Fun at the Farm

Good Morning to all of my friends and readers. This is a long weekend here in Canada. Monday is the 24th of May also known as Victoria Day. For those of you who don't know about this holiday, it has been celebrated since the time that Queen Victoria reigned. Remember, that Canada was a British Colony and for years we were under Britain's rule. Queen Victoria declared her birthday to be a holiday for her subjects. When she died, the tradition continued and when Canada declared its independence from Britain, we kept many of those holidays, including this one.

When Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II took the throne upon her father's death the holiday might have been changed because her birthday is in April. However, she felt it was fitting for the holiday to remain the same. This holiday has been part of Canadian tradition for over 100 years.

In other news, the boys and I set out to the farm on Thursday. Even though we were late setting out I did remember my camera. When we arrived, the boys headed out for the trampoline. I saw the horses were in the corral and headed there with the camera.

I can't remember the name of the horse above, but when I approached, she was interested. Possibly she thought I had a treat. Why didn't I bring a bag of carrots or an apple or two? The boys would have loved feeding the horses a treat.
Isn't she a beauty. I love her rich, brown color and she is so friendly. She posed for me, just like the lady she is.
Some of the other horses wanted to get in on the photo session, so they too came to the fence. The one with her head looking back at the brown one kept kicking the steel gate with her hoof, as if to say she'd like out into the grassy area for a snack of fresh grass.
After taking the photos, I headed back to the trampoline where the boys were having a fun game of dodge ball. When the ball fell into the chasm (as they called it) the other fellow got a point. Then they decided that a game of Monkey in the Middle would be fun. They were on the trampolines and Grandma was on the ground. However, this old lady fooled them and got the ball from them several times. There was lots of laughter pealing across that field and we made a few memories.
As we were leaving, these two ladies came to the gate once more as if to bid us farewell until Tuesday. The boys scratched and pet them and then we were on our way. It does both the boys and I good to get out in the fresh air and sunshine and have a bit of fun.

As ususal we are to get some rain for the 24th of May weekend. It is usually rainy and chilly for this holiday, but we are certainly in need of the rain. Water levels are low here even though we've had a good amount of rain this spring.

Many Ontarians will be heading north to open their cottages for the season. The police are out in droves to try and make sure that the roads are safe for travelers. They have their work cut out for them. Last year 7 people died on Ontario highways on this long weekend. All of the fatalities were because of speed or impaired driving.

Wherever you are this weekend, if you're traveling, drive the speed limit and don't drink and drive. The life you save may be your own. Be safe! ~Blessings, Mary~

Show and Tell Friday

It's time for Show and Tell Friday. If you would like to participate, drop over to Kelli's at There's No Place Like Home.

My regular readers will know that I love all types of birds. I especially like those that have bright colors and beautiful songs. Birds are natures music and they always bring a splash of color into our yards. There's nothing like waking up in the morning to bird song outside your window.

When I turned 50, my mother gave me a birthday party. It is not something that I would have planned for myself, as I dislike being in the limelight. However, Mom felt that I had missed out as we never had birthday parties when we were kids. She'd thrown a party for my brother three years before when he turned 50 and so she did the same for me.

Even though Mom told everyone "Well wishes only," I got quite a few gifts. One of these was music box.

This was given to my by Aunt May. She is Mom's sister and my favorite aunt. The birds are beautiful, as are the porcelain flowers.
I took a photo from the end so you can see the beautiful flowers. Every petal is perfect.

This basket of flowers with the birds is a music box and it plays the song, Everything is Beautiful. Aunt May was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. In April 2007, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. Since that time the cancer has spread to her head. She never was well, as she has the same rare blood condition that Grandma had, but now she is battling for her life. Please keep her in your prayers.

No matter what happens, I will always have this beautiful music box that Aunt May gave me when I turned 50. It will be passed down in the family as a treasured heirloom.

Have a great weekend and if the opportunity arises, do a random act of kindness. ~Blessings, Mary~

Tribute to Eddie Arnold

Recently we lost one of the greatest Country and Western Entertainers of all time. A tribute to Eddie Arnold. This is a song that I remember from my childhood. I heard Eddie Arnold perform it on the radio many times.



Many greats performed at Arnold's funeral, including Vince Gill. This is a heart touching song.



Many of the great entertainers of the past are passing away. There will never be any others quite like them.

Where are the Parents?

All of my regular readers will know my grandsons, Brandon (in green) and Jordan. Now these boys are no angels, but let me tell you what happened last week.

On Thursday when I went to pick the boys up to take them to the farm, Brandon told me that one of the boys at school had literally picked Jordan up and threw him against a parked car. I had meant to tell their parents, but things got hectic when we arrived back at the house and it slipped my mind. (Bad Grandma.)

Saturday was hubby's birthday and the boys and Mom came over for BBQd burgers and birthday cake, plus Mother's Day celebrations. Usually if something happens at school the boys tell me, but Saturday they never said a word. I hadn't seen them on Friday and didn't see them Sunday.

On Monday morning at 8:45 am, the phone rang. Hubby answered it and brought it to me. He said someone was asking for Brandon's grandma. I knew right away it was the school and sure enough it was Brandon's teacher. He asked me if I knew about what happened on Friday and I said "No."

