I think you are to reflect at this time of year. Look back,see what you could change,look forward and hope. Looking back ...well I really don't want to,I realize that I spent the first three weeks of this year hanging onto life,barely.  The next 4 months being tortured,still mad about that, and these events are happily left behind. But I stop and think what did I learn? Well,first stay away from hospitals unless it's the last resort, hope you get a good nurse to change dressings,I didn't, and celebrate health. If you think you are not healthy than fix it! Start the New Year by making a pac that you are going to be good to yourself this year. I realize that my impatiences with myself healing was counter productive. So this year I plan on being productive,no counter!!! LOL!!! We as women expect so much of ourselves,tough we set standards that are so hard to reach. We go on little sleep and expect to function well. We take care of everything and everyone and generally do nothing for ourselves.

I have met so many strong ,wonderful women here. Lovely creatures that just amaze me with their giving attitudes and what they have to cope with but yet they are always there. I think we need to take time for ourselves and appreciate who we are and what we do. So there is my one big thought from 2007, Ladies,even though life keeps you hopping,take time to realize how truely wonderful you are!!!

I learned I was to be a Grandmother. Exciting! After a rough start it's coming closer! Yippie! DIL now has the pregnant belly and you can see the newest family member moving in there!!! I really want to be a Grandmother,I'm so ready for it! So hurry up 2008!!

So you know you have to hear about this. My phone call was 2007 and now HURRY up 2008 cause Janice is going to come here! Not being the patient type(I have found this out about myself,surprise!!!) ,this is one thing to savour and truely look forward to! Well how would you feel if you knew Janice was coming to visit you??? Yippie times millions!!!

I look back on 2007 and see hard patches,funny times and serious things to deal with. I see life rolling along and sometimes taking me with it unthinking. I don't want that and strive to be in the moment and appreciating each moment and situation. I tend to worry about the how's and why's and look ahead with too much fear for how things will be handled. So I ask of the powers that be to temper me in this fault. I ask the powers that be to grant my wish for the year of 2008 to be fabulous for those I know here in our little community. I have wonderful friends here that I cherish so very much. I have the desire to know many more on this special level. I would like for everyone to draw family near this year,to have friends that are there wether the mood be happy or trying, for all to reach a little out of their comfort zone and extend love when it is hard to do so. My biggest wish is that all experience joy and wonder and allow that into your life. Big wishes have I for many very special people!!! Happy 2008 ,and may your life be full!

I've been up for hours. Dog knows when he needs out that I'm the one to pick on. Poor little old phyco Baby had an upset tummy all night and needed out. Ohhh,the pain of getting up,trooping down the endless stairs to open the back slider so the dog can go out...there's got to be a better way. No dog comes to mind but then I know I have breakdowns when there is no furry thing with eyeballs to look after. O.K.,I admit I'm bonkers but a house without a dog??? Come on! Then it would be totally up to Hubby to track mud in and muck up the floors to no end. Much too big of a job for one man! Need the aid of a dog that constantly needs a bath and can carry several tons of mud dripping from his underbelly. Hubby can leave stuff every where but nothing like a large Shepherd that can chew any given toy into several thousand little pieces all through the rug. Hubby can't match that. And as annoying as men and toilets are...try this animal that figured how to flip the toilet lid up cause it's easier than going to his water bowl downstairs!!! Darn,nipped that one in the bud!!! I can hear when he tries it again,you hear whack,whack,and then smack...so the trick is to yell his name and he comes with that look...O.K.,I'm a bad dog and you know it but do you still love me???? Darn dog!!! Or I can hear when he decides that he's going up on one of the beds to sleep. Not on my watch!!! His too big and you can hear the bed groan,so you yell and he sheepishly shows up tp see how much trouble he's in. All I've got now is the dog,hard work to replace five kiddies but he's up for the job!

The transaxle is lurking somewhere,it's replacement is on it's way here.  Then there will be the getting up the road at the cottage with a 70 pound transaxle,through many feet of snow.  Oh well,might as well not start the year with any false hopes of normal behaviour.

