Well, my Mom did it. She got her trip to Nova Scotia. She had son Adrian rent a car and they took off in the early hours of October 16th.

Adrian phoned me on Friday afternoon saying that they were in Dartmouth, parked by the Angus L. MacDonald Bridge. That is when the jealousy rate on my part hit 100%. I got over it though!

They returned on Monday, October 29th after MANY kilometers were traveled and many people visited. One of my friends who they saw emailed me "Peggy, your Mom is a sweetie and your son a Hunk!" So I am a VERY proud daughter and Mom!

(Flag of Nova Scotia)

"Farewell to Nova Scotia, the seabound coast
Let your mountains dark and dreary be.
For when I am far away on the briney ocean tossed
Will you ever heave a sigh and a wish for me?"

(A popular song.)

This is short note. I'll post photos when I get some.

Peggy Pausing to Peruse other notes

We had a great time with the grands. They, on the other hand, were fighting colds which wasn't fun for them.

Grandson did enjoy discovering his Dad's toys from days gone by. Why haul them out when this is easier?

We had a wonderful time on Sunday supper with my brother and his family joining us. So we had my 92 yearold Mom at one end of the age spectrum and a 4 year old, a 2 year old, and 2 one year olds at the other end of the age span. It was fun watching the kids play either together or around each other. AND it was enjoyable watching the parents do the running after them. Been there, done that!

Our son had an interesting experience on the way home. He and the kids got to play in the traffic on a very busy highway (400 for those who know Ontario free ways). An accident closed the south bound traffic for over an hour. So what else do you do with antsy kids? You play in the traffic. Didn't you always want to tell your kids to do that???

Wednesday the 10th I had fun working for Elections Ontario - provincial elections. A long day but made fun by having a great crew to work with.

Then we woke up to this on Friday morning (Oct.12th):

And it kept coming down ALL DAY. How horrid. It isn't even the middle of the month yet. While I watched it blowing around I would hear how warm it was in southern Ontario. And how much warmer it was at James Bay much nearer the Arctic Circle than we are. Go figure!

Today it is finally melting. FINALLY! Slowly.

Grands still recovering from colds (& teething for the youngest) but that, too, shall pass. Son back into the books after having a 4 day break, his first since starting his MBA studies May 1st. Other son is preparing for a road trip to Nova Scotia with my Mom. Nice for both of them (me jealous!)

This photo was taken at 7.30 am so forgive them if they don't look too perky. Eldest son is in the coat. (but hidden behind stuff on tv.com. I discovered if you scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "View all my Blogs" you will see the whole photo. Just a suggestion.)

Until next time, this is Peggy's Printing Paused to Pursue other Projects

It's me, Peggy

My philosophy: Why re-invent the wheel? Here is what I posted a year ago:

Canadian Thanksgiving pre-dates the US Thanksgiving. Here is what I have for information:

History and Origin of Canadian Thanksgivingan

In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north.

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Orient. He did not succeed but he did establish a settlement in Northern America. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony, in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. This is considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving. Other settlers arrived and continued these ceremonies. He was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him - Frobisher Bay.

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed 'The Order of Good Cheer' and gladly shared their food with their Indian neighbours.

After the Seven Year's War ended in 1763, the citizens of Halifax held a special day of Thanksgiving.

During the American Revolution, Americans who remained loyal to England moved to Canada where they brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada. There are many similarities between the two Thanksgivings such as the cornucopia and the pumpkin pie.

Eventually in 1879, Parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday. Over the years many dates were used for Thanksgiving, the most popular was the 3rd Monday in October. After World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11th occurred. Ten years later, in 1931, the two days became separate holidays and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day.

Finally, on January 31st, 1957, Parliament proclaimed...

"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountifulharvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October."

Source:
http://www.twilightbridge.com/hobbies/festivals/thanksgiving/canada/

Now for the 2007 Update: Our eldest son and family are arriving around midnight from London, ON; our other son will be arriving from Ottawa, picking up his grandmother, my 92 year old Mom, en route. So we shall have a full house. On Sunday we are adding to the 8 of us my brother and his family so that will be 12 for dinner, 4 of them under 5. I am really looking forward to this time together.

~~Peggy from Porcupine

www.myspace.com/peggyfromporcupine

Sunday was a 'sad' day for us. We said a formal 'good bye' to some friends. At church we had a pot luck after the service and many speeches were made - and many tears shed. They retired and are moving closer to their grand children. That is something I can understand!

And speaking of grandchildren (and the oft neglected kids!):

Recently our Grandaughter, Avery, turned 4. A friend of the family took her to this 'build a bear' shop. Never heard of it - but then I raised sons and they are full grown. Apparently Avery would pick the bear - colour her choice - and the accessories she desired. Here is the final decision (it is soft and cuddly!)

And what little girl doesn't like dress up?

Then there's the reaction of Avery's number 1 fan/critic:

baby brother Kieran (1)

We are counting the days to Thanksgiving (which, in Canada, is Monday, October 8th). At that time I will have 6 guests in our home - Colin and family, Adrian, and my 92 year old Mom. Really looking forward to it (except for all the work that needs to be done before then!!! HELP!) We haven't all been together for Thanksgiving since 2004.

Whenever my older brother emails me there is a random quote/statement, etc. added to the end of his message. I leave this with you to smile/ponder over for the week!

Intuition (n):
 an uncanny sixth sense which tells people 
     that they are right, whether they are or not.

Last week end we made another trip 'down south'. We weren't going to go this soon but I got a medical appointment in Toronto so, of course, we made a visit out of it!

Grand daughter excited about her first day at school coming up (10th)

Son tiredly looking at his next two weeks complete with extra courses added to his already full course load. It was his birthday on the 10th!

Now I am home to learn more about bear sightings (LOTS) and watch the school buses pass by the house.

Yesterday, of course, was a day to remember. This snow sculpture was done by a woman who lives a few km from me. I share it with you.

On the tv side I have been able to watch 3 now canceled programs. Our "W" Channel carried them. Just Cause (with Richard (John Boy) Thomas) - it sure had potential. Sorry it was canceled. Summerland and Falcon Beach. Both a lot of sand, beach, and bikinis! Haven't finished the FB one yet but was glad to see that Summerland was able to have some sort of good ending when they were canceled. Not like a certain JAG programme.....

I've joined the mysterious world of myspace! For some reason when I post the hyper link this blog space says my html is not done right. So I'm sorry, but please copy and paste and visit me over there! HERE is where I post blogs!

www.myspace.com/peggyfromporcupine

I did have an opportunity for another trip to London, Ontario to visit my son and family. Well, mostly the and family as son is up to his earlobes in studies - working on his MBA program. Grand-daughter started Junior Kindergarden on the 10th which was our eldest son's 29th birthday! Double celebration.

Talk with you again.

Greetings at the end of the summer of 2007. Where did it go?!

Since I last wrote you lots has happened but I'll keep it brief!

1. Son Colin and his lovely family have moved to London, ON where he is enrolled in an intensive 12 month course for his MBA, graduation is May of 2008. The upside of this is they are closer so we have been able to attend wee (?) Kieran's 1st birthday and then 2 months later 'grown up' Avery's 4th birthday. This was early August. When we got there she announced to me that 'Grandma, I am now 4. I am going to start school." Then, with a sigh, she added, "but not until the fall". That means that is this week!

2. Son Adrian moved out to his own place in Ottawa. So we are EMPTY NESTERS! No, no plans for a hot tub in one of the rooms yet, but we do have plans! We're looking forward to Thanksgiving (October 8th) weekend when everyone will be here for a visit.

Since this is the tv.com site I thought I would add a couple of comments on a couple of new progams I caught. First is Traveller. That sure has potential. Interesting premise and I look forward to seeing where it goes. The other one that has an interesting story line is Army Wives (with JAG's Catherine Bell as part of the ensemble). Unfortunately that is not available in Canada YET. I won't tell you how I saw it..... Then there is the promise of H20 part 2 - a Paul Gross made-for-TV movie. A film I saw that was powerful was "Facing the Giants".

The summer here has been fickle. Extremely hot days followed by a late frost in the spring which did damage to the blueberry crop. As a consequence we see bear droppings in our yards often. My neighbour has seen as many as 3 wondering the streets early in the morning (6 am) but keeps forgetting to phone me so I could see them, too!

Well, that's it for now. Off to London, ON again this w/d to vist not only our grand-children but some other relatives too.

Wow, it really has been awhile since I added to this site.

In 1998 my husband, Ted, and I were privileged to visit Dallas, TX. Did not have any time at all for sight seeing because we were there on business. We did, however get a lovely gilmpse of a park every day as we travelled by bus from the hotel (Adams Mark that year) to the Dallas Convention Centre.

This year we had the opportunity to have a repeat visit to that city. This time we wanted to see the park. We discoverd it was called Pioneer Park and it was located about 2 or 3 blocks from the Convention Centre. So on the Saturday of our stay Ted & I went there to eat our lunch and look around.

The hand carved life-sized animals were wonderful. The whole thing is so very realistic. You could almost hear them rumbling down the hill and across the stream. Such a wonderful momento of days gone by.

One comment on the Dallas Convention Centre. It was completely renovated since our visit 9 years ago and it is HUGE!! I overheard someone ask a Security Guard for directions and he pointed down a very long hall and said "1/4 mile that way!" I am sure by day's end for those who do security, etc., it seems like miles!

Anyway here are our pictures. We enjoyed our time at our business conference (http://www.mannagold.com I'm always the opportunist! :lol

Enjoy:

Well, tonight the two happy travellers (my husband and 90 year old Mom) board ViaRail - the train with the dome car, and travel through the prairies and the Rockies to Vancouver.  Mom's ticket says she has the top bunk and Ted the bottom but I think Ted will switch ha ha!

This is the son they are going to visit - holding his 2 year old niece Avery Maria whom Grandpa has already read many stories to!

 WHITE STUFF on my front lawn. Clean white stuff. AWFUL white stuff.

It went to -7 C last night (okay 19.4 F) and the rain didn't have a chance. Ugly ugly ugly.

BUT it is to go to + 7 C today (44.6 F) so that SHOULD get rid of it.

The only 'nice' thing one can say is it makes the place look clean and it hides the fact we haven't raked our front lawn yet. Tomorrow, right? My story and I'm sticking to it..

Today, in honour of what would have been Eric's 21st "coming of age" birthday, I am posting 2 photos of him.

AGE 2

AGE 15, his last Christmas, 2000 (he was annoyed with the photographer at Sears because she made him smile! lol)