Was it the moon causing Alvin’s anxiety last night and earlier this morning?

He is snoozing on his blue blanket so that is good.

All has returned to normal in our house.

Or as close to it as it can be.

 

I am not certain what effect if any, the FULL MOON has on us living creatures.

However, despite being told that the FULL MOON does not have any effect on human’s state of being.

I still think that the FULL MOON has an effect on all living creatures.

The pull of the moon is powerful.

 

Well here we are almost time to go back downstairs and finish getting things together.

Throw the lunch into my backpack purse/bag.

Go outside with Mr. Alvin and clean up any little presents from earlier and see if he needs to go again.

I do not want to bother him as he looks so darn cute laying on his little blue blanket.

Oh my darling boy.

 

I hope that you have a dreamy Thursday filled with only goodness.

Remember it is the duty of each one of us to treat all living creatures with kindness and respect.

Just because a creature cannot speak/communicate like you and me does not mean that they should be dismissed as lesser than.

No, it does not.

We all need each other.

 

Always, Carol & Mr. Alvin

 

One of my favourite photos of me and Mr. Alvin.

I shall treasure forever ….

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 8th day of January, 2019.

Brrr, it be COLD out there.

Poor Mr. Alvin wasted no time going outside to do his thing and back into the house.

I really did not even need to call him this morning.

This is the COLDEST morning this winter so far.

Make sure that you dress warm and have mitts, scarf and warm socks in addition to your coat and boots.

Always be prepared.

 

I was thinking of how people communicate.

In my “travels” I came across a young woman who is a non-verbal due to medical reasons.

That does not stop her from TALKING or getting her thoughts across to others.

Cell phones are a great tool for someone who has the ability to use their hands and fingers; but just not able to speak.

I still remain one of the three folks on this earth who do not have a cell phone.

Actually I think it is down to two; as I forgot that Kathie-Lee Gifford now has one.

We all communicate in one way shape or form.

As long as we are able ….. how wonderful.

 

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

I am on my way out to pick up poop from my No. 1 little pooper.

We all poop.

Just glad that I do not have to pick up mine.

Okay, perhaps this is not the topic for this place but I actually love that word.

Poop.

Just giggle and laugh.

Poop.

Just poop.

Happy Tuesday.

 

Special Hello to: my friend “V” who makes me laugh and works so hard, thank you for being my friend. (PS will get that info to you tonight).

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Saturday, July 22, 2017 and it is the 19th day until my 60th Birthday.

The air coming in through my office window is cool as I write these words.

The sun is already up for the day as I have risen for the day, as well.

I would say that one of my favourite things to do is to write poetry.

I will share some of the poems that I have written over the years.

****************************************************************

“GREAT EXPECTATIONS”

To Windthorst I came late in the fall,

With great expectations — or so I recall,

I looked forward to seeing new faces in class,

And taking the subjects I knew I should pass.

My impressions are fixed now, it currently seems

That totally false was each of these dreams,

With all the boys, I’d thought it’d be heaven,

But it hasn’t worked out; so back to Glenavon.

The girls are prettier than I’d thought they would be;

Though none but a fool could prefer them to me!

(My vanity comes from the pressures of rhyme —

You know that I’m modest all of the time!)

My rhyme is near finished, my brainpower low,

My thoughts have diminished, and so I shall go.

Life, bring excitement!  Life, bring romance!

Life, bring me something!  Windthorst last chance!

Written as I entered Grade Twelve in Windthorst, Saskatchewan.

Grandma sold the farm in the summer/fall of 1974 and we moved to the Village of Windthorst.

I wrote some poetry for the school paper.

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“FROM DREAM TO REALITY”

I had a dream late last night,

Of sparkling white sandy beaches,

Palm trees swaying in a sweet scented breeze,

Of clear blue skies and water, clear blue,

Of monkeys, elephants and parrots, too.

When I awoke and looked all around,

It was a dream, so I had found.

The picture is somewhat sadly different.

My sandy beaches are cluttered with garbage.

The palm trees have been removed, replaced with malls.

The breeze smells bitter — terribly so,

The monkeys, elephants where did they go?

We have come too far, too fast,

The signs have been there,

But we did not see, due to our hungry greed

From horse drawn sleighs to gas powered cars,

From tin and glass to Styrofoam and plastic jars,

From all that technology we still didn’t learn

That we’re literally burning our planet — our Earth.

The time has come to join together,

Mothers, Fathers, Sons and Daughters,

If we learn to reduce, recycle and reuse

We can save our planet —

The gem in our universe.  Our Earth!

Written for Amanda’s school play at W.H. Ford School

By Carol Lewis on November 28th, 1990

This is so bizarre that I wrote this twenty years ago for my daughter’s school play.  It is even more prevalent today.

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“BEYOND THE SUNSET”

The sun melts into hues of gold and pink,

as the sky darkens.

A peaceful sigh, as she closes her eyes.

She sees the roses in her garden.

The fragrance soft but strong in the air.

