Through the Woods

Went to a beach we hadn't been to in a few months yesterday. It's called Conrad's Beach. 'Conrad' is a common surname in this area. They were part of the original settlers.


Instead of heading towards the beach, we took the left-hand path through the woods.


Had a feeling it would be 'rough-going' along the path because of all the rain lately, but due to the freezing temps the past two days, the path was frozen....mostly.

                   Ron managed to get one foot wet!
Being winter, the lichen was very obvious and actually looked like snow at first glance.

                      Lichen.
Strange looking stuff, this lichen. It is completely covering most of the fallen trees along the path.

All of a sudden Sophie took a path to the right and off she went. She knew that this would get her to her favourite 'summer' beach. Into the river she went! And out so fast I couldn't get a pic of it.

                   Out of the woods to the Lawrencetown River which flows into the Atlantic Ocean.


So down along the river's edge we went to the main beach. Ron and Sophie were far ahead of me, as I was busy taking photos of things.

Good thing they left footprints behind so I could find them!!

Ramblin' Wednesday

Wish I could be more spontaneous at times, especially with these posts.


I have noticed that some bloggers appear to just start 'talking' and end up with a really good conversation going.


I guess I am too much of the 'want-to-control-the-post' kind of blogger.....have to know where it is going and don't trust myself just letting it go!

I do try at times to just 'empty' my brain.....but it is so against my nature. Guess you could call me a 'control' freak.


Dropped in to see my Dad today by myself. I wanted to ask him how it was doing. A few of us sibs were concerned about all the daily 'alone time' he has.


He was sitting in his chair reading the paper. And whenever anyone shows up, he stops what he is doing and gives you his full attention.

I have often wandered what it was really like for him on a daily basis. Here he is, a man who has had a very full life raising nine kids and caring for a wife who was often not well enough to do anything.


He worked very hard to support us by selling cars. That's right, selling cars. Sometimes if he didn't sell anything, he wouldn't make any money that week! Thankfully, he managed to get on salary as well as commission.


He said today that he didn't know how he did it at times. I said that things were different 'back then' and that he didn't spend money frivolously.....didn't smoke, drink and didn't have much of a 'social' life. 

I often wandered as well....how did they do it? I can barely look after myself, let alone 11 people!


Usually there is someone there every day to bring lunch....but that is only for an hour at the most. We are thinking about getting someone for 2-3 hours a day....just to be there to keep him company and to do 'light house chores'. We'll see.

I just can't imagine what it is like for him at this stage in his life. The good thing is that he is still in his own home and does have a family who takes care of his needs. We hope he will be in his house forever and will not have to go to a nursing home.


Gee, this wasn't so bad. I actually just rambled on, in a way. I'm learning.

Variation on a Theme Tuesday

                      Mossy splash of colour.


Got this idea from a fellow blogger, Debra, from She Who Seeks, for today's post.

You take the first sentence from the first post from each month of the past year and put them all together to see what you end up with. Could be interesting enough.....there may be a recurring theme you had throughout the year, or a variety of everything.  I started blogging on February 21, 2010. Let's see how mine will 'look':


This being my first blog, I have no idea in which direction the conversations/opinions will take me.
Just sitting here talking with Ron and we both realized that it was March already and that we hadn't even noticed the winter we had this year.
Our nieces (2) were home for a few days and we went to their parent's home for dinner and games. 
We just got back from a friend's place for lunch.
Took to the beach yesterday earlier than usual. 
My fair country, Canada, is 143 years old today!
My niece, Meghan, sent me this You Tube clip.
Waiting for the latest update on the status of Hurricane Earl heading our way.
You can't get any more 'retro', as this post will tell, than taking a look at the 1970's.
"Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going? 
Come along on a walk with me in our garden this bright and sunny morning on the first day of December.

Well, there you have it ! Makes sense to me because I wrote them. It does give one a 'snapshot' of the year and the topics covered.


Just want to let you all know that I have really enjoyed meeting you this year and look forward to your posts this year! 

Happy Birthday

On a very cold winter's night in the tiny town of Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada, a baby boy was born. This does have a familiar 'ring' to it doesn't it?! lol

It was January 3, 1950 and it was well into the evening. His parents were looking forward to their second child and so was his four year old brother.

Three nights previous his parents were celebrating New Year's Eve at the local Lion's Club hoping a little bit of activity (dancing) would 'encourage' him along!

No way! He waited for three more days.........way too cold 'outside' for him.

When he finally arrived, his parents had decided to call him Ronald after Ronald Coleman, the British actor.

Ronald, the baby, would remain in Wolfville for two more years until his father, a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot, was transferred to North Bay, Ontario, Canada. He was training there before going to Korea.

In a very short time Ronald's father was accidentally killed.....it was called a 'flame out'. His plane crashed.

The family moved back to Wolfville to restart their lives. Ronald and his brother grew up there and eventually attended the local university.

And it was there at the university that I happened to meet Ronald.....Ron, my husband.

Today is his birthday and  he probably would have kept it very quiet. No way! What are husbands for anyway?! But to 'spread the word'! lol


I just want to publicly wish Ron a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today!!!!! He deserves much more attention than he gets!


He is the most generous person I know and has a wicked sense of humour..........always finds the funny side of life. His father was the same way I hear. It would have been very interesting to have both of them in the same room..........contagious laughter!


Here's to you Ron! Have a great day.

Contemplative Monday

“Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money, power, and influence.” -Henry Chester

I borrowed this quote from Tiny Buddha a blog to which I subscribe. The blog's author is Lori Deschene who daily 'sends out' simple words of wisdom by various people.

Sunday's Selection

For one moment our lives met, our souls touched.
~Oscar Wilde

I have heard and seen this clip before and maybe you have too. It just doesn't get old.

What a better way to start a brand new year with something that is so inspirational and warm. Can you just imagine how good everyone would feel if this became a common occurrence in this very 'torn-up' world of ours.


Maybe things will change in 2011 and we, the peoples of the world, will become more compassionate with one another.

Retro Saturday

Since it's the 'tail end' of the Christmas season, I thought I would show you the related retro items I picked up recently. 

As you can see Prince William's namesake had a hand in producing this. Actually I have no idea what company produced this little plate. But there is a company with that name that produces mugs only.....who knows?!

This plate is a little bigger than the first and it looks like it was made here in Canada. Can't come up with any info on it. But it fits the season with all the colour!

This 'collectors'/commemorative plate caught my attention because of the date....1974, a very good year for me!

It was made in Japan and is for 'show'/hanging only....no food allowed on this plate! Too much lead probably!

This tiny, little Santa (about one  and a quarter inches) is porcelain and just to cute to pass by.

And lastly is this dessert-server......my favourite of the bunch! Love the colouring and the 'Frosty' theme.

There! That should just about do it for Christmas for another year! Time to move ahead into a new decade and new adventures in 'thrifting'.


All the best to everyone and a very Happy New Year to all of you. Here's to 2011!!!!