Lake Ontario

Although Lake Ontario was right there for viewing, many houses adorned the seashore -- or trees and bushes hid the lake. We finally found a public park that enabled access. The beach was rather slippery on the rocks and concrete, so we mostly drank in the view.

A the park to access the shoreline we found this old fashioned  merry-go-round. What fun!

Colbourn, Ontario, Canada

Ketchener to Napanee allowed wandering along Lake Ontario. 

The town really didn't have much else, but the trees bombed was rather delightful.

Mitchell, Ontario, Canada

Mitchell, Ontario, Canada

One search site for archives included that within Mitchell. While Marshall researched, I enjoyed the nature trail nearby. It wandered next to a lake with final destination a county park. 

Our lunch was at Dorothy's Cafe. This little shop filled with regular patrons as well as those just passing through. Marshall had a sausage sandwich with onion rings. I took Dorothy's Cheeseburger -- loaded -- with slaw, pickles, catsup, onions, and cheddar cheese with fries on the side. Yummy! Might ask that we go back to Ontario just for that sandwich again. 

The archives are held in Suite D of a medical building. Seemingly this suite had access to downstairs storage for  a variety of resources.

This might actually have been on private property running next to the path. Still lovely and viewable. =)

Not part of the nature trail, but fields around had flowers, seemingly planted with harvest in mind. Acres of rows of various kinds dotted beside the highway.  

Laundry time in Napanee

Many apologies to family and friends that I did not include you in today's activity of wash time at the laundrymat. Silly me -- I took a book to read as solo customer at my wash day activities. The norm from groups when I dropped by this morning and returned for actual activity this afternoon was a gathering of many to embrace fellowship during the 30 minutes of washer and 25 minutes dryer time.
Generations including newbornes and great-grandparents with all generations in between met for chatter and catching up. And for those that actually could not make it to the actual property, you could be included by cell phone.

That takes care of my wash for about a week -- but let me know if YOU are headed to a laundry mat anytime soon as I would not want to miss out on the activities.

Not quite modern enough -- but hopefully you get the picture.  ;-)

Fun in Ontario - Stratford

Stratford, Ontario -- flag and flowers

Stratford -- notice the hanging baskets and pickup trucks.

Stratford -- lovely flowers both top and bottom.

Stratford downtown

Stratford

Stratford -- flowers in abundance at the shops and houses.

These are a close up of the flowers above. Absolutely beautiful!

 Wandering the streets....

 Wish I had started taking pics of windows earlier... Seems that there are many styles and colors not captured below.

 

Latches to allow opening of the shutter...

 More to come.. Just a glimpse of wandering through Stratford....

Think the best (by not being judgmental)...

Think the best (by not being judgmental)... Three articles today with this main topic:

1. From the Pulpit on Saturday, July 21, 2012: Rabbi Mordechai Levin. Quotations: "Sometimes we misjudge others by reaching hasty conclusions based on stereotypes and appearances.We fail to consider new facts and changed circumstances, and instead hold onto faulty perspectives restricted by our past opinions... We are critical of those who have different points of view or because they do not live up to our preconceived notions. We misjudge people based on our very limited knowledge of them and their circumstances.... What needless pain we cause to others - and loss to ourselves -- by casting judgment based on our own prejudices, limited knowledge or preferences...To be able to sincerely judge people righteously requires a  basic appreciation of others. Those who we like we tend to judge positively. Those whom we dislike we tend to judge less kindly. Their actions may be the same, but our attitude toward a particular person is what makes the difference... If another's actions can be interpreted in both a positive and negative way, it is righteous to evaluate those actions in the positive way. We should avoid making unwarranted judgments and instead think the best of others.
2. From the Pulpit on Saturday, July 21, 2012: Rev. Nonin Chowaney. Quotations: "Wisdom is seeing - -not with the eyes but with our whole being - things as they are. That means seeing who we are what our relationship is to the rest of the universe... We also see that all things are interdependent and only exist in relationship with other things. Nothing stands alone... Compassion literally means to "feel with", and this means to feel or experience the suffering of another being. Of course, feeling is only half... The other half is wanting to do something about it.... Compassion means ultimately means to forget yourself, and just be there. If it's someone suffering deeply, just listen. Hear what the person is saying; honor what he or she is feeling; tell them that you're sorry they're feeling so bad, but mean it... Try to be a calm, soothing presence, but most important, just be there -- fully.
3. Judgments, Trees and Old Houses   http://www.bensonnebraska.com/2012/07/02/judgments-trees-and-old-houses/   Quotations:    One such lesson is regarding making judgments about people. I have learned that is is not my place to judge others... (My Summary in the midst: Some people opt not to have trees and old houses... Do you not know what you are missing?...) Old houses have character and they have lifetimes of stories within their walls. Yes they are quirky and require maintenance but the same can be said about Benson (located within Omaha). We can be a quirky bunch here and we will always require more maintenance, but living in Benson is like swinging on your porch swing shaded by the big beautiful trees and knowing this really is the good life.

So for today, I will go back to some basics that I learned a long time ago, but have forgotten to practice. 

• "If you can't say something nice, say nothing." 
• "Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise." (Phil. 4:8)
• "A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices." (Sir William Jones)
• Prayer by Kate B. Wilkinson: "May the mind of Christ my Savior / Live in me from day to day, / By His love and power controlling / All I do and say.

102 S. Clark -- moved in

The pics are arranged coming in the back door -- so kitchen through to the dining room, then living room and den, then a pic of Mom in the kitchen. Notice the cabinets Fred made -- on each side of the range. Nice!!!