Sunday Ramblings

On this rainy, snowy day on the prairies of Canada, with the help of our priest's sermon something became very clear to me.

We always think that our government should be taking care of homelessness, hunger, and other such things. Christ, on the other hand said we were to look after our neighbours. We are to feed the hungry, dress the naked, find homes for the homeless and we are to do so personally, with our time, treasure and talents.

Next week we are having a food drive at the church, and I plan on bringing everything I can to help out our badly depleted Food Bank. I have lots of scarves knitted and those will be scattered around my city with a note that says if you are cold please take me. We are starting another Habitat home and I will either donate, or grab a hammer and help out.

If we can't look after each other, why would we expect those in power to help as well? It is time for each of us to step forward and save those in need as well as save our planet. We can do this in small ways, not perfectly, but each small step by many people will make a difference.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Saturday Roundup

While it really hasn't been that busy a week on the old homestead, the days have passed by in a blur. My Thursdays are spent at the church, as well as this past Monday afternoon. Add in two funerals and the days slip right on by.

I did manage to add to our winter stores this past week.

Four jars of pickled banana peppers.

Three bags of tomatoes for the freezer.

Six jars of bread and butter pickles. I still have more cucumbers so I need to do something with those this coming week.

Date night went well. We had a lovely supper at The Keg, and then went to the theater.

Theater in the round was a new experience for Harvey, but he loved it. I can foresee a few more trips to Regina to see more live shows. I only wish that one could take pictures during the show, but since you can't I will just say the music, singing, and choreography was wonderful. Finding a parking spot not so great. 

Everybody have a wonderful evening. 

God bless.

Frugal Friday

Making this a short one as I want to get out for my morning walk, and I need to get things completed as we are heading into Regina today to attend the Globe Theater presentation of Chicago. That happens to be Harvey's favourite musical. Hmmm, next time we do the opera, ballet or symphony I think.

Not the most frugal of weeks, but we did our best.

1.  Drove as little as possible combining errands and banking together.

2.  Shopped the sales and ended up saving $25.89 on groceries this week.

3.  Harvey is building me a potato bin in a very cool corner of the basement. He is using bits and pieces of what he has available down in his work room.

4.  Onions picked and dried for winter storage.

5.  Walking each and every day for exercise and am really proud of my total walked this month so far. Starting September 5 I have taken 205,147 steps, used up 6116 Calories, and walked 143.59 Km. The month isn't even over yet.

Everybody have a wonderful day.

God bless.

The Darkness of Elections

Last night a young man came to our door collecting signatures for a Liberal Candidate in our riding. Up until then I thought that we were going to be short one candidate on our ballots.

This young man stood at our door in a very differential manner. In fact he seemed to be scared to mention which candidate he was collecting signatures for to get on the ballot. When I asked him which party he mumbled Liberal. I said "Give me your clip board." He slowly handed it to me and I filled it in, then I called Harvey to come and do the same.

I spoke to him for a bit after, trying to figure out where he could get more signatures as it seems in our rather huge riding very few would sign. In fact he had been yelled at, had doors slammed in his face, told where to go and how to get there fast, and even spit on. This is not the way I want politics to happen in my country. This is not how I was brought up to behave.

Yes, where I live is very "blue" (Conservative), but we need to respect each other. We need to treat all the way we wish to be treated. In a real democracy one would think people would want a full slate of candidates. If we don't have a full slate we will be causing people to perhaps ruin their ballot, or not even bother to vote.

I so hope that they managed to get enough signatures, and I do hope that the young man realizes that not everyone disrespects what he feels is important enough to knock on strangers doors.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

A Bit of This and That

Days are getting colder, the garden is slowly being harvested and processed (more about that another day).

Trees are changing colour. Here in Saskatchewan the predominate colour is yellow or gold. Much like the colour of a fully ripened field of grain.

This photo was taken a few days ago. I have to grin as some trees are half green and half yellow. Then of course there are those trees that changed colour and lost their leaves overnight.

Fall is one of my favourite times of year. Crisp, cool mornings and warmish afternoons. This year however fall might not last too long. The forecast is calling for perhaps snow this weekend. Hence the rush to get the garden harvested and plant pots emptied.

This is what I am living in right now.

A pretty much empty front room. We thought our carpeting would at least be down by now, but I guess we will have to wait awhile longer. At least I have my chair to sit in, H arvey is making do with the wicker rocker and footstool from downstairs.

The grey patch in the center is where he leveled the floor out. There was a beam that was sunken in between what used to be two very small rooms.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Menu Monday

I am a bit late posting this today, but I had the funeral of a friend to attend this morning, and then prayer shawl ministry this afternoon. First time I have actually been able to sit and do something other then leave the house or try and get chores completed (needless to say there are a few chores left to do). I also got notification on Facebook of the deaths of two others that I knew either them, the parents or the children of. Not a good day at all.

Monday

Pork stir fry, using up the bits and bobs from the fridge and a bag of frozen leftover pork roast. Serving it over basmati rice. Should have enough left for another meal later this week.

Tuesday

Pork chops, the leftover mashed potatoes, and a cucumber salad.

Wednesday

Leftover stir fry. Perhaps served over noodles.

Thursday

Chili made in the slow cooker (hopefully enough made for a meal or two to be frozen and eaten at a later date). Served with toast.

Friday

We will be having dinner out as we are heading to the city to attend a play.

Saturday

Soup and sandwiches. I plan on making tomato soup to freeze this week, so that is what we will have. What goes great with tomato soup..... Grilled cheese of course.

Sunday

Roast Chicken, roasted potatoes and carrots. I think I will make another cucumber salad (loads of cukes picked from the garden).

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.

Sunday Ramblings

As this elections gets underway (the cycle started on September 11th and ends with the election in October) I am finding it more and more difficult to keep my cool. I am tired of the continuous lies and partial truths. I am tired of the dirt that parties dig up on each other. I am tired of the constant sniping and putting down. I am tired of the bullies and the hypocrisy that is show. Just give us your platforms and let us make an informed decision based on what is best for us.

Our priest today was one who we have been fortunate to have as our pastor once and our associate pastor before that. He said something that is sticking in my mind and churning mightily.

Father Lorne said instead of spreading hate we should pray for our politicians asking that they be given wisdom and knowledge. That they will run clean campaigns and learn to listen to the people they will govern. Makes sense to me.

I do find it difficult when those who profess to be Christian spew hate and intolerance, that won't accept an apology but are more than willing to over look those in the party of choice that do the same or worse.

It worries me that people are becoming more divided as each day passes, that little things like common sense and compassion seem to have disappeared from most peoples life. I wonder what the world will be like in 10, 15, 20 years. Will we be able to hold up our heads and proclaim that we have done the best we can for our countries and our world?

 I cry for what we are becoming and what we are losing.

Everybody have a wonderful evening.

God bless.