The New YEAR 2022

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to Wednesday, the 26th of January 2022. How are you today? Both Alvin and I are great.

Today is the BELL Let’s Talk Day. Today we destigmatizing mental health and raise funds.

The subject is no longer taboo. Finally!

For as long as humans have walked the Earth – we have stayed as far away from “mental health” conversation as possible. We shunned people with mental health issues and even worse.

Every family is touched by issues surrounding the brain.

Some may be small and barely noticeable to anyone including the person affected and others are noticeable a mile away. We are all affected by mental illness to some degree.

Although I used to think that I did not have any mental health issues but I was wrong. I like so many other human beings suffer from occasional bouts of depression which may be in varying degrees. Mine is “seasonal depression” and this is more common than one would think. This does not happen all of the time but mainly during long periods of overcast skies and blustery days. I just feel “blue” and not my usual bubbly self. So during these days I make sure that I surround myself with things that bring me joy and light. It helps.

Seeking professional help is important and surrounding yourself with positive influences is important as well.

You are important as is every other person on this planet. If you are not sure if you have depression or not, talk to a professional. They can help.

Everyone needs to “talk” to someone at some point in their lives. We cannot survive without talking – communicating our inner thoughts.

Have a great day and take care.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

COUNTDOWN: 60 Days to 60

Today is Tuesday, July 4, 2017 and it is the 37th day until my 60th Birthday.

I guess the most important things that I have learned over the past almost sixty years are as follows:

“be kind to yourself”

“learn to be comfortable with yourself”

“love yourself”

“listen to yourself”

“talk to yourself”

“meditate or pray each day”

“be alone”

 

If we can do all of these things then we will be good to others.

It all begins with thy self.

 

Always, Carol

 

 

 

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 9th day of June, 2017.

YAY, it is almost the weekend.

Looking forward to seeing my girls (my daughter & Miss Aspen) tomorrow.

The sky is blanketed in dark blue clouds to the south as I look out of my office window.

A few moments ago in my bedroom which faces north the sun was shining and the sky was clear blue.

Funny how that works.

Seems like for some reason I am running late once again.

No particular reason but alas I am.

Do you sometimes have this problem or situation?

Not really a problem, I guess.

Just timing.

Last night after a long day between work and the bus ride home, we just had a quiet night at home.

Alvin and I enjoyed some quiet time in the back yard.

I mowed the grass and dug out some dandelions from Alvin’s little area.

The dandelions seem to come out of nowhere.

It was nice to sip on a cup of tea on the deck.

I must do that more …..

I hope that you have a glorious weekend.

I have been thinking about the things we say, I say and have come up with the following mantra:

I will think for a longer time before I speak.

 

There is more but I see by my watch that I have to go.

Have a great day.

 

Special Hello to: you and you and you.

Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

Thought for the day….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 30th and last day of April, 2014.

Whoa where did April go?

It was an interesting April of 2014, I shall say.

We are grateful that here in Edmonton are skies are bright and blue as the sun rises in the east.

We hope that the snow that has fallen to the east melts quickly and that our neighbours in Saskatchewan and eastward have our weather soon.

Thank you.

Mr. Alvin came in to take a look and sniff at me as this morning I decided to wear a “skirt.”

This is not an usually sight in my house.

In fact, this is the first bare legs I have had since last summer.

Feels good to not have material covering my skin although my skirt is longer.

I am so happy is we are just about to touch “summer.”

Although you know that spring is my favourite season; summer and fall come in a close second.

I also do not mind winter.

I guess I am a all season lover.

Lover of all seasons.

You always have to take it all to appreciate the high points.

That is life.

So on this last day of April – let us be grateful that:

– we are alive

– we have food in the fridge

– we are surrounded by family and friends

– we are surrounded by love and laughter

– we have blessings in all shapes and sizes

– we can hear the clock ticking

– we can taste that good food in the fridge

– we can smell the fresh air

– we can see the bright blue sky and that perfect sunrise

– we can walk to the mailbox

– we can buy that cup of coffee on the way to work

– we can talk and communicate

– we have each other.

Have a great day.

Special Hello to: all those amazing human beings that read my blog and every blog ….. thank you.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Story Line by line – September 29, 2013

Chapter Two:

September 1, 2013

“Alvin, you found me”, I cry as my heart and soul are filled with a gratitude magnified by the love I have for my friend and I know we will find our way together.

September 2, 2013

There is silence between us – no words or barking – just silence in knowing that as long as we are together we will figure this all out and get back home where we belong and we continue on our way side by side.

September 3, 2013

“So me Alvin, what now?” as I search his body to make sure that he has no wounds and give him hugs  and wished that the fog would lift so that I could see where we are going.

September 4, 2013

“Well Mr. Alvin, I guess we had better get moving so maybe we can eventually walk out of this fog and actually find some help” with this Alvin begins to move forward slowly and we are on our way.

