Watching the Birds

Lauren is an indoor cat but loves it when I go out on the deck to do things and she sits in the open doorway just watching the birds. She doesn't venture much further.

This was taken today when the garden was full of blackbirds all squawking!

I love springtime!

Yes, I love the springtime! My lawn is covered in these sweet little blooms. It's not time to cut the lawn yet for the first time but when it is, these little blossoms will be finished.

Red-Winged Blackbird

I'm sorry for my absence but I've been travelling to Hamilton almost every day for nearly two weeks to the hospital there to take my friend's husband to see his wife. She's had very major surgery and now there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel but I'm one very weary "camper"! But I took this shot of a Red-Winged Blackbird that was visiting on my deck. I'm trying to get used to this new camera but my photography has sort of taken a back seat for awhile but hoping that things will turn around after May 1.

"Listen Up! This birdseed is MINE!"

Doing the Two-Step Polka

On the way home from Hamilton, I stopped at the river and was giggling at the position of this goose!

Sunset over Guelph Lake tonight

Tonight, I got home late from Hamilton so I thought I'd go out and try the camera on a sunset. Not the greatest yet but I'll keep practicing.

Lovely sunny day

It was very sunny as we started our drive home to Guelph yesterday and I stopped to see if the swans were still nesting at LaSalle Park and they were really beautiful swimming around.

The sun was very, very bright and I tried not to have the whites blown out in the images. Not sure if I achieved this completely. Still getting used to my new camera.

Hamilton

I tried to upload a photo but it wouldn't post.

I haven't had much time at my computer as I've been spending the days in Hamilton, Ontario with my friend, Judy. I'm sure that things will get back to normal very soon.

Spring is coming.....really!

Yes, it's so lovely to see signs of spring. Even if the signs aren't as evident as in some places, it's great to see.

In Hamilton all day...

Hi folks...

I've been in Hamilton most of the day in the hospital visiting my friend so no time to take photos. Her big operation didn't take place since they x-rayed on Saturday and found her LEFT hip (her good one) dislocated. So they fixed this in an hour and a half operation.

She's very discouraged as is her husband.

Maybe some photos tomorrow as I won't be going to Hamilton but will be going on Wednesday.

"This is my good side, thanks!"

I had to go to Hamilton (south of Guelph) today to take my friend's husband to see my friend who has emergency surgery on Monday.

On the way home, I thought I'd have a peek to see if the geese and swans were nesting on Lake Ontario and never found this out but this sea gull didn't mind my taking his photo.

As well as trying to shake this crazy virus I've had since Jan. 9, I have my very close friend in the hospital in Hamilton, Ontario and will be spending a lot of time on the road driving her husband to see her and the surgery is on Monday so hopefully, I'll get to take some photos down there but if not, you'll know where I am.

Thanks everyone!

Last Year's Blossom

Along the riverbank are many of these. I have no idea what the blossom was last year! But my eyes were drawn to it as I walked in Riverside Park along the Speed River.

A cute little friend

As I sat in my car after walking along the river yesterday, this little fellow enjoyed some peanuts I threw out my car window.

A difficult day for my friend

The telephone rang this morning at 7:30 am. The caller on the other end of the line was my good friend, Judy. We've been friends since the 1960's when we met after our little family returned to live in Canada from Northern Ireland.

Judy was a vibrant, energetic, exuberant gal and often was seen jogging and swinging her two little children around in play.

Now, her poor body is ravaged with reumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. She wanted to make sure that I was awake and ready to take her to Hamilton for her check up after her sixth hip surgery six weeks ago. I assured her that I was getting ready and would be at her hospital here in Guelph in time to get her to the Hamilton Hospital.

Getting her into the car was difficult necessitating my lifting her from the wheelchair due to the severe pain but we finally were on our way. The appointment, though, turned out to be a very sad one for Judy and her husband. The news was not good. Many tears were shed. Her hip operated on six weeks ago is doing wonderful but her right hip, her "good" one, is not doing well and in six weeks, the "cup" that was inserted into that hip has moved up 4 mm into her abdomen causing a "gap", etc.

