Last Half 2022 – September

Good Morning ALL! Thank goodness the smoke has dissipated and the sky was clear a few minutes ago. There are clouds in the sky so perhaps some rain is on the way. I sure hope that they are able to put out the fires in Saskatchewan. I am thinking of all the people, domestic and wildlife that are affected by the wildfires. Always a loss of life and is incredibly sad. We were up about 2:00 a.m. and then hit the sofa until 6:00 (up and Alvin had his last transitional meal with mix of his regular food and bland diet). He has not pooped since yesterday so perhaps everything is coming together. Gross thoughts but it is the truth. An important truth. My truth, my life.

We were up to stay up just after 8:00 a.m. as I thought there is no rush, resting is good. After that we spent a few minutes outside. Bogart and Humphrey were in the backyard, Alvin wanted to be outside sniffing and looking through the fence at them. I was following Mr. Alvin around the backyard waiting for him to poop when I noticed that Bogart, like an athlete in his prime, had jumped onto the top of the fence and was looking down upon us. I called out to this Mom and we had a quick chat.

So today with the cooler temperatures, it is time to get some housework done and some things outside. I will have to check the long range forecast and see when the overnight temperatures begin to dip so that I can bring in some plants. I need to winter my geraniums. Some I think I will put in the basement and others will put in the kitchen. I like the open kitchen window area so I will not fill it up with huge plants that block the light. Look beautiful but darken the kitchen.

I have already cleaned out most of the front flower bed so that is done. The back one can wait until it is almost time for frost and then I can clean it out.

Tomorrow is Mr. Alvin’s ultrasound and that will tell me what our future looks like. I will know what needs to be look for his care and for our future. Scary how one day can possibly change your life. I have ideas but cannot go ahead until I know what his prognosis is, no point in worrying ahead of time. I know that eventually things will change as no one lives forever but I need to figure out with our mandated return to work schedule how to care for him if I am back to work. I am grateful that I was able to spend everyday with him for the last 2.5 years and that would not have happened without COVID. Things may have been a whole lot different. At the end of it all, I have been blessed, we have been blessed. Just more changes to figure out a new plan A, likely a plan B and possibly even a plan C. It will be okay, I have faith and I will remain positive.

So time to head out for a walk. It may rain by the look of the sky. The windows are open to let in the fresh cool air. I had closed them all last night as it was getting so smoky in the house.

Head out and check out the park. Alvin will again sniff out each blade of grass and I will admire the trees, the flowers in the yards that back onto the park, the water that is flowing in the ponds and the sky and life.

Have a wonderful Monday. Today is Labour Day. We are grateful.

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

Always, Carol & Alvin

P.S. if you have multiple emails and did have old emails – you should read them. I have found some treasures that make me realize how much my life has changed and not changed over the years.

2021

Good Morning ALL! Welcome to a grey windy WET Saturday morning. Both Alvin and I are grateful for the moisture as it is so terribly dry out there. We hope that some of this rain is coming down in the areas affected by the wildfires and helping to extinguish them. I also hope that the winds there are calm. Definitely not as windy at this moment as it was yesterday and the night before as it felt as though we would blow away house and all.

Alvin and I were disappointed when Teddy and Kobi did not come over yesterday for the day. Their parents were going to paint the rental unit and with the rain they would not be able to keep the windows opened. My friend has asthma. So perhaps next Tuesday. Looks like the rain is settling in for this day at least. Tomorrow is supposed to be partial cloudy/sunny, I think. We did not go for a walk between the wind and start of the rain yesterday. Does not look like a walking day for us today either. As this is laundry day we will get in several hundred steps going up and down three flights of stairs. Up and down and down and up this day. LOL.

Last night I was watching a recorded favourite show of mine and it was running past our usual bedtime. Next thing I knew Mr. Alvin was standing at the bottom of the stairs and just glaring at me. I understood and as the show was in the final couple of minutes I watched it and then quickly turned off the television, grabbed my phone charger from the kitchen counter, my glass of water and phone and headed upstairs where now Alvin was waiting for me. What a guy. He is truly a “routine” kind of creature. I do understand that. He has also been sitting by the side of the sofa that faces the fireplace and staring into the glass doors looking at his reflection. Sometimes he growls, whines or barks. Odd, that he has only now in the past few weeks realized this in all the years that we have lived together. What a guy!

Well time to head on downstairs, we have had another one of our up and down early mornings. I don’t know why I even mention them anymore as this is my life/our life. Every night and every morning. Nothing new here.