September 5, 2013

I have no idea how far we have walked or where we are but I know one thing it is getting colder ….. freezing in fact.

September 6, 2013

Thank GOD, Alvin has a fur coat and that I had not cut it recently but me on the other hand, I only have flip flops, cotton capri pants, a t-shirt and light jacket; the jacket hadn’t really been needed that morning but I needed a place to put my keys and poop bags for Alvin; my keys?

September 7, 2013

I reach into my pocket and touch the coolness of my keys; I am not certain how they are actually going to help us at this point but they give me a sense of peace in that they are our link to home.

September 8, 2013

At this point I am really grateful that I have my Alvin with me and that we are okay despite being cold and now we will just continue on – one step at a time.

September 9, 2013

As we walk along  I fight to see through the fog and in some places I think that I can see the outline of trees, but I am not sure; the only thing I know for certain is we are no longer near “home” and my heart skips a beat.

September 10, 2013

Thank GOD that I have my Alvin the best “sniffer” on the planet here with me as his nose guides us along this path to who knows where or when.

September 11, 2013

As we move along, Alvin does his thing as I listen to him carefully sniffing, and I hope that soon we find someone as we are both showing signs of dehydration, and I can hear my stomach rumble and I know Alvin must be hungry.

September 12, 2013

Out of nowhere I had a flash …. I suddenly remembered something ….. something that I knew would make Alvin one happy puppy dog ….. why didn’t I think of it sooner?

September 13, 2013

As I slowly reached into my other pocket the one without the poop bags I found a bag of doggie treats and I smiled knowing that my Alvin would have a bit of food in his belly and be happy; after all isn’t being happy all about giving something unexpectedly to others, and I am glowing.

September 14,, 2013

“Here Mr. Alvin” I say as I bend over and hand him some of the treats; Alvin found them quicker than I could find my pocket; I am so happy that I have some food for him and then he yelps for more.

September 15, 2013

Alvin quickly eats the small handful of treats; I am relieved that he has eaten and although I am hungry it is better for him to eat than me; I have to have faith that we will find our way home soon or somewhere like home.

September 16, 2013

Just not sure what to do now – guess we will just keep plodding ahead – not much else we can do – but how on earth did we get here?

September 17, 2013

Wow, it seems like it has been forever since Alvin and I first walked by our lake; now we are who knows where; destination unknown; it is funny that despite the time elapsed by my best guess has been much more than one day I do not feel thirsty; I am hungry but not starving and I do not have to pee (now that is a first); I wished that we did have water now that I think about it and wonder where did Alvin’s water bottle disappear to?

September 18, 2013

Well who knows, I guess we have bigger fish to fry; as it seems like we have been not only walking in a fog but my mind seems to be drifting that way as well; please someone help us; I just feel so helpless …….. and I want to be at home sitting on my sofa watching my favourite morning program “The Today Show” – the fourth hour with Kathie Lee and Hoda ….. please,  as I break into soft sobbing.

September 19, 2013

Okay enough feeling sorry for yourself “YOU” ….. get on with it as my inner voice encourages me to go forward; I will find our way home and as I feel the strength fill my body – I see something shining through the fog.

September 20, 2013

What the hell, as I feel the heat from the object not far ahead ….

September 21, 2013

It seems to be close but as we walk in the fog toward the object we do not seem to be getting any closer, and the heat is becoming more intense.

September 22, 2013

I do not feel afraid, it seems to be radiating more than just the intense heat, there is a feeling, a warmth, a kindness, but by this time  Alvin has had enough, and pulls me in another direction.

September 23, 2013

We are off what seemed to be a path and are now on what feels like grass but it is uneven, as he pulls us further away from the heat, and that feeling of good.

September 24, 2013

As Alvin pulls me faster away from the light and heat; the fog finally begins to lift, and I am sensing something up ahead but “what or who?”

September 25, 2013

“Oh my GOD, I don’t believe it, no it cannot be, not here not now” I say in a slightly paralytic voice.

September 26, 2013

Now we have both stopped, and as I carefully pull on Alvin’s leash bringing him closer to me; my body trembles in complete disbelief, and I know things will never be the same.

September 27, 2013

In my head, I am thinking “please do not scream”  but the feelings  crash over me in huge waves as I look ahead and see my brothers and sisters; all of my siblings; but how can that be?

September 28, 2013

We are now only about ten feet away; my heart is telling me to run to them, and my brain is controlling the urge as we pause in mid step, and stare into their eyes, surely this cannot be right.

September 29, 2013

I turn my head and our eyes meet; it is my sister Jean she was the first one of my siblings to pass away; then I see Grace, Jack and Edward and James, unbelievable they are all here, it is quiet, can they talk?