Well, I must say I am impressed with Passport Canada. Really impressed. And for me, that's saying a lot. I have a very low tolerance for bureaucracy. Everyone I spoke to prior to going to the Passport Canada office was polite, helpful and knowledgeable. * see disclaimer . I took the day off, left at 6am, ready for a frustrating day of waiting and more waiting. Instead I was home by 10 15 am, my entire time from start to finish, 4 1/2 hours, including grabbing coffee, gassing up, the 3 hour drive and parking. Incredible...... no frustration, great people and the whole rest of the day to collect, Fridays Leftovers..

• the days have been beautiful here, an Indian Summer at it's finest. A true gift. While people in the city work endlessly to rake leaves, we have the freedom to leave them blow where they may. When I was a child, Autumn was my favorite season, with Spring a close second. These days, I have the memories and hardships of cold winters that follow to dampen my former love of the season. So I try to reach back and enjoy the smells, and sights of the warm, crisp and earthy air with childhood perspective and enthusiasm.
• *disclaimer When I said all my passport stuff was great, I do not include the passport photo. My son and I headed to AMA to get our photos, but on that day the camera was broken so I was faced with the dilemma, go to the only other open place, or herd my son into town another day and hope the camera was fixed. The dilemma.... the other place was Walmart.So debating Walmart or future unhappy son, I choose Walmart. And ended up with an unhappy, embarrassed son, who has another reason to not to want to go into town with me. There was 1 customer standing at the counter when we came in to the photo studio, and the photographer/receptionist/cashier/salesman, was busy selling some packages, people lined up behind me, and after 10 minutes or so, she the / person served the lady in front of me. Just as it was my turn to speak to her, the person behind me stepped in front of me. Despite my protests, she stated she worked there and would only be a moment. At 1 minute intervals, I objected with glares, and hateful thoughts, but her moment took 10 minutes more, telling me she had phone messages for the photo studio. At the point where the manager returned, I was ticked and spoke to him. His tone was so patronizing and monotone I felt my blood pressure and voice rising. Fortunately I glanced over to the waiting room, and saw my son, peeking out from under a magazine, a pleading look in his eyes... a "please, do not make a scene, and whatever you do don't sit beside me" look. So I let the managers monotone and canned apology lull me into a zombie like calm, sitting across the waiting room from my son for another hour. Unfortunately, my photo says it all... despite the call for no facial expression, a "get me the hell out of here" glare is clear in my eyes. My "I hate Walmart" glare.
• and the reason for getting our passports? Despite me objecting to new border requirements, there is a border between us and Disneyland. The 6 of us are heading to California at Christmas. We were last there when our son was 3 before the Cree Princess and N joined our family. So tell me, what are the must sees while we are there???? I am an itinerary person, not so rigid that things are planned to the hour, but when I'm on a sightseeing holiday, I hate spending half the morning deciding what we are going to do. I've passed this on to my daughter, who used to make fun of me, but now is planning the whole trip... I shall attend and enjoy, and carry nothing for no one.
• and finally........
  
  
  

• "Gramma......did you water your garden today?", the Cree princess asks when I answer the phone.
  "Honey, the garden is done for the year" , I remind her of the potatoes and carrots we dug this past weekend.
  "No gramma, not that garden ", she says...." your other garden"
  "ahh... the other garden......"

I'd like you to meet Marshmallow, a tiny blue hippo, and a citizen of Webkinz World.
Marshmallow was gifted to me by my beloved granddaughter for my birthday, named and chosen especially for me. If you don't have kids you may not know about this clever capital endeavour by Ganz..... a childhood version of Second Life. My granddaughter loves them, and she seems to love taking charge of making sure I am a good Webkinz owner. But I have to run, apparently Marshmallow is under the weather and needs to see Dr Quack.....


enjoy your weekend.....