She sees her children and theirs.

She feels her husband’s touch.

She remembers times gone by.

It has been a great life!

She is not afraid,

The time has come.

The Lord extends his hand,

And she follows him home.

Written by Carol Lewis on September 29/30, 1998 for my Grandma Stella.

I went to live with my paternal Grandmother when I was just 16 and she was 72.

We did well together for the most part considering the age difference.

I miss her and think of her often.

************************************************************************

“Dear Mom”,

Sitting here thinking back,

One moment ago,

Sometimes only days, then back a dozen years.

The memories flood on in,

There were happy times and sad,

Crazy wonderful and bad.

I think of all the voices of family and friends, chattering in my head.

Everyone has a special story, a thought for me to hear.

How hard it is to say that last good-bye.

I remember your laughter, your firmness and the way you spoke your mind.

The Love you shared with others, your charm, that wit, that mind!

We will always wonder, why your time with us was short.

But you gave us all love and understanding, you always believed in us.

Pointed us in the right direction.

Then quietly and quickly moved on,  to watch down over us – our Guardian Angel!

There will never be another “Jeannie”, another “Granny”, another Mom, another Friend like you.

Mom, there is no doubt in my mind that you were one of a kind!

You touched so many hearts that is evident by the stories I have heard,

and by the tears that have and will be shed.

Mom,

No one Loved You More

No one Loved You Better

We all Love You the Same.

Written by Carol Lewis (November 1993) to honour our  “Mother” who passed away in November of 1993.

I miss my Mom and think of her often.  When I think about how easy it is to communicate with family and friends who live at a distance, I am utterly amazed.  It would have been so great if back in 1993, and prior we could have sat down at the computer and SKYPED each other.  So if you are thinking about me or your Mom or your best friend, and they live at a distance, take advantage of the free download and start to SKYPE.  Between Facebook, E-mail, and SKYPE there is no reason to miss out on the days and years of our loved ones.  Post some photos.  Send some love.  Stay in contact.   To all my friends and family out there, I love you and think of each and every one of you each and every day.  Really I do.  I send my love and thoughts of good health and abundance.  Take care everyone…..

*****************************************************************************************************************************

**********************************************************************

“IF I HAD KNOWN”

Looking at photos of us when we were kids.

It seems like only yesterday,

but it was a lifetime ago.

Things have changed.

We were five now we’re four.

How I long for those days.

When we were all together.

When playing school, all sitting in a row … I’d be the teacher…

Running about the yard playing in a nearby slough looking for tadpoles …

Playing in the dirt ….

Imagining driving to far off places in that old black car, and eating Mom’s homemade french fries and pumpkin pie.

Playing hide and seek and watching Disney on Sundays.

Was what we did, when we were just kids.

Now we’re grown,

Time has past.

If only I had known,

We would be four and not five.

I would have taken your hand.

I would have told you how much I loved you every day.

I would have loved you better.

I would have visited you more often.

I should have tried.

I would have known your pain.

I would have understood.

I would have known your favourite song.

I would have known your favourite colour.

I would have known you better.

Now we’re four and it’s too late

For me to take your hand.

To share your pain, and to comfort you.

I wished that I had knew you better.

Between the pain and the laughter.

You were a man, and I remember the boy

The little boy with a zest for life.

The little boy that always seemed to find a way ….. now that’s our secret….

That irresistible little guy that made me smile.

The little boy with such a big heart.

That much I did know when the boy became the man.

I feel that I let you down, but it is too late

I wished that I knew your favourite song.

Or what you made you cry late at night.

Why the time passed so fast.

Now we’re four instead of five

What did you think?  Your thoughts?

I wished that I knew.

If I had, I had only known  the man, not just the boy.

Written by Carol Yvonne Lewis, January 8th, 2010

I miss my brother …… somedays it feels like only yesterday that we were saying good-bye and others it feels like an eternity.  Often times we take for granted that our siblings will live forever and most certainly if they are younger than we are, longer.  Reach out ….. say hello …… even if you cannot physically seem them ….. phone them, text them, email them, live chat, SKYPE with …… do not miss out on an opportunity.  

***********************************************************

Always, Carol

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 13th day of January, 2015.

Today is the 50th Birthday of my baby, my little brother.

He was born January 13th, 1965.

I cannot believe that he is 50.

He was born a few months before my 8th Birthday.

He was a good natured, shy little guy.

He has grown up to be a good natured, not so shy guy.

Although I would say that he is not as much an extrovert as me.

But nonetheless he is a wonderful caring, loving human being.

He is a brother, father, grandfather, friend, Uncle, cousin and human being.

I want to wish him the Best Birthday ever.

May his day be filled with great joy and laughter and love, of course.

Happy Birthday “T” …..

 

On the family front, I spoke to the brother of my nephew that “WAS” in the coma and I am happy to report that he is “awake” ….

He does not communicate verbally but he does communicate.

Most especially with his brother.

 

So this is a great day …..

