In Like a Lamb
March 1, 2010
Ah.. the first of March.. hard to believe.
Here in Southern Manitoba, March can still mean a whole lot of winter… but with the mild temps and the warming sun, the first inkling of spring hopes are felt dancing about, impatient to burst forth.
Signs of the big melt are everywhere. The five foot snow drifts lining many of our streets have started their slow decline, with increasingly sizable water puddles creeping outward from their base, inching towards the middle of the streets, searching for those still frozen drains. The packed snow is losing its crunch and our winter boots are starting to bear that messy sand and salt ring.
And this fine-feathered pair were recently spotted in our back yard. I believe they are a pair of House Finches. A very early spring sighting.
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One can’t stand on the cusp of March without momentarily reflecting on the months just spent. This winter has been a relatively gentle one. An abundance of mild days and the surprisingly “no-show” of the harsh north wind allowed for plenty of out-door time, keeping the spirits of both myself and the dogs high enough to escape the dreaded January doldrums.
And with so much happening, the winter days simply seemed to tumbled over one another leaving little time to lament the shorter days and colder nights.
Much of the February excitement centered around the Olympic Games.. first with the torch runs and then the actual games. Every day held some sort of excitement and adrenalin surge.
So proud to be Canadian!
On a personal note, this winter’s highlight most definitely was the arrival of my new great-grandson Baby Gabriel. Born 6 weeks early, I am so happy to report that he is now home and doing well. Would you believe that he is quickly approaching the 6 pound milestone and is proudly displaying the cutest ever chubby cheeks.
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Cyni and Jordan (mom and dad) are both doing well… tired… but good. The first few weeks, while Gabriel required hospital care, presented many a challenge for the young mom and dad, and I admit to often feeling concern. But, our Cyni, has an emotional maturity and a gentle grace about her that far exceeds her years. That, and the support of her good man helped carry both her and her babe through this difficult time.
Now that they are finally home, I feel a peace and am comforted knowing that they are surrounded by supportive family (both near and far). Yay, Baby Gabriel… let the good times roll! :-)
And Dear Spring…. please, please do something to keep that impending lion at bay.
Welcome Baby Gabriel
February 6, 2010
On February 5th at 0349, Baby Gabriel entered this world, weighing in at 4 pounds 1 ounce, a little earlier than expected but breathing on his own and from all reports, doing fine. Cyni, my granddaughter, was not expecting to celebrate his birth day until mid March, but Wee Gab.. well… he had other plans.
Cyni has spent the past week in a hospital bed with nurses and doctors doing their best to prepare both her and the babe for an early arrival. Steroids were given to aid the babe’s lung development, antibiotics given to protect Mom against infection. All the while, many thoughts and prayers were flying about to keep them safe and if at all possible, to hold on for just one more week.
And that is just what happened. Cyni and Gabriel made it to the pivotal 34 week mark when baby Gabriel decided that the time had come, the time is now.
I got the call at o4oo February 5 from my son Paul.
“Mom, Cyni had the baby… Mom, Dad and Baby are fine.”
Thank you God for this little miracle.
Pictures soon to follow. :-)
Great Grandma Colleen
Seven Sunday Gratitudes
December 13, 2009
I can think of little that combats the cold and dark of winter more than the act of counting gratitudes. So here are mine for this week.
1) Earlier this week, on one already dark evening, I decided to brave the wind chill warnings, dressed in layers and walked to the end of our block to visit my wee grandbaby, Alyssa. As I walked up to the front door I noticed their Christmas tree adorning the front window.
Alyssa is a busy girl these days… walking and exploring. But the picture of her kneeling in front of her Christmas tree… bouncing with excitement at the little lit candy canes dancing in front of her, will stay with me forever. Her little eyes shone. Her little arms flapped at her side… trying so hard to look with her eyes and not touch with her hands.
“Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist.” ~Francis P. Church
2) Last evening I babysat “the Zac-attack” while his Mom and Dad enjoyed an evening out. Babysitting and bedtime is just so much easier now. The little gaffer busied himself amongst his array of toys, every once in awhile spotting “Jimmy-the-cat” and going for a handful of cat hair.
I laughed at one point. Jimmy, enjoying the company but looking for some quiet time, thought he had found a ‘safe place’ under a low lying table. Our Zac, both quick on and with his feet, quickly discovered that although he couldn’t quite touch Jimmy with his hands… he was still able to reach the ‘kitty-softness’ with his toes. What a pair those two make.
3) Gratitude is hearing your doctor say “ the pathology was benign”. A bit of a health scare finally put to rest.
4) It has been cold this week… almost bitterly so, with the red ticker tape indicating a dangerous wind chill traveling across the top of the Weather Network’s website. I visit this webpage on a daily basis this time of year and the good news is that the 14 day temperature graph is showing a very positive upward trend. Looks like warmer temps for Christmas week.
It just seems that one can not live in Manitoba without commenting on the weather. :-)
5) The cold has frozen the ditches and and trenches lining the trail out back. Sadie is free to run off leash and I no longer have to worry about a wet and very muddy dog. Sometimes winter is a good thing. :-)
6) Yay… my Christmas shopping is done!
7) Just a favourite picture from this week.
This girl always has me smile. :-)
We Made a wish…. and you came true
November 27, 2009
And then, with the blink of an eye.. you are one.
Happy Birthday Alyssa and Zachary!!
Teddy bears and skies of pink and blue
Smiling in honor of the two of you
Infants, not so long ago
Now, one candle is aglow
You both are growing up so fast
How quickly a year has passed
You are special, sweet, and wise
Each a present before our eyes.
Sunshine and Santa
November 16, 2009
♪♪ Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high ♪♪
I have been finding myself either silently singing or humming this John Denver tune quite often these days for it seems that Manitoba is experiencing one of the sunniest Novembers in my memory.
Yes, it is most certainly colder than July or August (although not that much if you compare this past summer) but usually, come November, any thin slice of warmth and sunshine is such a gift… and we have had days of it.. with only more in the forecast for the coming week.
This makes me very happy, happy, happy.
Fore, it seems that no matter what the day holds… if the sun is shining, the livin’ is easy (as least in my books) :-)
This past Saturday was the perfect example. The plan for that morning was to meet with “The Girls” for brunch at one of our favourite haunts, the Transcona Golf club. Don’t let the name confuse you.. it is not a fancy dancy place.. but it is a place that usually serves a good breakfast and will keep the coffee flowing for the two to four hours that we sit and gab. (I kid you not… a three to four hour brunch is the norm) :-)
Anyway.. I arrived early. The days are quite short this time of year so the sight of the early sun gracing the frost covered greens had me pause and pull out my ‘point and shoot’.
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So pretty!!
After brunch / lunch, with the frost now gone, the sky nothing but blue and plenty of sunshine on my shoulders, I headed out to shop and then home for a quick walk with the dogs.
My schedule was tight. The plan was for me to meet with the kids and grandkids that evening to take in the Santa Clause parade.
This parade is a big event here in Winnipeg and especially big this year with my grandbabies about to have their first experience with Santa. The weather could not have been more perfect… mild, with no wind.
We all met at BJ and Paul’s.. bundled up the kids and walked from their home to the parade route just over the Provencher Bridge. As we turned on to Provencher Avenue, we merged with other parade goers heading in the same direction, many pushing bundled kids in strollers, or pulling two or more munchkins in wagons. It was a happy walk. :-)
Our timing was near perfection. We had just placed the strollers in the front seat position, when the first float started towards us.
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The “little ones”, I am sure, had no real idea what was going on.. but they sat through the entire parade, munching on snacks with their moms and taking in all the hoots, bells, and lights.
After an hour, or so, of standing in the same spot, the night chill did start to settle in some.. but no one could have asked for a better night for the celebration of lights and Santa.
As the last float passed, the parade crowd quickly dispersed and we joined the many now heading for home, fingers a little cold, noses a little red, memories tucked away in a warm and safe place.
Flying High
November 4, 2009
The end of October was a busy time for us. Both of my “older” grandkids graduated from high school and the graduation ceremony was scheduled for October 23rd.
The grandkids live in a small town near London, Ontario. Not wanting to miss such a monumental moment in their lives, their dad (Paul), BJ, Zach, Roland and I hopped on a West Jet flight.
Any concerns about how an 11 month old might deal with such a trip were quickly put to rest. Little Zach turned out to be a great little traveler.
This was my first time visiting their quaint little town and I must admit to being quite impressed. I loved the rolling country side, dotted with red barns and cornfields. The explosion of autumn colour made me realize how much I was missing our own usual (but not this year) fall display here in Manitoba. I was glad to be able to get my fill.
| For the most part, the weather was cold and wet (seems to be the way of it this year no matter where we go) but that didn’t stop us from seeing the sights and checking out a London Mall. |  |
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The town itself is small but its high school (from which the kids were graduating) has a large catchment area that includes much of the surrounding communities. We were surprised to hear that the graduating class would number over 200.
Even more surprising was the turn out.
We left early for the ceremony… but not nearly early enough. By the time we arrived at the school, parking spots were at a premium, the place was packed.
As we tumbled out of our van and grabbed the stroller from the back for Zach, we were a bit surprised at the numbers and the continual stream of proud parents and children filing into the school.
We quickly joined the flow and let it lead us to an already packed gymnasium. Luckily we were able to grab the last few seats on the side bleachers near the back of the room.
Even after every seat was taken, people continued to enter, quickly filling any standing room and then over flowing back through the doors and into the hallway.
I wondered and marveled at the attendance. So much love and pride on so many faces. The ceremony hadn’t even begun and already I could feel the tears and the excitement.
As the lights lowered and all those in attendance rose for the singing of “Oh Canada”, I knew I was in for an emotional ride. There was just something so satisfying about seeing all of these people come together to partake in the celebration of promise for so many of our young people.
The support and pride emanating from those around us had a palpable nature, enveloping us with that sweetest of emotions.. hope … not only for those being acknowledged, but for the future of everyone there, young and old. I felt humbled and honoured to be a part of it.
Sitting through such a long ceremony was not the easiest of endeavours for wee Zach but he managed to hold it together to see his brother and sister receive their diplomas.
Way to go Zach!
Way to go Chris and Cynni!!!
Grandma is so proud.
And the Living is Easy
October 17, 2009
My sleep lifts just enough to sense the soundless pitter-pat of little paws suddenly materializing at the foot of the bed and marching up to just short of my face. My eyes still closed in a futile attempt at feigning sleep, I hear the beginnings of a low-pitched purr and feel the faint brush of a soft nose and pointy whiskers against my cheek… little kitty kisses.
My smile beats my eyes at opening and Bear lets out his morning meow, knowing he has won.
Sadie, in her bed next to ours, now stands and leans in so that her face is resting right next to Bear. Now two sets of eyes greet mine. Coco, ever the last to stir, remains warm and snuggled under the comforter.
I lift my arm from under the covers and give my demanding Bear his morning pat. Sadie’s tail starts vibrating in anticipation. Ever hopeful, she tentatively reaches up with her big paw and rests it beside her big nose.
As I reach over to remove Sadie’s paw and give her sweet face a rub, I remember about today and a little cheer inwardly escapes.
Is there any better feeling than waking up to the first day of vacation? I think not.
and on another happy note:
This past week my grandson Chris was in town to attend the Metallica concert with his dad. Here he is with his wee brother Zach. I look at this photo and my grandmother heart simply melts and overflows.
A Time to Give Thanks
October 13, 2009
“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” ~ Meister Eckhardt
Yesterday the kids, grandkids and my mom made it over to celebrate Thanksgiving Day. We shook tradition up a bit this year by serving Roland’s most wonderful Lasagna. Even to me.. the combo of Lasagna and pumpkin pie seemed a little far fetched.. but none-the-less, it went down very well. :-)
With the two grandbabies closing in on 10 months,you may well imagine the chaotic scene at the dinner table. Babies being fed in-between parents fork-fulls, spoons being banged to mimic drums, cries from the floor, little ones demanding more lap time, laughter and motion from all sides. I sometimes found it difficult to carry any particular conversation from beginning to end.. but what fun! I am sure the tone has now been set for any future family dinners. :-)
I was too busy to focus much time on picture taking … but I did land this one, which I rather like… the two babies sitting front and center with their great grandmother looking on while trying to catch some of the Blue Bomber football game on the TV.
This morning the pumpkin pie is history… but the gratitude lives on.
Grandma Brag
September 6, 2009
With four of the best grandkids ever… a little brag now and then is to be expected.
Today’s brag is all about Chris.
This video clip says it all.
Rock on Star Child.
Grandma loves you. :-)
The Dog Days of Summer… where are you.
August 18, 2009
August is here, but the expected sultry dog days of summer seem lost to us this year. After one week of summer like weather, the clouds and rain have returned. Oh well.. at least we managed to capture the moment that we had.
One thing about all this rain… I have never seen the grass so green and vibrant this late in the summer season.
And the flowers.. just beautiful! The vegetables could use a bit more sun and are lacking in the fruit department but the peppers and peas seem to be happy enough. The tomatoes.. well, there are enough of them but green is still the colour of the day.
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With all of the unsummer like weather the movie theaters in Winnipeg have been doing a brisk business. Last evening Roland, Cynthia and I decided we should check out Meryl Streep in Julie and Julia. What a great movie! Meryl Streep leaves me in awe. Highly recommended.
At the end of the evening saying good bye to Cynni was hard. She leaves for home Wednesday morning and today she will be visiting with relatives on her mother’s side. Yesterday was our good bye.
Prior to the actual moment, just the thought of it had my eyes stinging, but the actual hug and words went well. Knowing that I will see her soon, in two months to be exact, helped the moment pass with no big display of grandma tears. It’s just hard when you love them so much. And with so much happening in her life right now… can’t help it… I just want to be close.
Anywho… this morning the grey of the sky is somewhat interlaced with hints of blue… here’s hoping.
