What It all Means...

Truth be told, I have been accused upon occasion of being ¨too deep¨....and that may be true once in a blue moon.....

Today my deep thought was about what these summer rains gushing into Ontario might mean.

Our city is overgrown with all kinds of planted and ¨volunteer¨ plants that just pop up without invitation. It´s like one small shrub finds a juicy spot to grow and then it sends a wire over to it´s cousins to come take over the place.

There is all manner of everything growing up here in Simcoe County. Wild apples, planted apples, wild raspberries, planted domestic raspberries....wild mullein. And then there is this weird looking invasive vine-ish plant that is trying to climb up and over almost every tree in every forest or meadow.

It isn´t that I need to hear a mysterious reason for this affluence of growth....but the rains have been a blessing. There is no better word for it....than a blessing. Why? Because rain means growth for plants means more food for animals and ultimately for the many humans that grow in my city and the surrounding territories. While we are not considered a ¨bread basket¨ of Canada, we might be referred to as corn row. There are farms that circle the outskirts of my city....with tidy rows of machine fed corn.....towering high into the fluffy blue clouds.

In the business world, of which I am a part, mankind feels so powerful, that every little decision weighs so much and is so important to the present and future tense of the business.

But when we step outside and walk quietly on an overgrown path in a dewy forest that fosters exquisite wild birds calling out to the stranger in their midst, we are reminded that we ain´t that big a deal. 

At the end of the day, it isn´t us that controls the rains here. We don´t have the forest fire smoke anymore that haunted us a few weeks ago....We don´t have rampant unemployment. We don´t have floods.

We have loads of ¨normal¨.

Normal days of normal work and plans for normal school years. We eat normal foods on normal days and watch somewhat normal news on the telly.

We send normal cards to normal folks on normal days of celebration. We pray for rain and then we pause. Oh ya, we already have that....loads of that.

And so, dear God, in case I didn´t mention it....I thank you for the rains....the extravagant growth that reaches into all corners and up to the wooded hills. Thank you for the cooing doves that sit on our fence in a pair. Thank you for the hand drawn picture of a blue jay from my nephew´s little one.

Thank you for growth and thank You for normal. Loads of growth....and loads of normal. Amen.

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If You Are A Woman and You Have Goals

If you are going to be a woman who sets goals and actually accomplishes them.....you just might come up against some opposition.

Folks will be offended by your ¨driven¨ qualities and may even call you the ¨b¨ word.  You are going to have to learn to carry on in spite of that stuff. They are just distractions trying to keep you from your chosen path.

I want to encourage you today ladies. I see how even today a woman resented my confidence and productivity and proceeded to call me an offensive word in a public place. Of course, this was not what you would call a ¨glamourous¨ place I was at, but still, it was a bit shocking to have such a loud and unpredictabl outburst from a total stranger.

But there is a verse in the bible (Ephesians 6:12) that talks about how ¨we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities and against the rulers of the darkness of this world...( there is more to this verse...but you get the general idea)

What does this mean? It means that what seems to just be a weird natural occurence, may actually be a malicious movement by the powers of darkness. 

Now why would anyone care about your success or feel threatened by your movement towards your goals? Perhaps because the devil knows when you get some momentum going you are going to be unstoppable! Unstoppable goal oriented women are POWERFUL! Unstoppable goal oriented women CHANGE the WORLD!

So, if someone starts behaving differently towards you since you started making new progress in life, please don´t be  alarmed. They are just part of that ¨ old structure¨ that resents change and likes to hold women in obscurity.

Sisters, friends, cousins, mothers, daughters, please write down your goals and do not loose sight of them.

Know that the time you invest in pursuing your goals is not wasted time or money. Don´t give up! Go full force! Don´t let anyone stop you! Don´t let any emotion or ¨feeling¨ or weird occurence slow you down.

You are powerful because you know the power of a certain decision, a focused choice.

Someone who can stay on target and move with all their heart towards one written goal is a force to be reckoned with!

Well, friends, that´s all I got for you today. 

Be blessed, be powerful....be good.

Peace,

Carla

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Calm and Earthy....Sand and Gentle Suns

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There is a certain kind of nervana....not sure if that is the right word....but sounds just about right. It´s not nervous energy....not flighty thoughts of paradise or hyper productivity, but a certain quiet peace that comes when all is right around you. When communications with friends and colleagues are pleasant and patient....and when the sun has a chance to bake through the cosmos of our little suburban haven.

I am growing Mullein, that beloved herb that most folks think is just a weed....but it is valued highly among my people. I bought the tea bags of organic Mullein leaves from online....and using it to heal the coughs that afflicted me some weeks ago. Have been gently surprised that it works.....so quietly. You forget the power of a gentle herb. You forget the power of prayer and quiet contemplation. 

I walk slowly through my neighborhood, nodding ever so subtly at those who recognize my gait. It is nice to be known...to feel the hedges of shelter by those who have grown familiar with the sight and presence of my thoughtful meanderings.

I hope the neighbors also feel that sense of peace, of quiet confidence and security that comes from being recognized...of someone knowing and recognizing their soul. Some neighbors I have never known nor thought to ask their last name. It doesn´t matter. Their souls have inhabited this block of modernity for more than a decade. Their children have grown up with my children.

There is a blessing in the clouds, and sometimes in the valleys. When it rains too much, we hunker down....we don´t go out. We prep the furnace and hide the furniture from any outdoor sprinkles.

To slow down is serenity. To slow down is the let the world stop spinning. To pause the spin. To enter in...that peaceful place of calm and quiet observation. 