My Christmas was wonderful because my kiddies made it wonderful.  We had it so even in our Canadian weather we had to open windows!!!  The stove was on full force and the boys brought special things to cook for us all.   My one son bought bags of little heritage potatoes and baked them in this delicious cheese sauce.  The potatoes were black,blue,yellow and white.  The sauce when I tried it was so good I really did want to stand there with a spoon and keep eating it!   We were treated to a crazy wonderful mousse that my son whipped together with mascarpone cheese as the base, fresh raspberries and I know there must have been more ingredients put in!   Loved that!   I made pies,deep dish apple,raspberry and blueberry.  Cause the stove was packed we whimped out on trying to figure how to fit in bread baking and went to our favourite bakery and got fruit buns and danishes,buns and special loaf breads.  There were chocolates brought it,candy and goodies too many to list which I managed to get into it all.  We had bottles of interesting stuff brought and I managed a taste of it all,sparingly of course.   I made turkey and stuffing and that was a hit.  Traditionally Canadian dinners for Christmas are ham or turkey or prime rib.  We did prime rib last year they tell me and our first dinner was ham!  YES!   We managed two huge wonderful dinners and had two days of crazy games and chatting and goofing off and a full house with people staying over.  So the first on Christmas day when I got my call from Janice was ham and the boxing day dinner was turkey with home made cranberry sauce and all the trimmings.  But the real treat was  something Kseers would have approved of,free trade green coffee!   My son brought mexican blend green beans.   In all the years of drinking coffee that was the first time I had seen green beans!   So again the oven was cranked up to 500 and we had the smell of fresh roasting coffee!   He expertly flipped the beans and roasted them until they popped!   Wow,good coffee!   What treats!!!   They brought cheeses I hadn't tried before and they made chocolate and peanut brittle and the joy was so great in sharing and talking of travels and life was so good to look at everyone gathered and around our huge table.   We had new faces,one that it will take some warming to as they are just a little beyond the norm,but then I was thanked for allowing this fellow his first ever Christmas. He is a friend my one daughter brought home and has,even though he's 30,never been around people.  So we will see.  So I have to stop and give a huge thank you to the powers that be for allowing me those wonderful days!

Janice!  I got to actually talk to Janice!  On Christmas!  And it was the best gift EVER!!!!  I was waiting,like I'm waiting for the visit!  She had said 8 and I was up the night before thinking of 8 and I had thought of 8 the entire day.  I checked the phone many times to make sure there was a dial tone.  I had told no one.  I kept it between Janice and I ,quite the feat for me but I was so excited and the knowing it was coming was so exciting!   The room was full and being the tecky wizard I am,I have trouble using the portables so the one old fashion land line is in the room where my son had set up his wii he brought in for us to play.  The time was 7:45 and I stood up and started to the phone.  IT RANG!!!  The kids turned and they started to pick it up!  I  slipped through and past everone with unbeilveable speed and jumped around the corner! Haaa,haaaa,I saw everyone look at each other and wonder what was going on!!! 

Janice!   That voice came over the line from half way round the world and there she was.  I was so happy!  But she delayed going to the doctor's and I could feel the pain.  I hope you are alright my dear friend.  I'm a bugger for not going and taking proper care and you must take care of yourself!!!  Hope the arm is O.K.!!!!  I so hope the swelling and pain has lessened.

Janice sounded just like I knew she would.  The voice was what I thought it would sound like!  Hurry dear friend and feel better,I'm sending you warm vibes to heal. I wish we could chat every day!  I wanted to stay and talk about all we have to talk about!  I could touch you for a moment and it was so wonderful!  Hugs for now until they are real!

We had yesterday a rain storm that dropped tons of rain. Last evening the winds came up and blew with quite the might. Today it's minus 7 from the minus 14 over night and now we have snow! I think that is amazing that it changed that much and is trying to answer the question of snow for Christmas day! Who's to say it isn't wishes being granted??? I am so excited as we enter the day before Christmas. I just had a beautiful arrangement brought to me just now. I listened and the family has two tragic events to deal with. Blessings to them,strength to them. I was so happy and giddy this morning for the day before Christmas with my drapes finished and headed to bake my pies and goodies that I want to share. But there it is. Greatfulness. Greatfulness for the true blessing that are mine,true blessings of family and roof and warmth. True blessing of the power to love and to be blessed with so many wonderful people to love and care about. So many are here. So thank you for expanding my world and allowing me to care so very much for you and your life. Remember today that the memories of these days are ours to control,and cherish. Make them wonderous,warm and giving. Show the powers that be that you cherish each and every step in your journey in this amazing and truely blessed life! Love,hugs and warmth to you and thank you for true blessings. Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   P.S. transaxle still in front hall!

