Early Mornings

I had my sister Ruth from Manitoba and her friend visiting overnight.They are starting the long trip home today so we all got up early so that they could get away in good time. The friend Mary looked out and said, "I forgot that it would still be this dark at 6am" and I wondered why anyone would want to leave so early. But as I stood on my balcony to wave good-bye I saw a beautiful sunrise, the sky all glowing and pink. In moments it was gone but worth getting up early for.
I hope you are seeing some sun rises too, or at least some sunsets which are good since you don't have to get up so early to see them

Computer Illiterate

I have been trying to add a comment to a friends blog, but I just keep going around in circles. Betty if you happen to read this, here is what I was trying to say.

We need to count our blessings now and then. But you will find it hard to enjoy rain on the roof and sunshine on the water at the same time.

I'm only teasing you. I love making lists of things that make me happy. One thing that doesn't make me smile is trying to sign into a site when they keep telling me that the password is wrong.

Happy Mother's Day World

It is not even 10am and I am feeling very well cared for. My oldest daughter phoned last night and sent an electronic card today, My third oldest daughter phoned last nigh and will probably call again today. The youngest one sent a card in the mail, and just now my son who doesn't call very often, phoned for a chat. No word from number two daughter which is not surprising because she is away on a holiday.
Did I call my mother on her day? I doubt that I did because back in the "old" days one didn't tend to pick up the phone to make long distance calls unless it was an emergency. In fact for a couple of years, I didn't even have a phone. Can you imagine living without a phone. Now it seems that you can't even go to the grocery store without your cell phone clutched up to your ear. Do we all really have that much that we need to say? I'm afraid that I don't and sometimes go two or three days without talking to anyone.

Locked In My Cabin

My sister and I were cruising down to the Sea of Cortez. We were barely on our way when I got an awful case of Montezuma's Revenge. It got so bad that I called the Doctor's office. I was visited almost immediately by the nurse who gave me pills, took my temperature and blood pressure. She also informed me that i should stay in the cabin until 24 hours after the last episode.
My diet was limited to Gatorade and water the first day , with beef broth added the next day. With all the good things to eat and all the fun things to do on board, here I was. Locked or quarantined in my cabin for two or three days. At least I had a window to look out of, but this will not go down as my favorite cruise.

A Contest

This is a contest at Bookcrossing.com. I order for me to have a chance to win, I need to post it here on my blog.

Contest for Made In The U.S.A. by Billie Letts (5 copy giveaway)

Contest for Made In The U.S.A. by Billie Letts

I've got 5 copies to give away, many thanks to Valerie at Hatchette for the books!!

So This Is What You Have To Do To Get An Entry!
1. Leave a Comment +1
2. Follow Me +1 already a follower +2
3. Post this contest on your blog (can be on your sidebar or a post) +3

PLEASE put your email in your comments or no entry (no exceptions).
This is for the USA and canada only please and no Po Boxes (publishers rule)!
Winners will be announced on May 10th!

http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/---/contest-for-made-in-usa-by-billie-letts.html

In Lieu Of Flowers

While reading the Obituaries in my local paper one day I came across something that left me smiling, which one doesn't usually do while reading the Obits.
After the usual information about his life, it went on to say...
In lieu of flowers, please take your father,son, mother or daughter out for lunch. Time is all we have together; enjoy it while you can.

More Blessings

To continue with my insomnia solver...
N...Newspapers
O...Oranges
P...Policemen
Q...Quilts
R...Refrigerators
S...Sisters
T...Television
U...Underwear
V...Vacuum Cleaners
W...Wine
X...X-rays
Y...Yawning
Z...Zippers
Try this if you can't sleep some night. It is sure to send you off to slumberland.

Counting My Blessings

Sometimes when I am having a touch of insomnia, I try counting my blessings, starting with A and going through the alphabet.
A..Apples
B...Books
C...Computers
D...Daughters
E...Eyes and ears
F...Friends
G...Grandchildren
H...Health
I...Internet
J...Jewelry
K...Knowledge
L...Luggage on wheels
M...Mothers
About this time I fall asleep so will continue this practice next time.

Old ladies and modern technology

I believe that the age of technology came along too late for me to deal with. I recently decided to change my telephone provider to the same company which I use for Cable TV and Internet. This way there would be one bill and it was even going to cost less. I would get a digital box attached to my TV which would give me several more channels. I never did find out what channels they were, but the servicemen spent some time setting everything up. To turn the TV on was much more complicated. I needed to press three buttons instead of one, and they had to be in the right order. That evening I got so upset over it all that I phoned the help line. He helped me get the thing going but when I mentioned something about the VCR, he told me that it would not work with this set up. He began to tell me what I could buy and install so that I could use it.I was almost in tears by now and said that I was too old to understand what he was talking about. Nice man, he offered to send someone out to fix it for me.
The fellow arrived yesterday and I asked him to take the box away and put things back the way they were. This is what he did , in a matter of minutes. I still have all three things with the same provider but don't have to deal with any new stuff.

