2025

Good Morning ALL. How are you doing today? I hope that you are well. Alvin and I are doing great. Another cold day. I noticed there was some extra snow on the sidewalks and on the deck. Guess there was some snow before we were up earlier. I love that the sun is beginning to rise earlier and earlier each day. I found out that March 14, 2021 is the date that we here in Alberta turn our clocks forward by one hour. The time change always seems to play havoc with me and Alvin, most especially Alvin for at least a couple of weeks before we are used to the difference. I will say that it is harder to turn the clocks back than forward. Mr. Alvin is barking at me from the office. What a guy. Oh my goodness. He is hard to please. I had moved his little blanket bed from the office to the doorway thinking he may like to make eye contact from where he is but that was not what he wanted. After I had a shower and while still in my housecoat with my hair wrapped up on top of my head, we went downstairs and out he went. Does he need to go again? Anyway I guess this will be quick. I did want to mention that yesterday doing the list jogged my old memory about many other items around the house that I love. I have this seashell with pearl brooch that my grandparents bought for me when they went on their cruise to Hawaii. I have jumpsuit that she took on that trip. I believe the trip was about 1968 and I was 11 years old. The brooch is so exquisite. I will take a photo and share with you soon. It is so delicate and beautiful. I have managed to keep it safe and intact for all these years. Now one small pearl did come loose and I have that little pearl. I do treasure that gift so much. Another item was a solid green jade ring that my best friend in Grade 12 gave to me in 1976 and I have wore it everyday since then. I may changed fingers as my fingers changed size but I wear it to this day. Two more treasures. I am very blessed.

It is time to head downstairs. I was even up a bit earlier but today was pay bills day so that takes a couple of extra minutes and we did go downstairs in the middle of things. Oh well, such as life.

The sky almost looks periwinkle in colour from my office window and that brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday.

Today they deliver my second Chef’s Place meals for this next week. So excited.

Warming up tomorrow so that I can walk to the vet for supplies for the boy.

Continuing to live with kindness, respect, compassion and patience.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of March, 2019.

OFFICIAL first day of Spring.

YAY, we have spring.

Yesterday in Edmonton the temperature rose to plus 15 degrees celsius.

Like a summer day.

We are happy, happy.

Last night after work I received a phone call from our friend “P” who has the beautiful yard and garden.

My English (from England) friend.

They were just back from Hawaii last week.

She wanted to know if we wanted to walk with her and of course, I said “yes.”

We walked to the big lake and around it.

At one point we were about to cross the street and I stepped onto the snow patch and my foot was totally emerged in water.

What a great way to begin a walk with one wet foot.

Runner, sock and the foot WET.

It was so nice out, I shrugged it off and we continued.

Poor Mr. Alvin’s belly was so dirty …. and he was so wet.

We had a great chat as we walked.

She told me of the beautiful scenery on the island.

They also took in some high waves.

Apparently they were experience hurricane strength winds and the waves were incredible.

At a distance.

What a great way to begin the night.

AND then there was Humphrey.

He joined us …. I went and picked him up.

The boys are so cute.

Alvin wanted to play last night and brought out one of his toys.

So we had a bit of tug of war happening.

Humphrey likes his scratching board and lays on it.

They make me smile.

The ALOHA book was a gift from my friend P …. she thought I would like the flowers and it is something that I can use.

One quick story about the boys.

Humphrey had been outside.

I went to check and see if he wanted to come into the house.

Alvin decided to go back out.

They stood nose to nose.

Then Alvin turned around and faced me with his backside to Humphrey.

All of a sudden Humphrey gave him a gently nudge with his head.

Oh, if only I had a video ….

Cutest thing ever.

The boys then came into the house.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to: all of my friends travelling …. looking forward to more stories.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 8th day of March, 2019.

Woke up extra early ….. Alvin needed to go outside.

Then we hit the sofa for more sleep.

As our sofa is so comfy, I always make sure to set the timer on the microwave so that we do not sleep in…..

Only thing with that is ….. have to do it in chunks of 99.99 minutes.

When you are up at 2:30 a.m.  …… you get the picture.

Oh well, it is Friday.

So tomorrow morning it doesn’t matter.

I only thought of this now but I guess I could set the timer on the stove instead of the microwave…..

Holy catfish ….. what a great idea!!

 

We also woke up to SNOW.

Yup, it has been snowing since 2:30 a.m.

Or at least at our house.

Perhaps Mother Nature did this as we were up …..

