Pocketful of Memory Cards

Yesterday my beloved country turned 145 years old.  The weather forecast was for thunderstorms which did not bode well for the traditional downtown and lakefront celebrations.  I was very grateful when the sun came out mid morning and warmed things up for the rest of the day.  Even the evening was clear for the fireworks at Waterfront Park. Since Canada Day fell on a Sunday we get today off,  and on this holiday Gratitude Monday I am feeling extremely blessed to live in the true north strong and free .  Inspired by Mrs. Pear Tree's Canada Day post my gratitude list includes all of the things I am grateful for in this great country of ours. I'm grateful for: universal health care freedom of speech maple leaves (no, not the hockey team) faerie trees the discovery of insulin gun control Canadians (again, not the hockey team) picking strawberries on Canada day farmers Ryan Gosling Uclulet and Tofino halibut pickerel Americans (Despite t...

Today I'm feeling particularly grateful that: the box I sent via Greyhound from Whitby to Kelowna arrived safe and sound with with my mom's old photo album and hundred's of slides.  Paul Simon was right, Kodachrome gives those nice bright colours.  Even after almost 50 years they are vibrant and rich.  Can't wait to convert them to jpegs and get a good look at them. My friend Ann and her wife have come to Kelowna for a visit.  They're staying with another couple, but all four of them came for dinner last night and it was a great evening with lots of laughter, garlic, and a few rounds of  Canados  . I am Canadian .  We may not be perfect but we're not bad, eh? I can talk to my Dad almost any time I want for free.  Even though he's over 3,000 km away he sounds like he's right next door. I received my WSET Level 1 Award in Wines certificate today.  I passed the exam with a 90%. I met with the accountant today to figure o...

...it's gratitude Monday.  Almost fifteen years ago I joined a writing group along with three amazing women. We did all sorts of different projects mostly from The Artist's Way.  One multi-talented woman, I'll call her Lizzie, inspired me with a book she made for herself long before expressing gratitude was fashionable.  I think it was called "I Feel Rich When..", an illustrated collection of the little things in her life that made her feel rich.  I don't think she ever published it but I'm hoping she has it still.  Expressing gratitude is a great way to make you feel rich in all the ways that count and I truly believe it leads to an increase in reasons for gratitude. Today I'm grateful for: 71.  my friends both old and new, you encourage and inspire me and make me feel rich! 72.  the way so many of our plans seemed to go awry on our Venezuela vacation.  These changes led to some amazing experiences we wouldn't have had other wise.  ...