Fish Out Of Water

I knew I'd feel this way with Sylvia not here.  She told me to give it a chance, that I have lots of other friends here to chum around with but I still miss our little routines.  Just walking over to the clubhouse alone to play cards makes me sad.  Sylvia always would stop by on her way and we'd chat for a few minutes before heading over to the clubhouse.  I miss those little things.

I missed her and Mickey at Thanksgiving dinner.  They would have loved it because it was the best we've had here in a long time.

I'll miss her this coming Tuesday because that's the day we always had lunch and shopped at Beall's.

To make matters even worse this year, Gail and Red aren't coming down to 3W because Red is having some health problems.  Age, money, and health is what ruins our winters in Florida.  

I'm also going to miss gambling every Monday with the ladies here (not Sylvia).  The Canadian dollar is so low now that I've had to cut back my gambling days to one per month.  The same ladies will go with me and I'll enjoy that because they're all nice friends.

I don't do well with change.  Once I get my life set in a comfortable way, I don't like to see it change.  Apparently, I have no choice in the matter!

Do-Gooders Won't Like This

So we're getting 25,000 (?) Syrian refugees in Canada in the next year.  Canada is a land of mixed nationalities and races who get along pretty good with the odd exception so why should we be wary of these new immigrants?  Well, I'll tell you one reason.

I don't remember the year but many will recall the Vietnamese refugees who fled their war torn country searching for a more peaceful home.  Many came to Canada and, as is often the rule with refugees, many had no documentation.  It was said that some of them destroyed their documents once they'd boarded a plane for Canada.  Hmm!

The vast majority of these people were decent, hard working individuals who were truthfully refugees needing our help but some criminals were able to slip in among the decent ones because security clearance was not up to par.

In my city we've always had an average sized Asian population and I once commented on how you never, ever saw an Asian surname in the newspaper connected with criminal activity.  Well, not only did those Asian surnames start popping up but our police department also had to create an Asian crime unit for the very first time in our history.  Vietnamese criminals began by victimizing their own people but soon spread out their activities to include everyone else.

The mistake Canada made was not in offering human aid to decent, law abiding Vietnamese but in not screening them more carefully.  This is my worry with the Syrian refugees, not that decent, law abiding Syrians be refused but just that the screening process is as complete as possible.

Bleeding heart liberals blast us for having reservations about refugees but we have every right to be concerned with not bringing in people who will be a danger to the existing population.  Our multicultural society is a source of pride and it would be such a shame to allow criminals to slip in just because we're rushing immigration. 

Why So Much Violence?

I remember the fire of youth but I also remember the respect we had for adults and authority.  From what I see on T.V., there is a terrible lack of respect being taught to our young people and I'll bet that's where the violence and destruction is coming from today.  If children are not brought up to respect their parents, they will not respect anything else.  Their youthful fire will be set free without discipline or fear of consequences.

Respect for our country was taught in school when I was a child...is that still done today?  Respect for our teachers was also taught.  How many teachers are physically attacked by their students today?

Cursing in public is also a sign of disrespect.  Can teenagers really not be aware how awful this sounds to the ears of their elders?  My own babies are as guilty of this as many young people and I always feel insulted by it.  They used to apologize for the worst words when they slipped out but not so much any more.  It's almost as though proper grammar is a thing of the past. 

Anyway, if all parents insisted on their children showing them respect instead of trying to be one of their friends, I think the next generation would be better for it. 

3W Angels

There's no doubt I received one of the greatest blessings in my life the day I found my way to this Florida park.  I will never know if all senior R.V. and trailer parks are like this but I hear from people who have been in other parks that ours is special.  It's the people, of course, but how could so many wonderful human beings have ended up here?  Because of these good, good people, I never hesitated coming down here by myself after Dennis passed away.  I knew I wasn't on my own and I knew any help I needed would be offered by any number of friends here.

Marge's husband, Don, put up 2 new blinds for me yesterday.  They were on the front windows and the hot summer sunlight rotted the cords of the old ones.  No surprise.  And no surprise that Marge offered her husband's help when she heard I needed it.  That's just the way it is here.

Without all these good people helping us do what we can't ourselves, single ladies and handicapped people couldn't be here.  We couldn't afford to pay for outside help and we'd probably be cheated, too.  The angels who come to our aid make it possible for us to live fuller and more comfortable lives.

Thank you, angels.  You probably don't even know you're thought of as angels, but you are.

It's Always Something

Here I am at my favorite little trailer park in my sweet little trailer for the winter...but not everything is fun and sun.  Usually it's the telephone that isn't working but this time the phone and internet came on like a dream but the 3 year old T.V. was fried.  I hired a T.V. repairman to come and look at it because I couldn't bear the thought of buying a new one in American dollars but all I did was waste another $50 U.S.  

I searched the internet for information on T.V.'s and decided to buy a 28" Vizio (recommended by the repairman).  It cost $158 U.S. and then I also bought a 3 year warranty for $18 U.S.  I never buy an extended warranty but this time I thought it a wise thing to do.  Now I'm waiting for Direct T.V. to come this afternoon and see if it's safe to hook up to their cable.  Joann is also coming over so I can put one of her items on Ebay.  I've already put about 10 of my own small items on Ebay.  I only plan to play a bit with Ebay this winter and not get into it much at all.

I've still got some yard work to do but no more today.  I'm sore because I'm not used to laboring any more but the aches and pains are mild and will disappear in a day or so.

Because of the terrible Canadian dollar, this will be a test year to see if I can afford to come down next year.  So far, it's been awfully expensive mainly because of the darned T.V., something I never expected.  The car used less than $100 in gas to get here so that was great...Kim had the cruise control on a lot and I think that's the reason.

Anyway, the 2015/2016 season at 3W is underway and I'm missing my friend, Sylvia, very much.

Open Letter to ALL Restaurants

When I was a young girl I worked in restaurants and don't remember ever being told during training that NO food should be placed in something that had fallen on the floor.  It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that dishes should be rewashed and paper products should be discarded if they land on the floor.

I'm wondering if waitresses today are taught this during their training.

I frequent fast food restaurants and regular restaurants and occasionally observe items fall to the floor and then the waitress will retrieve them and attempt to use them.  Not if I'm watching!!

The other day I was at Burger King waiting for my order and one of the waitresses was preparing a take-out order.  The bag she was about to use fell on the floor and she quickly picked it up and began to put the order in it.  I quickly stopped her (politely)  and told her she could not put food in a bag that had been on the floor.  She looked stunned, as though the thought was completely new to her.  She did comply but it got me wondering about the initial training of restaurant staff.

A few years ago I was in a Sonny's in Florida and witnessed a waitress drop a load of straws on the floor, pick them up, and put them in a storage jar.  I spoke up (politely) and told her she couldn't give customers straws that had been on the floor.  She too looked stunned but complied and threw the lot in the garbage.

The very worst thing I ever saw was at a Wendy's where I stood at the counter waiting for my order to be filled.  I watched a lady working at the drive-through...she appeared to be the manager (older and dressed slightly different).  To my horror, she left the window to make up an order and, without gloves and after handling money, made a cheeseburger using her bare hands to handle the bun, meat, and filling.  This time I asked for a phone number so I could call the head office.  No-one could give me one but, of course, there was a number on the bill to my own order.  I called the head office and explained what I had seen happen and they were very polite and guaranteed the matter would be looked into.  Maybe it was but maybe it wasn't.  In any case, I did what I thought necessary to keep our food handling services up to par.  Everyone should take a moment and speak up when they see unhealthy practices in restaurants.

Now for my very adamant suggestion to restaurant managers and owners...stress during training that nothing that falls to the floor should ever be given to a customer.  Make up signs to be placed in the kitchen as a constant reminder, too.  Your customers deserve cleanliness.

I'm ranting on my blog but the next time I see a similar infraction, I'll write letters to the editors of local newspapers and to the Board of Health.  I will also call the head office and ask for an e-mail to be sent  to me stating what measures were taken to re-educate their staff.  What kind of response I receive will be noted in the letter to the editor.

If this saves even one person from getting sick it will be worth it.

  

Remembrance Day

Canada is a beautiful and free country where our government may not be perfect but it's better than most.  We enjoy a blended culture which makes life here more interesting than in many countries.  Refugees yearn to become Canadian citizens and escape the horrors of their birth countries.

This didn't happen by accident.  Our smart ancestors worked hard to create a country where it's citizens would live in peace.  They created a governing body and a military to ensure this.

No, Canada isn't a perfect country but I wouldn't trade it for any other.  Let's not change it to appease people who would put more limitations on our freedom, especially the freedom of women.

Grey November Day

Yesterday I was talking to Sylvia all positive about how I'd spend my winters when I don't go to Florida.  I said I was sure I could handle it well because I've got lots of plans for things I can do to keep me busy and fulfilled.

Today I woke up to a miserable wet and grey November day and all positivity went right out the window.  I hate, literally hate, days like this.  The sky is grey and the leaves have just about all fallen from the trees.  It's cold enough to need a coat if I go outside.  No, maybe I won't handle a whole winter here as well as I'd thought.  I need sunshine.

Oh well, Kim and I head south on Sunday so I'll try to make the best of it for a few days.  I'll forget about Canadian November weather until this time next year!

Getting Ready For Florida

Leaving for 5 months requires all kinds of preparation but this year mine is a little less than before.  Nick will be staying in my apartment so I don't have to clear out the fridge or turn off the cable.  I tried just turning off the phone part because Nick uses a cell phone but discovered Cogeco won't do that.  It's either leave it all on or turn it all off.  That is soooo dumb!  I'm sure they have the technology to do this but choose not to do it.

I opened my suitcase on the bed in the spare room and have been gradually adding stuff to it.  I doubt it will be filled when I leave, though.  My car trunk is also only half full...with toilet paper that was way on sale and coffee.  I'll be doing very little Ebay this year so I'm not taking much down to sell.

The cost of spending 5 months in Florida has become prohibitive so this may be my last year unless something changes.  The lot rent alone will cost me about $7000 Cdn. and add to that the $1500 out-of-country health insurance and it's becoming too much to accept as reasonable for my income.  I've been making plans for how I'd spend my winter at home and it wouldn't be so bad.  I'd spend a few days a week at the senior center doing crafts or whatever and I'd see more of my family here.  Life can be good anywhere if that's what you choose it to be.

I'll definitely miss my 3W friends when I decide to stay home, though.  I've always said that I was blessed the day I ended up at 3W and began 17 years (so far) of some of the greatest friendships of my life.  3W is so full of nice people that I sometimes think I'm dreaming.  How could so many terrific human beings end up spending the winter at one little trailer park?

Yes, my life will change quite a bit in the next few years but it's been a lovely ride.   And I'm sure there are more great days to come, too! 

"Lookin' Out My Back Door"

This is the view looking out from my balcony on this beautiful Indian summer day on November 3, 2015.  The brighter fall colors have faded and leaves have fallen but it's still a lovely sight to see.

It's warm enough to go outside with a light sweater, too.  I know these days will disappear shortly but they are often the sweetest of the year, unexpected and treasured.

It's Quiet

My building has mainly seniors for tenants so you'd expect it to be pretty quiet and it is.  I really enjoy those moments when, all of a sudden, I realize the only sound I hear is the motor of the fridge.  It's peaceful.  

When one of the tenants uses the elevator, I can hear it but not loudly.  I told Kim that the soft sounds of the comings and goings of the other tenants seems to comfort me, making me feel not alone.  I made a very good choice moving to this apartment building.  One never knows when they move if they'll end up with neighbors from hell or superintendants who don't look after the place but I lucked out.  My building is relatively quiet with nice neighbors and a superintendant who takes excellent care of the building and grounds.

Well, even the fridge motor has shut off now so the silence is very peaceful.  Maybe it's time for bed.

  

Disappointing People

I've become very good and quite consistent at walking away from people who aren't good for me but it isn't always easy.  It's very uncomfortable to finally lose faith in someone you once trusted because it makes you question yourself.

I can understand why some people become hermits, especially if they've been deeply disappointed by too many people they've become close to.  It really does scare you off and I can see someone feeling safer alone than with questionable friends or family.

I've been told that you should never walk away from family but that makes no sense to me.  If someone in your family treats you horribly then why would a sane person continue to deal with that family member?  I knew a lady once whose whole family treated her shamefully but she continued to visit them every year because she said they were all the family she had.  She'd come back home a more broken person than when she'd left.

The best way to explain the feeling of being in the wrong company is to imagine being in a large or small group of people who blatantly don't like or respect you.  It would be debilitating to the max.  Even if you weren't prone to depression, this would drive you to it.

Not everyone you associate with will like you but you can choose to limit how much of your time you'll give to them.  And you can choose to distance yourself emotionally.  Either way, you are in charge of how much "abuse" you are willing to tolerate.  I hope the answer is zero.

Personally, I'd rather be by myself than spend one moment with someone who disrespects me.