Learning and understanding

Yesterday was the 85th birthday of Aunt P, the mother of a dear friend. I was lucky enough to be invited to share in the cake (homemade tiramisu), some wine and singing “Happy Birthday,” so it was a lovely evening.  I didn’t stay late, but I was definitely tired when I got home.  I’ve also finished my crochet project, so both of the SP have their own handmade-by-auntie blankets.  Hers is pastel blues, greens, lilacs and pinks, while his is yellow, pink, red and mauve.  They’re excited by these, and once his blanket is washed, they’ll both be using them.  (She got hers when I arrived at the beginning of the month, and they’ve been playing with it for days now.)  My boys are both doing well and are happy.  Jerry is very excited about his walker, who comes every day to take him out.  I was told that he sits behind the door when she’s expected and wriggles with excitement.  Don’s been managing ok, although he said that his balance is a bit off. ...

A gift from our very dear friend for the season.  He’s absolutely brilliant at doing floral arrangements and wreaths, and his products are utterly stunning, as you can see.  I always am disappointed after seeing his work to go into a store and see some lacklustre arrangements; I immediately call and ask him to improve on their offerings, please and thanks!  It would be great if he lived closer!  The Small People came to wake me this morning, as usual, and dragged me down for breakfast with them.  Don called for help with walking Jerry, as he’s lost access to his emergency spot on the balcony while they work on it.  Poor guy was stressed out this morning.  It’s one of those days when they needed extra help.  For myself, I just continued with my crochet project, which seems to be as far from completion as when I started!!  I fell asleep on myself this afternoon, and was out for a couple of hours.  That’s unusual for me.  It’s a good s...

This is a quick view from the Burlington Skyway this afternoon.  We had a quick errand to run and I took this on the way back.  It was such a beautiful clear day and the view was stunning.  It was also warmer than I expected, which was nice.  My annoyance today was that I got a call from the pharmacy to come in for my flu shot, and when I arrived, after waiting for over an hour, they told me that I couldn’t get it because I’m not old enough and I need a physical letter from my doctor saying that I have cancer.  😔  It was frustrating to have spent all that time when they could have told me on Monday when they added me to the waiting list — I’m used to my pharmacy in Ottawa dealing with these things.  At home, the work that the building was doing has finally reached my floor, and we have no balcony, while Jerry is annoyed at losing access to his outdoor space.  Don is doing well, and has been getting fed by the lady who is also walking Jerry. ...

It was a restful day today.  I was woken up as usual by being climbed over by the Small People, one of whom carried a bus and a fire engine and the other My Little Pony  and a handful of stickers.  They headed off to daycare after a few protests at being separated from Auntie, and I settled in to cook breakfast and work on my crochet project.  It was a warm, rainy day today; the fog rolled in and made everything look eerie, even in daylight.  My boys were good when I spoke to them; Jerry as usual was trying to push the phone away while he demonstrated his sulking.  Don was in good spirits, so that was nice to see and hear.  We had a long talk both late last night and again this morning, so I’m happy about that. Yesterday, while I was out with my friend, I took him to visit one of my favourite spots in the Niagara area; he was surprised that I knew it, as it’s in a tiny, out-of-the-way, blink-and-you-miss-it town.  I explained that Don and I spent ...

Our lovely warm weather continues for another day.  We expect that it will last through tomorrow and then it starts getting cold by the weekend.  Halloween (which is not something I celebrate) is likely to be a Canadian one, with costumes needing to fit over snowsuits!  The Small People invaded my room early this morning, and I was adorned with stickers on my arms — that I had to keep on all day long, too!  There I was, walking through stores with   My Little Pony  stickers on my arm.  People grinned at me when they saw it, but just nodded.  I was out trying to get my flu shot again; I was told first that I am not old enough to get the high potency vaccine, never mind my medical conditions, then she  said that they were out.  I’ll probably never know which was the real reason.  Then I was out with my dear friend again to Niagara (not the Falls, but the town) where we did some shopping — I’ve been blamed for him spending money 😂 I a...

Today we were at home, resting. The Small People were at daycare, so the adults went voting (not me; I submitted mine weeks ago and I’m out of my city anyway)  The SP erupted in after school, and I was instructed to go to my room, then to sit in my chair, to drink tea (both real and pretend) and then to make paper planes.  My boys were all doing well today, with Jerry wriggling when I talked to him.  I expect that he’ll be calling the locksmith to change the locks soon… Don has been well guarded in my absence, as Jerry won’t let him take 3 steps unaccompanied!  I’m a little worried that they haven’t been eating properly without me, but I did what I could and left food that was microwaveable for a while, plus other things that he’d enjoy.   As for myself, I’m tired, but not in any pain worth mentioning.  I didn’t sleep well last night because of some discomfort in my hip, but I finally got a comfortable position and slept for a few hours.  I tried to ge...

' Another lovely warm day today. This warm weather in late October is such a gift! After yesterday we opted to stay  home and have a . rest. So my niece helped me to prepare lunch-a mushroom risotto, chimmichurri shrimp and  London bar cookies. She helped me to pound walnuts for the cookies; grind garlic and parsley for the shrimp; make vanilla sugar and, of course, ensure quality control by sampling! Very helpful! My boys were quite comfy when we spoke, and Jerry seems to be willing to forgive me for my absence-he was looking around for me when I spoke to him. I'm realizing that my return to Ottawa is drawing closer. I still have a couple of weeks, but fewer than at the start! My sister commented that I'd have to stay with them to cook and  baby sit, because they're so used to me now LOL Besides which, she says, the Small People will be sad without their reading buddy and playmate. They are certainly attached to me, and my nephew considers that I'm his personal  ju...

It was a beautiful sunny day today.  It started off at 15C and we decided to go for a drive in the countryside towards Niagara-on-the-Lake (not quite to the Falls.)  The leaves are fully ablaze, and although it’s been windy last night and today, the trees are still rather full.  We all were out without needing sweaters or scarves, but definitely with sunglasses!  My niece and nephew wore theirs for a few minutes then found that they bothered their ears, so off they came.  We went to the Outlet mall in Niagara for lunch, finding when we arrived that there was a food truck festival.  So rather than eating in the food court indoors, we headed out to the festival, occupied a picnic table and bought poutine, pulled pork, butter chicken & rice and lamb curry & rice.  My niece ate most of my butter chicken, much to the awe of the rest of us — it was somewhat spicy, but she just drank some water and ate extra rice before sipping the gravy like soup. ...

I was out today to the Hamilton Fall Mums show.  (Chrysanthemums).  Here’s one of the pictures I took; it was absolutely stunning, although somewhat smaller than previous years (according to the friend with whom I attended the show)  It’s breathtaking to see the displays that were on show.  The theme was “#MumsinSpace” (I never did find out why it was called that)  so there were models of the solar system, the ISS, the space shuttles and an indication of potentially terraforming Mars.  It was a fabulous day, mainly because of the company, then the weather was picture perfect, with the Escarpment covered in autumnal splendour and the lake a deep blue.  I got permission to go out today from my little “managers” who were originally saying that they’d stay home with Auntie instead of daycare… it didn’t work again, although I’ve promised that they’d have all day with Auntie tomorrow and the next day.  I said that I might not be at home when they got ba...

I apologize in advance; I fear that I’m turning into one of those aunts who will regale you with stories about their nieces and nephews, and I’m afraid of boring you to tears!  But this morning I had two of the funniest statements that I must  share!  The first was that my niece came into my room after she had got dressed for daycare to wake me up.  Before I got my morning hug, she looked at me and declared, “Auntie Sonja, your bed is messy.  Fix it.”  I was still in bed at the time.  Then later, as we were finishing breakfast, she announced to her parents, “I’m staying home with Auntie Sonja today.”  That didn’t work, obviously, but it was hilarious!  Don said that he was tired, as he had some trouble falling asleep.  Jerry was concentrating hard on ignoring me.  I talked to him, and his ears flicked a few times, but he refused to look at me, then when he did look at the phone, he huffed and turned his back on me!  He’s defini...

I slept in this morning, and apparently that’s not allowed, because there were demands of “Why isn’t Auntie Sonja downstairs for breakfast?” I got up, dressed quickly and was there in time for them to finish eating and distribute hugs before they left for daycare.  They were both fine today, no fevers, no sign of illness, so they had fun “playing on the slide and swings” and doing craft. I’ve been gifted with a craft item of a witch made by my niece.  I don’t think that it will go back to Ottawa with me, but I’ve been appropriately excited and laudatory about it.  My boys are well today.  When I called this morning, Jerry was curled up in a ball on Don’s lap and was sulking at me.  When I talked to him, he just pretended not to listen to me, then tried to push the phone out of Don’s hand.  Silly puppy!  Don has been under heavy puppy surveillance for the last couple of weeks, and is about ready to share that time!  Meanwhile, I’m very much under k...

My niece stayed home from daycare today as she was running a fever last night into this morning.  I spent the day wearing a mask, although I’d spent a lot of time yesterday with them on my lap, so I’m probably exposed to anything.  Her fever dropped but rose again this evening, and my nephew is a little out of sorts at the same time, so we might be in for infection!  Fingers crossed that it’s nothing serious and it will pass quickly.  Last night Don complained of tummy troubles, (as did I, several hundred kilometres away, and on a different diet) but he was fine this morning.  Jerry had a long run yesterday afternoon, which got some of his fidgets out of him but he was again antsy this morning.  I felt a little more myself this morning, but I’m definitely feeling the effects of overexertion today.  I fell asleep in my chair this afternoon for a while, and I am having difficulty walking and standing, plus having considerable pain.  I’ll have anothe...

It was a great Fall day again.  We went out to a farm which had a bouncy castle and play area for little children, options for “pick your own” pumpkins and apples (honestly, I don’t get the appeal of paying to do farm work!) and a winery and cider brewery.  The kids had fun in the play area and looking at the animals (it’s a working farm) while Auntie stayed warm tasting wine and cider (she also bought some.)  It was good, but I was so tired when we got back that I couldn’t climb the stairs to get changed.  I’m resting up to regain some energy before dinner.  The fruits in the photo are from a dear friend’s garden… I think I’ll have to make more frequent visits this way in fruit season!  Jerry is out with a friend today, getting some exercise (she claims that she was going through puppy withdrawal and was in danger of carrying out a dog napping!) and Don is getting a rest and cooking.  He had a late night, watching a sport game of some kind, so it cut ...

Saturdays, with the little ones, means swimming class.  They wake up later than during the week, but there’s still the negotiation to put on swimsuits versus getting Auntie out of bed to read!  (Incidentally, I managed to read the perennial Green Eggs and Ham  last night, with no noticeable reaction.  She enjoyed The Sneetches  more.  Hope springs eternal!) I called my EFIR for directions on making čevap for lunch, which was successful — introducing new foods to small people (and adults!!) is always risky, but really worth it!  I woke up Don this morning when I called, apparently he had some trouble sleeping last night.  Jerry was curled up under the blanket, and tried to bat the phone out of his hand while I was talking.  He was up watching sports late; unsupportive (and disinterested) me didn’t ask how his team went, so we’ll probably discuss that later.  They’re doing well, and we look forward to our regular chats. I’ve got a plan of ...

It was another lovely Fall afternoon.  This morning started out chilly and damp, with hail and rain, then this afternoon was mild and sunny.  I confess to spoiling the kiddies — we were grocery shopping today, and I bought a pack of “colouring cookies” — iced sugar cookies with a set of “markers” that you use to decorate them.  They were told that I had a surprise for them, so when they came in from daycare, they raced to find me in my chair and yelled, “Surprise!!” They had a lot of fun colouring the icing and then eating some of the cookies (they were a little too big to be eaten in one sitting.)  Spoke with my boys today, as usual.  Jerry is sulking at me, and kept knocking the phone out of Don’s hand so he couldn’t talk to me for long.  Don said that he isn’t allowed any time to himself, because Jerry is almost always with him.   I’m very pleased, as I mentioned yesterday, that I’m not in much pain nor do I need insulin or treatment for high sugar....

My dear friend dropped by today with a bounty of fruit — pears and grapes from his garden, plums, and some chutneys.  I’ve generously agreed to share them with my sister and her family 😊👼 Aren’t I a sweetheart?  We also went to an Asian supermarket, where I collected the makings for tonight’s supper.  I am looking forward to seeing everyone enjoy the meal and introducing the children to new items.  My boys are doing well, and the little monster is even more protective of Don than he used to be, which is saying a lot!  I said that we probably need to make more frequent visits to this part of the province if there’s so much fruit to be shared!  The kids might enjoy it if I were here more often, although I might run out of energy before they’re settled. I’m pleased to report that I haven’t had to use any insulin for at least 3 weeks now, but my readings are all within range, so that’s superb to my way of thinking.  My pain is mostly managed, and I haven...

I’m sitting in the garden keeping an eye on the kids who are enjoying a very warm late afternoon.  My niece is singing at the top of a very healthy pair of lungs a song about upside down chickens, while my nephew is running around pretending to mow the lawn.  I’m in trouble because I wasn’t in my chair when they got in from daycare, so they were distressed not to find me.  This promises some tears when I return to Ottawa!  The books are piled up waiting for me to come in and read later, but for now, it’s time to enjoy the weather.  My boys are doing well, and Jerry has developed the habit of pushing the phone out of Don’s hands when I’m talking, because he’s apparently displeased that I’m not there for him to boss around.  Don’s managed to get some rest, so he looks less tired than he did yesterday when he had over exerted himself.  I’d honestly prefer if my family were closer than they are now.  The distances are too large for enjoyment.  No...

Marlene Garcia 1933-2022   You know the rhyme about children and weekdays? It begins "Monday's child is fair of face..." Well, "Friday's child is loving and giving;" if ever there was an accurate description ! Marlene Garcia was born on Friday, May 26,1933 to Roderick & Elisher Garcia. She was their second child; the first, a boy, died within a day of his birth. She was, by all accounts, a charming, lively girl, who was a special favourite of her father's. She was the only child for 5 years, then her sister Margaret joined, then my mother Lydia 4 years after that. Six months after Lydia's birth. Roderick died. Ming was her mother's great support from then on. She told us that she would help her mother look after the little ones - her sisters and the many cousins who were often at the house.  Her father called her "Ming toy" because she was such a delight. As children, we gave her another nickname. We used to watch Abbott and Costell...