Sadie

I'm in love!!! My daughter Sarah has a new puppy, a little pit bull terrier named Sadie. She is 6 weeks old and a little love. I will hate to see her (and Sarah) go when Sarah finds a roommate and a place to live. Yes, she is back home due to a number of unfortunate incindents. She is now in school and working part time so living out in the country poses a few logistical problems. While she works and goes to school, I get to babysit Sadie. It is fun and she loves to cuddle when she gets tired! Honey and Molly aren't too sure about this little thing, Sam just ignores her. I, on the other hand don't which makes for one spoiled puppy.

Friday's Woman

"I decided this week to focus on a famous Canadian I have heard about my whole life. I first knew her through her books and then her art. I have to admit I love her writing far more than her art. This week's Friday's Woman is Emily Carr, best known for her paintings of the west coast forests of Vancouver Island.

Emily Carr was known as an ecentric, she had a pet monkey, travelled among the natives of B.C, raised dogs, ran a bording house and worked as a potter. You can view her paintings at the Virtual Museum I find her paintings dark and forboding, like the rainforests of British Columbia. I absolutely love her books though. You can find a list of them here or read some of them online here. I hope you ejoy them as much as I do." I whisper.

Are you listening?

Update on my life

"Boy, has life been hectic lately. My kids were suppose to rent a house together with another friend, which would mean no kids at home! We have been waiting on 10 cords of wood that needs to be cut and split, for 4 months. Our tenant did not pay his rent and was evicted. I started a local group of Women in Black.

Well, the kids decided that they couldn't live together. This is a surprise? So my daughter moved home for a few weeks while she gets a place and my son moved out. I thought both were suppose to go!!!!

Our old tenant still hasn't paid his rent, the new one had a problem getting it to us. I was worried we had another bad tenant, but they arrived today and the first thing they did was hand over the rent!!! YES!

On Saturday our wood arrived. Boy 10 cords is a lot of cutting and splitting. Half is for my partner's sister and brother-in-law, the other for us. He will cut and split it all though, his brother-in-law is too frail to do it.

The most stressful and fullfilling part of the past month, though, has been organizing Women in Black. We held our first vigil on Friday, there were three of us and it went really well. Got lots of honks and waves from passing cars and only one "Join the Army". We stand again on the 25 of August and I am sure there will be more with us. It felt good, made us not feel so powerless. A lady I hadn't met before stood with us and will again. I am looking forward to meeting more like minded women." I whisper.

Are you listening?

Friday's Woman

"Today's Friday's Woman is actually a group of remarkable women, the Abuelas (Grandmothers) of the Plaza de Mayo, in Argentina, who deserve support and praise for their nearly 3 decade search for the children of their "disappeared" daughters and sons. These grandchildren were raised by the very people who had imprisoned and killed their parents. Some of the granmothers, while searching for their children and grandchildren were themselves "disappeared".The grandmothers were instumental in getting scientists to help them prove that children were related to them, mitochondrial DNA being first used in these cases. Today, after the passage of decades, many of the young people are themselves questioning their heritage and are looking for their families. These grandmothers were instrumental in getting the the United Nations General Assembly to unanimously adopt the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In Article 8, the Convention states the right of the child "to preserve his or her identity, including nationality, name, and family relations". The article establishes the obligation of governments to provide, for any child who has been deprived of his or her identity, "assistance and protection with a view to speedily re-establishing his or her identity." These grandmothers are not only insuring their grandchildren can reclaim their identities, they are insuring that ALL children have the right to know who they are. I think they are brave, wonderful women," I whisper.

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Pagan Meetup

"Tonight was our monthly meetup for the local pagan community. We have a potluck and sit and talk about anything. I love these get togethers. For the first time in my life I am with like minded people who aren't afraid to discuss those forbidden topics that others avoid. You know the ones I mean, sex, religion, politics and money. These are people who for the most part, aren't afraid to say what they think. The sad thing is that it is only here in the comfort of our group, that some people can fully be themselves. A lot of the wonderful people who attend these get togethers are afraid to let others out there in the "real world" know what their spiritual beliefs are. Oh, it's ok to let others know if you are gay, lesbian or bi. It's ok to have a political viewpoint that doesn't "fit" with those around you, but in this bible belt of Canada some people truly believe that to let your employers know that you aren't Christian or any other "accepted" religion could actually jeopardize your job. That admitting you worship the goddess could put you in physical danger. I must admit part of me finds it hard to believe that people would actually care and then I remember that all around the world humanity is busy killing the "enemy" because they believe something different, worship a different God or follow different religious rules. I really don't understand humans," I whisper.

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Women in Black

"Missed posting Friday's Woman yesterday because I have been busy organizing a local group of Women in Black. This is "a world-wide network of women committed to peace with justice and actively opposed to injustice, war, militarism and other forms of violence (whose) actions often take the form of women wearing black, standing in a publice place in silent, non-violent vigils at regular times and intervals, carrying placards and handing out leaflets." I have been thinking about doing this for well over a year, but the current situation in the Middle East has galvanized me finally to act. I think there has to be a better way of doing things than the current method. I will be interested in seeing how the people of Fredericton react." I whisper.

Are you listening?

No Phone

"I was without phone and therefore without internet service for 2 days this week. I can't believe how cut off from the world that made me feel. I spend a lot of my day on the computor, checking email, reading various online newspapers, working on my genealogy, etc. I had things I needed to do and couldn't because I couldn't call people or email them. Now I am behind in a project I am working on and will have to really focus to catch up. Talk about feeling isolated. I hope it never happens again," I whisper.

Are you listening?