2021

Good Morning ALL! How are you this Wednesday morning? I am well, we are well. Alvin is upstairs with me as I get ready for the day. I even got moving extra early this morning which is great. Had a nice soothing shower and am ready for this Wednesday. I am always amazed, not sure why, as to how quickly the days pass by. Mostly they appear to be moving at lightning speed. It seems as though everyone is living my dream. My dream is to be a published writer. Drew Barrymore’s new book “Rebel Homemaker” debuted yesterday and Dr. Oz has a new one out. So many people that I can think of. I had the idea to write a cookbook with more than just the recipes and it would appear that so many people are writing what I thought of a long time ago. Looks like it was a good idea and I am sad that I did not have the “drive” to get it done. I have started many books but never seem to get further than the first chapter. Over the years I have written quite a lot of poetry and I could definitely add that to a book. I have thought of writing about life’s experiences and what they have taught me. So many idea. I guess as I turn 65 next year there is no time like the present. There are so many books about Alvin that I could write – a complete children’s series, I think. Maybe I will one day soon be coming to a bookstore near you. That would be an absolute dream. But in the meantime I will endeavour to keep writing this post each and every day. It does help fulfil the dream to some degree for sure. I think most of us get stuck in a rut and just marvel at those who seem to have it all. The ones that do everything. When do they sleep? Some of them have help because let’s face it – it takes a village to do most everything in this life. It truly does. Did I mention to you that on Halloween night – I was surprised when someone that I did not recognize said “Hi Alvin.” He has a following for sure. I tried with all my heart to figure out who she was and of course, did not have the gall to ask.

On the days where I feel less than stellar and all days, I am going to continue writing notes and poems and this post. I have lots of recipes and I know that my life mirrors a movie in some respects. So one of these days, I will finish that book and it will be published, but in the meantime, I will carry on. That is all we can do.

Yesterday I learned of a friend whose beloved pup passed on Monday. I could not help but cry most of the day after she told me. She is lonely now as she lives on her own as well. My friend remarked about going for walks but they were not the same without her Sadie. Sending hugs to her.

Well Mr. Alvin has patiently waited for me so I should sign off and get downstairs to prepare the coffee. I love that first cup of coffee and note to self to get drinking more water again. Somewhere along the line I fell off the water wagon.

Have an awesome Wednesday. Be safe and work on those dreams. I will if you will!

Always, Carol & Alvin

Living … One day at a time

Hello,

Good Morning.

Raining outside.

Shout out this morning …. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR SON-IN-LAW.

I am so grateful that he came into our life almost 2 decades ago.

He is smart and funny.

Warm-hearted and the best son-in-law and brother-in-law to Alvin.

Wishing you a great day my boy.

We love you very much.

Wishing only the best in the year(s) ahead.

 

Yesterday morning I snapped these photos of my tree as I was waiting for my carpool.

Bear in mind that it was dark outside.

The leaves are turning but still a great many are green.

The lawn is covered with crunchy gold leaves.

 

 

Last night we had a GREAT walk.

We stopped and visited with our friend who was out in her garden.

Winterizing.

After our visit there we continued walking until we reached Alvin’s BF’s house.

This time I said let’s go and visit.

We walked up …. rather Alvin flew up the steps.

I said as I was going to ring the doorbell …. Alvin why don’t you bark and announce yourself ….. he did.

I was surprised.

I could hear Teddy recognizing who was at the door.

So inside we had a nice chat and visit.

Alvin had some treats.

He is terribly spoiled.

After leaving there we continued on our way home.

We stopped to visit with some new friends.

There was a one year pup named —, oh dear I have forgotten her name ……. she was really well trained.

This pup was a lab and oh how smart they are.

The other was a three year old Basset Hound named FLOUNDER.

Alvin did really well with them as they are bigger.

After watching the Lab pup and Flounder the b hound play we headed home.

Lots of visiting going on.

Then when we were home we saw Humphrey outside.

Chatted with my neighbor for a bit and then Humphrey came to stay with us for a bit.

