Wednesday, January 16, 2013

My Very Good Friend Has Died

When you answer the phone and the caller asks if you are sitting down, all you can do is brace yourself for whatever news is coming your way that requires you not to be standing. Absolutely nothing prepared me to hear the news; one of my best friends was dead.

Sunset
My mind started racing and then jumped back to the last conversation we had. All I could think about was this person being as alive as could be just a few days ago when we were talking and laughing about  our childhood and wondering where we could find someone who had the skill to make a traditional dish we loved. My brain could not accept my friend and death together.

The caller was talking but I was not absorbing much. Finally a bit of clarity and I asked how she had died, thinking maybe an accident would explain the suddenness of it all but that was not it. She was found sitting at her kitchen table. I hoped death was quick and painless.

I called my daughters to let them know their "Aunt" had passed. They asked if I wanted one of them to come over. No need; although in shock, I will be fine.

My friend is gone; her funeral will be on Saturday. A new year and suddenly we are reminded that although we wish each other a "Happy New Year", for many, life will run its course from sunrise to sunset.

I will miss her; may she rest in peace.

Will keep you posted.









Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Mary, Our Centrefold Cat

Here's the lovely Mary, one of Tracey's cats, posing like a centrefold model.

Mary, Our Centrefold Cat
Mary and her sister Rhoda are as different as chalk and cheese. Rhoda is independent and only comes around to be stroked and scratched otherwise, she's off sleeping in a cosy setting, making her own play or just observing the birds and squirrels in the backyard.

Mary, on the other hand, will follow you around. She'll scratch at the bathroom door to get in, stand on the edge of the tub between the shower curtains while you shower and lie on the bed and watch you get dressed.

Like children in a family, cats have their own personality and our Mary is no different. She is like the kid who needs lots of attention. The thing is, that attention is usually on her terms; don't pat her beyond the growled warning otherwise, she'll reward you with a scratch.

Here she is, hanging out in the basement. This photo  made us laugh and she stayed like that for some time watching us laughing at her pose.

Will keep you posted.

Engaging With Each Other

I had a craving for a nice deli meat sandwich for lunch so I went up the street to the supermarket to get the fixings; fresh crusty buns and spicy prosciutto cotto.

I decided to pick up a few more item unrelated to lunch and headed down the cleaning supplies aisle. As I walked by, a woman who was looking at the supplies, turned towards me. She said she did not have her glasses with her and could I help her in choosing cleaning supplies for her bathroom tiles.

Not a problem. She informed me the grout was stained and she needed something to clean it. I explained about cream cleansers as opposed to liquid and showed her the brand I use, with bleach and without, and I also told her she could use an old toothbrush to help in removing stains from the grout clean. To hear me sell this product, you would think I was working for that brand:).

Anyway, she decided to go with my recommendations (with bleach and without) and the icing on the cake,   they were on sale.

Most days, we go about our lives and rarely interact with strangers. We seldom smile at each other, make eye contact or engage each other with small talk. Maybe our reluctance is  based on our fear the other person won't reciprocate. This lady took a chance in asking me a question and I stopped and chatted with her - no earth shattering discussion but we engaged with each other for a few minutes.

We must remember, there are more people out there who are like us and will respond positively that those who will look right through you. So let's share a smile and stop for a few minutes when called upon. Who knows: maybe you too will have an opportunity to discuss cleaning options.

Will keep you posted.

Friday, January 11, 2013

It Never Fails

Every year, without fail, a Christmas item gets left behind.

Let me explain. Over the years, I've learnt not to seal and store the boxes and bags of Christmas decorations  for a few days after banishing Christmas for another year. I do this for one simple reason; as soon as I seal and store the containers, a Christmas decoration appears, like magic.

Pillows & Placemat
It does not matter how much time I spend checking the pictures on the walls to ensure all picks tucked behind their frames have been picked, making sure the front door wreath is accounted for (an easy one to forget unless you leave the house) and moving furniture to look for balls the cats have been batting about; no matter how much checking I do, as soon as I seal the boxes and put everything in storage and continue about my business, I will find an item. It never fails.

Having spent most of the past week working on my business (uploading new product pics and working on a campaign), the boxes were out longer that usual and today, I finally stored Christmas and you guessed it, I found not one but three items. Two throw pillows and a placemat, set aside together so I won't miss them, were missed and they were in plain sight.

