2021

Good Morning All. How are you doing this Thursday morning? I am well, we are well. Alvin was whining at the office doorway until I explained to him that we do this every morning and to come in and lay down on his bed. He complied. WOW, I did not expect that but he actually understood. YAY, pack leader.

Have you ever thought about when you were much younger where we would be in the year 2021? Did you think that we would be zipping through the air in cars equipped for off ground travel? Kind of like the Jetsons. Or that we might be able to teleport from our homes to anywhere on the planet that had a “telepad.” That holograms were a household fixture. I guess having the automated vacuum systems that zip about and clean our floors is a start. Also being able to turn lights off and on remotely by using an app on your cell phone. Do you remember the communication devices on Star Trek and how they resemble some of our first mobile phones? From the imaginations of the movie makers to the minds of inventors. Not every item but it gives people ideas. I also thought that by 2021 we would be living in peace worldwide and we are not even remotely close. I do wish for world peace. But is that even possible for human beings? Not as long as we have a need for power and dominance and for material wealth. Also I would have thought that by the time we could fly to the moon we would have conquered disease and many of our day to day issues. A big one is “the use of single use plastics.” The other day on television the ladies on this Canadian talk show were speaking about single use plastics and “tampons” were near the top of the list. It has been many years since I have had to use feminine hygiene products but I totally agree, we can land on the moon but we cannot come up with something to replace all tampons? Some Canadian provinces are banning single use plastics by the end of 2021 and that is a start. But how about we hire some of our best and brightest to come up with replacements for all of these items that are bad for us and for the environment. There has to be a way. I guess 2021 could be the beginning of us pulling together and doing what is right for us, for every creature, for nature and for the environment.

This is a subject much bigger than the time that I have at this moment. We have to do something and sooner than later. Stop standing with our heads in the sand so to speak. Pull off the blinders.

Time to go to work.

Teddy and Kobi will be spending the afternoon with me and Alvin.

Living my life as I hope you are living yours with kindness, respect and compassion for all.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning,

Today is Thursday the 13th day of August, 2020.

Almost half way through August now and fall/autumn is fast approaching.

In some areas of the country the leaves are already beginning to change colour.

The grass in places is beginning to turn yellow/brown.

The grass and trees are still pretty green here in Edmonton due to the rain.

The air is cool.

The mad heat of the summer was short lived – only being about ten days this year.

We had a great many rainy days but have been blessed to have sunshine.

The weather during my vacation has been very nice with most of the hot days falling during this time.

 

Ah, summer.

Ode to Summer.

Short and oh so sweet.

 

I will say that fall is my favourite season …. I do love the freshness of spring and the smell.

Now that being said …. when I was growing up on the farm … back in 04 (just kidding) ….

There really was a fresh smell to spring.

A scent to the snow melting …. we did not know about snow mold back on the farm.

The crocuses covered pastures with a purple blanket.

Snow melted over a few weeks time.

I do remember once, when I young that we still had some dirty snow on the northside of our house in July.

That was crazy.

 

Back to modern times.

So this is Thursday, then Friday and the weekend and Monday is back to work.

For the most part the time has gone by at a reasonable pace until today and now it seems like work is right around the corner.

Back to getting up earlier.

Thankfully not as early as back in March when I had to leave the house at 6:40 or so or earlier if I was catching the bus.

I am grateful that the decision was made for us to remain working from home until at least January 2021.

Perhaps our leadership team will find that working from home just works better for staff.

I do love being at home.

No commute.

Time for extra walks.

Being with Alvin …. No. 1 reason for loving working from home.

 

Yesterday we had so many visits.

In the afternoon, Teddy, his sister Kobi and Mom came for a visit.

First visit from them in months although Teddy did spend some time here a few weeks ago.

After supper we went for our second walk of the day.

It was so nice outside.

We were almost past Pauline’s house, the friend with the glorious garden, when we heard her call out to us.

Alvin enjoyed running and sniffing about her yard and I enjoyed checking out the flowers and chatting with our friend.

Her flowers are still so beautiful.

A young lady named Jenna and her small dog named Ellie stopped by.

Pauline introduced me and Alvin to them – they had met while walking about a month ago.

My friend had been out walking with her grand pup George when they met.

I love meeting new people.

We had a nice long visit before returning home and not empty handed, I might add.

Pauline gave me some succulents to plant in my back garden.

I did not have time to plant them last night as we found Humphrey and his Mom on the front lawn visiting other folks from the neighbourhood.

Alex, Janet and their yellow labs “Eddy” and “Bruno.”

Alvin got a little freaked out as they saw me and pulled on their leashes to come and see us.

We had a nice visit on the front lawn.

I am so grateful that we have such lovely people in our neighbourhood.

By the time we got into the house it was 8:30 p.m. and we had left the house at 6:30 p.m.

A nice couple of hours outside enjoying the fresh air.

 

Well it is time to hit the shower as it has been a couple of days.

My hair looks like it needs to be washed.

The sky is now overcast and after the shower, I want to get those succulents into the ground as soon as possible.

They are resting in some water at this time.

 

I hope that you are enjoying August 13th, 2020.

Another friend celebrates a birthday today.

So many August birthdays.

Happy Birthday Caroline.

 

Alvin is standing in the doorway and staring at me.

Now he is stretching.

He is good at stretching, I could learn a lesson from the boy.

 

Well I think after my shower I will put on long pants.

Other than next Monday the weather forecast is for high teens and low 20’s for the next couple of weeks.

Last night it got down to plus 8 degrees celsius.

 

Living life with kindness and respect.

We all have our differences, our opinions and similarities.

No one human being is exactly the same.

That being said “we have to be better at living with each other.”

We should all be striving for the same thing.

Peace, respect and kindness and compassion for all human beings, for all living beings and for the environment.

When we notice disrespect, violence and non compassionate actions we need to speak out and change this.

No one person whether adult or child should have to live in fear or violation.

No animal should be chained up.

Cruelty and violence should be two words that are not in our vocabulary.

We need to be better.

We have to be better.

If we look back historically at the different centuries …. we are no better now.

The only different now is technology.

My hope that during my lifetime we humans learn to peaceful, respectful and compassionate.

 

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Saturday Morning,

Wow, this year so far has been filled with incredible highs and incredible lows.

This past week I would say has had some incredible lows.

Three nights this week of virtually no sleep countered with last night with first time up at 3:30 a.m. has made for a very long week.

One great thing to happen is my daughter is coming to visit today and I shall whip up some pancakes.

I don’t have my usual ingredients but that has never stopped me from making something.

I have found in life you have to be able to use what you have and go from there.

 

Just like this fence adventure and I shall call it that ….. I finally got things sorted out and just have to chat with my neighbours about the final tally.

I researched and spoke to people and then negotiated.

Negotiation is not something that I find easy to do ….. selling is more my thing.

That being said I guess negotiating is part of selling.

Now working for someone else and selling is one thing …. like retail.

I love that …. and I am good, no very good at selling things.

Anyway, I am more than happy with the final result in this case.

 

Perhaps after having a shower will perk me up and that is next on my list to do.

Last night I did some laundry so that reduced the number of loads for today.

I will say that with not having to go to the office, my laundry is considerably less.

Now basically one outfit for the day not two or even three.

I think that perhaps Alvin may need to go outside before I slip into the shower.

Will check with him first for sure.

 

The rain has stopped and it is very windy.

Clouds still fill most of the sky although it does appear to be brighter in the distances.

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 20 degrees celsius.

Now that would be nice.

Something to note that yesterday afternoon it was snowing, yup it was.

Mostly it was wet snow and melted as it touched the ground.

The point is on May 22, 2020 it was snowing.

 

At this moment both of us long to go walking but until he is back to normal, not taking any chances.

Not a pretty sight to have diarrhea on a walk, the clean up is a nightmare.

 

Well my daughter will be here in approximately two hours and I have things to do in preparation of her arrival.

I hope that you are having an incredibly “high” kind of day filled with all good things.

 

This life of ours now is unique for our time for most of us.

I hope that we are able to figure out a “new norm” and that it is one that is good for everyone including animals and all creatures including the environment.

We need to be more kind and respectful in all areas.

Take our new norm, go forth and spread that kindness and respect into your daily life.

This is a good thing for sure.

 

Well I better get this boat on the water …..

Wishing you a wonderful day filled with all sorts of goodness.

You deserve this most definitely as do we all.

Take care and be of good health.

 

With kindness and respect,

I/We shall remain,

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Sometimes we just need some photos of cuteness and the beauty of nature.

My grand pups Milo and Aspen

My beautiful geranium waiting to be transplanted outside.

My little cuteness,  my boy, Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and Welcome to a Rainy THURSDAY morning.

The sky is gray and it has been raining since before 2:30 a.m.

Likely the thought crossed your mind, how did I know that?

Well because Mr. Alvin was up at 12:17, 2:30, 4:22, 4:52 and then up to stay at 6:19 a.m.

He has breakfast at 4:22 a.m.

Alvin does not like going out in the rain so going to the bathroom for him is always interesting when it is raining.

I have been taking my heavy family size umbrella out each time we go outside so that he feels he has some protection from the rain.

It does help him and also that I am out there, as well.

The boy has not pooped since Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

So safe to say that the pills are working but when is he going to poop.

He is trying to tell me something so perhaps he wants to go out yet again.

We were just out but I had better go and see.

Will return.

Back again.

I am quite certain that if any of our neighbours were outside and saw this huge umbrella moving about on my deck and then on the grass just above the fenceline, they would laugh.

They would most certainly have a giggle if they could heard my words of encouragement to Alvin “please go poop, Alvin.”

So not again.

I think that he wants to go but his bum is sore and he is reluctant.

If he does not go by this afternoon, I might call the vet to check.

I am glad for both of our sakes that the diarrhea has ended.

Life is so funny.

Never did I think that on May 20, 2020 that I would be working from home and able to be with Alvin 24/7.

So happy that I am with him when he truly needs me.

Last time he was sick, which was last September one week after I returned to work after three weeks of vacation only to be gone another week.

This time I am here already so have only had to take small amount of time …. last Friday a couple of hours and Monday morning.

He is laying on his little bed that I made for him in the office.

He usually stays put there while I write my post and then when I am working he lays on the rug in the hallway.

Yesterday he actually left me and laid on his favourite chair in the living room.

Oh, my boy.

I think today will be up and down while he figures out when / how to go.

He is likely nervous.

 

My neighbour fertilized the lawn so perhaps it will be a nice lush green for a change.

Although I am not a fan of putting something on the lawn to kill the weeds, I may have to this year.

My neighbour longs for green grass and mine has some weeds.

Even though it is kept cut it does not look very nice.

I am hoping that can get something that is not harmful to the environment but will rid the lawn of the unwanted weeds.

Our back area by the garage is filled with yellow flowers …. dandelions.

At least it is some colour and most of all, good for bees.

Not everyone in the back lane area looks after that space so it is difficult to do so.

 

Well the clock says I need to get signed on for work.

I got my coffee when we were coming back upstairs.

So ready to go.

 

I hope that you have a lovely Thursday.

Keep Mr. Alvin with positive thoughts.

I hope he is better soon.

So we can walk again and live our regular ordinary wonderful lives.

 

Remember with Kindness and Respect is the only way to live our lives.

I/We remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Yay, Saturday morning.

Alvin and I were up at 4:05, then again at 6:00 and then a few minutes ago.

I was tired.

Perhaps it is in part the extreme cold temperatures that causes that sleepy feeling.

Who does not want to curl up under a cozy blanket and just sleep.

Oh well, we are up now and have a full day ahead of us.

That lazy feeling removed my desire to take down the Christmas tree last night.

So today and tomorrow.

Down comes everything.

The temperature is way too cold to go outside unless it is a necessity.

No walking for sure.

 

Last night after watching a segment on one of the shows that I record about LIVING CLEAN; I decided to do this.

I went on social media and challenged family and friends to reduce their household and life usage of plastic.

Every day I will post a tip, something that I have learned to be more GREEN or to LIVE MORE CLEAN.

I also enlisted them to post anything ideas that they had as well.

Within a few minutes several friends had posted a tip to share.

 

Perhaps in 2020 we all need to be LIVING CLEAN AND BE GREEN.

We just have so much stuff that we do not use or need.

So many items are purchased out of convenience or just plain desire.

Even me with my love of Christmas.

I like the tree and all of the decorations.

But is it necessary, no.

Absolutely NOT.

 

Over the years I have mostly ditched the plastic grocery bags and use recycled bags and boxes.

I seldom purchase plastic storage bags and mainly use glass and “tupperware” containers for storage.

But I am still using some plastics.

So many things that we use on a daily basis come in plastic containers.

Shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, laundry soap, cleaners and the lost goes on and on.

Attempting to purchase less grocery items that come in plastic wrap.

I must confess that I have purchased the net bags for my produce, and have not used them.

I WILL be using them for ALL future produce shopping.

 

This year I am going to use up what I have and go as green as possible.

Making my own household cleaners, finding items to replace personal hygiene products that are not harmful to me or to the environment.

Away with the chemicals.

It is not easy and good things seldom are … but I am going to do the best that I can.

I care deeply about the environment.

I care about what we are doing to marine life and wildlife.

It has to end.

Not necessary.

Cut out the conveniences and companies need to step back from the greed that envelopes them and make changes.

 

Okay, time to get this day going.

Please post any ideas that you have for my quest.

Let’s do this together.

Together we can change the world.

Together we can save the world.

 

Have an awesome Saturday.

Remember this is the moment to make changes that will give future generations a chance to live on this beautiful planet.

I believe that is not too late.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Morning and today would be TUESDAY, the 7th day of January 2020.

As I was getting ready this morning …. washing my face and applying moisturizer followed by a wee bit of makeup.

I was thinking “there really isn’t a magic pill for life.”

Every year people spend millions and billions of dollars collectively on face creams, diets and fads hoping to wipe away time.

It does not happen like that.

There are a great many entrepreneurs on this earth and they have made a lot of money attempting to “find that magic pill.”

If you are fortunate to have good genes plus doing basic hygiene such as washing your face and applying some moisture; it may appear that you have slowed down time.

Perhaps you have done just that.

But human beings are vain creatures.

If you think about it planet wide we spend billions and likely trillions of dollars on makeup and entertainment.

Not every person on this planet can go out and buy the newest make from SMASHBOX or URBAN DECAY or CLINIQUE.

Not every person on this planet can go to a music concert.

Does not matter whether you live in Canada, the United States, China or Africa.

At the end of the day it is all of the “stuff” that we are using in an attempt to turn back the hands of time that fills our lakes, rivers, oceans and landfills.

Cosmetic containers and half used or old makeup are only a few of the items that are cluttering up and destroying our planet.

We certainly need to give our heads a shake and although this industry does employ a great many people; does that offset the damage it is doing to the environment.

I know that the oil & gas industry, pharmaceuticals and the list goes on, does more harm than good to the environment.

But perhaps it is worth taking a moment to consider.

Also did you know or even think about all of the companies that still test on animals?

Are you kidding me?

In this day and age, this should not and must not happen.

Educate yourself when you purchase something that makes you feel good.

At the end of the day for that feeling is it worth it?

I am working on it everyday.

Read.

 

Well it is time to head on downstairs.

The poop awaits.

 

Have an awesome day.

Keep it simple.

We can always do better.

I am nowhere near perfect but I am trying always to do better than yesterday.

Sending my prayers and positive energy and thoughts to the animals and people of the Continent of Australia.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 31st day of December, 2018.

The last day of December and the last day of the year 2018.

 

WOW, what a year – 2018.

Right.

The world has struggled to come up with a game plan regarding the environment or at least one that ALL countries will join.

Wars, struggles and strife continue all over the world.

We have listened to the rants and raves of leaders.

Weather has been off the charts this past year between fires, floods, hurricanes and tsunamis.

Even at home there has been peaceful conflict between those who want the pipeline built and those who do not.

There have been advances and disadvantages.

We have lost dear ones.

Babies have been born.

 

For me, I continue to work, to be employed.

At a time where jobs are held dear.

I am most grateful to be employed.

I am grateful to have supportive family and friends.

I am grateful that despite the recent political atmosphere I/We live in a peaceful country.

I am grateful to have clean drinking water.

I am grateful that I can write and am not shut down for voicing my opinions.

I am grateful that Alvin and I are in good health.

I am grateful that I am able to live in a home/house that I can call my own.

I am grateful that I can see, hear, smell, taste and touch.

I am grateful for books, music and nature.

I am grateful that I can make a difference – should I choose.

I am grateful to be me.

I am grateful that during the last eleven days of this year that I was able to visit with my cousins and many friends.

To be surrounded by good people is the best feeling ever.

A great way to end the year.

 

For the New Year, I simply wish that all nations would come together peacefully to solve or at least begin to resolve the damage done to our beloved environment.

Let us hope that it is not too late.

Our environment is like our own personal good health; without it, we will perish or at least live very restricted lives.

 

I know that this sounds like a doom and gloom post but sometimes we have to dig our heads out of the sand and speak up.

There is a break in the clouds this morning.

The sky is no longer white.

The sky is filled with dark blue clouds which I can see clear blue sky.

There is hope that we will have sunshine today.

I wish HOPE for everyone – everywhere.

I wish SUNSHINE for everyone – everywhere.

 

Happy New Year.

Happy 2019.

 

Special Hello to: all of my family and friends, wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 25th day of May, 2018.

Last night just as I was arriving home it began to rain …. at some points it was a nice steady rain.

We certainly could use it and were so grateful for the moisture.

The trees and grass and plants are definitely a more vibrant green this morning.

The flowers were happy to have a rain from the heavens and not one from my watering can.

Everyone is doing a little happy dance this morning.

 

As I am sitting here I can feel the humidity.

You know after a shower and then you get dressed.

