Monthly Archives: July 2011

At least they left one good thing

Posted on July 18, 2011 by bloomingreverend

Moving from Strathroy to Oakville was challenging. Living close to the church was very important to us, because this way we could be engaged in the same community as the congregation and available at a moment’s notice. The problem was that we … Continue reading →

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Why I love volunteers

Posted on July 16, 2011 by bloomingreverend

Ministers–especially those in congregations with little other staff–need volunteers to make ministry happen. Lots of them. At Trafalgar where I serve, people work alongside me to make sure that the building is clean and safe, the programs fun and helpful, the worship … Continue reading →

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Friendship, with gratitude

Posted on July 14, 2011 by bloomingreverend

Until I was ten years old, I lived in a house on Pelmo Crescent and walked to Pelmo Park Public School every day. I had a robust circle of friends: Andrea, Shelly, Nanette, Guy, Julie, Cynthia, Danny and many others who played … Continue reading →

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Going to jail for vegetable gardens

Posted on July 12, 2011 by bloomingreverend

Yesterday a friend shared a story with me. It seems a woman named Julie Bass in Michigan has installed raised vegetable beds on her front lawn. They are just like mine, only I have nine and she has four. The difference? She … Continue reading →

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Peas for breakfast

Posted on July 11, 2011 by bloomingreverend

I have really enjoyed the sugar snap peas this spring. I have never really grown them before (OK, I have never grown them successfully) and was so pleased to find that we had a crop of big, fat peas with crisp, edible … Continue reading →

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Watch out for flying snails

Posted on July 9, 2011 by bloomingreverend

When my oldest son was about ten years old, he liked playing with medeival toy figures. This was nourished by a trip to Scotland which included many castle visits, and the medieval history unit that year at school.  He was quite taken with models … Continue reading →

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The sweetest smelling farm you’ll ever visit

Posted on July 9, 2011 by bloomingreverend

When my husband and I were in the Niagara region in June, we stopped by a lavender farm. I like lavender alot, and thought that given its peaceful and relaxing aroma, it would be the perfect place to visit on my sabbatical. The web site made it … Continue reading →

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A deeply rooted garden tour

Posted on July 7, 2011 by bloomingreverend

This week I had the pleasure of visiting a private Quiet Garden in Mississauga. Doug Rose and his wife are a part of the Quiet Garden movement. Beginning with a love of gardens and an already landscaped backyard, they simply grew and adapted … Continue reading →

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First harvest

Posted on July 6, 2011 by bloomingreverend

People regularly knock on the door of the church and ask for help with groceries. The administrator and I always talk with them to find out what they need and how we might be able to help. Often, these folks … Continue reading →

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A dreamy afternoon

Posted on July 4, 2011 by bloomingreverend

My husband and I spent the last weekend of June sabbaticalizing in the Niagara region. On one of our adventures, we visited the Niagara Parks’ Botanical Gardens near the Falls. We didn’t visit the Butterfly Conservatory, deciding instead to spend all of our … Continue reading →

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