Living … One day at a time.

Hello,

The sun is up.

The sky is blue.

I can hear the whir of traffic in the distance.

Alvin is sleeping on a blanket near me.

I feel refreshed after a nice shower.

Life is good on this Monday morning.

 

I think that it is safe to say that I love taking photos of Humphrey and the flowers and my backyard.

I do love to take photos of Mr. Alvin and Master Teddy.

Humphrey just seems to be so photogenic.

Always in the right place at the right time.

I am in awe of the purple flowers in the first photo.

Last year the plants were sparse and I think there may have been one flower all summer long.

This year, the plants seem to have spread and are so alive with beautiful pale purple flowers.

Flowers bring out the joy in me.

As to the fur-babies.

If you surround yourself with things that you love.

Life is good.

I filled six pots with flowers this year.

Two at the front and four at the back.

For the grand total of $25.18.

There has only been one spring/summer that I spent less.

Other years I have spent significantly more and although there were only double the amount of pots; this year feels like I have as many.

The plants in the back flower bed are doing crazy good.

The reddish purple shrub on the left side of the bed – is taller, fuller and brighter this year.

Perhaps it has been all of the rain as of late.

 

 

Speaking of Mr. Humphrey; I have to go as I have to run to his house and check on him before I leave for work.

Time flies when you are having fun.

Yesterday it was me, Alvin and Humphrey.

The boys relaxed in the house and also spent time outside.

They were my morale support as I cleaned my Humphrey’s Mom’s grass trimmer.

Well time now to go.

 

Happy Monday.

Take care, be kind and stay cool.

 

Always, Carol & Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 19th day of April, 2019.

It is mid morning in Edmonton as we get to starting this day.

We were first up at 3:30, then 5:30, then 7:15 and then just before 9:00 a.m.

Perhaps that is why I found it difficult to actually get up and stay up.

Oh well ….. what can you do.

The sky is partially overcast as I look out the office window which faces south.

Looking out our bedroom window to the north the sun is shining with mainly clear sky.

Always amazes me.

Only sound is the odd car driving by on the street.

Perhaps others are feeling lazy this Friday morning.

There is a breeze as I see the trees swaying gracefully in the wind.

 

I am most grateful to have a five day weekend.

We started last night by going for a walk with our friend P.

The walk took us about one hour.

We walked by the larger “lake” and park to the north of us.

P was telling us all about the frogs as we could hear them singing their songs.

We even walked through the grass and small shrubs by the water to see the frogs floating on the water.

Very cool.

Nature is cool.

It is all of the small things that we walk by each and every day with no thought of what is going on in their world.

Alvin just kept following P.

I think he was wondering why all of a sudden it was okay to walk off the path.

We also walked down by the water at our ponds for a bit.

There was a bit of action there but not nearly as much as at the big lake.

During we came across two geese just walking in a grassy area.

There was a young boy of about 9 I would say sitting on his bike with a long stick in his hand.

Looking to make a move on the geese.

Geese VS boy.

I know who would come out ahead.

Not the boy.

P told the boy to leave the geese alone.

While we were there he seemed to listen.

I will never know why it is that some children and some adults feel the urge to bother or to hurt or worse.

Why not just sit back and watch them.

Geese are such beautiful birds.

I love their grace as they take off and land on the water.

I love watching them with their babies.

We also saw a pair of ducks in a small grove of trees on the other side of the lake.

You can always tell the difference between a female and a male in nature.

The males are always the most colourful and the females are always the “drab ones.”

What happened to humans?

I understand why animals do this …. to distract the predators from the female and the babies.

Most of the time anyway.

 

Well time to get this long long weekend on the way.

I will start with coffee and making a list of all of the things that need to be done.

There is a few to be sure.

Looking forward to spending some time outside.

Walking.

More yard work.

Pressure washing the deck.

Perhaps bringing out the patio furniture?

Too early?

 

I hope that you have a wonderful day.

Happy Friday.

Special Hello to: my family and friends …..

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Saturday the 20th day of May, 2017.

Well I have now been up for a bit and I must say not as long as Mr. Alvin would have liked ….

He was trying to get me up since 7:00 a.m. and before …..

We were up at 4:30 for his breakfast and visit outdoors.

I wanted to stay in bed but not him.

He had the right idea.

Note to self:  get thee back end up earlier …..

