Tuesday, November 24, 2015

A This and That Sort of Post

... Well, that was a night! I went to bed ~11:15 and saw 12, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the clock. I'm sure I did some light sleeping in those hours, but what the heck was that about? I thought maybe I had forgotten my pill, but I hadn't. While I sometimes have short or restless nights, that was very unusual. Oh well, it's not like I have to work in the salt mines today. An hour or so with the kids this morning and again this afternoon is entirely do-able ...

... Speaking of the kids, we had a nice afternoon with them on Sunday because it was time to trim their tree. We have had tree decorating parties for a long, long time. Back in the day, my parents would come over to help decorate ours. Val would also drive from Brantford to Sarnia for the day or weekend. They are all gone now, but the memories linger. Times change, and my daughter now has the parties at her place, and we are the attendant grandparents ...

.... The weather is strange. Usually El Nino years result in colder than average Novembers around here (no, I don't know why), but it has been a pretty mild month all over Canada from what I understand. The last few days have been getting colder but have still been tolerable. Still no snow, for which I am grateful. It's odd because they have had snow in the usually milder and less winterish southwestern Ontario. I don't mind snow or winter, but both last a long time around here, so I am happy enough for the delay ...

... Speaking of snow, I have an appointment to have the snow tires installed on Thursday. They will be on for at least four months ...

... When snow does come, however, it will look less bleak around here. With no leaves on the trees and usually overcast weather, it can look pretty dull ...

... Yesterday, I printed out a large (13x19) family photo from the weekend when my daughter and her partner visited from Vancouver. Then, I put together and also printed a collage from that weekend ...

... Sue reads books by subscribing to Audible and listening to them. She finds it easier on her eyes. I generally prefer to read, but every now and then, I will listen as well. Recently, I listened to The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny. It was the tenth of her Inspector Gamache series. I think it has become my favourite detective series, even more than the British ones. But I suspect that's a changing taste. It is nice to be read to every now and then. Listening slows me down, and I probably get more out of the book that way. Overall, however, I still prefer to do my own reading ...

... I trust that for most of us the world is calming down a bit. There is so much hysteria after an attack like that. I understand that reaction, but I hate the inhumanitarian opinions about refugees. I am pleased that Canada is determined to bring in 25 000 within the next month or so. Most Canadians are on board with this although there is some apprehension about the speed. Women and children will be the priority. Single men will not be included this time. I understand that, but I don't like seeing one group singled out and excluded ...

... If you go to this page, you can see a touching video about some of the work that Samaritans Purse is doing with refugees as they land in Crete. My late brother-in-law supported this organization, and we made a donation to SP upon his passing last fall ...

... I guess that's enough blathering for now. I will attach copies of the two photos that I mentioned above. I am trying to print a little more lately, despite the cost of ink, which runs out even more quickly when you're printing large sheets. But there's something about a print ...

You've seen a version of this previously, but I really like the print.

This is the collage that I put together: The title says the A Team since the girls' names bother begin with A.
CP is the short form of our town — Carleton Place.







13 comments:

Country Gal said...

I have had tuff nights like that and I take sleeping pills I find if I have a big dinner then by the time I go to bed and take my pill it takes longer to work the less I have in my tummy by bed time it works better , If you eat with in a few hours before you go to bed or just before, your body cant rest as it is busy digesting your food and it keeps you awake science lol ! Or your body gets immune to the sleeping pill and have to get the dosage changed . As for the winters I being a former farmer and having to take note of the weather and have always been a weather buff because I am also a nature photographer I find our winters start later and are more mild,and we get less snow, sure we get cold snaps but compared to how they were 15 years ago yeah the climate is changing and becoming warmer even the migration of birds has changed . Lovely portraits . Thanks for sharing , hope you get a good nights sleep soon ! Have a good day !

Marie Smith said...

I enjoy the glimpse into your life in Ontario. You do such a great job on the pictures too. I am only now learning how to change the picture size of my pictures, inspired to do it by other bloggers like you.

I agree with you about the refugees. A local Church here in Summerside is bringing in two families so we can support them. There was a family brought to Charlottetown last month. They were so happy finally to be safe. I was glad that the provincial premiers appeared to be satisfied with the plans for the refugees yesterday. I also heard that Canada will bring in single gay men who are not safe where they are. That is a good thing at least. It is great that we are opening our doors to others to come to this country like our ancestors did previously. Unless we are from Indigenous ancestry, we are all immigrants.

TexWisGirl said...

enjoyed your this-and-thats. a nice meander thru your life at present.

the collage turned out really neat. those dimples!!!! wow!

Shammickite said...

Love that collage of family photos, wish I was clever enough to do that. Or maybe I wish I was clever enough to buy the right kind of photo software so I could do that.
And my recommendation for a sleepless night..... Ovaltine. And if that doesn't work, get up and do something useful, like clean the oven. You'll soon want to go back to bed.

troutbirder said...

I too like to do books the old fashioned way. Tried tapes during trips to Florida. It worked and it didn't. My spouse drive I put my head back, tip the chair back. It's good. I drive and the book is on and its downright dangerous. A really good book really holds my attention. Apparently multi tasking is not for me. Just plain not safe as my attention wanders.....

Donna said...

I'm up at all hours myself...hohummmm...but I refuse to clean the oven...Hahaaa
Love the collage...and I agree, All those dimples! Too sweet!
hughugs

Kerry said...

Nice collage! I'm into those colorful glasses & wish I had a pair or two like that.
It's dismaying to hear the anti-refugee rhetoric, isn't it? I'm proud of Canada's response and hope that we in the US can be more rational about this humanitarian crisis. The anti-Obama crowd is being very ugly about it, turning it into a partisan issue without looking at the facts.
I hope it snows for you soon, brightening your landscape and encouraging long naps indoors.

Mara said...

Some nights are just for giving up on sleep and do something else entirely.

We had some snow flakes the other day, but nothing to really write home about (although I did blog about it). We are not expecting a lot of snow this side of Norway, but it is always good to be prepared in case it does.

I love the photo of you all around that big wheel. I am just wondering though: what happened to your daughter´s husband?

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm with you about the refugees...and I'm proud of Canada too. I haven't listened to a book in quite a long time as I too enjoy reading, but I think there's a time and place for both ways to enjoy a book. Wonderful family collage!

Lorna said...

I am so impressed with your collage! I have only met you and Sue, but I count you and all your kids within my circle of people I care about, so that collage was a treat for me.

MARY G said...

Great shots and I love the way yu have layered the collage. The A Team hair is simply hilarious. Or do I mean hairlayerious. Um, sorry.
I am also having white night problems. I wonder if the November weather is so gloomy that I do not get enough activity during the day.
Snow tonight in the forecast.

Ginnie said...

The collage is commendable but I love your first one with the two wee ones peeking over the huge tire ... adorable.
On a serious note I must tell you that I envy your country having such a humanitarian attitude toward the refugees. I am ashamed of all the hatred that is oozing out of the U.S. and so much of it being inflamed by that idiot Donald Trump. Shame on them.
As to listening to books ... it is sure to put me to sleep so I stick to the old fashioned hold-in-your-hand book.

Norma said...

It's been a long time since I stopped by; your photos are still wonderful and the grands are charming.