October Reading ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory of our friend Toni Taddeo.

Most people love to read.  It opens other worlds to us.  Autumn weather is often conducive to reading as weather can be chillier and rainy. Cozying up with a book can be a lovely way to spend some time.

How do you relax in the evening after dinner? 

By watching television, working on the computer or by reading a good book.

Do you read in bed? What kind of books do you read?

I do read in bed but not that often as I don't find it comfortable. I usually sit and read on my sofa.  I try to read all kinds of books but I tend to read more historical fiction than anything else.

Do you have a list of books you look forward to reading?

I keep a very long list of books to read and I'm always adding new titles. I can get most of them at my local library or have them sent there from the city's inter-library system. I seldom buy books these days because there are just so many available through the library.  I do get the itch to buy a book but will only buy them used and if they are a very good price at the thrift store on a rare visit there.

What is the best book you've ever read and why?  Or how about the worst book you feel you wasted time reading?

I have several books and authors I've read that I call 'the best'.  Some of my all time favourite authors are Mauve Binchy (Evening Class), Rosamunde Pilcher (The Shell Seekers),  Abraham Verghese (Cutting for Stone), Khalid Hosseini (The Kite Runner), Rohinton Mistry (A Fine Balance), Sandra Gulland (The Josephine B. Trilogy), Ken Follett (The Century Trilogy), Lisa See (The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane),  Karen Blixen (Out of Africa), Jane Austin (Pride & Prejudice) & Leo Tolstoy (Anna Karenina).  There are many more and so you see it is difficult to choose one best book and author. 

There have also been a few books that I feel I wasted time on. Some of them I plodded on and read them anyway.  But in the last few years I've started shelving them rather than waste time especially if I've dawdled over reading it and it's due back at the library.  One book that I can clearly recall not liking is President Obama's book "The Audacity of Hope" (I own this one and recently gave it away). I was quite surprised because I really enjoyed his book "Dreams of My Father".  I'm afraid I didn't keep good track of the others I've more recently shelved including a cosy mystery I tried reading last month. It was very highly rated but I could not get into it.

Other

This is a Public Service Announcement for Canadians. If you haven't yet heard about several bills that are currently before the Parliament of Canada for consideration, please pay attention to the following short video 

and the particular legislative proposals mentioned therein. Also, share this information as widely as you can.  The rights of citizens in virtually every nation around the world are being eroded before our eyes and Canada is no exception.

C 2 - Would Allow Canada Post to open your mail at the border without your consent.

C 5 - Could pull funds that are paid to provinces affecting national unity.

C 8 -  Would give the government power to order the shut down of all your Internet and phone if you are deemed to be a threat.  

C 9 - Changing definition of hate speech and giving government the power to charge you without Attorney General approval.

The above descriptions are taken directly from the video above, not through my own research. The next step is for people to do their own research and contact their local Members of Parliament with their concerns.

Here is a link to the bills currently before Parliament including the Bills I've mentioned above.

This link will take you to a page showing you the current status of each bill and identifies the stage of the legislative process they are currently in.

Last, but not least, here is a link to find your Member of Parliament should you need assistance.

 

Let's Blog ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome once again friends to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 (hosted by Annie at Cottage by the Sea) and how about talking about blogging this week since it's something we all do anyway. 

Get yourself a cuppa, come sit down at your computer and let's think about blogging for a bit. Blog is short for Weblog, a log or diary on the World Wide Web or internet.   Your journal or diary can hold personal stories, ideas, opinions of all kinds and can be private or public as you wish.  It is an excellant way to document your life or interests.

1. Why did you begin blogging?  

I started blogging many years ago when I was on an extended leave from work due to illness. The blog post archive says 2009 was the first year I blogged but I thought it was a year or so earlier. Anyway, I was looking for a way to do something creative and productive and I believe it was my youngest brother who told me about blogging.  Since I was sick I wanted to find a way to focus on the positive and uplifting things in life like nature's beauty and so on.  The blog seemed a good vehicle for expressing positivity.

