Cozy Winter Days...

Oh, the weather outside is delightful...  especially from our kitchen windows!!  RHOTO's hibernating quite often these days ;)  Reading books aloud, drinking tea, discussing newly discovered ideas.

Today we're going to make paper chains to decorate our wee (artificial) Christmas tree. 

Simple, sweet and homemade.  Another day,  we'll write some Christmas cards to Holland.  (To those who haven't joined the e-mail gang yet :-0 .)  We have Rocky Road to "cook" for our closest neighbours (don't tell 'em, ok!).  And ons Erik just called, asking for our Christmas List.  His list is peppered with "chrome"--must be "in style', eh!

I, RHOnda, have been sewing gifts.  FUN!!  (Will tell you'all later, in case a recipient is a reader...)

We have a Christmas concert on Monday at Grace Dart Hospital.  A good portion of the singers are residents, themselves!!  How neat is THAT!!

And, I got the best Holiday news of all today--my favourite friend (the ONLY kind I have!) whose name starts with "M" is coming to visit!! ;)

Hoping that YOUR Holiday Season is quiet, peaceful, reflective... and quiet...

RHOTO

Found AGAIN on Facebook!!

This has been a FUN week, eh!!

I, RHOnda, was "found" again on facebook... This time by Deirdre in Ireland!!

We met about ten (10) years ago when Deirdre was a LDS missionary here. Both of us "worked" at Grace Dart Hospital. ;)

Deirdre wants to come visit some day--and have lots of heaped-up spasgetti and poutine!!

"Onward, Christian soldier!!" ;)

RHOnda

It's Been Here All Along!!

It's been here--all the time!! And we've just discovered it!! "It" being the McCord Museum of Canadian History. The Museum is located across from the McGill College entrance on Sherbrooke Street, Montreal, QC.

The featured exhibits we saw are:

"Being Irish O'Quebec". VERY interesting to us both; maybe even more to this 1/2 Irish gal.

Norman Bethune: Trail of Solidarity. Photos of this famous doctor in Spain. (Dr. Bethune worked at Grace Dart Hospital. TOny has one of his painting in our library.)

Simply Montreal. Lots of artifacts that center around the weather here in the City. This is a permanent exhibit.

RHOTO is going back!! And will get an annual, couple Pass!!

What FUN to discover our own City, eh!!

RHOnda

Enough Funerals Already...

It's been a condensed time of saying "Good-Bye" to a dear friend's partner (whom we also knew)... to a dear Pastoral volunteer (whose partner RHOnda also knows)... to six (6), lovely individuals who died at Grace Dart Extended Care Centre (a joint Memorial Service)... to Michael Jackson and ALL he stood for... to listen to a young daughter weep for her Daddy...

To also say "Good-Bye" to RHOnda's Dad. As Dad & his brother were here after their sister's funeral, it prompted talks about funerals and burial places...

Themes of women losing their partners and family members passing on.

Enough!! It's been enough of having emotions all over one's sleeves... It's a privilege to honour and celebrate people's lives, yes.

But, it's also a privilege and honour to continue living... Tomorrow, I (RHOnda) WILL get out of my three-days' old pyjamas tomorrow and start afresh... ...

RHOnda

"All the Way Home I'll Be Warm!!"

What a "Winter Wonderland" we woke up to this morning!! A soft sprinkling of snow... But, now during our cozy supper time (warm soup!), we hear that 6" have fallen already!!

RHOTO thoroughly enjoyed our fresh walk to and fro to Choir Practice at Grace Dart!! We shared a pair of gloves. TOny fell--which was "scary"--but he landed in a marshmallow puff!! RHOnda slid a bit... There's black ice underneath--THAT puts the "fear" in many seniors to venture out, eh...

But "oh!", how the snow sparkles under the street lights. "Let it Snow!! Let it Snow!! Let it Snow!!"

RHOTO

The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW... it is gloomy, slushy and there’s black ice. We’re definitely TAXIING today!! (There really is a verb, “to taxi”??)

I AM THINKING... That I had hoped to be challenged by writing this Daybook every Monday. But, instead I am often disappointed by the many activities that remain undone… This might be my last Monday posting (as I’m not obligated, eh).

I AM THANKFUL FOR... onze/our Erik being OK!! (See last posted article below.)

FROM THE KITCHEN... Guess what?? "Same home, same menu!' We’ll have TOny good chicken soup, small pita bread and watermelon for dessert. We ate big meals at the Mall at noon: Couscous with Chicken and Pineapple Chicken, rice & vegetables.

I AM WEARING... a burgundy, short-sleeved pullover & burgundy pull-on pants. Also a beautiful, symbolic brooch. (See photo below.) Plus my burgundy car coat, scarf and mitts. Black boots. Pretty well burgundy top-to-bottom, eh!! Well, it’s a great colour for me & we 5’1”ers look good in solid, same tones… "And accompanied by the same TOon", he says!!

I AM ORGANIZING... myself to get ready to make Christmas scarves. Today, I bought poster board to make a template. Figure it'll be easier to cut along a stiff line with rotary cutters! ‘Just found out on PatternReview.com that I really NEED to pre-wash this stuff… That’s 12 meters!! We “sewers” know that actually zoomin’ on sewing machines is approximately 0.0005% of the creating time!!

I AM GOING... to the Dentist. Actually, I went today. ‘Had a HORRIBLE time having my teeth checked and cleaned. ‘Twas really loud between my ears and hurt! And I have three (3) cavities to fill in the New Year. Ho! Ho! Yuck!! The staff is very nice, understanding & helpful with me. (I'm sorry. I've got fragile & sensitive chompers...) Some of us just aren't "the best patients". But, they do enjoy my humour & have fun "practicing English with their only anglophone client"!

I AM READING... I'm going to pick up “The Planets” by Dava Sobel again--for TOny and “the kids”. Every evening, Minky says, “Oh, Poooop!! Noooo Book!!” with the saddest face…

I AM HOPING... to feel clear-headed enough to concentrate on sewing--actually on anything besides how I'm feeling!! 'Really gets tiring, eh!

I AM HEARING... TOny listening to his favourite talk-show radio station. OF COURSE!! Auditory men love that yack-yack!! But, on the other hand, I have a man who TALKS!! Who loves conversations, word games, looking things up...

AROUND THE HOUSE... The ironing is ALL DONE!! Yippy! TOny hid the mending basket for me ‘til after Christmas. My Sewing Studio looks so nice and welcoming.

I'm going to ask Myriam, our housekeeper, to work two (2), extra days this month. Should be good for us both, eh... She can tackle the kitchen exterior/interior; the other time, she'll work in the basement.

I'll also set a date with Elsa, our Chinese student friend, to come and help us decorate the Christmas tree!! FUN!!

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... is the Swarovski brooch shown below. I chose it to symbolize a healthy daughter/mother relationship. The "Daughter" is the larger, sparkling oval; the one in front. The focus. The "Mother" is the pretty, smaller gold circle. There is a space where they "meet". But, there is also no space where they are intertwined. They float--separately--going in and out of each other; touching, but not overtaking...

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK: ('Just as an after note, we missed the Christmas Party at Grace Dart; TOny had a cold. But, gosh, we dance together often in our own home!!)

There’s only the “regularly scheduled appointments” this week. That leaves lots of time to improvise...

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…
Happy Monday, Everyone!!
RHOTO

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW… I DON’T see snow!! Many parts of Canada have had a big, first dose all ready.

I AM THINKING... that it’s wonderful to be going outside again… I have been in nightgowns for over a week. I have been reminded again that physical discomfort often goes along with mental and spiritual discomfort. My body "gets sick" and let's me "know something's going on", eh...

I AM THANKFUL THAT... TOny was so supportive when I was in bed for soooo many days in a row. He even brought home red, long-stem roses for his patient!!

FROM THE KITCHEN... I see our wonderful housekeeper, Myriam, shining everything up. When TOny first met Myriam, he said (in French), "Welcome!! You're an immigrant from Columbia?" "Yes, Sir." "Double Welcome!! I'm an immigrant too!! From Holland."

I AM WEARING... the same outfit I'm wearing on my PatternReview.com avator. And my beautiful jewelry and wee, red boots.

I AM CREATING... ideas in my head of what I can DO, now that I feel 85% better!!

