I believe that true art is universal in its appeal.
John McCormack (Irish – Musician. Born: June 4, 1884. Lived until: September 16, 1945)
Daily Quote: June 4, 2021
Daily Quote: May 30, 2021
The glory of gardening:
hands in the dirt,
head in the sun,
heart with nature.
To nurture a garden is to feed
not just on the body, but the soul.
Alfred Austin (English – Poet Born: May 30, 1835. Lived until June 2, 1913)
Holidays and Celebrations…
*** Water a Flower Day ***
*** Neighbor Day ***
*** World MS Day ***
Porte Musings…
Yesterday was our Annual Horticultural Society Plant Sale. Such a wonderful tradition to share our bounty with our neighbours and friends. Everyone brings their surplus plants to sell to raise funds for the Strathroy-Caradoc Horticultural Society. I donated all of my tomato plants that were surplus, Including Black Krim, Sicilian, Rugers, Cherry and some eggplants. Volunteers price the plants and group them according to price. Then the fun begins as people come to purchase great bargains. I got 2 fern leaf peonies, a fern, a large peony and a small ornamental for only $10.
How fitting that today is Water a Flower Day. I’m hoping all the threats of frost are finally done for the season and I can plant the remainder of my garden today.
Today is also Neighbour Day. So whoever your neighbours are, whether across the street or around the world, wish them well and maybe share some of your garden treasures with them. ❤
We also are remembering that we need to continue research and raise funds to find a cure for MS on MS Day. Disguising as many different symptoms and difficult to diagnose this disease has so many different forms and ruins so many lives. Ride for a Cure has gone from a 5 Kilometer bike ride where everyone was gathered at one time to a 5 K ride anywhere to raise funds. Please support our riders this year and help find a cure.
Second shots for the COVID-19 Vaccine are now available for Indigenous people in Ontario, so my husband got his yesterday. It is being forecast that all people in Ontario that want to be vaccinated will be completed by the end of August.
Daily Quote: May 22, 2021
Every flower is a soul
blossoming in nature.
Gerard De Nerval (French – Novelist Born: May 22, 1808 Lived until: January 26, 1855)
*** Holidays and Celebrations:
*** International Day for Biological Diversity ***
*** National Buy a Musical Instrument Day ***
*** World Fiddle Day ***
*** Porte Musings…
The twenty fourth of May
is the Queen’s Birthday,
if you don’t give us a holiday,
we’ll all run away.
With the Provincial Lockdown still in place, we’re all on a Stay Vacation. Usually this long weekend is the unofficial summer kick-off as people go to the beaches and camping. Well, not this year. Nothing is opening until next weekend to avoid crowding in public areas. Then we’ll be opening up in phases based on “safety”. Golf courses will be opening this weekend. I’m so tired of being forced to stay home even if it is for my own good. I’ve had my first vaccine and am anxious to get out there doing things with friends and family.
Today is International Day for Biological Diversity, a day I would love to celebrate by kayaking, but still haven’t managed to get my veggies and flower gardens planted yet.
So instead I might actually celebrate National Buy a Musical Instrument Day and World Fiddle Day. Seems I can’t even catch my breath to practice my flute for my nephew’s wedding this summer.
Oh well, its off to work I go, hi ho, hi ho, hi ho…
to make some do, some do, some dough.
Daily Quote: May 16, 2021
Cancer is a very sad thing,
but you can always take
something from every experience.
Pierce Brosnan (Irish – Actor Born: May 16, 1953
*** Holidays and Celebrations ***
*** International Day of Light ***
*** International Day of Living Together in Peace ***
*** Porte Musings ***
Happy Birthday Pierce. I agree, Cancer sucks. I’m so tired of family and friends dying from this dam disease and/or its treatments.
So instead I choose to celebrate the International Day of Light. Turn on every light. Sit in the sunshine. Raise a glass in a toast of cheer. Light lets us read in the dark months and work instead of sleeping. It keeps us safe while keeping the darkness away.