We were walking into the house and he was on his leash and walked up the steps.

He wanted to come in.

So I yelled back to his Mom that he was with us.

After that I quickly cleaned the front flower bed.

Trimming back the flowers.

Putting the cut stems/leaves into a blue bag and into the garage.

Also decided to clean up part of the deck …. put away a few items.

I put my flowers in the garage as I was worried it may freeze.

They are doing so well.

If we get some sunshine, I will put them back out.

 

Well time to fly here.

We are busy.

Happy Birthday to all those folks celebrating today.

 

If we treat ourselves with kindness and respect it comes naturally to treat others the same.

 

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of July, 2018.

Well here we are almost the end of the first week in July, 2018.

Two countries – two neighbours have celebrated their “birthdays” within days of each other.

It has been quite the week.

Two countries – two neighbours with quite the history.

Two countries – two neighbours similar but not the same.

Two countries.

 

*******************

 

Yesterday when Alvin and I were on our way home from our walk, I heard a female voice yell “Carol.”

I turned around to see my friend C holding a dog.

We were a few houses away so we turned around and ran back to them.

When we reached them I realized that the dog she was holding was not their dog “Miss Daisy.”

My friend told me that “they had lost Daisy, she had passed just a week ago.”

We hugged and tears were shed.

Alvin and this new black&white dog were sniffing each other and all was well.

The puppy was friendly and full of energy.

Daisy had been sick, diagnosed with kidney disease a few months ago.

There had been signs before the diagnosis.

But even at that point it was too late.

 

The new dog.

 

If you have never believed in a higher power or something more than ourselves, you will now.

My friend, her husband and sons  were devastated by the loss of Daisy.

My friend had told her husband that the next dog that joined their family would have to be named Stella.

My friend was not ready for a new dog with the recent loss of their beloved Daisy.

They had Daisy since she was a few weeks old.

She was the love of their lives.

Daisy was this lovable, easygoing, playful dog.

Alvin loved her and I loved her and most of all her family loved her.

 

They had noticed this dog on KIJI by accident, and I cannot remember the breed.

Reminded them of Daisy but she was black and white, mostly black.

Just on an whim she packed up her middle son and went to meet this puppy.

Thinking all the time that this was too soon after losing their beloved Daisy.

Her middle son is the most rambunctious so this new dog would have to meet his energy.

When they arrived to meet the dog – the owner said that the pup’s name was STELLA.

My friend broke into tears.

It was a sign … what are the chances that the dog would be named STELLA.

Daisy directed them to this pup named STELLA.

So we shall say that is that ….

Stella has a new home.

Stella will be loved and have the best family.

Stella is a herder by nature and with three boys …. talk about perfect fit.

Daisy made sure that her family will be looked after, now that she is gone.

Gone but never forgotten.

We will always remember Miss Daisy.

 

Special Hello to: my sister, hello my darling.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 13th day of May, 2018.

The sky is bright filled with the morning sunlight and there is a breeze.

Coolness filled the bedroom this morning.

Grateful for that on a day that will be very warm.

************************

Happy Mother’s Day.

We all play a role in Mother’s Day.

You may have given birth to a child.

You may have adopted a child.

You may have adopted or rescued a pup or a cat or a bird or a squirrel.

You may have given refuge to another human being.

It does not matter how or who you have given mothering to but it matters that you do.

To all those Mothers out there.

Happy Mother’s Day.

You arise early so that you can make breakfast for your charges.

You walk and talk with them.

You love them and comfort them.

You hope that they will be in good health.

You hope that they will be kind and good to themselves and to others.

You hope that their life will be abundant.

Above all else … you have faith.

So on this one day a year that is specially marked for us to celebrate our Mothers.

Let us do so.

Be creative.

Walk with them, talk with them, spend time with them.

Mothers do not WISH for you to bring them fancy jewellery, huge bouquets of flowers or dinners at a fancy restaurant.

They just want YOU.

Happy Mother’s Day.

To all the Mothers out there, the others that I know and the ones that I do not know.

You are precious.

There could not be life without you.

Happy Mother’s Day.

With Love….

 

 

Written by Carol Lewis on Sunday, May 13, 2018

 

 

Special Hello to:  MOMS, Happy Mother’s Day.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 12th day of May, 2017.

The sky is overcast and rain is in the forecast for today and the weekend.

I hope that it will have clear points so that I am able to do my outdoor “tasks.”

Alvin has a Vet appointment tomorrow morning, I HAVE to clean up the neighbourhood (driving me crazy) and get few items at the store.

I guess only time will tell.

I do have an umbrella and Alvin has sort of a rain jacket.

Last night was gorgeous and we enjoyed an extra long walk.

Stopping to visit with new friends along the way.

Meeting a young dog named “Oswald” AKA Ossie.

We had a grand time.

On our way home I stopped to pick up the mail.

Inside a purple envelope stood out from the stack of flyers.

We always have lots of flyers for the recycling.

Back to the “purple envelope.”

It had familiar writing …. my friend “V.”

But what could it be …. not my birthday.

Once we arrived home I quickly opened the envelope ….

Inside was a beautiful Mother’s Day card with a perfectly written inscription.

My friend also had written a poem about me.

Wow, no one has ever done that before ….

We kind of challenged or more like mentioned that we should do some writing together.

I would love to write a book with her.

I am so grateful to have such a thoughtful friend.

It is kind of funny that we knew each other for like twenty years but never were “friends.”

Not that we were the other …. simply just knew each other in passing.

I wished that I had known her better back then ….

I believe that things happen for a reason and I guess it was just our time to be friends.

Thank you my friend…… Alvin, thanks you as well.

We are hoping to see you this summer for a visit.

Well time to get going for work.

Catching a ride this morning.

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: my friend “V.”

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 9th day of April, 2017.

Well we are now one week and two days into April, our “spring” month.

Yesterday we had a nice rain and then the sun came out.

Always nice to have both.

Alvin and I enjoyed a lovely walk.

We changed it up a bit as our park was just a tad bit WET.

On our way home which was through “the Blue Park” we stopped to chat with a nice woman and her two doggies.

One of the doggies the elder one had a visible medical condition.

She was a paramedic and her dogs were both rescues.

Both of them were bigger dogs one a shepherd and I am not sure the other although I believe he may have been part golden lab.

Alvin initially had a little bark but settled down very quickly and we enjoyed the visit.

The one that was part gold lab as her lady said is very attached and protective of her …. she is learning how to be social.

We had a nice visit before we both left for our homes.

I always love meeting people and hearing their stories.

 

Just have to mention this ….. guess who got out again.

I just happened to look out the living room window and there was a young black dog.

He looked familiar.

I grabbed some shoes and locked the house before heading out.

Checked for traffic before crossing the street.

I managed to easily coax the little guy back home.

There were a bunch of people on the deck and one guy walked over to me when I approached the house.

I explained that this is a very busy street.

He did not really seem overly concerned and was not the owner.

The pup went into the back yard.

I hope that this will not be an ongoing thing.

I did ask what the pup’s name was ….. TUG ….. will make it easier if we meet up again.

 

We had a great day …. not quite sure why I decided to “wash the main floor on my hands and knees” but I did.

That is a work out.

Usually I use a mop of sorts ….. or borrow my neighbours steam mop.

I would love to get a steam mop.

Quick and easy.

 

Well my girl and hopefully the pups are coming for a visit.

I made pancakes yesterday – just made up enough for me and saved the batter to make them again today.

YAY …. pancakes two days in a row.

Does not get better than that.

 

I am excited to have a visit with them and so is Mr. Alvin

 

Have a great day everyone.

I hope that you are able to have some time with your family and or friends or maybe ALL.

Take some time and go on a walk.

Nothing better to clear your head and get your heart beating than walking.

You never know who you may meet.

You never know what you may learn along the way.

 

Special Hello to: all my fellow tea drinkers out there……

Always, Carol and Alvin