A Very Brief Post and my Epiphany

Posted on December 16, 2019 by dfolstad58

Yesterday I  learned something I didn’t know about cars and I have been driving since Fred Flintstones had blistering feet!

My car and my wife’s car have their gas tanks

on opposite sides; and without admitting anything about getting older, I regularly forget which side of each car the gas tank is on.  Maybe regularly is overstating it, but I digress.

Arrived at the pump and on the wrong side, then I have to go, restart the car and move it to a different gas pump while wondering how I get it wrong so much with a 50% chance of being correct! . (maybe you forget sometimes also, or you can say you do just so I feel better, pretty please?)

Did you know ?

On the gas gauge in your car, if you look really closely – there’s an arrow beside the gas pump symbol in the gas gauge AND the arrow points to the side of the car where you pump gas!  (Forehead slap)

That’s it.  I just thought I would share my epiphany and forehead slap! 

electric

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A small interaction inspires thought

Posted on December 15, 2019 by dfolstad58

Hello friends near and far, yesterday I drove up the valley as my 

hearing aid was repaired and I could pick it up. It was a beautiful day for the drive, roads were quiet and my son came with me making the trip undoubtedly more enjoyable.

The road north up the valley has a view of Okanagan Lake all along, so we cruised along, sharing a coffee,  just talking, no radio. I was not expecting how much an upcoming brief encounter was about to make me think.

coffee shopWe were early for the appointment, so we stopped to grab a breakfast 

sandwich at Triple O’s and kill a little time reading the newspaper.

It was 9:15 and my appointment wasn’t until ten so we could relax for a bit.

These Triple O restaurants are open early for travellers, who grab a bite, inhale a coffee and keep on going.

I went to the counter and placed my order with the mature male employee.  After I paid, and he was getting my change, I asked him about his day so far, and how was he doing?

“You are the first person to ask me that so far today” – he responded,

and his tone indicated he was surprised I had interacted with him.  He told me he had been working over two hours at that point, and no one had even said “Good Morning” until I did.

I told him that was surprising, and we chatted.   He was a really nice guy, and wished me a good day when we left ten minutes later.  

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As I went through the rest of the day, I thought about this gentlemen, and all the other people who have lives and stories of their own but somehow are treated invisibly. 

Ironically I have done surveys from businesses who ask questions like:

  • Were the staff friendly?
  • Did the staff make an attempt to know you? 

I believe the onus is on me!  I am surrounded by people all day as I go about my life, I hope I never forget take a moment to see the people who are helping me, in person or not; and to acknowledge them somehow.  If they don’t have time to chat, I always have time for a nod and smile thank you.

I don’t know if it is karma or something else; but in my opinion relationships are a mirror and you get what you give. 

 “Education never ends, Watson. It is a series of lessons with the greatest for the last.“ The Red Circle (Sherlock Holmes) 

 

dr seuss

Thanks for visiting. 

I may take a break over the next few weeks from blogging, to read a book, play a game or just lay on the floor and relax. 

I love a good book, a walk, and a board game with family (I might even win one this year!)

Maybe that’s in your plans also, and if that’s the case I will look forward to reading your blogs and comments next year.

Thank you sincerely for all your encouragement this year, the encouraging comments, and your blogs that made me smile!  I never knew blogging was going to include the warmth and support you give. 

Posted in FAVORITE POSTS - A Few of them ♥, Thinking Out loud, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

I am feeling grateful

Posted on December 13, 2019 by dfolstad58

I am thinking how rich I am today 

as I think back over the past 12 or so months.  A few years back someone shared with me a metaphor about our personal health as a table.

On our “table” –

We want to keep as many legs on our “table” strong so that if one is wobbly – the table still stands, and doesn’t topple because the other legs are there to keep us upright. 

On our individual tables we have multiple legs, together those leg support the table – those legs include: 

  • Diet – healthy foods, avoid sugars, limit meat
  • Exercise – daily is essential
  • Spiritual Activity – Proverbs, praying
  • Social Support – being with and supporting friends
  • Sleep – plan beginning and ending sleep times, wind down at night
  • Avoid Negative Speech – positive language using words like Thank you
  • Water – three litres a day, starting with a big drink in the morning
  • Deep breathing – concentrate on the breath alone a few times daily
  • Sunlight – get outside, nothing like fresh air and sunshine
rubber path not concrete on this section of promenade
These leaves will soon be gone
Today Skaha Lake was looking good

I was thinking about that metaphor because how regularly

I have been refreshed and supported by family and friends throughout my life.  That includes the genuine support last year when I was forced to succumb to kidney dialysis again, and this year again when I was recovering from transplant surgery are top most in my thoughts today.

To all of you I share Proverbs 11:25 today: 

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.

Thanks for reading today- I hope your “table” is strong, and have a wonderful day and as you bring blessings to others, you also feel refreshed. – Dave

 

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I Love a Coffee Shop that’s Nauti

Posted on December 12, 2019 by dfolstad58

I occasionally visit the big coffee establishments, there are really just two in Canada and both are international.  But they don’t have the warm of an independent coffee shop.

Without being negative about the “giants” I want to share my observations about an independent coffee cafe in Penticton.

effectsIf you visited my city Penticton, on my tour

I would take you to Nauti Dog Cafe which is located at the boat marina on Skaha Lake; perched beachside, a beautiful view west looking across the shimmering lake.

So,  it’s a wonderful location, right?  

It also has “fresh baking“, the owner Fergy is a chef in her own right,  and the kitchen is right there six feet behind the espresso maker,  the scent of fresh baking is amazing !!

View, delicious food of all kinds, (not frozen and reheated like the big franchises), that’s great, right? 

It is and whether you sit outside or inside, the space is large, warm and friendly – I will add some of my own pictures. 

Every week or so, my son and I go and  just relax with Americanos, and enjoyed the view and space and appreciated the manner that Sam made us feel welcome.

So I like it, and I like it because Fergy,

has made it a special place, she is investing her time, skill, and abilities to make this a place where regulars are recognized by name; customers come to relax all seasons!

So if you mosey through the valley, swing by the Nauti Dog Cafe – and say Hi to Fergy and Sam and see and taste what you think. 🙂

By the way, my last visit I had banana bread french toast, it was yum. 

 

This duck seems interested.

Thanks for the visit to my blog,  and taking the time. Comments and suggestions always appreciated. 🙂 Dave

 

Posted in South Okanagan Restaurants and Other Jewels, Thinking Out loud | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

P and C go together

Posted on November 28, 2019 by dfolstad58

P and C go together

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Praise and Criticism go together, like sweet and sour, if you believe in one, then you believe in the other.

The trouble is we like praise, even if we feel like we don’t deserve it.

Ironically we can feel identically about Criticism, without the “like” part of course ☺: we tend to believe we don’t deserve it either. 

However Praise and Criticism are two sides of the same coin.

Since they can both help us,  we should expect and embrace both. 

Praise is the personal coach that helps us to improve or keep doing whatever earned that praise; as in doing four more planks !

Criticism is the personal coach that helps to improve our “form” so we improve rather than hurt ourselves.

But neither Praise or Criticism should “stick” for long.

Praise is sweet, but meant to be savoured, and enjoyed in the moment – life quickly moves ahead though, and that candy left behind, after being enjoyed.

Criticism may at first leave a bad taste in our mouths, seem negative to us even, but of the two types of feedback, it is really the most helpful despite the initial sour taste.

Criticism is the most helpful because usually we know what we our strong abilities are, but we can be oblivious to how we can improve, it’s really the so-called criticism feedback which we initially consider negative that is really the more helpful.

I also suspect that most criticism is actually of the type you could call a Point for Improvement comment, as in “you might want to try ….”

I try to consider criticism carefully, was it provided to me with the intent of helpfulness? If so, I am grateful for their insight and try to see if I can apply that feedback to a positive result.  If I consider it and I don’t agree, then I can easily let it go in the moment – let life move forward, and simply set it aside. A difference of opinion, neither of us in the “wrong”.

Regardless of whether I accept the criticism or point for improvement,

I believe it is best if I always encourage and give thanks for “criticism” “point for improvement” feedback, just as I do for “praise” since it is always up to me whether I accept it! 

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Me and 2015 Champion Mohammed Qahtani

If you would like to hear Mohammed’s champion speech – click here, I hope you will enjoy his humour and message.

Thank you for following my blog and visiting. I look forward to your  comments! What do you think about this post?

 

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Stormy days and Sunny Days

Posted on November 26, 2019 by dfolstad58
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A channel connects two lakes here, and it’s a perfect place to bicycle.

I live in a beautiful valley, it stretches north to south for hundreds of miles with different lakes lying in a row north to south. Beautiful to see and drive along no matter the season.

A valley is basically  a corridor and so winds travelling north or south is pretty much a daily occurence, the only variables are the direction (which can change from morning to evening) and the speed of the wind, from almost nothing to robust, blustery storms.

This week has included all of the above, but fortunately the wind has mainly been from the south (warmer), and of course with the wind we are the happy recipients of blue skies, and nights filled with twinkly stars despite the slight drop in temperatures. (minus 3 today when I woke up)

2014-09-11 17.06.42

overlooking Okanagan lake

Two days ago when I was walking around the neighbourhood, I enjoyed watching the straw coloured tall grasses (4 feet to 7 feet tall) whip and bend in the gusts of wind. The grasses seemed to dance and yet returned to upright undamaged over and over.

Reading some posts lately, some bloggers reminded me of these grasses, bending in the wind, they are survivors of tempestuous times.

These bloggers, myself and possibly you reader have had some storms in which you survived by bending and not being rigid.  Life’s weather is overpowering.

That has been the case for myself, I can’t help the irrepressible weather I have had in my life.

When life’s winds blow, we all must bend because we can’t fight the wind, so have no choice except to bend or break. Thankfully most of us will stand again, straight, tall and undamaged after the wind stops.  But first we must weather the storm.

I am very grateful to be enjoying the blessing of receiving my kidney transplant in April of this year. Looking back a year ago,  I had the hope, and the love and support of family and friends to weather the storm,  though sometimes it felt like the storm wouldn’t end. 

It did though, and I hope if you or someone you care for is dealing with a storm right now, hang in there, and let the people who love you support you until it’s over.

Sunny days ahead I hope for you and yesterday I enjoyed a calm sunny day here.  Thanks for reading 🙂

 

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