Oh! Darn! Running out of time! Last year was a disaster for me. As some know I ended up in a very not good situation last year and instead of enjoy my  well planned out Christmas and New Years with my family I was in a mess until April...well and then some! So little brain went off on it's own this year and figured...planning equals disaster and much sucky stuff so I really had trouble this year getting into the swing of anything.

So now I'm running and trying to make up for lost time! My fault,I lost the time but some times you just have to roll with what ever is going on in little brain. Little brain took forever to figure out what to get oldest son. A bright light came on in little brain but then little brain forgot a lot,like how long good idea takes to make!!!  I thought son and wife have everything they want for the home and this is the son that's very hard to think of anything to buy for. But! The cottage he has gives a thought! He wanted block out drapes for the front room as the summer sun can roast you. So I started them yesterday!! Yes brave of me...I'm so stupid,little brain failed me yet again,bad brain!!! I have 4 panels of 14 feet of heavy drapery I have washed and dried,you must pre-shrink. Shrink...there's a good word,I think I need one...but then no...little brain needs no further shrinking! So I have tried to start these,got two seams done!!! Yah!!! They are very hard to handle as they are massive!  But then neighbours drop by,so lovely,I love seeing them. The lovelyest neighbour anyone could want stopped by with an arrangement she ordered for me!!! I couldn't believe it,it is just beautiful and totaly brightens the place!!! She wanted to thank Hubby and I for everything we do to try to aid but you would do it anyway,no need for thanks. We also had to go out to get some stuff...ahhh,need to sew,still short one gift. Then there are the phone calls to tell you more people are staying over,more invited...oh,please,little brain is working trying to figure...where are they sleeping?? Where oh where??? Too cold or I'd stack them outside...think! Must clean out rooms to have more stay over,need more food....ahhhh! Need to sew!!!  Go out,get more food still need one more gift and darn...no need several more little ones as more people on list now thanks to phone calls.... Get it together little brain...panic helps no one!!!! Got to be stern with little brain every so often. THEN.... son drops in and leaves a transaxle in my front hall.

Who's son does this??? Just before Christmas I have a tractor part that is heavy and large in my front hall,no Christmas wrap on it or tinsle,just a big ugly greasy tractor part! Ahhhhh! Worst thing is Hubby is called for,I need a hand and if this thing calls to him I'll have a stripped down transaxle in my front hall and a happy Hubby with all his tools out. No happy Hubby! He is to help make perogies today!!! They take forever and take a lot of energy to do and what about the curtains? He was playing with it last night,I felt the guy was headed for his tools! Little brain paniced then and made mouth say NO!!! No tools in the hall! Help,said little brain going crazy!!!!  I understand the cottage drive is under several tons of snow and the tractor has to be working but...what about Christmas,curtains,need one more,no several gifts....help! Perogies have to be made,cabbage rolls,pies...curtains??? I need a nice quiet place with rum,lots of rum,good grief,need to go to liquor store,out of rum! Merry Christmas to all! Anyone got a sane nice quiet place that you could fit one slightly crazy what-to-be rummy???

P.S. In the time I took to write this dog got a soccer ball and chewed it to little bits all over the rug in the family room. Yup...thanks dog,Merry Christmas to you! Little brain is noting the need to go buy a soccer ball....and drop dog off somewhere.

Joy,what is joy? Joy to me is that warm feeling that spreads slowly when you wonder at  something! I get a lot of joy out of life's little moments. I love people watching,annoys my hubby that I find people so interesting,the way they walk,they way they approach others. You really can read peoples attitudes and body language and it gives you an insight into how and even what they are thinking. I get a lot of joy out of snow so the past week has been very joyful!! They are saying though that we are in for a melt before Christmas...boooo! Weather gods better smarten up,we all want snow for Christmas! The joy was there for the children and those watching them this morning. On their way to school skipping and holding the Christmas offerings tight to their beings! The joy of the last day before the holidays was in the skips! Joy in seeing Romeo and Juliet,the young couple that use our corner to hide from view of her house behind our massive tree. They have been together almost a year now and they have challenged each others love and fought and planned and cried on our corner,we are very use to these two love birds and it gives me faith that things have not changed in some areas of human life. I have a great deal of joy looking forward to things! Becoming a Grandmother,hugging Janice! Hearing from dear people I consider friends even though I've never met them. Funny how there are bonds,you can't explain them but you can actually feel them. A physical presence for a feeling!!!  That's so cool,to look forward to these people writing and joy at reading their words! Oh joy and here's to living a joyful life and finding joy every day. I do wish for all to have a joyful Christmas with friends and family and to find joy in the gatherings and to experience that to the fullest! Merry Christmas Dear Friends!!!

Christmas is coming! It finally hit! I baked and all it took was several tons of snow,the Christmas banter starting between the kids,buying the poor turkey....sorry but I see them in flocks with a member missing..the one we are eating and all the other guys are sad and looking for him...do birds get sad,yes I think so but then back to Christmas thoughts,darn my wandering little mind. And I got cranberries. They are festive in themselves. All warmly coloured and hard little things that are so good in sauce and bread and baked goods! I got the extra bread cause everyone goes crazy over dressing. I want to make the victorian kind like my Grandma use to make in her wood stove with the goose but oh no...the one I always make is the one they all want. I was so sad with no excitement and the Christmas cheer not going. It seems hard to think that a year ago all that stuff started. I was so ready for Christmas last year. I had eveything picked out and wrapped. I had all the before meal trays planned and everything in the frig. I had the house as full as I could get with wreaths and even my bells were up!  I love these bells...I'm the only one. What's wrong with these people? You hang these gold bells and they play Christmas carols. They fasinate me...but  "others" don't like them. Don't know why,they are in tune and I love the songs...they are all party poops. I had a little village that lite up with pretty little coloured houses and a church...that is gone,took up too much room and a couple had been repaired where children opened non opening doors. So? That was memories when little ones thought they should let the people come out. Party poops I tell ya!!! I had all sorts of garland that I put every where...yup gone,got ratty they said. But...the decorations that were made so many years back??? They are staying forever. I can still see the little faces shining with pride as they were put on the tree. They are my Christmas and seeing I missed Christmas last year...this will be the year they go up without a word of protest.

Oh,so neat! It snowed for the whole day,letting up a bit in the late afternoon. We ventured out to start the dig! Everyone was so excited as an all day snow fall has not happened for many years. It was grand! The nip in the air and the flakes landing on you! You could hear people calling back and forth,the old Canadian complaints like we should be in Florida and when's summer? and it's not even winter yet! Then come the you're not done yet?? When you're done come do mine!!! People walking in the deep snow just for fun and kiddies squealing with delight,what a Sunday. The plows have been by pushing the roads clear and banking it to crazy hieghts. Haven't seen this much snow so early for years!!! They changed the prediction of a mild winter now. It more matches what the little caterpillar was saying !!! The winds have died down and the scene is soft with all the contours of the cars and trucks buried under snow and the ground is a few inches of white were the roads are and several feet of white everywhere else. The banks are here and there,along the roads and were we have tired to dig out our driveways there are piles. I had to dig out the back to still be able to use the back door and let dog out. He played like a loopy child in the snow,he loved it,plowing about and chasing the snow I was throwing. Ran full force into my shovel  and gave me heart failure,darn animal shook it off and was running again,I expected blood it was that hard,good thing he's tough. I moved the several feet of snow and got a pathway to the wood pile. It's getting very small fast,it is so lovely though,the fire does make the evenings cozy and comfy. The night was minus 17 here but the wind chill was really high taking the actual tempurature much lower. So after playing out in the snow and all that exercize my rum and coke by the fire was heaven. Hubby was at a hockey game that my daughters fiance took him to. Perfect! Blizzard, snow and hockey!

