Saturday, May 30, 2009
Seasonal musings...
May morning
Ancient, but productive apple
Johny Jump Ups - gypsies showing up everywhere in the yard...It's been hot and summery here. Blossoms and multiple shades of green all around yet up the mountain slopes - still snow on top. It's a rich time of year in this little corner of planet earth.
I'm not entirely a news junkie and tend not to watch TV news much. But I read a national newspaper and a bunch of magazine, such as Harpers and The Walrus. I also listen to CBC radio 1 news and talk shows on our local co-op radio, which has a politically left bent. (I host a morning show every so often now too...)
All this is leading somewhere - really.
Here it is now. My advice to me:
- Follow the news, face the issues, learn about what's up and who's doing what to who, analyze it and decide what to do or not. Work for what's right. Stand up. Speak up. Feel the despair sometimes.
But.
- Look at the beauty and realize what a perfect state we are in. The beauty may be natural, it may be music, it may be an image, it may be a child, a lover, an old woman hobbling out of a store with a bag, a turn of phrase on a page. It is everywhere.
And for a final diversion in this ramble: here's Dan Mangen, an up and coming folk singer in BC, who is attending this year's War Child event in Nelson. (Be patient or push it to 1:30 when Dan really does start to sing.
I'm not entirely a news junkie and tend not to watch TV news much. But I read a national newspaper and a bunch of magazine, such as Harpers and The Walrus. I also listen to CBC radio 1 news and talk shows on our local co-op radio, which has a politically left bent. (I host a morning show every so often now too...)
All this is leading somewhere - really.
Here it is now. My advice to me:
- Follow the news, face the issues, learn about what's up and who's doing what to who, analyze it and decide what to do or not. Work for what's right. Stand up. Speak up. Feel the despair sometimes.
But.
- Look at the beauty and realize what a perfect state we are in. The beauty may be natural, it may be music, it may be an image, it may be a child, a lover, an old woman hobbling out of a store with a bag, a turn of phrase on a page. It is everywhere.
And for a final diversion in this ramble: here's Dan Mangen, an up and coming folk singer in BC, who is attending this year's War Child event in Nelson. (Be patient or push it to 1:30 when Dan really does start to sing.
Happy a fine summer each.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Happy Birthday Queeen Victoria!
For the foreign visitors to this blog, you may be interested to know that we celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday in Canada - we even get a long weekend (this one). This was a major celebration decades ago, with parades honouring the old gal and Canada's British heritage. Remember, we were on their side in 1776!
For most of us now, it's about getting the garden in and having some fun outside.
Anyhow, here is my first segue...
1. My great great great Grandfather Slessor was a stone mason and was commissioned by Queen Victoria to build Crathie Kirk, next to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. I not only visited the church a few years back (with me mom), but was able to see the archives with photos of the queen and my ancestor AND Charles, Camilla and kids attended church the morning we did. I'm not much for religion so was able to mostly rubberneck the whole time. That Andrew is a cutie... and Camilla and Charlie were touching hands now and then (awwwww).
Crathie Kirk
My second segue...
2. If you have 6 or 7 minutes free because it's a long weekend, or because you are the kind of person who gives yourself 6 or 7 minutes whenever you choose to... well have a look at this and see what you think..
For most of us now, it's about getting the garden in and having some fun outside.
Anyhow, here is my first segue...
1. My great great great Grandfather Slessor was a stone mason and was commissioned by Queen Victoria to build Crathie Kirk, next to Balmoral Castle in Scotland. I not only visited the church a few years back (with me mom), but was able to see the archives with photos of the queen and my ancestor AND Charles, Camilla and kids attended church the morning we did. I'm not much for religion so was able to mostly rubberneck the whole time. That Andrew is a cutie... and Camilla and Charlie were touching hands now and then (awwwww).
Crathie KirkMy second segue...
2. If you have 6 or 7 minutes free because it's a long weekend, or because you are the kind of person who gives yourself 6 or 7 minutes whenever you choose to... well have a look at this and see what you think..
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Women of the world unite (us all)...
Mom, Zoey et moi...I did call my mom today - okay, she called me, but the result was still lots of love over the phone. She's a brilliant and fine mother. In her mid-80s she's still healthy enough to golf two or three times a week, walk everywhere, swim in the lake in the summer and dance a little. Her mind is equally fit. Love you mom!
The video below helps us know that Mothers Day is more than Hallmark...
The video below helps us know that Mothers Day is more than Hallmark...
