Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
wrestling with Kurt Cobain
Next Thursday I'm going to be part of a show called Mashed Poetics #2 - Nirvana Nevermind
Thursday, September 24, 9:30pm
Cottage Bistro 4468 Main Street Vancouver
$5 - $10 sliding scale admission
There's a band, Lithium, that will play all of the songs from the Nevermind album. Each song has been assigned to a poet, who will perform a poem inspired by that song. The band and poets will alternate through the evening.
I have drawn the song, "In Bloom." It's second on the album, so I think that means I will be second up. I have the CD Nevermind, but admit it has not been on my frequent play list. I respect what it stands for, and the impact it made when it came out, and how it is a classic with lasting appeal, but the style of music is not really my favourite. When the album came out I was listening to Raffi and Fred Penner with the kids. Anyway, I thought, "this will be interesting, and I like a challenge." So here is what I have learned through my experience with Nirvana, listening to the songs, reading up about the band and the life and death of Kurt Cobain:
- I like this album very much
- I still don't understand most of the words when I listen, nor do I trust the online lyrics for the songs
- I don't know if I like Kurt Cobain
I'm moved by the passion and the roughness of the sound, mixed with addictive elements that I don't even know how to describe. I can understand now why it is "all that."
So I wrote a poem, which I am keeping under wraps until the show, but will post here after. I recited it to Fiona in the car today. She looked at me and said, "whoa." So we'll see.
I think that this will be an amazing evening of music and poetry. Even before I have heard the band, I totally admire the musicians for taking this on. If the other poets' experience of listening, feeling writing is anything like mine was, I admire it too.
Wish me luck. I have sure not wrestled Kurt to the ground, but we have made a closer acquaintance than before.
question: do you listen to Nirvana?
mompoet - finished wrestling for now
Thursday, September 24, 9:30pm
Cottage Bistro 4468 Main Street Vancouver
$5 - $10 sliding scale admission
There's a band, Lithium, that will play all of the songs from the Nevermind album. Each song has been assigned to a poet, who will perform a poem inspired by that song. The band and poets will alternate through the evening.
I have drawn the song, "In Bloom." It's second on the album, so I think that means I will be second up. I have the CD Nevermind, but admit it has not been on my frequent play list. I respect what it stands for, and the impact it made when it came out, and how it is a classic with lasting appeal, but the style of music is not really my favourite. When the album came out I was listening to Raffi and Fred Penner with the kids. Anyway, I thought, "this will be interesting, and I like a challenge." So here is what I have learned through my experience with Nirvana, listening to the songs, reading up about the band and the life and death of Kurt Cobain:
- I like this album very much
- I still don't understand most of the words when I listen, nor do I trust the online lyrics for the songs
- I don't know if I like Kurt Cobain
I'm moved by the passion and the roughness of the sound, mixed with addictive elements that I don't even know how to describe. I can understand now why it is "all that."
So I wrote a poem, which I am keeping under wraps until the show, but will post here after. I recited it to Fiona in the car today. She looked at me and said, "whoa." So we'll see.
I think that this will be an amazing evening of music and poetry. Even before I have heard the band, I totally admire the musicians for taking this on. If the other poets' experience of listening, feeling writing is anything like mine was, I admire it too.
Wish me luck. I have sure not wrestled Kurt to the ground, but we have made a closer acquaintance than before.
question: do you listen to Nirvana?
mompoet - finished wrestling for now
sunshine coast ladies weekend
I spent the weekend with my lady friends in the mansion on the rock at the Sunshine Coast. Here are a few photos - more later.
We had an excellent time there, including a cooking marathon inspired by the movie, "Julie and Julia."
question: do you have a wonderful place that you love to visit?
mompoet - loving the mansion on the rock
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
don't you love
the sound of the rain through an open window, just 5 minutes before you know you have to get out of bed? The blankets are warm and the air is cool and fresh, and there's that sound of car wheels shushing by every so often. Even though you can't see it, you know that the street lights sparkling on wet pavement are promising something new.
question: do you like the rain?
mompoet - you know I do
question: do you like the rain?
mompoet - you know I do
Julie and Julia
I like pretty much every movie that Meryl Streep has ever been in. (except maybe that white water family abduction one) I loved Julie and Julia. Meryl Streep plays Julia Child. It is just a delicious movie about love and food and doing something with one's life.
Now I want to cook things with butter, but instead I am cooking things with fruit and vegetables. I did take my 2 ounce hoard of butter out of the freezer and offer it with corn and new potatoes for our supper on Monday (salmon fillets and green beans rounded out the meal). It is better tasting than margarine, and in reasonable amounts, better for us.
On the weekend, Cathy has promised to cook boeuf bourginon We have been discussing all week how you pronounce it. Looking at the movie, it seems to be a simple but delicious beef stew. Cathy has actually looked at the recipe, so I am sure it will be delicious. Cathy will cook this for us at the mansion on the rock. It's our annual ladeez weekend on the Sunshine Coast, which consists mostly of food, wine, staying up late, beach walks, laughter, wine, good books, music, deck-sitting, hot tub, and now, with boeuf bourginon.
I have a few more movies on my catch-up list, but they'll have to wait until after the weekend.
question: have you seen Julie and Julia?
mompoet - life is delicious
Now I want to cook things with butter, but instead I am cooking things with fruit and vegetables. I did take my 2 ounce hoard of butter out of the freezer and offer it with corn and new potatoes for our supper on Monday (salmon fillets and green beans rounded out the meal). It is better tasting than margarine, and in reasonable amounts, better for us.
On the weekend, Cathy has promised to cook boeuf bourginon We have been discussing all week how you pronounce it. Looking at the movie, it seems to be a simple but delicious beef stew. Cathy has actually looked at the recipe, so I am sure it will be delicious. Cathy will cook this for us at the mansion on the rock. It's our annual ladeez weekend on the Sunshine Coast, which consists mostly of food, wine, staying up late, beach walks, laughter, wine, good books, music, deck-sitting, hot tub, and now, with boeuf bourginon.
I have a few more movies on my catch-up list, but they'll have to wait until after the weekend.
question: have you seen Julie and Julia?
mompoet - life is delicious
Monday, September 07, 2009
goodbye hello!
On Saturday, our neighbourhood held a goodbye party for our wonderful groundskeeper, Joe Cordeiro. Joe has worked for our strata corporation for 30 years. He takes care of the lawns and shrubs, mows the lawns, blows the leaves, and in the winter he shovels and salts the slippery hill that is the road out of the complex so we can go to work and school. Joe works in the blazing sun, pouring rain and chill temperatures. He is a quiet guy, always ready with a smile and a wave for any of us, willing to chat, but fully devoted to getting a lot of work done. Joe will be 65 years old this month, and it's time for him to move on. We will miss him fiercely.
At Saturday's party, we met Joe's wife, Mari, and Joe's 3 daughters, their partners and their children. Joe has lots of people who love him at home and here where he has worked for so many years. We honoured him with gifts, cards, a big banner that everyone signed, and more handshakes and thank-you's than anyone could every think to receive in one evening. There were speeches and a few tears, and also wine, and Portugese music, and everyone's best potluck dishes. It was a neighbourhood party for a neighbourhood guy.
Joe's replacement was hired early in the summer, so the two could work together for a couple of months. The strata also voted to hire a full-time handyman, so in a way, we hired two guys to fill Joe's shoes, althought not really but yup, really. We all wish Joe the happiest of times in his retirement. And Maria, if he drives you nuts trying to wash the dishes, just send him over to us. We'll give him a lawn chair and a glass of wine and he can watch us mow our lawns. We might even let him use the leaf blower, for old times' sake.