Ha,yesterday I sat and mocked the snow gods. Is that all you got? Is this really the hyped up storm? Well this is just a humble scattering,an attempt at a storm. I thought the snow gods were worn and old as their display of power was very weak last year leaving us with a no snow Christmas. I remember that from the hospital window, how bleak everything looked,grey and cold and no snow,rather sad. I thought it was just cause I was trapped, hooked up and unable to make a run for it but I'm sure it was the lack of snow. If it's this cold,snow just makes it right. It's fresh and wonderful and so beautiful. So I sit here and see that the trick to get lots of beautiful flakes filling the sky is to tempt the gods,mock their powers and like spoiled children they'll do their worst! The sky is white with a slight touch of grey,the ground white and swirling with the wind,the air is white with flakes filling the spaces!!! The wind changes the direction of the fall and every so often the swirls are like waves in the air. The view blocks at this window with white and the wind is forcing the snow through the screens and cracks. My trees are blowing hard,doing their dance in the winds to avoid the capture of the snow but it is all useless as the amount coming down can't be avoided.  Thank you snow gods,good to see you still have your power in this world and that it has not been depleted.

Well ,we are having lots of charities drives,tis the time of year. But I got one through the mail backed by a dog food company. Nothing unusual about that. The plea was from the Canadian Kennel Club and the backers Eukanuba,a high end dog food producer. So??? Well my point is in information sharing and marketing. We have,as I have written about in not so glowing terms ,a German Shepherd. So...low and behold...the plea has a German Shepherd on it. Not any type cause if you know dogs ,German Shepards come in many makes and models but the rare one we have(boy, read back and you'll see how rare!!!!!) is the pictured animal. Hummmm,me little mind thinks...hummmm....trouble starting little mind...LOL!!!  Ooopppsss,there it goes!! This is data mining and who authorised the sharing? They have my dog,address, knowledge that we give to charities and what else? I guess in this day it is unreasonable to expect any privacy. We are tracked left,right and center. Our bonus points cards track what,when and how much we buy. The credit cards go without saying how they track us. The stores track and forms we fill,our very own cell phones can be used to track us. There are computers in new cars that track your driving. We are just here for the companies to deside what,where and how much to sell us. This made me think,what right do they have to know that much about me,my family and habits,but we all are tracked in so many ways. My dear friend told me of talking to her son's teacher in grade one that he was going through a hard time and he was wetting his bed and didn't want to go to a party for this reason. She said he was asked if he had control of this problem when entering the army at age 24. If you notice here on minti that the add bars will pick up your topic cause they are data mined. They scan what you are talking about and pick up key words and it all is counted some where. Something to think about when you fill out your next form!!! Geessss,no wonder I like the trees up north!

I'm wondering how everyone is doing??? Sometimes the stress of managing everything in this holiday season can drive you nuts. All the fixing and shopping and planning and money that goes out can take it's toll. So how did it get like this? The idea is to draw family,friends and loved ones close. The religous base of it is often overlooked and it becomes a race to provide children that already have so much with more. A race to out party and out do the other. Woman are driven mad to do everything and clean house and prepare everything....no wonder this is the time for depression! We have little to go around this year but I think we will still have a great Christmas. I'm trying harder to be creative and I so feel for those out there that have requests from young ones that want a certain toy or thing that is too expensive. There is so much pressure to give. But what is important as a parent to give is love. Above all it's love. And I think you create a reasonable base for kids when you don't get pulled into all the hype and do what you can instead of what the advertizers try to push you into doing. Some times the one special thing for each of our five was too much and they all turned out!!! You give much more when it's yourself you give and not things. Sometimes a special dinner and an activity that was special was much more to remember than a toy that didn't live up to it's hype and was a disappointment. Things are forgotten,not moments and memories! And this year I've managed four small donations,my Hubby two larger ones,to the local charities because there are those with nothing that need help. We have so very much. Our families,a roof and what we really need each other. Have a Merry Christmas surrounded by those you love.

Ha...ha!!! I had the strangest experience! Fi's to blame! LOL,O.K....not really,I went to write down this receipe that I have made honestly since I was a kid and could I think of it? No! I make it often and throw it all together so I tried to think,how much and when and how...well I just do it so I started the search for the little paper as I've changed it over the years and the last time I got it out was when I sent it to Kathryn. Oh brain..where have you gone and please come back soon. I must go on automatic pilot when I put this together??? Scary thought!!! I wonder what the heck I throw in?? Heee,heee,funny thoughts are coming to mind so I better relay this receipe. This is the greatest because it will not fail! You can muck this up royally and it will still be good to you. I often change it up and put in whole wheat flour or add different things to the mix like peanuts,coconut(favourite!) or chocolate chips,always good where ever they can fit in, or dried fruit. It can be a cake,cupcakes or do it in loaf pans,darn thing just works!! So thought I'd share it.

1/2 cup butter(I love using this pure taste,you can switch for margarine)

I cup of brown sugar(this is packed down to measure)

2 eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup of mashed bananas

2 cups of flour( mix half and half with whole wheat ,use slightly more if using cake and pastry flour)

1/2 teaspoon of baking soda

I heaping teaspoon of baking powder

3/4 cup sour milk    Kathryn told me that the Brits have no such thing! Shocker! So whole or 2% milk add one teaspoon of vinegar...there you have it!

I teaspoon vanilla

Cream the butter and brown sugar together. Add whole eggs one at a time and beat.  Add all dry ingredients,flour,salt,baking powder,baking soda and add all wet,mashed bananas and vanilla and sour milk. Turn on mixer until the dry,creamed and wet are evenly mixed. For the cake it is about 30 minutes in a 350 F oven,cupcakes depending on their size 15 (small) to 20 (larger) minutes,loaf again depending on size 45 minutes to 60. To test if it's done before taking out push clean dried knife into the center,if it come out clean it's done. All tins must be buttered and floured and with the loaf I line it with bakers paper or waxed paper as it tastes better when it sits for a day wrapped. Ready, set, bake!!! This is so easy and has always turned out,well except for that time I forgot the eggs and butter,I was in my fifth pregnacy and moving,just went crazy! Let me know if it works for you and if you need help I'll try! Good luck!

 

I awoke today with limited motion,something has gone in my old back again.,and a head that might explode from the spinal pressure.  With all it's been through I'm lucky to be moving at all. I also awoke with an overpowering feeling of thankfulness. I am so thankful for my kids and Hubby and I'll even throw in the blasted dog today. It's a cold beautiful day and I can't help but notice the violet sky this morning,so prettty! I am thankful for getting to know and feeling I know so many here. I have felt love and have felt so welcomed. I have felt sad and shed tears. Many,many tears over situations and happenings. I wish I could reach out and hug and help and be there for people. Life is tough,I have known that first hand on so many occations . The struggle goes on and has it's moments of sweetness,finishing a job well done,a unexpected hug,a kiss you've waited for! So many sweet moments. I'm waiting to hold a grandchild I can't wait to feel that. Heeee,heee,I'm waiting to hug Janice. I truely hope she won't be disappointed that I'm just me. Do you ever hold tight to and look for the sweet moments? Does your mind hold the first time your baby was in your arms? That first look from your husband to be when you first met??? When you knew something was different,something was going on!  Do you go back to see your Baby off to kindergarden,the dress picked out for the first dance for your daughter? So many things that go by and they are so special. One of my sweet moments was when little arms went around my neck and I heard I love you. I love it when my heart melts. When you can throw love out there and just be!! Be in love with the day,be in love with those around you,want to reach out and share the love that is in your heart. We all have suffered wrongs and maybe done wrong that needs to be corrected. But there is always an other day,always that chance to appoarch the day with thankfulness and gratitude and love. People on here have so many that care and want to share the load,good to know! So many that are sweet and clever and ready to be there. I am forever amazed. If you want me to stop my endless yapping you could go visit yummymummyof3! Clever lady has build it and they should come!!! LOL! Fi has devised some fun! Go take a peak! Love and hugs to all!

Cold,cold,cold Canadian day. We shovel yesterday,shovelled and shovelled! We have a wide driveway so when the plows went by we shoveled some more! Then the rains started and added several inches of ice,slippery and cold! Now the high powerful winds are at it and boy is it grey, cold and a mess for those that have to travel.

