Dear Santa ,

Thank you for all the times you left me such wonderful presents when I was just a little girl . It was always so difficult to fall asleep on Christmas Eve after leaving the milk and cookies and sugar for your reindeer . You must have enjoyed it because in the morning it was always gone . One night , I remember looking outside my second floor bedroom window and I knew you were on the rooftop . I could hear the reindeer trampling the snow off the roof . I always wondered how you fit in that old red chimney of ours . My brothers used to bang on the floor to wake my parents up around 4 or 5 am . My Dad wanted to get his lights up for the old video camera . We were almost blinded as we came down the staircase to see all the toys you had left for us under the Christmas tree . We had been trying our best to be good for months because of your huge telescope watching us from the North Pole . I jumped with glee when you left me that old tin high chair . I still have all those old Barbie dolls . My brothers were cowboys and my sister loved her Chatty Cathy doll . Remember Fluffy Santa ? He was the little white poodle puppy that you left sleeping in the kitchen near the fridge that year . So many wonderful presents Santa . I thank you for every one of them. Now that I am a bit older , I have come to realize that the best and most precious of gifts were not the ones you left under that tree . I understand the knowing smile on the faces of my Mom and Dad all those Christmas mornings . I understand that the unwrapped and invisible but very real gift of love is the one to be most thankful for .
May of all of you have many unwrapped and invisible gifts this year . Close your eyes and open your hearts to the feeling .
No speeding Santa . There is such a thing as a R.I.D.E. program now and they might mistake Rudolph's red nose .
Yours 'till the coffee perks ,
Ma Ho Ho Horton
ps . I almost forgot to say thank you for parceling up my N@ and Corn and sending both of them home to me for the holidays

Joy To The World

Three Christmas Elves ( naughty or nice ? )
Bella , Karma , and Ma share a merry moment .
Christmas Karma loves the kookies .
Karma's new friend use to have a shepherd of his own for 10 years .

Dad, Bella and Karma share a Christmas smile .
Karma brought her own unique type of joy to the world at Spruce Hill Lodge today and my Dad and I brought the donuts . Wearing her red velvet Christmas collar , Karma jingled her way into the hearts of several of the residents this afternoon . While we were there , a choir from one of the local schools performed for the seniors . We listened to the sounds of children singing those familiar songs of Christmas past that we all grew up with . Karma worked the crowd with her dancing and friendly face . I knew that a lot of these people would not even remember that we had visited with them today . It matters not . Like the smiling dog that gave her love unconditionally to all who had the courage to pet her , these seniors live in the moment just like Karma.
Yes Virginia , there truly is a Santa Claus , and today she had four legs and a wagging tail .

Ma Births a Horton

Push . After many months of hard labor , pushing , grunting and maybe a profanity or two .... Ma birthed a new baby Tims today by C (coffee ) section . The new offspring popped out this morning for its debut to the shopping mall world . Birth stats : 1000 square feet . Ouch .
One small step for Tim Hortons . One giant leap for Ma.




Baby Timmie .
Always fresh just like Ma .
Surprised Steve shines the stainless steel .
The inside view .
Doris is a 10 year Tim vet and still smiles like it was her first time .
Ma's Bunns .
Two happy customers .

The Sons Of Maxwell

The boys wow the home town crowd .
Don croons a tune .
Dave Carroll sings Christmas carols .
Don and fellow smilers .
Martha and I with Judy , a rock star wife and my audiologist , whose husband not only played keyboard for the Sons of Maxwell but in his own band Compass Rose who opened for the boys .
They are the sons of Maxwell Carroll to be exact and they are two brothers from Timmins whose unique style of Celtic entertainment have captured the music world . Don is more mellow and a bit of a crooner with a smile that makes you feel like you have known him all your life . Dave is a songwriter and singer whose lyrics touch your heart immediately . Together they have won many prestigious awards in the Martimes and beyond . Every year the boys return home to perform their annual Christmas concert at their old high school . I love to attend , not only being a sponsor , but for the fact that the joyful singing never fails to put me in a holiday mood . Their mother Sharon , like any other proud Mom , organizes their concert here and is their biggest fan . She is a warm and wonderful woman and you can see where Don & Dave get their close family ties . Thank you Don & Dave for always coming home for the holidays and remembering your northern roots .
Now I have to "go tell it on the mountain , over the hills and everywhere .. "
http://www.sonsofmaxwell.com/en/home.php

18

" I wish I was eighteen again .
And going where I've never been .
But old folks and old oaks
Standing tall just pretend.
I wish I was eighteen again . "


I was 18 . It was my high school graduation prom night . My hair was as high as my spirits . My satin dress was hand sewn and turquoise like my eyes . ..my father's eyes . Fresh faced and fancy free with all my hopes and dreams inside me . Three generations of Spears'. ..my proud father and Grandmother . My grandfather used to affectionately call me " Donna Donut " . Who would have thought .

All Real

Ma got Kittycakes by the hair of his chinny chin chin ...and yep , it was as real as that sexy leopard cowboy shirt ( which I was insanely jealous of .. ) .

Surprising N@

Dinner at Le Dente .
The Birthday Girl .
Ma's wrestling team.
My Dancing stars , MissKitty and Didier .
This dude Hugh Jass was everywhere .
Dawn , Didier , Kittycakes , and the happy dappy birthday gal .
Corn holding up the bar .
A little birthday happy ending ..tres romantique .
With the help of my secret cohorts , Corn and Kittycakes we were able to surprise N@ for her 32nd birthday . After Dawn and I got settled at the Versailles , we taxied to our designated restaurant , Le Dente . This was the first time ever we have ever done anything like this since N@ had been living in Montreal . Despite my sore throat and cough , I was excited to be with her on her special day . N@ said she recognized the back of her sister's head and that who else would the lady be behind the menu but me . We shopped on Saturday just enjoying our time together . Saturday night we honky tonked her birthday away at Spurs with her co workers and friends . By that time , I was on a lot of cold meds and was losing my voice . The highlight was meeting fellow blogger Misster Kitty and his charming partner Didier . They are two of the nicest people you would ever have the good fortune to meet . We had a lot of fun and laughing and that is just what makes life worth living .
There is no greater gift than that .
..and the only loser I picked up in the bar was Lary N. Gitis and his little hoarse .

Le Chateau Versailles

I love this hotel ! Dawn and I stayed here when we surprised N@ for her 32nd birthday in Montreal a few weeks ago . I wasn't too sure when the taxi dropped us off at this old , dismal looking building , but much to our surprise and delight , the Versailles was one of the most unique and pleasing hotels that we have ever stayed at . If you can make it up those front steps to the front desk , you are in for a most pleasurable experience . Each room is unique and renovated with old world elegance and charm . We woke up to the orange room . The free continental breakfast is served in a private , cozy old fashioned parlour with fireplace from 7 am to 11:30 am .... how great is that for sleepyhead hangover tourists . What a breakfast too ..fresh fruit , cereal, scones , Montreal pastries , bagels , petit cakes ....and the prunes were even pitted . Throughout the hallways you learn the story of this historical building . Portraits of ladies and gentlemen from the past line the walls , antiques around every corner and classical music floats in the air . The staff wear the traditional black and white uniform of the maid and butler of yesteryear . Every night our bed was turned down and a dark chocolate placed on our pillows . Expensive you say ?? Not . We paid $119 a night and we split the bill .
Of course , like the redneck women we are , we found out later it was off season .

The Weather Outside is Frightful ....

... but Ma is so delightful ,
Her flu said time to go ,
Let it snow , let it snow , let it snow .
Well as some of you know and some of you don't , on top of being in bed with Lary N. Gitis for a week , I sprained my ankle one night . Today it is a lovely color of purpley black but most of the swelling has passed . Believe me , I was not trying out for a leg cast or the part of Tiny Tim. .
Things are finally looking up . Let the jingle bells rock . Let the snow fall .
Bring on the egg nog . Cheers to hot toddies ..and time to move my elfin self .
I accept the things I cannot change ( like bad weather and people .)
And I have the courage to change the things I can ( and I am .)
And the wisdom to know that sales are always after December 25th .

This Site

..is out of order until Ma is feeling better .

Bon Voyage Bobbycakes

Have a wonderful time in Dubai and may the ladies on the beach all be impressed with your back waxing , etcetera .....by the way , cute etcetera ... ( did we forget to mention in that part of the world that the ladies are hairier than you ....)