To say to the Lord, of heaven and earth, that we exist in peace together, not yelling, not raising our voices, but no....staying quiet and entering in. There is a verse from deep in the scriptures...that says ¨Be still and know that I am God¨. This is where I rest. This is the sacred rock of truth.

I have all that I need. 

Peace.

C.

Are We Alone?

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As a church goer, I thought i would have a little chat with you, my friends about the possibility of ¨alien¨ or other kinds of creatures living on other planets.

The approach I want to take is simply to address what I feel needs to be said about Christianity and the possibility of the existence of aliens.

I am going to keep this chat really short, because I feel strongly that we need to come against the weird fear that seems to creep up on those consider themselves to be people of faith.

So, in a nut shell, this is my humble opinion. I have no idea if there are any people or creatures living on other planets other than earth. But I do know this....that if we as a human race, begin to interact with people or creatures from ¨elsewhere¨...then, the christian folks will simply explain the story of Jesus Christ to them, in whatever manner or language that they can understand. It would be a grand privilege to share the existence of Jesus with another type of being. It does not change the message. Jesus´s love and awesomeness does not change if there are other creatures that exist that we have yet to meet.

Knowing Jesus is the greatest honour of my life. I am not afraid of the unknown and I don´t feel that any other Christian should be afraid of what is or what will be. We are people of faith and courage and joy. We have the great gift to know our Creator and our Saviour.

We live by faith, not fear. And no, the existence of aliens would not shatter my faith in God. It would merely give us another frontier in which to spread his beautiful message of love, healing, peace and joy.

Peace out,

Carla

Yay! I recognized a Native Herbal plant growing in my own City

I´ve been an amateur noob forager for years....always interested in learning how to find local edibles in the natural environment of my home town in Northern Ontario, Canada.     I´ve watched too many youtube videos and finally had a breakthrough this week. I was able to find and identify a local plant that I had seen described as Mullein. The leaves and flowers of this plant can be dried and made into a medicinal tea. It has been described as helpful for many areas of human health. Note that this post is not intended as medical advice. All medical advice should be obtained from a licensed medical professional. 

The leafy parts you can see better in the photo below.

I had recently purchased tea bags of the Mullein Leaf to make tea at home to do a cleanse of the lungs. I do find the tea to be calming and has a similar taste and feel as nettle tea.

Rob Greenfield is a radical forager from the USA that I must admit I have learned a lot from. He has learned so much about what is readily available in his American environment to nibble on and assist him in living a healthy natural lifestyle.

It is that bond that nature lovers have with the earth that has always drawn in my respect. Itś not that we worship the earth. No....we worship God who created the earth and all that there is. There is a big difference between worshipping God and worshipping what He has made.

Anyway, there is a wonderful earthiness that I appreciate when I can make a connection between what I can find and identify in my environment and what I choose to eat. In this case, of finding wild Mullein... I have not yet chosen to harvest what I found, as I am using the tea bags that I purchased on line. But it is a big step for me to be able to even name something in the wild that I did not previously know and that does not come up in casual conversation.

So friends, have you ever found something in the wild that you were able to identify and actually consume? Did it work out well? Did you feel ok after consuming it? Or better yet, did that plant make you feel healthier? Calmer? Or more connected to the natural world?

Do tell :)

Blessings from Northern Ontario,  Canada.

Carla

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To Pray or Not to Pray

Perhaps you are wondering if prayer is a waste of time or not. 
I want to help you understand that prayer is one of the most powerful tools a human being can hold in their hands.

I was thinking this week about how to put this into words based upon my own experience. 

I have experienced that prayer determines my life and path. Life is not the boss of you. Your prayers literally create and direct your timeline and experiences. If you choose to not pray, you are allowing other forces to control and direct your destiny. Wouldn´t you rather be in the driver´s seat? Wouldn´t you rather see God move in your life and in those for whom you pray?

Never believe that lie that prayer is wasted time. Prayer is one of the most valuable expenditures of time in the universe. Prayer moves promotion. Prayer moves healings into place. Prayer moves protections into place. Prayer removes temptations.  Prayer provides opportunity for growth.

I want to add one more thing if you are deciding to invest some precious time into prayer. Be aware of who you are praying to. Pray to God the Father in the name of 

Jesus. It is the best way, in my humble opinion.

Don´t be afraid to make mistakes in prayer. God appreciates your willingness to try and communitcate with Him. He will welcome your presence before Him with open arms. Allow Him to bless you in this area of life and you will begin to see other people get blessed too, when you take the time to pray for them by name.

Thanks for listening.

Carla

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Land was barren. He dug 10-acre underground village & orchard

This, my friends is the story of a maker. Back in the days when no one needed permits to build or dig....the man simply created whatever he imagined in his own mind to create. No one stopped him. Perhaps some people tried....but he was persistent. Clever use of land and hand held tools....acres of rooms and indoor orchards designed to protect and nurture a perpetual harvest.

I was reading the comments beneath this video as it is posted on youtube....and one person commented about how the modern notion of permits stops folks from doing things like this. But I would have to say....that if God has given you the desire to build...you must obey what God has given you to do in this life. Yes, fight for the right permits....but never stop building.

Peace,

Carla

Eat Common Chives Right from the Garden

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Today I grabbed a handful of fresh chives right from the backyard and ate them raw....with no dressing or additives. Ahh....that to me....is living.

I discovered that the kind of chives we grow here are called "common chives".

They are almost maintenance free and grow back every year. They seem to like it when I pull away the weeds and dump a wee bit of new dark rich soil to their space.

Up here in Northern Ontario, it can be a challenge to grow foods easily, unless you have a sunny location and great soil. Some things grow easily and somethings require more effort than I am willing to provide at this time in my life.

Wild raspberries are another favourite that grows easily in our rough climate. Our location's climate is usually about 5 degrees colder than Toronto, Ontario, Canada....(just in case you are new to my blog and don't know I am Canadian eh.)

If you are thinking about planting some low maintenance food supply type of plants, I think that the common chive is a good option. It doesn't provide a lot of calories, but they freeze up well in a simply zippy bag....and you can throw them easily into your fave soup or stew or salad. I love plants that don't require fancy fertilizer or any special spot. They like to have their own space, free of weeds and they don't need much more than one square foot of space to produce a healthy patch. 

If you would like to learn from the Farmer's almanac, here's their link :https://www.almanac.com/plant/chives

Happy Growing Season, my friends.

Peace,

Carla.

Lecture 21: Periodic Lattices Part 2

Lecture 21Periodic Lattices Part 2

brought to youtube by M.I.T's online courseware

Professor is Allan Adams

For more information about this professor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Adams

I can not exaggerate the significance of what M.I.T's online courseware has given to the world. And by using the word "world" I believe I am being quite accurate. Classes such as the one pasted above are an excellent example of why "free" does not always coincide with "low quality".

M.I.T's OCW program is provided for free on youtube, which is also totally free to access to anyone with internet access and enough of a highspeed that they can watch  a youtube video without it pausing or glitching too often :)

I thank God for this access. And the more I look, I see that other Ivy League schools of higher learning are following this excellent example of providing free access for any human being to be able to virtually sit in on these university classes.

Do you value knowledge? Do you value your time? Increasing knowledge is a valuable expenditure of time. Do you agree?

An extra benefit of these classes is simply the mystical notion of "blessing by community"...or in other words...."the blessing of association". When you associate with those of great accomplishment and knowledge, (even if it is done virtually through your computer, laptop or phone) you are building up your level. When you respect knowledge.....more knowledge is attracted to you. You may even start to carry yourself differently. You may start to feel more qualified to enter into different kind of conversations with your colleagues or neighbors or those in the community....far or near. You will no longer be attracted to those who simply waste time.

What we value flashes through our eyes. Our gaze indicates what we are looking for. Our gaze leads us into greater knowledge and wisdom....or away from it.

If you are blessed with a high speed internet connection.....use it to fill your life with good things. Good connections, good mentors (yes, you can be mentored by those whom you have never personally met).....good examples, all will feed your life with the spirit of knowledge and truth and productivity.

Enjoy Friends,

Peace,

Carla.

How to Avoid Burnout when Learning from Ivy League Schools

What are some of the ways you manage your work load when embarking into Ivy League Schools for online classes?

One way I use, is simply by looking at the limits of what is available. Instead of thinking "Oh wow, I have to learn everything there is to know about Quantum Physics". I look at the course that I have chosen to audit and I count the classes....

In the above course (sampled above ) there are only 24 lectures.  So if I listened to one lecture per week (repeatedly if desired) 

Then it would take me just under 6 months to complete my audit of this Quantum physics Course from M.I.T. That is a whole lot more manageable than feeling or thinking that the class is going to last forever.

Another strategy is simply by taking advantage of every feasible opportunity to listen to your online class. Do you walk a ways to the mail box to get your mail? Plug in your earphones, download or stream your class to your phone and listen while you walk to the mailbox. 

Do you have a long commute to work? If you can safely drive while listening to a class, then enjoy your audio download while you are driving to work. Or if you take public transport, then try to download or stream your class onto whatever format that is portable for you. I don't care if you think you look nerdy for wearing earphones while sitting on the bus or the subway. I don't care if your headphones don't match your purse or if they are bigger than fashionable....it just doesn't matter when it comes to completing your goal. Set your self led learning goal and CRUSH IT!

When you make a choice to value your own "self led educational journey" you are going to discover the power of your own choices. The power you have to make a simple decision to continue learning .....no matter what age you are at.

Don't misunderstand me, I am not talking about "learning" just for the sake of preventing boredom in life.... No! I am talking about understanding that you can continue your learning journey well beyond your traditional school age years.....and that the knowledge you gain may just transform your life and career and investing path.

I believe it was the late apologist Ravi Zacharias who taught that there is "Unity in Diversity"....and that this is the root of the word "University".  I have gleaned from this idea and from my experiences in life, to understand and appreciate that when we build knowledge in one area of life, it also empowers and uplifts our knowledge base in other arenas of life. Why is this so? Because all knowledge is connected.

Well friends, that is all for now. I have much to do, and at the same time, much rest to enjoy. 

Peace,

Carla.

Using Your Memory Without Emotion to Build your Base

Over the years, I have studies how people study...how they gain knowledge and how they propel themselves forward. Of particular interest to me, have been those who have labelled themselves as 

"self led learners". It may be noted that many of today's leaders are great readers and continue to invest into their own personal knowledge bank by amassing books and other media with interesting topics.

Bill Gates, makes it a point to regularly travel with a load of fresh books in tow. His assistant is entrusted to pack his bag with his preferred list of new reads....ready for any long or short journey..

Anyway, back to my point. Today I wanted to chat about ....for lack of a better word..."emotionless memorization".

If you are trying to build up your own knowledge bank that is readily available for you to pluck data from on demand, it is important for you to able and willing to input chunks of information without getting all emotional and opinionated about the contents.

For example, If you wanted to memorize the mulitiplication tables right up from 1's to 15's....you may wish to create or locate an audio recording of the answers to all these "times tables". (that's what we used to call them when I was a child...)

Then, format the audio into a format that you are able to access easily in your day to day activities. You can listen to these audio recordings while you are driving (if safe to do so) or while you are working out at the gym or while you are riding the train or trolley.

When you are simply trying to input knowledge, repetition is key. Don't get caught up in how you feel about the knowledge or even the "quality" of the narrator. It doesn't matter as much as you think it might. Your brain is a living computer and it will store as much as you put into it. Try to refrain from getting bogged down by emotions.

Social media has inadvertently taught us that our "reactions"...our likes and dislikes are more important that the actual facts being discussed. That is not helping humanity more forward. If you want to become a person with a personal stash of facts and knowledge, then you may want to try out this method of blind memorization. 

Simply replay the recording of the knowledge of your choice until you are comfortably able to retrieve any of that particular batch of knowledge on demand. It will feed your vocabulary and your way of thinking during important conversations. 

This is why I am such a fan of M.I.T's online coureware  .....also known as "OCW". You can relentlessly replay these high level classes over and over and over ....at no financial cost and add these treasure troves of data to your personal data set. Yes, it costs your time. Yes, it costs you personally, as your social media "followers" may complain that you are not as "available" or interactive as you used to  be. Who cares? 

To make gains in life, we must be willing to sacrifice. We must be willing to invest time to gain what we lack. In this case, in this discussion....I am simply discussing the desire for knowledge. I am presenting the option of inputting more knowledge into your brain through "emotionless" repetition of audio recordings.

May this method will not jive with you and your personality. May it is too cold and calculating. Maybe it is too cerebral. However, it does work. I can testify that this method does work wonders if you invest significant chunks of time into it. 

It just might annoy some of the folks with whom you share air with. But do not despair. Knowledge is connected to all other knowledge..... Therefore when you gain knowledge in one sphere of life....it will bless and empower many other spheres of your life as well.

Be encouraged. Don't give up on building up your personal knowledge bank. 

Below you will find an example of M.I.T.'s online courseware, which is free for the taking from youtube.

Peace,

Carla.

They Were Just a Pair of Socks She Thought

But it´s just a knitted sock she thought to herself.

How can it be so important.....

But a voice inside her mind told her to not give up.  Some folks suspected she might have a learning disability, or some kind of attention deficit type of disorder. She couldn´t read a manual  for any new 

gadget she bought. She jumped from job to job and rarely stayed friends with anyone for more than 3 months. She was restless, with a constant hyper-ness one could only guess was connected to her all consuming coffee habit.

 

 But some dear older folks who lived a few doors down the street, began to notice her lack of direction and thought perhaps that her sense of accomplishment upon reaching middle age, was not where she wanted it to be. 

They noticed that occasionally she could be seen with the signs of frustrated artistic creativity hanging on her clothes and fingernails. Paint in her hair and smudges of ink adorned her flowing blouses. Once in a while they saw some well worn wooden knitting needles poking out of the misshapen hand bag she slung around her shoulder.

But hidden in her neighborhood was a Christian couple, who loved to pray. They walked so humbly in their neighborhood that most folks didn´t even realize that they lived on that same street. Enormous lilac bushes hid their wee bungalow from prying eyes. But this dear spiritually inclined elderly couple, bowed with years and crowned with frosty grey hair, with eyes full of life and wisdom, took the time once a day to pray for this dear woman in her constant disarray and confusion. They prayed fervently, asking God to lead and guide her towards the fulfillment of her potential on this earth. They prayed for God to grant her patience with herself and with her circumstances. They prayed for God to give her favor with others with whom she worked, lived and played. They prayed for her family members, that they would all work together in perfect harmony.

They prayed for this middle aged impulsively creative woman for a full 2 years. Yes, twas a full 2 years of ardent daily prayer. Sometimes they would even forgo a lunch time meal, in order to come before their beloved Lord to fast and pray for this woman that God had allowed to invade their prayer time. 

In due time, God allowed this compassionate couple to see what this wandering woman was capable of, if indeed she would learn how to focus. These timely revelations only stirred them up more passionately to pray until the spiritual burden lifted....once a day, every day for 2 years.

They prayed also for her character, that she would learn how to persist through with a project until it was complete, despite any obstacles that may arise.

It was after the one year mark of ardent prayer, that the dear couple began to notice changes in the   woman´s habits. They noticed she drove more calmly through the neighborhood and the shrubs surrounding her fence were suddenly tidy and trim. They saw her quietly sitting thoughtfully on her porch knitting what looked like a pair of pink socks.

When the elderly couple would walk by after dinner in the twilight past the woman´s porch, they could see her sticking out her tongue as she tried to focus intently on this pink knitted item.

The months wore on, and the elderly couple began to ask the Lord if their job of prayer support for the lady down the street was complete. Even though they had noticed concrete improvements in the woman´s ways, The Lord encouraged them to continue in prayer until the burden lifted.

I could go on. I could go on for many pages....describing the small victories that added up over time, because the dear elderly couple were faithful to pray for that one dear soul. But I feel that the story has just begun.

The pair of socks were indeed knitted...and they were a fine and fabulous work of craftsmanship. The woman who knitted the socks wrapped them in some delicate pale yellow tissue paper and laid the package carefully at the front door of the elderly couple that lived a few doors down. She had noticed that the older woman would walk down the street after dinner wearing brown leather shoes without socks. She began to pray for the dear older woman. She knit and she prayed.

As she practiced and fought her way through to finish the masterpiece, the intricately designed pink wool socks, she knew her task was complete. She proudly laid the parcel at the dear older couple´s door and tip toed back to her tidy yard.

The sunset shone a little brighter that evening. .....just bright enough for her to catch sight of a dear old couple walking slowly down the lane in the twilight after dinner. And in the haze of dusk, the little woman strode proudly  in her well worn leather shoes beside her husband, who held her hand. The pink woolen ankle cuffs peaked out above the brown walking shoes. The burden was lifted.  

The End.

Photons and the loss of determinism

May God bless those of you who have chosen to continue learning throughout your life....especially if you are way past your college or university years. I applaud you.

There are so many new options for these kind of self led learners.

As clipped above...this is any example of the free online classes that anyone with an internet connection can view for free. This past week, it also occurred to me to check to see if these classes have written transcripts and turns out they do!! So, now if I am struggling to spell something that I have heard in these classes, I can simply scroll down underneath the video and click on the transcript, find the corresponding words that connect with the timestamp I am listening to, and find the accurate spelling and wording.

Thank you M.I.T.

Thank you youtube!

Peacefully productive,

Carla

Don't ever talk yourself out of listening in on new things, things that you think are beyond your "ken".

Easy Cheapskate Hat with ONE Ball of Yarn

Hi Friends, I seem to back in knitting mode. And joy oh bliss, I made my way finally over to the legendary store called Len's Mill Store in Ontario, Canada. 

Not sure if these kind of stores are all over the world and frankly not gonna google it today. But hopefully you have discount arts and crafts stores or warehouses in your region of the world.

Since many years ago, I have gravitated to things that are easy to do, easy to learn and easy to master. Not because I don't like difficult challenges, but because I like to choose my battles. Knitting is a hobby, an enjoyable and practical creative outlet. If God allows me to make money from it some day, then so be it. I do so enjoy knitting and making something that is useful and I can taylor it to suit an ideal in my head and in my chosen budget. I will always be in the mode of discovery and exploration in the world of 

"cheap diy knits". I love the challenge of making something that makes sense to my wallet as well as to my skill level. I have refused to become  a "pattern slave" and make whatever I wish, whenever I choose. I do not compare myself to other knitters.  I knit for the happy of it all.

Did I mention that I don't really like to follow a pattern? I prefer to catch only the basics from better knitters and then make up my own designs along the way. I don't like the way modern knitting patterns seem to simply be a mathematical formula, which takes the creativity pretty much out of the equation.

With social media being so strong and prevalent, it is so easy to get caught up in some kind of bragging race to the top. But does this competition help us or hurt us? Not sure yet. All I can say is....if you are trying to create a hobby or art work for yourself to enjoy and to develop your own creativity, don't let anyone else set the standards for your art. Be yourself and create something that makes YOU happy....not the professional knitter on youtube or facebook. 

Knit at your own pace with the tools that you are most comfortable with.

 Knit for fun and relaxation.

 Any who, back to this simple one ball hat. All I used was one ball of Bernat Softee Chunky acrylic yarn. I don't really use the word "skein"....I still prefer to call a ball of yarn....a ball of yarn.

I cast on 48 stitches onto my metal circular knitting needs and I was off to the races. I did  a bit of ribbing with knit 4  purl 4 pattern until I felt that there was enough of a brim on the hat and then the rest was simple knitting. Eventually I  reduced stitches gradually by knitting 2 together occasionally with a bit of consistency until the crown of the hat was covered.  When I start reducing stitches I take care to do this with somewhat equal spacing between the reductions, so as to not produce a lop sided hat.

All the supplies I used are feature in the photos above.

I know that folks who like to think of themselves as "professional" knitters tend to use more fancy and expensive yarns, but for now, I am happy with using 100% acrylic...because the texture is consistent and the yarn does not cause any kind of allergic reaction to me or anyone else. And of course, this yarn is nice and cheap for a "super bulky" yarn.

The price for one ball of Bernat Softee Chunky yarn at the Len's Mill Store in Ontario is currently 3.99 per ball (you may call it a skein) plus tax. 

Other chain stores sell this type of yarn too, but at a higher price point. 

Well, that's all for now. Do you like to knit simple hats with cheap yarns? Do your friends and family wear them happily? Do tell!

May God bless your productivity and artistic adventures.

Peace,

Carla

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Cheapskate Review... Monthlies

This post is not for those who are trying to increase their monthly expenses. This is for the other group of humans who are trying to urgently reduce their monthly bills, so as to get a hold of their finances and have more money left at the end of the month.....that they can choose to spend freely in a manner that pleases them personally.

We live in an age of subscriptions. Everything can be ordered as a recurring monthly subscription program...... including cat food, online weight loss programs,  film streaming, social media memberships and gyms. If you don't pay attention, you may be paying for a lot more monthly subscriptions than you need or want.

So, let's pretend you are trying to completely eliminate your recurring monthly non essential services. What things can you do without?

Social media premium level memberships. Some social media platforms are requesting their users to buy a membership which "enhances" their usage to a "higher" level than the "freebie" loving general public. Do you really need this monthly bill? Is it really adding value to your life? I am not going to type in the actual name of these social media platforms, but you know which ones they are. You don't need to be paying for usage, if there is a basic "ad based" format still available.  That's maybe 2 or 2 monthly subscriptions gone from your monthly billing cycle.

(CHEAPSKATE HACK) I recently discovered a site which allows you to watch and enjoy everything that is currently on the ad-based format of a very popular social medial site.....but without the ADS! I was thrilled to discover this worked well. I noted that it did not have 100% of the same functionality of the ad based platform, but it worked well enough to allow me to watch and/or listen to many of my favorite recordings without the  distracting nuisance of ads. Ad blockers may also help you survive through other annoying ad filled apps. Be sure that the ad blockers are legit and do not add viruses to your laptop/PC.

Next, Do you really need to subscribe to a monthly film streaming service? Have you looked into cheaper and/or free options? There are several film streaming services that offer free or cheaper versions, such as Roku (with purchase of unit) or Tubi. I also just noticed an ad for a free streaming service called Plex. Is it any good? Have you used it?

Does your local public library have free access to streaming services? 

Does your local public library have free access to CD's and DVD rentals? Do you still own a DVD or Blue ray player that you can dust off and put to good use? Must we really pay a monthly fee for entertainment when free or really cheap offerings are all around us?

Thirdly, have you signed up for some kind of monthly delivery of certain goods? Certain foods, or hats, or wine or cheese tastings? There is nothing wrong with any of these expenses, as long as we can afford them. I have even seen monthly subscriptions to dress or clothing rental programs. Don't sign up for these type of things carelessly by just throwing them on a credit card. Use these type of services when you can afford to use them. These monthly bills add up. Do the math today and add them all up. Print up a statement, a hard black and white copy of one month of transactions on your bank accounts and credit cards. Write down each one that make a debit deduction on a monthly basis. Add them all up. How much is being deducted automatically from your bank accounts and/or credit cards? How many did you find?  

I want you to be sure that you really want or need the items that you are paying for on a monthly basis. When you take control of your monthly bills, you may discover that you have more funds left over at the end of the month that you can use for investing or vacations or for building up a reserve fund to pay for those things we can't always predict....such as car repairs or a new lawn mower, or a better health care option.

Make your money obey YOUR own  commands....not the expectations of the ad companies that have targeted you because of your income or lifestyle profile. Algorithms are ruthless in how they target us night and day. Use discipline and self control to choose when and how you spend/save your money. Make your money make sense.

Have you signed up for magazine or newspaper subscriptions that you rarely read? Cancel them unless you use them often. Public libraries offer free alternatives, many of which may now be accessed online in the comfort of your own home. You can also buy a newspaper straight from your local convenience store, without subscribing to anything. Keep freedom in your wallet, and buy things without a monthly commitment.

Charities may target you with their fund raising appeals because you live in a certain area code. They may specifically ask you to become a monthly automatic donor. Be careful of these type of arrangements. An automated charitable gift will have the right to take money from your account because you have authorized their organization to do so. The system then becomes dehumanized and will continue to take your monthly donations even if you find yourself in a tight financial bind. I am not telling you to become selfish. I am not telling you to not give. But I am telling you to give on your own time table and in your own style. Don't let the person or organization who is the receiver of your generosity, determine how you give. Don't be manipulated by promises of "special premium donor status" which try to convince you to give higher amounts of money. If you want to give large amounts of money away, please go ahead and do so, but do so because YOU have chosen to do so, not because someone has manipulated you into making you feel guilty for the blessings you have. Do the charities you sponsor show proper gratitude for your gifts? Thankfulness and gratitude for your generosity is essential. Make sure to expect and accept thanks from those whom have benefited from your charitable giving.

Give when and how you choose, and in the amount you can afford.

If you prefer to write an old fashioned check, because it helps you balance your budget, then do that. You don't need to give in the manner that a certain charity prefers. Give as YOU choose, because God has given YOU authority over your own finances. There is a reason that you have what you have. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Last, but not least, have you signed up for a gym membership that you never go to? I have heard a horror story about a woman who cancelled her gym membership only to discover that the gym still kept taking money out of her account every month. She finally had to go to the bank in person to have the matter dealt with. Some folks have had to cancel their bank accounts, because a gym refused to cancel their monthly bill payments. Be careful what you sign up for, especially if it requires a monthly payment. Some gyms allow you to pay up front for one day or one week of usage. This allows greater control over someone who only needs a gym once in a while.

Well friends, that's all for now. My rant is done. I hope that you are prospering and enjoying all the beautiful things and wealth that you have....on your own terms and on your own time schedule. Be well :)

Peace,

Carla. 

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If You Don't Want to be Monitored....

If you don't want to be monitored....buy a typewriter. Yes, one of those old fashioned clunky beauties that allows you to type without anyone monitoring and collecting the meta data on every key stroke you make.

You think I am kidding? I wish I were. But if you are sensitive to these things, these obsessions that the internet has with watching and "owning" everything you type....then YES, go ahead and buy a type writer. You may wish to get an electric typewriter instead of a manual one, as it will respond faster to your touch. The really old fashioned typewriters require quite a bit of manual physical effort...whereas the newer electric typewriters type faster and smoother.

But Yes, it will feel weird. Yes, you will need to buy ink cartridges and good paper and it might not be so easy to delete your typos as when you type on a lap top. But at least your words will be yours, and then you and only YOU get to decide who to share your hard copies with.

I heard a rumour that the Russian intelligence organization uses typewriters often so that their communications may not be hacked. I don't know if this is true. But I certainly would understand that type of strategy. 

Why should some multinational search engine or web browser company own the rights to anything you type into one of their "free" word processing program? Did you know that some social media companies have it in their fine print that anything you post, including words, videos and photos now become the permanent property of these companies? Yikes! Please be careful.

Don't forget the fine art of writing letters the old fashioned way. Don't forget about snail mail.

It is still a blessing to receive a snail mail from friends or family.

Well, that's all for now. It is not my intention to spread fear with this blog post, but to make you think. Maybe it is something you can pray about, so as to get God's leading in these very personal choices.

Peacefully productive,

Carla.

 

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Hey Employers! Here´s How To Keep Older Employees

Hi Employers! Yes, I am talking to YOU!!!

I am not speaking to employees today. Just to the people who do the hiring and managing and maintaining of workers who are considered part of the ¨older¨ aged workforce.

