A New Arrival

Announcing the birth of Tarryn Lockyer. My regular readers all know my great-nephew, Griffyn, who just turned one on June 28th. Well, Griffyn now has a new brother. Tarryn was born by scheduled C-section just before 12pm August 1st. He weighed in at 9 lbs 5 ounces - definitely a big boy. His parents report that he has lots of beautiful dark hair.

Both Tarryn and Melissa are doing well. I don't have a photo of Tarryn yet, but will post one as soon as one is available. Have a wonderful weekend. ~Blessings, Mary~

Update: The new Mom just called me and she is plum tuckered out. She told me that Tarryn has dark brown hair and lots of it and that he measured 22 inches long. She's glad that it's over and that he is healthy, though he's been a bit fussy.

This makes seven times I've been a great-aunt. Four great-nieces and three great-nephews.

And if you would like a baby of your very own, meet Son_Shine.

Denise over at Sew the Word is giving this beautiful doll away. Please drop by and add your name to the pot. The draw will be on Sunday. Guaranteed this baby doesn't wake up crying in the night, nor does it need diaper changes. That is the kind of baby that I want in my home.

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.

As many of you know, I have been working outside when I can to get the garden weeded, mulched and the porch area cleaned up. Along with the renovations, this is at the top of my to-do list. I can't work in the garden like I used to, but I've been making progress.
On Wednesday, I worked outside for a while just to take a break from household chores. I left the renovations up to hubby and the neighbor's son who has been giving us a hand. I tidied up the living room and then took this little boy garden ornament out, cleaned it up and gave it a coat of sealer. I always seal my garden ornaments. They last much longer that way. However, instead of placing him in the garden, I decided he looked nice on the glass-topped table on the porch. Then I took the snake plant that I thinned out early this spring and placed it beside him. I thought the effect was rather nice. So for now, this is where he'll stay.

I purchased this little guy at an auction a couple of years ago. He reminded me of the boys and their love of gardening. I love cute whimsical ornaments for the outdoors.

Take care and enjoy the weekend. Remember to take some time out of your busy schedule to enjoy the little things in life. ~Blessings, Mary~

Thankful Thursday

Today is Thankful Thursday. It is a day when we list the things we are thankful for. If you would like to participate, be sure to stop by Sting My Heart and pay Iris a visit. You can find all the information there.

Thankful Thursday gives me an opportunity to let my readers know how I've been blessed in the past week. This week, as always, I have much to be thankful for.

1. The renovations are coming along nicely, thanks to my neighbor's son. He is doing a great job and is a good worker. I am thankful that he is willing to work for us and help us two old fogies get this apartment finished.

2. For grandsons who love to have fun with Grandma and act silly. They have a new nickname for me. Ug-Ma. That is caveman lingo for Grandma. LOL Michelle asked me if I know what they were calling me behind my back. I told her that I knew and they said it to my face. I am not offended. They are having fun and that is what life is all about. The conversation at the Thanksgiving Table when I am gone will go something like this, "Do you remember when we called Grandma Ug-Ma? And they will laugh and say, "And she didn't even get mad." Sweet memories and they do it all in fun.

3. For clean water. Clean water to cook and clean with, clean water to drink and clean water in which to swim. We in North America are truly blessed. There are many countries in the world where there is little water and even then it is dirty and muddy looking. I watched a documentary on TV this week about the countries in the world who do not have clean water to drink, bath or cook. I am truly thankful for the water that comes out of my tap when I turn it on.

4. For a clean bill of health from the surgeon. I had been referred to my family doctor to a female surgeon so she could look at a spot on my breast. She told me to observe it but she believes it is nothing. I am truly thankful.

5. That Aunt May's blood count is up and she is feeling a little better than she did last week. She will not have any more chemo for at least 5 weeks. The doctors had given her two months to live and she has passed that. I am truly thankful that she is able to still get around and talk to me on the phone. We enjoy talking about bygone days and she and I always have a good laugh about something.

6. For blogging friends. Each of you hold a special place in my heart and thank you, Pea, for the lovely chat and the laughs we had on the phone on Wednesday. I value your friendship.

7. That Meeko only had colitis and not something far worse. Colitis can be dealt with through meds.

Be sure to count your blessings. Look for the silver lining in every cloud, as Grandma used to tell me. When lemons come your way, take time to evaluate the situation and then make the lemons into lemonade.

Have a great day and enjoy the beauty around you. ~Blessings, Mary~

News about Meeko and an Award

Many of my regular readers will recognize Meeko. This photo was taken last summer. I have very few photos of him that are this good. He is a bit camera shy and likes to turn his head just when I snap his picture.

Meeko has always been a very clean dog. He is eight years old and we never had any trouble training him. So, a month ago when he had an accident in the house, I wondered if he had a problem. It didn't happen again, so I figured it was just that he had a bit of a stomach ache and couldn't wait or maybe that he had a bug.

Last Thursday hubby and I had to go out for a couple of hours to take care of some business. When we came home, Meeko had had another accident and this time there was fresh blood in his stool. Though it was 6 pm, I called the vet's office immediately and was referred to the after hours clinic. They told me to bring him in. I thought maybe he had gotten into some bones, but that was not the case.