2. What benefits does blogging offer you?

As mentioned, I started blogging as a way of focussing on positive things to encourage myself while I dealt with my own health issues and also the health challenges of a dear family member. Along the way, I expanded the blog topics to share about the missions in Kenya and document my creative and other daily activities so the blog became more or a journal of sorts.

3. Have you made friends from blogging?

Yes, I've made a few friends through blogging.  I've been fortunate to meet a few bloggers in person.  One in Canada who has since passed on and one in Kenya who now lives in South Africa.  There were plans to meet two other bloggers, one in Vancouver Island and one from Hong Kong but those plans didn't come to fruition.  I expect I'll get a chance to meet one or two other bloggers in due time.

4. Where do you get ideas for things you blog about? Do other bloggers influence you?

The last few years there have been a number of quirks and issues I've faced with the blogging platform, Blogger.  These problems resulted in fewer readers, followers and commenters.  Since I don't want to be talking to myself or blogging about things that are only of interest to me,  I've thought about giving up blogging altogether because it's discouraging when no one leaves comments or only one or two people seem to be reading.  However, I persevered and along the way, I've been encouraged by a few other bloggers.  Since I've been blogging, I noticed that so many others have started a blog and dropped by the way side.  Blogging no longer is the main social media tool for keeping in touch with others. Everyone seems to want instantaneous and new and have migrated to platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok and others.   

Sometimes I have many ideas for blogging and at other times I have no ideas. Blogging ideas can come in different ways: every day life, what I see on television, what I read and what I see around me.  Other bloggers influence me too especially when I read their uplifting posts, beautiful photos or heartfelt personal news.  I've also been inspired to try new recipes or crafts when I see what other bloggers are up to.

For some time now, I've been preoccupied with decluttering, household renos, condo business and old personal business so the blog has been in caretaking mode rather than robust activity and original content.  It's helped enormously to have a few memes to participate in to support my blogging efforts.  Once I've completed all old business, I'll be able to decide what direction to go with the blog.

Things to Ponder ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome back to another of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 memes hosted by Annie at Cottage by the Sea.

Across much of the USA autumn has arrived early.   

Annie writes that while she was enjoying her cuppa she was pondering a few things to do with her home and suggested we ponder a few questions.

Here are the questions she asked us to ponder:

1. If you could live in the world of any movie, which one would you choose and why?

When Harry Met Sally.  I chose the movie because of the wonderful fall scenery and because I love the vibe of New York City.

2. If you could have coffee or tea with a woman from history or from fiction come to life, who would that be and why?

Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I think she was such a courageous and strong woman to deal with being with child before being married and all the social stigma that must have arisen from that.  I'd love to talk with her about how she managed the stresses and responsibilities of becoming a mother in the way she did and also how she handled her married to Joseph.  I also think Joseph, the step-father of Jesus would be a wonderful person to speak with.  I've often thought what a wonderful man he must have been to support Mary in her condition and marvel at his obedience in following the message he received from the angels through his dreams. Surely he must have had many questions and most likely, even doubts about what he had to do. Another woman I'd like to speak with is Josephine Bonaparte. Her marriage to Napoleon only lasted for 6 years because she could not bear him a child. Even after their divorce they corresponded a lot and he continued to declare his love for her.

3. If you could create an autumn-themed festival, what unique events or foods would it feature?

I have no idea. I love festivals but I don't think I'd be good at planning them. Maybe some pumpkin carving, bobbing apples, face painting hay rides and warming drinks like hot chocolate and some good funnel cakes which we don't really get where I live. I think they now sell funnel cakes at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) an annual summer event. I went this summer (see my post here) but I didn't indulge in any sweet treats.

4. If autumn had a personality, how would you describe it, and what kind of friend would it be?

Warm, comforting, happy, peaceful yet invigorating.

Coffee or Tea? ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

The living cat on record, Creme puff,  lived to be 38 years old and was given coffee at breakfast all his life.  Breakfast for him was bacon, eggs, broccoli and coffee.

The previous owner of the record was Grandpa Rex Allen who lived to be 34 years old on the same diet.  Coffee reduces chances of Alzheimers, Parkinsons.  

Tea without adding milk can "tan" your bladder making for many problems .  Milk binds the tannic acid making it safe to drink.

Homemade food increases an animal's life span too.  Let's talk about it, okay?

1. Coffee increases a bee's memory and does the same for you.      Bees love caffeinated coffee  flowers.  What do you love about coffee or tea?

I love coffee for the smell and the taste.  The caffeine also perks me up enough to get going after a night's sleep.  I also love tea for the taste.

2. If you opened a tea or coffee shop in your neighborhood what would it be named?  How would you decorate it? Would pastry or cake be served?

Good question. I haven't landed on a name because I haven't thought much about opening such a shop.  How about "Perfect Potion" or "Chat and Brew", lol. As for decor, I envision a rustic interior with lots of wood and beams. The other option would be a shabby chic look. Cakes and pastries would definitely be on the menu because these sweet treats go well with tea and coffee.

3. Beethoven required 60 beans per cup of coffee.  How particular are you about your coffee or tea?

I am not that particular. I only require that the coffee or tea not be bitter.

4.  Italian clergy in 1600s  declared coffee the devil's brew and forbid it.  Pope Clement the VIII wanted to taste it, loved it and blessed it ... today, new research shows black coffee is drunk mainly by psychopaths.  Sweden banned coffee in 1746 as dangerous and Islam banned it for causing free thinking!  

How do you take your coffee you free thinking, radical and what's your favorite brand of devil's brew?

I take my coffee with cream, no sugar. My favourite canned brand is Maxwell House. My favourite beans if I buy at the coffee shop are Sumatra Java or Guatemala Antigua. I also like certain coffees from Ethiopia, Kenya and Columbia.  

I used to drink my caffeinated tea black or with lemon but these days I drink it with cream. If I drink herbal tea, I take it without cream or sugar.  My favourite at the moment is Rooibos from South Africa. I usually drink herbal tea at night when I'm relaxing before sleep.

The Art of Living ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where the idea is to promote blogging and friendships.

The art of living can be tricky and you need to know how it's done.  Life gives you lessons if you are paying attention.  Part of the art is knowing  how to see things as they really are.... 

Let's talk about your view on life..... 

1.  What gives your life meaning or purpose?    Why does it do that for you?

My faith in God and eternal life as a gift gives me purpose and meaning.  My faith helps me get through each day especially the hardest days.  The moral aspect of my faith is my moral compass that provides a direction in how I live my life and the ethics that go along with it.  

2.  How do you define success and happiness for yourself?  

Success and happiness is being able to do the things that give you joy and contentment. I also believe it's important to have good relationships with family and/or friends depending on your circumstances and to help others when you can.

3.  What lessons have your biggest challenges taught you?  

It's best not to worry too much. I say too much because though we're told in scripture not to worry, I think it's human nature to spend time worrying.  Some people worry more than others but the believer must try to cast their worries and cares upon our Heavenly Father.

4.  How do you want to impact the world or those around you?

I want to be remembered as someone who lived out her faith and inspired others to a life of faith. I also wish to be remembered as someone who brought joy to those around me and hope to others when they needed it most. I also wish to be remembered as someone who loved family and did her utmost to support them throughout life.

Bon Voyage ~ Tuesday 4

Wayfaring....

Welcome to Tuesday 4... here is a repeat from the first year.

1. Where have you traveled and what is the furthest you've been from home?

I've travelled to many countries but not as many as I would like. 

Firstly, I've been very privileged to have travelled to almost every province and territory in Canada. I still haven't been to Nunavut, the newest Northern Territory, Prince Edward Island (PEI, home of Anne of Green Gables) or to Newfoundland and Labrador and I likely won't make it to any of these places.

I've also made it to several US states (Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Maine, Delaware, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Florida.   Many of these places we were just passing through on the way to specific cities. Miami, Florida was a stopover on my trip to Peru and I stayed overnight just to see Miami Beach. For a variety of reasons, it was not a pleasant stay in. Miami and I won't be repeating it.

I've also been to Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Taxco) and Lima, Peru.  

In Europe, I've been to Germany, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Sweden and a small part of Norway.  I've also travelled to Paris, France but haven't seen any other part of France unless you count Versailles just outside of Paris. I'd love to travel much more of Europe however the weak Canadian dollar has always limited where I travel.  I'm still hoping to make it to a few more European countries before my travelling days are completely over.

I've also been to Australia several times (all down the east coast) and to the north Island of New Zealand in Oceania.  Last, but not least, I've been to Ghana in West Africa and many times to Kenya in East Africa, the latter of which I consider my second home..  

I'm not sure which country was the farthest from home but probably Kenya because it had the longest travel time.

2. Is there a location other than where you are, that you think would be a nice place to live?

I loved Far North Queensland, and in particular the City of Cairns. Sydney in the south was also very nice  and in their winter it reminded me a lot of where I live in Vancouver, Canada.  I'm not sure how I'd be in Australia's summer season in either of these places.  I don't do well in hot weather.  

I also loved almost every city I visited in Germany and I travelled to almost every region of German with Ahlen as my home base.  I loved the people I met, the aesthetics of each town, their festivals and lifestyles. The cities put people first and there were small parks everywhere (at least where I stayed much of the time) & recycling and bike riding was made super easy with bike paths and recycling bins everywhere.  

I also like a few Kenyan cities and towns, like Nairobi for the big city and Kericho for the smaller city.  The scenery, the wildlife and the people were all fantastic.  

In Canada, I love Montreal in Quebec because the city has a European ambiance.  But the winters are too brutal and too long for me now.  In summer it can be very humid but the city itself is beautiful.

3. Do you have a photo or story from a favorite place to visit?

I uploaded several photos here of a visit to Australia for a recent Tuesday 4 post.  The trip was many years ago before smart phones existed. I took so many photos during my travels over the years but didn't keep them organized.  Looking back, I see that most of the photos were terrible quality and rather uninteresting.  Now I'm beginning to go through them and throw them out little by little.  They aren't good so they are just adding to my clutter.  I really wish they were of better quality so I could share them.  Now that we use smart phones, the photo quality is much better.  I took the following photos on my last trip to Kenya. I didn't see too much even though I was there for 3 weeks.  I got very sick soon after arrival and spent much of my time trying to recover from a serious lung infection. 

View of residences in Parklands area of Nairobi, Kenya

In the foreground is the Oshwal Centre, the oval building in back is a mall

Movenpick Hotel in Parklands, Nairobi

A cafe at the renowned Lord Stanley Hotel in downtown Nairobi

A coffee with lunch at the Lord Stanley

Jonah, checking out the menu at Lord Stanley Hotel 

Nairobi City traffic

Side street in downtown Nairobi on a quiet Sunday

More city traffic

Traffic jams are notorious in Nairobi City though number of expressways are now open

Going to Utali College to visit a young friend

Passing a Hindu temple on the way to Utali College

Birds were everywhere in the trees at the Utali College grounds

4. What dream destination do you have tucked away in  your heart? Do you think you'll be able to visit them one day or are plans in the making?

One of my dream destinations is England.  So that would include London and not sure where else because there is just so much to do and see and I'll be lucky if I can get there once.  I'm thinking I'd like to see Bath and Devon but I also have a friend in Nottingham whom I'd love to see.  I'd also like to travel to Hungary and Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast.  

I'd still like to see more of Africa such as Egypt, Morocco, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and South Africa. I think some of this might be doable but it's hard to say given the state of the world today. Also the budget definitely doesn't go nearly as far these days and savings for such travels will take a lot of time.  Anyway, I have a long list of places to go, if and when the money is available.

Sandwich Time ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

Sandwiches are a lunch time favorite.  

In the 1930s two favorite sandwiches were ham, pickles and mustard and tuna with rice, capers, pepper and paprika.  I think it probably needed mayo!

Sandwiches can be a  simple peanut butter and jelly or a classy Monte Cristo.

1. What is your favorite sandwich and how do you make it?

I love a Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwich (2 slices of toast with strips of bacon and tomato with lettuce and mayo) or a grilled cheese sandwich if I'm making them at home. If I'm eating out I love a Clubhouse sandwich (on 3 slices of toast just like a BLT but with added turkey).  I also like a Baron of Beef sandwich.  Sometimes I'll go to Subway restaurant and have a Cold Cut combo sub which is basically a variety of cold cuts with cheese and vegetables but I haven't had any of these 3 sandwiches for a long time. Actually there a good many sandwiches that it's hard to narrow down what I love but these ones are the ones I find I tend to order most often.

 

2.  What is the best bread for making toast?  How about for making sandwiches?

I love a good white bread or sourdough loaf for making toast. I also like the same breads for making sandwiches.  We don't get Texas Toast bread here very often but I do love it for toasting when I do get it. I also really like the diabetic white bread from COBS bakery. It is perfect for toast and sandwiches.

3.  If you go out to eat for lunch are you more likely to stay with a safe choice or be more adventurous?

Most people consider me to be quite adventurous with food choices but in many ways I pick the safe choices. Once I've tried something I like I tend to order it often but then I'll experiment here and there and expand the repertoire.  I'm willing to try almost anything at least once.

4. Dagwood, hoagie, submarine, Po boy, grinder. Whatever they are called where you are, do you like them and if so what do you want on it?

Yes I like them. We tend to call them submarine sandwiches of which there are a great variety. Actually most people shorten submarine to 'sub'.  My favourite is the cold cut combo I mentioned in answer to question 1 above.  My local grocery store also sells a specific type of subway called Lumberjack. It's huge and it's loaded with all kinds of meats and vegetables. I will sometimes buy it for our dinner and we will eat it over 2 days (dinner and then a snack or lunch). That's how huge it is.

Unfortunately I don't have any photos of my sandwich orders but I think many of you will be familiar with how they look. After all this talk about sandwiches, I'm getting hungry.

Thank you for stopping by!

Summertime ~ Tuesday 4

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we ask just 4 questions each week to give you something to blog about, something to think about and a reason to visit other blogs!

♫Summer time and the living is easy says the song.  

So how is summer going for you? Let's talk about
it.....

1. How has summer been so far?  Has it been easy or hard or are things moving along as usual?  Is the weather getting you down or are you enjoying it so far?

Summer is going so-so. I would say things and are a bit hard since plans small and large aren't really going smoothly but I press on. That's the only way.

I'm dealing with a lot of needs around the condo building and also in my unit.  Most of the items are things that the strata management company needs to take care of but my part is paying for it or being around to permit access for the various workers that are coming.  When you need to provide access typically you are captive to someone else's schedule.

There is a lot more going on right now than is the norm so it's a good thing I haven't planned a summer vacay.  I don't generally leave my keys with someone else while I'm gone unless it's a family member and we don't have a resident caretaker.

Right now we're going through a bit of a warm spell.  We haven't really had high temperatures to date but July is usually the hottest month of the year.  I'm grateful that it hasn't been too warm and uncomfortable to date but when it is we rely on fans and open windows.

2. What have you been doing this summer?   Even the little mundane things count.

I've mostly been dealing with condo stuff and also making small and slow progress on my reorganizing efforts. I'm keeping up with the cleaning, recycling and household routines. It's all rather boring but it gives me a lot of satisfaction to be able to keep up with things or to make a bit of progress on the bigger things I want to do. I've also been taking care of a lot of paperwork and medical stuff.  Not just for me but also for a niece who is going through mobility issues and needs some big medical equipment purchases. 

3. What are you going to do?   Any plans? What interests you this summer?

I would dearly love to take a trip.  But it's out of the question.  There are costly renovations that need to be paid for in early 2026 and we are saving up for that even though we don't know what the anticipated bill is yet. We won't know that until February 2026.  

As much as I'd really love to travel out of country all the problems around the world right now make me feel it is not safe.  Anything can happen in an instant and also right now there have been so many flights being cancelled all around the world and even right here at home.  I've also been looking at travels within my own country but the cost is very high.  It's one of the reasons Canadians travel abroad quite often but also the timing isn't quite right with everything going on. I want to be able to travel with my dear husband and his schedule is not permitting it right now. Nor is mine with all the condo business that requires attention.

