If We Were Having Coffee – May 17/2015: Guest Post.

LETTER TO A FRIEND

Welcome to Willow’s weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul, I’ll be your Barista today and I’m happy to be here once again. Please come in and make yourself comfortable. Willow has plumped the cushions and started a cozy fire so we can warm ourselves while we have a cuppa and chat. As usual, I’d be pleased to bring a pot of whatever beverage you prefer – we have a wide range of teas and coffees to satisfy our world-wide readership. Also available is a large selection of spirits for addition to your cuppa or in its place. We can relax while we discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/or worldwide. How has your week been?

We discuss a wide range of topics here while having our coffee and tea. Today I thought that I’d do something a bit different and reproduce a letter that I just sent to a friend on Friday night after I got home from dialysis. I have changed her name and tidied up the punctuation and corrected spelling errors for ease for reading. Otherwise every word is identical. I chose to share this letter as I felt it gives a “real” glimpse into one day in my life.

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Hey Francine!

I went to the hospital for dialysis a bit early today. When the weather is nice, I’ve been going early. I usually run out of cigarettes about mid-month so I go and troll the smoking areas around the hospital. I take the partially burnt cigarettes that people leave in the outside ashtrays and then take out the tobacco and use rolling papers to make some home made “rollies” (as they are called here). One visit can usually keep me in cigarettes for 2 days. Anyway, I was pondering today how I was going to get some more rolling papers – they are only $1.35 (about a pound) for 100 but I only had 75 cents to do me until my next cheque (in about 10 days).

So I was walking around the hospital – good exercise for me (about 1.5 km or 1 mile)- collecting the butts when I got to the employee smoking area behind the hospital. This is usually the mother lode as the staff (non-medical) is mostly French and smokes a lot. They are well paid and often leave cigarettes that are only 1/4 burnt. There are about 500 employees working in the Hospital. Anyway, there were a few people there but I seldom mooch, I just walk around and collect from the ashtrays. There was a woman sitting there and I greeted her. When she looked at me quizzically I explained that I used the unused tobacco to roll cigarettes. She gave me 4 new cigarettes and I thanked her. So, I sat down to smoke one and chat with her. Her brother in law was into trucking so we spoke about trucks and when she asked what I did I told her. Anyway, after about 10 minutes she got up to go, reached in her purse and gave me a twenty dollar bill (about 15 pounds) – saying that she wanted me to have it. I was flabbergasted and thanked her very much.

When I was walking back into the hospital I was thinking and realized I had asked for 70 cents earlier today – it is so like God to give so much more than we ask for. You know, people often really are very kind. I had the transport drop me at the corner store on the way home and I bought some milk and bread and rolling papers. I still have a few dollars to get to my next cheque. I was pissed off last week, when I had purchased a big ham to cut up for sandwiches and when I went to use it, there were black spots on the ham, so I pitched it. It annoys me because I kept it very cold and it was not passed the expiry date. That left me a bit short on food.

Dialysis went pretty well tonight – few alarms and the needles were perfect (first shot and excellent flow – indicating they were perfectly placed in the fistula). I had “restless legs” a condition that happens sometimes on dialysis – it is annoying but I got through. There’s a new hospital volunteer in the dialysis unit on Friday evening and Saturday – a young student by the name of Mubarak. He is a third year biochemistry student at a local university. He does this because he enjoys helping – there is no requirement for him to do it. We chatted for about an hour about university and chemistry – it was a good break from the routine.

Anyway I should let you go F – I have to write a coffee guest post for Willow tonight. I wrote a long story, as a post, about a trip I took years ago and sent it to a blogger this week as a guest post. It wasn’t very good, so I told her to trash it. I need to replace it this weekend.

How’s things going with you? I didn’t follow you to Facebook today because my little computer freezes up every time I try to get on Facebook. I think it uses a lot of memory or something.

Anyway, I wish you fulfillment, health and happiness – and your family as well. Say “Hi” to Bill for me. Tell him that his fans are clamoring for more videos.

Paul

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On that note, that’s about all we have room for this week, so it’s time to settle in with another cuppa and watch the fire. Sweets anyone? Please join me in thanking Willow for her invitation to tea. We are all honored that you dropped by today to visit. I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself and the conversation and please look around at Willow’s other posts while you’re here. Willow is over there serving her guests and chatting it up. Let’s go see how she is today. Have a great week. We look forward to seeing you back here for sweets and beverages of your choice again next week.

