Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 3rd day of February, 2016.

Yesterday afternoon when I left work was a surprise weather wise.

I had half expected it to be on the cooler side but much to my surprise it was actually quite nice.

When the bus pulled up it was quite the show.

It was literally packed right to the front …… one of the passengers I knew had this big grin on her face.

When the driver (my favourite) opened the door everyone was laughing as it was so full.

I said “Room for one on the bike rack.”

Everyone giggled at that…..

Always nice to be laughing …..

But he said come on and they managed to let us on …. somehow.

Although I will say that I got to know a young man quite well.

I had to hold onto his arm when we turned corners and stuff.

Likely not too great on the liability front ….. safety issues and all.

But he got us to the mall where the bus quickly emptied.

There was one lady standing facing out the windshield.  (she is my friend)

I had my back to hers …. then there was a man behind me and a woman right up beside the driver and the young man by me.

There were five or six of us in that entrance way of the bus … on the other side of the YELLOW line.

It was so hot on the bus ….. I wore my long coat and had my big scar wrapped about my neck and I thought I was going to pass out.

Thank goodness for good conversation it did not seem like a 20 minute or so ride.

 

Well I somehow managed to take longer getting ready this morning ….. not sure what happened.

Mr. Alvin needs to go out before I leave for work.

I hope that you get a kick out of my little bus story.

 

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers …. keep up the great work.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 24th day of September, 2015.

The second day of autumn/fall.

The air felt warm this morning when Alvin went outside or at least warmer than it has been in the mornings.

Yesterday was so beautiful and we enjoyed our walk by the walk so much.

We truly can learn from our beloved “friends” …..

Mr. Alvin loves walking by the lake(s) near our home.

I let him go on the longest length of his leash and he sniffs about.

Enjoying every minute.

Last night there was something close to the trees near the water and I literally had to walk down and coax him to come back near the sidewalk.

I did not know what he was smelling with his super duper senses and I really did not wish to know.

Finally he came up to the sidewalk and we continued our walk.

Truly we can learn from them.

On the way home he even stopped to smell the roses that are still blooming near the entrance to the park.

I often stop to smell them and now he does, too.

We are reminded to “stop and smell the roses” ……

Stop and be still.

Be in the moment.

For in that moment is the best of life.

So stop and treasure it everyday.

Take that moment and you will be forever changed.

Enjoy your Thursday …..

As will I.

Thank you for your time.

You are so amazing and I appreciate you.

Time to hit the trail to the bus.

Special Hello to: my friends back in Saskatchewan …. wished that you were all on a plane coming to see me.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 2nd day of July, 2015.

It is absolutely the most perfect morning here in Edmonton.

The sun is shining, there is a slight cool breeze which was perfect for our morning stroll.

I have a couple of days off from the office.  We were up to stay fairly early for a day off.

There were the roses that line our path at the entrance to the lake …. the fragrance was enchanting.

A robin hopped along not grabbing Mr. Alvin’s attention.

The grass glistened with dew looking as though there were diamonds sprinkled everywhere.

What an absolute perfect morning.

I wish every morning would be like this for us.

For now I will take these ones and treasure them.

Alvin just loves to sniff the grass as we walk along ….. not sure what he is finding.

Upon our arrival home and once Mr. Alvin had his harness removed; I grabbed the watering can so that I could give the front flower bed a quick drink. The back side of the bed rests against the house and does not get all of the rain.

My flowers are doing well and so are the little weeds that are trying desperately to find a home.

They are so nice and green.

But …….

We had a great Canada Day …… was just deciding about getting up when the phone rang (deciding factor).

It was our neighbour inviting us over for coffee.

So ate, dressed and went out …. what a great way to celebrate Canada Day….. good friend and coffee.

Mr. Alvin came with me ….. not fair to leave him at home.

Well I had better get on my way ….. breakfast …. make a couple of phone calls and this afternoon ….

I am going to bring out the beads and make some jewellery.

I miss making things …. so much fun and therapeutic.

I hope that you enjoy your day and have time to do something you love.

Happy July 2nd, 2015.

WOW ….. second day of July.

Special Hello to:  all those folks who are on vacation ….. enjoy.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Story Line by line – October 23, 2013

Chapter Three:

October 1, 2013

“Jeannie, it’s me, ” I say in a firm hushed tone as she turns her head to the sound of my voice.

October 2, 2013

Jean smiles at me with warmth but something is missing, and I want so much to believe that this is real and that we are all together again; safe and happy.

October 3, 2013

Alvin who has been still (which is highly uncharacteristic of him) suddenly pulls on his leash and brings me forward with a jerking motion, as we are now within touching range; my heart almost stops and I gasp aloud.

October 4, 2013

Suddenly I hear the sweet soft voice of my sister “Grace” telling me “Do not worry” as my mind spins confused; I do not know what to say as I just stand there close enough to smell their scents.

October 5, 2013

I can hear Alvin sniffing, and as I turn my head to see what is happening he has jumped up on Edward’s legs wanting attention, and the reaction is startling.

October 6, 2013

“Please stop”, I yell at Edward, as I dive toward them.

October 7, 2013

Edward had reached down and pulled Alvin up by his harness holding him tightly in a football hold; as my poor boy whimpered, and all the while squirming to get away.

October 8, 2013

I was only a few seconds behind Alvin as I went tumbling through the air, and much to my surprise landing in Jack’s arms.

October 9, 2013

All of a sudden I realize that other than the few words that I have uttered in the minutes that I have been surrounded by my siblings; that not one of them has spoken a word; how odd.

October 10, 2013

I now remember that Grace had told me “not to worry” but did I actually hear her speak those words, and in between the noise and confusion in my head, I hear my Alvin whimpering as he wants to get down.

October 11, 2013

At this very moment, I really do not know what to do; screaming for help will not do me much good, and besides they are my family even though I have a funny feeling they are not from here or maybe it is that I am not from here.

October 12, 2013

This just seems so surreal, and in the moments that pass I am unsure and slightly frightened by all that is happening but I do know one thing for sure – I have to rescue Alvin from his hold and soon.

October 13, 2013

In the next moment, I decide to speak to “my siblings” perhaps I can get the Edward to let Alvin down so that he will not be frightened, and as I think about it; Edward releases Alvin who runs to my side.

October 14, 2013

Everything seems to be happening so fast and so slow all at once … I am grateful that Alvin is once again safe near me.

October 15, 2013

I must do something, and then suddenly without warning I hear all their voices invading my mind, and then one at a time telling me all is well and that you are safe here, but where is “HERE?

October 16, 2013

I certainly feel like screaming my head off but that definitely is not the answer and, as I have been so preoccupied with Alvin and the “siblings”,  I have not noticed that the fog has already lifted considerably and I can now see what is ahead of us.

October 17, 2013

The colour and the clean lines take my breath away, and as the siblings steer us toward the building, I wonder, “Is it a building?”

October 18, 2013

Then I hear their voices each climbing over the other as they try to answer my question.

October 19, 2013

One by one and layer by layer I uncover what they are saying and yes, it is a building; it is where everyone gathers when they arrive here; “HERE” ….

October 20, 2013

Worried feelings enter my body, and I tremble slightly trying not to let these enter my thoughts as I know they will hear them and where is this place; how far have I travelled?

October 21, 2013

I have no idea what to do, nothing is familiar other than Alvin, do I run, will that do any good, what kind of arrival station is this?

October 22, 2013

Slowly, and with reluctance I follow my escorts, and of course, Alvin is right by my side (which is unusual for him) as we near the entrance to this place.

October 23, 2013

Approaching the entrance to the building each of my escorts falls into line with me and Alvin being in the middle, and as we enter the archway to the interior of the building I feel a strange energy raining over us; leaving me feel oddly clean and warm.

Story Line by line – October 22, 2013

Chapter Three:

October 1, 2013

“Jeannie, it’s me, ” I say in a firm hushed tone as she turns her head to the sound of my voice.

October 2, 2013

Jean smiles at me with warmth but something is missing, and I want so much to believe that this is real and that we are all together again; safe and happy.

October 3, 2013

Alvin who has been still (which is highly uncharacteristic of him) suddenly pulls on his leash and brings me forward with a jerking motion, as we are now within touching range; my heart almost stops and I gasp aloud.

October 4, 2013

Suddenly I hear the sweet soft voice of my sister “Grace” telling me “Do not worry” as my mind spins confused; I do not know what to say as I just stand there close enough to smell their scents.

October 5, 2013

I can hear Alvin sniffing, and as I turn my head to see what is happening he has jumped up on Edward’s legs wanting attention, and the reaction is startling.

October 6, 2013

“Please stop”, I yell at Edward, as I dive toward them.

October 7, 2013

Edward had reached down and pulled Alvin up by his harness holding him tightly in a football hold; as my poor boy whimpered, and all the while squirming to get away.

October 8, 2013

I was only a few seconds behind Alvin as I went tumbling through the air, and much to my surprise landing in Jack’s arms.

October 9, 2013

All of a sudden I realize that other than the few words that I have uttered in the minutes that I have been surrounded by my siblings; that not one of them has spoken a word; how odd.

October 10, 2013

I now remember that Grace had told me “not to worry” but did I actually hear her speak those words, and in between the noise and confusion in my head, I hear my Alvin whimpering as he wants to get down.

October 11, 2013

At this very moment, I really do not know what to do; screaming for help will not do me much good, and besides they are my family even though I have a funny feeling they are not from here or maybe it is that I am not from here.

October 12, 2013

This just seems so surreal, and in the moments that pass I am unsure and slightly frightened by all that is happening but I do know one thing for sure – I have to rescue Alvin from his hold and soon.

October 13, 2013

In the next moment, I decide to speak to “my siblings” perhaps I can get the Edward to let Alvin down so that he will not be frightened, and as I think about it; Edward releases Alvin who runs to my side.

October 14, 2013

Everything seems to be happening so fast and so slow all at once … I am grateful that Alvin is once again safe near me.

October 15, 2013

I must do something, and then suddenly without warning I hear all their voices invading my mind, and then one at a time telling me all is well and that you are safe here, but where is “HERE?

October 16, 2013

I certainly feel like screaming my head off but that definitely is not the answer and, as I have been so preoccupied with Alvin and the “siblings”,  I have not noticed that the fog has already lifted considerably and I can now see what is ahead of us.

October 17, 2013

The colour and the clean lines take my breath away, and as the siblings steer us toward the building, I wonder, “Is it a building?”

October 18, 2013

Then I hear their voices each climbing over the other as they try to answer my question.

October 19, 2013

One by one and layer by layer I uncover what they are saying and yes, it is a building; it is where everyone gathers when they arrive here; “HERE” ….

October 20, 2013

Worried feelings enter my body, and I tremble slightly trying not to let these enter my thoughts as I know they will hear them and where is this place; how far have I travelled?

October 21, 2013

I have no idea what to do, nothing is familiar other than Alvin, do I run, will that do any good, what kind of arrival station is this?

October 22, 2013

Slowly, and with reluctance I follow my escorts, and of course, Alvin is right by my side (which is unusual for him) as we near the entrance to this place.