Oh well, into a closet they go until we uncrate Christmas in eleven months.

Will keep you posted.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Timing is Everything

Early this morning, I was out for a walk.

As I was walking towards an intersection, the light was red in my direction. Opposite was a car waiting for the light to change. Maybe the driver was running late or losing patience (these lights are not known for changing quickly) and decided to turn onto the street to the right, made a U-turn on the green and head off.

To my consternation, a police car came into view heading in the same direction. I found myself saying, "Please, please don't pull over that driver."

When I reached the intersection and looked to my right, oh yeah, the flashers were on and that poor driver, who probably was trying to save time, was now spending many more minutes either being warned or given a ticket.

Maybe that driver sits patiently at the traffic light every morning waiting for it to change and today decided to take a chance. During my walks, I rarely see police cruisers in my neighbourhood but this morning, there was one and at the right time to catch someone making a quick U-turn (with no other traffic in sight). Timing is everything.

Will keep you posted.


Monday, January 7, 2013

Mary & The Ponytail Palm


Oh no! Take a look at this plant. Three weeks ago, this was lush now it's a shadow of its former self, thanks to Mary, Tracey's cat, visiting with her sister Rhoda over the holidays. (Actually, Tracey has gone back to her home and work and the kitties are still here:).

This is not the first time this poor plant has been deprived of its leaves by Mary and I had forgotten to move it to higher ground although how high is too high for a determined cat.

We cat lovers put up with a lot from our cuddly buddies and it's a good thing they are so cute and lovable. Mary and Rhoda will go home; hopefully Mingy, who lives here, won't develop a taste for plants and my poor ponytail palm will develop a ponytail or two and be lush again; in time for Mary's next visit.

Will keep you posted.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

If I Believed in Ghosts

I can see why some people may start believing in supernatural happenings or that they are losing their minds.

Rhoda in the Closet
At various times over the last two weeks, I noticed a closet door would be open about 6". The first few times I would close the door and think nothing of it. As it kept happening, I began to wonder what was going on.

A couple of days ago, my daughter Tracey who was visiting for the Christmas break, wanted to borrow one of my bags. I directed her to that closet which had a stack of bags on the floor (yes, I am a bag hoarder). I heard her laughing and then she called to me to come over to the closet.

Inside was my "ghost". On top of the bags was one of Tracey's cats (they get to visit as well). Rhoda had taken to opening the door and sleeping on the bags. Maybe she needed a quiet place to chill away from her sister Mary and my cat Mingy.

Of course there had to be an explanation other than I was losing my mind or had an unseen visitor which would be unthinkable:)

Will keep you posted.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

My Father Charles

Hello January 1, the start of a brand new year, a day for some to spend on the couch recuperating from the previous night's festivities but many years ago, it was a day to celebrate my father's birthday.

My Father Charles
Back then, the celebration consisted of neighbours and his friends and drinking buddies dropping by to eat (we cooked the other half of the Christmas ham and there was still lots of black cake and sweet bread and other baked goods plus what was cooked that day) and to consume quite a bit of Mount Gay Rum. There would be loud conversations, games of whist and general merriment.

Those days of such celebrations are long gone. My father Charles and my mother have long departed these shores and although I am reminded of them in some way each day, I especially remember him on January first and can vividly see the celebrations so long ago. It is a bittersweet feeling and is one more reminder of how quickly one year rolls into the next.

Charles (I can call him that now but it was Daddy back in the day), wherever you are be it on a gentle breeze, in a scent that reminds me of you or a piece of music that transports me back to my childhood where I see myself running races with you along the cart road or helping you mix concrete or do repairs to the pens (I don't think I ever thanked you for teaching me how to be handy with tools) or milking a cow or plaiting your hair (better than any doll); wherever you are, I thank you for the experiences and guidance that helped me be the person I am today.

For a man who did not need a suit except for social occasions where one black suit would suffice, you sure had quite the variety of made to measure, great dress shoes and a collection of ties and tie pins to die for. Oh how I wish I had your ties and tie pins. When you cut a rug, people watched, you were so good. You were not perfect; you had some moments that definitely did not put you in the best light but overall, you were a good father.

Happy Birthday! You are remembered with love.

Will keep you posted.