Once A Teacher...!

Years of hunting for spelling and grammar mistakes in students' writing makes me notice errors around me (and wonder why they happen)!

Now that I look at the sign again, I actually notice two or even three mistakes!
(Once a teacher, always a teacher, I guess!)

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For those who are curious about the "errors" I found - they are posted as a comment below.

Blogging Milestone

Today is a blogging milestone for me: This is post number 1,500 on this blog! It's been a few years since I wrote my first entry one snowy winter's day when I felt trapped inside. Blogging has added interest to my daily routine. I never think: I wish I could tell my kids about... [whatever]! I simply write about it in my blog.

About a year after starting, I began posting daily. The only way I can do that is by varying the subjects I write about. But this accurately reflects my life: I occupy my time with a variety of interests.

Blogging has been a learning experience for me. Whenever I encounter a problem, I ask one of my kids what to do! My daughter, in particular, reads a lot of blogs and has been very helpful.

What advice would I pass on to aspiring bloggers?

First, that if they want a larger audience, they should focus on one topic, like gardening, quilting or travel. (But if they wanted to post daily, they might need a writing team.)

Second, to avoid spam comments, they should moderate comments before they are published. (This can be indicated when setting up the blog site.) I also added the security feature of having a person copy a word before the comment is submitted. This has eliminated hundreds of spam comments I used to receive from automated roving computers, computers that simply go through blogs entering random comments with potentially dangerous links.

It is always interesting to discover how people find my blog, and it is possible for a blogger to check out a blog's stats. But avoid clicking on (and going to) a referring site before checking it out on google. It could contain viruses for your blog or your computer. Instead, google the site, asking: What is [site name]?

That's how I discovered that an innocuous-sounding site like "topblogstories.com" is in fact a porn site that aims at hacking or hijacking blogs.

Blogging is a joy! (But it is not without its hazards!)

Shower-Sandal Foot-Brush

I like browse in stores that sell "As Seen On TV" items: I never know what unusual item I might find.

A week ago I came across a brush that looks like a sandal. It has suction cups that stick to the shower floor, and bristles that clean the top and bottom of the foot.

The price was right: $6. So I decided to buy one. And I love it! (Though it isn't all that well made.)














I wondered if I could get the same thing in a better quality online. In my search, I discovered that the original brush won a 2008 Norwegian award for design excellence.

But when I looked online for the original brand - I couldn't find it, though I did discover that knockoffs were being sold for $75!

Hmmm. I think I'll just be happy with my $6 one!

Not Knowing, Not Curing, Not Healing

When my kids - or my husband - jokingly call me "doctor," I know I have offered too much advice, whether personal or medical. It's so easy for me to do! (And isn't that what mothers are supposed to do? Wasn't the first wife called a HELP-mate?!)

But if I am honest, I have to admit that I also don't like to be told how to live my life, though I do appreciate being listened to... and feeling understood.

Which is why these words of Henri Nouwen jump out when I read them:

"... when we honestly ask ourselves which persons in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not-knowing, not-curing, not-healing, and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is the friend who cares."

 (Out of Solitude, p. 38)

Dickinson Days 2013

Last Saturday we drove to Manotick. While there, we enjoyed the Dickinson Days Festivities.


















This event is a tradition with Terry, who loves the small town flavor.

We have come many times, dating back to when our children were young.














First we stopped for brunch at the Miller's Oven cafe...














Then we wandered around the market area.


















We also saw demos at the heritage grist mill...














... and outside.














Local spinners and weavers were there, demonstrating their art.














The most interesting demo for me was this sock knitting machine from the 1800s!














I didn't know such a machine existed! (The woman doing the demo must be a collector - she has three!)

It's something I'll be looking for in antique stores from now on!

Visiting a Cold War Satellite Installation

Participating in Doors Open events - held in towns and cities all over Ontario - has made me much more aware of the community I live in.

This year Terry and I visited four sites that were open to the public during the Doors Open Ottawa weekend. One of them was a former satellite communications station, built in the 1950s, during the Cold War.

Now owned by Canada Space Services Limited, a company that designs and builds covers to protect satellites from wind and storms, ...














... part of the building remains as a museum, a reminder of those old days and those old military installations.














It was interesting to explore the building and hear the story of how it is being used today.














Visiting on-site locations is much more interesting to me than visiting museums - though both have stories to tell about the past! 

An Art Gallary in the Country

Last Sunday Terry and I drove out into the country to see an art display at the Herb Garden, a rustic gallery out in the country near Ottawa.

Located on a farm with lots of old log buildings...














... the art show was only one of several events taking place.

Historic tours were being given as part of Doors Open Ottawa.

There was a plant sale...














An outdoor wedding had taken place the day before.














As I wandered through the buildings, I noticed this antique wedding gown displayed in the wedding planning room.

Several times over the summer they also host farm-style dinners.

After seeing the menu, we decided it would be a delicious outing! We may be back!