I AM GOING... to go to Disco Babies at Grace Dart and then eat lunch with TOny at Paulas.

I AM READING... The new “National Geographic”. There is an article on women and healthcare in India that has touched my heart. We complain of not having doctors here in Quebec (which is true); in India, they don't bother to complain…

I AM HOPING… to start working on Christmas Elves scarves THIS week. I can start by cutting the fleece into scarf-sized pieces, eh. That's just "prep" work. I need to contact my sweet elf helper, Elsa, and see when her final exams are finished, so she can join in on the project.

I AM HEARING... The pure joy of silence (except for the tapping of my keys).

AROUND THE HOUSE... There remain THE six (6) shirts to iron!! Plus six (6), new ones... I think they "make babies", eh ;)

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... I found a photo of my engagement ring. Mind you, my gems sparkle so nicely!! WHY Birks made this photo flat, I don’t know. Anyway, the ruby symbolizes "love" and "passion"; there is a diamond each for TOny & RHOnda. I have a plain wedding band that I wear “underneath”… See below.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK… I could SHOCK TOny and make supper some evening... 'Twas thinking of a Moroccan dish of stew meat, prunes (!!) and sesame seeds. Served over couscous.
Grace Dart’s Christmas Party is Friday evening. RHOTO had such a good time dancing at the 100th Anniversary Party last year that we thought we’d “give this a try” together.
'Cos I have pretty co-ordinates, there's NO worries about “what shall I wear”. I have a pretty black sweater with “diamonds” around the bottom of the (not low) “V” neck, a black, swirly skirt, black sheer hose and cute, dressy Mary Jane’s. I’m set!!

Then there’s therapy, Choir Practice and our last class in “Canada before Confederation” at Concordia. (We missed two classes last week...)

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…



Happy Monday, Everyone!!

RHOnda

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

Remembrance Day

"In Flanders Fields" was written by John McCrae, m.d. the day after his best friend was killed in World War I. The "Great War", the "War to End All Wars". The first two (2) stanzas are pastoral in nature. Suddenly, we hear a rousing call for recruits and replacements...

Right after the Service at Grace Dart today, a Philipino woman started singing"O, Canada" (our national anthem). Well, no one--including RHOnda--knew all the words to the first stanza of this bilingual anthem. 'Not surprised!! We Canadians are so different from our dear, southern neighbours in that way...

RHOnda

The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW… I see the running, skipping beautiful golden-coloured maples—mimicking the small children across the street. I also see a huge pile of leaves on our yard—again!! It was all cleared off a few days ago…

I AM THINKING... that autumn is such a spicy, sensuous time of the year. A time for candles & soup & more bedcovers & snuggles…

I AM THANKFUL THAT... the stress I have experienced these past two (2) weeks is GONE!! (How powerful/silly calendar dates can be.)

FROM THE KITCHEN... RHOTO made a yummy salad (young greens, tuna with dill & lemon, mandarin oranges, cherry tomatoes, raisins & nuts and dressing), served with pita bread and mandarin orange green tea for lunch.

I AM WEARING... my beautiful jewelry with another wardrobe combination. (I'm going to blog about capsules another time...)

I AM CREATING... less of a mess than last week!! Some daily tidying up—before scooting out the door for the day--goes far in making RHOTO feel more “at home” and relaxed.

I AM GOING... to “be” today. I’m in a quiet, napping & puttering mood...

I AM READING... “Entre Nous: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl”. (See photo below.) This book is just for fun and relaxation. RHOTO finally got a card from our local library. So, in honour of same, I got a “French book”!! ‘Can’t believe how much more “French” this English/Irish gal has become since living in Quebec!

I’m also reading a new children’s book entitled, “Judaism”. RHOTO very much enjoys learning about different religions and cultures. It’s also helpful for pastoral/palliative care to the variety of Residents at Grace Dart.

Then there's a new “National Geographic” awaiting me on the coffee table. I especially enjoy reading about different countries and the anthropology-type articles.

We’re caught up on our Concordia readings for the moment.

I AM HOPING… to start working on Christmas Elves scarves this week. (More on that project soon...) I need to contact my sweet elf helper, Elsa!!

I AM HEARING... The pure joy of silence (except for the tapping of my keys, TOny's singing and Skype ringing).

AROUND THE HOUSE... There remains only six (6) shirts to iron!! * Halleluiah!! The basket of mending?? Is it really necessary to fully complete before I “reward” myself with sewing privileges?? I sometimes “suffer” from Protestant Work ethic. I think I’ll TRY AGAIN to learn “how to” blind hem on my machine. And, then I’ll mend… hems!! (Those store-bought pants with nylon thread always seem to “come down”). * I did two loads of laundry... Guess who has a small basket-worth of ironing now??!! Normal, eh!! ;)

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... Speaking of "Inner French Girl", the wonderful lingerie I have. I HIGHLY recommend “Passionata” and “Chantelle” brands WITH a very knowledgeable fitter to help you. French bras are $$, “oui”! But--the FIT, the Comfort!! Such a difference in my clothing and my self-esteem!! (I really SHOULD do a commercial…)

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK… I’m going to participate at the Grace Dart Remembrance Day ceremony (“Veteran’s Day” in the USA) on Tuesday. Maybe my part will be to “make a joyful noise” with a few Protestant English/French songs added to the Mass. And to recite Canada’s most famous poem, “In Flander’s Field.”

Then there’s therapy, Choir Practice and Concordia—as usual.

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…

Happy Monday, Everyone!!

RHOnda

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

The Simple Woman's Daybook

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW… I see the beautiful golden-coloured maples swirling down and covering the sidewalks and lawns.

I AM THINKING... that 50% of me needs a retreat and 50% of me needs to feel more attached/involved…

I AM THANKFUL FOR... a new day.

FROM THE KITCHEN... Supper is light again—a nice store-bought soup, pita bread and yogurt. (TOny adds maple syrup and “squirt” to his…)

I AM WEARING... my beautiful jewelry with warm, corduroy pants, soft sweater and a feminine blouse.

I AM CREATING... nothing tangible right now. “This, too, shall pass”!!

I AM GOING... to Hopital Hotel Dieu with TOny for follow-up respiratory tests.
Then, I’m going to Grace Dart. I did some pastoral/ palliative visits there this week-end and want to do “verbatims” with my Supervisor. (Verbatims are --trying to—repeat the conversations, word for word. It’s a wonderful exercise to strengthen listening skills.)

I AM READING... our Concordia readings.

I AM HOPING… that this week is less stressful than last. The anxiety felt during several anniversary dates has shown me I have more forgiving to do…

I AM HEARING... People when they share their stories with me at the Hospital. I am hearing the “always there” support and encouragement of my TOny.

AROUND THE HOUSE... I still have half of the ironing left, plus the basket of mending. TOny hasn’t felt very “at home” in the mess, either…

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... I’m not focused on any “thing” at this time.

A FEW PLANS FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK… Now added to our “regularly scheduled appointments” is RHOTO’s choir practice for the Grace Dart Christmas Concert. The majority of the members are Residents. It’s wonderful to hear the 95+ gals singing all the carols by heart!!

HERE IS A “PICTURE THOUGHT” I AM SHARING…



Happy Monday, Everyone!!

RHOnda

Our Hostess for the above meme is “The Simple Woman’s Daybook”. Please visit her at the address below:

http://thesimplewoman.blogspot.com/

Living in the Present Moment

RHOTO just came back from visiting Residents at our beloved "Grace Dart Extended Care Centre". We had fun"howdy" meetings, sang songs & enjoyed our long-term friends.
We also visited a woman (let's call her Mrs. M) who is slipping into dementia. She has a framed photo of TOny and herself on her wall. Other visits, TOny has talked with her about their past activities together--as Executive Director and volunteer, respectively.
This time, Mrs. M did not recognize TOny or anyone in the photo. Instead, she told TOny that he is a "nice man" and that I, RHOnda, am "pretty". She was happy with the visit/during the visit. Mrs. M has no memory of the past. She has neither fears nor hopes for the future. She lives in the present moment.
A fitting reminder for us to do the same, too!! It's the "healthiest" place to live...
"TODAY is the moment. Now is the story. I'll laugh & I'll cry & I'll sing." - John Denver

RHOnda

Treat... To Re-Meet

I, Rhonda, just returned from a three-day, two-night retreat. Ten (10) people, including myself, went out to the Eastern Townships to the Abbeye Cistercienne Notre Dame de Nazarethe, Rougemont, Quebec. This is a monastery with a retreat centre, a large apple orchard, ten (10) monks and several sisters. You are welcome to stay there for $45 (overnight and three meals).
The monks are a wonderful bunch of cheerful, smiling souls. Pere Thomas is 89 years old. He is always available, if you want to talk. And, he’s known to ASK you, “Would you like to talk?” It’s a NEED of his, too, eh!! Now, as for the sisters—they, unfortunately, look like a bunch of sour pusses who hate the world!
Did I tell you it’s a SILENT monastery??!! NO talking unless you are outside or in the conference room. That means no talking at communal meals. No singing in the shower in your room. Easier for some than others, eh…
The monks gather five times each day for prayers. They chant--in Gregorian style--the Psalms, in French. There is also a Eucharist every day. Visitors are welcome to participate. I asked our Pastoral supervisor, “WHY do these men leave the orchards (their work) to get dressed up & come in to pray--again and again during the day? WHEN do they ever have time for their WORK?” She smiled and said, “The PRAYER IS their work. The apple orchards sustain them, only.” Now this is a totally different thought/perspective for one who grew up with a strong Protestant work ethic.
This year, our Hospital group had a Conference on Communication. We met several times per day. So, I was kept busy…
Until evening… Then, I couldn’t sleep. I woke up many times during each night. Where was the other half of RHOTO, my TOny?
When we got back to the Hospital, Tony was waiting for me. Oh, we cried, we hugged, we looked at each other, we kissed, we cried, we hugged, and we said, “Never again.” We won’t be apart overnight.
Tony is my Husband, my Lover, my Best Friend, my Father, my Nurse, my Psychologist, my #1 Cheerleader, my Encourager, my Strength, my Clown, my Straight Man, my Man, my Life Partner. We are “God’s Gift to Each Other”…
I love you, Tony… I’m so glad to be back—Home!! It's such a treat...to re-meet!!
Rhonda

Joe's Gift

This is Rhonda writing, “Joe’s Sweetheart”. Today is Joe’s 19th Anniversary in Heaven!! No one has affected me/left a mark in just the same way as Joe did…

Joe had a special gift—a chronic condition that FOCUSED his life… At only 18 months old, he was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. He always knew that he was not long for this Earth. So, Joe loved hard, played hard, and gave very generously of himself. Joe’s profession was singing (Tenor) in Church, Chorals, “Broadway” Musicals. Also rebuilding organs & tuning pianos. MOST of the time, he charged pittance because his heart was in the right place. (Many stories of that were shared at his funeral.)

Many years before, Joe’s doctors had predicted a life-span of 30 years. Well, he put up a big fight, including six months of attached dialysis, but in his 30th year, Joe’s heart gave out.

I must say I wanted “something that Joe had touched” from his family—as a memento. ‘Twas not forthcoming. Then I realized… Joe had touched ME—profoundly. I live fuller, more focused & in-the-minute because of his influence on my life!

Oh, the unconditional love that Joe shared with me… That love that healed a wounded spot inside (we all have them, eh). The music, the laughter, the soul sharing that was our lot-- in abundance—as we daily walked together. As we shared the stages of dying together…

But, something else—something lovely came out of being with Joe (besides a treasury box inside of feeling adored and unconditionally loved). Twelve years ago, I started volunteering at a long-term care centre (formerly called nursing homes, eh), Grace Dart. There, I’m part of the pastoral and palliative care team. I “see” Joe everyday. I thank him for my vocation/for teaching me the way, much more than any courses I complete.

Five years ago, I met the retired Executive Director of Grace Dart, “Tony” van de Ven, when his wife was a resident there. Today we are married. And, Tony adores me and loves me unconditionally!! He, too, is a righteous man, loved by everyone. Thank you, Joe, for showing me the way, for showing me that this is what I deserve.

I will always carry Joe in my heart--“Sweethearts” forever. “I love you, Joe.” “And I, you.”