On Sunday evening, Andy and I went to Thundering Word at Cafe Montmartre on Main Street. It was the 2 year anniversary of Wanda Nowicki and Bill MacNamara's revival of T Paul Ste. Marie's amazing spoken word and music open mic night. The place was jammed with good people, and the stage spilled over with able artists, each sharing a 10 minute set. Wanda featured, with her lovely Wanda Nowicki group, singing some jazz pieces from her new cd, and also some selections by her favourite songwriters. It was great to see Wanda performing. It was an evening of mostly music (you never know which way it will go at TW), with some spoken word. Of particular note: David King's song-telling - stories told to the rhythm and mood of classic big band music, and Bryant Ross's wonderful gritty and heart-felt storytelling. It was good to renew my acquaintance with TW and honour the work of Wanda and Bill, and Bill's lovely wife Diana. They have sustained T Paul's vision, and created a warm and creative evening of performances. TW is a good thing.
Now it's Monday, Labour Day. We'll say goodbye to the summer and hello to the school year. The kids are almost ready. I feel like I'm turning a page from lazy evenings of supper-sometime-nobody's-going-anywhere to a renewed calendar-conscious sprint-through-the-week way of doing things. I will iron my clothes tonight and pack my Tuesday lunch before I retire, so I know I'll be ready for anything.
question: were there any goodbyes or hellos for you this weekend?
mompoet - to everything there is a season
At Saturday's party, we met Joe's wife, Mari, and Joe's 3 daughters, their partners and their children. Joe has lots of people who love him at home and here where he has worked for so many years. We honoured him with gifts, cards, a big banner that everyone signed, and more handshakes and thank-you's than anyone could every think to receive in one evening. There were speeches and a few tears, and also wine, and Portugese music, and everyone's best potluck dishes. It was a neighbourhood party for a neighbourhood guy.
Joe's replacement was hired early in the summer, so the two could work together for a couple of months. The strata also voted to hire a full-time handyman, so in a way, we hired two guys to fill Joe's shoes, althought not really but yup, really. We all wish Joe the happiest of times in his retirement. And Maria, if he drives you nuts trying to wash the dishes, just send him over to us. We'll give him a lawn chair and a glass of wine and he can watch us mow our lawns. We might even let him use the leaf blower, for old times' sake.
On Sunday evening, Andy and I went to Thundering Word at Cafe Montmartre on Main Street. It was the 2 year anniversary of Wanda Nowicki and Bill MacNamara's revival of T Paul Ste. Marie's amazing spoken word and music open mic night. The place was jammed with good people, and the stage spilled over with able artists, each sharing a 10 minute set. Wanda featured, with her lovely Wanda Nowicki group, singing some jazz pieces from her new cd, and also some selections by her favourite songwriters. It was great to see Wanda performing. It was an evening of mostly music (you never know which way it will go at TW), with some spoken word. Of particular note: David King's song-telling - stories told to the rhythm and mood of classic big band music, and Bryant Ross's wonderful gritty and heart-felt storytelling. It was good to renew my acquaintance with TW and honour the work of Wanda and Bill, and Bill's lovely wife Diana. They have sustained T Paul's vision, and created a warm and creative evening of performances. TW is a good thing.
Now it's Monday, Labour Day. We'll say goodbye to the summer and hello to the school year. The kids are almost ready. I feel like I'm turning a page from lazy evenings of supper-sometime-nobody's-going-anywhere to a renewed calendar-conscious sprint-through-the-week way of doing things. I will iron my clothes tonight and pack my Tuesday lunch before I retire, so I know I'll be ready for anything.
question: were there any goodbyes or hellos for you this weekend?
mompoet - to everything there is a season
Saturday, September 05, 2009
marie ishikawa photography
My friend and co-worker, Marie Ishikawa, has opened an etsy shop. Here photographs are exquisite. Watch her shop as she adds images.
Marie is a member of my Artist's Way Cluster. We meet each month to check in about our art. We are painters, writers and photographers. I have purchased a bunch of Marie's photo greeting cards. Everyone who has received one loves it.
question: do you make art? do you buy art?
mompoet - I know, that's 2 questions for the price of one. There's a special today.
Marie is a member of my Artist's Way Cluster. We meet each month to check in about our art. We are painters, writers and photographers. I have purchased a bunch of Marie's photo greeting cards. Everyone who has received one loves it.
question: do you make art? do you buy art?
mompoet - I know, that's 2 questions for the price of one. There's a special today.
Friday, September 04, 2009
mostly plants
I have been thinking about eating this summer. I have always considered myself a healthy cook and eater, but I have been thinking and trying to be even more this way. I read In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, and it made a lot of sense to me. His message is boiled down to this: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants."
So I have reduced but not eliminated my chicken, fish and meat intake, and ramped up my fresh fruits and veggies. I have tried as much as possible to stop eating multi-ingredient manufactured foods. If it has lots of packaging, ingredients I can't pronounce, or makes outlandish health claims on its excessive packaging, I do not eat it. I didn't eat a lot of that stuff before, but now I pretty much don't eat it. I don't miss it.
Cooking fresh and clean takes a bit more work and thought, but it is so tasty and nourishing. I have lost weight and have better energy and I just feel generally happier and better. It feels good to be truly hungry before I eat, and to satisfy that hunger with something that is really worth it both in terms of flavour and nutrition. I am packing my lunch more frequently and enjoy food shopping and cooking more than I did before.
A favourite source of recipes is the New York Times, ever since my Dad began sending me recipe links. Now I find out that the Times food columnist Mark Bittman whose Minimalist recipes are the greatest (he wrote the 101 salads article) has a book too. So now I'm going to read Food Matters.
Maybe I'll share a recipe or two as I go, or a foodie photo feature. mmmmm
question: what do you like to cook and eat these days?
mompoet - giggling at the thought of eating in a way that reduces greenhouse gas
So I have reduced but not eliminated my chicken, fish and meat intake, and ramped up my fresh fruits and veggies. I have tried as much as possible to stop eating multi-ingredient manufactured foods. If it has lots of packaging, ingredients I can't pronounce, or makes outlandish health claims on its excessive packaging, I do not eat it. I didn't eat a lot of that stuff before, but now I pretty much don't eat it. I don't miss it.
Cooking fresh and clean takes a bit more work and thought, but it is so tasty and nourishing. I have lost weight and have better energy and I just feel generally happier and better. It feels good to be truly hungry before I eat, and to satisfy that hunger with something that is really worth it both in terms of flavour and nutrition. I am packing my lunch more frequently and enjoy food shopping and cooking more than I did before.
A favourite source of recipes is the New York Times, ever since my Dad began sending me recipe links. Now I find out that the Times food columnist Mark Bittman whose Minimalist recipes are the greatest (he wrote the 101 salads article) has a book too. So now I'm going to read Food Matters.
Maybe I'll share a recipe or two as I go, or a foodie photo feature. mmmmm
question: what do you like to cook and eat these days?
mompoet - giggling at the thought of eating in a way that reduces greenhouse gas
back to school
On Tuesday, schools open and the kids and young adults go back. It's a bittersweet time of year for families. By now, we are pretty much ready for the routine to resume. The students in our homes are missing their school friends, and looking forward to some of their classes and all of their other school-year activities. There are new clothes, new school supplies, new teachers and programs. On the other hand, we feel sad about letting go of the sleep-in mornings and relaxed pace of summer living.
Fiona begins grade 11 next week. Alex will return to university, this year to a one-year documentary film-making program. I think they are both happy about what they will be doing. We also have my niece Maya in our extended family of students this year. She has moved into Burnaby to live at my Mom and Dad's place, and attend university near where they live.
I feel happy and optimistic about this school year for the kids. We have enjoyed an excellent summer, and look forward to good (if busy) times this fall. The kids are growing up. Andy and I are growing into our role as parents of young adults. We are all well, and enjoying each other.
At work, I am heading to the end of 2 years in a temporary assignment, wondering if it will be extended yet again. I'm actually good at it this year! I'll take a few courses through my employer, and continue to develop new skills through my experiences on the job. I'm looking forward to my ladies weekend on the Sunshine Coast, possibly seeing my sister and her family again at Thanksgiving, and the fall season of plays, movies and poetry. I am also happy about cooking this fall. I've had so much fun eating "mostly plants" this summer. I know that the fall harvest will bring new ingredients and inspirations.
September is more like new year than January in a lot of ways. All in all, it has been a happy year. Now it's time for another. Happy New Year!
question: what changes happen for you in September?
mompoet - mostly the same routine, but it's one I love
Fiona begins grade 11 next week. Alex will return to university, this year to a one-year documentary film-making program. I think they are both happy about what they will be doing. We also have my niece Maya in our extended family of students this year. She has moved into Burnaby to live at my Mom and Dad's place, and attend university near where they live.
I feel happy and optimistic about this school year for the kids. We have enjoyed an excellent summer, and look forward to good (if busy) times this fall. The kids are growing up. Andy and I are growing into our role as parents of young adults. We are all well, and enjoying each other.
At work, I am heading to the end of 2 years in a temporary assignment, wondering if it will be extended yet again. I'm actually good at it this year! I'll take a few courses through my employer, and continue to develop new skills through my experiences on the job. I'm looking forward to my ladies weekend on the Sunshine Coast, possibly seeing my sister and her family again at Thanksgiving, and the fall season of plays, movies and poetry. I am also happy about cooking this fall. I've had so much fun eating "mostly plants" this summer. I know that the fall harvest will bring new ingredients and inspirations.
September is more like new year than January in a lot of ways. All in all, it has been a happy year. Now it's time for another. Happy New Year!
question: what changes happen for you in September?
mompoet - mostly the same routine, but it's one I love
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
food is my favourite thing most days
I have been chopping, slicing and chewing my way through this recipe list all summer long. Check it out. I haven't found a bad one yet. 101 Salads for the Season - some truly unusual combinations, all simple and delicious.
question: what's your favourite salad?
mompoet - I keep going back to peaches, tomatoes, chilis, cilantro, red onion, and lime juice
question: what's your favourite salad?
mompoet - I keep going back to peaches, tomatoes, chilis, cilantro, red onion, and lime juice
more anniversary celebration
When we returned from our holiday, Andy's brother Dave and Dave's sweetheart Pam treated us to supper Seasons in the Park to celebrate our anniversary. It was an awesome treat - such a gorgeous view and truly wonderful food and wine. Dave and Pam are so generous and lovely to be with.
Here we all are, smiling and happy and shining. The dessert was the silliest part of the evening for me. It's called "Little Brownie Mountain." It came with a special message.
question: have you shared a celebration recently?
mompoet - showered with blessings and ever-grateful
time for some words
Fiona remarked to me last night that I have not posted my blog for quite a few days. Looking back, I see that she is right. I have neglected blogging for a while. The few posts that I have put up since returning from Mexico are all links or photos. I guess I must have taken a vacation from blogging too.
So here I am, and I will try to play catch-up and get reconnected with the blog and my blog friends.
Today is a Wednesday and I have the day off work so I can make my annual trek to the PNE. Fiona's dancing school will perform there on the community stage in the afternoon. We'll arrive shortly before her show time, enjoy the show, then spend the rest of the afternoon and the evening at the fair. My favourite things there (in no particular order) are: the farm barns, the Super Dog show, any human performers, the prize home and people-watching. The parts that leave me cold are the rides (lineups are too long at fair time, and the ride duration is shorter than when it's not fair time), most of the fair food, and the marketplace. Did you know that you can buy a hot tub, or get your teeth whitened at the PNE? I sometimes like to watch the demos of miracle cleaning products or super-pots, but I lump that under "any human performer" more than actual sales. I will visit my friend Rhonda, who will be at the marketplace selling Arbonne skincare, not because I like the marketplace, but because I like Rhonda. Andy will come straight from work and meet us there. After the dancing, Fi will take off with her friends and join us at the end of the evening to go home.
As for the fair food, some people love the little donuts, the corn on the cob, deep-fried Mars Bars and foot long hotdogs. I find most of the fair food to be overpriced and not as good as you think it will be. I pack and refill my own water bottle, and search for something at least slightly nutritious and palatable when it's mealtime. Usually, I end up with a salad roll from the Vina Vietnamese restaurant stall. If I have to get 2 meals, I go back to the same place later and get wonton soup. There's also pretty good Indian food at Curry in a Hurry, but it's pretty rich, so really good only if I have someone to split it with. I have never figured out the appeal of Jimmy's Burgers or cotton candy, and I think that the caramel apple is an abomination from another universe.
The fair doesn't change much from year to year, but neither do I, because I keep on enjoying it. It's at least worth the price of admission, so I come back. Usually parking costs more than getting through the gate, but that's another story.
question: what are your most and least favourite fair foods?
mompoet - going to the fair
So here I am, and I will try to play catch-up and get reconnected with the blog and my blog friends.
Today is a Wednesday and I have the day off work so I can make my annual trek to the PNE. Fiona's dancing school will perform there on the community stage in the afternoon. We'll arrive shortly before her show time, enjoy the show, then spend the rest of the afternoon and the evening at the fair. My favourite things there (in no particular order) are: the farm barns, the Super Dog show, any human performers, the prize home and people-watching. The parts that leave me cold are the rides (lineups are too long at fair time, and the ride duration is shorter than when it's not fair time), most of the fair food, and the marketplace. Did you know that you can buy a hot tub, or get your teeth whitened at the PNE? I sometimes like to watch the demos of miracle cleaning products or super-pots, but I lump that under "any human performer" more than actual sales. I will visit my friend Rhonda, who will be at the marketplace selling Arbonne skincare, not because I like the marketplace, but because I like Rhonda. Andy will come straight from work and meet us there. After the dancing, Fi will take off with her friends and join us at the end of the evening to go home.
As for the fair food, some people love the little donuts, the corn on the cob, deep-fried Mars Bars and foot long hotdogs. I find most of the fair food to be overpriced and not as good as you think it will be. I pack and refill my own water bottle, and search for something at least slightly nutritious and palatable when it's mealtime. Usually, I end up with a salad roll from the Vina Vietnamese restaurant stall. If I have to get 2 meals, I go back to the same place later and get wonton soup. There's also pretty good Indian food at Curry in a Hurry, but it's pretty rich, so really good only if I have someone to split it with. I have never figured out the appeal of Jimmy's Burgers or cotton candy, and I think that the caramel apple is an abomination from another universe.
The fair doesn't change much from year to year, but neither do I, because I keep on enjoying it. It's at least worth the price of admission, so I come back. Usually parking costs more than getting through the gate, but that's another story.
question: what are your most and least favourite fair foods?
mompoet - going to the fair
Monday, August 24, 2009
bird video
Okay, so it looks like this is turning into a pet blog. That's okay for a week or two, isn't it?
question: do you shake your tail feather?
mompoet - c'mon!