I don´t know if you are reading this blog from within North America, but within my home country of Canada, there has been hiring pressure over the last couple years. There have been more jobs than there were employees to fill those jobs. Therefore companies have adopted a more inclusive hiring policy, which thankfully is including more people who are considered ¨older¨. Older workers are dusting off their resumes and joining the work force to help meet the demands of expensive retirement costs and cost of living inflationary pressures.

Note  that hiring older workers is simply the very first step.

The next step and many steps after this..... involves figuring out how to keep older workers happy and stable in your workplace. You want them to stay and to thrive there and bring a joyful prosperity to the whole company. Older workers are precious and must be valued as precious gems.

So, shall I get to the chase? What are some ideas that employers can use to keep and maintain a happy employment of an older worker?

First of all, always adopt an attitude of respect and patience with older workers, who have many decades of life experience. They may not be specialists in your area of expertise, but there is a certain wisdom that comes with age, that can not be replaced by a formal education. A vast and lengthy life experience always carries valuable insight.

Secondly, try your best to keep ¨creature comforts¨ close at hand. For examples, are the rest rooms and break rooms within a close distance from the work setting? Older workers may require more frequent bathroom breaks and may not be able to walk as quickly to saunter down a very long hall way before they make it to the break room. Tyr to keep rest rooms and break rooms on the same floor level as the work space. Older workers may not be able or willing to navigate many stairs as easily as younger workers.

Make sure that your older workers have easy access to restrooms and break rooms and that they are given the time and space to get to them in a convenient time frame. Don´t rush them through their bathroom breaks or snack times. I am not suggesting that you allow inordinately lengthy breaks, but I am gently suggesting that it may take longer for an older worker to get to and from a break area and therefore may need a bit more time.

Thirdly, are there some things you can do to keep the work place pleasant in ways that uniquely please an older work force? If your older employees take the bus to your work place, do you let them leave in the time frame required to catch the most convenient bus or train or trolley? Do you make sure that the walk ways in and around your work place are free of snow and ice and safe for older workers to walk on? 

If your work place requires safety boots, are these footwear comfortable and provided at an affordable or free cost to the workers?

SIDE NOTE: Remember that older workers are much more safety conscious than younger workers and they may have very valid contributions to make to your safety committees and have helpful tips and constructive awareness of potential safety hazards in the work place.

Fourthly,

When older workers participate in your work place, do you acknowledge their successes? If they lead the way in sales or some other work place target, do you acknowledge them publicly with an award or reward? Older workers may not be as noisy as younger employees, but that does not mean that they do not need to be applauded publicly for the good work that they are doing. They need the same pats on the back. Consider good award systems and rewards that they would enjoy if/when they reach company goals for the week or month, or quarter or year.

Fifthly,

Mature workers rely on consistent financial rewards for their labor. They may be closer to retirement than you are, but that doesn´t mean they don´t care about the money. They care and they will count every penny. They will check and double check to ensure that you are paying them exactly what they are owed and more so.

Be sure to be clear and straightforward about what they can expect from the job financially and what bonuses they may earn if their performance meets the challenge.

Lastly, take time to speak with and listen to your mature and aging workers. They want to know that they have access to management....that their input is valued and that the place they have in the company is respected and secure.

That´s all the tips I have for today. Enjoy the changes of employing workers in today´s corporate environment! Peace on and may you enjoy the vast diversity in today´s modern work force!

Peacefully productive,

Carla.

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What Do You See?

When u look at this photo...

depending on who you are will determine what you see.

I see a beautiful rug crafted from the discarded clothing of seasons gone by. I see hands learning by doing..

by touching and feeling the weight of the cloth. I see  a new skill being honed with upcycled raw materials and creativity.

What do u see?

Do you see the result of "fast fashion" and are reminded of the mountains of second hand clothing that sits outside in developing countries?

Or do you relish the thought of what you could possibly knit or weave or braid or macrame from the free or low cost second hand fabrics in your city?

Is a business being birthed in your mind and heart this morning? Are you trying to remember where you put that huge back of clothes that your family no longer wears?

Do you know how to cut useable strips from those old clothes that someone or you....can use to create a new rug or wall handing or basket?

Or are you someone who thinks a lot about what fabrics are made of? Natural fibers preferred? Or are synthetics like polyester your choice?

May God bless your creativity and allow you to see some of the endless possibilities in what appears to be a simple item placed before you.

Peacefully productive,

Carla.

For Those Who Went To Work Today

For Those who got up from bed with their alarm today...rolled out ...grabbed a coffee, brushed your teeth and washed yourself before brushing the snow or sand or leaves off your car and made your way to work... I see you.

For Those who started the day´s tasks before the boss arrived, I see you.

For those who filed the papers in order and made sure they were stayed secure....I see you.

For those who watched the supervisor walk in late and didn´t mutter under their breath... I hear you. For those who did their job when no one was looking.....I see you.

For those who picked up the pieces when a colleague called in sick....I see you.

For those who covered for a colleague when their loved one passed away, I see you. For those who were given the privilege of handling a difficult client, and didn´t lose your cool and exceeded their expectations, I applaud you.

For those who shared their lunch with a colleague who forgot theirs, I see you.

For those who went to work, when you could have stayed home....I see you. 

The world is better because you chose to go to work today. Money flows better in our economy because you chose to go to work today. Your boss slept peacefully because of the work you went to go do, today.

Thank you for all you do in your work place. May the favour you have given to others flow freely back towards you and your family. May God bless the work of your hands.

Peace out,

Carla.

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You Got This

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Friends....I want to have a chat with you today. In Northern Ontario the leaves have almost finished their falling. Suburbia is a flush with folks dragging out their favourite rakes or leaf blowers and the almighty extra large brown paper leaf bags to hoard the leaves until the next trash day.

Folks have been watching the news....perhaps still a little too much, but definitely not as much as during the onset of the pandemic just over 2 years ago.

Canadians struggled a lot with the strict measures that shut down major swaths of our vibrant economy. We take great pride in our national economy. We believe in hard work and earning your keep. 

And now, by God´s grace, the restrictions have lifted and wearing masks is optional in public. Only highly confined and vulnerable settings such as doctor offices still command adherence to a mask wearing policy.

Another big miracle of deliverance was the cancellation of the  app that was foisted upon Canadians to use whenever they tried to travel across a Canadian border. It was and is a welcome relief that this  computerized travel tracking application was scrapped. It was intrusive and very much too ¨big brother-ish¨.

Well, I myself, did go ahead and get more than one Covid 19 vaccine. 

The vaccines I took, made me feel horrible for 2 days or more, and then it was pretty much back to normal life. 

A lot of folks in my city got Covid19, and most did not wind up in the hospital. Most just felt like they had a bad cold, or flu and bounced back within a week or so.

There were a few people I heard of in our corner of town.... who were hospitalized with severe experiences with the virus, but gratefully, both recovered and were released.

The saddest part of the pandemic in our northern Ontario city, was the experience of the virus that blew through several of our city´s retirement facilities. The number of those who got very ill and succumbed to the illness was so high...... the numbers are too painful to dwell on at the moment.

But we must be able and willing to talk about these things at some point. I understand it is hard....heart wrenching and disturbing. But it is a part of our city now, and a part of our shared experience of community.

What have we learned from the lock downs? What have we learned from the vaccines and their effects? What have we learned about how these kind of viruses affect those of us considered in our ¨golden years¨?

What have we learned about the social needs of us all? How did the lock downs and economic stress affect us mentally and emotionally? 

How can we do things better if/and/or when there is ever another pandemic?

I am grateful to have made it through to the other side. I am free to go where I please and to wear a mask only when I choose. I am free to get whatever vaccine I choose to get as well. This is freedom of living and I give God the glory for this blessing. 

If you are reading this, you are blessed too. You have access to the internet and you have the ability to read or have access to a device/person that reads this for you. You are greatly blessed.

You will someday speak about this pandemic in hindsight too. You will explain to some youngster what it felt like to be told you couldn´t go to school or work of the store for weeks on end. You will help them understand  how and why......some folks didn´t make it.

As time and experience moves us forward in time and we put this global pandemic in the rear view mirror of our lives, we may just look upon one another with a sense of camaraderie and encouragement.

We have been there....in that fire...and we made it through.  We can be proud of one another. For some it is still too soon, to even speak of closure or ¨moving on¨. The experience is too fresh and painful. I feel for you. I feel your discomfort and also respect your need for silence. May no one force you to speak before you are ready. 

In closing, I just want to say this....that whatever challenges your life encounters, may the past 2 years remind you of just how strong and resilient we are. We can do anything. You got this.

Peace,

C.

Cheapskate Hack to Avoid Buying Expensive Jam for Sandwiches

I don´t know about you...but I find these ¨ extreme cheapskate¨ shows to be great entertainment. Most of the tips are not practical and pretty dangerous....but I have not lost my appetite for a great frugal life hack.

So here goes. If you have a big family...or a small family with BIG appetites, then you may sometimes wondered why even the discount grocery stores still charge a handsome dime for any kind of red jam.

By "red" jam, I mean any kind of jam such as strawberry, raspberry etc....

So, the other day when I was preparing the Canadian Thanksgiving turkey dinner and I opened the can of jellied cranberry jelly, I thought to myself....hmm....I wonder how this would do as a frugal substitute for jam on a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. And so, I tried out the jellied cranberry sauce in every way that I normally use raspberry jam....and was pleasantly surprised.

How does the taste compare? Well, jellied cranberry sauce has a tartness to it, which adds a bit of a kick to it...but it still has enough sweetness to  balance it out. The tartness makes it quite refreshing.

So....if one were to use canned jellied cranberry sauce as a raspberry jam substitute, you could store it in the fridge once you open it and put it into a seal-able glass jar, such as a mason jar with a tight lid.

That´s it. Pretty simple huh? I have not done enough experiments using this to know how long it would stay fresh when stored in a glass jar in a refrigerator, but I have enjoyed trying it out for the first time. Does this sound like something you could see yourself or a family member trying out in the future? Or would you file this idea under something you would do only if you ¨had¨ to?

Well, that´s all for now. Enjoy your days and frugal ways, and not so frugal ways. It´s all good.

Peace,

Carla

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Craziest Cheapskate Hack You Have Ever Seen or Done or Heard Of?

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There are some frugal tips and tricks which seem pretty normal....pretty every day....and common.

 Last year I was listening to a lady who had a new and  unusual frugal trick that she used in order to continue to be able to knit her beloved crafts, no matter her income or the state of the economy.

So, what was her trick? Her trick was to go to her nearest thrift shop and look for the wooliest sweaters to buy....NOT to WEAR! The reason she would buy these thrift store sweaters was so that she could cut open the seams and unravel the precious yarn and form ¨new¨ balls of yarn that she would then use to create her own new knitted or crochet fashions.

Is this something that you would do?  Does it remind you of something perhaps a relative did back in the Great Depression to continue to afford to knit hats and mitts and sweaters when brand new yarns and wools were out of reach?

Some folks think that an economic recession or depression is on the way...if not already here? What do you think? As for me, I can not predict what is around the bend. I only know that those who refuse to give up....don´t give up and they make the best of what they have, whether that is a little or a lot.

Be blessed my friends, with all you have and own.

Peace,

Carla.