And of course the

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE

over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s

If we were having Coffee info

Dear all this week Paul’s Guest post can be found at Mark Bialczak’s blog at here , Please visit and enjoy the coffee and post from Paul and while there do explore Marks Blog I guarantee you will love it!

Paul will be back here as normal next Sunday .

Hugs willow

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If We Were Having Coffee: Elections, V.E Day 70th Anniversary, Planets and Mother’s Day

If we were having Coffee : time again to ask how are you all are and what have you been up to this week! Come in it is lovely to see you all here again. The fires are lit and the cushions are plumped up and we have the coffee and tea on the go and the cakes and sweets are all set out. We have tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.

If we were having Coffee: I would ask you what has been going on in your world this week, has anything deeply affected you, have you need a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on or just needed someone to make you laugh! If yes feel free to talk it out here with us. We will all help if we can.

Join in !

If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster

Well now what has been happening in your part of the world? We have finally had our General Election and in some places local council elections as well.

It really seems that the Election Campaign has been going on forever but finally this Thursday just gone, 7th of May it arrived! Hubby and I were up early and though we went to vote at different times we cast our votes early.

If we were having Coffee: I would tell you that I was amazed to see a universe of planets at the polling station! It was an interplanetary experience!

I came face to face with six young voters! It was their last day at school and their first Legal Vote and lucky them it fell on a General Election!! Why were they dressed as planets… well I have no idea but I do know that in recent years those leaving school locally have a fancy dress day and a leavers ball! So I guess these bright young things decided to go galactic!

Would you like another coffee or a piece of cake? There are plenty to choose from, and they are all calorie free.

If we were having Coffee : I would tell you that Friday 8th May was the 70th Anniversary of VE Day read more here.

The three days of celebrations started at the Cenotaph at 3pm, on the 8th May. the chimes of Big Ben and ceremonial guns at Wellington Barracks and the Tower of London marked a national two-minute silence. Guns were also sounded from saluting posts in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast. Members of the public lined the streets and schools, organisations and companies across the UK participated.

Following the silence, the Last Post was played by a Royal Marine bugler and wreaths were laid by those attending. The service included a reading of extracts from Winston Churchill’s speech by Mr Randolph Churchill, Great-Grandson of Winston Churchill, hymns and a blessing and concluded with the playing of the National Anthem.

Mr Milliband, Mr Clegg (both resigning) Mr Cameron ( Prime Minister) back left the blond, Boris Johnson. ( Mayor of London)

Over 200 beacons were lit all over England on Friday 8th May as part of these same celebrations, more details here.

If we were having Coffee: I would tell you that in this week of General Elections, planet sightings and 70th VE commemorations that the hubby and I have been busy too.

Now I know that the US is celebrating Mothers Day this weekend I want to wish all mothers a wonderful day and to all children I encourage you to do do something special for your Mums they love you so!

Here is the poem I wrote for my mum some years ago

Gentle she was

Gentle she was, a young woman of means, beautiful in her Marcel Wave she was.

A hair dresser with her own shop a teaser of hair and tresses.

Then the quiet Irish man took her eye and her heart.

Not impressed were her parents with the young Irish trade unionist from the motor trade.

Time eventually brought them round to accept the vows the young couple had made.

Grief she bore when her fist born died at six months

brave she was to have more. Three girls then two boys , and two more angels lost in-between.

Then after all was finished me, making six.

Hard she worked to bring us up and support her quiet man who was there for her too.

Kind she was, good and open hearted she was.

The door always open to family and waifs and strays

big hearted she was to all who past through our door.

Always there she was, with words of wisdom and comfort.

Her beautiful heart shone through her eyes.

Patient she was but there was temper there if needed,

she was not strong or mean but if needed her children and her man she would defend to the death!

Beautiful she was in features and in heart

there was not task she would not finish if she had made a start.

Cried for her daughters she did as her man gave them away

and when her sons went too she had a proud day.

Together alone again by themselves again.

Happy she was full of the business of her quiet man.

Yet she was always ready to talk and help and ease our pain.

Cleaver she was but not school or college wise she was wise in life and love and truth and need.

Lonely she was when her man was taken ,

wept she did as she wanted to join him.

Lost she was without the quiet man .

Heart broken she became though she threw herself in to caring for grandchildren.

Gone she was before her body, her mind and soul went to him.

Lost to us she was, a smile here and there maybe a flash of recognition.

Unknowing of all around her she was,sad eyed frighted lamb lonely lonely.

Tiny she was when she went sadly lost to us long before .

Gone into her mind to find her quiet man.

Tears we shed for her,we wept in grief and I in anger because so long had she been gone and I had wanted to talk to her,

but gone she really was.

Anemones her favourite flowers were they always remind me of her.

I forgave her for leaving me and now accept she had to go

as by the side of her quiet man was where she had to be.

Never to be forgotten.

If we were having coffee : I would ask if you could do with a refill and a cake. I must close now so lets go and join Paul he is over at Mark’s place this week and all his guests they are all enjoying themselves by the fire!

And of course the

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE

over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s

Coffee with friends

If we were having Coffee: Birthdays, Babies, Boys, and A to Z

Welcome one, Welcome all.

Join in !

If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster

If we were having Coffee : Yesterday was a long but happy day, it was my hubby’s birthday and our eldest son organised a special family lunch, out in the country down in his part of the world. It was extra special because all three boys were able to attend as was the husband’s mother. The Newbie and his Mum did not come but it would of been a lot of travelling and a long day for the Newbie. We all met up on a pub on the South Downs an had a lovely meal. It was a delight to have all my four men in one place at the same time!

If we were having Coffee : Now there was something else that happened yesterday on Hubby’s birthday …what was it ??? OH! yes ! William and Kate have taken delivery of their second baby! Right Kate job done an Heir and a Spare! Parliament made sure when George was on his way that he been a girl he would still be able to become Monarch in line. So as with most things it is one in one out and Princess Eugenie will be toppled of her perch at 7th in line to the throne… I wonder if the fact that she no longer has to ask the Queen permission to marry will affect her.

Well the Cambridge’s went home from the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital Paddington hours after the birth. I had to smile when a TV newsman wondered how they would cope their first night home having to look after two babies under three? Well I can assure you that they would of had plenty of help with royal aides,Nannies, Nurses and a Dr on hand. Not like when us mere mortals go home from hospital, with no help, apart from a as scared as you husband , and in our case two children under two years. In fact we left it eight years until we had any more children .

William and Kate leave with the as yet unnamed

Careful in those high heels Kate precious cargo!

Wooho, high heels , new dress full make up and hair freshly done…. we all looked like that after we had just had babies..well no we did not but we don’t have a battery of stylists and hairdressers. Seriously Kate way to go.

If we were having coffee: I say good luck for the Paul we hope t all goes well and that you will soon be warm , comfy and cosy in you new DRY flat. We all hope your new apartment will suit you well Paul.

If we were having coffee: On a personal not I delighted to say that I did complete the A to Z April Challenge by writing a Nonet a day for the entire month excepting Sundays when we were allow a day off! I was not brave enough to sign up but I was allowed to use the logo, which I wore with pride. Even though I called my posts Not The A to Z Challenge, I did them every day and I met many brilliant bloggers and read some amazing posts! I shall be braver next year and sign up and do it legitimately!

So many fabulous blogs too many to mention!

If we were having coffee : I would ask if you could do with a refill and a cake. I must close now so lets go and join Paul and all his guests they are all enjoying themselves by the fire!

And of course the

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE

over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s

If We Were Having Coffee – May 3/2015: Guest Post.

Happy Thoughts

Ella Isaacson, 7, reaches for a pastry from the top of the three-tiered tray. (Pioneer Press: John Doman)- Lady Elegant’s Tea Room & Gift Shoppe Ella Isaacson, 7, reaches for a pastry from the top of the three-tiered tray. (PioneernPress: John Doman)- Lady Elegant’s Tea Room & Gift Shoppe

Welcome to Willow’s weekly coffee and tea garden. My name is Paul, I’ll be your barista today and I’m happy to be here once again. Please come in and make yourself comfortable. Willow has plumped the cushions and started a cozy fire so we can warm ourselves while we have a cuppa and chat. As usual, I’d be pleased to bring a pot of whatever beverage you prefer – we have a wide range of teas and coffees to satisfy our world-wide readership. Also available is a large selection of spirits for addition to your cuppa or in its place. We can relax while we discuss the affairs of the week both personal and/or worldwide. How has your week been?

Well, it’s been an interesting week all around. It never ceases to amaze me how kind people can be just out of the blue. I’ve had a problem with water leaking into my apartment through the ceiling for about a year now. The manager had a lot of work done on the roof and the problem stopped for the winter. A few weeks ago when it rained hard, the leak started up again. It is a lot of water and I have seen myself haul over 100 liters (about 25 gallons) out in buckets after a storm. So, the manager approached me this week and asked if I would move into another comparable but slightly larger and newer unit this coming week. He will keep my rent the same and give me some people to help me move. I agreed; glad to be rid of the water. Anyway, I met one of my fellow renters, Steve, who I chat with regularly and he asked how things were going. I mentioned the move to him and he said I should give him a call and he would be happy to help. I thought that was very kind of him and agreed to call. So, I’m tidying up this weekend and getting ready to move. It isn’t much but I like to leave the apartment relatively clean when I go. I know they will be tearing out the ceiling and walls, so I’m not overly concerned except on general principles.

Would you like a refill of your cuppa? Perhaps a sweet – piece of cake or biscuit or a slice of pie? All our sweets are calorie free here. Oh, as a follow up to last week’s rant, I received my bus pass in the mail on Friday before I needed to use it to go to dialysis. My little tussle with the bureaucracy paid off. I should mention, as one of the commenters suggested last week, that this whole pass thing is a basically me wanting to stay straight with the world. It is the city that sends the pass and it is the city that supplies the transportation, so there is no money that changes hands and whether I get a pass or don’t, the drivers will still give me a ride. Everyone who does the actually work realizes that this is a simple accounting activity (i.e. which department gets to claim the cost) and there is no enforcement that would deny me a ride. I just try very hard to play by their rules as I am grateful for the service and don’t want to do anything to jeopardize the services.

Princess Kate, Prince William and George in Australia in 2014

So, for our British readers, congratulations on the newest addition to the Royal family this weekend. I see Kate has come through with her health intact and now has a new 8 pound baby girl. It is wonderful to see all the happiness and cheer and celebrations in the news for a change. In perusing the news of the birth I found it amusing that many publications were listing the odds that gamblers were placing on what name will be chosen for the new princess. That’s not something that would be seen here in Canada. It occurred to me that Prince William could disguise himself and place a bet and then name the princess so he would win. Ha! Not that he would but it is a humorous thought.

Would you like a refill while we chat? Please feel free to choose anything from our large selection. Anyway, on the cheerful front (for some) this week in Vancouver, British Columbia’s foray into legalized marijuana has run into the surfeit of laws yet again. Ha! Apparently one of the “illegal” marijuana dispensaries decided to enhance business by offering a free joint (or marijuana cookie) to any first time visitors to their shop. There are dozens of these “illegal” shops as defined by federal laws – which, in Canada, are responsible for drug regulations. However the province of British Columbia has decided to tolerate the sale of marijuana as it is so popular in that province (the weather is perfect for cultivation, there is cheap electricity and the public attitude is very permissive). In fact marijuana is the largest cash crop in the province – over $6 billion annually. Anyway, the police are scratching their heads because they have no laws to enforce and yet really don’t want marijuana being distributed free. So, the promotion continues – if you are interested in trying marijuana, then hurry on over to Vancouver where, for now, you can not only buy it but, for now, try it for free.

Oh, in closing did you know that Saturday was World Naked Gardening Day? How did you celebrate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Naked_Gardening_Day ) If you forgot or weren’t aware, then we will allow you to celebrate on Sunday instead.

Afternoon Tea

And of course the

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE

over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: ANZAC DAY, DAFFODILS, TOMATOES AND CHAT

Join in !

If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster

Right now I am exhausted it has been a busy day set at the end of a very busy week! I am not really sure where to start!

Yesterday was Anzac Day, and there was a full day’s worth of Remembrance for those who fell . Read here. Princess Anne her husband , the Queen and Prince Philip all took part in the services today, read here . Prince Charles and Camilla traveled to Anzac Cove to lay a wreath read more here .

THANK YOU TO ALL ANZACS

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If we were having Coffee : I would tell you that our tomatoes are growing well and soon they will be ready to put out into grow bags! I have also put up a photo of my beloved Daffodils. I do love them so for their colour the freshness and their hopefulness! There is not enough hope in this world that we cannot enjoy the sunny Daffodils.

11182212_737818303005089_711678879208902963_n — RESTING DUCKS!

