Later that day

Feb 13th Update! Pictures of the victim and the monster. I lent out my digital so this pic was taken on a accident kit throw away camera... Sorry about the quality.

Sigh!

I am back from driving over to the Hyundai dealer to have then take a look at my car damage. It is so embarrassing to be driving without my back bumper. It feels like I am out in public without the back of my pants. It's when you are driving that damaged car that you recall judging people because of the damage on their car. I admit to being judgmental.
I used to think, no bumper screams "bad driver". I have to drive the car this way until Thursday.
What comes around goes around...
My lesson
be non-judgmental
Barbara

My poor little car

My first car accident just happened! I was innocently typing in a blog at the time. I was interrupted by a knock at the door. It was the driveway snow removal company driver apologizing for taking off the bumper of my car. My innocent little Accent was just sitting in the driveway at the time! Poor thing. So this sets the agenda for the rest of my day off. I have filled in the forms, called the insurance company and shortly, will call to make an appointment to get my bumper re-attached. If this was not my day off this would not have happened.
He didn't even do a good job cleaning the driveway come to think of it.
Have you ever had one of those days?

This is a picture of my car from earlier this winter. Yes, that is an angel or spirit standing beside it.

I wonder where the angel was today...

My Grandfather's Grandfather 1837 rebel

Have you ever researched your family tree?
If you know Canadian history at all you may have heard of the rebellion of 1837. You may think it was only the French Canadian that were "up in arms" about the Government. The British ruled Canada giving little regard for anyone who was not ruling class, or followers of Church of England.
Steps had to be taken to make it fair trade for all.
Protests had to made so that a persons rights were not trampled.
Reform was needed to make the Country of Canada what her people envisioned for her.
Sound familiar?
Mackenzie was the most famous leader of the Upper Canada portion of this drama but, Dr Duncombe was a person my ancestor most likely met up with.
Dec 08 1837 Brantford Ontario - Dr. Charles Duncombe with a rousing speech launches open rebellion in the western half of Upper Canada; gathers a force of rebels at Scotland Township and Oakland (Malcolm's Mills) on the road to Dundas, southwest of Brantford; the force will reach 500 to 600 in number by Dec. 13.

The outcome was not good for the rebels. The rebellion was put down in short order.

On April 14th 1838, nine prisoners from Dr. Duncombe's uprising near Brantford, Ontario, were sentenced to death. Three were reprieved and the six remaining were to be hung on 20 April 1838. Tensions ran high, and on the 13th of April the hanging of Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews in Toronto, added to the resentment of the local populace.

Fortunately, my ancestor was only suspected of being a rebel, but never found guilty. Many of the leaders were banished, some were hung for their participation. The reforms came in time. Thomas settled down with his American born bride and founded the family in Canada. Six generations so far.
This is what we have uncovered about our first generation 'founding father'.
Thomas Wheeland was a young blacksmith and farmer in the town of Scotland, Ontario. He was born in Ireland but came to Canada as a youth. He was noted in the town's history as having donated his blacksmith shop to be the first school in that town. To this day the modern school still stands on that same plot of land. The land he farmed , no longer in the family, is still to this day a working farm. His family gravestone can be found in Scotland Ontario in the graveyard across from that school.
I now look at Canadian history in terms of "hmmm, what was my family doing in that year".

be respectful of how we got here.
Barbara Wheeland

Hey, George Stroumboulopoulos

CBC Newsworld, The Hour. http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/
I call this borrowed pic the Back of George's head shot.
I enjoy the 4 hours I spend with you each week. The Hour is well timed, well paced, well written and, you are a very animated host. Is it supposed to be fun to watch the news? Is that a sin?
I would move to the center of the universe (Toronto), just to work with you George! (See my Moving to Toronto blog piece.) It would be fun! I am certain there are dozens of people more qualified than I am. I am sure my C.V. is buried under a ton of resumes somewhere in the CBC databases. I just want you to know I am a creative artist at heart. Ummm, I have no experience in news or music but I could be your personal shopper! I work in retail at the moment. Need more of those shoes? Need more batteries for the electronic toys? Need off the wall ideas? I have some of those at a discount. I can even give you an angel card reading free of charge. Limited time offer though. ;-)

