Pocketful of Memory Cards

It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home .   - Anonymous I've never been very sentimental about houses.  To me a house is a collection of things - wood, nails, glass and paint.  A  home  is what you make with your family.  When you pack up your belongs  from one place, home goes along with you in your heart, to be unpacked in your new place.  I just can't relate to friends who sigh and say how much they are going to miss their house when they move.  Maybe it's because I enjoy change.  We moved four times in the first four years we were married, and we've lived in eight different houses all together.  We're working on getting into number nine this year.   The process has been a little stressful and Monday morning I dreamed the realtor called and told me "You're listing your house tomorrow."  The thought of that made my husband and I laugh when I told him about it at breakfast.  It...

This morning I'm feeling grateful for the things that surround me, that are often taken for granted. I'm grateful for running water and hot water heaters. I'm grateful for the radio and the internet. I'm grateful that I can go to bed in comfort and not fear being robbed or attacked in the night. I'm grateful my children are healthy and kind. I'm grateful for bacon and creative bandaid makers I'm grateful my husband has a job to support us and it's one he enjoys. I'm grateful for the deal where I cook and my husband does the dishes. I'm grateful for the opportunities and help I've had writing Reg's memoir. All that we behold is full of blessings.  ~William Wordsworth

I've been here in Ontario for a little over a week now, hanging out with my Dad and visiting with friends.  Though the old highschool "gang" is scattered across the globe, a few still remain in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).  It warms my heart to be able to contact them without warning when I arrive and after almost 30 years of very infrequent visits, hear them ask "When can we get together?"  I'm so grateful to have gotten to know this terrific group of people (we miss you so much Colin).  I moved here in the middle of Grade 11 and it took me a good year before I discovered where I belonged.  Best thing that could have happened to me. They were and are awesome! Today on Gratitude Monday, I'm also thankful for the flexibility in my life that allows me to help my Dad when he needs me. I'm thankful for Shelly Purdy who met me in the burbs rather than making me come all the way into her studio via Go-train and subway....

Our flight left Los Roques at 2:00 today and we knew we wouldn't have time to get to another beach so we wandered around the island enjoying the painted buildings in their pastels, the meandering dogs and the friendly people. I was really sorry we had to leave so soon.  There were many more beaches to see, mangroves, snorkeling and diving.   We walked all over the place, even at night and I never felt nervous at all.  Ok, I did feel nervous when we accidentally found ourselves behind the building for the Venezuelan National Guard, in the dark, but other than that I never worried about getting mugged or anything like that. photo by Mike Young photo by Mike Young I love this  because of the way the the wooden shutters are worn on this side of the building...it's kind of the opposite of trempl'oeil.  It looks painted but it's real.

Hello Gratitude Monday.  Today I'm thankful for: 45.  the opportunity to nap during the day.  It's so cozy, curled up on the chesterfield with the fluffy blue blank over me.  Pitou sunggles into the crook of my knee,  Max curls himself into the corner of the couch and we all catch some z's. 46.   less joint and muscle pain since I stopped drinking coffee eight days ago. 47.   the ability to share with those less fortunate.  This year for a change from the Salvation Army, we chose the Be a Santa to a Senior program. 48.  my husband, because I can never say thank you enough. 49.  my children who make my day whenever we spend time together  -whether it's on the phone, in the kitchen or on a dog walk.

While having a turn out the other day, I came across this framed "essay" by the artist/writer known as  Sark . I think what she's saying is:  Spend quality time with your kids!   I wanted to run out of the house and whack it over the head of  give it to a woman who was walking down the street with her two elementary school aged kids yesterday morning.  One blonde headed cutie skipped along on either side of her whilte she sauntered between them, head down, texting and smiling to herself. (Parents ignoring their kids while on cell phones is a pet peeve of mine.)   Instead, since my kids are grown, I passed the picture onto a friend who was spending time with her pre-schoolers at the Farmer's Market  today.  There's so much that's happened in our lives since our kids were little and I've treasured so many things we've done together.  Though it doesn't seem like it was "only yesterday",  it does seem like the time was much t...