Sunday, August 16, 2009
adopt a pet
This was on our local news recently. Proof positive that shelter dogs really want all the love we can give them (or them us).
question: who loves you more than your dog?
mompoet - giggling (and relating)
question: who loves you more than your dog?
mompoet - giggling (and relating)
wet pictures
We just got our submersible camera photos developed. Here are a couple of them.
question: do you like to swim?
mompoet - happy memories
Nelson and Ratty enjoyed Mexico
Nelson and Ratty are home from Mexico. While Andy and Sue organize the rest of the photos from the trip, the rats hope that you will enjoy these shots of their fun times.
question: have you ever seen a rat silhouette pass through airport security x-ray?
mompoet - happy, tired and safe at home, with husband and rats
Friday, August 07, 2009
now THIS is a much better hat!
Thank you to everyone who voted on which of my two hats was best/least ugly/most flattering. Thanks also for the thoughtful suggestions (sombrero, kiddie pool, overturned hockey arena).
Wednesday at work I was pleasantly surprised when my friend Robin stopped by. She gave me a big hug, wished Andy and me well on the trip, reached into her bag and voila! a lovely hat that fits. Turns out Robin is a fellow big head (no wonder I love her so much). I am borrowing Robin's hat for my trip to Mexico.
question: when did you last experience serendipity?
mompoet - my big, happy, beautiful head THANK YOU ROBIN!
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
my new favourite podcast
R3-30 from CBC Radio 3. (That link will take you to Radio 3's website. Click on the shows button to find R3-30.)
It's a one hour weekly countdown of Canadian Indie music. On Sirius Radio and on the web it's a 3 hour show. On podcast, it's condensed to 1 hour with just highlight songs, including the week's top 3. The hosts are funny and the music is excellent.
It is leading me to buy more Canadian music, which is always good.
question: what do you download?
mompoet - finding my way in the big world of media
It's a one hour weekly countdown of Canadian Indie music. On Sirius Radio and on the web it's a 3 hour show. On podcast, it's condensed to 1 hour with just highlight songs, including the week's top 3. The hosts are funny and the music is excellent.
It is leading me to buy more Canadian music, which is always good.
question: what do you download?
mompoet - finding my way in the big world of media
Sunday, August 02, 2009
which hat do you like best?
Please help me decide which of these hats look best on me.The white hat we'll call "Traveller Hat" because it is modeled on a Tilley Hat, but it is not a Tilley. This hat is loaned to me by my friend Cathy.
The khaki hat we'll call "Hardware Hat" because I bought it at a hardware store.
Please leave me a comment, telling which hat you like best on me, and why. If you want to learn more about why I am so concerned about hats, just read my previous post.
question: which hat do you like best?
mompoet - just wondering
me and my big head
Have you ever measured your head? My head is 23 1/2 inches or 59.5cm in circumference (not even counting my ears). I have a big big head. What size is an average head? Wikipedia suggests 54.57cm for women (in Turkey). The hat site indicates 55cm, and reassuringly states: Probably the largest head size you will ever find, will be 64cms and the smallest 51cms. The site also states the interesting fact that the people with the biggest heads come from Germany. I find this reassuring. At least my head is not off the chart, and my partial German heritage may be the source of my jumbo cranial capacity. Whatever the reason, my big head size dictates that I cannot buy a lady's hat in ordinary, reasonable price stores. My bargain-headedness dictates that I will not pay an arm and a leg for a specialty store hat. The solution: I buy men's hats when I can find them in extra large sizes at department stores, and in one case, at a hardware store (I'll take my hats where I can find them).
In the picture above, you will see me trying on a regular size women's hat. The hat is perched on the top of my head, like a novelty party hat. This is my hat experience. If it's pretty, it fits like the hat worn by the organ grinder's monkey. Not satisfactory.
The partial exception to this rule is the toque. Toques are stretchy, so they usually fit. However, toques are cold weather hats. When a toque is taken outside, the fibres cool in the chilly air. The saving grace here is that the majority of the body's heat is lost through the head. Because my head has greater than average surface area, it gives off more heat than the average head. So when the temperature outside is just a few degrees below freezing, my head wins and the hat stays pretty warm. However, when the temperature drops to deep freeze levels in deep winter, my head is no match for the cold air. The hat fibres cool to the extent that they are forced to contract. The toque squeezes, shifts, and pops off! On one particularly cold night, my toque popped off of my head and landed on an apartment balcony three floors up. This is serious. I am careful never to attach souvenir pins to my toque because I never know when my toque will contract, eject, and do grievous damage to an innocent bystander.
I currently own one hat. It is a fishing hat that I bought at Home Hardware in Osoyoos, BC, about 8 years ago. It is a men's size XL. It just barely fits. I also have a souvenir toque from the Individual World Poetry Slam, the year we organized it in Vancouver. The toque fits because I unintentionally stretched it. During the course of the event, I became so tired one day that I curled up in the corner of a theatre for a nap. I had no sweater or blanket so I used the toque. I huddled in fetal position, pulled the toque over my knees, and stretched it up to my neck, creating a warm toquey sleep sack. This operation stretched it enough so I can now wear it without fear of spontaneous pop-off.
I simply crave a beautiful, feminine hat that fits. I am going to Mexico in a few days, where I will really need a hat for the beach and the pool and for clambering around on ruins and adventuring in the only partially shaded jungle. I will take my fishing hat from Home Hardware. I will also take a traveler hat that my dear friend Cathy (also a big-head) has loaned me. Both are pretty good ruin-clambering hats, but not very glamourous for lounging around the resort or strolling through town in the mid-day sun. Maybe I will find a colony of big-headed Mayans who will adopt me and make me a custom-built hat in honour of our big-headed connectedness (I won't mention the German part). Maybe I will never, ever, have a pretty hat.
question: seriously, what is the circumference of your head?
mompoet - when I shake it, it does not rattle
Thursday, July 30, 2009
poolside manners
In about 8 days, Andy and I will go to Mexico for a week's vacation, and to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I came across this article about pool and beach etiquette that I found most helpful.
question: did your parents ever tell you that there was a chemical in the pool that would make your pee turn bright blue?
mompoet - living by the rules
question: did your parents ever tell you that there was a chemical in the pool that would make your pee turn bright blue?
mompoet - living by the rules
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
feature poet
I'm the feature poet this month at the Vancouver Poetry House website. The poem is one I wrote about my recurring fear of losing touch with reality.
I wonder why forgetting triggers fear of dementia? We all forget or get mixed up every day. Sometimes we joke about it, but it I think we do that to mask the fear that this is the first loss of an inevitable downslide into oblivion. Really, most of us may slow down a bit mentally as the years go by, but few of us will lose it totally. So I should stop being worried.
Today I resolve to allow myself to mess up, reverse things, mix up, forget and honestly laugh about it. It's human nature.
question: I forgot the question
mompoet - making art out of human muddlement
I wonder why forgetting triggers fear of dementia? We all forget or get mixed up every day. Sometimes we joke about it, but it I think we do that to mask the fear that this is the first loss of an inevitable downslide into oblivion. Really, most of us may slow down a bit mentally as the years go by, but few of us will lose it totally. So I should stop being worried.
Today I resolve to allow myself to mess up, reverse things, mix up, forget and honestly laugh about it. It's human nature.
question: I forgot the question
mompoet - making art out of human muddlement
Sunday, July 26, 2009
haiku after the thunderstorm
I want to be your
rose splint - brace stem and leaves so
you seek sky once more
question: what is bent and discouraged near you?
mompoet - always the impulse to smooth and straighten
rose splint - brace stem and leaves so
you seek sky once more
question: what is bent and discouraged near you?
mompoet - always the impulse to smooth and straighten
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Nelson and Ratty go to Vegas
Cathy, Terry, Wayne and Karen took Nelson and Ratty to Vegas this week. They got home late last night, so both little travelers are still asleep, but Cathy sent us some photos.
more rat vacation pictures
More photos of Nelson and Ratty on their Vegas trip. Looks like they had a spectacular time at the Hoover Dam (if maybe a tad bit dangerous). Thanks again, Cathy, Terry, Karen and Wayne!
Monday, July 20, 2009
up in the sky
If you're lucky enough to live in India or China, you get to see an amazing total solar eclipse on Wednesday. The rest of us can just imagine. Here's the info.
question: can you believe what we see in the sky
mompoet - reassured to be so small in the grand scheme of things
question: can you believe what we see in the sky
mompoet - reassured to be so small in the grand scheme of things
Saturday, July 18, 2009
sad day
Our dog Soleil went to sleep today. We took her to the vet, where she received an injection that slowed her heart and breathing until she died.
We are filled with sadness and miss her terribly, but it was the right thing to do. She has been declining rapidly in the last few days: she has a neuromuscular condition that has taken away her sensation and control in her hind legs. She has been struggling to stand, falling down the stairs, losing bowel and bladder control, and is no longer able to go out for the walks that she loves. She has remained a gentle, patient and loving companion despite it all, so it was very hard to say, "today is the day," but it was.
The vet gave her a sedative to calm her before the injection. She fought it like the stubborn and attentive girl she is, and didn't settle much. Andrew and I sat on the floor with the vet and the assistant, and cradled and stroked Soleil while the euthanizing injection was given. Soleil actually struggled a bit but soon settled down into a deep sleep. Her muscles slackened, and she snored loudly for a couple of minutes, then her eyes opened again, and her breathing ceased. A minute or so after that, her heart stopped beating.
Dr. Maya, the vet gave us big hugs, and assitants Jessie and Carrie were a bit teary. Solly's body will be cremated. We have kept her nametag - a blue bone with her name and our phone number - as a memento.
Soleil came to us as an adult "rescue" dog, picked up as a stray. We have never thought of her as a "rescue" but more accurately as a gift. She lived with us for six and a half years. She was a fine girl. We will miss her very much. Fiona says in heaven-for-dogs there is cheese, peanut butter and blueberry pancakes and all of the dogs sleep on people beds.
question: do you love a furry friend?
mompoet - hug that friend for me today
We are filled with sadness and miss her terribly, but it was the right thing to do. She has been declining rapidly in the last few days: she has a neuromuscular condition that has taken away her sensation and control in her hind legs. She has been struggling to stand, falling down the stairs, losing bowel and bladder control, and is no longer able to go out for the walks that she loves. She has remained a gentle, patient and loving companion despite it all, so it was very hard to say, "today is the day," but it was.
The vet gave her a sedative to calm her before the injection. She fought it like the stubborn and attentive girl she is, and didn't settle much. Andrew and I sat on the floor with the vet and the assistant, and cradled and stroked Soleil while the euthanizing injection was given. Soleil actually struggled a bit but soon settled down into a deep sleep. Her muscles slackened, and she snored loudly for a couple of minutes, then her eyes opened again, and her breathing ceased. A minute or so after that, her heart stopped beating.
Dr. Maya, the vet gave us big hugs, and assitants Jessie and Carrie were a bit teary. Solly's body will be cremated. We have kept her nametag - a blue bone with her name and our phone number - as a memento.
Soleil came to us as an adult "rescue" dog, picked up as a stray. We have never thought of her as a "rescue" but more accurately as a gift. She lived with us for six and a half years. She was a fine girl. We will miss her very much. Fiona says in heaven-for-dogs there is cheese, peanut butter and blueberry pancakes and all of the dogs sleep on people beds.
question: do you love a furry friend?
mompoet - hug that friend for me today
Ratty the baby rat returns too!
Dear friend Cathy wrote on my facebook wall on Friday:
"Unbelievabley Good News .... Baby Rat has come home too! Susan, you know how bad I felt telling you that Baby Rat had been taken .... I tore my suitcase apart. Terry, took down suitcases for our trip ..... and he found Baby Rat! Somehow he made his way back from Nova Scotia to Port Moody in two years! I wonder if I was so stressed about thinking I lost him that I didn't see him against the black lining ... yet I know we've used the suitcases since! I am elated ... I can only imagine your level of happiness!"
A couple of years ago, Cathy took Nelson and Ratty to the Maritimes for a vacation. On the way home, Ratty disappeared. We thought maybe he defected, or was abducted, or just went on his own Ratty way. Nelson was consoled only by a brief but healing romance with Petunia the albino rat. Now Ratty has returned! Cathy found him in her suitcase when she began packing for a trip to Las Vegas.
Nelson, Ratty and Cathy are so happy they are celebrating. Nelson and Ratty will join Cathy on the trip to Vegas. This is a special treat because I have vowed never to go to Las Vegas. So this is Nelson and Ratty's chance.
Watch for photos from the big giant place in the desert. Thanks Cathy for finding our little baby rat friend, and for taking him and Nelson along with you on your vacation. Thanks also to Terry, Karen and Wayne who will share hospitality with our little rodent friends. (hint: don't let them near the slot machines!)
question: what do you think happened to baby rat? was he in the suitcase all this time, or is the story more interesting?
mompoet - reunited
A couple of years ago, Cathy took Nelson and Ratty to the Maritimes for a vacation. On the way home, Ratty disappeared. We thought maybe he defected, or was abducted, or just went on his own Ratty way. Nelson was consoled only by a brief but healing romance with Petunia the albino rat. Now Ratty has returned! Cathy found him in her suitcase when she began packing for a trip to Las Vegas.
Nelson, Ratty and Cathy are so happy they are celebrating. Nelson and Ratty will join Cathy on the trip to Vegas. This is a special treat because I have vowed never to go to Las Vegas. So this is Nelson and Ratty's chance.
Watch for photos from the big giant place in the desert. Thanks Cathy for finding our little baby rat friend, and for taking him and Nelson along with you on your vacation. Thanks also to Terry, Karen and Wayne who will share hospitality with our little rodent friends. (hint: don't let them near the slot machines!)
question: what do you think happened to baby rat? was he in the suitcase all this time, or is the story more interesting?
mompoet - reunited
international space station (and shuttle) sighting
Fiona and I were walking down the fire road in the dark a little after 10:30pm last night, when we saw a bright light crossing the sky overhead. It was up too high to be an airplane, and too bright to be a typical satellite sighting. It was as if 1 and a half Venus's were arcing across the sky at a good clip. Standing in the road, surrounded by tall trees, we could see it for a little more than a minute, then it disappeared from view. I remembered hearing an astronomer on the radio earlier in the day, saying that the space station, with the shuttle docked, would be visible in the night sky. I wondered if that's what it was.
