Want to Buy a Winery?

Posted on June 18, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….do you ever dream of owning something way beyond your means?

This past week when we were touring the different wineries in Prince Edward County we came across one of the oldest wineries in the region. By Chadsey’s Cairn Winery produces wines only from locally grown grapes, no blending with Niagara grapes here.

We know nothing about growing grapes or making wine but we know what we like and we loved the wines from this old vineyard. The tasting room is a converted apple house with a walk out deck overlooking vines on the west side of the property.

If we won the lottery and if the whole family was willing to pull up roots and move we’d definitely look into purchasing this place. It’s been on the market for awhile so I think that the owners are looking for the right buyer who would maintain the integrity of the place and continue to produce excellent wine. One can only dream…….

Share Your World – June 11, 2018

Posted on June 12, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Cee for hosting Share Your World

If you could choose any person from history to be your imaginary friend, who would it be and why?

This is a tough question. The more I learn about famous people the more I realize that many of them were ruthless and unkind or so narcissistic that they would make terrible friends. I think I would have liked Eleanor Roosevelt. She was politically active and pretty much her own person.

60s, 70s, 80s, 90s: Which decade do you love the most and why?

Another tough question. I loved high school so the 60s hold fond memories of friends, parties and clubs. In the 70s I found my voice. I went to university, moved away from home, travelled to Germany, met my husband and got married. At the end of the 70s I had my first child. In the 80’s my family grew, I went back to teaching and started building our cottage. In the 90s I took on more leadership roles, explored new options in teaching and started to dabble in art. I can’t pick one decade.

When you die, what do you want to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered as a kind, fun loving and creative person who helped others and inspired young people to grow up and be the best person possible.

What did you appreciate or what made you smile this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination.

This week I had my first art showing at the WAAC gallery and met some wonderful artists. I also went to the museum and took in an exhibition on fashion design and architectural design.

On Thursday I drove to Hamilton to visit with my daughter and granddaughter. We took a walk to the Workers’ Arts and Heritage Centre. The building used to be the old Customs House where imports coming into Canada were processed before being released into the Canadian market.

My granddaughter loved playing with all the levers, buttons and cranks and climbing up the old staircase.

On Saturday I went to a friend’s 50th birthday party and on Sunday I met my friend Liz at the Trinity St. Paul United Church where we attended a concert of children’s choirs. As you can see it’s been a very busy and joyous week.

A Field of Joy

Posted on May 28, 2018 by Mama Cormier

…..in the eyes of children

We hate them but children all over the world love dandelions, especially when they go to seed. My granddaughter is no exception.

In an open area next to my daughter’s house is a grassy lot that hasn’t been mowed in awhile. It is a haven for dandelions. Last Saturday my granddaughter and I went for a walk or should I say my granddaughter took me for a walk and she led me straight onto this field of joy.

Cee’s Which Way Photo Challenge – A Gift at the End of the Road

Posted on May 11, 2018 by Mama Cormier

……thanks to Cee for hosting the Which Way Photo Challenge

Now that spring is finally here, I’m back out for my walks. I headed towards the parks west of my house to see what kind of damage the recent wind storm had caused. Fortunately most of the debris and downed trees had already been cleared away.

As I continued toward the pond I was treated to a wonderful gift.

WPC – My Place in the World is Near Water

Posted on May 9, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to WordPress for this week’s photo challenge Place in the World

People assumed that I would move when I retired. That’s other peoples’ dreams, not mine. So often I hear people say they want to move to the country, get out of the city. I’ve known some people who have done that but moved back to the city within a few years. I live close to downtown Toronto but I’m right by Lake Ontario and I’m surrounded by parkland. If I want to go into the city to catch a show or go to museum or art gallery I’m only a 20 minute car drive away or a short trip on the subway. When I want to go hiking or biking I just have to step outside my door and get on the Waterfront Trail. I have the best of both worlds.

I’ve always loved living close to the water and I love my city, Toronto.

Six Deliveries in a Week

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….my neighbours must have been wondering why the UPS and Canada Post trucks were stopping in my front of my home so often in such a short space of time

No it wasn’t because it was Christmas or someone’s birthday. I’ve decided to make more purchases through Amazon because the prices are good and shipping is free. Well it’s free for both my husband and me because we took advantage of the free Prime delivery service but forgot to cancel it after one month and now we’re paying for it. So it isn’t exactly free but we need to take advantage of the service or we will be paying for nothing. One of the advantages to having Prime is that we also get Prime TV shows and we’ve seen some good series and movies.

Anyway some of things that I’ve ordered are books and art supplies. A lot of these things were ordered on the same day but the delivery dates were random. One item I received within 12 hours and some took longer because the seller couldn’t guarantee faster service but I knew this when I ordered them. Everything arrived in pristine condition and was exactly as I expected. I’m one happy customer.

Share Your World – April 30, 2018

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Mama Cormier

….thanks to Cee for hosting Share Your World

Do you use paper money? If so is your money organized sequentially according to denomination?

I do use paper money and I do use debit. I try to avoid using the credit card but when I do I try to remember to pay it off right away. I’m not alway successful. I can’t get my head around people who use their debit card for small purchases like a cup of coffee. Don’t they know that they add to the cost of each cup when they do that. Maybe they just have a better bank plan or maybe things have changed in that department and I haven’t kept up with the times. Time to visit my bank.

Anyway I do like using cash for smaller purchases and I organize my money by denomination in my wallet with a separate compartment for my change. Doesn’t everyone do that?

You are comfortable doing nothing? For long stretches of time?

Not really. I don’t consider sitting at my computer or watching TV as doing nothing, although some people might disagree with me. I get too antsy just sitting and doing nothing. I have to keep my brain working and even after sitting and doing stuff I have to get up and move around.

What is your greatest strength?

I think my greatest strength is my creativity and my work ethic. The latter is what my husband said which surprised me a bit because there are days where I feel very lazy. I also like to do things for other people and I can pretty much be relied on to do what I say I’ll do.

What did you appreciate or what made you smile this past week? Feel free to use a quote, a photo, a story, or even a combination

Last week was pretty uneventful. I finished reading a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles.

On Friday my husband and I drove to Hamilton to spend the day with our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. We signed the ownership of our second car over to them and went to lunch at a local sushi restaurant. Believe it or not it was at Winnie’s request that we went there. How many two year olds do you know that love sushi?

Thanks to my husband who took this photo.

The other thing that did bring a smile to my face last week was the onset of some beautiful sunshine and warmer temperatures. Finally!

Silent Sunday – April 8, 2018

Posted on April 8, 2018 by Mama Cormier

March Square – Gift from a Student

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Mama Cormier

…..thanks to Becky B for hosting March Square

Only one more day of March Squares. I’ve loved this challenge and don’t know what I’ll do in April. Maybe more art projects? Every day when I wake up I’m greeted with this lovely piece of art that was made by one of my grade three students and gifted to me on my retirement. Thank you Alex.