I wish you all a great day.

Special Hello to: all my family …… “Birthday Boy” and “Getting Better Boy.”

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 30th and last day of April, 2014.

Whoa where did April go?

It was an interesting April of 2014, I shall say.

We are grateful that here in Edmonton are skies are bright and blue as the sun rises in the east.

We hope that the snow that has fallen to the east melts quickly and that our neighbours in Saskatchewan and eastward have our weather soon.

Thank you.

Mr. Alvin came in to take a look and sniff at me as this morning I decided to wear a “skirt.”

This is not an usually sight in my house.

In fact, this is the first bare legs I have had since last summer.

Feels good to not have material covering my skin although my skirt is longer.

I am so happy is we are just about to touch “summer.”

Although you know that spring is my favourite season; summer and fall come in a close second.

I also do not mind winter.

I guess I am a all season lover.

Lover of all seasons.

You always have to take it all to appreciate the high points.

That is life.

So on this last day of April – let us be grateful that:

– we are alive

– we have food in the fridge

– we are surrounded by family and friends

– we are surrounded by love and laughter

– we have blessings in all shapes and sizes

– we can hear the clock ticking

– we can taste that good food in the fridge

– we can smell the fresh air

– we can see the bright blue sky and that perfect sunrise

– we can walk to the mailbox

– we can buy that cup of coffee on the way to work

– we can talk and communicate

– we have each other.

Have a great day.

Special Hello to: all those amazing human beings that read my blog and every blog ….. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday, the 22nd day of July 2013.

What a fantastic morning it has been thus far.

When Alvin and I got up this morning it was walk time …. no more putting it off.

We were going to go.

When we got outside there was a breeze, a good mix of cool and warm; huge dark blue rain clouds hung off not to far away and there was lightning.

I hesitated and then thought “we have time” and we put on a good pace and did our complete walk.

Once we got back home, I decided to pull the flower pots close to the house for protection and to put the patio cushions in the garage.

Just back in the house and I heard a noise and looked out to see huge raindrops hitting the deck.

We were so lucky.

It has been pouring almost since that time which was about 5:30 so almost one hour.

I think we have enough moisture now.

Anyway, I am so grateful that we were able to get out and walk this morning.

 

I have one more “thought for the day” ….. bit more on the serious side.

Have you noticed these days with all of the social media how easy it is to “by a key stroke end a friendship.”

Perhaps it is not actually ending the friendship but certainly it is ignoring it.

Years ago …. people would physically ignore you or call on the telephone to “say it was over.”

Perhaps that was more if you were dating.

But how sad is it?

We are becoming a society of individuals that do not communicate.

No responsibility …. no face to face.

I am always surprised by the amount of “rudeness” there is in the world.

Anyway, I just wanted to mention that if you are less than happy with someone or have a gripe with them ….. call them or go see them.

Do not just “un friend” them.

Take responsibility for your actions and thoughts.

How would we ever know what the issue was ….. if no one says anything.

Speculate … that’s not good.

Sometimes there might be things we do not wish to hear but they need to be said.

That is how we grow and develop as humans.

So on this rainy Monday ….. “remember to talk” …. really talk ….. not just keying some abbreviations and signs.

Take Care.

Special Hello to: all my fellow bloggers ….. you rock.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

“Dear Mom”

Dear Mom,

Sitting here thinking back,

One moment ago,

Sometimes only days, then back a dozen years.

The memories flood on in,

There were happy times and sad,

Crazy wonderful and bad.

I think of all the voices of family and friends, chattering in my head.

Everyone has a special story, a thought for me to hear.

How hard it is to say that last good-bye.

I remember your laughter, your firmness and the way you spoke your mind.

The Love you shared with others, your charm, that wit, that mind!

We will always wonder, why your time with us was short.

But you gave us all love and understanding, you always believed in us.

Pointed us in the right direction.

Then quietly and quickly moved on,  to watch down over us – our Guardian Angel!

There will never be another “Jeannie”, another “Granny”, another Mom, another Friend like you.

Mom, there is no doubt in my mind that you were one of a kind!

You touched so many hearts that is evident by the stories I have heard,

and by the tears that have and will be shed.

Mom,

No one Loved You More

No one Loved You Better

We all Love You the Same.

Written by Carol Lewis (November 1993) to honour our  “Mother” who passed away in November of 1993.

I miss my Mom and think of her often.  When I think about how easy it is to communicate with family and friends who live at a distance, I am utterly amazed.  It would have been so great if back in 1993, and prior we could have sat down at the computer and SKYPED each other.  So if you are thinking about me or your Mom or your best friend, and they live at a distance, take advantage of the free download and start to SKYPE.  Between Facebook, E-mail, and SKYPE there is no reason to miss out on the days and years of our loved ones.  Post some photos.  Send some love.  Stay in contact.   To all my friends and family out there, I love you and think of each and every one of you each and every day.  Really I do.  I send my love and thoughts of good health and abundance.  Take care everyone…..