So, emergency surgery will be done, yet again, in about two weeks on this poor body. He guarantees nothing and even says that during the surgery, he might have to remove her complete hip and she will be confined to her wheel chair the rest of her life. And yet without the surgery, that is what will be the outcome as well. So, she's opted for the surgery to take place and if you believe in prayer, please say a prayer for my good friend, Judy.

After getting her back to Guelph late afternoon, I, too, was saddened by this news and took a walk with Geordie along the Speed River here in Guelph to do some thinking and praying for my dear friend.

Reflections Along the Speed River

Lovely Easter Weekend...

We had a GREEN Christmas and a WHITE Easter!

But the snow on Sunday didn't dampen our spirits at all as many of the family members gathered together to enjoy a huge meal together made by my eldest son.

Nice and clean now...

MY BUDDY

When my grandson was here the other day with his Daddy, he invited me for Easter dinner and "please bring Geordie too, Grandma!"

So, today, he went next door to my neighbour who has the best grooming business in her home. I send Geordie over and he yips at her door.

When he's done, she sends him home and he yips on my door!

And all this, "NO CHARGE!" She says he's the best she does. He stands there and she says, "Now, your other paw needs clipping and nails cut!" so up goes the other paw.

So, tomorrow we'll head north-east of Guelph to Orangeville to where my son lives and enjoy Easter dinner and then head home.

BUT... there's a blizzard outside right now so we'll make our minds up tomorrow.

Good Friday

Easter Lily

Since it's Good Friday, I thought that this might be a nice hymn to share:

Lily of the Valley
(Click to hear music)

I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.
Song of Solomon 2:1
Words: Charles W. Fry, 1881; first appeared in the Salvation Army's The War Cry, December 29, 1881.Fry wrote the lyrics in Lincoln, England, while working with the Salvation Army there.

Music: William S. Hays; adapted by Charles W. Fry

I have found a friend in Jesus, He's everything to me,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul;
The Lily of the Valley, in Him alone I see
All I need to cleanse and make me fully whole.
In sorrow He's my comfort, in trouble He's my stay;
He tells me every care on Him to roll.

Refrain
He's the Lily of the Valley,
the Bright and Morning Star,
He's the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.

He all my grief has taken, and all my sorrows borne;
In temptation He's my strong and mighty tower;
I have all for Him forsaken, and all my idols torn
From my heart and now He keeps me by His power.
Though all the world forsake me, and Satan tempt me sore,
Through Jesus I shall safely reach the goal.

Refrain

He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here,
While I live by faith and do His blessed will;
A wall of fire about me, I've nothing now to fear,
From His manna He my hungry soul shall fill.
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face,
Where the rivers of delight shall ever roll.

Refrain

Thursday, April 5

I went shopping yesterday...

Yesterday I had "cabin fever" and decided to go and do a few errands and I thought that inside the supermarket looked pretty colourful. I patiently waited to get everyone out of the picture!

The Organic Food Section

"Grandma! I can count by tens!"

"Grandma, may I show you that I can count by tens?" "Ten (and the fingers all go up and then down), twenty, thirty, forty, fifty..."

"...sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety..."

"ONE HUNDRED!!!"

"Grandma, did that make you a bit happier? I love you so-o-o much Grandma!"

How surprised I was this evening to hear a knock at the door and then find in the blowing snow, my son with little David standing at the door with take-out cups of hot chocolate. "Grandma! We brought a party for you!"

I so appreciated your comments and emails

Yes, I really did appreciate your messages. I had many. I've been feeling "under the weather" with the tail-end of an awful virus which has really taken its toll on various parts of this body including my lungs and so have been ordered to complete bed-rest.

Then on top of that, my dear friend passed away as a result of brain cancer which then went right through her poor body so quickly. It really hit me hard. Fifty-one years of age is far too young! She has four lovely children from 12 to 19 and a very sad husband.

During the past week and a half, I also received a lovely gift from one of the members of the Photography Cafe all the way from England. Was chatting with this fellow about another matter and then about six hours later, a knock at my door and I was presented with this lovely gift of flowers. Aren't they beautiful?