I was up early and was watching this weird winter vista from the warmth of the house. I saw little bunny hop arcoss the park that is up the hill opposite our house. I saw the dark movement on the ice but knew it was bunny when I saw his white tail flick up. Then my eyes could make out the rest of him. He moved slowly,small hops and disappeared under the row of cedars that edge a property across the way.  The light was coming but was vailed and grey, giving enough light to see the branches swinging low in the heavy winds. The light of the street lamp caught and told the reason,thick,thick ice caught in all the needles on the spruce. Their free movement is slowed,swaying back and forth sending slow moving shadows here and there. The sky was just slightly lighter than the ground as the morning light let me spy something high up in the air. The form lowered in circles and I thought,oh the hawk is hunting. His slow graceful descent was even slower than usual as he headed into the wind and tilted a bit trying to steady him self as he searched the ground. As many times as I have seen this grand bird hunt, I am amazed that they have the sight and accurate movement to pick things out of the air while diving. The thrill of a life time was two years ago when I was looking for tree frogs in the park( I had heard them,really!)  and this hawk took a pigeon. The sound of the dive was unfamilar to me having never heard it so close before. It reminded me of the glider my son took up,the same super sonic screach. He landed with the bird under him a few feet from me. I stood in total shock at the sight before me. The poor dead pigeon in the talons of this killer. He rocked his head back and forth from side to side checking out what was around him as he recovered from the kill. I looked into the eyes of this amazing bird and understood that he knew he was at risk. All his energy expended. The feathers were floating down reminding me that I was seeing a flash of a moment in time. He recovered fast and looked at me and lifted off with his kill. I sensed that this was the moment for this to be repeated as his circles in the air had gotten smaller and smaller over the end of the park. The light had become a bit stronger and I scanned the ground and air trying to see what the bird saw that was drawing him down. He was still fighting the winds but intent on something. I thought I saw something move near the curb but in this wind it could have been paper or leaves. The wind was so strong blowing everything.but something was near the curb,something not blowing like the rest of the things. As I focused on the thing not moving,trying to deside if it was a small leaf stuck in the ice or snow I had to wonder no longer. There sat the hawk with a mouse in one foot. His claws tightened on it and he had his breakfast. Off he went to the tree at the back. Funny, I thought seeing I had blogged about my being upset about the mouse dieing in the trap yesterday. This didn't upset me at all,I was amazed and in wonder of things working the way they should.

It is December in Canada and this is what I remember as a kid! The frigid winds are high blowing snow straight across,the snow is drifted around everything,it's cold! The wind is making it colder and the snow is still coming down! The vehicles are covered and the wind is keeping the snow swirling above them. Now this is winter!

Every so often Hubby and I see things differently. Surprise there! You'd think after all these decades together that there would be some melt,some blur into one an other....but there isn't. This latest thing is over the life of one mouse. Poor little thing. Opppsss,so you know my side. LOL! I see mice as beautiful little creatures. They are so small and yet so perfect. Oh I know some of you are going eeeuuhhh, mice...but then I think they have the right to be as much as we do. This poor little mouse lost his life due to my Husband setting a trap. I know all the desease and dirt and I do know how they lay track but still! I felt so,so bad. Hubby came up out of the basement and took one look at me and said...oh for pete's sake. Since when did Pete want to murder mice?? I said. Marg,you want me to leave the trap? Yes,I do. He then informs me of damage and gross habits of mice. I think some human habits are gross and they certainly cause willful damage but we don't go around killing them. The mice have purpose and are only here because they are looking to nest for the winter and they are hungry. Have you ever looked at a mouse,we have the cute little field mice. Little rounded ears,soft brown fur on the back and creamy toned under bellies. They startle me if they dart but they are only about a quarter ounce and mean you no harm. They are food for hawks and snakes and carry grain and other seeds in the wild. This area use to be orchard,so I'm sure mice were every where. So I'm sad over the untimely death of one little mouse so shoot me!!! I have the right to feel sad if I want to and just because you see it the other way Hubby doesn't mean I have to. I mean yes, I see that they chew through things and shouldn't be in houses but then we should have a house that they can't get into. So there's my thoughts for this beautiful snowy day. Too bad it's marred by the death of an innocent little creature. What do you think about this? I'm wondering if Hubby is right(good grief,perish the thought!) .