My birthday...

 I had a few birthday messages today from some friends and relatives who congratulated me on my 81st birthday.   However, I was born on the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbour: December 6, 1941, which makes me 83 years old.   I wasn't upset at all at being younger in the eyes of the well-wishers.   I'm now looking forward to getting younger.   I'm especially looking forward to being 17 again.   That was a great age!   And if today is your birthday, have a great one, however old you feel like being.

Barry the Birder  

Glenville Pond, King Township - Canada Geese

 

                                                                 Photo by BarrytheBirder

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Looking ahead...

My eldest daughter, Allison, recently got me started on reflecting, and writing about, certain recollections on aspects of my life.   Presumably it gives me something to do after stumbling about on this good Earth for 83 years and might give my grandchildren and their prospective children something to read about concerning my place on this planet and the world's prospects.   I recently  responded to several suggested topics and thought I would show a recent response.   So...

Home sapiens have existed on planet Earth for over 300,000 years, starting in Africa.   I believe, as a species, we shall live for at least another 300,000 years.

Therefore I would advise my dear grandchildren and their precious  children to live every day to the fullest.

There is so much to be created in every day, every year and every lifetime.   No one day should be wasted in thinking tomorrow won't last.

Think of them as infinite and the rewards can be infinite also.   The achievements can be large or small.   The accomplishments can fulfil a lifetime and beyond.

Start each tomorrow by thinking of it today.

Now... I wonder what the the next topic will be?

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Oak Ridges Moraine ~ Fall Sunrises & Sunsets

 

Photos by Barry Wallace

                       Please comment if you wish.

                   Barry Wallace                                                                   

                                                                                                                                   

Hand-crafted wedding gift...

                                                      

                                                                        Photos by Barry Wallace

The beautiful afghan pictured here was      created by my special friend and co-resident Patricia Cromie, at Delmanor Retirement  Residence, in south Aurora.   It is a wedding gift for one of her granddaughters and husband-to be.

Pat put together this lovely piece of knitting and assembling, over the course of several days recently , using colours she selected  after consulting with the young lady's friends and relatives.

It was such a lovely piece of work, that I had to share it in this space.   Nice work, Pat.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

My Alzheimer's diagnosis...

I have recently been diagnosed with "Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease".    It is the most common cause of dementia among older Canadian adults (I'm almost 83).

I was diagnosed by a senior health official at the Region of York in Newmarket, in early October, with my oldest daughter in attendance.   We had an hour-long discussion, during which I was told that I was to be given a very quick memory test.   I was given five words to remember which I was told to repeat, in correct order, several minutes later.   I failed that brief memory test, which was no surprise to me.  I was then politely and kindly asked to turn over my Ontario Drivers License and I shockingly complied but my life changed on the spot.   

Within the past month, and with the much-appreciated help of my new life-partner, Pat, I am coming out of a depressed state and starting a hopefully renewed existence.   It has not been easy and has been extremely inconvenient and frustrating.   I have felt like a prisoner. 

I recently chatted with a  friend, of my same age, who experienced a similar experience, but who refused to participate in the same memory test that I failed.  He has refused that same test with his own doctors for the past four and a half years! 

I mention this only to warn others, who still think that they are able-bodied drivers, to be very cautious about submitting to something that can immeasurably change your life.

Do not go meekly into that dark night.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Northern Lights - eastern shore of James Bay ...

                                                         Photo by April Dawn Georgekish

This is a recent photo taken by my neice, April Dawn Georgekish, who lives in the Cree Indian village of Paint Hills in Quebec, on the eastern shores of James Bay.   The Northern Lights are a  fairly common sight in this part of Canada and April has taken many photos like the one above in her lifetime, as the opportunities just keep presenting themselves.   I really envy the photo opportunities, like this, that April has on her doorstep.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace