The following is an article written by Pam Woodsworth, Julia’s mother. It is reprinted by permission from The Saskatchewan Connection, the newsletter for the Saskatchewan Family Network.
One day, while looking for a website for a project I was involved with at work, I happened upon something that quoted Desiderata. I know, I know, I’m dating myself here. Do you remember it too? It began “Go placidly amid the noise and haste…”
In a nutshell it praises the virtues of kindness, humility, acceptance, love, peace and happiness.
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When I first heard it, it was the prefect antidote to the teenage angst I and millions of others needed to reassure us of our place in the world.
I understand the words of Desiderata differently now. The words still ring true but in a different way. You see, as a mom of a child with a disability, I still spend a lot of my time trying to help others understand my daughter. More than anything I want Julia to have the same things as her older sister, Jordan – the love of family and friends, an understanding of the world and her place in it, acceptance by society and a sense of wonder.
For Julia, life is different. I know that others – people who have not had the privilege of knowing her and loving her – see her as less than perfect, a burden, someone to pity. I think this is because of some peoples’ unwillingness or inability to cherish who Julia is.
For me, that is always painful. More than anyone I know, Julia has taught me the joy of simple things. Julia loves herself and I want it to stay that way. So my work continues. I carry on trying to help the ignorant understand, firm in the knowledge that our dreams for Julia are attainable. Why would we want any less for her?
When people question the inclusion and celebration of our children we can reassure ourselves with a quote from Desiderata:
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is
unfolding as it should.
The Saskatchewan Family Network supports families who have children with disabilities. They provide an exchange of information, encouragement and advocate for political and social change. For more information, contact Shirley McGuire, 306-955-3344.
Similar organizations exist in the other western provinces and can be contacted at:
- British Columbia Family Support Institute, 604-875-1119 or www.familysupportbc.com.
- Alberta Association for Community Living, 780-451-3055 or in Alberta only 1- 800-252-7556.
- Association for Community Living Manitoba, 204-786-1607.
Knitter looking for pattern
Dear TEAM: Does anyone have a 1-800 number for Patons and Baldwins, now part of Spinrite? I’m looking for a pattern that came out in 1988 for a Leaf Rib pullover made with supersoft D.K. yarn. I don’t have a computer but I had my granddaughter trying to find this pattern for me on a website address I got from a yarn shop in St. Albert, but so far this hasn’t helped. This pattern could also be in a Patons and Baldwins knitting book but not in any I’ve looked at. I would be happy to pay for this pattern or to have it photocopied and mailed to me. – E.D., High Prairie, Alta.
Dear E.D.: I was given the following website for Spinrite – patonsyarns.com. This site has a pattern library you could look through. The phone number for Spinrite in Ontario is 519-291-3789. I called the company but it only has the patterns listed by number so would not be able to help you without a pattern number. Staff there referred me to Knitters Bazaar in Barry, Ont., 888-304-4418. That company also needs a pattern number to go through its thousands of pattern books. Perhaps a reader may be able to send you the pattern number.
Craft and wool sites
During the search for the knitting pattern I came across a listing of wool and craft sites. For anyone interested in doing needlework this winter these e-stores have lots of patterns, ideas and tips. Often you can look at the products on-line and then directly order or jot the numbers down and go to your favourite yarn shop.
- Herrschners at www.patonsatyarnshoppe.com.
- Mary Maxim at www.marymaxim.com. This site had all kinds of crafts, plastic canvas and craft kits.
- Knitter’s Bazaar at www.knittersbazaar.com. It offers knitting yarns, patterns and accessories and also carries cross-stitch floss and tapestry wool. Located in Barry, Ont., 1-888-304-4418.
- Yarn Forward at www.yarnforward.com.
- Ram Wools at www.ramwools.com.
- Hook ‘n’ Needle at www.hook-n-needle.com.
- Beehive Wool at www.beehivewool.com. Beehive Wool Shop is located in Victoria, B.C., 888-334-9005. This site was set up initially to serve remote regions of Canada.
Abundance of beets
It seems in our area there has been a good crop of beets and I have had several people ask me for recipes. Traditionally this root crop is used in borscht, a flavourful vegetable soup. One of my favourites is beet cake. For either recipe, the beets can be put through a food processor or grated raw and then frozen in one-cup quantities for use later.
Borscht
1 soup bone with meat
(preferably ham)
2 quarts cold water 2 L
2 teaspoons salt 10 mL
4 large beets, diced
(3 cups/750 mL shredded)
1 large onion, sliced
2 medium potatoes,
diced
1 carrot, diced
2 cups cabbage, 500 mL
shredded
1 cup sour cream 250 mL
2 tablespoons 30 mL
green dillweed, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
In a big pot boil soup bone, water and salt until meat falls off the bone. Remove bone and discard. To the pot, add the beets, onions, potatoes, carrot and cabbage. Cook just until vegetables are tender.
Reduce heat. Into the sour cream, blend a little of the hot soup, then add sour cream slowly to the pot. Keep hot, but do not boil. Add dill weed, season with salt and pepper and serve.
Beet cake
3 eggs
11/2 cups sugar 375 mL
1 cup oil 250 mL
1 teaspoon vanilla 5 mL
1 teaspoon maple 5 mL
flavouring
3 tablespoons hot, 45 mL
not boiling, water
1 cup shredded beets 250 mL
1 cup shredded carrots 250 mL
1/2 cup chopped walnuts 125 mL
2 cups flour 500 mL
2 teaspoons baking 10 mL
powder
1 teaspoon salt 5 mL
Separate eggs and beat whites until stiff. Beat yolks and add sugar, oil, flavourings and water, then mix. Add beets, carrots, walnuts, flour, salt and baking powder and mix. Fold in egg whites. Put into a large rectangular pan or two foil square ones. Bake at 350 F (180 C) for 40 to 45 minutes.
Glaze
1/3 cup brown sugar 75 mL
2 tablespoons 30 mL
margarine
3 tablespoons cream 45 mL
3/4 cup coconut 175 mL
Boil for three minutes.
Spread on cake and put under broiler until slightly brown.