This morning is absolutely gorgeous.

My neighbour called when I was still deciding whether or not to get up off the sofa so that was the deciding factor.

Have had coffee with my neighbour, a visit and breakfast.

Now time to get down to things.

I have a list of things that I want to do most of being outdoors.

In our back yard I have a small raised corner “shrub/flower” bed that needs to be semi deconstructed.

I want to wash the rocks that are on top, clean up the shrubs as some do not appear to have made the winter, remove the rocks, the black cloth and top up the soil; oh and pull out the roses which are not doing well.

Now I do not have the soil so I will only get the rocks prepared for now.

The bed just needs some TLC as it has been seven years since it was built.

The sky is blue and the sun is shining so I can bring out the cushions for the patio furniture.

Pull up the umbrella on the bistro table ….. time to have coffee on the deck once again.

Anyway lots to do.

I have some flowers that my friends gave me that are in the house waiting patiently to be potted.

I think it is safe to plant them …… if it gets cold at night I will take the pot into the garage.

Anyway …. I love this time of year …… putzing in the yard in the dirt.

Always great to get your hands dirty.

I can hardly wait for my trip to buy flowers for my pots.

Happy Saturday.

For all you Canadians out there “Happy Long Weekend” as it is the Victoria Day weekend.

Alvin is ready to get going.

It will be nice for him to spend time with me outside.

We can work and play in between.

Have a wonderful day.

Special Hello to: all my friends and family.

Always, Carol & Alvin

The garden that I am speaking about is the one beside/behind the railing .

Now there are shrubs much bigger but that is from the first summer, first built summer of 2010.

WOW, seems like yesterday but now 7 years ago.

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 20th day of September, 2016.

In just a few minutes my daughter, son-in-law and Sir. Elton will be arriving.

Elton is spending the day with me Alvin and I have a car ride to work.

Lucky for all of us.

Alvin is excited to have the company for sure.

His eyes lit up when I mentioned that Elton was coming over.

I am so happy that he has some company once each week.

I feel bad that he spends most of his days alone.

I cannot imagine.

But today is a good day for him.

Makes me feel better as well.

 

Our mornings are getting cooler.

Soon I will go outside in the morning and my flowers will have passed for the season.

I am so happy that they have lasted this long.

This is my favourite time of year, I think I may have mentioned that before in passing!!

The colours are vibrant and rich.

The yellows, oranges and reds.

Varying degrees of natural beauty.

 

Perhaps it might be a good idea to check out the long range forecast so that I can figure when a good time to put away the deck furniture.

I started the clean up process of plants.

Soon I will have to trim back the bushes.

They look so amazing at the moment.

 

Fall is such an amazing time of year.

Feels more relaxing and calm.

 

Well almost time to finish here as my ride and Alvin’s company will be arriving.

Have to be ready.

 

I wish you the happiest of Tuesdays.

Enjoy your day.

Special Hello to:  my sister “C”

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Monday the 19th day of September, 2016.

Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my daughter, one of my girl friends and her husband and two sons.

We had a photo shoot at the Devonian Gardens just south and west of Edmonton.

If you have never been – you should truly go.

Such a beautiful tranquil magical spot.

Waterfalls, a bridge over the water, rocks, flowers, plants, trees, shrubs.

It was such a great place to walk about ….

The colours were such a vibrant mix of end of summer and beginning of autumn.

Here are a few of the photos I shot in between:

Our selfie …… whoops.

Well okay maybe more than a few.

All but a few that had people in them.

We had the best time.

Lots of beautiful photos taken.

We had a wonderful afternoon.

I hope that you enjoy the photos.

Best outing.

First outing in a long, long time.

So much fun.

 

Happy Monday.

Special Hello to: all those folks who spent Sunday afternoon exploring new places.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 16th day of August, 2016.

Another gorgeous morning – a bit cooler – so refreshing.

The sun is coming up in the east as it always does.

Last night it was hot, muggy and there were mosquitoes so we opted to hang out in the yard.

We, Alvin and I snapped some photos and watered flowers.

Here are some shots that we took last night.

The second photo of Alvin should read: “Really, Momma enough already.”

Who knew roses again!

They are the most delicate pink and so pretty again.

There are photos of my back shrub/rose garden and deck.

There are photos of the front yard freshly mowed thanks to my neighbour “S.”

