DHARLINGS DELIVER & WINTER SINKS HER TEETH

SUN 30 JAN 2011 3:16pm  Took down some more grape vine today. Good to be out there with the sun shining brightly. That's not so common this time of year. Makes you really appreciate it when it comes. Managing to find wood to cut up or split. Not using too much of the good stuff. If I can come up with enough we might not have to buy anymore this year.

The Teeth of Winter

Jackie has gone shopping. I felt like staying home for a change. Went out every day this week.

Friday I met Matt at the Moonshine in Oakville to see the latest from Cindy Dell and Duane Rutter. And that is the Dharlings with Amy Wark on percussion and piano, LeeAnne Wesseling & Brennagh Burns singing back-up. Lee Anne later sang a couple of numbers and knocked everyone over with her solid, soulful voice and her show-stealing knee-highs.

 Roots, folk, country, blues, it all gets its due. And you have five song-writers in one band. A really enjoyable evening at a well-run club. John & Jane are right on the ball all night making sure it's a good experience for everyone. And they care about the music and musicians, which makes them special.

MON 31 JAN 2011 8:25am This is early for me at this time of year. Will be going into town with Ivo & Celine soon to pick up a box-spring we got at the Sally Ann. $10 takes it. Considering they wanted $300 at the furniture store I believe we did alright.

Jackie is going to lunch with Kimberly to discuss their next project, which is Jackie teaching ChiFusion at the centre.
 
We've started playing mind games. On-line. Lumosity. Quite fun and they're supposed to keep you from vegetating. Which is different than our diet which is mostly vegetables.

 11:18am The box-spring is home. The guys there loaded it on for us. Good chat with Celine getting all the news. Gotta go practice piano some more.
 

DANCING THE NIGHT AWAY

TUES 25 JAN 2011 5:00pm Well, that weekend really knocked me out. It was great though. Of course, we had our little holiday, going on a Jazz Safari with Jaymz Bee from Jazzfm, a listener supported station. We made a donation and as a thank you got to go on board the Magic Bus to 5 clubs and listen to some great players in all styles. Since we are learning to dance we were hoping to try it out but most clubs don't have the facilities for dancing.

One did though, the Dovercourt which was 3 floors of dancing. We went to the Lindy Hop which was amazing. All ages bopping around to a live swinging band under lights in a big (no, a huge, compared to others) room. It felt like a high school dance in the 50s or whenever. Young people all dressed in their thrift shop best with suspenders and fedoras. We'll definitely try to return.

Also went to an exclusive country club with a band made of top players in the TO scene. We got to partake of a dessert and coffee table there. We sat around the edge as the toffs dug into their meals. The band hadn't played together before but the singer brought her lead sheets and used subtle signs to direct them and they sounded like they'd played together for years.


In between shows as we rode the bus, Jaymz entertained us with stories of jazz players he's known and his ideas for future get-to-gethers for donators. A fair number of couples had been on one or more safaris. We might end up on another one.


We stayed at the Isabella, which is an old mansion (1891) with a 7 story tower added in 1914. The original spiral staircase is still there. There is an elevator but we only took it once, it was very small and slightly claustrophobic.  The rooms are very small also but were fine. It had all you needed. There was a breakfast in the lounge in the morning. I went down first and sat reading the paper and enjoying the food and coffee. Jackie decided to go down later and I went with her.


The night before we left the car there and took the subway and streetcar to the first club.  Got there without too much trouble. It is a good way to get around once you get the hang of it. If I lived in the city I would forget about driving.

On Sunday we went to our friend Karen's where we had brunch, nicely prepared by her. Then I went for a very cold walk while she interviewed Jackie for a documentary she's doing about women and love.

Then we headed home. Got back after 6pm. Holiday at an end but really enjoyed. Monday we were practically comatose all day.

THURS 27 JAN 2011 11:32am  Really good dance class last night. It's hard to believe that after all this time we're finally getting the hang of it. We seem to have the Waltz under control. Not surprising since I grew up watching my parents who were experts. They grew up in a era when everyone danced. That's what they did for fun. Even in their 80s they danced weekly at the North Bay Golden Age Club, and flew around the dance floor. My Mother tried to teach me at various times when I was younger, but I guess I was too embarrassed to really put my mind to it. It's too bad because I would have enjoyed school dances more.  Note to young guys: Girls love to dance!  


Today I've started something I've thought about but haven't done much. When I write in here I set the timer for half an hour, and then set the timer for 20 minutes and practice piano, and so on. So, everything I do I only have to think about that one task and I can concentrate fully on it without worrying about other things. I don't stay overly long on one thing (like Facebook or emails) and in the end get much more done. It's like multi-tasking but only doing one thing at a time. Much more efficient, I think.

IGLOO FOR CATS, EH?

WED 19 JAN 2011 12:25am
Went for a walk. It was just too nice out not to. Above freezing, snow is melting all over the place, and it's also very bright with the full moon, even though it's cloudy. Stayed on the road because the snow is quite deep and I don't have that much energy to walk through it.
 I'm tired, off to bed.

THURS 20 JAN 2011 12:22pm Woke up to a bright sunny day. It was bright last night also with the full moon giving its' all. Started dance lessons -again- and I think it's going to take this time. It's a bonus, although not for Susan, the instructor, that there are only 3 couples, so it goes much faster and we get more individual attention, which really helps. The steps are much more in my head, now I have to work on timing, which has always been a challenge for me.

Tonight it's acting classes! I feel so Bohemian.

We're both a bit wiped today. I cut some more wood yesterday. Piano playing is coming along. It really is just repetition. Maryanne is such a beautiful melody it almost brings a tear when I play it. Well, it looks like the dishes aren't going to do themselves, so I guess I'll wander over there.

FRI 21 JAN 2011  10:49am Had our first drama class. Alana, the instructor is a professional actor with lots of experience behind her. She would be between engagements now because she will be having a baby in a month or so. Claire, a musician we've met before, is the only other one for now, there might be one or two more next week.

She talked about what acting is and how the aim of the course is to make us free enough to take on other roles. We did some role playing which I always dreaded but found to be quite fun once I got into it. It was improv, actually, another thing I've always wanted to do. I think this really is what I've been looking for. The self-censor is so strong in me I have trouble talking to people. It even affects my writing. If I can get over that I know it will be life-changing.

Igloo for Cats

Denny Crane & Allan Shore

I see the cats are using the igloo I built them - a tarp and snow covering the picnic table. That's good because it was bitter last night. There's a piece of foam on the ground also. They're such good buddies these guys, we call them Denny Crane and Allan Shore, referencing the old Boston Legal series. We don't get TV but we do get some series from the library on DVD. That was one we enjoyed. 
And these guys are inseparable just like their name-sakes. They aren't fat-cats, though, just heavily furred.

INSURANCE, JAZZ AND THE WHITE ASH

Our White Ash

TUES 18 JAN 2011 4:17 pm  A lot has happened in the past few days. Insurance inspector from head office came to check us out today. I'll admit I was a bit nervous. These guys can get nasty. But, this guy was really nice and there didn't seem to be any problem. Took pictures of the wood stove-that's their biggest bugbear-and the chimney. Thinks it may need a brace but that's not a big deal if it does.

Richard, our regular agent dropped in on Friday. Asked him if he needed a coffee, he said no, just needed someone to talk to. He loves to talk and be with people. He's in the right profession, I guess.

So, anyway that was a relief getting a clean slate with the insurance company. We've done without it all these years, ever since we moved here, because no-ones wants to insure a house with only a wood stove for heat. But, we wanted a mortgage, and had to get insurance. Finally we found someone who would take a chance on us if we got a furnace so we did that.

We also picked up a new Canon printer with a scanner, and it also prints onto CDs, which is a bonus.  I wanted to cut a few more of mine.

Lot's of playing woodsman this week. Cutting up larger branches with the little electric chainsaw, and cutting large grapevines that threaten to take over the trees at the back. I don't get over to the White ash often but was there today cutting back stuff around it. It's massive, when you get right up to it. Nice tree.

This is a big weekend for us. Going to a Jazz safari put on by JAZZ.FM. We go to 5 jazz clubs in one night. Booked a room at the Hotel Isabella, a historic old place, and cheap. Got the email from Jaymz Bee, the host, about other arrangements. Starts at 7 at the Liberty Bistro and goes to 'round midnight. Should be a great time. This is our holiday that we keep talking about taking but never get around to.

Snow has been drip, drip dripping all day, it's so mild. Now it's snowing but it's so light it's almost rain.
 

Snow-Blown Fields

ROLLING PENNIES

Today I rolled pennies. That may seem insignificant but it's a nice little ritual. I save them in the same Gattuso olive jar in the shape of an owl that I've used since I was a kid growing up in Milton, Ontario. As I pile them in stacks of 10 I keep a look out for old ones.

Usually I consider anything from the 60s and older fair game. I remember when it was not unusual to find coins from the 1800s in your change. Once I got an Indian Head U.S. penny at the grocery store. If I got one now I'd think I'd died and gone to heaven. Now, the very oldest you find is usually from the 40s.

The other thing is it's meditative. Anything that slows you down is a good idea. Calm and reflective, that's the ticket. You look at the dates and think back to what it was like around that time. I found an American penny from 1952 today. That was only a couple of years after I was born. You have to wonder what's it been doing all this time. How many grubby pockets has it been in? How many houses; how many vintage cars? Nothing endures like coinage.

ON THE PROWL FOR PHOTOS

WED 12 JAN 2011 2:55 pm Out on the prowl again while Jackie does more filming. Looking for photo ops.
Stopped at the Joseph W. Csubak Memorial Viewing area. It is a high spot between Pt. Rowan and Turkey Point that overlooks a vast flood plain that is used for agriculture. I don't know much about the area just like to gaze at it. Must find out more.

Scene from J.W. Csubak Viewing Area

Then to Turkey Point which is named after the wild turkeys which once were plentiful then became greatly reduced. But, an organization has reintroduced them and they are now seen about quite often. In fact, I saw three ambling across the road on the way here. They were scared into flight by the car but it's flight is low and seems to be very labour-intensive.  You really hate to put them to all that trouble.

Turkey Point Harbour

There's some particular type of beauty in desolate spots, whether it's because it's out of season, or deserted and feeling the weight of time, or even just after hours. The hum of activity is stopped, people are gone, what remains are souvenirs left to the weather and wildlife.  That's the kind of thing I like to shoot.

Boat Houses - Booth's Harbour

Wind Turbines in Norfolk

1ST PIANO LESSON

TUES 11 JAN 2011 2:30PM  Had my first piano lesson from my good friend Dianne. No matter how old you get it's always good to start something new. Keeps the juices flowing. Keeps you humble too. I've been a keyboard adventurer, played on my CD, Various Mansions of the Universe, but don't know the first thing about proper form or how to read the bass cleft, things like that. I like not even knowing what there is to know. But, if you want to make any real progress you eventually have to know it. If that makes sense.
Dianne ran for public office this past year but unfortunately lost. She has been presenting Tillsonburg Music Fest on Canada Day for 7 years now with very little support from the town. It's a shame how the arts can take a back seat in some places.
While Jackie shops for groceries I sit overlooking a big field and the wind is just howling. The wind is sort of my totem. It feeds me when I need refilling. If you listen closely it will speak to you of long ago and far away. For who has done more travelling through time and space than the wind?

Got a shot of an Amish buggy and the faithful horse. He has to sit out and wait also. He's got a blanket on but must be still a bit cold. Like Gord Downie  says it's a lazy wind, it doesn't go around you, it goes right through.
My favourite part of this is being able to link to sites. It makes it so easy for someone to check out something that may pique their interest.
There are a lot of Amish farms around here which gives you a fascinating look at another culture, what was once our culture. Before cars everyone knew what to do with a horse. And people lived and died by what they could grow to eat.  And this is less than 200 years ago.

OUT & ABOUT

MON 10 JAN 2011 7:30 am Finally got up early, about an hour ago. Have been working on Ghosts, a short fiction about a truck driver  who, in the early hours, keeps finding traffic victims in the passenger seat.  Most of them very talkative.

A nice treat for getting up early. It was like frozen snow flakes stuck to the branches.

2:18 pm I'm out and about today. Mostly returning stuff to stores. And returning to stores to look for my keys. They were missing in action, leaving a bit of a sinking feeling. The only place I thought they might be is in the trunk because I'd put some stuff in there. But, I retraced my steps and found them at the customer service in Zehr's. A big thank you to the universe.
Cold and clear. The Inner Bay at Long Point sits frozen and solemn. Looks like a few ice huts far in the distance. Soon there will be many more as the ice gets thicker.
 The Country Coffee coffee is hitting the spot. A Kestrel just flew by in dive bomb position. I wonder who bought it. This is what I like about being laid off. Having the time to sit and contemplate without feeling the need to be somewhere else.

Long Point - Inner Bay

This is one of the best places to do that. An overview of a World Biosphere Site. It's good to be able to let your eyes focus far into the distance.  Good for the soul.
  Work should be what you love to do not what you have to do. Of course, for some of us, we're probably better off than at any time in history but, there's still room for improvement.
It's funny, I was sitting here for at least a half hour and nobody drove in. As soon as I got out to take pictures everyone and their brother pulled in.
One reason I'm out today is Jackie is filming her Chi-Fusion class. This is how she's judged capable of teaching by the man giving the course. And it helps apparently if I'm not running in and out every 5 minutes. Which I guess I tend to do.

A WALK ON THE PIER

Fishing Boat in Port Burwell

Port Burwell Pier

SAT 08 JAN 2011  4:44 pm   Got my CD ready to send to Library and Archives Canada. They collect a copy of everything created  in any format in Canada. I knew about that but didn't think to send one of mine, so they wrote asked for one. Anyway, now it will rest proudly in the archives along with all the others. I wonder if anyone there ever listens to them. I guess if it looks interesting enough.

Got to shovel paths through the snow this morning. One of my favourite things. We got a huge dump last night. Now our place looks like some northern outpost with trails from building to building to car. Time to sit back and enjoy winter.

Jackie is hard at work on her Chi-Fusion course. It comes from Al Simon who also has a blog.Should be cleared to teach the first part soon. Looking at teaching seniors for who it is really helpful. It's easy enough to do but takes some commitment.

She's also trying to make the MAC less sluggish.

Just finished The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Excellent writing that stays with you long after you finish.  Characters are real as life; you can practically hear them breathing.

SUN 09 JAN 2010 2:29 pm   I mentioned the Big Breakfast diet earlier and gave a link to it. Reading that link later I noticed most of the comments were uncomplimentary, except the last one written by Mary, a person with diabetes. Be sure to read hers if you are interested. Her experience is closer to ours. You have to actually read the book and think about how to apply the information in your own life. I've never felt better since I started this diet, and definitely have never had so much energy. So there, nay-sayers!

Snowing heavily again, wood fire is blazing away and Duke Ellington is playing clear and pure. Life as it was meant to be.

But, it gets even better. Went for a frosty walk along the Port Burwell pier. Lot's of people driving around the turn-a-bout. It's a given - if you come to town you at least do a drive-by to salute the water. Felt good to get out and walk and I got a few shots which I shared at the top of the page. Now we're back home and the fire is still blazing and the Duke is still dripping honeyed notes.

SNOW LAST NIGHT

THE WEEK PROGRESSES

THURS 06 JAN 2011  3:01 pm  Dentist visit today. We actually like going. I guess it feels good to know that your mouth is being looked after and it will still be around for as long as we need it. Jackie has a cavity, so she has to go back next week. Overall though we're a lot better than before. Part of it is our new Big Breakfast diet. We've been on that for a few months and have much more energy and have lost weight. I think it's the first actual diet I've ever been on. We're at a grocery store now picking up something for lunch. It's cheaper than a restaurant and you can have what is needed at this time. No carbs or sweets in the afternoon. After we need to get a new scanner. I have a lot of old photos I want to get on so I really need one.

4:38 pm Lunch was good. Chicken and vegetables and fruit. No luck with a scanner yet. Walking is still hard, although the right ankle is a bit less painful.

FRI 07 JAN 2011 1:34 pm Put up the first photo on my blog. It looks good, went up easily and quickly. So, I will use many more. It is called Gingerbread Hot Tub. Lori's little cookies soaking in my breakfast  bowl. Lori has a nice tradition with her mother Pat, and now her daughter, Logan, each year before Christmas, to take a day baking a whole pile of gingerbread people together. And lucky friends like me get to sample the results.   And, of course, seeing them lounging in my yogurt I couldn't resist taking a picture.

I met Lori when I went back to school some 15 years ago. We were in the Library Tech. Program. The year I would have graduated, (except for the one credit I never did get), was around the time our Premier decided that libraries weren't really that important since he had only read one book in his life, and cut back funding and jobs. So, I never worked in the field but did get a lot out of the experience. Not the least being I met a life-long friend who is as taken by literature as I am. And makes good cookies.

Jackie, who is my IT person along with a long list of other things, is trying to reattach an old printer which should still work to take the place of a newer one which doesn't. But, she's having difficulties, probably has to phone the company.

I just came in from cutting fire wood, trying to clean up the back where we lost large limbs and even whole trees this year. Quiet today, even the wind turbines stand silent. A gentle snow is falling. Sometimes it's like living in a snow globe.

Michael, who is Jackie's son, phoned today saying he's put an offer in for a house in Goderich, where he now lives in an apartment in a house. He seems to like that town a lot. It's been called Ontario's prettiest town, with it's big square which is actually octagonal, and it's great beach on Lake Huron. He likes walking beaches also. I think it's becoming a national pastime. Anything that gets you away from cities is good in my book.

GINGERBREAD HOT TUB

SNOW ON THE GROUND

TUES 04 JAN 2011 10:52 am Snow. It finally looks like winter again, not like an early spring with green grass and mud in the driveway. I've started to take a picture a day in the same spot outside the living room window. This is to go on for a year. Should be interesting.

I'm going to my son Matt's to get snow tires on. Just in the nick of time probably.

Had a good visit with Helen's family on Sunday. A wild old game of Frustration, a card game taught us by my parents years ago and a favourite of lovers of punishment ever since, went on for hours. Coleen won. My great-niece who now is living in Dallas TX and has been to more countries than I've probably even heard of.
Have to leave for Oakville now.


WED 05 JAN 2011 11:26 am Snow on the ground, snow all around. Dum de dum. I'm sore today, not to mention yesterday. When I took the car in to have the door lock fixed I walked to downtown Simcoe and back. Walking on sidewalks destroys my feet. And my ankles, and my knees and hips. That's partly why I live in the country. When I drove to Matt's I could barely work the brake and clutch pedals.

Got the winter tires on. The two back tires were slick, so it was a good time. Have to buy new ones in the spring. Also replace suspension parts. But that's for later. Now it's running smoothly. It is good to have a mechanic for a son. The house that he and Vanessa are going to rent in Aug is really coming along. All new electrical and plumbing is done. Good second-hand kitchen cupboards bought. I had a good visit.
Watched a Barbie movie with Chloe. I actually kind of enjoyed it. Maybe because I was watching it with my grandaughter snuggled in beside me and giving me a running commentary. Maybe because they used such fanciful scenes. Would I still like it if I was watching it with a bunch of bikers at a bar? I'll have to try that sometime. I have no trouble sitting through Teletubbies either.  Colton and Chloe played their little guitars that they'd gotten for Christmas.

I'm having a bit of trouble knowing how to proceed with this. This blog is supposed to be my journal as it is. But, when I write in the journal not expecting anyone else to read it it's different than knowing others will see it. The problem isn't a privacy thing it's just how much extra explaining I need to do for others to know what and who I'm talking about. If I explain too much it throws off the rhythm of the writing and makes it sound forced. I only mention this because this blog is an experiment for me and later I'll look back and say Oh yes, I had this problem and this is how it worked itself out.

For now I think I'll revert to not explaining over-much and if you are following you will eventually see where everyone fits in. Let's see how that goes, shall we?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

SUN O1JAN 2011 3:26 PM  2011 started out wet an' wild, and it hasn't changed all day. Jackie just went to the beach to wake herself up a bit. Said it's a bit desolate down there.

Last night, for the first time in years, we went out for new years' eve. It was a lovely evening at our good friend Cindy's house. She's an outstanding musician and works with blind kids at a school. Her mom Mary shares the house. She is a counsellor and at the age of 80 took up welding and artfully arranges metal pieces into sculptures. Other guests included Joanne, a sensitive and skillful artist, her partner John who can transform any subject into math and science. He constantly amazes me. Sara is in charge of the music department at a local high school and manages and promotes some great acts. Wayne, her husband stokes the coke ovens at the steel plant. But, that doesn't begin to describe the real guy. He's also a musician, builder & renovator, vibrant and funny. It was great to while away the end of the year with these people. And the 3 dogs and one cat. The baked salmon was delicious. And we almost made it to midnight.

7:09 PM Just went out to dinner at the local diner. A new year's day chicken special. They weren't sure it would go but there were line-ups to get in. Rainey, the owner, was just beaming.

Talked to my sister, Helen, earlier and found out she has stacks of journals also. She doesn't want to go public yet, though. I'd like to read them.