WHERE IS MY BLOG?

This little bird sat long enough beside me to take it's picture.

My poor old blog has really been neglected lately, and I'm afraid, I'm gradually losing interest in keeping it up. It's a ton of work and it's not like I'm even very busy, but interests come and go and this one is dwindling.

I doubt anyone out there is  reaching for a kleenex either!

But, I'll tell you about my fantastic, wonderful trip back to Ontario and post some pictures that I took of many special times. This blog may continue over a few days, as I took nearly 700 pictures of many of the highlights.

I spent two days in Toronto with my long time best friend that I hadn't seen in nearly 20 years. What a special time it was, but not nearly long enough! We've decided that because time is passing by so quickly that we'll make this a 4 day event every summer. Our tongues never stopped wagging and the laughter and giggling kept on going!

 Meet Janet from Manitoulin Island and flew in from Sudbury, Ontario, and I came from Vancouver and we arrived at our hotel 5 minutes apart from each other ! Great timing eh?

We've been friends since we we're very young, went through marriages, raising children, divorces, ups and downs and all the things in life that makes friends close.

She always had the ability to sense when something was going wrong in my life and she's either call or travel to see me in an instant for consoling, and bringing me back to my old mischief self in a hurry.

Now we have free phone calling and the internet so chat with each other a few times a week.

However, you will notice the little halo is only above MY head in the picture below!!!

Isn't she beautiful!!

This was a wonderful little find of a hotel, right downtown, called, "The Strathcona Hotel". Right across from the Royal York and Union Station, and easy access to the Subway. The price was VERY reasonable and comfortable and very clean. 

We'll be back next year for sure!

 This poor fellow looked sad and we tried to cheer him out!

 However, even acting sill, wouldn't cheer him up! Not a giggle out of him, but quite a few from us!!

Great restaurant beside our hotel, great food, good chats! 

 Back in Belleville

 Back with family!

Matthew, my oldest Grandson, a little tired after a HOT day at work!

 Beautiful Lisa, my oldest daughter.

 Bradley, my youngest Grandson.

 Mike (Lisa's other half) Mike gave me his car to use while I was home and also drove me to the airport, for which I'm VERY grateful!!

Trixie (watching the fish in the water)

 Barney (a Lapadoodle)

 Erica (Matt's cute girlfriend)

 Erin (my youngest beautiful daughter)

 Erin, Sarah, my youngest Granddaughter and Erica, my oldest Granddaughter!

 This is Gizmo, a very unique pet! They have a cat and a bird as well.

 This is the whole family in the Pipeband they all play in. It was Canada Day and HOT! (I didn't do a good job on my exposure's when taking pictures, they are all so dark!)

 Cute, aren't they!!!

Well, that's it with SOME of my family.Tomorrow, I'll  show you FRIENDS, MORE FAMILY and EVENTS and SCENES AROUND BELLEVILLE.

NUCKIN’ FUTS

YUP! That little sign up there says it all!!!!! I feel that’s the state of my old brain at the moment, while trying to piece the puzzle of the Genealogy.

When a friend who has also gone through delving into family history, heard I was going to jump in with both feet, she warned me it was frustrating, exhausting, and very addicting and her advice to me was…RUN!!

What amazes me though, is realizing how difficult it must have been for some of my ancestors and the problems they had to endure. The sadness at times must have been enormous, and how I regret not learning more when those closer to the situations were still alive and I could have asked questions and learned more. But when you are young, your thoughts are not on the past, but the future, it’s when you get older, you explore what went before you!

So

A little change of pace and topic!

I’ve been looking through some other pictures and will give you just a potpourri of other photos of this and that. I haven’t been out much to take pictures this past few days…been under the weather!!

This is taken in on of those photo booths with my girlfriend, Janet and myself (on right) back in about the 70’s. What a pair of rascals we where in those days!!

My old buddy and Canada traveler, Batman who died with old age, last November. Sad days!!! He was a good old cat and missed.

This is my daughter Erin, when she was about 14, or so. I was taking a photography course, and doing my own developing in black and white. I loved the course, and love this picture.

This is around the mid 70’s as well. Mom lived in Barrie and I lived in Belleville and we would sometimes each take the train to Toronto and spend the day together. It was always so much fun having my mom all to myself and taking these memorable little shopping trips. We had so much fun. Look how skinny I was then!!!

My home in Belleville. Looks like I could have done some plant trimming!! If there was a bare spot, in went a plant!! I loved my little house and sometimes miss it.

My Sweetheart and myself. Roxanne and TJ John and Marilyn two great friends

Tom and his two children, Martin and Meredith…my stepchildren!!

Four Generations of Williamson’s

My daughter Erin, and my granddaughters, Erica and Sarah

Some friends, family and fun times!!!