Life is a limited time offer, come to think of it.
be yourbestself now!
Barbara Wheeland

more funny email for ya

Sharing what is in my email
When Riding A Dead Horse...
The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from generation to generation, says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.
But in today's modern bureaucracies heavy financial considerations ofter force management to try other strategies, including:
1. Buying a stronger whip.
2. Changing riders.
3. Threatening the horse with termination.
4. Appointing a committee to study the horse.
5. Arranging to visit other sites to see how they ride dead horses.
6. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.
7. Reclassifying the dead horse as "living-impaired."
8. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.
9. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase speed.
10. Providing additional funding and/or training to increase the dead horse's performance.
11. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve the dead horse's performance.
12. Declaring that the dead horse carries lower overhead and therefore contributes more to the bottom line than some other horses.
13. Rewriting the expected performance requirements for all horses.
14. And, one final strategy: promoting the dead horse to a supervisory position and conducting a workshop to change dead horse culture.

no horses are harmed in the creation of this blog

Be nice
Barbara

I am reading The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.
Some of the ideas I have pick up from it so far...
There are no mistakes - only lessons. Sigh. More school.
60 000 thoughts run through the average mind in one day, and 95 percents are the same thought you had the day before. That does explain a lot. By the way, who counted them?
A persons mind is like a garden. Negative thoughts are the weeds in that garden. Pull those weeds out and replace them with flowers. Don't forget the fertilizer... and drink lots of water.
All kidding aside, I am taking in the lessons from this book. When I can replace a negative thought with a positive one it does feel good.

Be positive
Barbara

I want to go back to this time in my life.

How do I get there?

be in the moment

with you

always

Barbara Wheeland

My Grandfather was a Homeboy

A little family history. What a Homeboy really is (old school).

Thomas Curtis was born 31 March 1891 in England. His father and stepmother ( reports called her drunken and worthless) gave him up to the Hightown Truant School in 1902, then he was admitted to the Liverpool Sheltering Home in 1905. He was 14 at the time. The Sheltering Home with the consent of Thomas' father sent him to Canada one month later. They called those boys, 'Homeboys or Home Children." For more information go to http://www.homechildren.ca/

Many orphaned and poor children were sent to Canada to work on farms or in family homes. My grandfather was judged on the amount of work he could do. He was small for his age and some 'caregivers' complained about this. He started out his Canadian life in Knowlton Quebec and was sent to towns in Quebec and Ontario from anywhere like Sutton to Ottawa. From the reports he rebelled at first with Mr McMay calling him a 'useless lazy and not truthful boy" but later reports from other 'caregivers' said "he is undersized but is doing well." Reading those lines and between the lines breaks your heart.
He had a sister in Yorkshire England he sent half his wages to in 1915. His training for life was harsh more than anyone can imagine. He joined the Canadian army to fight for his country in world war I. He was wounded fighting in France.
When he had finished his war service, he visited his sister in England. He had the chance to stay in the country of his birth if he wished but he chose Canada. He lived in Montreal. He worked at odd jobs until the depression hit.
He met my grandmother who was also from England, visiting Montreal at the time. They got married had two girls, then a boy. In 1940 (WWII), Montreal's mayor, Camillien Houde was arrested for telling people not to join the army. One of my Grandfathers jobs included guarding that famous prisoner. Camillien Houde was later released and became mayor once more.

Thomas had many skills, he was good with horses, as he proved one day on Mount Royal as he saved his child's life when a run away horse came bounding down the hill. He caught and controlled the horse before it ran over my mother. He was also skilled in playing harmonica for a little drink money. In that sense, he was a participant in Montreal's joie de vivre. I wish I had more stories of him.
Sadly, when my mother was 14, she found out her father was hit by a truck and later died from his injuries. He was 55 years old. Despite his service to Canada he was buried in an unmarked grave in Hawthorndale cemetery. There is no known picture of him. I have never met him, but I won't forget him.

Be reminded (or remembered)

Barbara

Move to Toronto?

This is a picture of Old Montreal in the summertime.
I have lived on this Island all my life.
For too many reasons to name I love this place. Friends, family and a unique anglo subculture, within a blend of multiculture, within a unique French culture, within a wonderful Canadian culture. But
For so many reasons I imagine it would be easier for an anglo like myself to live in Ontario. In Quebec most of the good jobs go to the 100% bilingual or trilingual . In Ontario they are glad to hire people who can speak and write English and who have a working knowledge of French. I would not have to think about what language to start a conversation in. This may lead to having a good career. This may lead to talking to strangers more often. (Is that a good thing?) What if I lose my French? I speak French everyday but it is not a natural talent for me but I don't want to lose it. Wait, if I move I would lose my minority as an anglo status! Unless you consider Quebecers in Ontario a minority group. naaaa
Me being happy is not the problem. It's deciding what I really want, and what the ripple effect would be. I wish life would just give me what I want without me deciding what that is, but it does not usually work that way.

be decisive
Barbara

dreams and prayers

Last night I had a dream that I was swallowed whole by something very dark and very cold. The sensation seemed so real. I felt very cut off from light and heat. I then prayed and the energy radiated out from me and I was freed from my captivation. It was so scarey that I wanted to go through the experience again just to see if it was real. If that makes sense.
I don't truely want to experience that in real life. It seemed like death to me. I think the message of that dream was about the power of prayer. No matter how dark it seems for you just pray and the light is there.

be light
Barbara

Why can't they sue?

Imagine you are walking along a field and a landmine goes off. You lose your legs in the blast. Can't you sue the landmine manufacturer? They sold it to whomever it was who planted it. A life threatening device! Why can't the victims of landmines sue? Why can't the companies that make weapons get their pants sued off? That company that makes pellet guns look like regular guns except for some paint for example.... Can't that father sue them for selling it? After all it made his son look more suspect....
If a woman can sue McD's for making hot coffee it seems a no brainer that we can sue weapons manufacturers for putting any humans life in danger. Hmmm what about suing video games manufacturers for training our youth in combat techniques. Or is that the parents fault?
If you were in a country that was economical dependent on those kinds of companies. They would lobby the politicians to protect their dangerous 'toys'. Now if you were that country you would want to test and use and sell those 'toys' as much as you could to support your economy. Do you even know you are on that merry-go-round? See my solution of suing the stuffings out of those company's may very well bring peace and perhaps temporary economic collapse. Unless they use those weapons to protect themselves.... Round and round we go.

Be Peace

Barbara

Why do I spy on Vancouver?

Why do I spy on Vancouver?

I spy with my little eye something that is soaked in the rain. I look in on Vancouver through the katkam almost every day. Why do I do this?
It's complicated. I have never even been to B.C.
My favourite person did live there for 8 years of his adult life and his stories of that city echo in my mind. He used to live across that bridge and worked as an exterminator all over Vancouver. I only met him when he moved back to Quebec. I wish I had moved to Vancouver and met him much sooner. I look in on Vancouver to share the view with him....In spirit.
Thank you katkam!
life is too short

Be a participant

Barbara

The weather report

Looking forward to three more months of winter. -17c today. Isn't that better than rain?

Counting all my blessings right now so don't say anything I may lose count.

Be Warm

Barbara

Deaf to conspiracy

If....
If our Government (in my case Canadian Gov't) listened in on our communications would we want to know that they were doing this? I don't have the energy to be more outraged then I am already at politicians' antics. It would be like yelling when you have already lost your voice. Losing your voice. hmmmm. Does anyone believe that any Government with the technology can't at any time they want listen to any call they want without their courts permission? Ya know... I don't want to know.
This is an issue George Stroumboulopoulos of CBC's The Hour http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/ can deal with. Or maybe Rick Mercer http://www.cbc.ca/mercerreport/index.php can handle it. Or we should leave it alone... Sigh



be inquisitive?

Barbara

Who or what is that?

Can you find the spooky figure in this picture?
The picture was taken by my father in the summer of 2005. Knowlton Quebec.

be observant
Barbara

Sharing my email

A joke sent to me by a friend. Too close to the truth not to be funny
FEMALE PRAYER
Before I lay me down to sleep, I pray for a man, who's not a creep,
One who's handsome, smart and strong
One who loves to listen long,
One who thinks before he speaks,
One who'll call, not wait for weeks.
I pray he's gainfully employed,
When I spend his cash, won't be annoyed.
Pulls out my chair and opens my door,
Massages my back and begs to do more.
Oh! Send me a man who'll make love to my mind,
Knows what to answer to "how big is my behind?"
I pray that this man will love me to no end,
And always be my very best friend.
Amen.

MALE PRAYER
I pray for a deaf-mute nymphomaniac with great boobs who owns a liquor store and a boat. This doesn't rhyme and I don't give a shit.
Amen.

be hopeful
Barbara

Trying to be mature about getting older

A grey hair found this morning set the theme for my day. You are as young as you feel. Right?
Well today standing all day hurt my back. I was looking at my not so smooth skin on my fingers and asking when did that happen? I tried some anti-wrinkle samples on two of my fingers and compared them with my other fingers. I conclude that wrinkle cream is a placebo for desparate people .
I am going to be mature about getting older. I have my health. I have lots of energy. My sandy hair hides the one (or two) grey hairs.... lol My back will feel better after a good nights sleep. I can always date a younger guy. That should help in the 'aging' process. One more bit of comfort is I will always be my parents youngest child.

Be young at heart
Barbara Wheeland

Dust or Orbs?

Is this Orb window shopping or a stray piece of dust in the picture?
Those white spots in the pictures, are they dust in the air or are they the manifestation of spirits enjoying the concert?
I welcome comments

Be open
Barbara

In Memoriam

I took this Poem straight from a newspaper. I hope it speaks to all who are in mourning.
We little knew that evening
God was going to call your name.
In life we loved you dearly
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
You did not go alone
A part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide
And although we cannot see you.
You are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one
The chain will link again.

Be strong

Barbara Wheeland

Still working on last years resolutions

The holidays have come and gone. Another new year and I wonder if I need to come up with new New Years resolutions or just reuse last years resolutions. One of them being that I would stay away from chocolate.... As the picture shows, I haven't. Another resolution is to register for bone marrow donation. I hope I will do that this year. I have no excuses. I want to donate more money this year than I did last year. That may depend on me earning more this year.
Things get more expensive yet the pay does not go up.
Anyway Happy New Year!
Here are a few more one liners for you.
Save the whales. Collect the whole set.
I just got lost in thought. It was unfamiliar territory.

be happy

Barbara Wheeland

West Virginian Mine accident

One thing I do is watch the news. I was watching the CNN coverage of the Sago mine accident. On Monday night at 9:44pm EST I asked myself 'if I was phychic' what would I feel about what is going on in the mine now with the miners at this time? My imagination told me two things. One is that Angels were very busy working on it. Second thing was it was very very quiet in the mine at that time.
On Tuesday night I was watching CNN again and at 11:11 pm I prayed for those miners and their families. I imagined that I was in the mine and kissed one miner on the forehead and told him "it's time to wake up!". I did not interpret that in any way at that time. It was maybe half an hour later that they were told 12 were alive... I watched the whole story unfold til 4am.... It was at 2:22 that I felt that thing were unfolding exactly as they were meant to. Was it after that that they corrected the information that they had gave to the families? If my instincts are in any way correct then things really did happen as they did for reasons.... I pray for all involved and thank all the "earth angels" ie the mine 'draeger men' the other rescue workers, the other volunteers who gave soup and support to the families also the media were angels as well (my favorite media angel being Anderson Cooper). I can't blame them for getting the story wrong because that is how it played out. Lessons here... Forgiveness, love, faith and gratitude and patience.
There is life after life and those 12 souls do continue on. They are not lost forever.

be love
Barbara Wheeland

A spirit in December

One morning early in December I saw an interesting melting pattern on my car. I have had the car one year and I have never seen that before. I took two pictures on that mild, overcast day. One picture was perfectly normal. The second picture contains more in the image than I saw at that time. It was only when I uploaded the digital image to my computer that I saw there was someone(?) in the picture between the two cars. Neither car was running at the time. The artwork on my car can be explained by the metal frame under the hood... The fact that Jack Frost may be standing beside the car... I like to think it's an Angel. Some say it is. Some say it's a ghost. It does not look like my late boyfriend... That brings up more questions. I have no answers. I want you to come up with your own theory.

be light
Barbara Wheeland

Introduction

Jan 04 2006

I am starting the New Year by doing something I have never done before. I am writing my first blog. I am hoping that I can make this blog interesting. I will include favorite jokes, best pictures and family news. I have gone through much in the past 4 years and this may just be a self help therapy. I will try to get it all out there. Let's start with a joke. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
If you don't know me ( why are you reading this?) I will introduce myself. My name is Barbara Wheeland. I have lived on the Island of Montreal all of my life. Like most Montrealers I have moved many times. I am now living back in the house I started in. I work in retail. I have a few hobbies if you can call them that. One is exploring many aspects of spirituality. This is a major theme in my life. Another hobby is watching news and informational programs. I have at least two favorite News anchors, CNNs Anderson Cooper and CBCs George Stroumboulopoulos. This helps me focus on world issues (and focuses many of my prayers). Just for recreational fun I turn to the space channel and hope for a well written sci fi show... The Dead Zone is one of my favorites. The reason I have so much time to spend on my hobbies right now is because I am single with no children. My boyfriend Graham died on June 2 2004. I miss his humour, his hugs, and his company. He is missed by all who knew him. I know that he is always with me in spirit. He was a charming, funny, friendly man, who could be so patient (most of the time) with everybody. I admire his ability to talk with people with ease and humour. Sometimes when I think of him I feel a kiss on my forehead... from him I assume. He was 42. Me? I am now 40.
I will tell more on another post.
one more joke. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

Be peace
Barbara Wheeland