I looked it up on the NASA website, and sure enough, that's what we saw. Here's a link to find space station/shuttle sightings in the next few days.
question: is it a bird?
mompoet - drawn to the big big beyond
I looked it up on the NASA website, and sure enough, that's what we saw. Here's a link to find space station/shuttle sightings in the next few days.
question: is it a bird?
mompoet - drawn to the big big beyond
Friday, July 17, 2009
runpee for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
It's summer. It's hot outside, tempting a jumbo soft drink when you arrive at the theatre. The lineups are long, and the new Harry Potter movie is even longer. It's no wonder you might need to step out for a few minutes before the end of the movie.
runpee.com is a website that gives movie viewers suggestions about the best time to run to the bathroom in the middle of a movie.
For Harry Potter, it suggests one of the few scenes in which Hagrid appears, so I disagree (being a total fan of Hagrid). Having seen the movie and unscrambled the synopsis of the scene, I do agree that it is a weak scene - I mean, it involved spider venom AND Hagrid, so it could have been great, but instead it limped along. However, I do think that they could have chosen one of the many scenes of pining, lovesick adolescent wizards, which are (I think) longer, and significantly more repetitive. A couple of other suggestions are given, for times earlier in the movie. You could unscramble these without spoiling the movie and decide which you would choose. I guess it depends on what you like/dislike most in Harry Potter movies. For me, Hagrid is the parmesan cheese on the big doughball of a story.
Anyway, runpee is a good resource if you tend to need to step out, and if you remember to look at it before you go to the theatre. I suppose you could look it up on your iPhone or whatever while you sit in that long line, also.
question: have you seen the new Harry Potter?
mompoet: I waited until after the credits, then ran out the door
runpee.com is a website that gives movie viewers suggestions about the best time to run to the bathroom in the middle of a movie.
For Harry Potter, it suggests one of the few scenes in which Hagrid appears, so I disagree (being a total fan of Hagrid). Having seen the movie and unscrambled the synopsis of the scene, I do agree that it is a weak scene - I mean, it involved spider venom AND Hagrid, so it could have been great, but instead it limped along. However, I do think that they could have chosen one of the many scenes of pining, lovesick adolescent wizards, which are (I think) longer, and significantly more repetitive. A couple of other suggestions are given, for times earlier in the movie. You could unscramble these without spoiling the movie and decide which you would choose. I guess it depends on what you like/dislike most in Harry Potter movies. For me, Hagrid is the parmesan cheese on the big doughball of a story.
Anyway, runpee is a good resource if you tend to need to step out, and if you remember to look at it before you go to the theatre. I suppose you could look it up on your iPhone or whatever while you sit in that long line, also.
question: have you seen the new Harry Potter?
mompoet: I waited until after the credits, then ran out the door
Thursday, July 16, 2009
just exactly why I love my job so much
These are the people with whom I work everyday, featured on a news show from earlier this week.
Just scroll down to the story about Cameron Seniors staying in shape. This is where I work, and the people who make my days a delight.
question: who do you look forward to seeing at work?
mompoet - lucky, lucky, lucky
Just scroll down to the story about Cameron Seniors staying in shape. This is where I work, and the people who make my days a delight.
question: who do you look forward to seeing at work?
mompoet - lucky, lucky, lucky
in other news
I survived "back to work." Luckily, I love work.
Soleil, the dog, is still with us but a little bit less each day.
Just a little over 3 weeks until Mexico.
Alex and I saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince last night - huge crowds, pretty good movie. Not my favourite, but glad I saw it.
The bus driver has switched radio stations fully and completely. (yay)
The sun is shining this morning.
I have to go to computer training again this morning. I dreamed about cheerios. I guess that's a good idea - gotta go!
question: what snoo with you?
mompoet - mid-week and okay
Soleil, the dog, is still with us but a little bit less each day.
Just a little over 3 weeks until Mexico.
Alex and I saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince last night - huge crowds, pretty good movie. Not my favourite, but glad I saw it.
The bus driver has switched radio stations fully and completely. (yay)
The sun is shining this morning.
I have to go to computer training again this morning. I dreamed about cheerios. I guess that's a good idea - gotta go!
question: what snoo with you?
mompoet - mid-week and okay
summer wood trail haiku
Melanie thought I
was the bear on the path, we
laughed huckleberries
question: what/who is lumbering along on your wood trail?
mompoet - summer is wild!
was the bear on the path, we
laughed huckleberries
question: what/who is lumbering along on your wood trail?
mompoet - summer is wild!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Nelson's great weekend
Nelson is happy to be home. He had some fun with us this weekend. He accompanied Dad and me on a walk along the Burnaby Lake trail, and shared a sushi lunch with us (Dad's belated Father's Day treat from me). Later, Nelson joined the Shoreline chapbook group for supper and a meeting at Helmi and Fred's place in Whonnock. On Saturday, he shopped at the Richmond Night Market with some silly girls.
I think Nelson leads a rat's life, which appears to be a most excellent life indeed.
question: If you were a rat, where would you like to go? and with whom?
mompoet - happy to be with my little ratty friend
Saturday, July 11, 2009
the boys inside
On Thursday evening I attended a screening of the film The Boy Inside, followed by a panel discussion about Asperger Syndrome. The panel was made of up 6 adolescent boys (13 to 17 years old) who all have Asperger Syndrome. The audience was filled with teachers, special ed assistants, other helping profession people and families and friends of children with disorders from the autism spectrum.
The film was very moving, and the panel was funny, real and revealing. There was a time for us to talk to others around us in the audience. I shared the love, hope and fear felt by all of these people (I think about 800 attended) for the kids they know who have Asperger or autism.
I have heard that autism is on the rise all over the world. I wonder if this is true, or if we are just diagnosing more people as having autism these days. Thursday's panel was a demonstration that even within one area of diagnosis, there are more differences than similarities among people so diagnosed. The boys have things in common but their experiences of living with Asperger are all as different at their personalities and circumstances.
I left with lots of questions, but also a better appreciation for the lives of those who are diagnosed as having autism, and more love for their families and friends. If you get a chance to see this film or participate in a forum about Asperger or autism, it's well worth it.
question: how different do you have to be to be diagnosably different?
mompoet - aching love
The film was very moving, and the panel was funny, real and revealing. There was a time for us to talk to others around us in the audience. I shared the love, hope and fear felt by all of these people (I think about 800 attended) for the kids they know who have Asperger or autism.
I have heard that autism is on the rise all over the world. I wonder if this is true, or if we are just diagnosing more people as having autism these days. Thursday's panel was a demonstration that even within one area of diagnosis, there are more differences than similarities among people so diagnosed. The boys have things in common but their experiences of living with Asperger are all as different at their personalities and circumstances.
I left with lots of questions, but also a better appreciation for the lives of those who are diagnosed as having autism, and more love for their families and friends. If you get a chance to see this film or participate in a forum about Asperger or autism, it's well worth it.
question: how different do you have to be to be diagnosably different?
mompoet - aching love
Thursday, July 09, 2009
did I dream it? or was it real?
I can't find it on youtube, which leads me to doubt my own conviction that it was not a hallucination seen in a moment of head cold induced delerium. Here's what I thought I saw:
Homer Simpson sneaks into a Sleazy Hotel (that's what the hotel is called) with a woman in a hat and fur coat. Inside the hotel room, he drops the clothing to the floor to reveal that he has actually disguised a whole skewer of donair meat as a woman. It's a 30 lb chunk of gooey, greasy, drippy meat, which he proceeds to nuzzle, snuggle and devour. There's a montage of scenes of Homer and the donair in the hotel room - on the bed, on the floor, in the shower - with Homer guzzling the donair the whole time.
Has anyone else seen this? Did I imagine it? I hope not - it was tremendously funny.
question: have you seen the Homer Simpson hotel room donair scene?
mompoet - just wondering
Homer Simpson sneaks into a Sleazy Hotel (that's what the hotel is called) with a woman in a hat and fur coat. Inside the hotel room, he drops the clothing to the floor to reveal that he has actually disguised a whole skewer of donair meat as a woman. It's a 30 lb chunk of gooey, greasy, drippy meat, which he proceeds to nuzzle, snuggle and devour. There's a montage of scenes of Homer and the donair in the hotel room - on the bed, on the floor, in the shower - with Homer guzzling the donair the whole time.
Has anyone else seen this? Did I imagine it? I hope not - it was tremendously funny.
question: have you seen the Homer Simpson hotel room donair scene?
mompoet - just wondering
summer cold
The worst time to have a cold is during wonderfully warm, sunny weather. While snuffling and snorfling and feeling chills and sweats, I prefer to look out the window and see grey and rain and blowy wind - snotty weather just like the way I am feeling. So it's kind of good that I'm on vacation at home, and I caught a cold and it rained on the days that I had a cold. But not that good, because Andy's on vacation too, and he's missing having fun with me, and also going to the beach in the sun, which is what he likes to do when he is on vacation.
So far we have coped with the weather and my cold by doing the relaxing/errand/hanging out things that are good to do on vacation. I spent most of Monday (my sickest day) working on the order of service for this coming Sunday at church, when I will fill in for our vacationing minister. I still have to develop a story for the children's time, and write a sermon (doesn't everyone write the sermon on Saturday?) but I've got the rest of the service ready to go - music, prayers etc. Fi and I watched Inkheart on Shaw on Demand video. It was okay, and a good way to slug out on the couch for a while. Alex got a filling in his tooth. Fi had friends over for a sleepover.
Andy has gone out a bit without me, and also spent time with me doing low key things. We bought pesos for our Mexico trip, and shopped for a few vacation items (shorts for him, dresses for me). We also enjoyed a surprise visit from Glasgow cousins, who stopped in for a cup of tea on their way to the airport, and ended up staying for half a day and a family supper. All of these things have towed me along sturdily, out of the murk of cold. We had sandwich making night at the church on Wednesday, and only 4 of my usual crew of 8-10 sandwich-makers were available, so I had to show up, and we power-sliced and turbo-built our 100+ sandwiches. It was hard work, but we got it done, and I drove the sandwiches to the mission in the sunshine this morning. I am feeling better.
Four days left before I return to work. The sun is poking in and out of the clouds. My throat is still a bit scratchy, but my energy is better. Let's let go of the summer cold and bring on the sunshine. I want to walk around the lake tomorrow with Dad (belated Father's Day).
question: what do you do when you have a cold?
mompoet - keeping on keeping on
So far we have coped with the weather and my cold by doing the relaxing/errand/hanging out things that are good to do on vacation. I spent most of Monday (my sickest day) working on the order of service for this coming Sunday at church, when I will fill in for our vacationing minister. I still have to develop a story for the children's time, and write a sermon (doesn't everyone write the sermon on Saturday?) but I've got the rest of the service ready to go - music, prayers etc. Fi and I watched Inkheart on Shaw on Demand video. It was okay, and a good way to slug out on the couch for a while. Alex got a filling in his tooth. Fi had friends over for a sleepover.
Andy has gone out a bit without me, and also spent time with me doing low key things. We bought pesos for our Mexico trip, and shopped for a few vacation items (shorts for him, dresses for me). We also enjoyed a surprise visit from Glasgow cousins, who stopped in for a cup of tea on their way to the airport, and ended up staying for half a day and a family supper. All of these things have towed me along sturdily, out of the murk of cold. We had sandwich making night at the church on Wednesday, and only 4 of my usual crew of 8-10 sandwich-makers were available, so I had to show up, and we power-sliced and turbo-built our 100+ sandwiches. It was hard work, but we got it done, and I drove the sandwiches to the mission in the sunshine this morning. I am feeling better.
Four days left before I return to work. The sun is poking in and out of the clouds. My throat is still a bit scratchy, but my energy is better. Let's let go of the summer cold and bring on the sunshine. I want to walk around the lake tomorrow with Dad (belated Father's Day).
question: what do you do when you have a cold?
mompoet - keeping on keeping on
Sunday, July 05, 2009
summer of the (mostly outside) supper
Andy and I are on vacation for the first 12 days of July. We had planned to go camping, but Soleil, our dog, just isn't up to it, and we don't want to leave her with anyone either. We canceled our campsite and we're enjoying a vacation at home. This is actually very nice. We live in a place to which people come from all over the world for their vacations, and living here, we don't always do all of the things we might do to enjoy our home town.
We have not grand plans - just a day at a time. We're spending time outdoors and doing a lot of supper time getting together with friends.
On Tuesday, we attended a 50th birthday party for our friend Richard. We saw friends from Andy's high school days and friends we have got to know through them. There were lots of growing-up kids there, younger than ours, but so much older than when we last saw them. Richard and his wife Chantal cooked a lovely barbeque supper, and we ate at tables on their patio.
On Wednesday, we celebrated Canada Day with a neighbourhood block party pot luck supper. This is a tradition where we live. Everyone is welcome to join, and we never plan the menu, but somehow, a complete meal shows up (in stages, as people arrive from whatever they've been doing through the day). It was great to sit out on the street with our neighbours who we love, and celebrate Canada's 142nd birthday.
Thursday I think we rested. I know the kids were out (Fiona away in Kelowna at a dance competition, Alex at work). Andy and I had a quiet supper for two on our deck.
On Friday, one of the Ladeez in the 'Hood, Leanne, had us over to her new house. Even if you move away, once a Ladee, you are always so. Leanne served wine on her deck, and presented course after course of "appies" which amounted to a scrumptious gourmet meal. Leanne loves to cook, and we are happy to eat her wonderful creations!
Saturday, we met at Louise's place. Mom and Dad came, and Robin and her family. It was another potluck. Andy operated the barbeque for Louise who had marinated luscious beef skewers, and I took over her kitchen to wok cook all kinds of veggies. Mom brought salad. Robin prepared a decadent chocolate brownie dessert. We ate at Louise's dining room table, nestled in the tall trees of her new North Burnaby home.
Every night included laughter, friendship, and slow eating in good company. Our days are full of sunshine and adventure. Our evenings are small homecomings to communities of people who we love.
So far, this vacation is going great!
question: with whom have you dined lately?
mompoet - blessed to be at the banquet
We have not grand plans - just a day at a time. We're spending time outdoors and doing a lot of supper time getting together with friends.
On Tuesday, we attended a 50th birthday party for our friend Richard. We saw friends from Andy's high school days and friends we have got to know through them. There were lots of growing-up kids there, younger than ours, but so much older than when we last saw them. Richard and his wife Chantal cooked a lovely barbeque supper, and we ate at tables on their patio.
On Wednesday, we celebrated Canada Day with a neighbourhood block party pot luck supper. This is a tradition where we live. Everyone is welcome to join, and we never plan the menu, but somehow, a complete meal shows up (in stages, as people arrive from whatever they've been doing through the day). It was great to sit out on the street with our neighbours who we love, and celebrate Canada's 142nd birthday.
Thursday I think we rested. I know the kids were out (Fiona away in Kelowna at a dance competition, Alex at work). Andy and I had a quiet supper for two on our deck.
On Friday, one of the Ladeez in the 'Hood, Leanne, had us over to her new house. Even if you move away, once a Ladee, you are always so. Leanne served wine on her deck, and presented course after course of "appies" which amounted to a scrumptious gourmet meal. Leanne loves to cook, and we are happy to eat her wonderful creations!
