The phone rings, "Hi, this is Gail. I don't want to get anyone in trouble but does Ben, not your Ben but Ben S. have a gun outside?" Yes, we live in gun country, purely recreational and not appreciated by yours truly but boys will be boys and then they grow into men who think hunting is a sport.
Thanksfully I knew that
1. the real guns are securely, secretly locked away
2. while just 2 seconds before having checked the comings and goings of Ben and his friends I had seen one of the kids with a toy gun - complete with a scope that does make it look all that more real and frightening.
3. a yardful of boys will find some kind of mischief to get into - although completely harmless - this time.
My neighbour had seen Ben S. in the backyard pointing what looked like a real gun in her direction. She called to find out, hopefully, that it wasn't real and then to explain that she was not a crazy woman for shouting at some rather innocent kids.
Knowing full well what kids can get up to I said she hadn't over-reacted and thanked her for being responsible to call and alert me - in case I was not already aware - and we all know that we really don't have eyes in the back of our heads (but don't ever tell your kids that). Afterall, it wasn't that many years ago that #1 son and his friends shot another neighbour, in the thigh, with a pellet gun. Needless to say, Dad and #1 son got an earful for quite a few days. That was one time when I was compeletly oblivious to what the kids were up to...that is until the neighbour ran into our house and pulled down his pants to show me the red spot on his leg...but that's a story for another time.
Boys and their toys...yes, Kris, Matt was playing with one as well. OH, maybe you didn't want to know that, sorry.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
1st time job
Son #1 recently started his very first paying job, cutting Nannie's grass really doesn't count - especially when he only manages to cut it two or three times a season.
Last Thursday was his first day on the job. I have been after him for a couple of weeks to go see Ruth at Café 349. He has worked a couple of times for her within the past year taking out the recycling and it's not like he doesn't know everyone there, they are all my friends and the kids and I practically live there...it's so great to have a non-smoking place wtih great eats.
Saturday evening he worked 4 - 10, there was an anniversary party booked. He was so excited he was gone by 3:30 - we live 5 min. away (walking distance). Shortly after 10 p.m. he called for a ride home, "Mom, we're almost done. Come and get me." As I was stopped at a red light (at our only set of traffic lights - two steps from the Café) he came out of the Café, complete with the biggest grin I have ever seen. He walked down the street like he owned the whole town. I don't know who was more proud of him, me or himself. Turns out the dinner was for our neighbors and half the people he knew. The biggest hit of the night was his $20. tip.
The first job - so exciting. I was pretty sure he would be able to get a job with Ruth. I am so glad he is working there, Ruth is good people. Plus since everyone is a friend I know for sure he is in good hands and everyone will keep an eye on him. He's a good kid. A complete pain in the ass but what 14 year old isn't.
Recently I was away from home at the QFHSA AGM in Montreal. Part way there we made a pit stop at the Hudson Tim Horton's for coffee and snacks to tide us over till our scheduled dinner at the Dorval Hilton. I took the time to call home to see how everyone was doing. Alex, #1 son, answered the phone. I almost asked who I was talking to. I couldn't believe how mature he sounded. When I got off the phone I commented to my travel partners that my little boy was became a man and that he was doing it without me noticing, right under my eyes. He has a man voice. Yesterday I noticed he has very noticable hair on his legs. WOW! Guess I had better start keeping track of the changes.
Last Thursday was his first day on the job. I have been after him for a couple of weeks to go see Ruth at Café 349. He has worked a couple of times for her within the past year taking out the recycling and it's not like he doesn't know everyone there, they are all my friends and the kids and I practically live there...it's so great to have a non-smoking place wtih great eats.
Saturday evening he worked 4 - 10, there was an anniversary party booked. He was so excited he was gone by 3:30 - we live 5 min. away (walking distance). Shortly after 10 p.m. he called for a ride home, "Mom, we're almost done. Come and get me." As I was stopped at a red light (at our only set of traffic lights - two steps from the Café) he came out of the Café, complete with the biggest grin I have ever seen. He walked down the street like he owned the whole town. I don't know who was more proud of him, me or himself. Turns out the dinner was for our neighbors and half the people he knew. The biggest hit of the night was his $20. tip.
The first job - so exciting. I was pretty sure he would be able to get a job with Ruth. I am so glad he is working there, Ruth is good people. Plus since everyone is a friend I know for sure he is in good hands and everyone will keep an eye on him. He's a good kid. A complete pain in the ass but what 14 year old isn't.
Recently I was away from home at the QFHSA AGM in Montreal. Part way there we made a pit stop at the Hudson Tim Horton's for coffee and snacks to tide us over till our scheduled dinner at the Dorval Hilton. I took the time to call home to see how everyone was doing. Alex, #1 son, answered the phone. I almost asked who I was talking to. I couldn't believe how mature he sounded. When I got off the phone I commented to my travel partners that my little boy was became a man and that he was doing it without me noticing, right under my eyes. He has a man voice. Yesterday I noticed he has very noticable hair on his legs. WOW! Guess I had better start keeping track of the changes.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
I take the pictures...
...but sometimes not always exactly as I envisioned. I have a friend, for all intents and purposes, we'll call her....oh, I don't know - Kris. Kris has an eye, she has a way of seeing things that I would never have thought of...although the more I see through her eyes I am beginning to see differently through the lens.
I love taking photos, now more than ever before, since puchasing my Nikon D70s last July. I have taken well over 13,000 photos with my Nikon - sadly, my trusty compact flash card finally succummed to exhaustion. Most of those 13,000 photos will never go farther than my hard drive but each one is apart of a great experience. Each one is responsible for taking me a step closer to learning this art. I am completely self-taught, although I would love to have the time and money to be able to learn from a professional. There is only so much you can teach yourself when you start out knowing absolutely nothing about the subject and there is never an end to learning.
Didn't buy my first camers until I was 30 years old, a Minolta 35m when my first child was born but it's only been the last couple of years that I started taking pictures of more than my children and family. Apart from my children, I really don't enjoy taking photos of people. I much prefer scenery - flowers in particular. Not being too self-assured I find taking photos of people too stressful - flowers and scenery will never tell me I am doing it all wrong.
Recently I sold a photo, what a weird feeling - actually selling something. Does this mean I am an artist? Recently I was called an artist by an artist that I know and respect, I looked at that person and thought WOW, coming from you that means something. Knowing this person as I do, I realize that she sees I am doing something i have a passion for. It's going to take me some time to realize that I could be an artist. For now I will continue to take the pictures and continue to see how different things are through the lens.
Although, seeing is starting to become a problem. I have always been blessed with 20/20 vision. Seems the aging process does not give a damn about my passion. I have noticed within the past few months that my arms don't seem to be long enough, much to the amusement of my friends. I finally broke down and went for an eye exam about a month and a half ago. I was told I still had 'youthful eyes' and it was recommened that I not get glasses at that time but that very shortly I would be back. Well, I believe the time has come, quicker than I wanted it to. For normal, day to day stuff I could go a long time without glasses, really just need them for reading - most days, and I say most days because I have come to realize that I am having a problem with focusing - as in with my camera lens...hmmmmm, hard to take a decent photo when what you see as clear really isn't so clear.
I love taking photos, now more than ever before, since puchasing my Nikon D70s last July. I have taken well over 13,000 photos with my Nikon - sadly, my trusty compact flash card finally succummed to exhaustion. Most of those 13,000 photos will never go farther than my hard drive but each one is apart of a great experience. Each one is responsible for taking me a step closer to learning this art. I am completely self-taught, although I would love to have the time and money to be able to learn from a professional. There is only so much you can teach yourself when you start out knowing absolutely nothing about the subject and there is never an end to learning.
Didn't buy my first camers until I was 30 years old, a Minolta 35m when my first child was born but it's only been the last couple of years that I started taking pictures of more than my children and family. Apart from my children, I really don't enjoy taking photos of people. I much prefer scenery - flowers in particular. Not being too self-assured I find taking photos of people too stressful - flowers and scenery will never tell me I am doing it all wrong.
Recently I sold a photo, what a weird feeling - actually selling something. Does this mean I am an artist? Recently I was called an artist by an artist that I know and respect, I looked at that person and thought WOW, coming from you that means something. Knowing this person as I do, I realize that she sees I am doing something i have a passion for. It's going to take me some time to realize that I could be an artist. For now I will continue to take the pictures and continue to see how different things are through the lens.
Although, seeing is starting to become a problem. I have always been blessed with 20/20 vision. Seems the aging process does not give a damn about my passion. I have noticed within the past few months that my arms don't seem to be long enough, much to the amusement of my friends. I finally broke down and went for an eye exam about a month and a half ago. I was told I still had 'youthful eyes' and it was recommened that I not get glasses at that time but that very shortly I would be back. Well, I believe the time has come, quicker than I wanted it to. For normal, day to day stuff I could go a long time without glasses, really just need them for reading - most days, and I say most days because I have come to realize that I am having a problem with focusing - as in with my camera lens...hmmmmm, hard to take a decent photo when what you see as clear really isn't so clear.
Mayflower
- Johnson's Lake near Ladysmith, Quebec
Sunday, May 21, 2006
- Johnson's Lake near Ladysmith, Quebec
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Spent the day at the family cottage. It was so friggin cold, felt more like fall than spring.
With the weather we've been having it's hard to tell that summer is almost here - rain, cold, more rain and more cold. Sarah wanted to take her bathing suit today, I envisioned icicles hanging from her body. Last year at this time the kids had been swimming in Kris' new pool for a couple of weeks...yes, the water was cold but the outside temp was warm. Tryin to work on a tan, not having too much luck - maybe I should be working on a tan in a can.
With the weather we've been having it's hard to tell that summer is almost here - rain, cold, more rain and more cold. Sarah wanted to take her bathing suit today, I envisioned icicles hanging from her body. Last year at this time the kids had been swimming in Kris' new pool for a couple of weeks...yes, the water was cold but the outside temp was warm. Tryin to work on a tan, not having too much luck - maybe I should be working on a tan in a can.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
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