The White Balloons

Yesterday , we traveled to my hometown for the funeral of my Uncle Danny . As we gathered to pay our final respects , I thought back to my childhood and how this man had affected my own life . My uncle was a talented carpenter and his home and cottage showcased his woodworking skills . Uncle Danny was a quiet man with a tough exterior . In his youth , he was a well known northern hockey player . He continued that dream with his grandson when he followed their teams from town to town . Over the years my uncle was plagued with poor health . He had a pacemaker and in later years he had diabetes . Through it all he was never a complainer or one to talk about his suffering . He just ... endured . He loved to dance , to joke and he loved music . One of his favorites was Frank Sinatra . It seemed fitting to all who knew him that at the end of the service , we listened to one of his songs , "My Way " . My uncle lived life his way despite all odds . Later at his son's home , I listened to my aunts and uncles , cousins and friends as they remembered a life well lived and well loved . I see my family circle , warm and loving and ever so slowly evolving into a much smaller circle . In my own daughters' characteristics , I recognize and understand the legacy my relatives leave not only to me but to the next generation .
As we stood in the snowy cemetery , for the final blessings , my uncle's daughter released a multitude of white balloons . It was a strange and yet beautiful moment . A symbolic gesture that we were witnesses to his soul ascending to the heavens . We stood in the wet snow and watched until every white balloon disappeared into the gray skies .
Oh Danny boy , the pipes are calling you home . God Bless you always .

Just Had Too

I stole this off my Bobbycakes and felt I just had to share it with the world of romantics .

Dancing With The Stars New Season

....and can they dance !

Remembering

Like so many others of his generation , my father signed up to protect his country at the tender age of eighteen . Dad spent two and half years in the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve , Fury Division . Off the shores of Newfoundland , my father , a peaceful man , was trained in the use of firearms and war manoeuvres . He still remembers the men who never came back home .
Today , at the 11th hour of the 11th day at the 11 month , we salute you .
Thank you Dad .
Lest we forget .

The Bear Facts #3

I have saved the best for the beary last . To the top of the world . Who among us is not enthralled by the most majestic of all bears and one of the most feared ...the polar bear . No worries . This endangered species does not reside in Timmins but much farther north than I . Although a small northern community Cochrane about one hour away , boasts a polar habitat that has become one of the town's most popular tourist attractions and I encourage you to see the exhibit for yourself if you are ever up this way .http://www.polarbearhabitat.ca/
The polar bear does not hibernate but wanders around the snow and ice constantly on the lookout for its next meal .
Polar bears feed mostly on seals although a beluga whale can be a tasty appetizer as well . The biggest threat to the extinction of these beautiful beasts , besides you , is climate change . Losing the glaciers means losing the polar bears . Powerful swimmers with a thick coat of dense white fur makes the polar bear the king of the Arctic .
Of course for every king there is a clown . My MNR friend had a co worker stationed in Churchill who sent him the following REAL pictures of a playful and perhaps lonely and for sure, very full polar bear who just wanted to have some fun with the sled huskies at his camp . Just goes to show you that some of the biggest mammals on earth can also be some of the biggest goofs .

Thank you to Glen of the Ministry of Natural Resources for sending me these amazing photographs ( one of which is now my screen saver . )

Hope you have enjoyed my ramblings on the bear facts as much as I have enjoyed writing about them . As much as we may fear these great creatures they have just as much right to be here as we do , maybe not on our patios and balconies but to live out their lives in commune with nature . Our subdivisions have infringed on their forests and hunger being the primal instinct to survival they have become modern day pests that we dread meeting face to face .
Working together and using common sense and compassion is the answer .

All BEAR . All REAL .
We have nothing to fear but fear itself .

The Bear Facts #2

Now we have learned that bears can climb higher than you even without a ladder . Bears can run faster than you . Swim better than you and eat a whole lot more food than you . In fact, the whole time they are awake is a constant quest for more food so that they can go back to sleep again . Similar to our well loved but annoying NGB only much hairier . Bears have been known to travel over 100 miles to find a good dinner . They instinctively know that they must build up on their fat cells and hit their heaviest weight in the fall in preparation for the big sleep . The bears find a hidden area in the bush often fallen trees, crevices and brush before the snow flies . Their metabolism and heart rate slows down to more than half . They do not eat , urinate , defecate or exercise for the winter months . They curl up in a ball with their heavy fur coats to keep them warm . My friend from the MNR said often the female bear gives birth in the den in February without even knowing she has done so . What a cheap way to escape the pain of labour . Momma bear emerges from the den not as one but often with 2 or 3 hungry cubs trailing behind her . Glen told me the story of a mother bear with her 2 cubs who had been foraging around the Timmins city neighborhoods for last minute hibernation treats . An irate citizen shot the mother and left the cubs to fend for themselves . Without Momma around , the babies had a garbage food fest and a party with the family dogs . Chased up a tree , the orphan cubs were tranquilized and contained until they could be shipped to a bear rehabilitation centre down south . Just before the move , nature stepped in and sent the babies on a snooze cruise . Apparently , the cubs were ready for hibernation and it became impossible to wake the little guys up . The local MNR crew made a den for them of twigs and evergreens and left the little teddy bears alone for the big sleep until spring . You have to admit hibernation is a fascinating subject .
Tune in Friday for The Bear Facts #3.
All BEAR . All REAL .

The Bear Facts #1

The next few posts will amaze and enthrall you if you are interested in any of the bear facts . On weekends , a few of my dog walking neighbors and I meet in a wooded clearing near the Mattagami River to let our dogs interact . One of the dog owners works for the Ministry of Natural Resources . One morning we got into a discussion about bears and how they are able to hibernate all winter long . The fact these huge mammals can sleep for months without needing nourishment has always fascinated me . Looking at the blowing snow outside , I sometimes wish that I could do that , but would I wake up twice as old or half as young ? Back to the facts , Glen had some very interesting bear stories to relate to the dog club and was kind enough to email me a few REAL pictures that I am sure will interest you as it did me .
In June , as we all know , bears are exceedingly hungry . You would be too if you had slept for six months without food or water . It is too early for berry season so the little black gremlins sniff their way around until something smells good to the palate . The very REAL photographs will help you to understand why the MNR warns northerners not to feed the birds in the summertime , to make sure our garbage is safely secured , and that we clean our barbecues after each usage . In fact , these particular pictures were kept from the public by the MNR for a time so that people would not panic . It was released to the media when the officials thought it best that it was better to keep the public aware of the possibilities that this could happen to you . This incident of the black bear climbing to the second story balcony of a home took place in South Porcupine early in this summer . Now that I have your undivided attention , ( humor me if I don't ) , I will leave you with this bear cliffhanger (or should I say balcony hanger ) for today and return tomorrow same time same blog with the bear facts #2 including REAL pictures .
All BEAR . All REAL .

About Tragedy , Love , and Forgiveness

When I write this blog , I prefer to keep it light and carefree but an incident so tragic and so sorrowful has triggered my thoughts back in time . I was in grade 6 and one of my best school friends at the time was a slight young girl named Karen . She had just moved to a place outside of Kapuskasing called Lowther air base . She was a quiet sort with the most beautiful long and wavy platinum hair down to her waist . She sat in front of me in class always turning back to smile that shy smile of hers . I never knew Karen for long . She was killed ,along with others , in a head on school bus collision that winter . I remember sitting at my desk , looking at her empty seat , sobbing and sobbing for my friend . The accident was no one's fault . Bad judgment on a icy wintry road.
From time to time , the memory of her innocent young face and flowing pale hair invades the corners of my mind . This week a similar tragedy happened in Timmins not far from my home . School was out and two young girls walking on the sidewalk were hit by a truck . One of them has died . Amelie was 10 years old . Do not ask why , there is no answer . Do not hold anger , it will eat you up inside . Once again , we are reminded of the fragility of life . Once again , we are reminded to always tell others we love them . Once again , we shed tears for a life so young taken before its time . I encourage you to click on the link I have included from our daily newspaper today . It says a lot about a family who in the most tragic of circumstances find it in their hearts to forgive . Behold the power of love .
My deepest sympathies to the Guertin family . Heaven has a another angel and Karen has another friend.

http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=759960&auth=Brandon+Walker