Retire in Style with Lolita

I planted three Hosta plants last year in containers. This spring I am so happy to find them back and beautiful as ever. I look forward to their lovely blooms this summer. "Dream Weaver" "Big Daddy" "Snow Cap" is coming out !

I attended a workshop for Lectors led by our Parish Priest at St. Patrick's Church, in Maple Ridge. The workshop covered several interesting and helpful topics from the meaning and understanding of the Ministry of the Lector and the importance of being a Lector, principles of proclamation, techniques to consider in preparing to read the text, body language,and voice projection. The workshop helped me understand my role as a Lector. Being a Lector helps me become more aware of my spiritual responsibility to live what I read and prepare seriously to proclaim God's word to his people. Indeed, it is proclaiming not just reading. What is a Lector (Lay Reader)? Since ancient times, communities have chosen persons for the task of reading Scriptures at worship. Being a lector, or reader, is more than just fulfilling a task. At its best, reading is a calling, a vocation, and a spiritual discipline. Reading is a commitment to effective sharing of Scripture during our communi...

There are so many categories of poetry: love, romance, friendship, sad, motivational, spiritual, happy, funny and some poems could even get into Anderson Cooper’s Ridiculist. Definition: Poetry is an imaginative awareness of experience expressed through meaning, sound, and rhythmic language choices so as to evoke an emotional response. Poetry has been known to employ meter and rhyme, but this is by no means necessary. Poetry is an ancient form that has gone through numerous and drastic reinvention over time. The very nature of poetry as an authentic and individual mode of expression makes it nearly impossible to define. My favourite poem is Sonnet 116 by Shakespeare. My BFF (Best Friend Forever) loves to write poetry. One of the poems he shared with me was The Lonely Shepherd. Our friendship dates back from 1966 when we first met at Notre Dame Hospital in Cotabato, Philippines. He now lives in Fort Beaufort, South Africa. The Lonely Shepherd In this wilderness where I...

My friend Ampy shared an article by Richard Powers: Use it or Lose it – Dancing makes you smarter. One interesting information I learned from this article is that dancing may help reduce risk of dementia There are many activities to help us become physically and mentally fit as we age. And dancing provides both opportunities for physical and mental fitness ! Dancing is a high intensity aerobic activity and it brings many positive health benefits. But most people look at it only as a physical exercise. It's more than that. Recent studies showed that it's also a great mind exercise. It's all about mind workout. Because dancing requires a significant amount of brain activity, it's a perfect form of brain workout. This is especially important for senior citizens and will help them maintain the focus and clarity, and ward off certain mental diseases. I love to dance. The lack of a dancing partner did not stop me from pursuing a physical activity that I enjoy…...

Rooibos tea is made from the leaves of the Aspalathus Linearis (or "red bush") plant, which grows only in the small Cederberg region of South Africa. It is found nowhere else in the world, rooibus is one of South Africa’s best export products. Because it is not derived from the Camillia sinensis plant (like black, white, green or oolong teas), rooibos tea is considered more of an herbal drink or tisane than a "true" tea. Rooibus tea has been my choice for afternoon and evening beverage because it is caffeine free. It is a good choice for a stress relieving elixir. Drinking rooibos tea for relaxation works best because caffeinated beverages-even those with a small amount of caffeine, like green tea-awaken the mind rather than soothe it. I am so sensitive to caffeine that I avoid caffeinated drinks after lunch. I read an article that tells of the calming effects of rooibos tea, its ability to relax the muscles and release any tension, especially ...

Ryan started walking much later than his twin brother. It is a joy to watch him able to catch up with his brother and sister.

It was a beautiful Easter Sunday service at our parish today. There were a few children at the 9 AM mass. Now and again a child’s cry, whimper, or giggle could be heard. And some of those sounds come from my own grandchildren! Soon as we got home the children got their baskets and eagerly went on an Easter Egg Hunt in the backyard. Watching all 6 running to and fro around the garden was a joyful sight this beautiful sunny Easter morning. Another picture slideshow by Smilebox An attempt for a group picture with Grandma.

The spring has come full of miracles. Easter has come full of blessing! With OUR EYES we see the beauty of Easter as the earth awakens once more... With OUR EARS we hear the birds sing sweetly to tell us Spring again is here... With OUR HANDS we pick the golden daffodils and the fragrant hyacinths... But only with OUR HEARTS can we feel the MIRACLE of GOD'S LOVE which redeems all men... And only with OUR SOUL can we make our 'pilgrimage to God' and inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE. Easter reflections by Helen Steiner Rice