Debbie 🇨🇦
msdebbiep.bsky.social
Debbie 🇨🇦
@msdebbiep.bsky.social
JAGO: “Just A Grandma’s Opinion”; dabbling in gardening, photography, crocheting & talking about empowerment; Ontario, Canada
When we were consumers in a “disposable society” be bought lots
… so we had to make lots
… so there were lots of jobs available

Today, we buy less, need less, make less,
= less jobs in the manufacturing/sales fields.

Today: We shift to service & trades?

JAGO: just a grandma’s opinion
September 24, 2025 at 12:03 PM
It’s not “broken”.

It is evolving.

We are evolving.

Society is evolving.

Looking back through my life, I can see that our society tried different things, most often because we discovered and invented new things, new ideas.
… (continued)
September 23, 2025 at 2:36 PM
#bbqs

I bought a Bradley electric smoker to add to my outdoor kitchen.

Today, I tried it for the first time, with some pre-seasoned chicken that I had in the freezer.

It was yummy; meat fell off the bone.

I did good - no mistakes, really.

Next: chicken thighs with just salt and pepper
August 2, 2025 at 10:09 PM
#gardening #vegetablegardening #gardeningsenior

While I wait for my “real” tomatoes, I get to snack on the dwarf varieties.

I started 4 plants in January, in a hydroponics system.

April: transplanted to pots

May: outside into GreenStalks.

Then, surprise lows, even a 2c last week ..
June 9, 2025 at 8:50 PM
#vegetablegardening #gardening #gardeningsenior

The mini greenhouse

✔️raised bed
✔️frost protection

It’s plastic but it works

‘Til high winds & the 4 beds toppled, plants buried, plastic ripped, frames broken; soil lost

No pix: too traumatized

Back upright & replanted

Will they survive?
June 5, 2025 at 10:08 PM
#gardening

Here is a surprise plant in my garden.

Is it a tobacco plant?

If so: There no tobacco farms nearby. Where did it come from?
June 4, 2025 at 12:26 PM
#freezedrying
One of my favourite things to freezedry is mixed berries.

I purchase a bulk bag of frozen berries & preserve them.

No taking up room in the freezer or risking a thaw during power outages

No risk of going bad in fridge.

& I ❤️ the texture when added to yoghurt or oatmeal.
June 4, 2025 at 9:23 AM
#gardening #gardeningsenior

May 31: going down to a windy 5c again tomorrow & the next day. Will we ever get warm weather?

My poor plants.

These raised bed / greenhouses were 1/2 price so I bought some.

They are plastic and won’t last long but I bet my 🍅 plants like them!

As will my back
May 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
#gardening #gardeningsenior

Tell me again why my knees, back, & muscles hurt?

There was a lot of “just push through it and get it done” moments.

It will hopefully look amazing in a month’s time when everything is flourishing.

Tomatoes, beets, carrots, onions, herbs, lettuce, potatoes & more
May 27, 2025 at 10:28 PM
#gardening #gardeningsenior
Years ago, I planted 10 #daffodils.

Today, I had to dig them up or cover them with a fire pit.

I dug them. Dozens of them!

They had JUST started to die back. I don’t know if they will survive the move.

They are now drying inside of my little cabin.

Any tips?
May 27, 2025 at 8:54 PM
#gardening #gardeningsenior #citrus

For several years, I’ve grown a lemon Meyer tree and some calemondin oranges.

Last summer, one orange didn’t survive. I just left the pot outside. (For a 🇨🇦 winter)

Today, I went to use the pot for something - only to find a little orange tree growing!
May 26, 2025 at 9:06 PM
#gardening #gardeningsenior

Back to back wheelbarrow troubles.

Our wheelbarrows are ancient but still work just fine …. well, until the wood handles/frame broke on the one & the wheel fell off

I got the second one, only for it to break in the exact same way.

Replacement arms? $70/pair
May 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
#gardening #vegetablegsrdening #gardeningsenior

COLDFRAMES: we built these several years ago but never used them as moles got into them and ate all the plants - several times - so I gave up

This year, we moved them to a more accessible location & added a mesh bottom.
May 20, 2025 at 11:43 AM
#gardening #vegetablegardening

Being in the “over 65” age group, last year I decided to shrink my gardening to something manageable as a hobby.
This year, with the global turmoil that we are in, I decided to continue with my “large” garden but try and make it less work.
May 19, 2025 at 2:47 PM
May 5, 2025 at 12:23 PM
#canada

UNITED we stand
DIVIDED we fall

We, our voices, our actions, are either supporting and uniting Canada
or
dividing us, creating hate, fear, anger

Empowerment, united, can create change and build growth WITHOUT the fear and anger.

This is OUR part, as Canadians
May 4, 2025 at 2:02 PM
May 1, 2025 at 11:14 PM
BE THE CHANGE

#canada
May 1, 2025 at 10:38 PM
#art

I am impressed.

My mom, 97, is in a longterm care home now. She used to paint a lot but hasn’t been able to for years!

The staff set her up with some acrylic paints and look what she has been able to create.

(She loves the water in the foreground because she was able to make it foamy.)
May 1, 2025 at 3:05 PM
#vegetablegardening

WHILE THE CAT IS AWAY …
… the mouse doesn’t turn on the grow lights = 🦵🏿 -y

And now, the cat has to start again

(My one packet of peppers only came with 6 seeds… all gone now)

Let’s hope that when the cat goes away, again, in 2 weeks, that the lights get turned on
April 14, 2025 at 9:34 AM
April 9, 2025 at 6:32 PM
#books

… because @louisepennyauthor.bsky.social cancelled all of her US events and
… because she donated $50,000 to build a door on the Canadian side of the border library

I showed my 🇨🇦 support by purchasing one of her books.

… which was SO good that I have already bought 2 more!

#theEHteam
April 5, 2025 at 1:04 PM
#vegetablegardening

I have started!

My hands were in the soil & now the pepper seeds are starting their journey

8 weeks until the predicted last frost.
March 31, 2025 at 4:32 PM
When they say that “Canada is broken”, what I hear is “the people of Canada have messed up, aren’t doing a good job”

WE are Canada. Not the government; not the difference systems; Canadians.

And we are strong.
We are good neighbours.
We are united.
We are the true north strong & free.
March 31, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Bombarded with chaos, with messages to drive us towards hatred, fear, & divisiveness,

Perhaps a goal is for us to lose our humanity and support acts of horrendous human behaviour.

We are better than that.
Be a voice for what is right.
Side with what is right.
Do what is right.
March 27, 2025 at 10:44 AM