Pat Blythe – England, a surprise…..and Christmas music

I’m supposed to be writing a column today (Tuesday). I almost forgot. Not because I don’t like writing (I love it), I’m in the middle of a swarm of projects, and it currently looks like Christmas exploded all over my house. As well, getting back into my former world of telecom is akin to performing the Highland Sword Dance which involves finesse, footwork and a delicate balance, making sure you don’t touch the swords. Now that it’s “end of year” for most businesses, the almost palpable whoosh of calendars rapidly opening has generated a ripple effect creating a tsunami of meetings and conference calls. “Man the decks…..it’s everyone for themselves!”

Peter’s Christmas Past

 

This is my last column before the “Don’t Believe A Word I Say” Christmas hiatus. Pull up a chair and I will regale you with some of my Christmas memories. Not in strict chronological order, but I hope to shed some light on Christmas on Franklin Street in the 60’s and 70’s.

Pat Blythe – Just stuff…..and music

Saw the hip doc yesterday….time for a checkup. After 14 years my bionic hip is still in rock solid shape. Yes, there’s a little wear and tear but after all this time I can still do the hippy hippy shake. I’m extremely fortunate it’s lasted this long and the doc ….he’s smiling.

I decided to walk from Queen and Victoria over to Sherbourne and Bloor (downtown Toronto). I haven’t strolled around these parts in years. It evolved into a walk down memory lane. Chris and I moved into our first apartment together on Sherbourne between Dundas and Shuter. It had brilliant orange balconies and we were situated on the top floor. Complete with sunken living room, 12-foot ceilings and a huge bedroom we were set. We hunkered down there for two years before we became Beach residents.

Pat Blythe – Winter?…Gilda’s Club…a Birthday…and a Little Christmas Music!

I don’t where the time goes but December seems to arrive almost unexpectedly and then….here it is….banging on the front door. Always seemingly on the run, the days just fly by and I sometimes wonder if I’ve even accomplished something, anything, wading through the onslaught of messages, texts, phone calls (yes people still actually talk), emails, etc. and then there’s a column to write and photos to review and oh ya, Christmas is almost here. Then there’s the TO DO list which seems to get longer….not shorter. The hurry up and wait syndrome, lineups for damn near everything. I feel like I’m playing the old game of Red Light, Green Light (remember that one?) and not just in the vehicle.

Pat Blythe – Christmas past, NYC, John Harris, N’we Jinan…and Music!

My house looks like Santa barfed up an entire Christmas store. Lights, decorations, bibs and bobs scattered about, the decorating a work in progress and I haven’t even purchased the tree yet! Chris use to chide me on the amount of Christmas paraphernalia I had accumulated over the years so I decided one year to use the minimalist approach. A week before Christmas day Chris asked me when I was going to decorate? Ya can’t win…. So, five containers, an extensive Santa Claus collection and a couple of supplementary boxes heaved up from the basement, I am now sussing and sorting, banging nails, climbing ladders, walking on the counter to get to the top of the cabinets….letting no space go “unChristmased”. Even my musical Charlie Brown Christmas Tree is back in its place of honour.

Pat Blythe – ‘Tis the Season (well almost), a little Pretzel Logic, a Fundraiser……and Music!

It’s THAT time of year! December is closing in, Toronto’s Santa Claus parade has come and gone, coloured lights are slowly appearing on homes all over the city, the boxes of decorations have been heaved up from the basement with the help of a friend…..then there’s the Christmas tree to suss out (I always get a real one), more baking….and the list goes on. Christmas has always been my favourite holiday. The hidden five-year-old makes her appearance at this time of year as the joy of the season takes hold. It bubbles up and overflows, sometimes a bit over the top….so be patient. Trying to quell the child inside is almost impossible. Now I typically wait until December 1 to begin the transformation of the house, but this year, with so much going on, Jingle Bells takes hold a bit earlier although I do hold off on the Christmas movies and specials until the first of that magical month.

Roxanne Tellier – But It’s Too EARLY!

I know, I know … it’s too early to be listening to Christmas and holiday music. But on Thursday I spent my birthday serenading senior citizens at their seasonal parties, and I haven’t stopped feeling a little festive ever since.