Last Half 2022 – August

Good Morning ALL! Wow, today is August 18th, 2022. One of the new days that I do not know anyone with a birthday or at least I have no birthdays on my calendar. I have an actual birthday calendar and for anniversaries. It is hanging on my wall size bulletin board right beside the computer.

How are you this morning? I forgot to check in on you? Alvin and I are well. We are just returning from a walk and I have apologized to him for rushing him just a bit. I need to start staying up when we first wake up as I am most rested at that time. It has got to be so much of a habit to lay down on the sofa after we first get up for Alvin’s bathroom break. Habits are not easy to break but I will change this, I have to. If Alvin was consistent in the hour in which he first awakes and it was always 5:00 a.m., getting up and staying up then would not be too bad but if it is 4:00 a.m. – yikes that seems mighty early. Although when it is so hot, getting up earlier and doing some things would not be bad although it is still dark outside so would have to be indoor chores which could be done for sure. Food for thought.

I forgot to mention that on Tuesday I happen to catch some movement on my fence as I was working at my kitchen table. The movement was a squirrel running down the top of the fence. OMG. I grabbed my phone to snap a quick photo but it was too fast and the blinds were in the way, so the couple shots that I took were blurry. Could not make out that it was a squirrel. Perhaps he or she will come back another day for a visit. I love squirrels, so cute.

I have noticed that my flowers are starting to go and I am sad. I guess it was Mother’s Day near the beginning of May that I planted most of them. Still am sad. I love looking out my kitchen window and seeing the beautiful flowers and sitting outside amongst them. Tending to their care brings me great joy.

Well it is getting close to work time. I have to get this getting up figured out as I do not like to rush and I have been rushing me and Alvin. Not a great thing.

It is a beautiful morning and we saw others out walking as well. Perfect time. The sky is blue and there is a bit of breeze. Oh, the sun is shining. COFFEE, I would like some, please. Whoops, I have not started it yet. Yikes.

One more sleep and my baby brother comes for a visit. Cannot wait till the guys arrive. YAY.

Have an awesome Thursday.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

One our walk I saw a woman with a large bag slung across one shoulder walking over to the rose bushes, she leaned in: did I think that she was going to take a rose or to smell them? What would you think? This was at the entrance to the park where the rose bushes are.

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

August 2nd, 2020 and a beautiful morning.

We were first up at 5:00 and Alvin had his breakfast.

Then back to the sofa for some extra zzz’s.

It was so hot in the house yesterday that I was really wishing that I had the A/C working.

But we made it through with the help of some electric fans.

I had the windows open with a breeze coming in earlier and have already started the fans.

I can only imagine what our electric bill will be next time.

We slept until 7:00 and then were up and got ready to go for our first walk in over a week.

 

One of neighbour’s down the street, Norbert was already out trimming his hedge that lines the sidewalk before their fence wraps around the yard.

They are on the corner lot and have a huge yard.

All of the neighbours are envious of their beautiful yard and flowers and the trees.

They truly have one of the most glorious yards.

We stopped and chatted of course and when I said that Alvin has a pulled muscle in his neck, he thought something must be wrong as they had not seen us out walking.

We walk like clock work unless one of us cannot.

After catching up we were on our way.

One of the people down the street from us had not cut his grass at all this summer.

I was surprised to see it finally cut.

Norbert said he had three people out cutting the grass.

Now that person is in half of a duplex so the front yard is not huge and likely the back was in as bad shape as the front.

So I could see multiple people.

It looks like a real bad haircut.

On the upside, the weeds are cut down.

Hopefully he keeps it cut.

Another neighbour, in fact, a young woman had some work done in the front yard.

She added some shrubs and some beautiful little solar lights and wood chips in the front lining the sidewalk from her house to the street.

Looks so good.

Man, so many changes since we were out last walking.

I miss seeing everyone’s flowers and chatting with folks.

We saw a couple sitting on their front porch enjoying “breakfast,” I would assume.

Although this morning Norbert was the only person we knew out.

There were a couple out for a morning run and then on the way home, a lady was out for a morning stroll.

Funny story, while we were out, we or actually I noticed this squirrel with a white belly on these huge rocks in the front yard of a neighbours a few blocks away from our house.

The squirrel was sitting and then would run a bit and then stop and then I noticed there were two black cats watching him with anticipation of what …. well who knows.

Likely not good.

They were on long leashes out enjoying the cool morning air.

So no immediate danger to the squirrel.

But I noticed the squirrel and the cats noticed the squirrel but not Mr. Alvin.

He was just sniffing away.

 

We had the best walk.

Enjoying the sights and smells of the flowers along the way.

 

Well I am going to make pancakes for breakfast before the heat really sets in for the day.

I guess this is going to be an easy not much going on kind on day.

But later our friend Alison is dropping off puppy Bailey for a couple of hours as she has an outing.

Bailey is busy so I will be busy.

 

I have some craft projects that I am working on so that will keep me busy for the day.

Something not requiring a lot of running about.

 

Well time to get this day underway ….. well to have coffee and breakfast.

I hope that you are keeping cool and enjoying your weekend.

We are so grateful to be feeling well and for the walk, it was absolutely glorious.

Another hot one on the way, 30 degrees celsius.

Then tomorrow 23 or 24 degrees celsius.

That will feel cold, wild laughter !!

 

Living my life with kindness and respect for all.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Mr. Alvin and Carol

 

 

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 Sunday the 22nd day of November, 2015.

It is beautiful outside.

The sky looks like a summer morning with pale orange and white in the bottom layer of sky graduating up to pale blue.

So pretty.

What an odd night.

Alvin was eating again in bed ….. what a guy.

He woke me up at three as he needed to go outside.

So downstairs we went.

He went outside and then back upstairs where we slept until 8:00 a.m.

Guess what is missing?

He did not wake me up at 5:00 a.m. to EAT.

This is HUGE.

Unless I was in such a deep sleep that he could not wake me but I always hear him.

BIZARRE, hey.

Nevertheless he was more than happy to eat his breakfast at 8:00 a.m. patiently waiting until I made the bed and got dressed.

I mean patiently …. do you think he forgot?

Quite funny coming from such a foodie such as Alvin.

Anyway we are up …. first thing glass of lemon and water for the Momma and write this blog before starting laundry, having my breakfast and getting things done.

We had such a great time yesterday.

I love spending time with my girl.

The drive to Ponoka was awesome …. roads were dry as a board …. only a skiff of snow in the ditches and fields.

That is it as they say.

We arrived just before they were about to eat so we sat with my nephew in their dining room.

He surely has a great appetite and he did great.

Mostly eating by himself with a bit of help pushing the food onto his spoon made specially for him.

Afterward we went to the main lounge with him and had BIRTHDAY CAKE, he loved the cake.

Said “YUM” several times.

He was very happy to see us.

Face lit up and gave lots of hugs and kisses.

I found out that he is back to his old self, such a flirt with all of the girls including his cousin.

Kind of funny.

Sometimes we would hit a word that we could not understand but managed to work through it.

I cannot believe the progress he has made.

Sits in the wheelchair on his own.

He cannot walk yet I think in time he will.

We took him for a walk outside for about an hour just breathing in and enjoying the fresh air.

It was so nice not really cold at all.

We even saw a squirrel who managed to get in a few photos.

That is what happens when you have a photographer in the family.

Snapping lots of photos which he enjoyed.

It was a great day.

He loved the photo album that we took for him.

He has four now and he treasures them.

The nurses say that he looks at them all of the time.

It was hard to say good-bye but he is in such great hands.

Until next time.

The drive home went quickly and before you know it we were back in Edmonton.

Alvin was happy to see us.

My daughter stayed for a bit as we discussed some of the things to do before the craft show this coming Friday.

It will be fun.

Well I had better get this show on the road … I could write all day long but that will not get any of my tasks completed.

I hope that you had an awesome Saturday.

One thing I found …. sometimes a simple gift such as a book of photos is the best gift of all.

Simple is better most of the time.

Thank you to my neighbour for being with Mr. Alvin ….

Okay time to fly here …..

Special Hello to: all of those people who have a family member or friend with a brain injury, it is a long journey and sometimes things are never the same but it is important to remember that life is what you make of it ….. enjoy what time you have together.  Love is the best language as it is from the heart and there are no words necessary.

Always, Carol and Alvin

 

Thought for the day…..

Well, here we are at Wednesday, October 24th, 2012 …..

The night air still hangs on as I look out of my office window.

It is that time of year when the night lingers until after 7:00 a.m. and then over the next few weeks it stays even longer.

I know at this time of year …. I find it a little bit tough to get “me” up and about.

I guess it is part of the “preparing for winter” that makes us want to sleep longer.

I feel like the squirrel that has been eating nuts all late summer/fall in anticipation of the winter.

It is one of those mornings …… ah……

I just want to  know one thing?

Why is it that most manufactures of women’s clothing “make the waist to fit just below your natural waist” …… why, oh why.

Okay, enough of that.

Just wondering did you get all of your outdoor prep work done for winter?

Cover the a/c unit?

Put away all of your pots, tools and patio furniture?

Trim your shrubs and plants?

Clean the gutters and windows one last time?

Cut the grass and rake the leaves?

Drain outdoor tap if necessary?

I am always amazed at how many things there are to do around a house …. I spent more than 30 years living in apartments.

The most yard work I had to do was put the pots away from the patio.

So it has definitely been a learning curve ….

Well here it is almost time to leave for yet another day of work.

Work is going well.

So I hope that you have a grand day and remember to enjoy nature …. take a walk …. breathe …..

Special Hello to all those new homeowners….. enjoy …. it does take work.

 

Always, Carol and Alvin