Can we really be nearing the end of 2019? It seems like only yesterday that I was making excuses for not wanting to go out on New Year’s Eve! (I got a million of ’em… )
November and December have always been crazy busy months in my life; Halloween kicks off a slick slide thru November’s family birthdays, all the way to my own birthday on December 4, and then the multiple get togethers and dinners that lace the three weeks until Christmas itself.
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.
What are you thankful for….today and every day? Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness…..? I know, rather American (which, by the way, we all are since almost 400 million of us reside on the continent of North America). This past weekend thousands of Canadians, surrounded by friends and family, gathered around tables heaped with food to give thanks for the bounty placed before them. Thousands of others gathered in shelters, outreach centres, missions, food kitchens, church basements or not at all, having nowhere to go or maybe no way to get there. Thousands more supped on dinner for one or no dinner at all. We are so caught up in the preparations we tend to forget anyone outside our normal sphere of day-to-day relationships. So stop and think, for just one moment…..who could you have included in your Thanksgiving celebration? Next year….right?
Back in London, Ontario for the Jack Richardson Music Awards (JRMA) and Jack Richardson Music Week. My home town and it’s about time I attended. There are multiple events happening every night. Great Lakes Blues Society presents Bill Durst; Doll House Showcase celebrates the Women of London in Music with Juno nominee Emm Gryner; Battle of The High School Bands in honor of Richardson’s love of teaching and encouragement of London’s young musicians ($2,500 top prize); an oral history of the London music scene from the 1960’s forward presented by Greg Simpson and Bob Klanac; Jack’s London Live….a full evening devoted to promoting live music and the live music venues in London (wonder how many I can cover in a single evening) and of course, to cap off the week Jack Richardson Music Awards presentation and gala.
I’m trying to figure out where old sod goes to die. Messing around in my backyard over the weekend and I have several rolls of unusable sod that weigh a ton. Leftovers from last year. Small house, small yard still equals “big” work. Gorgeous weather though….dinner on the patio of my local Italian restaurant, Casa di Giorgio, Saturday night. Some of my favourite people work there… Cathy, Christina, Pam and Ted (the owner). Great food and great people!
Ahhh Christmas. The time of year when I regress into a squealing five-year-old, much to the chagrin and amusement of my sisters. My fellow writer Roxanne Tellier has fired off the first DBAWIS Christmas salvo and a beautifully written piece it is. Santa Gutch was next with lots of musical recommendations for all the tuneful lovers on your list. Now it’s my turn.
It’s lurching toward you … the days are ticking by, and you are simultaneously anticipating and dreading the upcoming holiday season. You’re looking forward to seeing friends and family, but wonder how you’ll juggle all you will have to do to get ready for the big day.
Bullseye Records of Canada
Segarini: Don't Believe a Word I Say 