It seems Meeko has colitis. I never imagined that dogs would suffer from this, but sure enough that's what he has. I guess dogs can get any condition that humans can.

The vet prescribed medication for Meeko and he seems to be doing much better. I have to phone my regular vet to find out if he has to continue treatment or be put on a special diet. I would also like to know what causes a dog to have colitis. I will definitely keep everyone updated on his progress, but right now he seems to be his old self. I'm also going to inquire on a prognosis.

The above award was given to me by Sammie at Bears in Exile. It is a lovely award and I appreciate it so much. Thank you so much, Sammie. It is lovely.

I would like to present this to all of the wonderful folks who stop by to visit with me on a regular basis. Each of you are creative in your own way and each possess amazing talents. You all brighten my day and now it is my turn to brighten yours with this little button. Enjoy! ~Blessings, Mary~

A Look at the Lake

Last Saturday, the boys were to come over around 10 am. We planned to go fishing and then plant the coleus that I'd bought a couple of days before. It sounded like a good plan and a way for everyone to get out in the sun and have a bit of fun.

The best plans of mice and men sometimes go awry. First, the boys were late getting here and arrived about 11:15. When they came in the door, I told them that we'd best get going if we wanted to fish because a storm was moving in. That's when they told me they hadn't had lunch.

To us, 11:15 is a bit early for lunch, but last year the school board changed recess and lunch periods. Instead of having two 15 minute breaks and an 1 hour for lunch, two 40 minute Nutrition Breaks were set in place. That means the boys either eat at 11:00 or they wait until 1:45. So the boys are used to having lunch at 11:00 and a snack at 1:45.

Since I know the boys' schedule when they are in school, I knew that I should give them something to eat. By the time that was done, it was 12:00 when we set out for the lake.

Just as we got there, it started to pour. Since I had not taken my camera along on the last fishing trip, I made sure I had it this time.

This area of the lake is almost completely overgrown with bullrushes and other water plants.

The lake looked beautiful in the rain. The bullrushes were swaying in the breeze and sea gulls were screaming overhead.

If you look closely at the above photo, you can see the rain hitting the water. It was a gusher.

The overcast sky made the water look blue and a bit blurry, but that is how hard the rain was coming down. I like the way this photo shows the blue of the sky and water. In the foreground wildcarrot and milkweed give a splash of color.

These beautiful yellow flowers were growing alongside the road. You can see the water of the lake in the background.

Well, there were some nice photos, but unfortunately none of them were of the boys with their catch. We headed back home and got here just as there was a lull in the storm. We got in the house as fast as we could, but there was no planting of flowers. Instead we had a game of Mario Baseball. The first game Brandon beat me and then Jordan played Brandon and lost. Then I had another game with Brandon and Jordan aided me in beating him. Those boys can't fathom that at one time Grandma was a young girl and played on a baseball team. We had lots of laughs with the game and it was a great choice for a rainy day even though we would have rather gone fishin'.

Enjoy the week and be sure to take some time to do something for a child. A few minutes of your time is a precious gift to kids. ~Blessings, Mary~

Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow

Sunday afternoon, hubby and I decided to take a drive to the Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow that is held the last weekend of July on the Six Nations Reservation just outside Brantford. We arrived to find that yesterday's downpour had made the parking lot, which is located at Chiefswood Tent and Trailer Park, very muddy. We found a parking place and headed toward the Grand River where the Pow Wow is held.

I thought the canoe with the marigolds and other flowers was a unique idea. The canoe certainly makes a great flower bed.

We headed to the dance area and the tots were dancing. The little fellow in the green and yellow feathers was stealing the show. I love the see the little ones dance. They are so proud of themselves for performing in front of the audience and so they should be. They put on a great performance.

After the dancing we headed to the craft area. Above is one of the booths. There was everything here, including carved soapstone, t-shirts, jewelry, wood carvings and so much more. I enjoyed seeing all of the things that the Native people create to display and sell at Pow Wows across Canada and the US.

Above is a photo of one of the native men dressed in his regalia. They do not like people to call them costumes and it is poor Pow Wow etiquette to take photos of individuals without permission. There are also certain dances where the announcer asks for no photography. I always respect the customs and traditions when I attend a Pow Wow.

A family was walking toward us and they were dressed in their finest. What wonderful memories this little girl will have when she grows up of attending the Pow Wow and performing in the dance competition. Another of the performers. This woman was so polite when I asked if she would pose for a photograph.

Hubby and I took our time browsing the craft booths and then we headed for the food booths. He enjoys a buffalo burger each time we attend the Pow Wow. I usually do as well, but this year decided on a chicken wrap and it was delicious.

Chiefswood is the home of Canadian Native Poetess Pauline Johnson and is right on the banks of the Grand River. It is a heavily wooded area that is a perfect spot for the vendors who sell their wares here and also for the public to enjoy the beauty of the area and the lovely summer breeze. It was especially nice to visit this beautiful spot again.

I hope you enjoyed your Sunday as much as we did. Have a great week. ~Blessings, Mary~