Saturday, we met at Louise's place. Mom and Dad came, and Robin and her family. It was another potluck. Andy operated the barbeque for Louise who had marinated luscious beef skewers, and I took over her kitchen to wok cook all kinds of veggies. Mom brought salad. Robin prepared a decadent chocolate brownie dessert. We ate at Louise's dining room table, nestled in the tall trees of her new North Burnaby home.
Every night included laughter, friendship, and slow eating in good company. Our days are full of sunshine and adventure. Our evenings are small homecomings to communities of people who we love.
So far, this vacation is going great!
question: with whom have you dined lately?
mompoet - blessed to be at the banquet
Thursday, July 02, 2009
vacation anxiety
Maybe it's because I profess never to worry unnecessarily (then add that worrying neither changes the outcome nor improves my coping ability thus rendering it unnecessary always). Maybe it's because I have been said to have a "built in horseshoe." (Good things happen to me with higher frequency than they do for your average person.) Maybe it's because I don't often go away on vacation.
Whatever the reason, I am feeling unspecified, irrational, low-grade anxiety about my upcoming trip. Somehow, something always happens when I go away. It's usually not catastrophic - just upsetting and inconvenient. The kind of things that make for good stories (later). Right now I am wondering, what will happen this time.
Like the time I got stung by the bee on my lip while riding on a roller coaster at Magic Mountain. Never mind that we were riding on Revolution, the historic first inverted roller coaster. I made personal history, feeling the bee venom pump into my face as I rolled over and over and over to the end of the ride. The payoff? With my swollen lower lip, I looked exactly like Angelina Jolie for a few days. Still, it wasn't worth the pain and fear (not to mention how it freaked out the kids, waiting 20 minutes to be attended to by the first aid guy who finally got the stinger out of my lip).
Then there was that camping trip to Osoyoos when the kids were small. In 7 days, we visited the Desert Medical Clinic 3 times: first for Fiona's ear infection (a baby with a fever and a painful ear in a tent in 80 degree weather is no picnic). Then Alex put a pebble inside his ear and was honest enough to tell us. He also told us, with loud screaming and struggling, how uncomfortable it is to have a pebble taken out of your ear with "the long pointy tweezers." (The doctor explained, that the worst part would be the loud crunching sound inside Alex's head as the tweezers grasped and extracted the pebble.) Finally, as we packed up to leave, Alex slammed (and crushed) his finger in the door of the car. We were never so glad to get home as we were after that trip.
Another time in Osoyoos, I got pink eye in BOTH eyes AND a spider bite on my arm and another one on my face. I was just a big itchy, ugly goo-ball for about 5 out of the 7 days we were there. Nice.
I remember, as a kid, on one memorable camping trip with my parents, a tick attached itself to my scalp, and we had to find a doctor to extract it safely.
When I went away to Whidbey Island with my mom, years ago, we got rained inside our tent at campfire time, just before the s'mores. After hastily extinguishing the campfire and stowing our gear in the car and tent and under the picnic tables and climbing into our sleeping bags, we heard the rain stop, and all of the other campers continued to party through the evening. (I bet they ate lots of s'mores.) Then, on the way home, we stopped at a restaurant for lunch and both got horrible food poisoning the next day.
Another time, at Whidbey Island also, our friend Tom got up early and kindly cooked sausages for breakfast for all 9 of us in the group. The trouble is he used the citronella oil instead of cooking oil. Luckily we figured out his mistake before eating the sausages.
There have been other trips that I remember as not so dangerous, but I suspect I may just have suppressed the memories of destruction and devastation as time has passed.
So now, Andy and I are looking forward to a week in the Mayan Riviera in August. I'm wondering, what will happen? It is the edge of hurricane season. That would be exciting! or maybe just a jellyfish sting while swimming in the Caribbean blue waters? (Do they have jellyfish there?) Nothing as banal as travelers' diarreah, I hope. It has to be worthy of a story here later. That's my only requirement.
So we'll go, and I'll calm down, and when it happens I'll probably say, "There! I knew it!" and just laugh really loudly so people worry if I'm okay. And I'll be fine. Better than fine.
question: what's your favourite vacation mishap?
mompoet - waiting for the rubber chicken to drop out of the sky
Whatever the reason, I am feeling unspecified, irrational, low-grade anxiety about my upcoming trip. Somehow, something always happens when I go away. It's usually not catastrophic - just upsetting and inconvenient. The kind of things that make for good stories (later). Right now I am wondering, what will happen this time.
Like the time I got stung by the bee on my lip while riding on a roller coaster at Magic Mountain. Never mind that we were riding on Revolution, the historic first inverted roller coaster. I made personal history, feeling the bee venom pump into my face as I rolled over and over and over to the end of the ride. The payoff? With my swollen lower lip, I looked exactly like Angelina Jolie for a few days. Still, it wasn't worth the pain and fear (not to mention how it freaked out the kids, waiting 20 minutes to be attended to by the first aid guy who finally got the stinger out of my lip).
Then there was that camping trip to Osoyoos when the kids were small. In 7 days, we visited the Desert Medical Clinic 3 times: first for Fiona's ear infection (a baby with a fever and a painful ear in a tent in 80 degree weather is no picnic). Then Alex put a pebble inside his ear and was honest enough to tell us. He also told us, with loud screaming and struggling, how uncomfortable it is to have a pebble taken out of your ear with "the long pointy tweezers." (The doctor explained, that the worst part would be the loud crunching sound inside Alex's head as the tweezers grasped and extracted the pebble.) Finally, as we packed up to leave, Alex slammed (and crushed) his finger in the door of the car. We were never so glad to get home as we were after that trip.
Another time in Osoyoos, I got pink eye in BOTH eyes AND a spider bite on my arm and another one on my face. I was just a big itchy, ugly goo-ball for about 5 out of the 7 days we were there. Nice.
I remember, as a kid, on one memorable camping trip with my parents, a tick attached itself to my scalp, and we had to find a doctor to extract it safely.
When I went away to Whidbey Island with my mom, years ago, we got rained inside our tent at campfire time, just before the s'mores. After hastily extinguishing the campfire and stowing our gear in the car and tent and under the picnic tables and climbing into our sleeping bags, we heard the rain stop, and all of the other campers continued to party through the evening. (I bet they ate lots of s'mores.) Then, on the way home, we stopped at a restaurant for lunch and both got horrible food poisoning the next day.
Another time, at Whidbey Island also, our friend Tom got up early and kindly cooked sausages for breakfast for all 9 of us in the group. The trouble is he used the citronella oil instead of cooking oil. Luckily we figured out his mistake before eating the sausages.
There have been other trips that I remember as not so dangerous, but I suspect I may just have suppressed the memories of destruction and devastation as time has passed.
So now, Andy and I are looking forward to a week in the Mayan Riviera in August. I'm wondering, what will happen? It is the edge of hurricane season. That would be exciting! or maybe just a jellyfish sting while swimming in the Caribbean blue waters? (Do they have jellyfish there?) Nothing as banal as travelers' diarreah, I hope. It has to be worthy of a story here later. That's my only requirement.
So we'll go, and I'll calm down, and when it happens I'll probably say, "There! I knew it!" and just laugh really loudly so people worry if I'm okay. And I'll be fine. Better than fine.
question: what's your favourite vacation mishap?
mompoet - waiting for the rubber chicken to drop out of the sky
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