Photos of my front flower bed which I have dubbed “The English Canadian Garden.”

Without my friend who has the most beautiful which I call English Garden it would only be a flower garden.

Just thought I would share.

 

 A

Chicks & Hens

Impatiens to name a few.

Also two of the shrubs are from another friend of mine down the street.

So my garden is truly a community affair.

Well time to get this show on the road.

I hope you enjoy some colour in my blog ….. beautiful colours.

A fond reminder to stop and enjoy all the bounty that nature supplies to us.

Happy Tuesday.

Special Hello: my gardener friends …. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Tuesday the 24th day of May, 2016.

Overcast but has stopped raining for now.

No rain overnight.

GREEN GREEN EVERYWHERE.

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

I always find it funny not necessarily ha ha funny but perhaps strange funny to look back in time on my blog and see what I was doing on this DATE last year or two years ago.

I had a very busy weekend and it was HOT unlike this past weekend.

Always good to see what was going on a year ago or two it can help with your current mind set.

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

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of May, 2015.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton, sun shining and a cool breeze masking the heat.

Yesterday felt like a July day ….. HOT.

Weather is a funny thing not funny ha ha but strange.

This morning is what I deem as perfection.

It is warm but the breeze keeps it comfortable to be out and about.

Great for walking.

But alas, Mr. Alvin is on his sleepover at his sister’s house.

His first one at their new place.

I am excited to hear all about it.

While he was away and the reason for his sleepover the furnace was cleaned.

Two of the nicest young men did the job.

Funny though they both told me different sizes for the furnace filter ( I already know which one ).

Perhaps it was the hot day that messed with their memory.

Once they left I got busy …. it was close to 4 p.m. but better late than ever.

I dug out three shrubs from the front “flower bed” ……

It took some work and at one point I was thinking it would have been nice to have had some help.

But I kept at it and got them out.

Got most of the dirt from the roots and then as the shrubs lay on the lawn …..

Now what?

One was quite heavy and with branches how am I going to dispose of them.

Aha, I thought ….. get those big stretchy black garbage bags …..

I managed to squeeze each one into their own bag.

Then lugged them to the back …. up the steps and onto the deck and up more steps and into the garage.

It took me almost one hour to get the shrubs out but I must tell you, I felt like a million dollars.

I did it all by myself …… I am strong and not reliant on someone else.

It was a good thing.

Then after that I raked and moved the dirt around in the now naked flower bed.

Also the neighbour behind is building a huge garage and has a big pile of top soil so I decided to ask him if I would be able to use some to top up my front flower bed.  He kindly said “yes.”

Then I had to find something to put the dirt into …. I found a ten gallon pail in my garage.

Now let me you a pail full of dirt is not light.

But I hauled five of them from his yard across the back alley into my garage down both sets of steps on my deck across the path between me and my neighbour’s to the front flower bed.

What a great workout.

I do believe that going to bootcamp helped me to complete this task.

I definitely could feel my core and arms doing what they were supposed to ….

Here are some photos:  furnace cleaners and the flower bed ….. forgot to take before photos !!

Was so grateful to have my kids shovels and garden tools to use….

Now all I need is a couple of bags of potting soil to top it up and then some flowers.

YAY ….. I did it.

Well time for breakfast and coffee…

Happy Sunday and always remember “do not sell yourself short.”

You are stronger than you think.

You are better than you think.

You are more resourceful than you think.

You can do anything.

Special Hello to: all the single women in the world……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 24th day of May, 2015.

It is a beautiful morning here in Edmonton, sun shining and a cool breeze masking the heat.

Yesterday felt like a July day ….. HOT.

Weather is a funny thing not funny ha ha but strange.

This morning is what I deem as perfection.

It is warm but the breeze keeps it comfortable to be out and about.

Great for walking.

But alas, Mr. Alvin is on his sleepover at his sister’s house.

His first one at their new place.

I am excited to hear all about it.

While he was away and the reason for his sleepover the furnace was cleaned.

Two of the nicest young men did the job.

Funny though they both told me different sizes for the furnace filter ( I already know which one ).

Perhaps it was the hot day that messed with their memory.

Once they left I got busy …. it was close to 4 p.m. but better late than ever.

I dug out three shrubs from the front “flower bed” ……

It took some work and at one point I was thinking it would have been nice to have had some help.

But I kept at it and got them out.

Got most of the dirt from the roots and then as the shrubs lay on the lawn …..

Now what?

One was quite heavy and with branches how am I going to dispose of them.

Aha, I thought ….. get those big stretchy black garbage bags …..

I managed to squeeze each one into their own bag.

Then lugged them to the back …. up the steps and onto the deck and up more steps and into the garage.

It took me almost one hour to get the shrubs out but I must tell you, I felt like a million dollars.

I did it all by myself …… I am strong and not reliant on someone else.

It was a good thing.

Then after that I raked and moved the dirt around in the now naked flower bed.

Also the neighbour behind is building a huge garage and has a big pile of top soil so I decided to ask him if I would be able to use some to top up my front flower bed.  He kindly said “yes.”

Then I had to find something to put the dirt into …. I found a ten gallon pail in my garage.

Now let me you a pail full of dirt is not light.

But I hauled five of them from his yard across the back alley into my garage down both sets of steps on my deck across the path between me and my neighbour’s to the front flower bed.

What a great workout.

I do believe that going to bootcamp helped me to complete this task.

I definitely could feel my core and arms doing what they were supposed to ….

Here are some photos:  furnace cleaners and the flower bed ….. forgot to take before photos !!

Was so grateful to have my kids shovels and garden tools to use….

Now all I need is a couple of bags of potting soil to top it up and then some flowers.

YAY ….. I did it.

Well time for breakfast and coffee…

Happy Sunday and always remember “do not sell yourself short.”

You are stronger than you think.

You are better than you think.

You are more resourceful than you think.

You can do anything.

Special Hello to: all the single women in the world……

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day……

Good Morning and Welcome to Sunday the 29th day of March, 2015.

WOW, only two days left in March.

This morning the sun is shining ever so brightly.

The sky is clear.

The air has a slight coolness.

Happy Spring.

Just a few more days until April ….

Closer and closer to when I can go and get flowers.

Still over one month away but getting there.

Picking out flowers is probably one of my most favourite things to do.

Over the past few years it has been a spring – early summer ritual for me and my daughter.

The colours and the fragrances are so delightful.

It takes us hours to go through our neighbourhood greenhouse.

We have been going to a privately owned nursery for the past few years.

I believe in supporting our locals as much as possible.

The big box stores all have flowers and lots of times for better pricing.

I still like to support the local nurseries and greenhouses.

Mmm, this summer I will be home week nights and weekends so I will have lots to time to fuss over my flowers.

I think this may be the year that I remove the remaining shrubs in the front bed.

They always go wild on me and I think it might be nice to have some perennials out front.

Needs to be some that like to face north that is the only thing.

It is a huge bed so lots to fill and I will likely needs some dirt to top it up.

But time will tell.

Now I have time to do it all.

Dreaming of sitting on the deck under the umbrella reading a book, admiring my flowers and sipping on a cup of coffee.

Alvin will be laying in the shade or even in the sun for a bit close by.

Oo summer …. YAY.

Well time to go and catch up with my daughter before getting ready to go to the store.

This will be my third last shift.

I hope that you all have a lovely Sunday.

Special Hello to: all those people who love to plant flowers.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day…..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 9th day of July, 2014.

I hope this morning greets you with great joy and happiness.

May you feel full of love and compassion.

May you always be surrounded by laughter and kindness.

May you always show love, compassion and kindness to all you meet.

Let us practice simple kindness today.

Make this “KIND WEDNESDAY” ……

The beginning of something extra special.

I wish kindness would take over the world.

The sun is shining here in Edmonton and there is a nice cool breeze.

Another hot day is in our forecast.

Alvin and I waited until late last night to go for a walk.

It was after 9:00 (late for those of us who go to bed usually just about that time).

Anyway there was a bit of a breeze so made our walk comfortable.

My friend “P” was in her yard watering flowers when we came around her side of the lake.

We stopped to visit.

She has a gorgeous yard …… every year it grows more beautiful.

Well comes the time to prepare for the puppies arrival.

Too hot for them to be without air conditioning.

So my grand-puppies are on their way over to spend the day with Alvin.

Good company.

Soon they shall be here everyday.

That will be extra lovely.

Have a kind Wednesday everyone.

Peace to you all.

Special Hello to: all those folks who practice kindness on a regular basis.  Thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin