Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning Folks,

Well today is September 19th, 2020.

The sun is supposed to be shining but instead the sky is filled with smoke.

I cannot even imagine the smoke as one continues south.

I cannot even imagine all of the loss of animal and plant life.

We hear about the loss of human life but not often is the loss of animal, bird and insect and plant life spoke about or mentioned in a news article.

My heart breaks for every creature and for the plants and trees.

I have been listening more and reading as of late about climate change.

Sadly we are not doing enough to combat these changes ….. is it too late?

I do not know.

I have also been thinking as of late about all of the disposable masks and gloves that are making their ways to the landfills.

I have seen a great many disposable masks lying on the ground in my neighbourhood.

I can only imagine the increase in to go containers from restaurants that are making their way to the landfills.

This pandemic has increased our “carbon footprint” not lessened it.

If we all work together and use less single use plastics.

Buy masks that can be washed ….. take the time and wash them.

If you are going to eat out ensure that the to go containers are made from materials that are biodegradable.

There are lots of things we can do.

Purchase less items wrapped in layers of plastics.

Buy fresh fruits and vegetables and cook instead of using prepackaged meals.

We have to work together.

Now is the time.

Leave the lights off when you leave the room.

All of the little things that we can do will add up.

We can come together and get things done.

It is not totally the responsibility of governments to save the planet although they should be speaking on our behalf and collectively doing what is right.

This is my opinion.

Food for thought.

 

This morning I saw a video about this Vet from the United States that was mentioning about the dry kibble food that we feed our dogs.

He mentioned if your dog has bad breath, joint pain, smelly and or runny poop that it is due to lack of proper nutrition.

About how the process of pressure cooking the food leaves bad things in the food.

He talked about this supplement to sprinkle on the food that gives them vitamins, omegas and more.

One thing he mentioned was that the length of a dogs life has decreased after the 70’s.

Making dog food is big business.

More food for thought.

 

My head spinning …..

I think about the animals and plant life lost and injured in the fires.

I think about all of our dogs that are not living the best lives due to lack of proper nutrition.

 

So much to think about …..

Where do I go from here and where do you go from here?

 

We should be constantly learning new things and benefiting from the knowledge.

We should be working towards a good future for our children, grandchildren and our furbabies (to name a few).

 

I am working on making a difference.

Do not think you are only one person and that you cannot make a difference.

We can all make a difference.

We can all do our part.

Come together …..

 

 

Trying to live our lives with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

As we ALL enter into new territory.

I understand some of us are nervous, scared and anxious about our future.

This is the time that each and every community must come together and ensure that everyone is watched over and looked after.

If you have an elderly neighbour or someone who is housebound check to make sure that they have food and everything that they need to stay healthy.

If you have a neighbour who does not have a car – ask if they need anything when you go to the store for groceries and other items.

This is the time that will test us all.

 

Some folks are working from home, some folks have been instructed to stay at home as they are non-essential employees and so on.

I will be working from home as soon as we have been set up.

That will be something new.

The whole office landscape has changed overnight.

 

Over the past few days schools have closed and possibly until the fall and daycares have closed.

Airports closed and flights reduced, and only four in Canada will take international flights,

Cities have closed all their public venues.

Our buses are down to the Saturday schedule starting today.

That means very reduced times.

For those people that must go to work it will not be easy.

I know people that do not have vehicles and rely on the city transit.

But for every service that has closed, I, we understand.

This virus must be stopped.

 

Please ensure that you check in on your loved ones, friends, and neighbours daily.

Even a quick text or email or phone call.

Let us make certain that everyone is okay.

We will stop this virus and life will continue.

Will things be different, I think so.

 

Take care.

I am catching a ride to work with my neighbour again today.

I have one bus ticket left and hopefully do not have to wait for a long time tonight to get home to Alvin.

I know that Alvin will be happy to have me at home.

I will be happy to be home with him.

 

Another note:  make sure that you get some fresh air every day.

A walk will do wonders.

 

Be safe, be careful, be healthy, be strong.