Weatherman ! Enough Already I Say !!!

Recently I wrote about our lovely springtime, extolling the beauty of greening trees and heather showing its lovely color. Today I might as well eat my words as I watch the snow swirling in blizzard fashion outside. For several hours the snow has continued to fall until the ground is covered and the spruce tree outside my window has a heavy load of snow on each branch. I don't need this, Mr Weatherman. I moved to this little part of British Columbia so that I would have mild Winters and early Springs. I don't want snow at the end of February. Well I guess that is enough whining for today. It could be worse.

Springtime

I think that this is my favorite time of year. The robins are back. There is one fat fellow who seems to have taken over the tree where the crows usually gather.The crows are still here of course, making plenty of noise, and scavenging for bits of dropped garbage.
The trees are showing a faint tinge of green, and the heather along my front walk has turned a lovely shade of lavender.
The T-4s are coming in from the banks and your employers. Revenue Canada has sent out new tax forms for this year. Can Spring be far behind?

Valentines Day

Unfortunately I don't have a lover to share it with. I can't say that I really care.I would have to clean up my act if I moved a man into my home. No more letting the dust bunnies collect in the corners, and the dropped crumbs gather under my table. Kitchen would need to be tidied after every meal, and meals would need to be made on a regular basis. Having a daily shower would be mandatory even if I hadn't done anything to work up a sweat over. No more quick decisions when Dot phones about a cruise she would like to go on.I would have to discuss it with the lover, and he would probably want to go, leaving poor Dot behind.
For all you lovers , Happy Valentines Day!! For those without lovers, count your blessings!!!

Springtime

The sun shone brightly all day. What a difference a bit of sunshine makes to ones outlook on life. I began my day earlier than usual, rising at 6.30am . I was planning to leave my home about 8.15 but I need lots of time to get myself ready to face the day.This is the day of the week that I take phone calls from shut-ins and seniors at a local grocery store. Then a group of us shop for the groceries that have been ordered and they are finally delivered by the store. Everyone is so grateful for the service so it makes you feel like you are doing something worthwhile.
I think that it is important to give something back to the community.

Bedtime

But here I sit , trying to get into this Blog that I have been adding to now and then until tonight when it seems I am not signed in and have no idea how to go about doing it. Why was I able to add comments before but not today? I went a few rounds with the Help desk and now at least it appears to be working. I must write down the silly password that I chose for myself and remember what it belongs to.
Sometimes, often really, I believe that I am too old to be messing around with this sort of stuff.. But learning new things is supposed to be good for the brain and goodness knows, my brain needs all the help it can get.

Winter Wonderland

Bah,Humbug!!!
In my last post I wrote of Spring. This morning I woke to find the ground covered with snow and the air full of swirling , blowing snow flakes. This does not look like Spring to me. If I wanted snow I would move back to Manitoba where I came from.

Birdwatching

Even though I live in an apartment building, I am sort of a birdwatcher. Every day two crows visit a tree in the parking lot that my dining room looks over. One day there was only one crow and he looked sort of sad. I was wondering if crows mate for life and his mate had died.. But both were back the next day.
A pair of birds alit the other day. I could tell that they weren't crows but I wasn't sure just what they were. By the time I got my binoculars focused, they had flown away. While enjoying my morning coffee, one landed on the tree. Quickly my binoculars confirmed what I had thought they were the first time I saw them.They are robins. Can spring be far behind when the robins come back?

Life is Good.

I felt like I was suffering with that disease they call SAAD. First we had a lot of snow. When that stopped we got torrents of rain. Finally sunshine was predicted but the fog set in first. But not so bad that one couldn't see to get around. My sister came for a visit, we played card games which she won, we went for a couple of walks. We ate well, and enjoyed an after dinner drink.
Today the fog lifted and the lovely old sun is beaming down at me. I should go for another walk but I have done all my errands for now, and no reason to leave my nice warm home.

The worst of winter may be over. The sun shone nearly all day and sunshine is predicted for the next six days. I did my volunteer work today. I help shop for groceries for seniors and Shut-ins. I think it is funny that I help "old people" because I am one of them myself. Three hours of walking the grocery aisles at least gives me a bit of exercise.

What am I doing ?

I don't quite know why I am doing this. I already keep a daily journal in an actual book. I don't really need this as well. Thanks Betty.