Having a good day/bad day? Carole Bertuzzi Luciani, Oakville, Ontario

Good Day/Bad Day

Feeling Good!

It doesn't take much for someone to make our day … more miserable. This makes it more challenging for us to take control and strive to make the best of our day and ultimately feel good doing it. Here's a short list of ways I try to do just that …

… skip the first section of the newspaper … that's where the gloom is

… watch reality TV only to be entertained by the degree some people will go to for fame

… enjoy a morning coffee … if I don't, no one will enjoy me

… tackle a crossword … and complete it using every possible resource including my ‘emergency calls'

… try a cryptic crossword … but it's really only fun if I'm with Sue and Sandra

… hunt for, pick up and give away lucky pennies found on the ground … except it gets embarrassing when strangers don't want to take it from you

… talk to strangers … in the aisles of the grocery store, at the bank, in the line-up … anywhere I happen to be wandering

… play a sport … any sport … there's nothing like exercise exertion … just don't ask me to do a somersault … I have only ever done one and I thought I was going to suffocate as my head got lost in the jelly of my belly

… work in the garden … especially pruning … get outa my way when I have the pruning shears or a saw in my hands … especially if I am PMS

… people watch … you can never be bored when there are people around to watch, study and learn about

… spend time outside … the days of royal blue skies, sunshine and a trail of cumulous clouds are my favourites

… cuddling, smelling and nuzzling a baby … no more has to be said about this one

… watch one of my children or even someone else's child engaged in their passion … whether it be sport, an artistic endeavour or just doing what they do best

… giving people the shakedown … really trying to get to know them by asking them about themselves … I believe if we are willing to open up, take the time to get to know each other and reach the common denominator that draws us closer together, then the ‘6 degrees of separation theory' is true

… walking out of a dollar store with 12 desperately needed items … and not having spent $15

… speaking to an audience … having the opportunity to share my ‘gift' with them and knowing that I am in a very small way ‘making their day'

… sharing a laugh with someone … anyone … could be a stranger on the phone, a neighbour, the check-out person … now that's a great feeling!

… spending time with people I love a lot … you know who you are … you interest me, you make me better and you make me laugh … stealing from the “Accidental Tourist” script … “I like the way I am when I'm with you!”

… ahh! I feel better already!!

A Child's Perspective … A story to put a smile on your face

On a family trip to Italy in 1997, one of my favourite memories was the sight from Positano on the Amalfi Coast. There we were Cliffside, overlooking the coast line and the sparkling royal blue water of the Tyraenean Sea.

To enjoy breakfast one morning, we had to trek about 300 yards up from the water to the terrace where our host was able to serve us from his home.

Sitting there, I took it all in … the spectacular view, the fresh smell of the sea, the array of colours and the odd combination of sounds around me. They were sounds from the family dog, the goat and a parrot named Columbo. Savouring the moment, I lean over to Alena (then 7 years old) and say “Alena, isn't his spectacular. Can you imagine living here?” (thinking of course of the beautiful location and scenery). Alena nods her head and smiles “oh I know Mommy … to have a dog, a goat and a parrott. It would be wonderful!!”

Carole Goes to Camp ... Every year since 1996, I have gone off to work at the best camp I know ... Camp Tawingo on Lake Vernon in Huntsville. Although I have had a variety of responsibilites there, my current post is my favourite ... a proud member of the Beautification Crew aka Property Staff. Daily tasks include everything from picking up garbage to grass cutting, all within the most beautiful Muskoka setting with the sounds of happy kids all around.

This experience gives me a chance to be a part of the wonderful & wacky world of summer camp & be witness to the fun that campers enjoy all of their waking hours. I have had the privilege to watch thousands of kids including my own & those of my friends blossom in this creative & play-full environment. I truely believe 'summer camp' is truely an experience all children should have.

Check it our for yourself ... www.tawingo.net for more info or contact the Ontario Camping Association www.ontariocamps.ca for one that best suits your needs & budget.

Camp Quality ... a camp experience for children with cancer

I knew in 2007, my working days at Camp Tawingo had come to an end. It was time to allow my daughter Alena to begin her work experience at the camp she attended since she was seven. Trust me, this was not easy for me as I have enjoyed a long time relationship with Tawingo since 1974. Well, fortunately I did managed to satisfy my 'camp fix' this past summer by following a nudge I had received from a young friend.

In August I volunteered to work a week at Camp Quality as support staff. Wow, what a week those campers enjoyed. Completely run by volunteers & with the financial support from sponsors like Mr. Lube & so many other generous donors, the list of activities & programs was varied appealing to any preference for pleasure.

Whether it meant spraying my hair hot pink, serving as a 'foot massage expert', wearing a toga to dinner or boogying to the tunes of a MuchMusic video dance ... I really enjoyed my week. Even better than that was meeting a wonderful group of people, both campers & volunteer staff. As a matter of fact, I think I'll try it again next year.

If you would like to learn more about Camp Quality, check out their website http://www.campquality.com.

To Contact Carole Bertuzzi Luciani
1286 Hollyfield Crescent, Oakville, Ontario L6H 2J6
905.844.9276 cbluc@cogeco.ca

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