Weaseling Out on Wednesday.......Kinda

I was nominated for an award last week by Chris over at Grow Fish Eat. Thanks for this Chris. Check him out if you haven't already....he has a wicked sense of humour and a vast thirst for life. Plus he is very handy to have around!

I used to be  of two minds about awards. First, I didn't see the purpose for them. I thought that they were just a gimmick to get people to read and follow you (which of course is true but that's OK) and if they saw that you had tons of awards then you must be good at this blogging thing (which is sometimes true too!).

I have recently begun to see that it is also a great opportunity to also get to know the blogger a little better and also get to meet the blogs that they like and recommend.

I do respect the fact that some people have 'award free' blogs and that is their choice.

So I humbly accept this Versatile Blogger award and now have, or choose to  share a few things about myself. Honestly this IS the hardest part for me. I am never comfortable about revealing things about myself.....and all that therapy too! lol

This is what the award looks like and I am sure you have seen it around.


Now to the task of unmasking a few layers: 


1. I've always hated eggs. They made me sick (literally) since I was a baby. Last year I went to a NAET (Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique) practitioner and she cleared me . I have had an egg every morning since.

2. I am one of nine kids and wouldn't have had it any other way.

3. Tried out for 'little league' baseball when I was around 11 years old....never made it! And I loved baseball! Still do.

4. The best teachers I had were nuns with the exception of Miss Burke my grade 6 teacher.

5. The worst teachers I had were just plain old miserable people some of which were nuns as well.

6. The kindest person I have ever known was my mother.

7. The most difficult person I have known was my mother. I loved her dearly but that's just how it was.

There! That's done.

It is now my task to nominate others for this award. This is the part that makes my crazy! As I follow and enjoy a lot of blogs. But the ones that immediately come to mind are: ALL OF THEM! I follow all my followers and recommend you take a look and pick a few that look appealing to you. Each are interesting in their own right.

So Chris, there you have it. I do appreciate that you took the time to include me in your award.

Laughing Out Loud

The above 'clip' shows the 'hoochie-koochie' side of Charo. 
It also starts a new, themed post called Laughing Out Loud which will appear on Tuesdays.

    Charo the Grand Marshal of the parade.


I realized while on vacation how important it is to laugh....out loud! Besides, I have a great teacher in Ron who has been teaching me to do so for a few years now.

                             Ron with two woman who were just walking by in P'town.....






                       

Contemplative Monday

Last Monday a Canadian politician died after a courageous battle with cancer. His name was Jack Layton and he was 61 years old.

Jack, everyone called him that, was the leader of the official opposition in Parliament. He and his party, the New Democratic Party, had just won that title back in May. This was the first time in Canadian history that a social democratic party won so many seats in government, let alone become the official opposition!


I guess this would be much the same as the status of the present Republican Party in the US....not enough 'seats' to govern but enough to have to be listened to.


The funeral was on Saturday and it was a State Funeral telecast live on the networks here in Canada. It was very moving and heart-breaking to watch....even if you didn't support his views.


I have supported this party for 30 years and was thrilled when they had such a strong 'showing' this past election. I, along with millions of other Canadians, have been shocked and saddened by his death.


During the funeral ceremony the Assembly of  First Nations National Chief, Shawn Atleo performed an aboriginal blessing. It kind of snapped me out of sadness of it all and brought me back to 'basics' of why we are here in the first place.


It was truly a time of reflection and contemplation of a very humble and compassionate human being.

Sunday's Selection

On a warm summer evening last week Ron and I sat in a packed auditorium in Provincetown to enjoy a performance by Charo. I hope this provides a peaceful beginning or a quiet ending to your Sunday.

The above are photos of an empty Town Hall in which the concert was held.

P'town in Pictures

So good to have a change of scenery. You know what 'they' say...a change is as good as a rest.  We didn't get much rest!

We were in Provincetown, Massachusetts for 8 days.In case you don't know where this place is it is at the very tip of a very large sand dune called Cape Cod.

Lots of walking and lots of watching the 'sights'! Some of these were from the 'pre-parade' parade of people.

What a great town! Did you know that it is considered the most dog-friendly place in America? Don't tell Sophie that! lol

It was Carnival Week when we were there. It was a blast seeing everyone just 'being themselves' with no fear of recrimination from anybody.


The galleries were incredible! One could spend days just visiting these. 

We bought one from here...the one in the lower left corner. We knew exactly were it would go in the house.

I think I know what distinguishes Americans from Canadians.....population. Canada has 30 million people while the USA has over 300 million! I can appreciate how this can shape a country. We have so much in common with the States but more room to do it.


It was so good to be able to hold hands with Ron without causing heads to turn and comments to be said. It's the 'little things' that we miss being able to do. So for a week we could be who we are. It was nice. This is so taken for granted by so many people.

Since it was Carnival Week there was a parade. There were 100,000 people in this little town of 1350 ! We were advised that if we wanted to get good pictures we should go to the east end of town where it begins and before it hits the 'downtown' section of Commercial Street. So we did. And this is where we were 'stationed'. Not many people at first, but eventually it was as though they were coming out of the woodwork!



Some 'practice shots' of Ron across the street.


And the parade finally started!

The parade marshal was Charo. The night before we saw her in concert. There was a little a her 'hoochie, koochie' (she said this was what gave her the $$$$ to pursue a career in Spanish guitar as well. Two thirds of the show was guitar....and was it good! Who would have thunk!

As I said, her concert was very good. At first she talked quite a bit and would get all excited....I had no clue what she was saying but she was entertaining and we were glad we got to see her. I remember seeing her on the Ed Sullivan show when I was a kid......how old is this lady?! She did say that she was 250 years old! At least that's what I thought she said. Whatever, she plays a mean guitar!!


Instead of trying to fit/show every picture taken on our holiday, and to spare you the time that would take, as we took a combined total of 5000 photos, I will be posting pics for the rest of the year! lol

                             The Pilgrim Monument in the centre of town.

Time to Take A Break

We are heading south very early Sunday morning.

Sophie will be at her favourite 'home away from home'.....at least that's what she told me!

We are going to the New England states.....specifically Massachusetts. But in order to get there by car it is necessary to drive through Maine which has a terrific coastline, and a small portion of the state of New Hampshire, along their coast.

We are staying in Provincetown which is at the very uppermost tip of Cape Cod. Of course we will be taking a few photos which we will share with you upon our return to blogland.

Until then, be safe and enjoy yourselves. See you in two weeks.

Thinking Out Loud

Ever wonder if you'll ever see the day when the whole world will be at peace?

Do you think that the violence in our communities will continue as long as humans are around?

Will there always be greed in the world and people who will do anything to get what they want?

What is this whole thing called 'power' that a lot of us feel we need to survive?

What do you do to 'get through your day' when all these things are so pervasively around us?

All In A Day's....Work?

This is Ron, my husband, on a typical day in our 'neck of the woods'.

As you may have noticed, we love to photograph everything in sight....well almost!

Ron has turned into quite the photographer.......particularly since we got Sophie, our dog, four years ago.

His main goal every day is to get some 'shots' of her.....where ever they may be.

Ron has always had an artistic side. When we first met it was not unusual to see him sketching in pen and ink.

So when blogging came into his life a whole new world was opened up in which to express himself.

Photography is a great way to not only 'capture the moment', it also affords an opportunity to vent your creativity.

And you know what? It doesn't matter one iota what kind of camera you have. Have you ever seen some 'phone' shots? They are good!

I took a photography course a few years back and the first thing the instructor said was:'If you expect to learn how to operate a camera, then you are in the wrong course!'

What he wanted us to learn was to 'see'.......use our eyes. I guess he also meant for us to learn to 'think outside the box'. One assignment was 'houses'. I did a whole series on chimneys in my Vancouver neighbourhood.

So if you don't already, why not get any camera you can get your hands on and get out (or for that matter stay in) and start snapping!!! You may surprise yourself and tap into the creative side of your brain.