The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Sunday morning? Guess what here in Edmonton, well in my neighbourhood last night it did not freeze. Our temperatures remained over 0 therefore no frost on the windshields and most of all the water that is ice in front of my house, is still water. So all of my hard word yesterday remains. Yesterday afternoon after laundry was almost done, Alvin and I headed out for a walk. So many neighbours were out chipping away at the ice. It was like being on the red carpet and stopping to say hello to people on your way inside the theatre. The walk that in good times would take us about 6 minutes ended up being just over one hour. We had so many good conversations but sadly not from the sidewalks as we had to walk on the edge of the street where cars would park. Even that was icy so we were very careful. All the neighbours kept saying “be careful, it is icy” Isn’t that nice that everyone cares about us. I thought so. Quite often times, people do not know many if any people in their neighbourhoods, I can honestly say I know more people than I do not know. Thanks largely in part to Alvin and I walking for all these years. When I was “single” before Alvin joined my family I used to walk every day for a minimum of 2-5 miles and would meet people but then when I adopted Mr. Alvin in 2020, that changed. Our walks became much shorter and were concentrated in our neighbourhood and as we were slower and Mr. Alvin was/is so darn cute, we chatted more along the way. I met some of the most incredible people. People from all walks of life. We have the best neighbors and have made good friends with so many of them. Even though we did not get very far, we exercised our bodies a bit but most of all we exercised our hearts, minds and souls. That is just as important as exercising your body. So it was a great day. Later in the afternoon, I had an actual telephone conversation with one of my girl friends who lives a couple of minutes away. It was great. I have found sadly that I tend to “text” people more than call on the phone. Not something that I ever intended to do but just found that it happened. Likely because I like to keep in touch but I am not much for talking on the phone or at least not on a regular basis. That being said, I just had a 3.5 hour conversation with a dear friend on her birthday. She lives in Regina. Last night after fresh air and accomplishing the items on my to do list, we just watched movies. It was quiet and lovely.

This morning the sky is blue but not the sunny light blue and it is not filled with clouds either. Just that blue waiting for the sun to start shining kind of blue. I hope you understand my mish mash of an explanation. Thankfully it is warm outside. The temperatures are to remain warm for this week and we will definitely be happy about that.

Well time to get dressed (still in my pj’s) and head downstairs. I did bring up the towels that were in the dryer and clothing that was drying in the basement and put it all away before sitting down to do this post. I so enjoy on the weekends, just slowly starting. I guess at this point in my life, I have earned that right. Is that a right? Whatever it may be, I am enjoying it. I am so grateful to be here and now. I am grateful that both Alvin and I can run up and down the stairs (okay, maybe not run, as such). I am grateful for each and every day we have together.

I wish you an awesome Sunday. Today, I have to finish gathering up items to do my taxes. Sounds like fun, not really but needs to be done. We will try and get another walk in ……

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

It is a NEW YEAR.

Good Wednesday Morning,

Alvin and I enjoyed another wonderful walk last night in the warm air.

So happy to see the sidewalks becoming more and more clear of ice and snow.

The moon has been glorious for the past few days.

Full, round and present.

I have seen some of the photos taken in New York City and the moon appeared to be sitting beside the city skyline of skyscrapers.

So beautiful.

The colour appeared different than it has here in Edmonton, a few thousand miles away.

2427 miles to be precise ( that is what google is for when we are not quite sure ).

My moon shots were not that great.

Perhaps if I played with the settings on my iPhone, I could have taken better shots but that is okay.

Not everyone is gifted with the eye for taking great, spectacular photos.

I am good at other things.

Like we all are ….

We all have our special gifts.

When you are having a moment and believe that you are not special, that just is not so.

Every single being on this planet, every spark of life, is special and holds a place within the biosphere we call Earth.

I know that it may be difficult some days to think in this way but we must.

No one person is any better than the next.

We all have our quirks, our desires, our ambitions, our creative energies, the way we comb our hair to the way we handle our days.

If we learn to stop, smell the roses, take the time to relax and just be.

Be well, be good within ourselves.

Perhaps maybe we may realize how special each creature is to our very existence.

I hope so anyway.

That is not to say that we all do not have those moments, oh believe, you me …. I have them.

We all do and that is part of what it is to be human.

We run the gamut of emotions.

 

Well it is almost time to head back downstairs to finish the “getting ready” process.

There be poop to pick up (as always), some last minute snuggles with my boy, lunch to grab out of the fridge.

The coat, the mitts, the scarf and the boots and remember to take my purse and phone.

 

I wish you the best of Wednesdays.

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating today.

May you be covered in eternal joy, good health and enjoy much laughter and abundance.

 

Days to be filled with kindness and respect.

Today will be …..

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 23rd day of February, 2015.

Today is the 56th Birthday of my “younger” sister.

We have been together now for 56 years.

She has been my sunshine during clouds skies.

She has been my beating heart when mine has stopped.

She has been my thunder and lightning when I need encouragement.

She has been salvation when I needed saving.

She has been my laughter when I need to smile.

Most of all she has been my friend.

I love you my dear sister.

More than words can say.

Even though we live several hundred miles apart now we are joined by our hearts and thoughts.

I think of you every single day.

You are a mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, friend and my sister.

Happy Birthday my Darling.

May you have the best Birthday ever.

CHEERS ….. a few photos of our time together thus far……. in no particular order ……

The snowman we built together only a few years ago.

The snowman we built together only a few years ago.

Sister 2009

Sister 2009

Sisters 1980's

Sisters 1980’s

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Professional photo....

Professional photo….

Me and My Sister  Christmas in the little house.

Me and My Sister
Christmas in the little house.

Me and my sister from a Christmas long ago .... I think about 1960...

Me and my sister from a Christmas long ago …. I think about 1960…

A rose for each of us .. Happy Birthday Sister.

A rose for each of us ..
Happy Birthday Sister.

Me and My Sister .....

Me and My Sister …..

My first BF ..... SISTERS Happy Easter Sista .....

My first BF ….. SISTERS
Happy Easter Sista …..

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Sisters

Sisters

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