Creating a bit of magic as with the lights on ….. appeared to be a large blanket of diamonds.

Can you imagine?

A blanket of diamonds the size of my deck.

That would be worth a couple of $2.00.

WOW.

 

Alvin and I went for a walk last night but only went part way before he headed back home.

For the second night in a row there has been a cold breeze.

I hope that tonight it is warm and no wind so that we can go the whole way round.

 

I am grateful that today is Friday.

Three things on my TO DO LIST.

The most important things to get done.

1.  finish my Income Tax (doing all the extra stuff when you have Commission based business). I will be more prepared next year.  Lesson learned.
2. wash floors up and down
3. laundry, always laundry.

I hope that we have good days for walking this weekend.

Two of my friends are back from their month long holidays.

One from Mexico and the other from Hawaii.

Wow, I can only imagine.

Being in a tropical spot ….. laying on a lounge chair on a beach ….. palm trees swaying …. sipping on a fruity drink ….. taking in the sunshine.

Mmmmmmm.

Yup, that would be great.

 

Well I wish you all the very best Friday.

If it is snowing where you are ….. turn on a outside light or look where the street lamps are shining and you will discover a blanket of diamonds.

Truly makes one day.

I can close my eyes and see the snow sparkling.

So beautiful.

 

BE kind to yourself and to others.

BE kind to all the creatures living on this earth.

Remember we share this place.

We DO NOT own this place.

 

Special Hello to: my dear sister ….. close your eyes …. aren’t they pretty?

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 7th day of January, 2019.

Lots of snow outside this morning.

Poor Alvin did not stray too far from the back door.

I see shovelling in my immediate future.

Will try and do some shovelling before I leave for work.

Especially on the deck for Alvin.

I looked out the front window as I opened the blinds and it looks so pretty.

The freshly fallen snow.

As the street lamps shed their beams on the snow flakes they shone like beautiful diamonds.

So beautiful.

A great sight to behold early in the morning.

 

Yesterday Mr. Alvin and I had a lovely walk before I headed out to the baby shower.

It was wonderful.

I had not been to a baby shower in years other than at work.

There were over 20 ladies/women/girls; a table full of food and she was adorned with many beautiful gifts.

The new baby girl due to arrive in early February will not need for anything.

My friends, the proud Grandparents are leaving for Hawaii about the same time and are hoping that the baby arrives before they leave.

The trip has been booked for over one year.

They have already made temporary arrangements just in case …. the baby GIRL is late …… on time …… (depends on who you are – looking at it all).

They will not leave without saying hello to the newest grandchild.

Their daughter and son-in-law did not think (according to doctors) that they would ever have a baby.

SURPRISE.

Such a great story.

During the couple of hours or so I was at the shower; I chatted with two ladies that I did not know and also a neighbour of my friend whom I did know.

So it was great.

Lots of conversations.

Learning new things.

One of the gals had even in her early years applied at the same office as I am currently working but did not get the job as she did not have enough “experience.”

My how times have changed – now it is all about the education of which she has.

 

Anyway, time to get going here and do some shovelling.

Might as well get some more exercise.

Always have a few sets of stairs each morning before leaving the house.

Also watched the GOLDEN GLOBES last night.

I most especially enjoyed the award that Carol Burnett received.

The award will now be in her name for lifetime contributions to television.

VERY COOL, I love her.

By far one of the funniest people on the planet.

 

Okay time to fly.

Have an awesome Monday.

Special Hello to: Carol Burnett, I adore you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 23rd of July, 2017.

Another family birthday …. Happy Birthday to my great nephew “B” …. Happy Day Buddy.

Sunny earlier and then the clouds rolled in.

We managed to get a walk in at the start of a small shower which did not last for our whole walk.

Alvin wanted to come home as soon as it started but I managed to coax him to keep trekking.

What a guy.

Just enjoying a cup of coffee on this rainy Sunday morning.

We need the moisture so no complaints here.

Quite the change from yesterday.

Well we are getting prepared for our company which will begin to arrive in less than two weeks.

Most of the stuff around the house is done …. just finishing touches …… groceries.

Well back to enjoying the cup of coffee.

Had the luckiest day yesterday.

One of my neighbours gave me a hand held clothes steamer and another one brought me three bags of KONO Hazelnut coffee straight from HAWAII and the first neighbour later brought over some watermelon and

during the cleaning of our office ….. I out of the blue decided to put out some cards ….. you know from past Mother’s Days and Birthdays ….. just because they are pretty …. and I FOUND …..

a $50.00 gift card for the movies.

I was going to use it toward a movie for friends and they would not let me so tucked it back in the card only to be found years later, 3 years later.

Can you believe it?

Also a couple of gals from work and me have been purchasing the odd lotto tickets.

One of the girls picked up lotto 649 tickets for yesterday and the Western Extra last three numbers were 9-5-7 (my birthday and year I was born).

It was a lucky day.

I am nervous to check the tickets.

Can you imagine?

What a day.

Time to run.

Neighbour coming for coffee.

 

Special Hello to: my sister …. soon …. very soon.

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Friday June 23, 2017 and it is the 48 day until my 60th Birthday.

The top ….

11.  Flowers …. wherever and whenever

10.  Fragrance of my Gran’s flower gardens (memory)

9.  Trips to Jasper 2009 and to Montreal 2007 with my daughter

8.  Looking at old photographs with my sister and brothers ….. remembering when we were younger.

7.  Reading cards and letters from loved ones no longer with us.

6. Business trip to New York City in 1994 which included a week long course held at the old SING SING Prison and followed by the most glorious but scary visit to the World Trade Centre, Broadway Musical, some     sightseeing and shopping.  The Big Apple was so much more than I could ever have imagine.  Some day I would like to go there with my daughter.  Definitely bucket list to return to NYC.

5. Sea Shell Broach that my Grandparents brought me back from their trip to Hawaii, I think I was about 10 (still have it).  One of  my most prized possessions and it fits in the palm of my hand.

4.  The people in my life: my family, of course, and all my beloved friends from a lifetime.  They are the best.  D, V, M, D, L, G, S, H, I, K, M, R, B, M,  and I cannot list them all but they are in my heart each and every minute of my day.

3. My daughter’s wedding and my new son-in-law … sharing that day with her/with them was one of the best days of my life.

 

2. Adoption of  Alvin which was by accident as would not have happened without my kids saying I should adopt a doggie.  He is the wind beneath my sails.

1. Birth of my daughter, Amanda.  She has been and continues to be the star shining brightly in my sky.  I have always been so proud of her from the time she was a wee girl to now as a grown woman.  She is simply the most caring, kind and compassionate woman I know and I learn from her daily. She is a great role model (even for her Momma).  Always my daughter and best friend.

 

 

I could go on and on with this list.  The more I wrote the more I engaged my thoughts and memories.  Really despite a few hiccups along the way I have had and continue to have an amazing life.

The top 60 of my favourite things …… just the beginning.  I hope that I did not forget something important.  Daughter check, Son-in-law check, Sister, Brothers, Family, Friends. …..

I guess that I still have 48 or so days left to jot down some things on the Countdown to 60.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ……

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 15th day of April, 2016.

YAY, today is Friday and the start of the weekend for me.

I think today is the day that my sister comes home from Hawaii.

Cannot wait to hear all about her trip.

That is one place I would love to see.

I cannot imagine the greenery and the flowers.

The beautiful turquoise blue water and the sand.

The palm trees…..the pineapple ….. oh my.

Possibly bump into the Hawaii-Five-O Team …… now that would be cool.

On this Friday I am just happy to be on the last day of the work week for the office.

I have a busy weekend ahead but that is okay.

Better to be busy than not.

Just as long as you have time to R-E-L-A-X.

 

Alvin and I are enjoying our walks after work and I am going to rearrange our mornings so that we can go for a walk in the morning, as well.

Often times in the summer it is too hot for us to walk after work and by the time it cools down it is bedtime.

So two walks somedays and others one but better than none.

 

It is so great to see the sunrise on my way to work.

The sky is afire in yellows, oranges and reds.

So pretty.

I have had to start wearing my sunglasses when I get onto the bus as it becomes so bright at one point during the ride.

 

Well almost time to hit the road.

Another day … another ….. you know..

 

I hope that you have an awesome Friday.

May your day be filled with brightness, joy and laughter.

 

Special Hello to: the world travellers …. home again.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 13th day of April, 2016.

How are you doing this fine mid week morning?

I am doing pretty good – we are doing very well, I mean.

Me and Alvin.

Alvin enjoyed having Elton come for the day.

I took the boys for a walk after they had supper and stuff.

We even visited with some folks in the neighbourhood.

It was a great walk.

Elton was so full of energy …. you would never know he was almost 13.

So wonderful to see.

I hope that when I am of equal age that I have that much “energy and fire.”

Age is something that truly creeps up on you …. even though it is just a number ….. there are things that come with age.

Like forgetting things (but you can do puzzles that help).

Like getting stiff (exercise more, most especially stretching, do some yoga).

Like wrinkles (wash and moisture and do no smoke).

Like insomnia (drink herbal teas and take warm baths before bed).

Like being grumpy (have some patience).

These are just a few things that have been noted between me and friends who are over 1/2 century mark.

But if you live your life – take things in stride.

Reach for the sky (dream).

Then age is just a number and it is what happens.

I hope that you have an awesome day.

Time for this cat to leave for work.

Special Hello to: my sister who is soaking up the sun in Hawaii …… wish I was there.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 4th day of April, 2016.

WOW, we had a crazy beautiful weekend here in Edmonton.

Downside it is so dry.

We are hoping for some spring rain showers.

I have started to get back into my poetry and would like to share another one from the past.

Thank you for reading it has inspired me to write more.

I love poems because they are a condensed story.

To the point.

It is always so important to do something you love and I do love to write poetry.

I wrote my first poem in grade one and never stopped.

Along the way some were lost but I treasure the ones that I managed to keep.

I do have one that I wrote for my grandparents back at age 8, I believe and I still have it.

 

My grandmother kept this small treasure of my childhood, and I am so grateful.

Well can you believe it almost time to leave for work.

I am quite certain that I was just there ….. oh well, gotta work.

 

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 my daughter’s school play at W.H. Ford School.

She was just ten years old back then.

By Carol Lewis on November 28th, 1990

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

 

Special Hello to: my sister who is travelling to Hawaii today …… Aloha ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 9th day of August, 2014 and my “57th” BIRTHDAY.

The sun is shining and there is a cool breeze coming in through the office/bedroom window.

Just back from driving my neighbour to the airport as she is going to Saskatchewan to attend a family wedding.

WOW, I AM FIFTY-SEVEN.

CRAZY ….. three years from being sixty.

Now that is crazy.

 

I wanted to impart some words of wisdom or maybe some fun facts about the year I was born.

But instead I shall just say what comes to my mind, as always.

I have not always been such a positive soul but I always wanted good things for others.

I always dreamed of living a life where I helped others.

I thought at one point that I would be a nurse.

I would have the house with the white picket fence and be surrounded by four children, and later grandchildren, and the husband.

Every summer we would host a big family reunion and everyone would come from far away.

We would celebrate our family and we were happy.

 

I always let my imagination guide and protect me when I was younger and quite possibly that is the reason why today I harbour no ill feelings to parts of my childhood.

I always love to write and create.

I always wrote in a journal and wrote poems and stories.

Somewhere on the shelf I was a writer just waiting for that moment.

My time to be that “New York Times” Best Selling Author.

Even though I am a Canadian.

I always dreamed of travelling to Australia, Europe and Hawaii.

Possibly South America.

 

I guess for the most part I have been pretty comfortable and at times things have been easy.

I have been disappointed in my choices.

Sometimes sad along the way.

But when I look back at my life thus far overall I am pretty content.

Content in choices, content in my own skin and content to try even though I may fail.

Success is nothing without failure.

Failure and Success are both opinions.

Like beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

We are all beautiful …… I think.

 

So on this day …… a day that I was pretty sure would come along but sometimes scared that it would not …. I am grateful, proud and happy to be alive.

I am grateful to be Carol.

I am grateful to be surrounded by much love and laughter.

I am grateful to have my own house …. bought on my own.

I am grateful that I have one most beautiful and amazing daughter.

I am grateful to have a son-in-law and grand-puppies.

I am grateful to have me “ALVIN” ….. a son like no other.

I am grateful to learn everyday.

I am grateful to meet new people every week.

I am grateful that I took a chance.

I am grateful that I have learned and not been afraid.

I am grateful for my past, grateful for today and grateful that tomorrow will come.

I am grateful for each and every moment.

I am grateful that today at 6:20 a.m. – I turned fifty-seven.

I am grateful for every wrinkle …. for having great genes ….. barely any wrinkles ……

I am grateful that I can see the world, smell the world, taste the world and hear all the world.

I would post a photo of me but the most recent one is from last fall.

So that will be for tomorrow …… possibly photos of birthday celebrations.

 

Happy Birthday to my cousin “M” who turns 47 today ….. he was born on my 10th Birthday.

That was a cool birthday.

 

Special Hello to: all those folks with a birthday on mine ….. or mine on yours ….. Happy Birthday also to one of my favourite television personalities “HODA KOTB,” who turns 50 today.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin