tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49675856623747473852024-02-20T10:57:06.243-05:00cargillwitchcargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.comBlogger290125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-21407205366222168212014-08-10T19:14:00.005-04:002014-08-10T19:14:47.888-04:00a peak<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">after being silent so long you begin to ponder if it is best to just remain so.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And yet...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I often am curious when a once active blogger falls silent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A sudden illness?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">death?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">economic issues?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">zombie apocalypse?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can cast finger at none of the above list.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Really I don't have <i>one </i>reason</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">just many small ones, things that have grown larger in my life and my attention and desire pulled elsewhere for a time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">a dear, dear homeschooling friend, and doula partner passed away a week ago. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a shock.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She passed just a month after a diagnosis of kidney cancer , stage four, metastasized to both lungs by that point.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Life is brief and yet at painful junctures harshly long.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My "enhanced " job which on paper should occupy but an additional 6 hour per week of my time has taken far longer chunks of attention and nurturing. It's a real exciting challenge to run with program development at the ground level however and I'm thriving.Moms are breastfeeding, finding each other and I'm able to see new peer support counselors trained and dispersed throughout the community to work their magic.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grassroots mother to mother support and information exchange at its best.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've started attending Full Moon Ceremonies monthly again and am not sure why I waited so long.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">like most things in life, timing is everything.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My eldest daughter flies home from Grande Prairie Alberta Tuesday. We have less than two week until her wedding here at the farm. It's been a busy summer trying at all times to keep the place looking as close to </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">" run ready" as possible. it's one thing to keep a large urban yard looking good, try 150 acres with 14 horses and all adults working full time off the farm. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yikes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't even read more than a hand full of blogs in months and yet today i took an hour to peak in on a few, people I may never really meet still make me wonder how their lives have evolved, what joys and heartaches have passed through their homes just as I have seen my share.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'll be back soon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span><br />
<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-20539278028768832852014-03-25T10:01:00.000-04:002014-03-25T10:01:38.089-04:00Awaiting the change<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My husband is convinced it is still February.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 53 of February to be exact.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can't argue with him, the last few night have seen minus 19 degrees and we had 20cm of additional snow arrive Saturday morning and 10 more predicted ( and falling currently) today.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It does feel as though this area of Ontario is in the Bill Murray movie Groundhog Day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We awake each morning expecting to find some " springlike" signs only to be met with additional mid winter conditions.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day after, week after month. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nonetheless I've planted my brassicas seedlings. Several varieties of cabbages, broccoli and peppers as well.It seems looking out the window months too early as I can't even see any spots of earth yet but June will come soon enough. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next week I will plant the tomatoes seedlings and the windowledges will be overflowing until they can go into the ground late May early June</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In January of this year I received an invitation to submit a grant proposal to augment breastfeeding services and support in our region of Canada from the Federal government. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I put a proposal together ( hurriedly!) with a workplan and calling in some letters of support from what I hoped would be community partners and promptly put it out of my mind once submitted.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just 10 pots of money offered Canada-wide.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What were the odds?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Apparently very good ,as last week the proposal received final approval.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Beginning April first I will hit the ground running to put this 12 month workplan into action as well as continue co-ordinating the Prenatal Nutrition Program at the centre I work from. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully I received approval to extend my assistants hours to give me some room to juggle both .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was in a state of shock, elation and fear for a few days but after reviewing my timetable I am feeling invigorated by the challenge and humbled by the opportunity.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It dovetails nicely with my professional plans this year to work towards challenging the exam to become an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although I have worked as a breastfeeding counselor for 22 years having this more " medical" professional credential will be a good move career wise- and long overdue! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a registered nurse currently the process for me is somewhat abridged and not as lengthy an undertaking</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">but it does mean I have to mind my energy this year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The market garden will now become the family and </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">" wedding garden" for my daughters August 23 nuptials here at the farm.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have additional boarders at the barn who are paying off a portion of their monthly rent with farm labour.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I will definitely have weekly chore list for them! and weeding will top that list.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByW-UUl6XQ10XWJJ8azN71Ksr0BafLdB1X34h5ApHyKvtRuVEZAMwOtTNcO0-pnp-7flCdPdryBcnA0V8sR6YRxWOUajiq5hZ_xUwZh-b0ES7KsT3vGT6QkyNsQZLWVjEw8yF-Gre_Aw/s1600/StPats2014+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByW-UUl6XQ10XWJJ8azN71Ksr0BafLdB1X34h5ApHyKvtRuVEZAMwOtTNcO0-pnp-7flCdPdryBcnA0V8sR6YRxWOUajiq5hZ_xUwZh-b0ES7KsT3vGT6QkyNsQZLWVjEw8yF-Gre_Aw/s1600/StPats2014+015.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">like my friend who is spending the winter close to the farm</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> ( a snowy owl) I'm trying to look forward!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span><br />
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<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-63494199833518807572014-03-11T16:53:00.002-04:002014-03-11T16:53:59.511-04:00photos around the Farm<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I haven't been here often. I read a few blogs but haven't felt the pull to add much.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">March is a transitional month. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the work front Non Profits such as the one I work for hunker down to pull together year end reports and finances.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a Program Co-ordinator this also means all the funds I have been reluctant to spend in the passed 12 months have to go-</span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">NOW.</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a person of thrift by nature it is an odd dilemma- spend it or loose it.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If it is not spent by March 31 the government sucks it back up the chain of command never to be seen or heard from again.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No saving it into the future for that proverbial rainy day - when the building that houses most of my programs might leak. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Spend it now in a wild spree.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Besides buying copious amounts of food for my food bank I have been able to allocate monies for additional top soil for the community garden and tilling- when the snow disappears. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0l5otQ2sO-PqwbJe_P9cjFlDiIYY5sLVprYVPbD6L0ZbCmtXAKvO5F3_efEgHN8ehrtGeW0rkHFTA3I1ahrMK9xgum5iTni6ZDmjsBuBNJpJhjGncf-2nECYVnaPwi5qSPZn6_Qvj9c/s1600/Spring+equinox2014+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0l5otQ2sO-PqwbJe_P9cjFlDiIYY5sLVprYVPbD6L0ZbCmtXAKvO5F3_efEgHN8ehrtGeW0rkHFTA3I1ahrMK9xgum5iTni6ZDmjsBuBNJpJhjGncf-2nECYVnaPwi5qSPZn6_Qvj9c/s1600/Spring+equinox2014+027.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Which although temperatures have finally come above zero two days in a row still seems a long way off.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The piles around seem very high for mid March.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But the creatures around the farm are very much coming out of the woodwork..</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and stonework....</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">we have a new comer in the last month- he's still very shy but I am wondering if he was a midwinter drop off as he's exceptionally healthy for a wondering barn cat...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the other cats, are leaving the hay lofts and wandering about more...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the horses have also begun to spend more time outside the barn. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The sun the last two days a real treat after such a harsh cold winter.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am feeling a pull to leave my hibernation abode more frequently as well.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Several long hikes the passed two days have been wonderful. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The weather forecast is for this warm spell to end tonight and put us back in the minus 20 range for a few nights yet.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The long winter has seen me scratch more items off my knitting list than I ever would have guessed last October.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yet as soon as another pair of socks, hat or scarf is complete someone else requests an addition.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So the list seems the same in length</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've become somewhat obsessed with "linen stitch". </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am using three separate mixes of Koigu ( a company owed and run by a former highschool friend!) on this scarf.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love how it appears woven.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can see many future projects incorporating this stitch.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy thoughts for spring.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-57225576276889905592014-02-16T11:37:00.000-05:002014-02-16T11:37:39.488-05:00Small spaces<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have enjoyed Pinterest.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My daughter suggested I join when she created a board to pin items to for her upcoming wedding.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I joined in the summer when so much much calls me outside that I didn't have time to allow myself to fully immerse in all it had to offer.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But then winter came, in November, with so much snow, and so much cold.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Finding me inside, with a semi clean house and time to really get a good look at it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I seem to be somewhat obsessed with small tiny houses and cabins if my pins are any indication.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Simple places, with each item thoughtfully weighed for its usage and practicality.Being merely decorative not a valid enough reason for inclusion.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">function of prime importance.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I returned from my week in Toronto Friday evening. I stay in the same hotel each time I go down for school, and after living there for over a month in the past year have become well acquainted with the surrounding area.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although I find the lack of ability to see the horizon in any direction disorienting I enjoy the small room I stay in.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is spacious enough to do yoga, but small enough to feel manageable to me. I can keep it tidy without much effort,it demands little from me.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The essentials are covered, a place to boil water for tea, a small fridge to keep food.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have a hot bath, a large comfortable bed.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is very quiet, a thankful consideration of the architect and builders I suppose who utilize up to date techniques to suppress city sounds .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Invariably when I return from my week away I am refreshed by 150 acres of view. No buildings block the horizon , I see animals again, trees and night stars.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But my house seems huge, its needs overwhelming. I want to take large boxes and fill them with what now seems clutter.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do I REALLY<i> need</i> 25 coffee mugs? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just what the heck do knick-knacks actually accomplish save stealing time required to dust them?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I come to resent all the stashes of "someday" craft items tucked away and overflowing in cupboards and dressers.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I crave simple , uncluttered surroundings.Items there because they serve a practical purpose.Beautiful perhaps but still with function in mind.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I ponder if this is a mid-life form of attention deficit disorder.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I can't focus with all the visual stimuli suddenly.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps its related to passing through the accumulation stage of life- my children are leaving and I no longer need to acquire things to help them.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I need and want very little in a material sense.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This purging compulsion seems to be gaining momentum in me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I want to nourish it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Don't be surprised to see me dropping off a few truck loads at the local Value Village or hosting a giant garage sale sometime soon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-36575384743426396152014-02-04T18:05:00.000-05:002014-02-04T18:15:40.814-05:00Birthday week- arrived at 45Its birthday week around here.<br />
my two eldest daughters and I have birthdays over a four day stretch the beginning of February. If facebook is any indication so do a lot of other people- or I just seem to attracted to other aquarians.<br />
<br />
My lovely hubby treated me to an evenings entertainment- we went to see Sir Elton John perform in London( Ontario that is!) about 3 hours south of us.The man has amazing energy and fingers, especially as I realized he's no spring chicken anymore. Despite this he went non-stop for over 3 hours. Which meant we weren't home until after 2 am.<br />
And today I'm realizing that<i> I'M</i> no spring chicken. Can't pull all nighters like I could ten years ago and feel functional the following day.<br />
Today I've muddled my way through a grant proposal and several work related surveys and assignments I need to complete before I am back in Toronto for a week of school Sunday.<br />
<br />
Clear headed I am not.<br />
<br />
This with no alcohol to blame whatsoever.<br />
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I still feel that birthdays are for mothers. I don't remember my day of birth-but I am sure my own mother recalls the day and its events vividly 45 years hence.<br />
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As this week contains such memories for me of my own first two birthings my own day fades in importance.<br />
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But I have been thinking of something I had envisioned by my mid -thirties; that 50 would bring a transition for me. I know acutely that 50 for many women is a time of great physical shifting- but I've sensed for years it will be much more than just a hormonal ending of fertility.<br />
It will be a complete readjusting of things.<br />
<br />
At my 40th birthday celebration I was experiencing a multitude of health problems. I was convinced I just needed to eat ( or not eat) the right things, take the right supplements, do the right exercises and I would regain my balance.<br />
But it was not to be so .<br />
<br />
I've had to re-adjust<br />
<br />
and re-adjust again.<br />
<br />
I had thought that my path was to slowly build my market garden business- possibly expand into more fruits and offer CAS boxes. I had hoped to slowly move to on- farm income and decrease or eliminate my need to work away.<br />
It has been painful to realize that this will not be a physical reality for me.<br />
<br />
So I've been contemplating at 45 what I need to work on now to be in a good place at 50.One that feels ready for change,<br />
change that life brings.<br />
<br />
-cargillwitch<br />
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<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-60893822740006032962014-01-29T13:59:00.000-05:002014-01-29T13:59:49.676-05:00Day 6 - things to be thankful for when you've been snowed in for almost a week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a list maker in my professional life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems to be the only way <i>( post age 30)</i> to remember who I am to call, what clients I am to see and when, what needs to be emailed/faxed etc. in the course of the work day.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">but usually here, I don't write in terms of lists.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">but over the past ( almost) week of being stormed in at home many things to be thankful for have emerged.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">1. I am thankful for warmth.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Most notably that our family has access to ample wood from our property that is feeding our fire. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">January has been brutal and with endless days of -30 days with windchills warmth is no small issue. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nine years ago the agency I work for was the lead in a new area initiative " Share the warmth". </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This project matched low income families/individuals with donations to assist them with winter heating bills. We were overwhelmed immediately with desperate situations and inadequate funds from the public to meet the demand.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It made me aware of decisions many families make this time of year- especially brutally cold winters like we are currently experiencing. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many sacrifice, food and medicine to maintain a habitable living space.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our fire is roaring, and I have not had to sacrifice other necessities to meet this need.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">2. I am grateful for living with people I like to be with.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nothing like 6 days inside a space to find out if you get on each others nerves! We all seem to be drawn to individual pursuits and respect space. Yes, I know longer have toddlers or young children, I can even soak in the tub until my toes get wrinkly in peace.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">3.I am thankful for a very understanding workplace and flexible hours.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I commute a long distance each day- as do many in this rural area. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is without doubt my biggest daily stressor, especially in winter .</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having all roads closed for several consecutive days could mean a great loss of income for many families. Families already stressed financially to meet high heating bills .I am under no such stress or threats of my job being terminated if I refuse to drive in such conditions- something I am hearing from others of late.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Many are choosing to break the law ( and risk great peril!) to drive on closed or dangerous roads to get to their workplace.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am taking note of employers who demand this of their employees locally- I won't be frequenting their businesses any longer</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">4. I am thankful for having been something of a hoarder when it comes to having food around.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So far the only thing we are missing is fresh fruit. I am sure we could survive well for several months- save a need to make a run for more toilet paper!My days of work saucing and canning, freezing and drying like a maniac in the summer and fall is paying off</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">5. and probably of most importance I am thankful for the Internet. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All of us here at home have commented how difficult and isolating winters must have become to our ancestors who first farmed here.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Endless months with no way to contact the outside world.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hear world news.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our definition of cabin fever after just a few days with access to the world through our smart phones and laptops is a laughable comparison.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">to complain I haven't been able to get off the property since last Thursday seems a smidge indulgent.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">mostly I have noted my own tolerance for these days has grown considerably. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In years past I have been impatient when confronted with days that held me back from my regular routines.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 6 of all the roads closed due to drifting snow, impassable roads and zero visibility would have been a great source of frustration. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This winter the extra days without additional outside demands mean more rest, naps, reading and crafts. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And I sense I am getting just what I need.</span></span><br />
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-<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">cargillwitch</span></span><br />
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<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-69173407668270516012014-01-25T15:02:00.003-05:002014-01-25T15:09:49.938-05:00Of Raynauds, wool and old fashioned Canadian winters<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought briefly of adding another photo of the world outside my window yesterday and today- but realized it would be a bit repetitive.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Swirling white, mountainous drifts. Marooned vehicles peaking out from under said drifts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of little consequence as all roads around us in Bruce county have been closed for 20 hours- and the forecast doesn't look promising to get them open for some time to come.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Monday? Tuesday?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This winter reminds many of us over 30 of winters from our childhoods.Beginning with cold and snow the day after Halloween with little respite until late March or April. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">January has seen several weeks with temperatures of -25 or lower for days .windchill's in the -40's.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some of us are hardier than others with enduring cold. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My husband seems to be able to with stand it far better than I driving the tractor and snow blower in winds so cold that most vehicles wont start without a few hours minimum plugged in.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I, like most children in the 1970's without cable television, spent Saturdays outside. Winter presented a whole new world of possible adventures, skating on our frozen pond, tobogganing down hills, building endless forts. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I loved it all.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Until about 9-10 years old when I began a strange pattern.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Time spent outside in the cold air began to give me hives. Huge white centred swollen hives that once inside warmed to a itching reddened painful mess.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A mild annoyance to a child whose main preoccupation was getting back in the game outside with her siblings,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">but somewhat perplexing and frightening for a parent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mostly it was shrugged off as an oddity- the kid who was </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">" allergic" to cold.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Over the next few years things progressed. Swimming in Ontario's notorious cold waters even in the summer would cause the same response. Once shoreside the shivering would commence and the large reddened round raised hives would start and last for an hour or two. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ohh how they itched!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One particularly bad winter outing, the hives on my face began to swell my eyes shut- scaring a sibling to taking me inside ( despite my protesting!) to a concerned parent. I began to have trouble breathing and the next thing I remember was awaking on the couch looking into the face of an anxious mother. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was the first and last time I lost consciousness due to my " cold allergy". Afterwards my mother was hyper alert to my being cold and the triggers for the hives and swelling and mitigated my being in situations that allowed them to commence.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I entered my teens years they slowly seemed to go away- occurring mainly on my legs and neck.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I thought perhaps I was outgrowing them</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looking back my cold allergy just morphed into what we now know as Raynauds phenomenon.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My feet were first to react painfully and colourfully to the slightest hint of cold. No boots could buffer me from the effects, the slow intense crushing sensation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Akin to having your foot slowly squeezed in a vise.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next my fingers and hands joined in. Today there are but a few weeks in the summer I can cycle without at least thin gloves on as wind will also start the painful crushing burning sensation change in colour.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Raynauds is an autoimmune response to cold. My body goes on <i>too </i>high an alert when it feels a temperature drop and pulls out all the stops to get blood from my appendages to my core. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It camps down small capillaries that supply blood to fingers and toes and holds them hostage- resulting in no blood supply to these areas. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They turn red, then white and a sickening bluey/black as the areas become deprived of oxygen rich blood.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And damn , it hurts! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So living in Canada, in an area know as a snowbelt with an atypical amount of wind ( hence the 400 industrial windmills within biking distance from our farm) wool has become my best friend.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">s</span><span style="font-size: large;">omething about real wool keeps me warm in a way that no other material can- no "polar fleece" or man made item cuts it .</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So as well as providing a creative outlet knitting is a means to many ends.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKOJSUDKWTudqwbKyA5lkSZVUXt5DI1ayEL-_Bv0-IJYndv4-UqkdKYhLIRzP4AJrk6lTDOAQCnIdIeKfkNH6AyDISSZfbIH5YZUweze0Gv-g8ME5_wLvtFHXOR_nP4m8UKBIos9Gscg/s1600/wool2014+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKOJSUDKWTudqwbKyA5lkSZVUXt5DI1ayEL-_Bv0-IJYndv4-UqkdKYhLIRzP4AJrk6lTDOAQCnIdIeKfkNH6AyDISSZfbIH5YZUweze0Gv-g8ME5_wLvtFHXOR_nP4m8UKBIos9Gscg/s1600/wool2014+006.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My love of kitting rewards me with items that I use to combat Raynauds.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Densely warm socks, mittens, hats, scarves, cowls.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">an activity to keep me occupied as I have to wait out most of the winter inside.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I love hiking, wandering about the farm , this scenic area of the Niagara escarpment and Great Lakes but it has to wait until warmer weather for me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although it has been a number of years since hives caused me distress I shake when my body gets chilled now, painful semi convulsions I can't control. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It leaves me exhausted for hours afterward, the only way to get warm then is a hot bath and into bed .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is a most unpleasant experience I avoid at all costs.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">yet I have to drive to work, go shopping-and winters are long and intense here.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">so I sit by the fire, watch the winds whip the snow around the edges of the house and keep on knitting!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch </span></span><br />
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<i><b>P.S</b></i><br />
<i><b>a friendly " hello" to Lauren who I have been corresponding with.</b></i><br />
<i><b>I had been worried that my space here was becoming too " illness" focused , it was encouraging to hear that others find helpful information and a sense they are not alone with their own struggles with autoimmune diseases, through this blog.</b></i><br />
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<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-88832307514066235712014-01-12T17:02:00.001-05:002014-01-25T15:19:11.524-05:00Snowed under<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=IFHDTsD8mic&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIFHDTsD8mic%26feature%3Dshare&app=desktop"> </a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well here I am again</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I didn't really plan to take a large break from writing . One day turned to two and then suddenly I was out of habit.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I decided I wouldn't add anything more until I really felt compelled.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Felt a pull to get back at it.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The fall was its normal slowing of outdoor activities- which I relish more and more each year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">By September I can feel my schedule slowly get slower and ahhh...... the pull of quiet times inside near the fire, knitting and watching far too much netflix seems a closer reality. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The garden is put to bed, the animals rally inside and another season ends on the farm.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I spent as many nights sleeping in hotel rooms in November as i did in my own bed.A change is always good, and stimulating myself mentally by learning new things and punching through assignments, deadlines , exams and conference schedules is good for my aging mind.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">by the time I left for school the latter part of November two things were well established. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The winter, <i>which in downtown Toronto seemed miles away </i>and the extreme nausea which unfortunately followed me down .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Throughout November and December the nausea ebbed unabated, making normal day to day activity very difficult.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Having gone through a few bouts of this in the last five years I knew it would eventually just pass- <i>as it did about 10 days ago</i> but it left me 12 pounds lighter, and feeling quite tired and ragged.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Another gift from Sjogrens appeared mid December in the form of phlebitis. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also not my first time experiencing it. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">23 years ago I experienced a severe deep vein phlebitis due to a huge blood clot in my thigh.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thankfully despite my fears, this time was due solely to inflammation and autoimmune disease and not from a more potentially harmful blood clot.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No 6 months of blood thinners required!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But by this time in December I realized my body was sending me loud and clear signals a <i>LONG</i> decisive rest was required.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The board of directors of the non-profit I work for graciously gifted us with 4 days paid vacation time over the winter break.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Coupled with my own planned vacation leave I was able to look forward to having Dec 17- Jan 06 off to try to gain a bit of weight and get some equilibrium back.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was glorious.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Naps each day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Getting up <i>AFTER</i> 5am! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No calls from clients ( turned off the phone) and ventured out from the farm little. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I gained back 4 pounds. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Had wonderful visits from family to celebrate the Winter Solstice.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Jan 05 while driving back from town with my daughter after her shift we struggled to see the road through intense snow squalls. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The next three days we ended up with this:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">a three day blizzard- intense snow squalls off close by Lake Huron , high winds and extremely low temperatures. A -48 degree windchill, </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Roads closed , we tucked in thankful that if power failed we had a woodstove inside to heat and cook with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Another three days to rest for me .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Suddenly I seem more thankful and patient of winter.<i>Despite having to sleep on the floor of my office one evening in December I couldn't get home-</i> I need the time to be slow. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No garden to tend , no endless pull to do more outside chores.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">But it was an intense storm.. a great clip to fully show the amount of snow was made by a local resident of his neighbourhood in a small village close by can be found </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=IFHDTsD8mic&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DIFHDTsD8mic%26feature%3Dshare&app=desktop">here</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">it's worth checking out!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">-cargillwitch</span></span><br />
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<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-48110877241155808372013-11-06T17:45:00.000-05:002013-11-06T17:46:01.725-05:00Birth and Beyond Conference<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">If there is a dream team of attachment parenting, homebirth advocacy, breastfeeding and midwifery the organizers of the "Birth and |Beyond Conference this week in London managed to snag them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Gloria Lemay</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Jack Newman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">James McKenna</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Kathleen Kendall Tackett</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Rivka Cymbalist</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Teresa Pitman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Robbie Davis-Floyd</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and yes even <em> <strong>Ina May Gaskin</strong></em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I am here in a work capacity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One of many times I fully acknowledge the fringe benefits of my job.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">But I also came sensing </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I needed a fire relit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I have been flagging recently.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Like many women at mid life I wonder if I am still on the right path. Am I making a difference ?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The addition of what I have come to accept as a chronic and progressive disease has made me sense that doors I thought I might still have time ( or energy!) to open will have to be passed by.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My health is variable , I seem to have to draw my boundaries ever smaller to maintain the interior.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I shed a few tears today.( <em>at least what is left of crying when one has Sjogrens!)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Birth junkies are known to do that when the conversation turns to birthing rights, but this was more for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The emotion leaked out silently .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I am still passionate about the sacredness of birth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">In the midst of report writing, stats gathering and the day to day processes of my work I have to remember who I am there for.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The next generation of women who need an ear to listen, reassure that their instincts are valid and to challenge a medical paradigm that is not evidence based in it's procedures.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I <em>can</em> still do that. I still<em> want</em> to do that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Another two days; I imagine a lot more will come out as I process all I am taking in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span><br />
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<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-20694783322672069332013-10-29T12:07:00.000-04:002013-10-29T12:07:30.548-04:00Samhain- entering the dark half<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Samhain is just a few days away, but I've been hunkering down- noticeably- since Mabon hit in late september.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My absence from regular posting here just one symptom of a desire to seclude.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I fared well energy and disease wise this spring and summer, something I was very grateful for as the garden and farm give no respite regardless of how tired one might be. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But it meant <i>ALL</i> my energy was directed at my away job( which pays the bills and gives us great benefits all) and the farming and left me with little to just putter at other things.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">like cleaning the house. mending clothes.Knitting and reading.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I am getting my fill of that lately. the house looks semi- normal again. I don't have pins holding up hems in many of my skirts and I have my third pair of boot toppers curently on the needles.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I come home from work and actually<i> lie on the couch for while</i> which I wanted so badly to do for months but had so many other things pulling me, pears to pick, wash , cut and put in the dehydrator. Beets to pull wash and pickle. Garden orders to gather and deliver.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I welcomed the frost this year. It was easier to have mother nature make the call on the season then to admit defeat myself.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSHCIOMsXUnxcpKFJAYSxfTW9YDG3aeYORtgPYGr_L64FdEZlyXn4-NBww1D7wMAQJ6yw-RroXwuQ_AoLguk37qsOOZ4GjPns_myyu47vTrZH4HPdxXNHHndWxntEyYMq7ty3_Kl5buY/s1600/october2013+134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSHCIOMsXUnxcpKFJAYSxfTW9YDG3aeYORtgPYGr_L64FdEZlyXn4-NBww1D7wMAQJ6yw-RroXwuQ_AoLguk37qsOOZ4GjPns_myyu47vTrZH4HPdxXNHHndWxntEyYMq7ty3_Kl5buY/s640/october2013+134.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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d<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">espite several snows in the passed two weeks the chard, spinach , kale and tomatoes kept producing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our winter pears also plentiful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But this morning for the first time the frost stayed passed the sun hitting it.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsmDDrAmdUd2zz41KRaXrVa7KwPucobVxcim2FtpuNyYoymRH-T51x80eqpLR1f8OjAp-BSbIAti2Ag6TjCR4_USLlpE60ZZxSB5Blu922etYi2g2GwIAOwd7KsLw0ImpSIvhTsUZg20/s1600/october2013+171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGsmDDrAmdUd2zz41KRaXrVa7KwPucobVxcim2FtpuNyYoymRH-T51x80eqpLR1f8OjAp-BSbIAti2Ag6TjCR4_USLlpE60ZZxSB5Blu922etYi2g2GwIAOwd7KsLw0ImpSIvhTsUZg20/s640/october2013+171.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a crisp, clear night- after a full week of rain/sleet/snow.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-MQyCPfIKEeFh8pbwGilu-SmbHe6ouyePfOJnKVtZAd-eYYLmeO8-k099TZwDBGjPPKeZR0yBzDUlx7LHg3LRQUFA3nK9fyklfpWX_gFikjZuWETRV7JlNJTvccEuAtEpV3frSeK7VI/s1600/october2013+174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-MQyCPfIKEeFh8pbwGilu-SmbHe6ouyePfOJnKVtZAd-eYYLmeO8-k099TZwDBGjPPKeZR0yBzDUlx7LHg3LRQUFA3nK9fyklfpWX_gFikjZuWETRV7JlNJTvccEuAtEpV3frSeK7VI/s640/october2013+174.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was stunning, touches of dazzle and glitter everywhere.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmaAbNwORqmJ0zbY0n9Jzn4XEmt_pJzdDhdS5zwWgtAgRksMQfDZbmpPhO3tL69lnFDWo_YmWwQGf8zDi6mPcGINpupQkqIMESr7xbVcdxy9Djr1S_ci428f3zTfMKoD-VEWeOWaN6nQ/s1600/october2013+181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvmaAbNwORqmJ0zbY0n9Jzn4XEmt_pJzdDhdS5zwWgtAgRksMQfDZbmpPhO3tL69lnFDWo_YmWwQGf8zDi6mPcGINpupQkqIMESr7xbVcdxy9Djr1S_ci428f3zTfMKoD-VEWeOWaN6nQ/s640/october2013+181.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf7a8rakDM3fdq_V-oi9Qljzfa3ag4yU-YEYunvQDoinDAqextcnQMOOjfkXaaFE_dkXiK6GmCMAhxMftINPb8qAjYe3sp_wrMunF16cKqxsiCVfvekwK0c8iiFs9-rSLS_P1qbezbHk/s1600/october2013+175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDf7a8rakDM3fdq_V-oi9Qljzfa3ag4yU-YEYunvQDoinDAqextcnQMOOjfkXaaFE_dkXiK6GmCMAhxMftINPb8qAjYe3sp_wrMunF16cKqxsiCVfvekwK0c8iiFs9-rSLS_P1qbezbHk/s640/october2013+175.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I don't have all my garlic planted but the first heavy snowfall prompted my snow tires on.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The prepping for the inside months forges ahead.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlbArdc0k_e_C3h5m5nLD460hFTPBM5wVQXhqxM6gfByXSVZO_gQC3Ro7J3-CXqmnyY_Vry5LBZmqWQv3tF3jtD2uC5XaTPXLsLlQiG_Ek5j7QQurCs3AuAhblB4LRxxtzADMUnSWjMU/s1600/october2013+184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlbArdc0k_e_C3h5m5nLD460hFTPBM5wVQXhqxM6gfByXSVZO_gQC3Ro7J3-CXqmnyY_Vry5LBZmqWQv3tF3jtD2uC5XaTPXLsLlQiG_Ek5j7QQurCs3AuAhblB4LRxxtzADMUnSWjMU/s640/october2013+184.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the fire is going steadily now inside, the wool socks are an everyday thing.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf7CpG9TTQJMH43Ztw53a7Gpdun9ysv303Xm8Dq5IL18v0yWQNMzzP9fZfAAiPKROgxSDo0NQVIkBh9NNuXLmKlmi2-tbJRzpxgL9O6BKNKffMjy7RWcuo4NFWS-OCqIFlfn3Wjz3JW8/s1600/october2013+179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIf7CpG9TTQJMH43Ztw53a7Gpdun9ysv303Xm8Dq5IL18v0yWQNMzzP9fZfAAiPKROgxSDo0NQVIkBh9NNuXLmKlmi2-tbJRzpxgL9O6BKNKffMjy7RWcuo4NFWS-OCqIFlfn3Wjz3JW8/s640/october2013+179.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjHNpjEbjpV-YEgNHFqrA9KcZf8DyEdTzvWKb8WdNZyzYJqk_XF8-g874aawCkguMz-3JtB2UyN_mRoSBq8G7SCeXdviijXa8xlyn292ReQDucIpdLVaTfKmhaObJOh4dj0i3oHkvV4U/s1600/october2013+186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjHNpjEbjpV-YEgNHFqrA9KcZf8DyEdTzvWKb8WdNZyzYJqk_XF8-g874aawCkguMz-3JtB2UyN_mRoSBq8G7SCeXdviijXa8xlyn292ReQDucIpdLVaTfKmhaObJOh4dj0i3oHkvV4U/s640/october2013+186.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">my older hens- right on cue-announced the darker days with a dramatic drop in egg production.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Living on a farm makes one very aware of the slight changes in season, all around you routines change.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Chores either decrease or increase depending on the light or lack of.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happily to all my new and old egg customers the new hens- who arrived as day old chicks in June have just started to lay- filling in the gaps left. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1N3-SJt8LXq7vq0KxkDqJjNZwdHb-vQ9aOpB3iseadFnF8uJXXaDJII0P0KNNXgMiZh3QSAMp1bAwl26CKRDa2azo0l1vkm2Z4Ov9zq15CKhlCfvfHbzihxaHHRT59bqlHTp9S9ypVXg/s1600/october2013+185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1N3-SJt8LXq7vq0KxkDqJjNZwdHb-vQ9aOpB3iseadFnF8uJXXaDJII0P0KNNXgMiZh3QSAMp1bAwl26CKRDa2azo0l1vkm2Z4Ov9zq15CKhlCfvfHbzihxaHHRT59bqlHTp9S9ypVXg/s640/october2013+185.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I try to keep my ' away" career schedule sane after Beltane to accommodate the added work the farm requires- but by Mabon my schedule goes into overdrive until Yule.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next week I am away Tuesday-Friday in London at a conference then back for Saturday Prenatal classes. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">November also brings a week in Toronto for school on top of my regular programming and home visits with pregnant and new moms.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am glad the garden is resting</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">for today, I am at home, tending fire, reflecting on Samhain and enjoying a quiet time at the farm.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-55497660095168297632013-10-15T10:00:00.001-04:002013-10-15T10:00:07.656-04:00Much to give Thanks for on Thanksgiving Weekend<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My eldest daughter Rachel-Kathleen made a surprise trip home from Alberta for Thanksgiving .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She and her fiance ( still adjusting to calling him that!) are in the process of moving from Fort Mac Murray to Grand Prairie and she took the opportunity to sneak home for a family gathering.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We missed her for Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice and the spring Equinox this passed year , all the big meals and events that help families come together to mark the passage of time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was nice to have all four of my children gathered again.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiylznlOu-hbU4Ckrm3o1GvGVQL0Z03AYoShTkEidFIOJlRRng42Vy9zEkgYADtrTP07vB-G7AIc5bXah3_CM6THSwMNsL5K8P7MKGJO8imEJ8XHN8OqUGD0DgMJrp_1trk0wrFpmGfw/s1600/october2013+029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiylznlOu-hbU4Ckrm3o1GvGVQL0Z03AYoShTkEidFIOJlRRng42Vy9zEkgYADtrTP07vB-G7AIc5bXah3_CM6THSwMNsL5K8P7MKGJO8imEJ8XHN8OqUGD0DgMJrp_1trk0wrFpmGfw/s640/october2013+029.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> October thus far has been very warm- much warmer than normal, extending the growing season in the most delicious way. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">When we finally sat down to eat it was gratifying to see most of the meal was grown here on the farm, from our almost 11 pound chicken( for the omnivores) to veggies, potatoes, salad greens and fruit pie desserts .</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">even a few zinnias to grace the table.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYg258rkCE8Kum9s-ddZREwHLnLxrf5HEQm7wYGSaT6pNxnd4-9PjB2ji-gzN6Wr7S8LY5rYiJ6_2x2inb_gMTwT3Tv6hQcxE75h7tUM-9KL_O6_AFiP9UibwULbBSNqLsgiSyQs3XqqM/s1600/october2013+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYg258rkCE8Kum9s-ddZREwHLnLxrf5HEQm7wYGSaT6pNxnd4-9PjB2ji-gzN6Wr7S8LY5rYiJ6_2x2inb_gMTwT3Tv6hQcxE75h7tUM-9KL_O6_AFiP9UibwULbBSNqLsgiSyQs3XqqM/s640/october2013+089.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the apples have enjoyed a stellar year- we have wild and domestic trees dotting the entire farm. The horses take care of any windfall, racing each other daily to see what tasty treats have landed within range.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR64oUapnbiz49CWHBThd-PMv-ScV1mE-aD3u20xqJSbGA0y9tF_ubl5Gnf1VNoF9cdGkuijiLtuofa9NadmLhzEezOYS3rfabgdo3oaQcVJCDnqAeQ2Ipw27HDvaIjqICjxwBjxJjhU/s1600/october2013+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrR64oUapnbiz49CWHBThd-PMv-ScV1mE-aD3u20xqJSbGA0y9tF_ubl5Gnf1VNoF9cdGkuijiLtuofa9NadmLhzEezOYS3rfabgdo3oaQcVJCDnqAeQ2Ipw27HDvaIjqICjxwBjxJjhU/s640/october2013+092.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have canned unknown quantities of apple sauce- it makes a great base for the home made fruit roll ups that are our best seller at the Farmer's Market.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbkli1x-RFcakzRlBnYMswVMBQ8jsQiIyRxZ31vcwn5gs6fJb9u-VGSJSkSOweC7vA2wL3PEkTDdpEOkvsaz5vaHQ8FuOOQ64x02sDoEOSp994-27drX_ZjfbOsR4FWW9ePk7r-aNm5k/s1600/october2013+094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbkli1x-RFcakzRlBnYMswVMBQ8jsQiIyRxZ31vcwn5gs6fJb9u-VGSJSkSOweC7vA2wL3PEkTDdpEOkvsaz5vaHQ8FuOOQ64x02sDoEOSp994-27drX_ZjfbOsR4FWW9ePk7r-aNm5k/s640/october2013+094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been harvesting and tincturing hawthorn and rose-hips below for medicines as well- like all fruits this year has provided perfect conditions.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPONZ0L-RmtQnCWuar8CRWOELylLUR4THyJQXSGKJHTzgz93okADEHahSA_i_AtkjmRhDEfd9VJZMvGc49disOPJv6lNZqcwnFhEpuGPl8EORpZ_p2UeJJyT5HELS0i4y99GqjOCEFkE/s1600/october2013+099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPONZ0L-RmtQnCWuar8CRWOELylLUR4THyJQXSGKJHTzgz93okADEHahSA_i_AtkjmRhDEfd9VJZMvGc49disOPJv6lNZqcwnFhEpuGPl8EORpZ_p2UeJJyT5HELS0i4y99GqjOCEFkE/s640/october2013+099.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Large amounts of apples are left for the deer.. who graze here frequently.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGAFkEjwmJFl6bWBdcw0tJ3-prSbNHo3Qqf6hXW08u0t-WrITkyO_teZ49_JW3LM8vqogwr2sZUmn546M9ZfI4J6VowTU-SL0Et_oa_kc5TnaPNF_CkImA_lUKvw7risnKUR0RYYuFdo/s1600/october2013+104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGAFkEjwmJFl6bWBdcw0tJ3-prSbNHo3Qqf6hXW08u0t-WrITkyO_teZ49_JW3LM8vqogwr2sZUmn546M9ZfI4J6VowTU-SL0Et_oa_kc5TnaPNF_CkImA_lUKvw7risnKUR0RYYuFdo/s640/october2013+104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> With a sunny warm Thanksgiving weekend our horse boarders all arrived for a group trail ride.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5XM8oQfTC_2_u9PpiiQcZ-1AIUic8wVyKQGBOYiv0XhLDhTKTUZPJWo1hXoa1kaI8DOpGcw2uFsemcuOtKicgBlqioCntH-BqDclnra-jxCgq-yiwKhvxdpMRud8FgW_VJ0FKZtDiRM/s1600/october2013+111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5XM8oQfTC_2_u9PpiiQcZ-1AIUic8wVyKQGBOYiv0XhLDhTKTUZPJWo1hXoa1kaI8DOpGcw2uFsemcuOtKicgBlqioCntH-BqDclnra-jxCgq-yiwKhvxdpMRud8FgW_VJ0FKZtDiRM/s640/october2013+111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fBxu3c1FgkApuAXLaAWTqyqBOZN5Zxwq2cwdg7f5fGKmZMMgvQ13xZ1ys8DFoWiBE8xCJI2ygUMrkkJfUmNQcCSjxgCx3eX6IGNJ6GsukuMcA4KIpbDLvcczi8lW6T-qwEv5rOKm9RA/s1600/october2013+112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fBxu3c1FgkApuAXLaAWTqyqBOZN5Zxwq2cwdg7f5fGKmZMMgvQ13xZ1ys8DFoWiBE8xCJI2ygUMrkkJfUmNQcCSjxgCx3eX6IGNJ6GsukuMcA4KIpbDLvcczi8lW6T-qwEv5rOKm9RA/s640/october2013+112.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My own life is getting quieter.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not sure if I have consciously chosen this or it has found me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Midlife perhaps.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I seek out quiet spaces,recluse somewhat.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglQmxhkBC6HZ4L7vksy1WueElnUavuvT2cZWbERsGbO0MgT9LgB05K5vNWt5A07b0g2XK3sorkjqkEdOO1YOu2CaCX0dhkkbHzrI9avCZZ6Ot4kuej0CiFGIzRRGCSZlC-J6_6Xkh0BA/s1600/october2013+103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglQmxhkBC6HZ4L7vksy1WueElnUavuvT2cZWbERsGbO0MgT9LgB05K5vNWt5A07b0g2XK3sorkjqkEdOO1YOu2CaCX0dhkkbHzrI9avCZZ6Ot4kuej0CiFGIzRRGCSZlC-J6_6Xkh0BA/s640/october2013+103.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My children's lives however are rapidly expanding.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">new partners, residences, jobs.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">they hustle and bustle in the pace that suits energetic mid twenty somethings.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A pace I remember ,but am now no longer capable of.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I feel lost at times in the midst of their flurry of activities. Perhaps exaggerated in the passed week as they are all home under the same roof with me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am an observer , more than a participant now.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is the way of things I feel. That out children will eclipse us and move outward .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I feel honoured to watch them and be part of their lives as they grow and blossom.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJfcq7FVdflbAlgOHss84drdhdEo-Mr5h-ZDmzyta0J9BWVe-tQEdJtNQg1393NBkdjMpLUTnVzCxp6qQrA_s_09dwYnq0fGl_kMR-tuD5wuX4tjBfiFayAWGFkGOEcK5aQ-nFLZ_MCw/s1600/october2013+105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJfcq7FVdflbAlgOHss84drdhdEo-Mr5h-ZDmzyta0J9BWVe-tQEdJtNQg1393NBkdjMpLUTnVzCxp6qQrA_s_09dwYnq0fGl_kMR-tuD5wuX4tjBfiFayAWGFkGOEcK5aQ-nFLZ_MCw/s640/october2013+105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-41536465180529563412013-09-29T16:37:00.001-04:002013-09-29T17:02:56.252-04:00a break.. sort of.<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">well.. that was three weeks!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hadn't planned to take an extended break away but somehow it just seemed that I had little I felt compelled to share right away.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> the last month has been filled with tomatoes , and pears and apples and tomatoes.. oh yes said that one twice.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeL4oMQTuek1wI5XxXPVdVlvrXmtATcYWuhnx7ba_c_eLdkAyoht2D1vyUdfVtCGpurCes6nZMY0isP7qXP2IB3U5LfMah716UVJaimSllZuXrU6aNFSMqI_3MbSiZ2RQwu5hzsgnuF8/s1600/october2013+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAeL4oMQTuek1wI5XxXPVdVlvrXmtATcYWuhnx7ba_c_eLdkAyoht2D1vyUdfVtCGpurCes6nZMY0isP7qXP2IB3U5LfMah716UVJaimSllZuXrU6aNFSMqI_3MbSiZ2RQwu5hzsgnuF8/s640/october2013+006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bonnies, black krims, green zebras, golden boys,chocolate balls the list of varieties is extensive. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My bite exceeded my capacity to preserve when I first latched my teeth into planting so many seedlings.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I harvest on average 3 bushels a week and the light frosts we've experienced have left little dent.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thankfully I have sold a lot at the market and independently to other CSA growers who had less than a stellar year. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Still, I dry, and make endless batches of canned sauce.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDsJjDg3_mn-3MkWSTZNMkTYTZS7PTcTpF5NehnAbtHZvbviyxF3g6DfysDSOG-OlVzSEu6hg72N6uhTTUYEvNN-kb7NtE05_bakpwLwzjXYzpqdWR63VaH6-QlLbLjXIUD83jOq_8LA/s1600/october2013+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXDsJjDg3_mn-3MkWSTZNMkTYTZS7PTcTpF5NehnAbtHZvbviyxF3g6DfysDSOG-OlVzSEu6hg72N6uhTTUYEvNN-kb7NtE05_bakpwLwzjXYzpqdWR63VaH6-QlLbLjXIUD83jOq_8LA/s640/october2013+007.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Pears similarly have been in their glory.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having not more than a dozen on all four trees last year due to frosts I am hesitant to leave one to rot. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The dehydrators go 24/7 drying the sweet yellow orbs snatched away from the hordes of wasps buzzing around the trees.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As of tomorrow I have completed 27 yoga classes in 30 days.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Vinyasa, Moksha, Yin, Haitha and Flow classes. A wide range.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am pleased at my dedication to a 30 day challenge and plan to commit myself to a minimum of two yoga classes weekly. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am also looking to do additional challenges for a 30 day period of time.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eating only farm produced items, or no screens at home month. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the list could get quite extensive! it moves me out of ingrained patterns, challenges me to look at time in different ways.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and 30 days goes very quickly - at least it did with an activity I knew I would enjoy very much!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-75189840584432944122013-09-07T13:57:00.000-04:002013-09-07T13:58:10.179-04:00Of canning and Yoga<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been away from my desk job(<i> really, I'm rarely in my office, rather running programs or off seeing new babes</i>) for over a week now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">but ohh, I've been working.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Actually I planned this time away knowing what September means.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Harvest.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The tomatoes are arriving in bushels daily as are the pears, apples, berries etc.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been able to sell a far amount which means a little less work each day canning, freezing or processing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The windows in the kitchen are constantly fogged up due to all the water canning , stewing and saucing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Two dehydrators are humming away 24/7 with pears, apples and fruit leathers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I often feel very overwhelmed at all the time sensitive work ahead of me when late August hits.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Panicked even.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">knowing this I planned some time away and I also decided to do a Yoga challenge at the " Yoga Barn" where I have been doing Moksha yoga of late.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">30 classes in 30 days.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Now wait</i>- wouldn't adding another item on the " to do" list cause more anxiety? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oddly the calming effect these classes have had on my nerves has lead to my being more balanced all round.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have attempted for years to meditate- my mind just whirled. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It appears engaging the physical has helped me quiet my mind in a most profound way.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have taken all kinds of Yoga classes in the passed 20 years- Kundalini, Kripaula ,Hatha, Ianegar, but this has been my first exposure to heated Yoga and as a Raynauds sufferer I can't say enough great things about it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So I pick, cut, sauce, can , dry and stretch in a soothing rhythm this last week .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">23 days to go!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span><br />
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<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-74581317982271630402013-08-30T09:37:00.000-04:002013-08-30T09:37:09.371-04:00Francine ( the fibroid)stays<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I hadn't been looking forward to the end of August.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I wasn't dreading the return to school routines- we have just 3 this year in our household going back in September.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My family doctor very concerned with the rapid growth of Francine( my uterine fibroid) had booked me for a consult with a gynecologist. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She impressed upon me that I would need surgery- a hysterectomy and probably quite soon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was in shock. I have no pain, no bleeding or pressure and am rather fond of my uterus. Seeing as it is holding up my bladder, pelvic floor and providing blood supply to my ovaries I would rather it stay were it is ,8cm growth and all.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As is usual for me I did obsessive amounts of reading and research. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I looked at all possible angles, treatments both allopathic </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> ( mainstream) , homepathic, herbal, lifestyle,even beginning accupuncture and three times weekly hot yoga classes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was prepared, I was prepared for battle. Not battle with my body but a probable confrontation with a doctor .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each day I tell women to trust their instincts, remind them that they have final say in what happens to their body. Although I am speaking in context of labour and birthing, it felt very similar.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I reminded myself I was going to hear one persons opinion.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That to surgeons, most problems can be solved- well- <i>surgically </i>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>If all you have is a hammer, most problems sure look like nails</i> kind of thing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> A few days before ,I almost cancelled the appointment.Why waste time if I had already made my decision to wait and watch?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Out of respect to my family doctor I decided to go.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She was unlike the ob/gyns I had met from our community in my passed days as a Doula. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Female for one and not condescending or patrontistic. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She looked over my recent ultrasound and we chatted for a few minutes about Francine.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What shocked me was I didn't have to present the materials on recent research to her on asymptomatic intramural fibroids, didn't need to fight for the value to my long term health of an intact uterus .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She smiled and said;</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> "you've had four babies vaginally and you don't have any uterine prolapse of bladder leakage? I think your fibroid is actually very useful.It is probably holding everything in place. It still may grow larger but it isn't harmful. I'd just leave well enough alone"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I was in shock.Pleasantly surprised shock.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">she laughed at my comment that the only issue I had with Francine were " wardrobe related". Size two jeans were too snug around my waist now. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">should I have yearly ultrasounds? i inquired.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"no need, maybe one every three when you have your pap test if you want, but if you feel okay , no need."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I left the office feeling such relief at not having to fight to justify my already reached upon decision to leave well enough alone. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Relief that I didn't need to prepare for major surgery and two months recovery.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Francine gets to stay. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although I hope to keep her under control she isn't going to be evicted - <i>along with my uterus</i> anytime soon.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-84243345733404334742013-08-27T09:30:00.001-04:002013-08-27T09:30:08.217-04:00Horse Shows and Fall Fairs<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">yes ladies and gentlemen it's that time of year again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fall Fair season in rural Ontario.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It seems to sneak up on me each year- often in the midst of a hot spell when fall seems miles away. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">yet this weekend saw the horse trailer setting out for a full days show in a community a half hour away.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPTKLK0UJnBEfapDmqgOl5z9wP1e5zaMA8vJN-QxBmix_On3Awa9PU-a6yTpGX34-tI58T4BZs1JvkKnKQArhQQGPuhxtV3l-0B9rgpFdWiON3Ik0kR2PG-Dk6Bmvk2SfZ06DaStwZ9A/s1600/Teeswaterfair2013+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPTKLK0UJnBEfapDmqgOl5z9wP1e5zaMA8vJN-QxBmix_On3Awa9PU-a6yTpGX34-tI58T4BZs1JvkKnKQArhQQGPuhxtV3l-0B9rgpFdWiON3Ik0kR2PG-Dk6Bmvk2SfZ06DaStwZ9A/s640/Teeswaterfair2013+073.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We have several people who lease our horses to ride on our farm trails and show at fairs like this one(below)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My husband has been working our last " green " horse Pepper , this was his first event.(above)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJATLQWMGUSApTPr4aL4WilK7P-GbCwmtZMwVN0LjgbWqOs810Ws-RYyqJ8VY6QWk-zmf8NUO4qVaPwufw1cuBcfjYcFFz54EOrgmr4g6tn_aMFnTT_f9ISjVyhfbUZGf6yu4Twwo3m70/s1600/Teeswaterfair2013+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJATLQWMGUSApTPr4aL4WilK7P-GbCwmtZMwVN0LjgbWqOs810Ws-RYyqJ8VY6QWk-zmf8NUO4qVaPwufw1cuBcfjYcFFz54EOrgmr4g6tn_aMFnTT_f9ISjVyhfbUZGf6yu4Twwo3m70/s640/Teeswaterfair2013+031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Three of our horses competed, with riders of all ages and skill sets.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLJF3Wj9PoPMM2VJ19ohColwTamSisPugZKWaXRGQz5ZoMwRBMtMcVLQsvGRh27dyIxkz3CupT7vBEw1teSDc3iiEOvqGNEEKX5WYW4QDmdx-pXWYqphDPQtky60dfZS1ecBFYH1syRc/s1600/Teeswaterfair2013+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLJF3Wj9PoPMM2VJ19ohColwTamSisPugZKWaXRGQz5ZoMwRBMtMcVLQsvGRh27dyIxkz3CupT7vBEw1teSDc3iiEOvqGNEEKX5WYW4QDmdx-pXWYqphDPQtky60dfZS1ecBFYH1syRc/s640/Teeswaterfair2013+052.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Above my husband on Pepper awaiting an event along with our Appaloosa horse Aiden and a junior rider from our barn</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M-sk1IfuFWX-G5XakQm-QGIUlMq4Effl5akNL4UZxV2K7O0iU2n4j3CW51fhyphenhyphennvBSMjYBbnRBRepCzgYzNGoZ3u9VFJ3cKIwvU_DFlcMprzHxYw7j5W32TNaXWfHkz69TWDixBWRUVs/s1600/Teeswaterfair2013+059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M-sk1IfuFWX-G5XakQm-QGIUlMq4Effl5akNL4UZxV2K7O0iU2n4j3CW51fhyphenhyphennvBSMjYBbnRBRepCzgYzNGoZ3u9VFJ3cKIwvU_DFlcMprzHxYw7j5W32TNaXWfHkz69TWDixBWRUVs/s640/Teeswaterfair2013+059.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This was not " Salty's" first time out- he's by far our best trained and show experienced horse.Patient enough to allow two riders from our barn to find a relaxed seat.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HSS6BtZ3EtNiqPV2j2M3uxUBWaYbFDeYX9z8695tf-Nl_oCXTEvTW6sKSwoZqLbScPgTL1wwKmL-1cJtDAT0AnXqIq_17MJnrJmxJpsrFMHH8LUoW4sIenHt3tJ01DEqdKmx7xi72Io/s1600/Teeswaterfair2013+084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HSS6BtZ3EtNiqPV2j2M3uxUBWaYbFDeYX9z8695tf-Nl_oCXTEvTW6sKSwoZqLbScPgTL1wwKmL-1cJtDAT0AnXqIq_17MJnrJmxJpsrFMHH8LUoW4sIenHt3tJ01DEqdKmx7xi72Io/s640/Teeswaterfair2013+084.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GMCBUNdFBJhBO3N-xivNH-N_e5VQXdApR-7XHt6vywda7xG-n020cd10BoGZOCdbpb9-MXlc16YYD_xj6tHllteVnJPjEKX_Zqkhqz7dfD5vd2JqGw5odq5b_W115179YfYXWz0BD4M/s1600/Teeswaterfair2013+151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GMCBUNdFBJhBO3N-xivNH-N_e5VQXdApR-7XHt6vywda7xG-n020cd10BoGZOCdbpb9-MXlc16YYD_xj6tHllteVnJPjEKX_Zqkhqz7dfD5vd2JqGw5odq5b_W115179YfYXWz0BD4M/s640/Teeswaterfair2013+151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My son manning the local Conservation Authority's environmental display inside the fairs show arena area.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a long hot day- for both the riders and the horses( who truth be told are much like me, happy to be at home in familiar pastures and company)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Pepper our green horse above did not bad for his first time out. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We realized he was very anxious when in the ring by himself, making it challenging for the rider to keep him on task.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">During events he was in the ring with other horses he fared better.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaZnaQOHpguCDno0wc9RQcFimdIkHT3oezpt8mBhAQrLSgOP1-1VW3ZVptYTB6OBMCY5fRs1QFlDeYJUfvzbHYkby0jn6e3rkOvQwFbwIRsFEP_Xt9UujcdrAlMphQGBIVukURu5lqwY/s1600/Teeswaterfair2013+099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaZnaQOHpguCDno0wc9RQcFimdIkHT3oezpt8mBhAQrLSgOP1-1VW3ZVptYTB6OBMCY5fRs1QFlDeYJUfvzbHYkby0jn6e3rkOvQwFbwIRsFEP_Xt9UujcdrAlMphQGBIVukURu5lqwY/s640/Teeswaterfair2013+099.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Salty , the old pro came home with several ribbons and best overall score.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And the humans came home hungry and ready for bed-</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">but already planning for the next show coming along soon. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-68169832414118252532013-08-21T08:47:00.000-04:002013-08-21T08:47:47.485-04:00 Summer- matured<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Summer is now a mature season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">the crickets have taken residence in nooks and crannies in the house, the light is slowly receding around the edges of the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The grasses are maturing and browning off.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The trees are so laden with pears and apples several branches are almost at ground level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I love evenings at this time of year.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PLxDk6e_Rpaz0pgLd7l5-rtOTazHG5fbOK0WFu_PojIla5DfqBCkky608bn1MTtpaR2I56UrbV6PIXXJN_19fIWydVMHcRV-Yx50pnC3gmhEEHBbaYlGPYQ-zSugK1Xb8GjYBlMbmJw/s1600/Summer2013+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_PLxDk6e_Rpaz0pgLd7l5-rtOTazHG5fbOK0WFu_PojIla5DfqBCkky608bn1MTtpaR2I56UrbV6PIXXJN_19fIWydVMHcRV-Yx50pnC3gmhEEHBbaYlGPYQ-zSugK1Xb8GjYBlMbmJw/s640/Summer2013+037.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lots of riding with the kids</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YakZID4ZDlQflDuZHMCK_dnQ3j2iKTEhaX943S5gUlem9o2EjB2g5HktZj8Y0rf7nJ4ckeLMtQPKrTawFPcsQABRV08H16g2vEQ8-_d2eRpGUtQo90SrcoFEDOhT2w6efJmTA0RpsAs/s1600/Summer2013+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YakZID4ZDlQflDuZHMCK_dnQ3j2iKTEhaX943S5gUlem9o2EjB2g5HktZj8Y0rf7nJ4ckeLMtQPKrTawFPcsQABRV08H16g2vEQ8-_d2eRpGUtQo90SrcoFEDOhT2w6efJmTA0RpsAs/s640/Summer2013+049.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubJqZu9b2EeLwUiAkUoZ5Nebo7rdlIUPTgEVQ78LtCJHYLuM0wZoz1OAnJpfbq6zKzWNmXkVMzVCY9gqip2n4E82cwsVeYBe5N1OHXEMWes5p9ld_rPv4E0O9Ch6nynci1ZGS7p9aRe0/s1600/Summer2013+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubJqZu9b2EeLwUiAkUoZ5Nebo7rdlIUPTgEVQ78LtCJHYLuM0wZoz1OAnJpfbq6zKzWNmXkVMzVCY9gqip2n4E82cwsVeYBe5N1OHXEMWes5p9ld_rPv4E0O9Ch6nynci1ZGS7p9aRe0/s640/Summer2013+063.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">my daughter has completed her first year of nursing school and has the fall off- she enjoys many outdoor activities so it will be time well enjoyed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Pepper" our lovely dapple is entering a large horse show this weekend- he has come a long way from the horse he was a year ago- no doubt do to consistent saddle and groundwork time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Last evening he was getting some continued training time in preparation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Some of our boarders at the barn joined in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It was a lovely evening for a trail ride after some work in the rings.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VZXVuC3yu-eO_ybx8QsjJHm05ov-PGeISRVGZmRmZvjc83125KersaOaad4t7RTWtGDphnDERwTrVkq-2ETYviItLyZxrhtAzQ8qgYq7edxKbG0-ai-v1oEilIOtRJcoYzR3zI_tv9U/s1600/Summer2013+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VZXVuC3yu-eO_ybx8QsjJHm05ov-PGeISRVGZmRmZvjc83125KersaOaad4t7RTWtGDphnDERwTrVkq-2ETYviItLyZxrhtAzQ8qgYq7edxKbG0-ai-v1oEilIOtRJcoYzR3zI_tv9U/s640/Summer2013+021.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The day began with creatures hell bent on making themselves at home in-<i>well- our HOME!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">This guy had to be chased off with a broom after we opened the front door to find him waiting at 5am yesterday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You just never know what might be just around the corner these days!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-11893391138569925832013-08-17T10:57:00.000-04:002013-08-17T10:57:48.990-04:00Sweet Sixteen<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> It was a rather busy full work week. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As my youngest was working at the daycamp and commuting with me again I had to work my precious Tuesday. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I flexed Friday off but I am finding four full days in a row getting up at 430 and not home until 630-7pm getting to be to much for me. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By Thursday afternoon I was having trouble with language again stuttering words.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Always a sign my body has had enough.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did love having the company all week on the commute however! On Friday ( August 16) my youngest had what I have recently learned is her " Champagne Birthday"; the year your age and date of birth coincide. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She was Sweet Sixteen and the 16th.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She has started to come into her own and I am thrilled to find a bright confident mature woman finding her footing and self confidence. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My children are all such amazing people to talk and spend time with. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We attended another hot Yoga class together, went to work out at the Recreation centre at the small city I work in.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was nice to have the time together.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Her older sister finished her first year of nursing school yesterday- she now has the fall off and starts year two in January. It has been a very intense year for her - having ended a long time relationship, moved twice and managed to work 15-20 hours per week and maintain an average on the Dean's Honour list. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No small feat.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She also plays hairdresser for the entire family-</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHiXRbE3FekxXOdSKgsZTisUhtSFU7Q009nRZecV7qNy6o1rgfF089QNprO3f6W_sdBn2Dr1wAecZ78pQu7Pyhr2XUnOB9ZgfW_XASGp0uAQpSh6VXLdDz9mM4z8EUcapmoTX35GPS0c/s1600/new+trailor+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHiXRbE3FekxXOdSKgsZTisUhtSFU7Q009nRZecV7qNy6o1rgfF089QNprO3f6W_sdBn2Dr1wAecZ78pQu7Pyhr2XUnOB9ZgfW_XASGp0uAQpSh6VXLdDz9mM4z8EUcapmoTX35GPS0c/s640/new+trailor+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I visited an acupuncturist yesterday- my first time. He is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner as well- they have recently been recognized as a regulated health profession here in Canada. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He was very astute.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">He was very aware of Sjogren's sndrome as he is currently treating another person suffering from the disease. I primarily went for help with Francine( my uterine fibroid) upon some research and the prompting of my Naturopath but am now interested to see the results for my autoimmune issues.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The garden was sorrowfully neglected this week- I got out just one evening to pick bushels of green purple and yellow beans, cherry tomatoes, pears,basil, spinach, swiss chard , two kinds of Kale, cabbage , zuchini and even a few cucumbers!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As we all are busy either working volunteering , hosting birthday campouts or attending folk festivals we had to opt out of the weekly market today- now I have to deal with all the produce we normally would have sold!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It does make colourful arrangements!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span><br />
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cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-23359157289200297732013-08-11T10:22:00.000-04:002013-08-11T10:24:24.469-04:00Musing on a week off<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I had another week of holiday this passed week.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Unlike in Early July which marked itself as social gathering time I KNEW I needed this time away to be very quiet.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I planned another trip to a great reflexologist I have recently started to see.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Took daily long hikes or bike rides and found a great new hot Yoga studio( in a newly renovated barn!) near me to visit.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happily my youngest daughter was enthralled with hot(moksha) Yoga and signed up for an unlimited 30 days with me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It felt blissful, the sauna like environment allowing all my muscles to fully relax and stretch.the peaceful setting along the edge of a small lake was an added bonus.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've missed yoga classes, it's been a few years since I was actively taking part in one. Home practice is nice but I do enjoy the gentle voice reminding me to breathe.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I realized several things this week. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not having young children any more allows me to really take time to focus on caring for my own health.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ooh we had dental visits this week,sleep-overs with friends. Bank accounts to set up and summer jobs to get to. But I can sleep through nights now, no babies or toddlers to attend to.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">After 24+ years in the parenting trenches I need some R&R.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've named my fibroid Francine.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It needed a name.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The hard lump sitting in my uterus-I think its trying to tell me something, about not gestating things that could harm me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Fear,anger.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I'm trying to be gentler with myself, the last few years my body has definitely let me know the pace I ran my life at since I was 19 just can't happen anymore. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Or there will be consequences. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There have been consequences.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The farm is abundant in August- our Saturday Farmer's Market display is at it's peak, the tables overloaded.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And sunflowers, ohh the sunflowers!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTLfl2J4OhOGzd25ODqKC1O3G4TBABUi-LUZ4DVK6CJ24PcoRwwq9IMXQ9CAdqVPsVAm79Z75pXJ_dmMk8818zCvufOkfLPj2kjqTONPBffrhcwJZrj3HHg_GgZrgogs48fuNhhMrc04/s1600/new+trailor+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTLfl2J4OhOGzd25ODqKC1O3G4TBABUi-LUZ4DVK6CJ24PcoRwwq9IMXQ9CAdqVPsVAm79Z75pXJ_dmMk8818zCvufOkfLPj2kjqTONPBffrhcwJZrj3HHg_GgZrgogs48fuNhhMrc04/s640/new+trailor+001.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am always happy when we have lots left over after market to have around the house all week.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My hubby and daughter along with several of our horse boarders took four horses up to ride at Lake Huron last long Civic holiday weekend.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Four horses , opposed to two as we now have a larger trailer to accommodate.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k9BfbYEuMezAZQNedqavWO7zfhAZdCzMUaMGhbRbSzBkSW9JULAG7g-4klXayVZ_4AcYdDD_41dy0wCxpGzE3syminDqXz28cSX8kjUf8BtqF7RsQj6_e4F5jhf5YFA6KG_keWQbFTw/s1600/new+trailor+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4k9BfbYEuMezAZQNedqavWO7zfhAZdCzMUaMGhbRbSzBkSW9JULAG7g-4klXayVZ_4AcYdDD_41dy0wCxpGzE3syminDqXz28cSX8kjUf8BtqF7RsQj6_e4F5jhf5YFA6KG_keWQbFTw/s640/new+trailor+015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInKlI0Sp4ba-gs0PjXJhm1WccJJc3GrT7FQG3R3is9JeQt7QINQwmgzQCrpwtz3uFncJ-jNxq8vGus_flb-UH8cFPKfn5Hmhu-h72c-VK1hqaGlYD_mPKAlv-bSvwLiZcKg_m1-yYN8c/s1600/new+trailor+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInKlI0Sp4ba-gs0PjXJhm1WccJJc3GrT7FQG3R3is9JeQt7QINQwmgzQCrpwtz3uFncJ-jNxq8vGus_flb-UH8cFPKfn5Hmhu-h72c-VK1hqaGlYD_mPKAlv-bSvwLiZcKg_m1-yYN8c/s640/new+trailor+020.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's been very useful in a short span of time- what with all the Fall shows and fairs just starting it will get many more miles before winter.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84A-4K_rch0B8QWYGe7wzpmBKB6hnZ8aurjtym7pjpthUb4WxQJAQuCntEFWjH2IVdIsqv2p2XaEewLjQ-BvKkgmYZWvfwy0y-yc_F2VTKtD31DyzYVyNY29nAAKEAJpDeXcWNaDpUMg/s1600/new+trailor+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84A-4K_rch0B8QWYGe7wzpmBKB6hnZ8aurjtym7pjpthUb4WxQJAQuCntEFWjH2IVdIsqv2p2XaEewLjQ-BvKkgmYZWvfwy0y-yc_F2VTKtD31DyzYVyNY29nAAKEAJpDeXcWNaDpUMg/s640/new+trailor+018.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the horses are much happier with the larger trailer- making loading them much less stressful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next week is back to work, I have another long stretch off in early September when the harvest is at it's peak- maybe not as much R&R then.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch </span></span></div>
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<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-3773060025135962702013-07-30T08:59:00.000-04:002013-07-30T08:59:37.691-04:00Value Village comes to the city of Owen Sound<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As a child my parents provided all my needed clothing.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Each September saw us preparing for another schooling year with new jeans, a few tops and the required running shoes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Christmas time brought the predictable new flannel pajamas, underwear and socks. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hand me downs from my sister came my way and a crafty mother was able to sew new dresses with material bought in town at the fabric store.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By preadolescence an awareness of " brand labels" reared it ugly head and I began to demand certain items. Usually greatly overpriced for any parent , let alone farming parents with four off- spring to cloth.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">By this time ,I ,like my sisters was baby sitting most of my free time- farming neighbours who needed help to watch young children while bringing in crops, teaching figure skating, or while parents went curling or dancing in the evenings. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We began to have our own discretionary money which my mother suggested become the pool for additional clothing purchases.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Funny how when it's <i>YOUR </i>money being spent on items suddenly you become more acutely aware of cost.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just how many hours of playing "duck, duck ..GOOSE" with a sticky handed toddler will those pair of jeans cost you? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Too darn many you decide.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was about this time my sisters friend introduced me to a life long addiction.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">thrift stores.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">her mother volunteered in a small local one, all proceeds going to a women's church group. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Each Tuesday evening and Saturday morning the small little store opened to offer wonderful finds at prices I could swallow.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was hooked.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I became a young mother in a city close by I made thrift shopping part of my weekly routine. Salvation army, goodwill's and independent church run stores became my familiar haunts.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I outfitted four children and their parents on a shoe string budget and was always( still am!) praised by my wardrobe.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As I started working full time and my income level rose substantially I never gave up my addiction.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It didn't make sense to.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The money saved here could be used for much better things. Driver's Ed, braces,and hydro to name a few.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was introduced to Value Village stores more than a decade ago. This national chain of well organized, and clean stores give profits back to local charities. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A Win -win for the entire community.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have visited them all across Canada from Prince George B.C to Halifax Nova Scotia.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is a destination in every city visit my husband and I make, in fact I carry a map of every Value Village location in the GTA ( greater Toronto area) in my purse.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was thrilled when I heard ( <i>after YEARS of rumours</i>) that Value Village would finally arrive at a location an hour from us! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No more 2 1/2-4 hour trips to reach one .</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I was even more thrilled to be sent a $100 gift card from the store to visit! (<i> I didn't want to tell them I will visit often without having had to dangle that carrot in front of me!).</i></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jYiT8BtcQ9dfAQ23ZIaWOrcUzggEj4_a5DqE3-NooaNbAfF8RVhpZWEc8T6izHyqbgFNu63uk8jKBkTPlqUM6DUfzSybyzuR8EPFQVZk0IuYHzVZ5yeMu6CeyrksiwlNTh1gmICJysU/s1600/aaasummer2013+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jYiT8BtcQ9dfAQ23ZIaWOrcUzggEj4_a5DqE3-NooaNbAfF8RVhpZWEc8T6izHyqbgFNu63uk8jKBkTPlqUM6DUfzSybyzuR8EPFQVZk0IuYHzVZ5yeMu6CeyrksiwlNTh1gmICJysU/s640/aaasummer2013+047.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My youngest daughter decided enthusiastically to join me on opening night- the crowds grew substantially. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Looks like I am not the only person thrilled to see Value Village come to Owen Sound!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwpHZLadhOlWSqWPPScRQ1uIura-knT2TizRvsDTlH28zigzeTbVynCBMrR8hm7YVtNGgSI1A79PIP-BOFVZ454916k64RSckzC2E2Fte5B22By-a5Iyp2O2yiuw8FrXSeb71xO1a0jk/s1600/aaasummer2013+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwpHZLadhOlWSqWPPScRQ1uIura-knT2TizRvsDTlH28zigzeTbVynCBMrR8hm7YVtNGgSI1A79PIP-BOFVZ454916k64RSckzC2E2Fte5B22By-a5Iyp2O2yiuw8FrXSeb71xO1a0jk/s640/aaasummer2013+049.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-17174098685895070342013-07-28T13:42:00.000-04:002013-07-28T13:42:07.308-04:00putting the " Family" into the family Farm<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In days passed the majority of people in the world lived rurally.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today this is no longer the case- a change which occurred quite recently in human history .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As more and more people left small farms to seek out employment elsewhere our worldwide cities and towns swelled in numbers. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">People became adjusted to this new lifestyle,they rarely returned to their agrarian roots.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Skills were lost. family dynamics , roles and expectations also changed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am not getting any younger( if <i>YOU</i> are please contact me and let me know your secret!) nor is my husband. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our energy resources after full time jobs <i>OFF</i> the farm leave something to be desired when met with the weekend " to do list" here on our 150 acres.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enter some youthful family members eager to learn new skills.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTXdkxFSxzHkUVJ2HqFXXYvSnokNJQLGGDfuYLvGNSjpFY0q2IVXrhhQGzDOTJ1k48Z52d8Gp1JY7ZQYSnEsuQq0neWX61xlB1KM1x_2fAOwOsSbPzYDbMP5eQWkaympvKRCfX1zDfGM/s1600/aaasummer2013+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitTXdkxFSxzHkUVJ2HqFXXYvSnokNJQLGGDfuYLvGNSjpFY0q2IVXrhhQGzDOTJ1k48Z52d8Gp1JY7ZQYSnEsuQq0neWX61xlB1KM1x_2fAOwOsSbPzYDbMP5eQWkaympvKRCfX1zDfGM/s640/aaasummer2013+024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My son although having spent last summer running heavy equipment for a construction company had not yet logged any time on our " new" tractor.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">yesterday he got to move a few remaining bails of hay outside the barn from the field.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmPCl6B0eoBA8CcT6inYx7A5yBUv7ZH2wtBaZMSmKnlYXsyLdcFuO7Z40pkcnMmKue3ywfrF6K8-hXXbg1t0bdS0M5auvRyFdPUZvg0hohuE0ZxBFJdb-FxKj1zxIYzvJqPX5ETJsqJw/s1600/aaasummer2013+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdmPCl6B0eoBA8CcT6inYx7A5yBUv7ZH2wtBaZMSmKnlYXsyLdcFuO7Z40pkcnMmKue3ywfrF6K8-hXXbg1t0bdS0M5auvRyFdPUZvg0hohuE0ZxBFJdb-FxKj1zxIYzvJqPX5ETJsqJw/s640/aaasummer2013+027.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">my youngest daughter- about to turn 16 and be eligible for her basic license got some " field experience" driving the truck back and forth with a bail in the back.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">her brother then got to practice unloading them.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-7TIxGlhMjoFVqgAufBECZcAVp8Byss7XZh9pBeKwMaea0Nzv6-mUYwTF49P_rMk0diyrBStOXdeIpc5bKLqPriviGbD8g7wE98b2lgBq68mqgwCiSglQ7vr5tE800jWpAXakiaVNew/s1600/aaasummer2013+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-7TIxGlhMjoFVqgAufBECZcAVp8Byss7XZh9pBeKwMaea0Nzv6-mUYwTF49P_rMk0diyrBStOXdeIpc5bKLqPriviGbD8g7wE98b2lgBq68mqgwCiSglQ7vr5tE800jWpAXakiaVNew/s640/aaasummer2013+028.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH8TPwdH6HqWk5ClxkCVub6BaLm1A-NfvfHOxxECDr6r0He8gAWmcMrygmqVuxu7sWtRReZXpBcQGYcU-ZWEQ-KZC5G7Q2gfqDFzp6KnhEVfEEMVBm2AGpuIWTaXXDSp-aO11sYIAMfk/s1600/aaasummer2013+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsH8TPwdH6HqWk5ClxkCVub6BaLm1A-NfvfHOxxECDr6r0He8gAWmcMrygmqVuxu7sWtRReZXpBcQGYcU-ZWEQ-KZC5G7Q2gfqDFzp6KnhEVfEEMVBm2AGpuIWTaXXDSp-aO11sYIAMfk/s640/aaasummer2013+030.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I think both enjoyed the chance to get to drive .</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOIMe51VlE_4xvizYgW6dLLXIZcb0d2jemKNCI1znMalCdRtSDeIEL5El_fe_1pOBeCOpl6ICZlilRMhXFDZgcaSla47Set13xUxF7PD5i0YhI1Jxk-vT4fmnsmJ6quaeBGeCO3m3KSo/s1600/aaasummer2013+032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOIMe51VlE_4xvizYgW6dLLXIZcb0d2jemKNCI1znMalCdRtSDeIEL5El_fe_1pOBeCOpl6ICZlilRMhXFDZgcaSla47Set13xUxF7PD5i0YhI1Jxk-vT4fmnsmJ6quaeBGeCO3m3KSo/s640/aaasummer2013+032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Linneah will be the last of my four children to get her license- a very necessary part of independence in rural living. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Teaching three new drivers and having to log drive time with them has taken a few years off my life expectancy . </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even though they have all proven to be cautious and safe the learning stage in the car with them is very stressful on me!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was nice to have my husband offer to help her get some miles under her belt in the truck out in the fields. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oddly the same place I first learned to drive growing up .</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_E6H3HZSSrBGiJ0I8lr58YEX5xnPQEmS-ciqijj_mpW0WI8Lokgxavq886cqmdJiFuWFyTPGglIqqCRHk0NL2LfCchh2Vra3pqvMopDvlrA_vhQbT9HDrhQwBaQj1Kbcu9xOMoq9i9A/s1600/aaasummer2013+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN_E6H3HZSSrBGiJ0I8lr58YEX5xnPQEmS-ciqijj_mpW0WI8Lokgxavq886cqmdJiFuWFyTPGglIqqCRHk0NL2LfCchh2Vra3pqvMopDvlrA_vhQbT9HDrhQwBaQj1Kbcu9xOMoq9i9A/s640/aaasummer2013+035.jpg" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Having Elijah confident with the tractor also means another adult to plow the laneway come winter time,clean out the barn yard or plow the garden.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All great bonuses for aging adults.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have been so thankful this year as both of these two have stepped up to do the market booth this season and help with taking care of the growing flock of meat and laying chickens. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This leaves much less work for me on Saturday mornings to get other chores done- laundry, baking, weeding, planting.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Not only does their help assist both my husband and myself but it makes all our lives here on the farm better.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">People feel useful and appreciated.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Needed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Part of something larger.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">which we all need I suspect.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch </span></span></div>
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<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-33655149672471708622013-07-24T17:52:00.000-04:002013-07-24T17:52:04.284-04:00World Sjogren's Syndrome Day<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Yesterday July 23 was world Sjogrens Syndrome day. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Although
the Sjogrens syndrome foundation would like us to celebrate this date, I must
say I find nothing celebratory about having this systemic autoimmune disease.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I have written bits and snips over the last
few years about my illness but never fully explained it. It’s a hard one to
nail down for physicians ( taking on average 8 years from onset of symptoms to
a diagnosis ) so no wonder I find myself overwhelmed when challenged to
encapsulate how it has impacted every part of my life since my diagnosis.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">When queried about just what the illness is
and how it impacts me I often want to sit down with the questioner and draw a
body chart- start at the head and work my way down explaining how every bodily system has been impacted thus far.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I have migraines- with intense nausea now,
predictably twice a month for 48 hours. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Most days my eyes feel dry and gritty, I
manage fairly well now with eye drops to lubricate every 3-4 hours during the
day and a thick gel at night. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Prior to diagnosis I had a very difficult time
cycling without extreme eye pain as the wind whipped what little moisture I had
away. I seemed to have never ending “pinkeye” but without the telltale crusty
exudate that companies a bacterial infection.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I always feel I have an eyelash in my eye or
sand or dirt. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Stepping into the mid day sun is now extremely painful and I wear
sunglasses outside year round. Little did I know that leaving my eyes with little tear as lubricant this long
may have caused irreparable corneal damage. My body was happily destroying my
tear producing glands slowly for years, so slowly that I didn’t stop to take
real note of it.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I have lost about 60% of my sense of smell. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">It went very quickly about 9 years ago. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"> I had intense facial pain for about two
weeks- what I thought was perhaps a sinus infection- but was so busy at
the time I never sought medical attention for it. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I miss the fullness of odour and how it triggers memories.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I have daily stabbing pain in my cheeks and
under my tongue as I try to swallow or chew- due to damaged glands that try to
expel saliva to assist with swallowing and digestion. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Sometimes this rises to
levels I have to seek medical intervention for (I look like I have the mumps,
which I sort of do, infected parotid glands) as stones will form causing
extreme swelling and pain. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Sometimes this extends into my jaw joints inflaming them making speech and chewing almost unbearable</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"> Not
having enough spit seemed like a small matter initially. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I had had tooth decay
out of step for my age for a decade or so, I chalked it up to poor calcium intake
or perhaps the result of four pregnancies and extending periods of
breastfeeding. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">In reality it was a result of my body mistaking my own glands as
the enemy and systemically destroying them- along with all the benefits that
saliva brings to keeping bad bacteria at bay in our mouths. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Most Sjogren's
suffers have continuous dental issues, cavities, root canals, extractions
related to decreased or non- existent
saliva.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Slowly I began to have constant canker
sores, thrush (yeast) in my mouth and throat as well as numerous cavities. Well
meaning naturopaths, doctors and dentists talked at length about varying
vitamin deficiencies, need for more flossing and mouth washes and cleansing/detox programs. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Nothing seemed to help. This continues to
be a problem with no real solutions</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Swallowing has become difficult. Things get
caught, I choke frequently (scaring everyone!). It makes me averse to eating in
places people want to talk with me while I try to ingest food. The lack of
moisture makes my esophagus dry and things catch.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"> Like many Sjogrens patients I
have developed esophageal dysmotility as a result. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">The muscle contractions required to move the food down to my stomach are irregular adding to my choking
and swallowing issues. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">My mouth always feels dry, my cheeks stick to my teeth
and my throat burns. I am a walking advertisement for Burt's bees lip balm as
the glands that lubricate the lips have also been destroyed.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Without all the lovely enzymes in spit I
don’t digest starches properly. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Amylase found in normal saliva is the first
enzyme our food is exposed to help break down grains, bread etc into an
utilizable format for the body. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Without it these, foods go into my gut in a
whole format causing a host of issues for me .Some of my first symptoms
when the disease went into high gear four years ago where in fact intense
stomach cramps, diarrhea and bloating- I was given an irritable bowel syndrome
diagnosis when it was in fact a common part of Sjogrens syndrome.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I have bouts of intense persistent nausea. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Think morning sickness times 5. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">It raises it‘s ugly head about every other
month for a week or two at a stretch. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I have developed gastroparesis- very
common in Sjogrens syndrome- a disorder where my stomach does not empty as
quickly as it should. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">The contents sit too long and gases form- <i>I am guessing
not good ones</i> – which send signals to my body that perhaps it should reconsider
the last meal and send it back up!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I have Raynauds another autoimmune disease
often accompanying Sjogrens syndrome.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I have had this one since my late teens. My
circulatory system over responds to cold shutting off blood flow to fingers, toes,
hands and feet in a perverse attempt to send the blood into the body core for
survival. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">In the meantime my red/blue fingers and toes become horrific looking and
so incredibly painful it is hard to describe. I often also shake so badly when cold
my leg and arms muscles contract uncontrollably leaving me (when I warm up!) numbingly
exhausted and sore. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Canada is a tough place to have this one.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">My blood work which finally caught the
disorder is a virtual landmine of craziness. I over produce some cells which
need iron to form them so no matter how much iron I take I am always left
anemic.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"> I
feel crazy dog- dead tired, sometimes it hits me suddenly and I find it difficult to walk
and even form words correctly.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"> I see the words I want to say in my brain but
there is a lag time between the thought and my tongue being able to form the
sound. It scares me- I try to avoid putting myself into days where I can see “
too much on the calendar” knowing it might deplete my energy levels resulting in these intense
crashes. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I do after all work an hour’s drive from
home!</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">This is not a normal “been a long day” kind
of tired. Think of the last time you started to get influenza, the chills, fever,
muscle aches. Wasn’t your first thought” I have get home and into bed?” I experience these frequently as my body “thinks”
it needs to mount the same immune defence. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">But there is no invading virus hell bent on
invading my respiratory system. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">It' s just me, its own cells it’s misunderstood
to be a ferocious invader.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">The inflammatory arthritis really didn’t
start with much impact until last fall. Now it is with me daily. My fingers,
toes, feet, hands and wrists are all impacted. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Some days I use my fore arms to
move objects, driving is often very difficult as I have to “grasp” the wheel.
Unlike osteoarthritis (which older adults develop) mine is often worse at rest,
awaking me with intense stabbing pain.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"> It flares and abates but never goes away
and unfortunately as with all symptoms of Sjogrens syndrome gets worse over
time.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Insomnia and anxiety also visit me on a regular basis and are all recognized as part of the disease.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I wish I could then go on to tell you about
all the wonderful medications or treatments available . </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">But I can’t. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Because there isn’t any. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Neither allopathic (<i>mainstream</i>) homeopathic, herbal or
naturopathic. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Its scope and systemic nature has baffled humans as has its
sister diseases of Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">We have treatments for each
symptom but nothing to help my body stop overproducing immune B cells and
telling them their own tissues are the enemy.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Worst case scenario mainstream medicine
offers chemotherapy to destroy the immune system- leaving it wide open for
virus and bacteria to set up shop.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I suppose if I had to find <i>SOMETHING </i>to celebrate about this
disease which seems to be the result of a genetic defect and an environmental
trigger it would be this: I am blessed with a wonderful family who lets me pace
my life as I need to. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">A wonderful workplace with good benefits and work
autonomy to set my own hours. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">I live in a country with universal health care
(<i>thank you Canada for being the best
place on the planet to live!!!)</i>.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"> I was fortunate to have been diagnosed
prior to any irreparable damage being done to my kidneys, liver or lungs -
between having a 44% higher risk of lymphoma Sjogrens likes to pick on these
organs and wreck havoc. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA"> I am
being constantly monitored for early signs of all of these complications now.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">So this is just a brief over view of how
Sjogrens syndrome (named after the Swedish ophthalmologist who connected all
the seemingly unrelated dots) has impacted my body.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">But how has it impacted my <i>life?</i> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">Well <i>that
</i>is a story for another day.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA">-cargillwitch</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-67412299557230776162013-07-22T20:50:00.001-04:002013-07-22T20:50:28.158-04:00Tornado watches and Full Moon<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lots of energy around lately.Not that there isn't always, but it's the forceful kind.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Abrupt , sudden ,strong.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Last weeks hot humid weather ended with a intense cold front pushing in and the expected tornado watches ensued.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> My daughter and I were caught in a fairly intense hail/rain/ wind storm driving back from visiting my son at work. Limbs were blowing around and it reminded me of driving in snow squalls- zero visibility.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The day ended with much cooler air, welcomed by most of my family who are a bit more heat averse than I.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today's Full Moon seems to be a lesson in relationships- people I hadn't seen in some time suddenly re-appeared during the course of my day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some made me re- evaluate my own focus,they being strongly spiritual people.I was grateful for our paths to cross again and fuel this introspection</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Others made me uncomfortable, pushing me to admit frailties and hurts I would rather have stayed submerged.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">How do you balance being compassionate and caring towards others whilst still being true and gentle with yourself?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">It's the height of the moon's cycle, like the heat wave it's force can only diminish after some intense re-adjusting.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Washing the heaviness and stagnation away.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-24822646698518303052013-07-19T19:21:00.001-04:002013-07-19T19:22:19.102-04:00Commuting time<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I commute 136 km each day to work.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It is all pastoral settings, no community I pass through has a population greater than 500( just two small hamlets) until I reach my destination.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No grocery stores,just acres of farm fields,streams and rivers, bush and swamp.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">No bathrooms save the ditch.</span></span><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One must budget fluids accordingly.</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the harsh blustery winters I do contemplate my sanity as I wait out a squall in a field laneway.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But sometimes this long commute has distinct benefits.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They present themselves whenever my children have to journey with me- to a dental appointment, or summer job.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the later brought my youngest daughter- <i>soon to be able to drive herself-</i> with me on my 4 day a week trek.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We arose with the sun, fed and watered cats and chickens, made some tea and were off.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Something about travel , perhaps the way we sit, not eye to eye but looking ahead makes all four of my birthed off spring open up . </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">They talk about everything.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">school, friends, plans for the future, struggles with relationships.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It flows fast and effortlessly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Often I am sorry to have the journey end, with nothing to distract us we really connect.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This week she was working at the Day camp held each summer at the Native Friendship centre I work at.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She was able to add her tie-dying skills to the weekly mix</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aNEo0C4MTGDf3XmaRvatT3VdXDvIjpzBlIBwM361E__P9H-2TJ6j9YF4478r834mumOSNpUjHFCGAoCy0wBH6_ywRe6SHtoWG6GjEXjgkUrxnl0rhq44y_tDd-7IcUGDn2w85iWyA38/s1600/aaasummer2013+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4aNEo0C4MTGDf3XmaRvatT3VdXDvIjpzBlIBwM361E__P9H-2TJ6j9YF4478r834mumOSNpUjHFCGAoCy0wBH6_ywRe6SHtoWG6GjEXjgkUrxnl0rhq44y_tDd-7IcUGDn2w85iWyA38/s640/aaasummer2013+004.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">the camp just runs a few weeks. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">She's enjoying the opportunity to make additional money, have another item to add to a resume.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am enjoying the conversation, camaraderie and companionship each day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">sometimes a long drive can be a great opportunity.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-611361801467261012013-07-16T19:01:00.001-04:002013-07-16T19:01:18.638-04:00the maturation of a Canadian Summer<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In May we see brief little glimpses- a sunny day, growing warmth by noon.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In June we will get the occasional "hot spell" but often the nights are chilly and a frost is not unheard of.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But by July? well, summer has settled in.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marked its territory.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Proclaimed itself in charge.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The last week temperatures have been firmly trenched in the low thirties by 10am and overnight doesn't dip below 20.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes with the high humidity we get near the Great Lakes it's like living in a sauna, a constant greenhouse.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This hasn't been lost on the plants. Weeds included.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The corn which last year at this time was barely knee level due to the extended drought this year is over my head and even rowed.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It looks to be a bountiful year all round. The fruit trees are loaded,the sunflowers have just popped in the market garden and will go up for sale this week.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> And for some unknown reason my normally heat-shy layers have given it their all this week leaving me drowning - <i>and the family groaning</i>- at nothing but rows and rows of egg cartons in the fridge.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like heat, deal with better than most Canadians I know and am rare amongst those diagnosed with Lupus or Sjogrens Syndrome in not being heat averse.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> In fact I deal with it so much better than cool temperatures that I really relish what heat we get. A no air conditioned house is fine with me, but I know my hubby is not at his best when it gets humid. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">he, like most Canadians is happy with more moderate temperatures</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">here's to the maturation of summer-heat waves and all.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span>cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4967585662374747385.post-29904599603074055202013-07-07T14:21:00.003-04:002013-07-07T14:23:51.133-04:00Warm summer evenings<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I return to my " away job" tomorrow and have had time to reflect on everything I have accomplished in the last 2 weeks. As usual I gauge my productivity by how many things have been crossed off my "to do list" which I habitually over book.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Weeding took centre stage- each day, every day. I still could go at it 4 hours daily for another week and just keep my head above water-yikes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I cycled a lot. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have rekindled my extreme love of exploration of the surrounding county via a slower pace.Some days have been difficult with my joints inflamed gripping handle bars was a challenge but the discomfort was worth it post bike.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The Farmer's Market is in full swing- each year a different crowd.It's hard to know what will entice people from year to year. Produce isn't selling very well- most of the Swiss chard and spinach are returning home. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fresh fruit and dried fruit roll ups are selling well.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVdwS7VYUS-s1Fy6XZaVN2IKWDiIm5ll63G-s7glfYwKEf77X_3wIxRclPvp5IQku7RSsMxiflQHuzQcoVXzato0y3iLxWUAGgfrPHw0OBO-VPDpyIgO2w8iPl2u6b5Tv9Olx8sZZMe4/s1600/Pickinbythepond2013+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcVdwS7VYUS-s1Fy6XZaVN2IKWDiIm5ll63G-s7glfYwKEf77X_3wIxRclPvp5IQku7RSsMxiflQHuzQcoVXzato0y3iLxWUAGgfrPHw0OBO-VPDpyIgO2w8iPl2u6b5Tv9Olx8sZZMe4/s640/Pickinbythepond2013+030.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Both my two youngest who are taking the helm at the market this year don't seem too discouraged yet- they both come home with not a bad profit.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF_pQ_wvkhFm9bfmePIQVa6YrEBAK-df_3j7jBpKAzEGMX8tiTMhs-35BCGC2OmDpOAseMyXA6Bh2L7L61Sbq_cG15stk_Ecd7dVaI7JiVeO_4yAdUzHs29Ci8SX3E60-zXuGRPIFYg0/s1600/Pickinbythepond2013+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCF_pQ_wvkhFm9bfmePIQVa6YrEBAK-df_3j7jBpKAzEGMX8tiTMhs-35BCGC2OmDpOAseMyXA6Bh2L7L61Sbq_cG15stk_Ecd7dVaI7JiVeO_4yAdUzHs29Ci8SX3E60-zXuGRPIFYg0/s640/Pickinbythepond2013+035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>My daughter Linneah was very sore after a long days kayak the day prior - and a resulting nasty sunburn!</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have had many lovely visits, dinners, gatherings and camp-outs here at the farm. Happily the weather seemed to generally co-operate.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My eldest daughter and her now fiance return to their home in northern Alberta Wednesday. I sincerely hope that our next visit will happen with less than a years distance between.It has been very reassuring for me to see she is very well and experiencing new things and places, something every parent wants for their child no matter how old they are!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've picked and frozen cherries and strawberries.The shelling peas are producing now and I am freezing chard and spinach for winter stews and soups.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> My husband and his band played at a local music festival Friday night- I don't make as many of his frequent gigs as I used to- 4am bedtimes and I just don't mix as well as they did 10 years ago! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But being as this one ended at midnight I took a chair and drove down.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd58ik33iEpt69yspbeBxvLs-nzouoNkA4_p8MDRxmQ9idzanW0bKlaPpUhpythlRzrpmtnco3CZhU61gOKo_33fsZD5XNPR6YecDXfBjULIm7Rih-9B4yFrVVaSDWO8smqphuH0dUp8M/s1600/Pickinbythepond2013+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd58ik33iEpt69yspbeBxvLs-nzouoNkA4_p8MDRxmQ9idzanW0bKlaPpUhpythlRzrpmtnco3CZhU61gOKo_33fsZD5XNPR6YecDXfBjULIm7Rih-9B4yFrVVaSDWO8smqphuH0dUp8M/s640/Pickinbythepond2013+008.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<i>hubby is on acoustic with the hat</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnqDoYpV88J74kJW9RyTOmCWYAfsU2EduBuKQFkuMzkucknntIY-YIoXg6xH3Ll9UF5bvKQ1OE3FtdN7tDX4n0iHWLjxxmCSWaUxUoK3Olue4TJ7c1j_DGRQyzbBmgJJ1OWC1Rf_FsgY/s1600/Pickinbythepond2013+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjnqDoYpV88J74kJW9RyTOmCWYAfsU2EduBuKQFkuMzkucknntIY-YIoXg6xH3Ll9UF5bvKQ1OE3FtdN7tDX4n0iHWLjxxmCSWaUxUoK3Olue4TJ7c1j_DGRQyzbBmgJJ1OWC1Rf_FsgY/s640/Pickinbythepond2013+003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It had been a busy hot humid day of weeding, cherry picking and getting ready for the market- having a enforced " sit down" outside in the cooling summer evening air was perfect. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although after 19 solid years of soccer I was glad to pass to another stage of parenting I do miss sitting outside and watching the stillness of evening fall down softly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was a lovely evening .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My assistant texted me early today to let me know her son was at Sick Children's hospital in Toronto awaiting surgery on a broken arm-very stressful for a mom!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> I will have to make plans minus her help for the week at least.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My back to work Monday will be very full!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">-cargillwitch</span></span><br />
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cargillwitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06948839908080737239noreply@blogger.com2