Today is also the International Day of Living Together in Peace. The news is filled with the bombings in Palestine. My heart breaks to see the streaks of smoke rising from tall apartment buildings where people lived without being politically involved. Stop racial discrimination. Stop fighting. Stop Wars. Just all live together in Peace.
Instead go buy your stepmother a flower or gift as you remember Stepmother’s Day, celebrated on the Sunday after Mother’s Day. Wicked or not she has helped shape your destiny and who you’ve become.
Daily Quote: May 13, 2021
I’m not playing a role.
I’m being myself,
whatever the hell that is.
Bea Arthur (American – Actress Born: May 13, 1923. Died: April 25, 2009)
Holidays and Celebrations:
*** Ascension ***
*** Eid al-Fitr ***
*** Tulip Day ***
Porte Musings:
Happy Birthday Bea Arthur (born Bernice Phyllis Frankel). I’m so glad I grew up with you as a role model in your many roles. From Vera Charles in Mame, to Maude Findlay, to her leading role in the Golden Girls. The strong large woman figure not afraid to speak her mind and human enough to be frustrated.
Today two major religious holidays are celebrated. The 14th day of Easter is the celebration of the Ascension of Christ as he rose to heaven after his earthly return from the dead. Today is also Eid al-Fitr for all my Muslum friends and family their time of prayer and fasting has come to an end.
Today is also Tulip Day. During the Ontario wide lockdown the Tulip festival in Ottawa is being held on-line for the second time. I’m so tired of being locked down.
The numbers for the 3rd wave are finally decreasing and already the experts are predicting a 4th wave. I’m really at a loss about this prediction as vaccination is now at 50% of Ontario for the first shot. Are the experts already saying that the vaccine won’t be effective? or are they trying to scare the anti-vaccers into getting vaccinated? I pray that once we’re vaccinated we’ll be able to get back to normal, whatever the new normal may be. Surrounded by blood clot problems, 3 deaths and confusion the Astra Zeneca vaccine has been stopped in Ontario and will no longer be offered as the first shot. Luckily my husband and I got the Pfizer vaccine first. His second shot was moved up as all natives now qualify for the second shot.
Today my husband is going for an emergency colonoscopy and endoscope. All routine colonoscopies in Ontario have been cancelled/rescheduled or limited during the third wave of the pandemic. We’ve had quite a ride the last couple of weeks as he has been loosing blood internally and had to have a transfusion to increase his red blood cell count. The new blood has helped with many of the issues he’s been having lately, including sudden leg buckling and falls. After his day of purging and liquids only, they will probe him from both ends. I’m uncertain if I want them to find an issue or not. I just want him to get better so he can himself again.
Daily Quote: May 7, 2021
You will find poetry nowhere
~ Joseph Joubert (French – Writer / May 7, 1754 – May 4, 1824)
unless you bring some of it with you.
Holidays and Celebrations:
Porte Musings:
It is so true, that to find something someplace you often have to bring it yourself, whether it be poetry, love or in the case of going to space your own oxygen and water. The first Friday in May is International Space Day. Where people wouldn’t survive without ensuring they bring everything they need with them.
Here on earth we are celebrating National Public Gardens Day. This is always celebrated the Friday before Mother’s Day. Ensuring that the gardens are clean and ready to go for the big plant marketing day of Mother’s Day. This Mother’s Day we’re still under Lock Down as the 3rd wave of COVID-19 is finally starting a downward trend. I wonder how many will actually not go to see their Mother’s or send them a gift because we’ve been ordered by the Government and Health officials to stay home? Absence doesn’t always increase fondness, sometimes without constant contact love withers and dies. Out of sight and out of mind. I’m glad that my step-son has been living with us during the lockdown. I’m also glad I’ve been a childcare provider so I can see some of my Grandchildren on a regular basis.
Another important celebration today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day. A day to remember all the loved ones at home who are waiting for the safe return of their military spouses.
Daily Quote: May 5, 2021
Flowers are restful to look at.
~ Sigmund Freud (Austrian – Psychologist / May 6, 1856 – September 23, 1939)
They have neither emotions nor conflicts.
