Barb's Blog

Whether or not I am right about this, I am going to try it anyways! Something tells me Spring weather will arrive before the Spring season officially starts.

The weather has been so unpredictable these last few years. Whenever I tried to grow a few vegetables my hopes were often crushed by the results.

One summer was too wet. Another too dry. Last year I built a greenhouse hoping to control the amount of water my vegetables received – this did bring better results. However, I think my timing was off.

Starting seeds indoors in little pods in late March or early April was always the norm for me. I would transplant them after the last full moon in June which supposedly promises no more frost until the fall.

The summer of 2022 I had little beans, green peppers, and tomatoes growing – but unfortunately my seedlings never amounted to much. They seemed stunted as if they had no intention of growing beyond their seedling stage. Then, to my surprise, in late summer or rather early fall my tomatoes started to flower and weeks later a few tiny, pea-size, green peppers appeared. Under the protection of my crude greenhouse [a simple A-frame with plastic draped over it] they continued to grow well into winter. By late November I was hastily plucking mid-sized tomatoes before the hurricane arrived. Perhaps they prefer the colder weather.

I tried to experiment with strawberries last year as well. I quartered a few berries and stuck them in pots. Something grew by the end of the summer but I can’t say for sure if they were strawberry bushes.

Thinking I may have started them too late I decided to repeat my experiment but this time I put them in the ground in late fall of 2022, to let the seeds hibernate over winter and hopefully begin to sprout this spring.

I did the same with the seeds from my burning bush. I dropped them in a row hoping to create a hedge. If strawberry bushes and burning bushes grow this spring – I just may prep my soil and plant my tomatoes, green peppers and beans this fall for next year.

~ Here’s hoping whatever seeds you plant they will bare magnificent fruit!

Watching an incredibly large bumble bee buzzing around the flowers today reminded me of the day I gave a bee a bath.

A few years ago while trying to clean my old and very neglected paint brushes I had to resort to soaking them in a mason jar with turpentine. I prefer to use Murphy’s soap or linseed oil, but nothing I tried seemed to be working. I set the stinky jar outside on my deck and carefully tucked it in the corner away from any critters.

To my surprise a bee appeared. NO! I thought – don’t go in there! She hovered over it and buzzed. I assumed she would fly off. But she didn’t. OH NO! She was a queen with a big yellow furry circle on her back. I had to save her.

I used one of the brushes and gently lifted her out and carried her down to the grass. Her legs were covered in slime. She buzzed and waddled angrily. It was clear she couldn’t fly – the paint and turpentine slime must have been on her wings.

I ran inside and put some warm water in a glass. When I returned, I couldn’t find her. I could hear her, but I couldn’t see her. I approached slowly, scared she’d find me first. I listened and followed the buzzz. There she was struggling in the grass. I felt so bad. I told myself I was safe from her attack as long as her wings were wet she couldn’t fly. I don’t know how true that is, but it made perfect sense at the time.

I gently poured a little water over her back. She was pissed! But I could see it was working. The stringy slime was slowly rinsing off her hind legs. So I poured a little more water – and watched – poured more and watched – rinse and repeat – rinse and repeat, until I could see she appeared to be slime free.

I slid a stick under her and moved her a few feet over into the sunlight and away from the slimy puddle. I stepped back and watched her for a bit. She was still making a lot of noise, but she seemed to be more agile and less angry. I felt good, believing I had saved her. But more importantly, I hoped she believed it too!

Needless to say, I don’t use turpentine to clean my brushes anymore.

When I started my blog I had intended to post articles and artwork. I uploaded some images on a separate ‘page’ but no one was able to see them … until now.

It’s still a work in progress – but I have a few pages for others to browse through.

~ I hope this inspires you to share your work as well.

After recently uploading my children’s book on Amazon, I wanted to check on its status. I have never been on a best sellers list before so this was exciting!

Then I saw the number, my book is ranked as being the 240,901 best book.

OK, so I am not in the top 100,000 but if you consider the millions of books out there – 240,901 isn’t a bad number. Right?

Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1999419375

U.K. : https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1999419375

U.S. : https://www.amazon.com/dp/1999419375

If you had the privilege to be an honoured guest at an amazing event that you have always dreamed of attending, your first thought may be ‘what will I wear?’

When we go to fancy places, or have an opportunity to see people we admire, we pay attention to how we present ourselves.

Yet, when we don’t have any plans, or any where to go, we tend not to care how we look, how we behave, or how we are perceived.

It’s true we shouldn’t depend on others’ views, but in a world of social media and strong opinions – others’ views can make or break us.

“You should treat everyone like the Queen of England,” my uncle once told me. I was too young to understand what he meant. So I dismissed his advice.

It boils down to a personal value system. Who is worthy of our best, and who can we dismiss as not being important, valuable, or worthy of our time?

I don’t always present my best. These last two years have really proven that to me. The comforts of old shirts and sweat pants have been my go-to wardrobe. I never bothered to take the time to wear clothes that are more presentable because “I was just going here, or just going there.” That doesn’t mean I didn’t care about the people I saw, I just didn’t think much about it ~ I guess I dressed according to how I was feeling, which was un-energized and un-inspired.

One of my favourite storytellers is writer, filmmaker, director and producer, Steven Spielberg. An opportunity to meet with him would have me running around like a chicken with its head cut off. That would inspire me to wear my best, be on my best behaviour and present the best I have to offer.

This is what my uncle meant. Though many people don’t care for monarchies or political leaders, there is someone You admire. Someone you would dress your best for, and want to present your best to.

Saving our best for that one chance meeting seems like such a waste of time. It’s too bad we didn’t have the energy or desire to be our best everyday for everybody.

Everyone is worthy of being treated like kings and queens ~ I hope someone presents their best to you to show you just how worthy you are.

Looking back on my grandmother’s era it’s hard to believe how much society has advanced. She was born before cars were on the road and died shortly after the Blackberry made its debut.

All of our grandparents lived a hard life. They physically struggled. They worked so hard to make our lives better. I wonder if any of us really appreciate their efforts.

Most of us would love an opportunity to go back in time to experience their life style. A weekend of inconvenience is probably all most of us could handle. [Survivalists excluded of course.]

Think about it, using simple tools they cleared lands and farmed fields. They raised barns and dug wells. They rode horses through woods to get to the next town to buy and sell their goods. And what do we do?

We turn up the heat when we’re cold. We turn on the air conditioner when we’re warm. We turn on the tap if we’re thirsty. And, if we’re hungry; call Grub-hub.

It’s hard to appreciate all these modern day conveniences because we have grown so accustomed to them. We rely on them. And if reliance = needs. Needs = basic necessities. Then why doesn’t every third world country have these basic needs?

Are modern day “conveniences” considered luxuries or basic needs? Who decides?

Trying new things seems to get harder with age, especially when it comes to high-tech gadgets and gizmos. But I knew I had to bite the bullet sometime. And late, is better than never.

Since March 2020, Covid has prevented me [understandably] from going into the schools to promote my books. I patiently waited over a year for an opportunity to do Author Reads of my children’s book; Did You Call For Me?

Not knowing when that day may arrive, I knew I had to look at other avenues. And today I can say that I have achieved success! [Well, that’s what the website told me, so I am taking their word for it]

I managed to create an e-book and uploaded it onto the kobo online bookstore.

Kobo Writing Life links ….

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/did-you-call-for-me

After uploading my children’s book, I went straight to work creating an ebook of my short story; Forever Green. Forever Green is now available as well.

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/forever-green

So if I can manage to do that – then You too can step out of your comfort zone and try something new!!

~ I hope this inspires you

After we joyfully make a wish and playfully toss a penny in a wishing well we curiously watch where it lands before we walk away feeling satisfied.

It isn’t long before distractions consume our thoughts. Long line-ups at the check-outs, noisy traffic, the neighbour’s cat clawing at your garden, etc.

As days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into years we wonder where the time went and worse, we question what we accomplished in all that time.

A feeling of dissatisfaction looms overhead urging us to want more out of life. We focus our attention on strategies and plans. How can I get ahead? Where can I find the career I want? When will I be able to enjoy my life?

Then we remember that wish we made years before. We can still picture that penny resting on the bottom. We put so much hope, enthusiasm and excitement into that penny – then we walked away.

Just remembering the moment stirs joyful memories and boosts our spirit. Oh the satisfaction we could feel if that wish were to come true.

If we truly want to thrive, then we need to put our attention and energy on the things that we already know will bring us joy and satisfaction.

Make a wish, toss a penny and then work toward making that wish come true.

~ I hope this inspires you

So many young adults are struggling at the fork in the road. Which way should they go? They feel an urgency to decide today what their destiny will be. I had a discussion recently with someone and it seemed to alleviate some of this pressure.

I told them I didn’t know what I wanted to do after high school either. So I got a job as a cashier in a pharmacy. I was hoping I could save money for art college. I learned some skills [through lots of trials and plenty of errors] and they learned a few things about me. They saw I had the ability to draw. Within a year I was offered a job in head office illustrating products for their monthly flyers!

Computers were brought in to the art department. We were stunned. How on earth are we supposed to use these to create flyers? If you are familiar with type-setting machines and cutting red ruby you could imagine my concern. I find it amazing how quickly you can move past your own resistance to change when you start to see all the advantages of using new methods, new techniques and new technology. A willingness to consider and try something new is a key to expanding your horizon.

A night course in graphic design earned me a diploma. However, when I had reached the cap to my salary – meaning they were not willing to increase my pay. I had to decide, do I stay here knowing I will never again get a raise, or do I move on?

I got a job at a print shop. Again, a lot of trials and plenty of errors – but I learned, and I was good at it. A “Temp” began working with us. He was a student who needed to work in the print shop to complete his degree. He was also taking a night class in classical animation – it wasn’t long before I signed up as well.

Before I had completed the course I was offered a job in their studio! Yup, I leaped at the chance. Fast forward to being married and with a child on the way I had to make a decision. Do I stay home to raise my child, or do I go back to work to make money to pay a stranger to raise my child? It was a no-brainer for me.

As a stay-at-home-mom, I began doing editorial cartoons for local newspapers. I volunteered at my children’s schools. I got involved in dinner theatre. I joined a writers’ group and before long, I started writing my own plays.

Looking back at my timeline it is easy to see that the skills I have learned over the years have all been pointing toward my destiny. But I didn’t get here on my own. I didn’t decide this would all happen. There were plenty of people along the way who deserve the credit. They were the ones who offered the jobs, taught me the skills and told me about opportunities I never would have known about.

We can’t decide our future until we step out into the world and explore what it has to offer. The preferences we have help us to choose what we like and don’t like. Dentistry? Veterinarian school? Art college? Our own interests can lead us to open doors where we meet people who will guide us to new places.

Today I write and illustrate children’s books. It is easy to see how all roads lead to here. But I know there are more roads that lay ahead.

I don’t think everyone needs to make a weighty and permanent decision today of what their future will be. Who knows what tomorrow may bring? I truly believe small daily choices will help lead you to your destiny … and beyond!

~ I hope this inspires you