Time to get the coffee perking and laundry going.

Tomorrow my family is coming for Mother’s Day. I am going to cook an early supper.

On the Menu:

Tomato, Caramelized Onions with Lentil Pasta

Homemade Black Bean Burgers used kind of as a Meatball

Green Peas

Corn

Garlic Chili Scone/Biscuits

Homemade Brownies for dessert

This is a Vegetarian almost Vegan meal.

I am using butter in the Biscuits/Scones otherwise would be Vegan.

Sounds yummy to me.

I cannot wait to serve this to my family.

I am going to make the black bean burgers today as a trial run. The pasta I made last weekend and it was so good.

Brownies is a new recipe.

Well time to go. Wishing you a wonderful Saturday. I am going to do laundry, wrap a gift for my daughter for Mother’s Day and do some writing. I was inspired last night as I prepared for bed.

Continuing to live this life with respect, kindness, compassion and patience for all.

Always, love Carol & Alvin

Second Half of the NEW YEAR.

Good Morning Folks,

Well today is September 19th, 2020.

The sun is supposed to be shining but instead the sky is filled with smoke.

I cannot even imagine the smoke as one continues south.

I cannot even imagine all of the loss of animal and plant life.

We hear about the loss of human life but not often is the loss of animal, bird and insect and plant life spoke about or mentioned in a news article.

My heart breaks for every creature and for the plants and trees.

I have been listening more and reading as of late about climate change.

Sadly we are not doing enough to combat these changes ….. is it too late?

I do not know.

I have also been thinking as of late about all of the disposable masks and gloves that are making their ways to the landfills.

I have seen a great many disposable masks lying on the ground in my neighbourhood.

I can only imagine the increase in to go containers from restaurants that are making their way to the landfills.

This pandemic has increased our “carbon footprint” not lessened it.

If we all work together and use less single use plastics.

Buy masks that can be washed ….. take the time and wash them.

If you are going to eat out ensure that the to go containers are made from materials that are biodegradable.

There are lots of things we can do.

Purchase less items wrapped in layers of plastics.

Buy fresh fruits and vegetables and cook instead of using prepackaged meals.

We have to work together.

Now is the time.

Leave the lights off when you leave the room.

All of the little things that we can do will add up.

We can come together and get things done.

It is not totally the responsibility of governments to save the planet although they should be speaking on our behalf and collectively doing what is right.

This is my opinion.

Food for thought.

 

This morning I saw a video about this Vet from the United States that was mentioning about the dry kibble food that we feed our dogs.

He mentioned if your dog has bad breath, joint pain, smelly and or runny poop that it is due to lack of proper nutrition.

About how the process of pressure cooking the food leaves bad things in the food.

He talked about this supplement to sprinkle on the food that gives them vitamins, omegas and more.

One thing he mentioned was that the length of a dogs life has decreased after the 70’s.

Making dog food is big business.

More food for thought.

 

My head spinning …..

I think about the animals and plant life lost and injured in the fires.

I think about all of our dogs that are not living the best lives due to lack of proper nutrition.

 

So much to think about …..

Where do I go from here and where do you go from here?

 

We should be constantly learning new things and benefiting from the knowledge.

We should be working towards a good future for our children, grandchildren and our furbabies (to name a few).

 

I am working on making a difference.

Do not think you are only one person and that you cannot make a difference.

We can all make a difference.

We can all do our part.

Come together …..

 

 

Trying to live our lives with kindness and respect.

I/We shall remain,

As Always, Carol & Alvin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Friday the 5th day of May, 2017.

A glorious morning here in Edmonton.

The sun is smiling as it rises in the East filling the sky with it’s magical beams.

So happy for the weekend.

I am grateful that I have the weekend off so to speak.

Anyone who works outside the home knows – we all have work to do when we get home.

 

On a more somber note and reminder to us all.

It is the time of year when forest and wild fires break out.

Be careful as the cost to lost lives whether animal or human is too high.

They may never be replaced.

Homes and businesses may be replaced.

Memory from one year ago today.

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

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 5th day of May, 2016.

It is overcast here in Edmonton this morning.

The air is cool and there is a breeze.

Such a difference from the past couple of days.

I am actually cold this morning.

I only hope that it has cooled off up north where the wildfires are burning out of control.

They need a break.

RAIN and no lightning would be great.

Sounds like everyone was evacuated safely and that is great news.

My heart goes out to all of the animals in the forest surrounding Fort McMurray, Alberta.

