The Next Chapter

Good Morning. Went to bed with clear blue skies and warm temperatures and woke up to the smell of smoke earlier. I immediately closed my bedroom window. The skies are filled with smoke this morning. This is the first time that it has been really smoky here in my neighbourhood. There may have been other days with the wind that other parts of the City of Edmonton were smoky from the wildfires but this is the worse. The wind is so strong and is blowing the trees with their young leaves from side to side. To all my fellow Albertans, I wish you to be safe. I pray that all the wildlife and domestic animals are safe from the fires. My heart hurts as I know that there has been so much loss of life when it comes to animals, insects and birds. The loss of trees. We, humans have to be better. Stop being careless! Please.

So different between yesterday morning and this morning. One morning bright with blue skies and the next grey and the smell of smoke in the air burns my eyes and hurts my nose. The smoke from our wildfires as I have mentioned previously has been blown by strong spring winds to other parts of Canada and even into the U.S. I cannot imagine how hard it must be to breathe if you are surrounded by smoke.

This post is short. My mind is foggy with thoughts of smoke and fires. I am grateful that the temperature has decreased today and for a few days.

Please be safe and strong. Look after your animals and yourself.

Time for coffee and I should go and put the cushions from my patio furniture into the garage although they will smell like smoke now. Maybe I should just leave them. Not sure. I am grateful to be working from home.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities, coffee and forgiveness.

Always, Carol & Alvin (My Forever Angel)

Photos of my flowers from last spring waiting to be planted. I cannot wait to pick up some this year.

Flowers to plant

Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! Well we are certainly coming to the end of August, quickly with no help from any of us. Alvin and I slept right through until 5:00 from bedtime at 10:00 p.m. last night. So great. Then we hit the sofa for a few hours so I feel like I have had some sleep. We are also so grateful for the reprieve from the hot temperatures which by the way are coming back starting Tuesday. This does not seem like normal. Usually August or at least in recent memory has been in the low twenties or late teens. Not this year. Thankfully the house is cool right now and with the breeze blowing makes it actually cool outside. Top temperature for today is 22-23 degrees celsius, Monday is forecasted to be 27, Tuesday 31, Wednesday 32, Thursday and Friday 28. That is the base temperature not including the humidity which seems to be high at the moment. So Tuesday could feel like 34. ARGH. We will be back to leaving the windows open overnight to cool the house and with the fans on throughout the day. Looks like the sky is clouding over. The sun was shining so brightly for the last few hours.

My friend G was coming for coffee this morning but has a migraine so is unable to pop over. Those things are a total bugger. I hope that she is feeling better soon.

Poor Alvin will be back to sporting the cool wet hand towel look for a few more days this week.

At least a person can vacuum the house without working up a sweat and actually do some things around the house without perishing from the heat. I have so many things in the fridge to eat that I have not had to cook all weekend (which is too bad because this would be the time to do some cooking). But there will be enough things to have for most of the week without cooking.

Weather plays such an important role in our lives. We “work” around the weather. Whether raining or sun shining!

Yesterday was great for us as it rained off and on for a good part of the day. The leaves on the trees, the grass and flowers and plants are all looking so much better for that wonderful moisture. I water my flowers but there is nothing like rain water.

Next weekend will likely be clean out more plant pots as they are starting to go. Also time to grab some pots for my geraniums which will need to be brought into the house and repotted along with the canna lily which will winter in the basement. The geraniums, oh I have so many. Might have to consider wintering some of them in the basement. Will google and read up on the process once again.

Lots of things to do coming up. I guess with a house and yard there is always many things to keep up.

Well I should go and pop outside for a walk with Mr. Alvin as it might end up raining, who knows. I love the smell of the morning air although the morning is fast evaporating. Walk or coffee. That is the question? Likely walking.

I hope that you have a great Sunday.

Take Care.

Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee. Perhaps should add walking to the list. LOL.

Always, Carol & Alvin

PS: I can hear geese honking in the distance otherwise it is quiet except for the bathroom fan and my fingertips clicking on the keyboard. I think that this heat is starting to show its’ effects on people’s health.

2021

Good Morning All! I hope that you are well.

Up earlier than usual. I just had a shower and doing this post before heading back downstairs to an overly anxious Alvin who has been pretty much barking every few seconds since I came upstairs. I am almost ready to pull my hair out by the roots. His tone can drive me ….. well,we won’t go there. He is anxious and I know that but it is difficult when it never ends or at least for the time that I am upstairs. Even if I talk to him from up here does not work. I guess need to work on my patience. My hope is that no one else can hear him. He will stop the second I am back downstairs.

Both Alvin and I were disappointed when the A/C technician from Always Plumbing did not show up. I called them at 430 pm which was at the end of the appointment window and the customer service clerk advised that the technician was still at an install. While I had her on the phone I brought up the issue that I had with the placement of the new hot water heater tank as it was blocking the entrance to the sump pump pit. I explained the situation and after couple minutes chat, she advised that she would set up an appointment for someone to come and check. At no time did I even mention about canceling the appointment for the A/C to be serviced. No one with this heat would cancel that and I certainly would not have intentionally done so. She must have cancelled it. I called back at 630 and again after 730. I called another phone number that was on their website. I sent an email. No one answered and they are supposed to have 24/7 contact. Poor Alvin. I am grateful that we have fans but I was so looking forward to having a cool environment to sleep in but it was not meant to be. I think that I will be having a free A/C servicing. At least someone could have called.
But that was our night.

At 806 pm it was still 32 degrees Celsius so I decided to water the flowers in the morning. I’m not sure when is a good time to water. So I will water them in a few minutes.
Another hot one on the way. I am hoping that they will send someone out first thing in the morning! I guess time will tell.

Well not much new, just hanging in and trying to stay cool. Much more difficult than I thought.

maybe we will get a rain shower to cool things down.

Grateful today is payday.

Amidst the heat and confusion there is a sense of gratitude for what we have and where we live.

I hope you have a great Thursday. Be safe and keep cool.

Remembering to live with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, understanding, love and gratitude.

Always Carol&Alvin

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  Our Lilies

2021

Good Morning ALL. How are you today? Alvin and I are doing well. I am in the mood for composing a poem just for you. Here goes.

WINTER

The sky blending into the white topped garage roofs fills my sight.

On this weekend morning as I write.

There is no denying it.

Winter is upon us.

From morning until night.

The lawns are covered with snow, the streets and the decks.

No pavement or wood is showing.

Frigid temperatures take away our daily walks.

Stories of cold in years gone by, fill our talks.

When we do creep out of our home to shovel the snow from the sidewalks.

The warmest of coats, boots, mitts and scarves cover our bodies.

Our natural inclination, our feeling is the longing to snuggle on the sofa.

With the heat turned up.

With a toasty warm blanket and sip on a warm beverage, perhaps hot chocolate.

And mindlessly watch a favourite movie.

We don our warmest sweaters, sometimes even “long underwear” beneath our pants.

Thick, warm socks cover our feet.

Our energy level is low.

To get our chores done is slow.

This I know.

Our life is simple during this time.

We do what we need to do.

Usually nothing more.

Except for those who do not seem to be affected.

By these more than deep freezer temperatures.

We call winter in Canada.

Written by CY Lewis, February 6, 2021

Wishing you a great day. No matter the temperature, be safe, take care.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Well today is Friday, July 31, 2020 and my last day of work before I begin vacation for two weeks.

I worked last night until 9:00 p.m. and yes, it was a long day but I feel that I will be leaving “my desk” in a better place for my coworkers and for my return.

The air outside is a bit cooler and there is a slight breeze.

I will tell you that Alvin wondered what the “hay” I was doing last night.

My Supervisor at work was took a couple of days off and my teammates dubbed Mr. Alvin “the Supervisor.”

He always seems to instinctively know when I should be taking a break and always gives me “that look.”

One of the team wanted to see and meet Alvin so I turned the camera on and we all had a little visit which lightened our “work time.”

Sometimes we need that connection.

One of the girls has a three year old boy named Tyler and he was anxious to meet Alvin, so we hooked him up.

I couldn’t see their faces and I did not have time to think about how I looked which was not “pretty.”

But really I didn’t care and no one seemed to either.

Alvin was the star of the show and that was the main thing.

I was able to show off my cuteness of a partner, companion.

Oh, just felt some cool air touch the back of my arm, felt so good.

 

I have photos to share and then this will be short as I want to get work done and this day done.

Now for a magic trick.

See the first two photos in the top row.

I had gone to water and check on my flowers and found this Snapdragon flower floating in mid air.

I had been at a distance and thought that I was seeing things.

As I approached I could see a spider web hoisting the flower off the step.

Very cool.

How strong are spider webs, very.

Some of my other flowers …. cannot remember the name of the orange flowers but very pretty.

The Snapdragons – yellow.

Couple of quick shots and the first one looks out of focus.

You can see the Hens & Chicks in the second photo.

 

Well as it is almost time to start work, I had better head back downstairs to grab my coffee and get Mr. Alvin’s bed set up.

Working in the kitchen at the table was a great idea.

This is the boy’s set up …. comfy and beside Mom.

Well the boss just told me that I have to get downstairs.

He is the designated Supervisor for these two weeks.

So the boss cannot be late for work.

 

Clearly the boy is feeling much better.

 

Happy Friday All,

Living with kindness and respect and love,

I/We shall remain,

As Always, me and the boy

 

Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

We actually had sunshine, clear blue skies yesterday for the first time in days.

I hope that this means that the forest/wild fires to the north of Edmonton are perhaps lessened.

But more than likely it is because the wind changed.

Yesterday was quite warm.

I brought Humphrey the cat over to spend the day with me and Alvin.

Again they never cease to amaze me.

Sharing the space.

I felt bad taking Alvin for a walk last night as I know how much Humphrey likes to walk sniffing as he goes.

But he was in the backyard for time over the course of the day.

He is quite the cat.

We walked at 7:00 p.m. thinking it was cooler than earlier but only to find out it was still quite warm.

Thankfully I always carry Alvin’s special water bottle/dish with us.

We did not see the geese who were probably near or in the water keeping cool.

In between things yesterday I even left them for a short time while I headed to the grocery store.

Seemed strange but they did great.

 

Today is Sunday.

Love Sundays.

Pancake breakfast.

Oh, I forgot to grab the frozen blueberries out of the freezer.

Will have to do that right away.

Also going over to pick up Humphrey the Cat (have to make sure that he did his morning ritual before he comes over to spend the day).

Cinder the Gekko has to be fed.

I wished that I could bring her over to my house, too.

Also am going to give Alvin a trim and a bath.

That should be fun.

We always enjoy those, not.

 

Well in this very moment; I am gleefully happy.

Feel great.

Sitting at the computer clicking away on the keys while Alvin waits outside the office door.

Not sure why ….

I think he knows that his friend will be here shortly.

Spending the day with animals is wonderful.

They warm your heart.

 

Well time to go and look after my charges: Humphrey the Cat and Cinder the Gekko.

I love my life.

It would be great to be retired with no mortgage and spend my days writing stories and looking after our four-legged creatures.

Alvin, Teddy, Humphrey and Cinder.

Perhaps others from time to time.

 

Okay, Living … One day at a time …. you never know what will happen.

Does not hurt to look forward a bit as long as do not dwell.

 

Happy Sunday.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 19th day of July, 2018.

What a gorgeous morning.

Alvin and I went for a walk at 5:15 this morning.

The birds serenaded us as we walk around our ponds – park area.

The fountain was silent as they turn it off at night.

So no water falling.

Robins hopping along looking for breakfast.

We did receive a shower in the early morning hours which helped to cool the HOT MUGGY air and give the plants, trees and flowers some extra moisture.

Our house is WARM.

I have the windows open, the electric fan and the furnace fan ALL going but it remains warm.

Not as cool in here this morning as it was yesterday morning.

Accumulated heat?

Luckily it is not to be as hot today.

The sky is that beautiful pale blue with a few morning clouds floating around.

The sun is shining brightly already high in the sky.

I captured a couple of photos of cool cloud formations last night.

Those stiff WHITE ones, the ones that look as though they mean business.

Something coming.

You know the ones.

 

Well it is almost time to go to work.

I need to go and make sure that I can have the house as cool for Mr. Alvin as possible.

Leaving the bathroom door open on the main floor as it is always cooler in there.

Always good idea at this time of year as it is on the inside wall – in event of a storm.

 

I hope that you are enjoying your July …..

I can hear the crows cawing, cawing ….

Have an awesome Thursday.

 

Special Hello to: my sister … not long now.

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 23rd day of May, 2018.

I started to key/type Tuesday the 22nd day of May, 2018 before I realized that it was mid week already.

WOW, when Monday is a stat holiday and you take Tuesday as a vacation day, the week really goes by quickly.

Yesterday we went for a walk bright and early (for us) before it got too warm.

Chatted with my sister a couple of times via FB messenger, which was nice.

We really had a quiet day and enjoyed my last day of vacation.

Back to work today.

But what a short week.

Can only imagine what it would be like to be home all of the time, retired.

Getting up when you chose to.

Taking on whatever projects you wanted to as money and time were not an object.

Does everything always boil down to time and or money?

Most of the time unfortunately it does.

But the choices we make bring us to the places of arrival.

The bright blue sky of a few minutes ago on the north side of the house has diminished somewhat due to some cloud cover at the south side of the house.

What a difference a few feet can make.

I have the windows open and you can hear the roar of vehicles on the nearby highway as folks travel to and from work.

Today is to be plus 30 degrees celsius.

 

So on this Wednesday I am going to continue to dream.

I dream of the day when I will retire.

Sleeping in if I wish.

Taking on whatever projects I wish as I will have more time.

But not to lose sight of today and making the most of each second, minute and hour.

 

Well here it is almost time to leave for work.

I hope that you all had a great long weekend.

Happy Wednesday.

 

Special Hello to:  my sister.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of September, 2017.

Well another rainy dark morning here in Edmonton.

I caved after work and turned on the HEAT.

After hearing that during the day we had a SNOW RAIN mix (it did not stay), I felt so sorry for Mr. Alvin.

Home in the dark with no heat.

I know that he has a fur coat but just the same ….. he needed some heat.

So it is the first warm morning in the house for awhile.

Sure was nice having a shower without freezing before the warm hit me body.

Too much information …… sorry.

 

According to the weather channel this is our reality for a few days.

Rain and more rain.

Low temperatures.

Hopefully I will be able to dig out the flowers once the sun comes out.

If it freezes it will make it almost impossible until spring.

Oh well.

I guess I should have paid closer attention to the forecast.

I just could not bear to clean out the pots when the flowers were still somewhat green and the flowers were blooming.

Some of the snapdragons were so pretty that I picked them Monday night and am glad that I did.

Perhaps once this wet cool snap passes we shall have a nice long warm fall.

That would be nice.

Well almost time to hit the road.

Extra layers and shoes that lace up.

Umbrella, of course.

Cannot leave home without it.

 

Have an awesome Wednesday.

Special Hello to: my sister ……

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Thursday, July 27, 2017 and it is the 14th day until my 60th Birthday.

Well as I am gearing up for the big day – I am wondering what would be appropriate or good to post today.

Quite frankly, I am running out of thoughts to share.

Maybe it has been the heat, I do not know but please forgive me on this day …..

I will share a couple of photos that make me feel relaxed and calm.

To you on this day.

May you have a wonderful, stress free, joyful day.

 

Is it wrong to post a bowl of cookies here?

But honestly they do make me feel joyful, less stressed and calm (oddly enough).

Always, Carol