Helen's Home World: November 2025

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Never Again!

There are so many unsung heroes out there. This week I learned about Arie Van Mansum. Born in Holland, he emigrated to Canada after the war. During the war he helped hundreds of Jews escape the Nazis. He himself was arrested by the Gestapo and imprisoned. He didn't talk much about his experiences in the war until he realized that people either had forgotten about what happened or didn't believe in the Holocaust.

How did I learn about him? Through an award that is given educators who have significantly helped their students understand the history of the Holocaust and the dangers of hatred, discrimination and anti-semitism.

The 2025 recipient is my nephew. He's a local high school teacher who has always had an interest in history especially World War I and World War II. He had been to Vimy twice, once while in high school and once while in university. This year he has also been selected to lead a group of students on a battlefield tour.

All his interest in history is not to say that he glorifies war but that he understands the sacrifice and the loss that is involved to maintain our freedoms.

"The evil forces of racism can emerge in the world at anytime and it is possible for the individual to make a choice to resist them."

Arie Van Mansum

Hopefully in these days where discrimination is all around us, each one of us can do a little to make this world a better place.

Never again should apply to all peoples!

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Almost Wordless Wednesday

A lady I know through agility is very crafty. She makes the most beautiful Ukrainian Easter eggs. This week she helped a few of us make something a little easier. We made quilt balls using ribbons we'd won in our dog sports.

Here's my Quilt Ribbon ball.

Monday, November 3, 2025

Rome-ing in Rome

Our last destination on our Italy trip was Rome. We took the regional train from Naples to Rome. First class was no big deal on the Regional train, it just meant nicer seats. The train was delayed but not by too long and anyway our hotel in Rome was close to Termini station.

After getting settled into our hotel room at Diana Roof Top Garden, we went up and enjoyed a free glass of wine on the roof top garden before setting out to wander around a bit.

We had wanted to go to Saint Marie Maggiore where Pope Francis was laid to rest but the line to get through security was all the way around the basilica so we altered our plans and went to see the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain instead.

Rome was very crowded as 2025 is a Jubilee Year. We would be two days in Rome and we had no excursions through Railbookers arranged. It turned out to be a good thing as our first full day in Rome was the first Sunday of the month and so national monuments and museums were all free and then on Monday's most of them are closed. We had booked a timed audio tour of St Peter's Basilica on the Monday morning. The plan for Sunday morning was to go to see Castel Sant Angelo.

We got to Castel Sant Angelo fairly early in the morning and there already was a long line. I think we waited about an hour to get in and got little wet in the process when some light rain showers started. Castel Sant Angelo was at one time the mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian and then it was a papal palace.

We then wandered about Rome seeing the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, where we stopped for an aperitif and, of course, the Colosseum. We also went up the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II where we saw the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The next day after breakfast we were off to Saint Peter's Basilica. We weren't sure how long security would take so we went early; that turned out to be a great decision. They didn't seem to care about what time was on our tickets at security but just that we had a ticket for a timed entry. We got through security fairly quickly and were into Saint Peter's before it was really crowded. It was set up a little weird if you wanted to go through the Holy Doors as you had to go inside then come back out.The Holy Doors are only opened during Jubilee Years, held once every 25 years, so I doubt I'll see another. The audio guide was a good value, for 7 Euros, it gave us the timed entrance tickets and was quite a well laid out guide. You do need to bring your own headset or ear buds.

Going through the Holy Doors

Holy Doors

We also went into the Vatican Grottos where many popes are buried as well as Saint Peter. It was really crowded by then but we waited to see them anyway.

Sepulchre of Saint Peter

Afterwards we wandered along the Tiber River towards Circus Maximus where we saw the Mouth of Truth and had lunch. There wasn't much to see at Circus Maximus as it was undergoing an extensive renovation of the area and was boarded off. And like everywhere else, there was a long line at the Mouth of Truth.

We headed back to hotel afterwards as we planned to have dinner at the hotel. In addition to the coupon for a free glass of wine, they also gave us a discount coupon for a meal in the restaurant.

Chocolate Six Ways.

The next morning it was back to the train station to catch the Leonardo Express to the airport and the end of roaming in Italy. Of course, I would love to go back to Italy, but then there are so many other places in the world to explore.

So as they say in Italy, Arrivederci, Ciao. Until next time!

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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother