perple shooz

I really like these shoes
they make my footsies smile
if I wear them when I'm feelin' sad
my mood improves a mile

My yoots... er, youths

As Joe Pesci would call them, here are some of my "yoots" helping out at our Canada Day BBQ a few weeks back. Good kids they are. Worth it.
I was embroiled most of this weekend at a golf tournament (not actually golfing, just sort of being there), which wasn't officially a charity event, but which last year and this year has resulted in donations to the youth centre. It is called the Windermere Oilman's Tournament. Need I say more?
There was more money in that group of 36 or so men than in some small countries.
But, as much as I struggle morally with the concept of intense wealth in a few when so much of the world suffers in poverty, most of this bunch are also very generous to a great many charities and good causes. And for the most part, they are truly good people. One or two are a wee bit on the snooty side, but mostly nice folks who happen to be filthy rich.
This is a bit of what I said to them to hopefully add a few zeros to the cheques.
"...It costs in excess of $200,000 to run the youth centre each year. And I believe it is worth every penny.
I also believe that in every youth, every child, there is the potential for great things to come... if they are just given the opportunity to reach that potential.
And I truly believe places like The Summit Youth Centre play a significant role in where or not a young person says, 'I believe in myself.'
I believe. Two small words... that can carry such power.
Thank you for your support."
Eh... who knows. I still have lots of fundraising to go either way.
Oh, and I am going to be in Merrickville Aug. 13 and 14 at a youth centre conference, and then Ottawa Aug. 15 to 17. Anyone up for lunch while I am there... Mary-Beth?

Purple hair and art...

Hmm, okay, so here is me in the car...



Feeling movie star sassy... hair looks more pink here....
Tra la la la la....

July 17

Fly, fly little wing
Fly beyond imagining
The softest cloud, the whitest dove
Upon the wind of heaven's love
Past the planets and the stars
Leave this lonely world of ours
Escape the sorrow and the pain
And fly again

Fly, fly precious one
Your endless journey has begun
Take your gentle happiness
Far too beautiful for this
Cross over to the other shore
There is peace forevermore
But hold this mem'ry bittersweet
Until we meet

Fly, fly do not fear
Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear
Your heart is pure, your soul is free
Be on your way, don't wait for me
Above the universe you'll climb
On beyond the hands of time
The moon will rise, the sun will set
But I won't forget

Fly, fly little wing
Fly where only angels sing
Fly away, the time is right
Go now, find the light
(C. Dion)

I don't think I put the youtube bit on correctly, but if you click on it it takes you to the song...

She would have been 12 today, had she been healthy. It's her should-have-been birthday. But the scheduled c-section was cancelled when the docs learned she had Edward's syndrome. They don't do "unnecessary surgery when the baby is terminal."
Still don't agree with that.
Today is always harder somehow than her actual birthdate. Because had she been born today, she would still be here.
But still, no regret. I'd take it all again even if it meant she could be in my life no other way. My sweet Arlyann. The photo is her with her big brother Justin, who was 5 at the time.

It were fun!

It were lots of fun! This was the view from the deck towards the fields...


This were the view of the deck towards the house....


..and this were me and Dale on the deck after lots of dinner and merriment! The guy in the background hamming it up is my dear friend Nick... one of the 25 or 30 or so friends that joined us for the good luck party throughout the evening!
We raised a toast to all and you were all there in our hearts!

Party time in Wilmer

The following is a public service announcement.

Good day!

Ian and Stevie are hosting a wee potluck gathering Friday, July 13th (tomorrow), just to spite the gods of luck - smug bastards that they are. We'd be honoured if you showed up and drank at us and ate some food (anytime after 5 p.m.).
Weather permitting, we'll have a fire and for anyone so inclined, there will be ball hockey at the Wilmer Forum at 7 p.m..
It's BYOB (which we are hoping still means bring yer own booze). And potluck, which means bring some food you are particularly talented at preparing (or unwrapping) that will bring luck to all who partake of it.
Children are always welcome, but please do not leave them behind. All leftover children will be fed Red Bull and given a free puppy before being delivered home to you.
Food and drink (some with alcyhol and some wiffout) will be offered, prepared, accepted and consumed all evening.
Feel free to invite friends, or enemies, should you feel a need to keep them close at hand.
Please RSVP so we know how many victims... er... guests to expect.

Thank you.

Bob the Aardvark, and Stevie, the, um, Stevens.( I need a cooler name).

If this had been a real public service announcement, you would have been charged a $50 service fee. Consider yourself fortunate.

my day away...

As my rent was just raised, I needed to have my self indulgant day.... a push for a look at buying a house...
So, my anything is possible fantasy...

so I started things off with tea and conversations with the Dalai Lama, a meditation with his holiness, then off to take photos on the African Savannah until lunch... of course I would get brilliant wildlife images. Then, lunch in Bombay (is it still Bombay?) and shopping in the bazaars for a few hours. Lots of good natured bartering, bolts of cloth, sweets, spices, and all the while taking photos of the beautiful faces around me... all my purchases would be toted along for me by some wonderful person I hired whom I would pay ridiculously well. Afternoon tea would be in Margie's fantasy English cottage's garden, at which all of you would be joining us. Tea would followed by the Gypsy fair, which would consist of even more than horses, and we would all go and eat lovely tidbits, and have our fortunes told by a wonderful ancient gypsy woman, and dance to fiddles and tamborines and laugh and laugh and laugh. Of course, lots of photos. Then, off to an Italian spa for a massage, a foot rub, and have my hair (which will be long and glorious) done, so I can find a lovely Italian cafe for a late dinner... I would sit alone with a book, sip Pinot Noir and have the most gloriously handsome young waiter treat me like the only guest there, and a perfect espresso for dessert. (Okay, that bit I really did get to experience, in downtown Vancouver at a lovely place called Capri 19, and the handsome young waiter was told by his flamboyantly gay maitre de, with whom I had been giggling and visiting with after he admired my amethyst pendant, that I was to have a seat at the open air window as I was the most beautiful woman in Gastown that night... totally made my weekend, even if it was over the top! I therefore did get the most spectacular service I have ever had and soaked it all in). After dinner, I would be off to London to see an opera, which I have always wanted to do, dressed, of course, to the nines (in my fantasy, I just happen to have the perfect outfit for every occasion right at my fingertips). My balcony seat would offer the most advantageous view. It would of course by then be somewhere near midnight... time for late night tea and lunch in Russia with my friend Yulia, who lives in Kalinigrad, and a long visit as we stroll along the moonlit Baltac Sea. Getting close to the dawn of the final hours of my day, I would whisk away to Sri Lanka, to the home of my friend Neeranga, and watch the sun rise with her and her family, drinking tea laced with spices and milk... then home at once to curl up in bed, nestled close to my Ian and knowing my children are all three safe in their rooms, knowing my self indulgent day was just for me... and they can all come to the next one...

So, anyone else plotted out their day other than me, Darling Lovley Kori and Madam Margie? I have to do the rounds and see!
xx