I gave him Michelle's cell phone number so he could call her. She was on her way out of town to do some business with Barry. She called me after Brandon's teacher had spoken to her.

This is the story: On Friday afternoon, Brandon and Jordan set out from school. Brandon had caught a particular boy going through Jordan's backpack and taking his stuff. Brandon reported the theft to the teacher and the boy got into a lot of trouble. Well, on the way home, the boy and his friend caught up to our boys and there was a confrontation. As I said, our boys aren't angels. However, the same boy that threw Jordan against the car on Thursday night, did it again. This time Jordan became angry. When the boy got on his bike, Jordan knocked him off of it. He then picked Jordan up and threw him into the middle of the street and proceded to pound on Brandon with his fists.

The boys that attacked our boys made a huge mistake. They caught up to our boys just two doors down from where they live. Barry was in the bathroom shaving (he's on nightshift) when he heard a kid screaming and realized it was Jordan. He went to the living room window just in time to see the boy throw Jordan into the street. Immediately he went outside and told the boy that he was to get off the property and not come back and that he was calling his parents.

The boy's father told Barry he was glad he had called him and not the police. Apparently this boy, who is either 12 or 13, is on probation and if Barry had called the police he would have been in big trouble. He said the problem would be dealt with and asked for names and specific details.

On Monday morning, Brandon's teacher was calling because the episode had been reported to the school. He told Michelle that the police should be called, but since the boy's father had promised to deal with the problem they didn't take that action.

Yesterday when I picked the boys up from school, (yes, we are driving them and picking them up again) they told me the only punishment the boys who did this received was standing in the hall for nutrition breaks. To me, this doesn't sound like a harsh enough punishment. What if there had been a car coming? Jordan could have been killed in an instant.

What I would like to know is, where are the parents of kids that do this kind of thing? For that matter, why isn't the school doing more to protect kids that are walking home from school? It seems we have to pick the boys up from school in order for them to be safe, which should never happen. I have spoken to the principal and vice principal about other incidents of bullying and they don't seem very interested in stopping it, yet bullying is against the law in Ontario. Yes, our government passed a bill against bullying.

I'd like to see both parents and school officials made responsible for protecting our children when they are under their care. If our children can't attend school and feel safe, where can they feel safe?

An now, off my soapbox... I'm interested in hearing if any of you have had a bullying problem where the parents and school didn't seem to care. Is this why kids bring guns to school?

Have a wonderful day. ~Blessings, Mary~

Photos of Griffyn and Hubby's Lab Results

My regulars will remember Griffyn. He is my great-nephew and was born in June 2007. I don't see him often, but his mother keeps me up to date on his growth through emails and photos. These are the most recent photos of Griffyn, now 10 months old.

Above - Griffyn and his mother

Griffyn, sleeping like a baby. He doesn't seem to need a lot of sleep. Mom is pregnant and expecting in August, so she is worn out. Doesn't he look angelic?
Griffyn, enjoying an afternoon at the park.
He loves the swing. I'm surprised his shoes are on. He dislikes shoes and socks.
Ah, here he is barefoot and fancy free. Checking out how he can get up on the coffee table and there's no doubt he will figure it out. He has been using his toys and even the dog to aid him in climbing to wherever he wants to go. He even climbs the baby gate in his bare feet.
Isn't that smile adorable. He is a darling and knows how to win people over with that dazzling smile. He had roseolla a couple of weeks ago and now he is teething again. He slept hours on Tuesday night, which is very unusual for him. He scared his mother half to death when she woke up at 3am and realized he had been sleeping for 10 hours. She went to check on him and he was snoring. He must have really been zonked out. She was able to catch up on some much needed sleep herself.

Hubby went to the specialist today and his lab results all came back normal, which is great. Thanks to all of you for your prayers. Hubby now has to undergo further testing. His next test is scheduled for July 2nd. I will update you at that time.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week. Remember to take time to relax and enjoy all of the beauty of the season. ~Blessings, Mary~

A Tribute to My Mother

Mom as a Baby. Taken in 1928
Mom and Brandon. Taken 2007
Mom and Jordan. Taken 2007
Mom, Michelle and Brandon. Taken September 2007.
Mom, my brother and his family. Taken September 2007

Since I was a little girl, you have always been there for me. When I was small, you bandaged scraped knees and kissed away tears.As I grew into a young woman, you gave wise words of advice, which were often ignored, yet you never interfered. Now that I am a Grandmother, you are still there to offer advice, gentle words of support and most of all, love. If God had given me a choice of mothers, I couldn't have picked a better one. In all of His infinite wisdom, He chose you to be my Mother. I thank Him for that. You are the best Mom anyone could ask for.Besides all of these things, you taught me to respect my fellowman, to be honest and to love nature. You also passed down some very special writing talents. I want you to know that as well as being my Mother, I consider you my friend. I appreciate all you have done and all you still do for me. I love you with all of my heart. You are the wind beneath my wings.
Your Loving Daughter
Mary

Happy Mother's Day to all of my blogging friends. I wish you much sunshine, the fragrance of roses and all of the beautiful pearls that life can hold.