The air seems more humid and hot.

Even the temperature in the house had got warmer over night.

It cooled down with the rain but not for long.

 

Looking forward to the weekend after a shortened work week.

We have lots to do.

We are pet sitting for a friend in the neighbourhood.

A birthday party Sunday morning for one of my girl friends.

The usual watering, likely mowing grass, laundry, cleaning and on.

 

Perhaps we will get some more rain.

Another nice shower would be good.

 

Alvin and I enjoyed a lovely walk last night in the rain.

As we left the house it appeared to be snowing.

Some of the flowers off of our tree were raining down in the wind and rain.

Just a nice gentle rain with a bit of a breeze so not too many mosquitoes.

By the time I got home I was WARM as I had slipped on a jacket before leaving the house.

 

Mr. Alvin is snuggled up on his blue blanket on the floor beside me.

 

Well almost time to get this show on the road.

Nice to be Friday.

I hope that you are enjoying life.

Every moment is precious.

Every life should be treated with kindness.

Be gentle with the environment …. we do not want to leave a footprint.

 

Special Hello to: You …. celebrate life …. you deserve to have fun.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 7th day of April, 2018.

The house is quiet once again except for the furnace running to heat the house during our coldest spring in thirty years.

The snow does seem to be slowly disappearing but not due to hot sunny days, that is for sure.

Most likely due in part to the wind.

The winds have been brutally cold.

Yesterday it was almost minus 20 degrees celsius with the windchill when I left work.

Thankfully I am a smart adult and was wearing my winter coat.

So many young and older folks were wearing spring jackets.

Likely just getting tired of wearing their winter ones.

I am starting to lose my patience with Mother Nature.

It is time for warmer weather, please.

 

Well onto something else, whining is not something that I like to do for long periods of time.

My daughter is bringing Mr. Alvin home this morning.

I promised my daughter a “pancake breakfast” when she arrives.

After writing my blog, I will slip into the shower before starting to cook the pancakes.

My dear old electric fry pan of over thirty years is starting to show signs of its’ age.

Part of the element is not heating up so of course, things do not cook evenly.

This morning I will use a smaller pan on top of the snow.

Hopefully that works better.

I am sad that my dear old electric fry pan is not working properly.

These days electric appliances and anything for that matter do not last any length of time.

I figure that I got at least six lifetimes from her than the ones made in recent times.

Unfortunately when appliances and such stop working over shorter periods of time not only do they cost to keep replacing BUT we are destroying our environment.

Just last night on the weather channel they were speaking about finding small microscopic bits of plastic in our drinking water.

They are already finding all sorts of plastic and garbage in all sorts of marine, bird and animal life.

They said within thirty years there will be more plastic in the oceans than marine life.

Is that not a scary thought.

That should drive people to smarten up.

I sure hope so.

 

Well that is food for thought.

We need to realize that we DO NOT NEED every gadget and gismo.

Less of this and that.

More about healthy relationships.

 

I hope that you all have a wonderful Saturday.

Special Hello to: my sister who makes me laugh and my brother who is working on our family history.  Thank you guys.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 2nd day of January, 2018.

There is a breeze this morning and it feels warm.

Could it be that the temperatures are warming up?

Well back to work today after a nice break.

I was wondering what my thoughts were on this date last year.

I think it still applies and of course brings us only two years from 2020 and even closer to 2025, which I think seems so futuristic.

 

January 2nd, 2017.

Did you wonder how 2018 was going to feel being one more year closer to 2020?

It feels so futuristic …. as though cars should be flying or at least driving without human invention.

I would have thought that we would have been further along the road to peace.

I would have thought that we would have cured every disease.

I would have thought that we would be treating other species with care, kindness and respect.

I would have thought that we would be the best planetary caretakers regarding the environment.

I would have thought that greed and power struggles would not be the underlying statement.

I would have thought that we would be further along than we are ….. disappointing, yes.

I hope that during 2018 we find it in our hearts and minds to work harder toward more safe technology and make things last longer so that the landfills and eco stations are not filled to capacity with no place to go.

I hope that during 2018 we find it in our hearts and minds to work together as a planetary collective and not as individual countries to solve all the ills of the world.

I hope that during 2018 we find it in our hearts and mind to bring peace at last to this beautiful emerald planet of ours.

I hope that during 2018 we realize that each and every living organism on this planet plays an important role in our future.

I hope that during 2018 brings stabilizing change for all of us.

I wish us all the best now and in the centuries to come.

 

Special Hello to: all those people who work hard every day for our future.

Always, Carol and Alvin