Most of all be kind and respectful.

These are what is necessary to get through this crisis.

 

Take care ……

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Well the sky is overcast this morning in Edmonton.

Alvin and I have been up for a bit now.

Just pondering the situation of the world.

This CORONAVIRUS has made some people into selfish bastards.

Or perhaps just shown their true selves.

I am going to use that word because that is what it seems.

Why else would anyone need to scour their towns and cities and buy up carts full of bathroom tissue.

It started there.

Now people are buying up meat in large quantities, cleaning supplies and all sorts of food items.

Lineups are out the door at grocery stores.

As the shelves become more bare and the stores are not able to keep up with the demand, as more and more people are infected.

Over time of course, this will affect the truck drivers bringing the food items to us.

What about the farmers, the factory workers and so on.

What will happen?

Greed through the ages and in 2020 it is running as rampant as ever.

If you think that it is funny or that you are out to make a profit ….. guess again.

At some point it will come back and bite you in the ass.

This whole thing has made me just plain mad and oh, so disappointed in the human race.

I know that it is not everyone but come on people.

If we stay calm and follow the “rules” set out by our Health Care Providers we will be okay.

Yes, I know that there will be deaths and that is of course very tragic and I could be one.

NO one knows.

But please this is 2020 and we should have learned a lesson or two by now.

 

I will, me, myself and I remain calm in this STORM.

Panic, I will not.

I promise to do the best to help others who cannot help themselves.

Please remember those who live from cheque to cheque.

There are many of us on the planet.

Ranging from young to old.

Buy what you need as you normally would.

 

As the snow gently hits the ground, I am in the realization that I am okay.

Alvin and I have food in the fridge and the pantry.

We have a warm home to live in.

I am grateful to all those who make this all possible for us every day.

Those folks who work in jobs where there is no “staying home” to weather this storm.

The Nurses, the Doctors, the City Employees and the list is long.

We are grateful to you.

Keep safe and in good health.

 

I hope that you have a good Saturday.

Be in good health.

Be KIND AND RESPECTFUL in all that you do most especially at this time.

 

Always, Carol &  Alvin

 

Remember the government, politicians and other leaders cannot do this by themselves, it is up to each one of us to do our part.

We are all human beings and must work together.

 

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a sunny bright Friday the 13th of March, 2020.

Last night we celebrated my daughter’s 40th birthday.

She wrote a beautiful thank you to my post from yesterday and this was my response.

“You are so welcome my darling. I am quite certain that I could literally write a book on our first forty years together and I look forward to the next forty. I can imagine me at 103 baking your 80th birthday cake ensuring the icing is perfect but the cake a little crumbly but tasting yummy. Thank you for bringing your family to our house (me and your brother’s) and for the wonderful meal and for our time together. I treasure every second with you all and always look forward to your next visit. Thank you.”

 

I wonder where this year is going to take us.

The panic around the world including here at home with respect to the CORONAVIRUS is at moments overwhelming.

I would say that I am not worried about the virus as much as I am concerned about food for me and Alvin, most especially Alvin.

I have lots of cans of black beans etc. that would keep me going for some time should the shelves become bare.

But Alvin is another story.

I wished that people would calm down as being in a panic mode and crazily purchasing things that you do not require is not helping anyone.

There are folks house bound or do not have a car to scour the city looking for bathroom tissue for example.

I am still in disbelief that people have bought out bathroom tissue.

One friend had to go to 8 places before she was able to purchase bathroom tissue.

I am blessed as a friend of mine picked me up some bathroom tissue yesterday from COSTCO (that should keep us going for awhile).

I am grateful that Alvin does not require to wipe his little bum.

 

Well, I am determined to remain calm and remain in a positive frame of mine.

Last day was a celebration of a life of 40 years thus far, my daughter’s as you know.

I look forward to each and every birthday of hers and ours.

Life is precious.

Remember that each and every day.

Life is precious.

All life is precious.

 

Well we, okay me, slept in, this morning.

I took today off as a vacation day to just have an extra long weekend.

It is almost 10:30 a.m.

I have looked after Alvin’s breakfast much earlier, changed bedding and readied the laundry (next stop), paid some bills and am just finishing this post.

So I guess my last few hours have not all been sleeping.

Anyway, that is okay.

Sometimes we need to sleep in and just be.

Not worrying about what could have been ….

Just be in the moment.

 

I am most grateful to live in a country, in a city that has good overall health practices.

I am grateful to an employer who is concerned for our well being.

I am grateful to have soap and water so that I can wash my hands whenever I wish.

I am grateful to be in good health.

I am grateful that my family and friends are as well.

If you are not feeling well – stay home if you are able.

A self imposed quarantine is a good move.

Better safe.

I understand the momentary crisis that is evolving for cancelled concerts, sporting events, meetings, etc.

But at the end of the day that us get this virus under control sooner rather than later.

I heard that Saskatchewan (our neighbour to the east) is working on a vaccine.

YAY and thanks to our neighbours.

Be safe.

But most of all BE SMART.

Do not just think of yourself ….

Think of EVERYONE ….. this affects possibly EVERYONE on the PLANET to some degree.

 

Have an awesome Friday.

I guess that I had better get out of my pj’s and have some COFFEE.

I can smell that brewing in my mind.

Toast with cheez whiz ….. I think so.

 

Respect and Kindness, always.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning All,

Welcome to a bright and clear blue sky on this Sunday morning.

Our time changed.

We flipped our clocks ahead by one hour here in Edmonton, Alberta.

I just returned from shovelling once again out front and going to look after Humphrey and Cynder.

Changing food, water, litter box and so on.

Then I gathered up Mr. Humphrey as he was happily waiting at the door for me to do so.

I carried the shovel in one hand and Humphrey in the other arm.

I am so happy to see that the snow has stopped falling.

We have so much.

I will have to shovel the driveway as well.

My driveway is at the back of the garage.

This morning I did some on the deck as well.

We have lots of ice build up so where there is ice, I left some snow cover.

Especially out front.

Gives a bit of traction when walking and less chance of falling and hurting oneself.

Thinking about all those folks including me that are out walking with their pups.

 

Yesterday was a great day.

My daughter, her husband and grand pups dropped by for a visit.

We had coffee and I share the chocolate chip cookies and no bake energy bites with them.

I also sent the remainder of the cookies home with them.

Less for me to eat.

 

Later on, Alvin’s best friend Teddy and his Mom are coming for tea and a visit.

Then we gals will head on over to the grocery store.

I am a bit anxious to see if our nearby grocery store still has bathroom tissue.

Some of the people I work with were telling stories that the places they had gone were out of bathroom tissue and Walmart actually had bare shelves.

If so, the worries of the Coronavirus have hit home for sure.

There are more and more reports on the news from around the world of shortages, closures of businesses and schools.

Hospitals are crazy busy.

I am going to remain calm in this storm.

Wash my hands as often as I usually do (after bathroom, after being in public and so on).

Covering ones face when coughing and sneezing and then washing hands is so important.

I even notice at work people taking great liberty with coughing and sneezing.

Forgetting that is how germs are spread.

We are cleaning our desks and workspaces with wipes.

When on the bus, I am wearing my gloves and not touching anything.

One night on the way home a teenager was on his cell phone, wiping his dripping nose with his hand, arm and sleeve and then going on his phone.

ARGH.

He was old enough to know better.

 

Anyway I am looking forward to seeing our friends later on.

Humphrey is downstairs.

Alvin is of course at my side.

Going to head to the shower, need to feel some refreshing water hit my body.

 

Thursday night we are going out for supper to celebrate my daughter’s 40th Birthday.

So excited to celebrate my baby’s birthday with my kids.

Tuesday is the birthday of my son-in-law’s brother.

Happy Birthday D (early).

 

Okay, time to get going here.

Lots to do.

Have to have some toast and coffee.

I think I have worked up an appetite.

Happy Happy Sunday.

 

Be kind and respectful always of everyone and everything in your path.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin