Sept. 19, 2022 – Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

Today I witnessed via television the Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. I was up just before 3:00 a.m. (our time here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) to watch live the coverage of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. One of many millions around the world watching from their homes while hundreds of thousands lined the streets and roads to watch history in person.

The first service was held at Westminster Abbey with over 2000 people including the Royal family and extended family members, world leaders and dignitaries. I saw our Prime Minister Trudeau and his wife in attendance along with the newly appointment Prime Minister Liz Truss of the United Kingdom. King Charles and his wife Queen Consort Camilla leading the family. Prince William and Princess Catherine along with two of their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

Following the Queen’s coffin were King Charles III eldest son, Princess Royal Anne (daughter), Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, Peter Phillips (Anne’s son and grandson to the Queen), William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex,(sons of King Charles III and grandsons), Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Vice Admiral Tim Laurence, David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowden.

To all the Service peoples participating in the funeral services and in the procession, thank you.

I was very impressed by the fact that Princess Anne was with her Mother, Queen Elizabeth from the beginning of the journey back in Scotland until today when she was laid to rest.

After the service at Westminster Abbey the coffin bearing the late Queen was carried to the hearse to make its’ way to Windsor Castle, St. George’s Chapel for the committal service where the Queen would be laid to rest with her parents, her sister Margaret and her beloved husband Prince Philip.

Canada played a large role in the funeral procession and services with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on horseback leading the way. At Windsor Castle reminders of the Queen’s love for her ponies and corgis with Emma, the pony and two of her corgis, Sandy and Muick.

Her love of animals so evident.

The many thousands of flowers that had been laid at Windsor Castle in memory of the late Queen had been taken by hand and made into arrangements which were laid on the grounds near St. George’s Chapel.

The coffin was draped with the Royal Standard and atop sat the Imperial State Crown (absolutely breathtaking) with the sovereign’s orb and sceptre. It was sad when they were removed near the end of the service at St. George’s Chapel before the casket was lowered into the royal vault.

The lone bagpiper …….

The wreath on top of the casket was made of flowers and plants from the palace gardens to include rosemary to mark memories, myrtle which the original plant had been in the Queen’s bridal bouquet, roses and more. So beautiful. There was a handwritten note from the Queen’s eldest son, the new King Charles III. Everything so carefully chosen and put together. I felt every minute of the funeral services had been carefully put together including the guests and the music.

The bells and Big BEN.

I wish that I could have been in attendance but I watched in awe from my living room sofa. The weather was about 17 degrees celsius during the later part of the service (Windsor Castle) as I checked unlike the weather here in Edmonton, thousands of miles away where it is rainy and dull.

I would like to post some of the 329 photos that I snapped during the 7 hours that I watched the services and procession but my poor old computer is still uploading them. I am quite certain that everyone has been photos posted on social media and on the television. So I will leave them to upload or download, whichever it is.

There were so many memorable moments that with not much sleep I am wanting to bring forth but I am unable. This was a day that I shall not soon forget and I am so thankful that I was able to take a day of vacation so that I could watch the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

I extend my deepest sympathies to King Charles III, his wife Queen Consort Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward and their families. To Prince William, Princess Catherine and their children, to Prince Harry and Duchess of Sussex, and to all of the family my deepest sympathies and gratitude.

From Canada, God Save the King and may Queen Elizabeth rest well.

Always, Carol & Alvin

Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! How are you this morning? We are doing okay. The sunrise is becoming later with each passing day. Oh, how I miss the sunshine at 6:00 a.m. Perhaps on my days at home now our walks will need to go back to noon and after work. The temperature is +8 degrees celsius this morning although when we were outside just after 6:00 a.m., it did not feel cold. There was a heavy dew this morning.

What are you thinking about this morning? I am thinking about a great many things but I am trying to keep my thoughts positive and on the important things. Sometimes we say things which as soon as they are out of our mouths, we regret. That mostly happens to me when I am taken by surprise. You know when you hear unpleasant news and you react by saying “…… bleep …….” and I normally do not swear. But sometimes I do. I feel awful after I do but that word sometimes slips out. I guess that I am human. At least I did not tell someone to “bleep bleep.” Oh life! Sometimes I wonder. It is way too short to let these situations take over your thoughts. I realize that I am being cryptic but it is necessary. I believe you get my drift? Done with that now.

Mr. Alvin is snoring. I hadn’t realized that was a thing. Much of the things that happen to them are the same with humans. I guess I did not think about it before……

Well this weekend we are over the halfway point for September so I had better finish off cleaning up my flowers and plants. Moving the ones inside that need to come in and thank the rest for a job well done and put them to rest. I have not quite decided what I will do with my geraniums and begonias. I don’t have enough space to keep them by windows so I will have to winterize the geraniums or some of them.

I also would like to finish trimming the tree out front. One of my friends has asked if they could borrow my long pole tree trimmer for their higher branches and of course, I will lend it. In turn, I asked if her husband could please help me with a few of the branches that are reaching out to the house and eavestroughs. There are only a few but the tree has grown so much. I am afraid if I do not get them trimmed soon, we will require a professional to come out with the motorized basket ladder to trim them and I can only imagine the cost of that.

Last night I watched as the casket carrying the body of our beloved Queen Elizabeth made its’ way to Buckingham Palace. I was so moved by Princess Anne as she stayed with her Mother, The Queen throughout her travel within Scotland and then to London.

Well it is getting more light outside, perhaps we can step out for a walk before I start work.

I hope that you have a great day.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time.

Good Morning and we are cruising toward November 1, 2019.

Where did the time go?

I cannot believe it is less than two months until Christmas and then the New Year.

2020.

That freaks me out just a little bit.

When I was a child I actually thought of this year and 2025.

What would be going on in the world?

Where would my family be?

Wondering if I fulfilled my dreams of being a Registered Nurse and a Writer.

Where would I be living?

Would I be happy?

The house with the white picket fence was that in my future?

Four children ….. two girls and two boys, of course.

That was my perfection.

Grandchildren possibly.

One never knows where life will take you.

I am perfectly happy with the way that things turned out.

I am okay with the choices that I made.

Perhaps I could / should have done things differently but then I would not have and be where I am today.

It is a package deal.

You cannot have one person, one thing without the other.

So if I zigged instead of zagged …. I could have been living on a farm in southeastern Saskatchewan or perhaps in the big City of Regina or in London or New York.

I may have been married with more than one child.

I may have become a nurse.

Who knows?

But I know that the choices I made at the time were right for me at that time.

I have the most exquisite daughter.

I have my best buddy Mr. Alvin.

I have a job that sometimes drives me crazy.

I have a house which I bought on my own.

I am healthy.

Life is good.

I am surrounded by great friends.

I have the best sister and brothers on the planet.

So that is that.

I have never spent much time worrying or thinking about what may have been …..

I believe in living in the present …..

You cannot change the past but you can change the present which changes the futures.

Now that is a lot of change….

 

Just living my life trying to be kind and respectful.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 18th day of October, 2016.

Wow, today is Tuesday.

Isn’t that great?

I love Tuesdays.

Day after Monday.

How often do you wish today was tomorrow?

That it was Friday already?

We always are wanting the next day or the next thing.

Too busy rushing the time to live in the moment.

I sometimes do.

We all do.

But we must take a deep breath and live in this minute, this moment.

Right now my life is perfect.

I feel great.

Alvin is cuddling on the end of the bed on one of his many special blankets.

Once I am done my blog and go downstairs he will follow.

Then I will don my outerwear and be off to work.

Animals live in the moment.

No thoughts of the future.

I am pretty sure that Alvin does not lay on his chair while I am gone “thinking maybe next year I can retire” or “what do I want for Christmas.”

That is why they are so happy to see you when you get home from work.

Now granted they have to pee and are hungry but they are still happy to see you.

All creatures just want love and respect.

Whether two-legged or four.

So if we live in the moment – be that better person – that great human being.

If you live that minute to the best of your ability then you are in the moment.

We should not compare ourselves to others.

Each of us is special.

Each of us has the ability to be the best that we can be.

We are unique.

So in this moment we are all amazing … keep up the great work.

Well here we are once again …. time to sign off and finish getting ready for work.

Today two of my friends are off to England for two weeks.

How exciting.

I wish them safe travels and a great visit with family.

Special Hello to: my friends “P” and “A” who are travelling.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 1st day of May, 2014.

Let the bells ring and the birds sing it is the first day of May.

So what are your thoughts this fine morning.

Well earlier I always go through everything that I am grateful for …….

Then for some odd reason and this is the strangest thing …. my thoughts were going to “George Clooney” ….

Yes, that George ….. not sure why.

I mean I think he is a great actor and certainly handsome.

But why would I keep thinking of him.

I was thinking wow he finally met the girl of his dreams.

Where did he met her?

She lives in London and doesn’t sound like they travel in the same circles.

But why does it matter?

My mind kept turning …

I didn’t know his BFF was Cindy Crawford and husband Randy (forget his last name).

Why would I know that anyway?   Laughing slightly aloud.

I then thought “Where is my George Clooney” or “Looking for my George Clooney” …. kind of has a ring to it.

This could be the mantra of all us single ladies …. that is if we are inclined to be looking for someone.

It could also work for the guys as well ….. perhaps not “George Clooney” ….

Anyway it is always funny the things that pop into one’s head.

Time to go to work and take my mind off George Clooney.

Ah, sad for most that he is off the marriage market …. oh, that sounds …. yikes.

Have a great Thursday and May 1st ….

Special Hello to: all those single gals looking for their George Clooney ……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday, the 25th day of March, 2013.

Wow, another clear morning sky filled with bright shining stars and the MOON.

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend.

Mine was great.  I had coffee on two separate occasions with my daughter, did some laundry, grocery shopping, bit of housecleaning, walked with Alvin, worked at the store Friday night and Sunday.

Life is good.

I am so lucky to work for Bath & Body Works at West Edmonton Mall.

We meet people from all of the world.

Yesterday I met a young couple from Brasil, South America.

My Father visited Brazil when we were living on the farm in Saskatchewan.

One of the people that my Dad had met while there was a young man named Bill, and he even came to visit us on the farm.

The couple actually lived near one of the places my Dad visited often.

They were the sweetest, nicest people.  I helped them find gifts for family and friends.

I was able to secure a coupon for them towards their purchase and they both gave me a hug as they were about to pay for their items.

I truly love meeting people …… it is one of my many blessings.

 

We see people from all over Canada and the U.S. and the WORLD.

I have met people from Russia, United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and all over North America.

Very cool.  So for now this is how I travel …… by meeting people while working in a store.

People from everywhere …..

Everyone loves our store ….. we all love things that smell good.

So if you are not able to travel and you want to get away by meeting new people just work in retail ….. especially in a city.

If you are in a small town and work in a store that does not necessarily have visitors from far away use your imagination …… just pretend they are someone from London or Paris or Peru.

So on this first day of my work week for the office ….. Have a great one.

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Wednesday May 30th, 2012.

WOW, looking out my office window the FOG has rolled in …… looks like we are in London or perhaps somewhere in Scotland (as my mind wanders).

I would love to travel to those places.  My ancestors came from England and Scotland.

How grand to walk on the same soil as those who have gone before me.

Do you ever wonder about where your “people” came from and what they did and how they felt?

I love watching that television show where they have “celebrities”  trace their ancestors.

How cool is that?  It would be grand to find out more about my family.

Here in the fog … it is almost time for me to go to work ….. seems like I just said that …. it was 24 hours ago.

I hope that you have a great day and that you are able to trace your roots and perhaps visit the places where your family before you walked and lived.

Have a grand day.

I also too wonder about my dog Alvin’s family ….. did he have brothers and sisters?  Where did he come from?

Perhaps someday I will be able to find out.

Special Hello to: all my family wherever you are ….. I hope that you are doing great.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin