Here's to the best of 2011 + 1.
Happy New Year, everybody!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U3w_zpiWSE
Saturday, December 31, 2011
I'll also always have ...
No time in the next two weeks to publish pix of trip to Barcelona. Will do asap after Jan 15.
What will I be doing until that time? Perhaps where will I be is a better question. Here's a hint:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvuO0BsEEss
What will I be doing until that time? Perhaps where will I be is a better question. Here's a hint:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvuO0BsEEss
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
I'll always have Paris ...
Now that 2011 is winding down, it's time for me to tidy up some loose ends. That includes filing some posts that I have post-poned (so to speak) due to more pressing events. Thanks to all of you who have nagged about the missing photos from my most recent travels abroad. Without further adieu, I present evidence that Donna and I really did enjoy time in Paris!
****
Cole Porter was right. So were Stein, Hemingway, Picasso, and the rest. There is something eternally beautiful about Paris. I could spend my entire life there and still not experience it all. So, even though I walked the streets for a day in July, I was more than happy to join Donna on a longer journey in October.
We began each day with a walk in a park. Our hotel was in the Bercy district (the one-time wine warehouse area of the city), so the first morning we wandered about nearby Parc de Bercy and the adjacent Jardin de Yitzack Rabin. Among other things, the area included a demo community garden, landscaped overpasses that went over a highway, and several classical garden "rooms".
A beautiful pedestrian overpass/footbridge took us across the Seine and to the grounds of the lack-lustre national library (the large building to the right in the photo below - the whole complex looks not unlike an upside-down table with the four towers of the facility standing in for the upright table legs). The bridge afforded a wonderful view of the river, commercial traffic such as barges, and the various other boats that ply the city's waterways. I was especially taken by the Piscine Josephine Baker which, at first glance, looked like so many of the boats-cum-restaurants that line the banks of the Seine.
On another day, the morning garden of choice was an old rail bed that had been converted into an elevated pedestrian walkway. Apparently the Promenade des Plantes, as it is known, was the inspiration for the High Line walkway that we enjoyed in New York. The Parisian elevated landscape provided a welcome oasis in the midst of a bustling neighbourhood (we entered near the intersection of Rue Diderot and Ave Daumesnil) with a backdrop of upper floors of elegant apartment buildings.
Visits to gardens weren't restricted to the earlier hours of the day, however. Spent time in and around Place des Vosges, a sweet well-used park enlivened by the strains of a cellist practicing in an arcade at one end of the square while a harpist played under another arcade at the far side. Managed to locate a lovely haberdashery tucked in a small courtyard on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois - bought some cotton ribbon printed with "mange moi" (I'll use it to try bags of goodies I plan to hand out at Christmas and other occasions).
An afternoon's pause in the Latin Quarter's famed Jardin du Luxembourg provided a chance to soak up the urban vibe while enjoying the pleasant weather.
Of course, behind every sunny day lurks a menacing cloud. In my case, it presented itself next to the garden's stunning Medici Fountain.
The cloud came in the form of a flock of winged vermin that delivered its own unique souvenir from the Luxembourg Gardens. Donna tried to put a happy face on the situation by echoing my mother's insistence that a bird bomb = good luck. I am not convinced. It seems many Paris visitors and residents feel the same way about the pigeons that litter, literally, the city as does this statue near the Place de la Concorde.
Thankfully, the injuries suffered during my previous travels to Europe had healed, and I could once more walk without effort or pain. A folding cane had been packed as a precaution, but it was only brought out on the last afternoon of our stay in Paris. We only took a couple of subway rides, and only one taxi. Otherwise, shank's mare transported us the entire time. What better way to see the sights? And what sights we saw!
Since I had recently spent a whole day at the Musee d'Orsay, I had little interest in gallery and museum hopping. Neither did Donna. Besides, the weather was far too nice to spend much time indoors. That said, we did try to get in to the Musee des Arts Decoratifs (located at the Jardin des Tulliaries end of the Louve complex), but alas it was closed. I did venture into the Grand Palais where a wonderful exhibition of Gertrude Stein's family's art collection was on show, but after seeing the length of the queue opted to fight my way instead to the bookshop where I purchased a exhibition catalogue for a friend. It took a full two hours to get to the bookstore what with security and all. Imagine if I had wanted to see the exhibition! Mon Dieu! Certainly pays to buy exhibition tickets in advance.
This is not to say that we ignored the visual arts. Far from it. Paris is packed with lots of wonderful outdoor art ranging from classic statues and memorials to the whimsy that is the Stravinsky Fountain (located beside the Pompidou Centre.
Also came across a series of very large photographs of famous people in showers or bathtubs (e.g. Brigit Bardot clad only in bubbles, Janet Leigh in "Psycho", etc.) while walking along the Boulevard de la Bastille (which skirts its own body of water, a canal called the Port de Plaisance de Paris Arsenal). Saw some interesting graffiti, too. And while we didn't spend time in any of the major galleries, we did
stumble upon a couple of amateur art shows/sales - one an outdoor art/craft fair and the
other a student event in a rented storefront. Managed to pick up small original artworks (abstract watercolours and a little print) for under five Euros each.
We tried to take a different route from our hotel each day (which proved especially challenging on a couple of days due to the G20 meeting a block away at the Ministere de l"Economie et Ministrere des Finances) and exploring as many sectors of the city as we could comfortably manage.
Of course, no visit to Paris would be complete without an obligatory stop at the Tour Eiffel. And while the engineering marvel still appeals, there were other attractions nearby that added to the memory of the trip.
An informal gathering of steampunk enthusiasts (above) had me yearning for a Jules Verne novel, while a gorgeous Art Nouveau residence (built in 1907 for a politician) reminded me of Brussels.
Near the Musee du Quai Branly we had a rare wildlife sighting (above), and spotted a Christmas present for Phil that could easily fit inside my suitcase (sorry, Phil, the airline lost that suitcase).
Crossed many of the city's more famous bridges including Pont de Sully, Pont St Louis, Pont Notre Dame, and Pont Alexandre III (below).
Pont Neuf provided a couple of special memories this visit. Not only were les bouquinistes (the bookstalls) open, but it was near the east end of that bridge that I enjoyed one of my first glimpses of Paris after dark. It is amazing how far the search lights at the top the Eiffel Tower can be seen! One look at the photo below and it's clear why Paris has long been called the City of Light - it really does come alive after dark.
Took some time for quiet contemplation at some of the city's beautiful churches, including:
St-Ettiene du Mont, located near the Pantheon
St-Eustache:
Notre Dame at night (inside they were showing a movie about the church's history, so didn't stay as it was too dark to view the building interior and the film won't start for another 1/2hr. I wasn't too disappointed as I saw the interior on a previous trip to Paris):
On the way back to the hotel, after seeing Notre Dame's illuminated exterior, we passed by St-Louis-en-L'Ile. We were attracted to the building by the tuneful sounds of an organ recital. Poked our heads inside, but no seats available and the recital was well underway (according to a poster on the church door), so we continued our walk toward the hotel.
We did do some shopping, although tended to seek out "common" French items in grocery stores and department stores rather than typical tourist tack. Marveled at the practicality of small-scale European appliances, and oogled a lot of European-styled furniture. Sniffed several types of soap and other good-smelling stuff. Donna managed to find a lovely toilet paper roll holder for her up-coming bathroom reno. We both brought home French face cloths aka rectangular terry mittens. Window shopped amid the couture shops of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, and checked out the wares on offer at several of the old passages/arcades.
Also came across some unique food stores that provided unusual gifts for family and friends.
Our hotel provided a tasty all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, and we packed a pastry or two and some fruit to eat throughout the day. These goodies were supplemented by other eats we discovered along the way. I couldn't sample the beautiful macaroons due to the almond flour in the recipes, but Donna tells me they were excellent. At my pity party I consoled myself by gorging on marshmallows flavoured with coconut, mango, and green tea. Yum!
Rue Mouffetard (one shop front pictured below) boasts a famous market street overflowing with food stalls, fruit stands, and cookware shops.
Across town, near the Madelaine (not far from the Maille store), we popped into centuries-old food emporiums such as Fauchon and nearby Hediard which both resembled the food floors of Harrod's or Fortnum & Mason in London. Mariage Freres was a beautiful shop specializing in all things tea - worth visiting for the scent of the tea alone.
Had a couple of cheap dinners at a fabulous falafel stand, but did take time to enjoy onion soup and an omelette at a quintessential cafe near the Bastille. Also took in a leisurely cafe au lait at the famed Cafe Beauborg, situated across the square from the Pompideu Centre. Donna was eager to see the interior as it was an early effort by designer Phillipe Stark.
I think it might have looked marginally better when the shelf-lined walls were stocked with books. In any case, the menu was over-priced tourist trap fare but the view of the buskers entertaining crowds on the concrete "lawn" in front of the Pompideu made the cost of the coffee worth the price.
If we had access to cooking facilities, I would have gladly sampled some of the seafood on offer at stands outside a number of shops and restaurants.
One food-related event that did not take place was a lunch/dinner rendezvous with Don and Gerald. For some reason our respective hotels and other communications options conspired against us. No matter. When I last saw the pair in Vancouver, Don staged a photo of the event as it might have been. Yes, Virginia, that is pomegranate juice in the glasses - it was only 7am, after all, when the photo was taken. Doesn't Gerald look perky given the hour?
Some other sights seen about the city:
A copy of Foucault's pendulum at the Pantheon - The original was on display at the Musee des Arts et Metiers. However, on April 6, 2010, the cable suspending the bob snapped causing irreparable damage to the pendulum and to the marble flooring of the museum. So if yer really yearning to know more about the rotation of the earth, suggest you settle for viewing the replica. (Guilty confession: I didn't pay to enter the Pantheon. Went in just to buy Momzy a postcard and was surprised to see the pendulum so close to the shop. The shopkeeper told me I could take a photo, so I did. Saved 7 Euros!)
Hotel de Ville - the crowd in front of the building is assembling as part of the world-wide "Occupy Wall Street" movement. Donna and I received an invite to join the throng while relaxing next to the Stravinsky Fountain a short walk away. Fortunately we passed by the city hall a good two hours before the event was to get underway. Didn't want to get caught in any civil unrest in a foreign country. Given that two fire trucks were unfurling their hoses in front of me as I took this photo, we had little doubt the authorities weren't going to stand for any nonsense. The evening TV news reported that the protest was peaceful, thank goodness.
One of the more attractive modern renos of classic architecture could be seen in Francis Soler's treatment of the French Ministry of Culture and Communications. The architect unified two existing buildings which each came with a different architectural style by wrapping them in a continuous mesh of steel lace.
There were so many other things that we did and saw, but not enough room here to record it all.
One last note: About that "lucky" bird bomb - the following evening, after dining at our favourite falafel stand, Donna and I found a kitchenware shop that was open very late. It was here that I bought a madelaine pan. Delighted with my purchase, I was peeking into the bag to glance at it once more when - WHAM - I walked into the security gate covering the entrance door! Seems the clerk wanted to ensure no further customers that night, so decided to lower the gate part way across the door while he was ringing in my purchase. I didn't notice the gate until it made contact with my forehead. Amazingly, although the gate made a terrific noise when we connected, I barely felt a thing. And despite the suddenly pale store clerk's expression, no harm was done to my person. Donna pointed out that things might have been much worse had it not been for the "lucky" bird bomb of the previous day. Personally, I think it had more to do with the impenetrable nature of my noggin!
****
Cole Porter was right. So were Stein, Hemingway, Picasso, and the rest. There is something eternally beautiful about Paris. I could spend my entire life there and still not experience it all. So, even though I walked the streets for a day in July, I was more than happy to join Donna on a longer journey in October.
We began each day with a walk in a park. Our hotel was in the Bercy district (the one-time wine warehouse area of the city), so the first morning we wandered about nearby Parc de Bercy and the adjacent Jardin de Yitzack Rabin. Among other things, the area included a demo community garden, landscaped overpasses that went over a highway, and several classical garden "rooms".
A beautiful pedestrian overpass/footbridge took us across the Seine and to the grounds of the lack-lustre national library (the large building to the right in the photo below - the whole complex looks not unlike an upside-down table with the four towers of the facility standing in for the upright table legs). The bridge afforded a wonderful view of the river, commercial traffic such as barges, and the various other boats that ply the city's waterways. I was especially taken by the Piscine Josephine Baker which, at first glance, looked like so many of the boats-cum-restaurants that line the banks of the Seine.
On another day, the morning garden of choice was an old rail bed that had been converted into an elevated pedestrian walkway. Apparently the Promenade des Plantes, as it is known, was the inspiration for the High Line walkway that we enjoyed in New York. The Parisian elevated landscape provided a welcome oasis in the midst of a bustling neighbourhood (we entered near the intersection of Rue Diderot and Ave Daumesnil) with a backdrop of upper floors of elegant apartment buildings.
An afternoon's pause in the Latin Quarter's famed Jardin du Luxembourg provided a chance to soak up the urban vibe while enjoying the pleasant weather.
Since I had recently spent a whole day at the Musee d'Orsay, I had little interest in gallery and museum hopping. Neither did Donna. Besides, the weather was far too nice to spend much time indoors. That said, we did try to get in to the Musee des Arts Decoratifs (located at the Jardin des Tulliaries end of the Louve complex), but alas it was closed. I did venture into the Grand Palais where a wonderful exhibition of Gertrude Stein's family's art collection was on show, but after seeing the length of the queue opted to fight my way instead to the bookshop where I purchased a exhibition catalogue for a friend. It took a full two hours to get to the bookstore what with security and all. Imagine if I had wanted to see the exhibition! Mon Dieu! Certainly pays to buy exhibition tickets in advance.
This is not to say that we ignored the visual arts. Far from it. Paris is packed with lots of wonderful outdoor art ranging from classic statues and memorials to the whimsy that is the Stravinsky Fountain (located beside the Pompidou Centre.
We tried to take a different route from our hotel each day (which proved especially challenging on a couple of days due to the G20 meeting a block away at the Ministere de l"Economie et Ministrere des Finances) and exploring as many sectors of the city as we could comfortably manage.
Of course, no visit to Paris would be complete without an obligatory stop at the Tour Eiffel. And while the engineering marvel still appeals, there were other attractions nearby that added to the memory of the trip.
Pont Neuf provided a couple of special memories this visit. Not only were les bouquinistes (the bookstalls) open, but it was near the east end of that bridge that I enjoyed one of my first glimpses of Paris after dark. It is amazing how far the search lights at the top the Eiffel Tower can be seen! One look at the photo below and it's clear why Paris has long been called the City of Light - it really does come alive after dark.
St-Ettiene du Mont, located near the Pantheon
Notre Dame at night (inside they were showing a movie about the church's history, so didn't stay as it was too dark to view the building interior and the film won't start for another 1/2hr. I wasn't too disappointed as I saw the interior on a previous trip to Paris):
We did do some shopping, although tended to seek out "common" French items in grocery stores and department stores rather than typical tourist tack. Marveled at the practicality of small-scale European appliances, and oogled a lot of European-styled furniture. Sniffed several types of soap and other good-smelling stuff. Donna managed to find a lovely toilet paper roll holder for her up-coming bathroom reno. We both brought home French face cloths aka rectangular terry mittens. Window shopped amid the couture shops of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, and checked out the wares on offer at several of the old passages/arcades.
Also came across some unique food stores that provided unusual gifts for family and friends.
Across town, near the Madelaine (not far from the Maille store), we popped into centuries-old food emporiums such as Fauchon and nearby Hediard which both resembled the food floors of Harrod's or Fortnum & Mason in London. Mariage Freres was a beautiful shop specializing in all things tea - worth visiting for the scent of the tea alone.
Had a couple of cheap dinners at a fabulous falafel stand, but did take time to enjoy onion soup and an omelette at a quintessential cafe near the Bastille. Also took in a leisurely cafe au lait at the famed Cafe Beauborg, situated across the square from the Pompideu Centre. Donna was eager to see the interior as it was an early effort by designer Phillipe Stark.
I think it might have looked marginally better when the shelf-lined walls were stocked with books. In any case, the menu was over-priced tourist trap fare but the view of the buskers entertaining crowds on the concrete "lawn" in front of the Pompideu made the cost of the coffee worth the price.
If we had access to cooking facilities, I would have gladly sampled some of the seafood on offer at stands outside a number of shops and restaurants.
A copy of Foucault's pendulum at the Pantheon - The original was on display at the Musee des Arts et Metiers. However, on April 6, 2010, the cable suspending the bob snapped causing irreparable damage to the pendulum and to the marble flooring of the museum. So if yer really yearning to know more about the rotation of the earth, suggest you settle for viewing the replica. (Guilty confession: I didn't pay to enter the Pantheon. Went in just to buy Momzy a postcard and was surprised to see the pendulum so close to the shop. The shopkeeper told me I could take a photo, so I did. Saved 7 Euros!)
Hotel de Ville - the crowd in front of the building is assembling as part of the world-wide "Occupy Wall Street" movement. Donna and I received an invite to join the throng while relaxing next to the Stravinsky Fountain a short walk away. Fortunately we passed by the city hall a good two hours before the event was to get underway. Didn't want to get caught in any civil unrest in a foreign country. Given that two fire trucks were unfurling their hoses in front of me as I took this photo, we had little doubt the authorities weren't going to stand for any nonsense. The evening TV news reported that the protest was peaceful, thank goodness.
One of the more attractive modern renos of classic architecture could be seen in Francis Soler's treatment of the French Ministry of Culture and Communications. The architect unified two existing buildings which each came with a different architectural style by wrapping them in a continuous mesh of steel lace.
There were so many other things that we did and saw, but not enough room here to record it all.
One last note: About that "lucky" bird bomb - the following evening, after dining at our favourite falafel stand, Donna and I found a kitchenware shop that was open very late. It was here that I bought a madelaine pan. Delighted with my purchase, I was peeking into the bag to glance at it once more when - WHAM - I walked into the security gate covering the entrance door! Seems the clerk wanted to ensure no further customers that night, so decided to lower the gate part way across the door while he was ringing in my purchase. I didn't notice the gate until it made contact with my forehead. Amazingly, although the gate made a terrific noise when we connected, I barely felt a thing. And despite the suddenly pale store clerk's expression, no harm was done to my person. Donna pointed out that things might have been much worse had it not been for the "lucky" bird bomb of the previous day. Personally, I think it had more to do with the impenetrable nature of my noggin!
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Counting My Blessings
Events of the past few weeks have given me pause to take
stock of all I am thankful for. The result is sort of a reverse bucket
list, if you will, a catalogue of things I’ve done rather than things I hope to
do. Only got some of it down before a cramp forced me to put down my pen. Even
so, there is much – good and bad – that reinforces my belief that I’ve had a
wonderful life. A full life. While I have no plans to exit the scene any time
soon, God may have other plans. So it seems this is as good a time as any to
share some of my blessings, and to thank all of you who played a role in the
story of my life. Much of what has brought me so much joy would that never have
happened – or been the same – without you! Here’s the partial list (items listed in no particular order):
- Have never known war, hunger, thirst, prejudice due to race, gender or sexual orientation
- Had a good education and access to excellent healthcare
- Exceeded my life expectancy
- Have been a medical guinea pig
- Have remained extremely close to both my parents throughout their lifetimes
- Cultivated an amazing group of friends
- Been baptized in a natural body of water (Porpoise Bay)
- Joined an wonderful faith community
- Own house (along with the bank)
- Had a career I loved
- Lived in different parts of the country (urban and rural regions)
- Volunteered at an art gallery, as a brownie leader, an educational tutor, writer/editor
- Produced a radio program – won “rookie of the year” award at the station
- Played (tried to play) a musical instrument – accordion and flute (at different times)
- Took dancing lessons – ballet, ballroom, tap (at different times) but still can’t cut a rug
- Had solo art exhibit at a respected gallery
- Exhibited my artwork in a national gallery and in a gallery in foreign country
- Achieved a Masters degree
- Became proficient in most needle and textile arts
- Won two blue ribbons for weaving
- Raised award-winning rabbits, geese, chickens, and ducks
- Passed two levels in WSET training plus obtained Spanish wine educator status
- Helped better a stranger’s life – set up two educational endowments
- Donated my late father’s papers and photos to the Vancouver Maritime Museum where they are now known as the Collins Collection
- Flew in a glider
- Flew in a helicopter
- Rode in an ambulance
- Went whitewater rafting
- Rode through the Rockies on horseback
- Made homemade marshmallows
- Touched an elephant and a bat ray, had a butterfly land on my face
- Caught a snake with my bare hands
- Touched the waters of all five Great Lakes, James Bay, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
- Stood at most easterly point (Cape Spear, Nfld) in Canada
- Stood in all Canadian provinces (except PEI + 3 northern territories) and 18 of the United States
- Went caving, and fossil hunting
- Paddled with an outrigger crew
- Class president in high school, student teachers' rep to the Vancouver School Board
- Volunteered at an MP’s office in Ottawa
- Was chased by a shop owner in Nogales, Mexico for bartering too low for something I kept telling him I didn’t want
- Sewed through my finger with an electric sewing machine
- Built a treehouse (with help from Dad and Phil’s dad)
- Learned to ride a bike
- Learned to drive a car
- Went skinny dipping in Meech Lake while Mulroneys vacationed in “cottage” nearby
- Witnessed the magic of a photograph developing in a darkroom
- Walked on stilts and used a pogo stick
- Slept in hotel room once occupied by Gertrude Stein & Alice Toklas
- Slept in at least one haunted hotel room
- Slept on a beach with a loved one
- Kissed a loved one in the rain
- Spent a whole day at a spa
- Watched a distant electrical storm, also watched lightening run down an interior corner of a house that was equipped with a lightening rod
- Gave friends “an experience of a lifetime” for a milestone birthday – motorcycle ride for one, drum lessons for another
- Attended governor-general’s New Year’s levy at Rideau Hall (Jeanne Sauve, Ramon Hnatyshyn)
- Performed a May Day dance for Queen Elizabeth II
- Climbed the Black Tusk
- Took rowing lessons (single scull)
- Skied on virgin snow – downhill and cross-country
- Enjoyed hot pancakes and fresh maple syrup at a sugar bush
- Viewed the Northern Lights in Iceland
- Watched a meteor shower
- Lay on a beach with friends and counted shooting stars
- Swam with wild sea turtles
- Saw whales (orca, grey, “pot head”) and dolphins in the wild
- Swim with “wild” dolphins at a resort in Hawaii
- Milked a cow
- Sailed on an America’s Cup contender
- Skated the full length of the Rideau Canal
- Stood on the roof of Centre Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa
- Overcoming fear of needles (still working on this)
- Grow some of my own food
- Caught a fish and ate it
- Heard the sound of waves in a seashell
- Made a whistle from a blade of grass
- Dyed my hair pink - once
- Caught fireflies in a jar, and watched bats tumbling in the night sky
- Had a newt stuck in my hair during a camping trip
- Saw the tidal change in the Bay of Fundy
- Kayaked on the Saint John River
- Picked fiddleheads
- Sipped a glass of Henschke Hill of Grace Shiraz 2004
- Danced at a powwow
- Walked/slipped on a glacier
- Drove along the Oregon Coast
- Held and petted a golden eagle and a saw whet owl
- Met interesting people including Pierre Berton, Kurt Browning, Bryan Adams, Gary Farmer, John Perry Barlow (of Grateful Dead), Moshe Safdie, Nancy Greene, Yousuf Karsh …
- Saw Cirque du Soleil’s “O” in Las Vegas
- Played blackjack in Vegas, slots in Vegas and Monte Carlo
- Went topless on a beach or three along the French Riviera
- Had a blind tasting of chocolate collected while traveling to different countries in Western Europe
- Ate Belgian waffles in Brussels – and moules frites
- Sipped café au lait at a Paris café – and pastis
- Shot a .22 handgun (at a shooting range, not my idea but gives TV police shows a whole new slant)
- Have seen both a lunar and a solar eclipse
- Test drove a Lamborghini (okay, it was a professional driver but 210km on a country road is impressive no matter who is in control)
- Rode in a model T, on a miniature train, and a horse-drawn carriage
- Sampled 100-year-old balsamic vinegar straight from the barrel in Modena, Italy
- Got married (better luck next time?)
- Learned about unconditional love – from my dog
- Sat in a box seat while attending first night at The Proms at Royal Albert Hall in London
- Sat in the choir of Westminster Abbey during matins – choir boy an arm’s length away
- Attended an opera at the Met in New York – Stravinsky’s “Rake’s Progress” for which David Hockney did the set and costume design
- Listened to the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall in New York
- Listened to the National Symphony (under guest direction of either James Levin or Andre Previn? – fading memory) at Kennedy Centre in Washington, DC
- Saw the world premiere of Janacek’s opera “From the House of the Dead”
- Saw Olympia Dikakas in Greek tragedy “Hecuba”, Sheila McCarthy in “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Stratford (Ont), and Mackenzie Phillips in “Vagina Monologues”
- Saw Miles Davis in concert four times
- Saw my heart beating via ultrasound, and a scan of my skeleton
- Visited every Smithsonian museum on the Mall in Washington, DC
- Walked through homes of some of my favourite architects: William Morris, Victor Horta, Antoni Gaudi, Frank Lloyd Wright …
- Viewed the New York skyline from the top of the World Trade Centre (in 1987)
- Took in the same view from atop the Empire State Building – alas not on Valentine’s Day
- Saw natural wonders like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls
- Discovered more than one of my friends talks in her sleep
- Learned I snore
- Had a birthday picnic on a snowy mountain top, another at centre stage of the Kits Show Boat (after dark, thankfully). Other celebratory events venues included a laundry mat, a seniors’ line-dance class, and a bowling alley
- Coaxed more than one orchid to re-bloom
- Rode the White Pass & Yukon train
- Rode the rails across Canada, along the west coast of the US, and throughout Western Europe
- Slept on an overnight train – sitting up in a seat, in a private compartment, and in a shared compartment (different trips, different countries)
- Was stung by a wasp, bitten by a bedbug (see shared rail compartment above), nipped by a pony, and bombed by more than one bird
- Watched rabbits being born, ducks and chickens hatching
Thanks, Linus
Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year. In
addition to enjoying all the visiting, good eats, bright lights and tinsel, and
uplifting music, I try to make a concerted effort to remember what Christmas is
really all about. Hint: it ain’t about the man with the bag!
Blue Note
For the first time in recent memory, Edith and Roz won’t be
joining us for Christmas festivities. Edith joined her beloved Ross last week.
Her passing has been very hard on everyone. Momzy is taking the news especially
hard. I’m so glad we managed to get together in September to celebrate Edith’s
90th birthday, complete with custom-designed cake. Already miss
Edith’s quick wit and loving hugs. And her homemade custard.
People so seldom say I love you And then it's either too late or love goes. So when I tell you I love you, it doesn't mean I know you'll never go, only that I wish you didn't have to. - Rumi
Monday, December 12, 2011
Cruelest Month
TS Eliot maintained that April was the cruelest month. I beg to differ. December is shaping up to claim that honour.
The change of the calendar page brought with it increasingly persistent list of aches and pains for Momzy. Medical expertise ensures us it's nothing, yet for mother dearest it remains a constant discomfort or worse. On top of that, she is having trouble sleeping and is generally withdrawing from life. Have started providing 24-hour care, but the cost of doing so is not sustainable for more than a couple of months. Much as I don't want to, I am having to seriously consider getting her into a care facility. Damn but I do hate the role reversal that comes with age.
In recent days, Momzy's angst has been compounded by news that her oldest and dearest friend, Edith, had a debilitating stroke. Mom isn't able to make the journey to the US to see her friend, and would need almost as much care as Edith should she be there. Doing my best to console her here at home. A very sad situation on both sides of the border.
Also feeling more than a little stress of my own. The push-pull of various seasonal social events both on the Coast and in Vancouver is starting to take a toll. Have had to bow out of a few things already as roller-coastering med/post-med effects are doing their bit to my increasingly battered body. Add the disappointment and guilt of not seeing everyone I want to or should see, and it starts to be a bit much. Toss in some more discomfort breathing when lying down, insomnia from lack of sleep due to concerns re Momzy and Edith, to say nothing about general fatigue from previous cancer treatments and worry about those yet to come, my own precarious financial situation, and I start to feel like Joe Btfsplk (from the comic strip L'il Abner). Call in to psychiatrist re upping anti-depressants.
Looking forward to January. A chance at a fresh start, perhaps for the year as well as for life.
Must be a hurtin' country song lyric or two in all of this. Where's Hank Williams when ya needs 'im?
The change of the calendar page brought with it increasingly persistent list of aches and pains for Momzy. Medical expertise ensures us it's nothing, yet for mother dearest it remains a constant discomfort or worse. On top of that, she is having trouble sleeping and is generally withdrawing from life. Have started providing 24-hour care, but the cost of doing so is not sustainable for more than a couple of months. Much as I don't want to, I am having to seriously consider getting her into a care facility. Damn but I do hate the role reversal that comes with age.
In recent days, Momzy's angst has been compounded by news that her oldest and dearest friend, Edith, had a debilitating stroke. Mom isn't able to make the journey to the US to see her friend, and would need almost as much care as Edith should she be there. Doing my best to console her here at home. A very sad situation on both sides of the border.
Also feeling more than a little stress of my own. The push-pull of various seasonal social events both on the Coast and in Vancouver is starting to take a toll. Have had to bow out of a few things already as roller-coastering med/post-med effects are doing their bit to my increasingly battered body. Add the disappointment and guilt of not seeing everyone I want to or should see, and it starts to be a bit much. Toss in some more discomfort breathing when lying down, insomnia from lack of sleep due to concerns re Momzy and Edith, to say nothing about general fatigue from previous cancer treatments and worry about those yet to come, my own precarious financial situation, and I start to feel like Joe Btfsplk (from the comic strip L'il Abner). Call in to psychiatrist re upping anti-depressants.
Looking forward to January. A chance at a fresh start, perhaps for the year as well as for life.
Must be a hurtin' country song lyric or two in all of this. Where's Hank Williams when ya needs 'im?
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Chasing the Moon
Had a most unusual pre-dawn experience on Saturday.
Set my alarm for 4am as that was the time the MacMillian Planetarium website said the lunar eclipse would begin to be visible. Planned to head outside every 15min or so to snap a quick photo of the event's progress, and then rush back to the welcoming warmth of my wee abode. Made ready by downloading a map of the night sky to ensure I would be facing in the appropriate direction for optimum viewing, and recharged the camera battery so I wouldn't panic searching for a fresh one at the last minute.
At 4am, the plan seemed to be getting off to a good start. The alarm sounded, I rose, grabbed the map and camera, headed outside, and ... nothing was visible. Undeterred, I reset the alarm for 6am certain things would be clearer then (the planetarium website indicated the whole eclipse would take some time to complete). Again, nothing could be seen from my front yard. While I noted low cloud covering most of the sky save for a thin fringe along the horizon, unlike the moon, I remained un-phased.
Should any unsuspecting motorist have been cruising about the West Sechelt area at that hour, they would likely be taken aback by the vision of a middle-aged woman sporting little more than her flannel jams weaving about the place whilst craning her neck against the upper portion of the front windshield of her car in a desperate effort to spot the elusive eclipse. Mercifully few souls ventured outside at the hour so my erratic driving was no cause for alarm. And no garden gnomes or lawn jockeys were hurt in the process.
After exhausting all hope of a West Sechelt sighting, the Grape rolled down to the Sechelt waterfront not far from Momzy's place. Again I was met by a complete lack of sparkle, twinkle, or anything remotely resembling a heavenly glow.
As I was about to return home, I noticed a woman walking her dog. Asked if she had seen anything. She replied in the negative. Suddenly, as if out of the blue, another woman approached from the opposite direction. Turns out she, too, was trying to take in the scheduled sky show. I suggested she hop in my pre-warmed car and we could go hunt the moon down together.
And so it was that I spent the better part of an hour in the company of a total stranger while chasing down the moon. I believe her name was Lisa. Told her I was very determined to see this lunar eclipse because it would likely be my last opportunity since the next one isn't due until 2014. Lisa went quiet for a bit, and then said she lost her mother a few years back to breast cancer. Somehow, that shared experience opened up a door of some sort and she began telling me a great deal about her life - places where she had lived, jobs she had, funny things she had done with friends... We check out Davis Bay (nada) and the hill behind the hospital (zilch). When we got out of the car and stumbled across the grass to the beach at Porpoise Bay, Lisa assured me we had nothing to fear as she always carried a knife when she went out alone after dark! (Confess I had a fleeting thought of someone finding my flannelette-covered body on the beach the next day and wondering how it got there - but it was a very fleeting thought as I really had no sense of fear or foreboding the whole time I was with Lisa.) As we were getting back into the car, the interior light showed one side of Lisa's face (the side farthest from me) was one larger bruise. Earlier she had mentioned a "supposed boyfriend" and I wondered if he had gifted her with the wound. I didn't want to ask, in case it made her uncomfortable or disrupted the easy conversation we had been having up until then. It was then that Lisa said something very funny (I forget what) and the two of us left the provincial park amid hoots of laughter and high spirits.
When we finally determined the cloud cover was preventing any opportunity of seeing anything no matter how good the vantage point, I drove Lisa back to her digs on Cowrie St. She thanked me for turning what should have been a very disappointing night into something fun and memorable. As she was about to leave, she gave me a warm hug and assured me she would make every effort to see the next lunar eclipse, and she'd be sure to say "hello" to it from me! A memorable night indeed!
Set my alarm for 4am as that was the time the MacMillian Planetarium website said the lunar eclipse would begin to be visible. Planned to head outside every 15min or so to snap a quick photo of the event's progress, and then rush back to the welcoming warmth of my wee abode. Made ready by downloading a map of the night sky to ensure I would be facing in the appropriate direction for optimum viewing, and recharged the camera battery so I wouldn't panic searching for a fresh one at the last minute.
At 4am, the plan seemed to be getting off to a good start. The alarm sounded, I rose, grabbed the map and camera, headed outside, and ... nothing was visible. Undeterred, I reset the alarm for 6am certain things would be clearer then (the planetarium website indicated the whole eclipse would take some time to complete). Again, nothing could be seen from my front yard. While I noted low cloud covering most of the sky save for a thin fringe along the horizon, unlike the moon, I remained un-phased.
Should any unsuspecting motorist have been cruising about the West Sechelt area at that hour, they would likely be taken aback by the vision of a middle-aged woman sporting little more than her flannel jams weaving about the place whilst craning her neck against the upper portion of the front windshield of her car in a desperate effort to spot the elusive eclipse. Mercifully few souls ventured outside at the hour so my erratic driving was no cause for alarm. And no garden gnomes or lawn jockeys were hurt in the process.
After exhausting all hope of a West Sechelt sighting, the Grape rolled down to the Sechelt waterfront not far from Momzy's place. Again I was met by a complete lack of sparkle, twinkle, or anything remotely resembling a heavenly glow.
As I was about to return home, I noticed a woman walking her dog. Asked if she had seen anything. She replied in the negative. Suddenly, as if out of the blue, another woman approached from the opposite direction. Turns out she, too, was trying to take in the scheduled sky show. I suggested she hop in my pre-warmed car and we could go hunt the moon down together.
And so it was that I spent the better part of an hour in the company of a total stranger while chasing down the moon. I believe her name was Lisa. Told her I was very determined to see this lunar eclipse because it would likely be my last opportunity since the next one isn't due until 2014. Lisa went quiet for a bit, and then said she lost her mother a few years back to breast cancer. Somehow, that shared experience opened up a door of some sort and she began telling me a great deal about her life - places where she had lived, jobs she had, funny things she had done with friends... We check out Davis Bay (nada) and the hill behind the hospital (zilch). When we got out of the car and stumbled across the grass to the beach at Porpoise Bay, Lisa assured me we had nothing to fear as she always carried a knife when she went out alone after dark! (Confess I had a fleeting thought of someone finding my flannelette-covered body on the beach the next day and wondering how it got there - but it was a very fleeting thought as I really had no sense of fear or foreboding the whole time I was with Lisa.) As we were getting back into the car, the interior light showed one side of Lisa's face (the side farthest from me) was one larger bruise. Earlier she had mentioned a "supposed boyfriend" and I wondered if he had gifted her with the wound. I didn't want to ask, in case it made her uncomfortable or disrupted the easy conversation we had been having up until then. It was then that Lisa said something very funny (I forget what) and the two of us left the provincial park amid hoots of laughter and high spirits.
When we finally determined the cloud cover was preventing any opportunity of seeing anything no matter how good the vantage point, I drove Lisa back to her digs on Cowrie St. She thanked me for turning what should have been a very disappointing night into something fun and memorable. As she was about to leave, she gave me a warm hug and assured me she would make every effort to see the next lunar eclipse, and she'd be sure to say "hello" to it from me! A memorable night indeed!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Hiatus
Spent three days "living" with my mother as she was having some health
issues (chest pain - indigestion NOT heart, insomnia, etc.). Doctor
started her on anti-anxiety meds and something for acid/reflux. I wanted
to be close to see how she handled the new meds. A bit of an
up-and-down week, but she seems to have finally settled so I felt quite
safe about heading home. Hope to find some more care for her, especially someone who can be with her overnight or live-in for night shifts, so she has 'round the clock care for the time being. Health authorities maintain that she is getting best care possible where she is, and is far to "with it" to last long in complex care - she isn't independent enough to go into assisted living. So search is on for appropriate help at her home. At present, my biggest concern is that Momzy be happy and safe if not safe and happy.
And, yes, that is more of a concern than anything happening in my own little world right now.
The truth of my medical situation is starting to take on a whole new reality. This really hit home a couple of weeks back when my oncologist told me I'm off the latest drug study. Yes, I am more than a little bummed by the news. Have a message in to my psychiatrist asking his thoughts re increasing the dose of my anti-depressants (he will be back from holidays on Dec 15 - I can wait as I don't believe I'm in crisis or anything like that). Have also tried to tie up some loose ends re getting a power of attorney, completing a BC Ministry of Health Services "No Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation" form (aka a Do Not Resuscitate or DNR form). Have also met with Clarence, my priest, re my "going away party" plans. Just getting all these arrangements made has given much peace of mind. Would hate to think of leaving loved ones with the task of sorting out all of this crap. Besides, someone has to ensure that Rock of Ages, In the Garden, Amazing Grace and several other all-time funeral hits aren't included in the play list at my little affair!! Do hope anyone crazy enough to attend the festivities remembers how much I loath that insipid "breast cancer pink"! But before we go too far down that road, there is much to be happy about in the foreseeable future.
Yes, I am off the latest study due to further spread of the cancer. There are now more lesions throughout my lungs and trachea. Have also heard for the first time that lesions also appear between my lungs. No wonder I've been wheezing! Have a Ventalin inhaler now, and that helps a great deal. Good news #1.
And there appears to be no sign of spread to any other organ, so that's very good news indeed. Good news #2.
On top of that, the reported spread isn't quite as dramatic as it sounds. The disease is still advancing at a controlled pace. And while there are no further "targeted" drugs available at this time, there is another chemo drug that might help continue the slowed progression of the disease. Good news #3. (Don't ya just love how good news comes in threes?)
With Christmas coming in a few short days, and a planned trip to Japan in January, I've been given permission to post-pone this new treatment until mid or late January 2012. So, like all stars of stage, screen, and cyberspace, I'm on hiatus. In my mind, this is the best news yet to come from my oncologist's report. Hey, if this is to be my last Christmas, I don't want any side effects from a new medication to spoil my fun - or interfere with the enjoyment of a full-on turkey dinner! My oncologist doubts delaying the start of treatment will make much difference, so I have her blessing. Bonus: I can have the treatment at St Mary's so won't have the drain of a ferry ride on top of everything else. That, in a nutshell, is my news. And it's pretty good news on the whole, me thinks.
All this means there is still time to cross another thing off my bucket list - perhaps learning to sing on key (won't friends and family celebrating a birthday in 2012 be looking forward to that day). Might even squeeze in a brief fencing lesson! Woohoo, baby! Let the good times continue to roll!
And, yes, that is more of a concern than anything happening in my own little world right now.
The truth of my medical situation is starting to take on a whole new reality. This really hit home a couple of weeks back when my oncologist told me I'm off the latest drug study. Yes, I am more than a little bummed by the news. Have a message in to my psychiatrist asking his thoughts re increasing the dose of my anti-depressants (he will be back from holidays on Dec 15 - I can wait as I don't believe I'm in crisis or anything like that). Have also tried to tie up some loose ends re getting a power of attorney, completing a BC Ministry of Health Services "No Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation" form (aka a Do Not Resuscitate or DNR form). Have also met with Clarence, my priest, re my "going away party" plans. Just getting all these arrangements made has given much peace of mind. Would hate to think of leaving loved ones with the task of sorting out all of this crap. Besides, someone has to ensure that Rock of Ages, In the Garden, Amazing Grace and several other all-time funeral hits aren't included in the play list at my little affair!! Do hope anyone crazy enough to attend the festivities remembers how much I loath that insipid "breast cancer pink"! But before we go too far down that road, there is much to be happy about in the foreseeable future.
Yes, I am off the latest study due to further spread of the cancer. There are now more lesions throughout my lungs and trachea. Have also heard for the first time that lesions also appear between my lungs. No wonder I've been wheezing! Have a Ventalin inhaler now, and that helps a great deal. Good news #1.
And there appears to be no sign of spread to any other organ, so that's very good news indeed. Good news #2.
On top of that, the reported spread isn't quite as dramatic as it sounds. The disease is still advancing at a controlled pace. And while there are no further "targeted" drugs available at this time, there is another chemo drug that might help continue the slowed progression of the disease. Good news #3. (Don't ya just love how good news comes in threes?)
With Christmas coming in a few short days, and a planned trip to Japan in January, I've been given permission to post-pone this new treatment until mid or late January 2012. So, like all stars of stage, screen, and cyberspace, I'm on hiatus. In my mind, this is the best news yet to come from my oncologist's report. Hey, if this is to be my last Christmas, I don't want any side effects from a new medication to spoil my fun - or interfere with the enjoyment of a full-on turkey dinner! My oncologist doubts delaying the start of treatment will make much difference, so I have her blessing. Bonus: I can have the treatment at St Mary's so won't have the drain of a ferry ride on top of everything else. That, in a nutshell, is my news. And it's pretty good news on the whole, me thinks.
All this means there is still time to cross another thing off my bucket list - perhaps learning to sing on key (won't friends and family celebrating a birthday in 2012 be looking forward to that day). Might even squeeze in a brief fencing lesson! Woohoo, baby! Let the good times continue to roll!
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