I have some relatives that are supposed to visit me this summer.  One has called to delay her trip - again to the end of the summer.  I hope she makes it as we like to travel around the city and see the sites while the weather is good.  Two other relatives said they were visiting but they didn't say exactly when they were coming.  I haven't seen them in at least 5 years so I hope they can make it. They live rather far from me. Actually all of my closer relatives live a long distance from me so it is hard to see one another very often.

I used to do a lot of things in the summer like attend festivals and exhibitions.  Now that I'm older I just like to take it easy at home and avoid the crowds and the hot weather. I'll spend time relaxing through reading and hobbies, spend a bit if time catching up with a few friends and trying to keep the 2 gardens blooming. 

4. It's been hot in most of the country  How are you weathering the heat ?  What are your ideas for staying cool in the hottest weather of summer.

We really haven't had excess heat here in Vancouver for which I'm grateful. I hope that the temperatures will continue to remain bearable. To help stay cool on very hot days, I drink a lot of water, sometimes a bit of watered down and very cold juices, use cold towels on my neck, keep the blinds drawn and the fans going. When the temperature cools a bit I open the windows to let in the fresh air.

Off To Work We Go - Tuesday 4

Welcome to Tuesday 4 started by Toni Taddeo and kept going in honor and memory of her.

This week we go back 5 years to ask again about work....

This week is about work.

1. Describe the best job you ever had why was it good? (if it was awful, tell us about that instead).

I've had many good jobs. One of my earlier best jobs was working for a national non-profit organization in our nation's capital city. I was reviewing education legislation with a view to recommending changes.  This was just one aspect of a nation wide study and not so terribly interesting. But other parts of the study were short staffed and the rest of us had to help out. It meant I got to travel to far flung locations in the country to meet and interview people. I was able to get to places I would not ordinarily get to and a few I had already been through.  I enjoyed it a lot because we were basically setting our own schedules in the field, away from office politics and it was summer with great weather. I had the opportunity to travel to even more locations but I declined due to timing, fatigue and other work needs.

2.  How did you learn to do your job?

No one taught me anything. Basically all of us were simply expected to know how to do our jobs and for the most part, we did through a combination of education, work experiences and an awareness of the end goals of the project.

3. You are now in charge of your town's public relations committee.  Tell us why we need to move to your town.

You will love it here (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada)  because we have everything you could possibly want in a place to live. We have immigrants from all around the world.  They bring their cultures and foods with them so you can experience the kind of food you like at a variety of festivals and restaurants.  

English Bay in the West End

Our temperatures are relatively moderate and the winters though sometimes cold with snow are milder and shorter than the rest of the country.  The natural beauty here is to die for with majestic mountains and fantastically beautiful ocean front. If you prefer the fresh water, there are a number of destinations that are not too far away where you can take a weekend getaway and spend some time in a cabin by the lake or river. 

English Bay looking west to the mountains & Pacific Ocean

English Bay

Looking to the North Shore Mountains from Downtown

Spring at False Creek

False Creek looking north to downtown Vancouver

False Creek with a view northeast

Aquabus at Granville Island Public Market

If it's culture you enjoy we have all manner of concerts in every type of musical genre, a variety of regular sporting events, festivals, museums, attractions for adults and families and last but not least, the weather is suited to a great variety of sporting activities.

Rolling Stones Concert

Leora Cash, local Jazz Musician

Star Wars Movie with Live Orchestra

Early Music Vancouver

Aboriginal Day at Trout Lake

4.  It's lunch time! Build your perfect sandwich for us.. what's in it and on it and what's in our cups?

My perfect sandwich is a toasted, lettuce, bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich.  For a drink we can have home made lemonade, not too sweet. If you prefer we can have cold tea with some ice cubes and freshly squeezed lemonade and then you add your own honey.   The sandwich may not be the healthiest lunch but it's tasty and eating it now and then won't hurt too much.