It we were having Coffee at Gene’O’s place!

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: 

Well this  is so nice of you Gene’O  inviting us  all over  to yours  for a coffee , I am really pleased to accept  not least  of all because I have been doing  the Sunday, ‘If we were having coffee’ along  with your  Diana , who is part of your  group  at  partimemonsters  for  a good  few  weeks  now. Recently Paul Curran  blogger extraordinaire of  no fixed  blog  has been making use of  my garden  to hold  a coffee gathering  and meeting of  minds. So if it is Okay  we will join you and all your  other  guests!

I do like  what  you have done with the place Gene’O  it is very, very  you! It feels odd  to be sitting here instead of handing cups and cakes  to he the guest.

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Okay  what’s been happening  this week so IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE:  blogging  wise,   Johncoyote got  me up on to my  soap box  and  I dug  up  some old posts  and wrote  a new one or  two  on the subject  of how badly we are treating  our beautiful plant. Taking  her for granted, burning and deforesting her, raging  wars on her belly  and her back  killing  not only each other   but all her flora and fauna  and any poor creatures trapped in the war machine’s  way! Mining, covering her  with  concrete so she bleeds  and is starved of air. Time is running out  and we are  the only ones who can do anything to save  mother earth/ mother nature  for our  children  and our children’s children!

Oh! you have all gone quiet, I got up on my  soap box  didn’t I …..sorry I did mean  to get carried away! I am not a raving loony  honest!

New Shoes

Right I  am embarrassed, what else  … IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would  tell you that on  Wednesday  I went shopping  with  my  friend . I needed shoes, thanks  to a bunion  on  my left  foot I now appear  to have difficulty  finding  shoes that  do not  hurt!

So we  went off  in search of sensible  shoes.  It was a hard  job  but  someone had to do it!  Was it a successful trip I hear  you asking.

New Dress

I  managed to buy three pairs of sensible wide fitting shoes  that did not look too awful!  Not  to mention  a pair of pretty platform sandals….. well they were in the sale  and so pretty. I also bought  a lovely floaty pink and  white polka dot dress it was not on the shopping list  but it is also very pretty, also not on the list was an outfit  for the Newbie, buy outfits  for the Newbie well that just goes without saying!

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would  tell you  that while I was at Pilates on Friday  my  phone  rang  and it was my  youngest  son asking  me  where I was, at pilates,  I replied, where is dad,  he asked  he is not  answering  his phone, polishing  my  car I replied  OH!  he  said  we are  coming to visit  you ! Hooray I  thought  returning to pilates  excited  about  an extra chance  to see  the Newbie  and his mum and dad! It  was lovely  to see them  they were on their way out to lunch  but  it is always lovely  to see them flying visit  or not!

 

strange flowers

Today after my  core  class  we went over  to see them , two  days in a row  such  a treat! We  spent  the afternoon gardening, while I was tiding up one  of  the flower  beds I spotted  these  fabulous  flowers  does  anyone  know  what  they are ? I certainly  do not recognize them. I have had  a lovely  time  with my husband, my youngest son  and his family.

Now  just  before I go IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: I would  ask if you remember  me telling  you that I have been looking after   our friends cats  while  they are away on holiday. The cats  have been staying with us  for 3weeks so far. Well they are lovely  cats, house cats  which  means  we are not allowed  to let them out at  all. Well I have to report  that  they are very mischievous animals. One of them has made several escape  attempts  luckily  we have foiled  them all! ( so far) , here are some photos of them at play!

who attacked my dog?

who has stolen a biscuit!

where did it go??

where has it gone?

Toffee

Kissy kissy

Well all that remains is f0r  me to say thank  you  to Gene’O for having  us  we have  aha  a lovely time!

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IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE. OFF TO GEN’O’S GUEST POST!

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE :– Aug.23/2014

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Welcome to Willow’s weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul and I’m happy to be here once again in the garden tending to your needs for a cuppa, and sweets. I must say, it’s great to see you all here in this relaxing atmosphere surrounded by flowers and butterflies. Have a seat where you choose, at a table in the sun or shade, and I’ll be happy to bring a pot of whatever beverage you prefer – we have a wide range of teas and coffees to satisfy our world-wide readership. We can relax a while    but  this week  we are  not stopping here, we  are off to Gene’O’s place,  he has invited us  all  to his place for coffee!! Willow  and her guests  will be meeting us there  too. We  can still discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/or worldwide Just  somewhere  different  For one week only. .

How has your week been?

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The weather here has been hinting at fall this week – cooler night time temperatures and warm but dry daytime weather. Not wanting summer to fade, I chose a Spring Garden painting this week to celebrate life bursting free. I hear from bloggers in the North Eastern US that some trees are starting to show their colors already. Not so here yet, but it won’t be long. How about where you live – any signs of season change yet?

It always surprises me when those who live in the southern hemisphere report the arrival of their spring when our fall is just starting. Intellectually, I know this is so, but I’ve only ever lived in the Northern hemisphere so for me the arrival of September is the beginning of Fall followed by winter. Fall is arriving soon

Would you like refill of your beverage? Perhaps a scone or a piece of cake? It’s all free of calories here even at Gene’Os.

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I read the news daily and it all seems so negative and violent – Iraq, Ferguson, Africa, Ukraine, Israel and Palestine, Ebola – and on and on. I think I may stop and focus on the good things that happen everyday, perhaps on a much smaller scale but still positive. For instance Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada – where I grew up) is getting a new library according to the Globe and Mail. It  cites increasing library visits and usage as an important part of the decision. I would never have guessed that in this wired world, that library usage would be increasing. I am always surprised when I visit the library here, at how much they have embraced the changing world with computers, tutorials, and an increasing book collection.

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Above  is how  the library will look when finished.  How is the library in your area doing? Do you visit often? Why do you think that book use is increasing in this electronic world?
When I was growing up, much was made of the development of electronics to the point where it was predicted that we were entering a paperless society. It seems that total shared information has increased, including paper
based assets. Personally, I love the feel of a book in my hands, feeling a part of the story.
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So what good news have you heard lately? Is there anything special happening in your town or life that has cheered you up? Or any good news you’ve heard? Personally, I was accepted recently to a prescription insurance program and have just started using it. There were a few glitches to work through requiring some more paperwork (for instance because I’m a dialysis patient the program will cover calcium and vitamin replacement medication with special dispensation – so all that info had to be faxed to the pharmacy). But now I sit happily with a supply of the medication I need and a program that will allow constant replacement as needed. It feels good not to worry about that anymore.
How does the medical/ prescription system work where you live? Could it use improvement or are you happy with the way it is?
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Would you like another cuppa and a sweet? Don’t be shy, ask and ye shall receive.
There’s lots to go around. It’s beautiful out here in Gene’O’s garden with the flowers and butterflies, isn’t it?

Mind blowingly beautiful

So, back on the topic of good news, we just finished up an international fireworks competition (during a 2 week period) here in Ottawa. It was historically held over at an expensive resort (Casino du Lac-Leamy) that was not very accessible. This year they moved it to a much more viewable site in the city at the Canadian Museum of History. I twas absolutely mind-blowingly beautiful.

This site is on the Ottawa River that runs through the city, and the participants used the reflection off the water to enhance the effect – even, in the above right case, drawing a giant bug in fireworks and reflections. That shot is from the Denmark presentation. You can take a look at the highlights of the competition by country here  It is fabulous.The Resort which sponsored the spectacle kindly moved it so that everyone could see it for miles on both sides of the river.

Have there been any celebrations or community events in your area this week? Do you attend or watch?

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Would you like another cuppa?  Gene’O  Willow and I are honored that you dropped by the garden today to visit. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and the conversation and please feel free to look around at Willow’s and Gene’O other posts while you’re here. We look forward to seeing you in the garden again next week.