Holidays and Celebrations:
Porte Musings:
The first Thursday in May is No Homework Day. I think it was named this to support National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. A very important issue during the Pandemic as children are being forced to stay home and not permitted to go to school where they can learn from their peers and socialize. So don’t give them any homework today. Get outside to the local playground and laugh.
Today is also National Day of Prayer. So let’s all engage in a National Prayer that the vaccines permit us to get over this great pandemic and learn to be stronger on the other side of COVID-19.
Daily Quote: April 22, 2021
Respect is what we owe;
~ Philip James Bailey (English – Poet April 22, 1816 – September 6, 1902)
love, what we give.
Holidays and Celebrations:
Porte Musings:
April 22nd is Earth Day. With my grandson doing his on-line learning at my house, I’ve heard about Earth Day for the past week. Today is the big day. He’s learned about the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (no longer Reading, Writing and Rithmatic). Posters will be shared in the class today for Earth Day.
I think International Girls in ICT should have a day of it’s own rather than share with Earth Day. Earth Day over-shines the importance of Girls in ICT (information and communication technology). According to studies 65% of school children will go into jobs that don’t even exist yet. The field of information and communication technology is expanding.
Today is also April Showers Day. With the change in the weather and temperatures dipping below freezing, I’m afraid the only showers we’re getting will be snow showers. The tulips and early blooming spring flowers were weighed down with snow yesterday morning. Luckily most of the snow melted during the day and the flowers sprung back up to their original beauty.
Daily Quote:
To begin, begin.
~ William Wordsworth (English – Poet / April 7, 1770 – April 23, 1850)
Holidays and Celebrations:
Porte Musings:
Wednesday April 7th, from industrious to luxuriously lazy, today is International Beaver Day. A day to celebrate the most Canadian symbol the beaver. With his continuously growing teeth the beaver works to cut down trees and create ponds; to stop the rushing sound of water and create a peaceful, secure home for their families.
Celebrating World Health Day, while Ontario is in it’s 3rd wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. A shut-down order, but not a stay at home order. With 500 people in Intensive Care Units and our hospitals are at near capacity. What saddens me even more is that with our population and size Ontario has only 500 intensive care units a year after all this madness started. Why weren’t COVID patients kept separate from other critically ill patients? Lockdown and stay at home orders don’t seem to be working. It’s just been too long and people are missing their families and just the joy of day to day living. The world is praying that the vaccine puts and end to the isolation.
So here’s to celebrating National No Housework Day. Just don’t do it. Well, unless like me, you celebrate International Window Washing Day on April 7th. A time to clean those windows, reflect on the world, and be ready for interruptions as guests stop by for coffee.
Daily Quote: December 31, 2020
How deeply seated in the human heart is the liking for gardens and gardening.
~ Alexander Smith (Scottish – Poet / December 31, 1830 – January 5, 1867)
Holidays and Celebrations:
- New Year’s Eve
- Make Up Your Mind Day
- Watch Night
Porte Musings:
*The last day of 2020 and on the precipice of a new year. I wonder about the last year and what resolutions should I make for 2021. There’s the usual: loose weight, be more active, spend more time with family, keep a journal, publish my Daily Quote…..
We certainly won’t be going dancing tonight while the province remains under lockdown waiting and praying for the pandemic to come to an end.
I will be an age I never thought I would see. I always thought I would be like my mother’s family and die young. So I lived fast. I got married as soon as I was almost done university, when I was only 22. I had 3 beautiful sons by the age of 30. I worked at one place of employment for 32 years and was able to retire at 55. I’ve been married to the same man for almost 42 years. Now that I’m approaching 64 I’m glad I did things early. It’s so much joy to see my grandchildren while I can still walk, swim, camp and bicycle with them. Now I think I may live to a ripe old age like my paternal grandmother and may still have another 30 years to fill with hobbies, activities and love.
Gardening, traveling, visiting, reading, cooking, eating, reading, kayaking, walking, biking, knitting, camping, photographing and all the other “ings” still to do and enjoy.
So in keeping with Irish tradition, tonight I’ll open all the doors to usher out the old year and let the new one in. Looking forward to life returning to normal. And I’ll put coins over the doors to ensure another year of wealth and good luck.