11150854_737476309705955_3987855508381578200_n — SUN THROUGH THE TREES

IMG_20150414_140119943_HDR — Garden flowers

IMG_20150414_140052085_HDR — The Rockery

If we were having Coffee: I wold share with you some photos of my week of the unseasonable sunshine and the joys of nature! All this month I have been very busy keeping up with April A to Z Challenge which I had decided not to do but when it came to the crunch I could not , not pick up the baton and run so all this months I have been writing a Nonet to correspond to the letters of the alphabet yesterdays was V and with it being Saturday it was conjoined with LindaGHill‘s SoCs with the prompts being Very or Vary or derivatives there of!

It has been fun but very hard , finding a subject each day beginning with the letter of the day has been hard but I have done my very best!

If we were having coffee : I would replenish your cup and off you a cake…

I do like the though of chocolate and strawberry cake! What type of cake do like best ? Do let me know even send a photo or recipe or even both ! I could display them next week.

Now it is getting very late and I need to get to bed so I am setting this up now to go out tomorrow which is in a few minutes time !I need my sleep and I have to admit that I am very tired so I shall have to bid you all farewell for now and look forward to seeing you all again next week!

Okay lets all go and join Paul and his guests now for a chat and more coffee!

And of course the

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE

over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s

Hugs to you all

If We Were Having Coffee Guest Post– April 26/2015

Frustration

High tea in Government House in Edmonton Alberta.

So, I travel to dialysis three times a week by a handicap bus. Because it is so often and I am on disability, the bus pass is covered under Health and Safety Services (HSS). For this I am grateful. However, dealing with HSS has to be the most frustrating experience I have ever had. Naturally enough, they want yearly confirmation by a doctor that I still qualify for this service, so they send a form to me for the doctor to sign. I received that form late last week and on Monday, while he was doing rounds, I got the dialysis doctor’s signature. So far, so good. Dialysis is very obliging and has some stake in their patients arriving in a timely manner so they offered to fax the form to the appropriate government office. The form says clearly and unambiguously “… fax to Valerie Gauthier at 613-580-4760” in big letters on the top. So, dialysis faxes this form, attaches the confirmation of fax receipt from the receiving fax at the correct number, to the form and returns it to me. Knowing this department is notoriously incompetent (very kind and considerate and easy going and approachable and very seldom, if ever, get anything right the first time around) I decide to follow up to make sure this form has been received.

Would you like a refill? Perhaps a sweet? On Thursday afternoon, I look up the number for Valerie in the city of Ottawa employee directory, and call. Valerie informs me in a very upset tone that I have the wrong person – she no longer does that. Fine, I tell her that her name is on the form – I hesitate to ask what her problem is. So Valerie kindly gets me the number of my worker and explains that all services are coordinated through her – Diane Miron. So I call Diane, identify myself and explain why I am calling. Diane informs me that she doesn’t take care of that and asks who and what number I faxed the form to. So I tell her the name and number on the form. Diane tells me that the person and the number are wrong – and uses a tone that implies I’m stupid. I object that I did precisely what the form asked me to do. Diane says they haven’t gotten around to changing the form yet and checks the computer. She tells me that the computer does not show that the form has been received and asks when I sent it. I tell her (4 days ago) and she says that Julia Hamilton now takes care of this and that she should eventually get the form anyway. So, I thank Diane and look up Julia’s number. She is not in and I leave a message. So far I have used over ½ hour of my time and city workers time fruitlessly because the form had the wrong info on it. And still I have no answer and the city wonders why their workers’ productivity is so low.

The following day I received a call back from Julia who told me that the form was no where to be found and that I should re-fax it to 613-580-2790. Of course I don’t have a fax at home so I faxed it that night in dialysis. I impressed upon her that the form had a different number on it and she told me that the form had been revised now, which of course was after it had already been sent to all the applicants. So anyone who got the renewal form this month will not get their bus pass unless they followed up with a call and re-fax to a different number. Oh, and by the way, she informed me that there is a number that I should call in future for inquiries and they will relay a message to her- I shouldn’t call her direct. How do you do dealing with government departments? Do they frustrate you as well? Do tell.

Another cuppa perhaps? Would you like a sweet, they are very tasty and calorie free. On another note, I was reading an article in The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper and paper of record (a national newspaper that carries official and legal notices by government decree) about a group of 3 young men who disappeared from a Winnipeg university in the mid 2000’s read here They communicated that they were going to join Al-Qaeda. One man was American and he showed back up in the US – extradited from Pakistan – charged with providing help to terrorists. He has since been incarcerated. The Canadian families of the remaining young men had some hope that their sons would be found and extradited as well, but that is not the policy. Apparently, in its war on terrorism, the American government has been getting a lot of flak at home about killing American citizens who are affiliated with terrorists overseas. Consequently, when possible, they capture and return Americans to the US where they are charged and imprisoned. That being said, they do not have a similar policy for other foreign nationals including Canadians – they are killed on sight when appropriate, often by drones.

Ahmad Waseem, left, of Windsor, Ont., was wounded in combat in Syria. John Maguire, centre, is a former University of Ottawa business student who was under RCMP investigation after leaving for Syria last year. Hasibullah Yusufzai, right, is a B.C. man charged with terrorism in July.

So, it occurs to me that the US government is seeing negative backlash at home when it kills Americans overseas – how do they think everyone else feels when other nationalities are killed by Americans in other countries? And their backlash is coming on proven American terrorists, how do they think others feel when innocent people are killed in American raids and activities? The Americans call this “collateral damage” – I call it generating more terrorists and people worldwide who hate America’s foreign policy, military, and government (note the Oxford comma after “military” – a tribute to Doobster’s punctuation lessons.) What do you think? Does anyone (regardless of nationality) who engages in terrorism or collaborates with terrorists deserve to die overseas even if they have not personally harmed anyone? (For example the terrorists’ bakers and confectioners are considered collaborators and are killed on sight.) And what about the innocents who are killed – those whose only crime was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time?

And of course the

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE

over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s

If we were having Coffee: Posh visitors, and warm weather!

Posh Guests!

Okay only kidding I might have some very influential visitors but I have not yet joined the Higher Echelons of society just yet!

Good news though Paul is back!!

If we were having Coffee : time again to ask how are you all are and what have you been up to this week! Come in it is lovely to see you all here again. The fires are lit the cushions are plumped up and we have the coffee and tea on the go and the cakes and sweets are all set out. We have tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.

Join in !

If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster

Well If we were having Coffee: today I would say that it the day of the Newbie’s Birthday party, it was his actual birthday last week but the party is today! I am actually on tenterhooks as the situation between the Newbie’s Mum and Dad and us is still very tenuous. I have all my fingers and toes crossed that all will go well. So watch this space.

Pancakes

If we were having Coffee: I’d ask you what can I get you to drink and what do you fancy to eat from our large range of cakes, biscuits and sweets? Maybe even some pancakes.

It has been a very busy week blog wise, what with the not the A to Z April Challenge which I am doing unofficially as I was too much of a coward to sign up properly!, Silent and One liner Wednesday not to mention SoCs. But even with the gym, normal shopping housework and helping friends out I have made it through!

If we were having coffee: I would tell that the weather has been very pleasant this week and that has made for some very pleasant walks and the flowers trees and weeds have all been blooming mad!

11009393_734336076686645_2110962338464008355_n — Friday

Our Tomato seeds have been put into two pots this week so they can mature enough to out out into the garden and the waiting grow bags!

As you can see they are getting bigger every day! These little seedlings all come from the original seeds that we had been given four years ago by our Italian friends. They are a lovely reminder of the lovely holidays we have in Tuscany!

If we were having coffee: I would ask you if you have anything of interest to share with us? It does not need to be earth shattering!

I was wondering if you would like to see the garden? Well one corner of it anyway!

IMG_20150414_140119943_HDR

And of course the

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE

over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s

Come and Join Us

Purrrrrrrrrrrrfect

If We Were Having Coffee: Guest Post – April 19/2015

I’m Back

Afternoon Tea with the girls

I’m back after missing last week for medical reasons. I thank you my readers and Willow for your patience. Dialysis did not go well and I ended up with two hematomas when they tried to needle me; which meant I did not get dialysis and had to wait for the hematomas to heal before I could get dialysis again. This took a few days. It is possible to needle through the hematomas after a day or two but it is very painful and I’d had enough. So I missed a few sessions until I was healed and then went back. This lead to a number of temporary medical issues (now all cleared up), including the inability to mentally focus enough to write. So I apologize for missing last week – that’s my story.

Would you like another cuppa and a sweet? The weather here has been very warm – 50’s to 60’s F – and sunny. It is great for the spirit. How has the weather been where you are?

Coming Soon with Credit and Debit Capability

I see our banks here in Canada have formed a consortium to address “Apple Pay”. This hasn’t arrived here yet but apparently is flourishing in places in the US. It allows customers with iPads and Apple watches, to have their credit cards and debit cards stored on those devices and used directly through Apple. Apple charges the banks between 15 and 25 cents per $100 purchase for the use of their technology. Apparently our banks are not overly enamored of this idea as it puts a vendor (Apple) between the bank and their customers. There are also security concerns that are surfacing in the US that the Canadian banks want to address up front. It is a mark of our technology that we are finding more and more ways to store and use data. What is your opinion on this coming technology? How long will it be before we have a chip embedded under our skin with all our info and credit/debit info? Is this a good idea?

RMH, Shorncliffe

Would you like a refill of your drink? Perhaps a piece of cake or a sweet? They are all calorie free here you know. To our British readers, a piece of Canadian history in England will soon be sold by the British MOD. The military base at Stonecliffe in Folkestone was where Canadian forces were marshaled and trained in World War 1 before going on to the European front. This military base had its start back in 1794 when the crown began buying land in the area to establish a military presence in preparation for war with France. The base now only houses one of the British Army’s few remaining Nepalese Gurkha units. There is a trust fund that is trying to raise money to establish a museum and education center on the site. However the British government is making progress towards selling the land for use by a housing developer. Will you be sad to see this piece of military history fall to housing developers? What are your thoughts on this?

The Royal Horseguards Afternoon Tea

And of course the

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE

over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s

If we were having Coffee: Get well Paul

Firstly before we go any further I need to tell you that my genial co host Paul Curran will not be posting ‘If we were having Coffee’ this week because unfortunately he is unwell again . I received an email this morning saying his Dialysis did not go well last night infact it was not good at all he got two hematomas. Sadly he was very poorly last night and has to go back today to try again. We all wish you well Paul and hope you will be back here again very soon!

So lets all send a huge get well to Paul we will keep you in our thoughts and those of us who want to ( me included ) can pray for your safe return soon!

Well Paul if you are reading this we miss you !!

Join in !

If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster

Now welcome to Paul’s guests, make yourselves at home, I shall do my best to entertain you until our Paul’s safe return!

If we were having coffee I would tell you that it was the Newbie’s first Birthday on Friday 10th April. We did not see him that day but his Daddy , who has been unwell and off work all week , rang us Friday evening . He put the Newbie on the phone, the Newbie loves TV Remotes and Phones, he was babbling away to us on speaker and it was like having a conversation. In fact at one point we both asked him if he had had a lovely day and he answered with what sounded like a resounding YES! Bless it was lovely, it was also lovely to see how the hubby’s face lit up at the sound of the darling little boy!

There is to be a Birthday Tea next Sunday which I am so looking forward to. I am looking forward to going and our eldest son will be there too unfortunately our middle is working .

We have brought the Newbie a bubble machine , and the batteries and the bubble liquid, I think we have thought of everything! I am really looking forward to seeing what the other two boys have bought him??

We are all looking forward to see the little family.

If we were having coffee I would ask you if you would like another cuppa or a piece of cake do help yourself. My place is your place.

Last Sunday was Easter and we had the Hubby’s mother and his last remaining Aunt over for dinner we had a good time and two ladies enjoyed seeing each other. I may have told you before the are respectively 95yrs ( next month ) and 93yrs!! Both fit and spritely and mentally as bright as buttons! They certainly kept Hubby and me on our toes!

If we were having Coffee I would tell you that I have another vase of glorious Daffodils not the pure yellow type but a beautiful two tone variation . They look glorious on the windowsill in the kitchen.

If we were having Coffee I say that my friend L and I took another trip to Windsor we met my no longer sister in law ( but almost sister of 49yrs) and her granddaughter my great niece. We walked along the river to meet them as we were heading from opposite directions! We visited Batchelors acre park and saw the new statue of Queen Elizabeth 11 and her Corgies.

I was impressed with the statue but I felt the Queen’s features were not very flattering! But it was in a lovely setting in the park just up from a children’s playground as if she were watching the little ones at play.

We had a lovely afternoon and then just before we caught our bus for home we popped in to Windsor Parish Church we had never had a chance to see inside before so it was a treat .

The Choir gallery and fabulous Last Super painting

Then suddenly our bus was there and we said hurried goodbyes and set off for the journey home. With memories of another lovely day out.

I have to go now as we are out to lunch with friends and I am really looking forward to that! So for now I hope you have all had a good weekend and have a good week ahead of you.

Please remember Paul in your thoughts or and prayers. We all hope he is back very soon. So you all of you love and hugs and same time same place next week!

And of course the