Helen's Home World: December 2023

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Silent Sunday - Merry Christmas

Cumberland Heritage Village Museum

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

Christmas Memories

I suppose it is the memories of Christmas past that make us either happy or sad at this time of year. I know for me, they make me both happy and sad, well maybe not sad but nostalgic.

One of the memories I have of Christmas is of my mother baking Christmas sweets to enjoy. I don't know how she did it, with six kids and, for a lot of the time, she was also working. There was always plenty of sweets to eat at Christmas time, shortbread, fruit cake, sugar cookies, cherry nut loaf, date and nut loaf, and of course, mincemeat pie. I don't know where she found the time; baking one batch of cookies takes me all afternoon. This year I did make shortbread cookies, an orange cranberry loaf and a cherry nut loaf.

Shortbread cookies

Orange Cranberry loaf

My parents also used to make Acadian meat pies every Christmas. I did a blog post about Christmas meat pies last year. We grew up calling them tourtieres. Meat pies always bring back memories of going to Midnight Mass then coming home to have meat pie, some sweets and opening one gift before heading to bed, as a child that was such a magical time. I made meat pies again this year.

Acadian Meat Pie

But I think the most Christmas memories come when I decorate my Christmas tree; this year I called him Albert. I see pictures of other people's tree and they look stunning like they should be in a magazine. Some people I know even occasionally change the theme of their tree, so I don't know if their tree holds as many memories. Many of the ornaments on my tree hold special memories for me and even though it may not look like a tree from a fashion magazine, it is still beautiful. There are ornaments my parents gave to me. One from the US Air Force Academy; it is an ornament depicting the Academy Chapel. I had drawn that chapel as part of a grade school math project so when they traveled out west many years later, it was souvenir they thought to buy for me.

I have ornaments that I bought for my parents that with their passing have returned to me. They make me a little sad but also bring my parents closer to me.

To Mom with Love

Very Special Dad

I have many ornaments that were given to me by family and friends, some handmade and others I'm sure were chosen especially with me in mind.

From my youngest sister and her husband

Stained glass made by my brother-in-law.

From a friend on Keltic's passing

Made by my sister and her daughter.

From my nephew and his wife

Painted by my sister

Made by my niece and I still have the handmade box they came in.

From a close friend and neighbour

I'm sure other people have ornaments in their tree that bring back many happy memories as many of mine do, so here's to all the memories!

And Merry Christmas to all and we'll see you in the New Year!

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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