No, you haven't lost your way. This is Slim's Place but indulge me a bit, it's a time of change around here. The problems admittedly seem overwhelming at times but necessity dictates that  these changes are unavoidable. It quite simply has become too much for me take care of all the work on my own which our large yard, fish pond and gardens demand. My husband's health is failing and much as I wish this were not the case  we have sold our very much loved home and are in the process of moving to a much smaller home.  Hopefully, there are better days ahead. There always are. It's too easy to slip into a negative mindset and forget that at times. 

Anne Frank said it best. She wrote, "The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature."  It will be my task, once this abominable move is over, to create a new oasis of peace where nature can provide that very much needed food for the soul. The yard and garden may be much smaller but with a bit of hard work and imagination I will create that much needed sanctuary we both enjoy so much.

Tuffy may miss all the squirrels and birds he so loves to chase as the property lacks the maturity of our present surroundings with it's multitude of mature trees and open spaces but there is a yard to play in and one which offers a challenge as it has not been given the care and attention it deserves. That will be my priority once we are settled in and it begins to feel like home.

Perhaps because I have been around for more decades than I like to remember I am more willing to  accept that life's worries and bad times are transitory and even when things look their most bleak with the right attitude nothing can defeat us. It isn't the surroundings that matter, it's the love with which you surround yourself that brings one peace of mind and contentment in your own private little part of this very much troubled world of today.

Yes I know, it isn't always within our power to effect the changes needed as evidenced by what has been transpiring over the past year or so in our countries and with our economies but a belief that others who do have that leverage are doing their best to correct the problems gives me the confidence to sincerely believe we will see a course correction if we support them in their efforts as they struggle to bring about the necessary changes. They need our help and support. And our trust. The fortunate thing is, I believe, we are in good hands with the new President of the United States. He isn't aiming to placate or curry favour. He is interested in solving this crisis and in making the changes necessary to improve and secure the future for our children. And is prepared to accept the responsibility for his decisions. Now that in itself is a very refreshing change !

Hopefully in the coming months and not too distant future we will see a leader of similar calibre take the reins in Canada as well. The signs bode well for such an eventuality taking place. And not a moment too soon in my opinion.

For those of you for whom it's a first time visit, Welcome ! You'll find my site has no particular theme and the topics can range from serious to frivolous with particular emphasis on family and children. I am, as you will find as you browse through the various pages, a very outspoken and concerned individual but even when I go off on one of my political tirades it's motivated by a very genuine concern for those who are going to have to live with the results of the decisions and actions of those who are charged with securing our futures and who have done a superb job of royally messing things up in recent years. 

Relax, I am not always pontificating. Sometimes I even attempt to be amusing. My innate sense of the ridiculous is quite well honed but then, at my age, thank goodness it is. Otherwise I would have given up long ago and decided to grow old gracefully in silence. As that is not the case it's only right I give you fair warning I don't pull too many punches. I say what I think. Isn't that one of the bonuses which accompanies the "Golden Years"? In all honesty I do have to admit I've always been that way and it's way too late for me to change now. 

Petey, my very special little buddy who passed away two years ago was from the beginning a very large part of this site so his approval was a definite requirement and I still miss him a great deal. He spent a great many years helping me maintain the place as you will see if you visit Petey's Nook. My little site foreman was an invaluable source of material through the years. All of those pages shall remain a part of this site as long as the site exists. You will find it, and a great deal more, if you check out the Site Directory Page. The site has become so large over the years that it's the only way I could think of to help out visitors so they didn't get lost around here.

Our adorable little ShihTzu Tuffy is attempting to fill Petey's shoes. He isn't as tiny but he is every bit as feisty and lovable and I know you will come to love him just as I have. Petey left me in very good hands. He stuck around until he was certain that Tuffy would be able to take over and only then did he decide it was time for him to fly away. Petey actually chose Tuffy's first birthday as the day he would leave me. He was so tired and yet he would not leave until he knew he was leaving me in good hands. My very much loved Petey shall always share a very large part of my heart. I miss him sitting on my shoulder supervising more than I can say. We were together for so many years. More years than anyone can expect from a tiny canary. But Petey always was exceptional and quite unique. Now his children and grandchildren are with us to always remind us of that very special little wonder who brightened our lives for over fifteen years.

There are quite a number of pages here but hopefully you will enjoy browsing. You may not always agree with me but I don't think you will be bored. I hope your children will like the Holiday section as there are a number of original children's Christmas stories there which I have written through the years. Petey figured prominently in most of them in years past. I come up with a new one every year at Christmas time. And there again Tuffy is trying to fill Petey's shoes. As I have already said, I can be serious a lot of the time but do also have an inner child always struggling to surface. I guess you can put that down to the fact that I have never really wanted to grow up and lose my imagination. Check out the Christmas directory in the Holiday section for a listing of those stories which you can reach from the link above. I think, and hope, you might get a chuckle out of some of them. I did write a Halloween story a few years ago also but it is for older children and tucked away on it's own in the Holiday section. 

My main interests however are children and family and are the reason I feel so strongly about things and wax political at times. Quite a few times in recent years. I do worry about our children's futures a great deal. The older I become, the more I realize what a treasure and responsibility it is when we are given children to nurture and love and I really only want others younger than myself to not take time for granted as I, and so many others did when we and our children were young. If I accomplish nothing other than that they might take time to savour each moment more fully after sharing my thoughts and reveries for a few moments I will have succeeded. I truly believe that absolutely nothing is more important ... or more rewarding. 

It isn't a requirement you know that we all agree on every subject but being willing to respect the opinions of others does lead to better communication, and that we most assuredly must cultivate if our way of life is to survive. I do attempt to avoid inflicting my political views on visitors to my web site as often as I can restrain myself, however I will readily admit that I am somewhat opinionated at times, particularly with regards to the welfare of children everywhere and our very much cherished and precious freedoms. Most times I do honestly make a sincere effort to try to temper that trait with a degree of caution, as I certainly recognize that my visitors may not agree with my point of view. However ... I make no apology for the occasional slip so be forewarned ! 

An explanation of why you will find so many pages on my site accompanied by the same MIDI's may be in order. The vast majority of my pages are complemented by the music created by my husband who is a very talented musician. As his MIDI's are always created in real time and not with any MIDI software program such as 'Band in a Box', which create the music for many, his catalogue has been hindered in recent years. He has not been physically able to play as he demands of himself as he is afflicted with Rheumatoid Arthritis and this has led to his not being willing to create as many new MIDI's as he has done historically. He does still play when he is able so from time to time a new one will appear.

Please wander leisurely through the different pages of our site, I sincerely thank you for dropping by and I really do hope you enjoy your visit and will come back to visit often. I do update as often as time allows so there will be new content on a fairly regular basis.