Welcome to my blog. I have had ALS for 10 years now.


Since I started this blog in June 2008 I've had amazing feedback. Family, friends, people from all over North America, Australia, Scotland, England, and places I can't recall, have commented, encouraged and corresponded. I had no idea when Cynthia taught me how to set this up, how much I would love posting and how many people would read it. I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who has helped propel this therapeutic exercise into a daily routine. All of you, both friends and visitors, are now part of my blog family. Welcome.

From Go Pro

From Go Pro
View from my living room

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Happy New Year

Monday, December 28, 2009

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Flags on Granville


South Granville has been decked out with all the flags of countries participating in the Olympics.
They are painted on the sidewalks from the Granville Bridge to 16th and several east on Broadway.
I could not identify many of them so had to refer to a page in the Sun newspaper. The ones posted here are Great Britain, Israel and Venezuela. There are 80 flags in all and I challenge you to take the walk and identify 20 of them. I failed the test.



Friday, December 25, 2009

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Every day

Monday, December 21, 2009

Gene Autry was my childhood hero



Click here for song


Composed by Benjamin Hanby

Up On The Housetop 1952

Ho, Ho, Ho! Ho, Ho, Ho!
Up on the housetop, Ho, Ho, Ho!

Up on the housetop, reindeer pause
Out jumps good ol' Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones, Christmas joys
Ho, Ho, Ho! Oh Who wouldn't go?
Ho, Ho, Ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick

First comes the stocking of little Nell
Oh, dear Santa, fill it well
Give her a dolly that laughs and cries
One that will open and shut her eyes
Ho, Ho, Ho! Who wouldn't go?
Ho, Ho, Ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick

Look in the stocking of little Will
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
His is a hammer and lots of tacks
Also a ball and a whip that cracks
Ho, Ho, Ho! Who wouldn't go?
Ho, Ho, Ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick

Ho, Ho, Ho! Who wouldn't go?
Ho, Ho, Ho! Who wouldn't go?
Up on the housetop, click, click, click
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick
Down through the chimney with good Saint Nick

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Some things I notice while in my wheel chair









I notice cross walk buttons--are they low enough for me to reach? Is the curb too close to safely get into
position?

I find free samples in low places--the upright shoppers don't notice them--more for me.

I always stop at every flower display I can find. I'm sitting in a comfy chair so can take time to marvel at their beauty.

Roots--I now notice them for 2 reasons. One, I have to be careful not to drive over them and second, they are closer to me. I often stop alongside these twisting, gnarly sidewalk creatures to let people pass by. The bark, moss, formation, color--it's all about survival, which I understand well.

Ahh, the magic button. It still amazes me how few there are.

Pretty things on the lowest tier. How much we miss scurrying by in an upright position.

Parking metres are at eye level. Perhaps I will become the street "Good Samaritan" by popping a quarter into all those expired metres.

The street flags are wonderful--a little perk from our tax accounts. In a sitting position I look skyward while waiting for the walk signal.

And so you see--there are benefits from being chair bound.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Josh the Christmas Cat




Josh, along with his buddies Dougal and Hamish live in British Properties.
They want to wish everyone from near and far a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Watch me. It's a miracle!


http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/ApV83UlXqtJDIkVR


Click on link above. Please be patient and let it load.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Christmas 1947


Some children don't like Santa--I was one of them. The photo was taken in the old Woodward's department store on Hastings.
The store has been torn down and new condos, a downtown university, and Nester's groceries are in its' place.
I always remember my childhood visits to Woodward's. The windows were filled with animated reindeer, elves and Santa. Children pressed their noses against the glass to get a closer look. It was magic.
Click on picture for a close-up view of my angry face.

Yummy!

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chuck CookiesOATMEAL CRANBERRY WHITE
CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 6-ounce package Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.


Saturday, December 12, 2009

Carol Ships in Vancouver


So true

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Monday, December 7, 2009

Through the eye of my camera


I love to photograph wildlife, people, places and things. Soon I will go on a wheel chair excursion and photograph details I was never aware of before losing the ability to walk. Stay tuned.


Burl Ives Click here

Great brunch yesterday



Good food, good champagne, great friends!

Friday, December 4, 2009

I'll Be Home For Christmas

Listen here.

A little chilly

It's cold outside but the sunshine is beautiful. I've been going out when I feel the cold won't bother my muscles. Unfortunately, my weakened muscles cramp in the cold or they start to spasm. As many of you know, I love snow, so I hope we get a little this winter.
I have my Charlie Brown tree up and a few decorations out. My T.V. is on "Traditional Christmas Music" and I have my finger nails painted green and red with white Christmas trees on them. I'm in the spirit.
I bought "UGG" boots(lined with lamb's wool) to keep my ALS cold feet warm. My toes are curling due to muscle atrophy and they look like paws!
My speech is slow-- I sound like I've been drinking. Some people probably think I sleep on a bench in the park. Ha!
Setbacks are just that--with new devices I manage well. My iPhone has arrived and I will download a speech program. Also my new power chair was delivered. They set it up today so I can use the driving joystick as a mouse for my computer. They will change the foot plate and make a few other adjustments before it's ready to roll. The elevation feature is great. I can reach cupboards and raise my chair to talk with people at eye level. I'm very fortunate to live in such a high tech time. I can imagine the frustration, living with ALS 50 years ago.