I hope that all of the dogs and cats were rescued from the City.

We are so grateful to all those brave men and women whose job is to go into the inferno to fight the fires.

Whether paid or volunteers we thank you.

I hope they are all safe.

To all of the individuals out there who came together to offer up a place to sleep or to gather necessities for the evacuees, we thank you.

Well here it is time to leave for work once again.

The time always passes quickly in the morning.

So on this Thursday be safe.

Special Hello to: all the residents of Fort McMurray, Alberta and surrounding areas, we are grateful that you are safe and secure.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Thursday the 20th day of April, 2017.

One day closer to summer breezes and flip flops and longer walks with me Alvin.

Yesterday was a total shock as I wore my winter coat and boots and on the way home, I really did not need them.

Last night we went for our walk and I did not even wear a jacket.

Bonus.

So happy for those evenings.

This weather had me wondering what was happening this time last year, and this is what I blogged:

It is overcast but not with rain clouds this morning.

We have wildfires burning to the north and west of our location.

We are in the “area” that could be affected should they not contain them.

Unfortunately with not much snow this winter and although we enjoyed not having to shovel everyday and plough through snow walking and driving …. we pay the price come spring.

It is so dry.

I have started watering my front flower bed that has perennials.

There are a few green leaves on them but I am not sure that they made the winter.

I transplanted them last fall.

I hope so but time will tell.

The lawns are a mixture of brown and green.

I am afraid that without spring showers and summer rains brown will be our reality as it will be too much water to keep them green.

Just a friendly reminder for everyone on the planet ….. please be careful.

Do not throw away that cigarette butt or set off fireworks just because they are pretty.

You might find yourself in the midst of a raging fire.

Let us be careful this spring / summer.

Do your part, please be a good citizen of your neighbourhood and of this planet.

Pick up the trash …… don’t be a misguided inhabitant.

Well it is time to leave for work.

Our office has been cool so it is sweater weather.

Somedays it is warmer outside than in the office.

But on the other hand ….. I would rather don a sweater than the alternative.

Cannot take off clothes.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

 

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers …..

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day …..

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 4th day of May, 2016.

This morning my thoughts are to a city several hours north of Edmonton.

Fort MacMurray.

They are in the midst of wildfires that are engulfing their homes, businesses, schools, almost everything.

In the later afternoon we watched on television and social media the long winding lines of cars, trucks and motorhomes leaving the city.

The line was long and slow as the city was evacuated.

Tears filled our eyes.

I do not know at this time how many homes were lost.

I do not know for certain that there has been no loss of human life or beloved pets.

I do know for certain that the loss of wildlife is huge …. there are no words.

There is no place for them to go.

They cannot outrun the walls of flames that seem to almost reach the sky.

I am almost afraid to check the news to see as last night the wind had increased in it’s strength.

So today I would ask you to keep our fellow Albertans in your thoughts and prayers.

When the call comes for assistance I know that people will rally to help with the fires and lives.

Later with the rebuilding of homes and businesses and the city.

My heart is broken today.

Take care everyone.

Special Hello to: citizens of Fort MacMurray, Alberta ….. you are in our thoughts.

Always, Carol and Alvin

Thought for the day ….

Good Morning and Welcome to Wednesday the 20th day of April, 2016.

It is overcast but not with rain clouds this morning.

We have wildfires burning to the north and west of our location.

We are in the “area” that could be affected should they not contain them.

Unfortunately with not much snow this winter and although we enjoyed not having to shovel everyday and plough through snow walking and driving …. we pay the price come spring.

It is so dry.

I have started watering my front flower bed that has perennials.

There are a few green leaves on them but I am not sure that they made the winter.

I transplanted them last fall.

I hope so but time will tell.

The lawns are a mixture of brown and green.

I am afraid that without spring showers and summer rains brown will be our reality as it will be too much water to keep them green.

Just a friendly reminder for everyone on the planet ….. please be careful.

Do not throw away that cigarette butt or set off fireworks just because they are pretty.

You might find yourself in the midst of a raging fire.

Let us be careful this spring / summer.

Do your part, please be a good citizen of your neighbourhood and of this planet.

Pick up the trash …… don’t be a misguided inhabitant.

Well it is time to leave for work.

Our office has been cool so it is sweater weather.

Somedays it is warmer outside than in the office.

But on the other hand ….. I would rather don a sweater than the alternative.

Cannot take off clothes.

Have a wonderful day everyone.

Special Hello to: my fellow bloggers …..

Always, Carol and Alvin