We're Feeding Pollinators!

A current resident pollinator
on our Purple Coneflowers

A few weeks ago, I entered our front and side yard gardens in the 2016 Monarch Awards, a program designed to promote, "the validity of gardens that are created to be beautiful, functional and beneficial but fall under a non-traditional aesthetic."

Organizers of the Monarch Awards stated that, "Out of concern for declining insect populations, especially Monarch butterflies and bees [a decision was made] to recognize people who garden sustainably, and create habitat in their yards for pollinator species and wildlife in general."

Just as pesticide use, parasites and pathogens, and loss of habitat due to climate change and urbanization are causing a serious decline in local pollinator populations; programs like the Monarch Awards are springing up in an effort to encourage provision of healthy food and habitat for bees, butterflies, moths, beetles and hummingbirds.

With this in mind, for the last four years my husband, Doug, and I have been transforming our typical urban landscapes from weedy lawn to more sustainable trees, shrubs and perennials. Learning as we go along, we’ve consulted expert and amateur gardeners, books, and internet resources in an effort to infuse our gardens with the most environmentally friendly flora and habitat enhancers.

Fully aware that our gardens - ongoing works-in-progress - were not yet award worthy; nonetheless, I loved the idea of participating in the inaugural year of a sustainability program that celebrates and encourages the planting and maintaining of pollinator habitat.

Looking forward to next year’s Monarch Awards will be valuable inspiration to keep us focused on moving forward: Receipt of our "We’re Feeding Pollinators" sign, the gift to all homeowners who entered the 2016 Monarch Awards program, is a lovely acknowledgement of our hard work and dedication.

Note:
Congratulations to Kirkendall resident Glenn Barrett, winner of the 2016 Monarch Awards! - Well Done!

The Walton's Channel

Where we live, we subscribe to a TV channel called Book Television; however, in our house it is known as "The Walton's channel."

We refer to the channel this way because Book Television plays Walton's reruns 15 hours a day, Monday through Friday. They broadcast five Walton's shows from 9 am to 2 pm, repeat the same five shows from 4 to 9 pm, and replay them once more from midnight to 5 am. 

Book Television broadcasts all the original Walton's episodes - 5 per day - in order; from #1, "The Foundling," straight through to #210, "The Revel;" whereupon, they go right back to the pilot and on it goes.

The Walton's television series was based on the life of writer, Earl Hamner Jr., as described in his bestselling novels, The Homecoming and Spencer's Mountain. Hamner, grew up in a large family with many siblings during the great depression. The heartwarming family drama ran 9 seasons from 1972 to 1981, and it's likeability continues in reruns to his day.

To be fair, Book Television also broadcasts quality writing and publishing related programming and interviews during the 9 remaining hours each day; so, as a writer with an aging parent, this station offers a great mix, and has become one of my favourites.

My mother, in her early 80's, has developed mild cognitive impairment that makes operating the television and TV remote quite difficult. She also has difficulty following many of the new TV shows, or finds them inappropriate to her sensibilities.

Mom loves The Walton's, though, as do we all in our generational home. If mom just wants to take it easy, she could watch up to 5 shows in a row without having to change channels: If she has something else to do, it's possible to catch up later in the day, or skip an episode or two altogether.

Many times, several of us will sit and watch an episode together ... even mom's 4-yr-old great-grand-daughter will make comments like, "I like Jason," or "What is John-Boy doing, GG?" I watched one of our favourite episodes, "The Pony Cart," guest starring character actress Beulah Bondi, twice today with my mom.

How wonderful it is that my mother, who also grew up in a large family with many siblings during the great depression, can immerse herself in a televised family drama to which she can relate.

So, here's to Book Television's "Walton's channel!" I hope we'll be able to enjoy this heartwarming family entertainment far into the future.

Update - August 29th, 2016

Book Television is no longer "The Walton's Channel."

Book Television's new fall schedule includes reruns of shows like Diagnosis Murder, Matlock, and JAG, which are not as cognitive impairment friendly.

I'd like to thank Book Television for giving us "The Walton's Channel" for as long as it lasted.

Friendships

Today, my grand-daughter, Rachel, had an opportunity to spend part of the day with two former schoolmates. Even though Rachel's been attending school in a different neighbourhood for the last three years, the girls have still managed to find ways to keep in touch.

They reunited this week while attending an annual week-long non-denominational church camp; and, when let out at noon, they received permission to spend the afternoon together.

The girls bounced between Rachel's friend's homes and mine, stopping off at the neighbourhood park by their old school, and finished with a long swim and visit, in and by our backyard pool.

The swim was supervised without invading their privacy, and it was easy to see that the girls were enjoying being together again. While it's often difficult for a threesome to interact without leaving someone out, there was no indication of controversy. In fact, things seemed to go, "swimmingly".

Rachel confirmed later that she really enjoyed her day, catching up with old friends. She is also enjoying camp again this year. Win! Win!

Next year these young ladies will be too old to attend camp as campers, but hopefully they will return as leaders-in-training.

I like to think that no matter what other obstacles might threaten their relationship over the years, Rachel and her former classmates will at least be able to count on this yearly summer reunion.

Friendships needn't end when distance intervenes, as this young trio are learning firsthand. Ultimately, Rachel will be a better person for having had to work at keeping her old friendships alive while continuing to forge new relationships, moving forward.