Lest We Forget

Today we pause to thank the men, women and animals who have and are currently willing to pay the ultimate price to ensure our freedom.

We also remember all of the families effected in anyway by war.

We remember.

Nature Friday

Today we join Rosy and the Boyz for Nature Friday.

Lady took this picture in Greece. She took it for Rosy.

Thankful Thursday -Treats for Us!

During her busy week last week, the Lady and one of her friends (because the Man was bed ridden), went to the SafePet Ottawa Gala. In case you don't remember, SafePet is an organization that fosters animals for people fleeing domestic violence. Most shelters don't accept pets and many people will stay in dangerous situations to keep their pets. While it is very sad that this is a needed group, the work they do is amazing. It is one of the local charities Lady and Man like to support the best. 

We hit the jackpot this year. First there were cookies in the gift bags. As Lady's friend is a cat owner, she gave her package to us!

Then there was the gift basket the Lady won in the silent auction.

Look at all the great cookies!

Like the mentalist at the show I will . . . .

Make the cookie disappear!

Even picky me loves them!

We are thankful for the Lady for picking these in the auction (even if we overheard her tell the Man this was the small basket . . . . . .)

Wordless Wednesday - Winter is Coming

Trouble on a Tuesday

Dear pals,

Last week was a very stressful week for us. 

It started on Sunday when Uncle Chris and Emma arrived. This isn't unusual. What was unusual was that on Monday, Emma stayed with us after the Lady left for work and Uncle Chris and the Man left and only Uncle Chris came back.

Uncle Chris shared his pizza lunch

Then 87 million hours later, Uncle Chris left and came back with the Man. The Man smelt funny. We did not like it.  Lady explained that the Man had hernia surgery and he was going to be ok. The Man spent most of the week in bed, while the Lady worked and tried to keep the house running. She was very busy and only a little cranky. (Lady is not the world's greatest nurse and in fairness to her to get it all done was getting up between 4:30-5 every day and working a full day!)

So the Man keeps recovering and the Lady keeps working/running the house. We hope in another week or so things will be more back to normal. 

Blog 4 Peace

Today we join bloggers around the world for a very special blog 4 peace, we are blogging about climate change.

While it is dark, scary and at times overwhelming, there is no denying our planet is in danger thanks to our industrialized world. The charge to save the planet is being led by a passionate group of young people, including the amazing Greta Thunberg (I have always said people with autism will change the world in ways we don't yet understand, because they see it differently). 

Young people will save our planet. 

The answers to saving the planet are not simple and are not going to be easy. As a person who studies human behaviour change for a living, I am not always optimistic that our entire species can change their habits. I say this, not because I don't think the vast majority of people don't care, it is just the reinforcement for engaging in climate change behaviours will be delayed and we like our reinforcers to be more immediate. The behaviours we are currently engaging in that are harming our planet (i.e. driving, flying, use of plastic) are reinforcing now (i.e. picking up that veggie tray that is given in plastic). The mind shift we need, as well as all of the little habits we would need to change are huge. 

While I am not as optimistic as I would like to be about this, it doesn't mean I have given up. I continue to take small steps to help reduce how I am contributing to the problem. I am using less plastic and always looking for more ways to cut back on the use. I am starting to look for clothing made out of sustainable materials. I am trying overall to consume less and use more reusable options. I try and imagine how my grandparents and great-grandparents did things.

Together, we may be able to solve this problem. We just need to listen to the young voices.

Nature Friday - Our Tree

This was our tree before Lady and Man left. This picture was taken September 25.

Here it was on October 23rd when they came home. 

We missed the peak of fall but are enjoying the last little bit of it before that white stuff falls!