June 3-5 Batten Disease Awareness Weekend

Press Release:  June 1, 2011 (Reynoldsburg, OH) – Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA) is holding its 3rd annual Batten Disease Awareness Weekend, June 3-5, 2011 to bring recognition to a rare but devastating disease. Batten disease is a genetic neurological disease that brings an early death to each child it affects. The disease may not be well known, but its effects on a family can be seen in numerous cities and towns around the country.

“Approximately 30 children will be diagnosed with Batten disease this year, and about the same number will also pass away before the end of 2011”, said Adina Ryan, development director for the BDSRA. “That is simply too many children and families who will not get to celebrate their 3rd birthday, play little league, or simply fulfill all the plans and dreams that every mom and dad wished for.” she continued. "Our only hope is that scientists and researchers will find a cure that will save future generations of our children," she added.

While there is hope in research for a treatment or cure, the funds are hard to come by. Families around the world will be doing their part this weekend to raise both awareness and funds for children suffering with this fatal disease. You can help spread awareness about the cruelty of this disease. On June 3-5, 2011, please take a moment to tell someone about Batten disease and how it can steal a precious child’s hopes and dreams. You can also donate to the Batten Disease Support and Research Association by visiting our website at www.bdsra.org. Every story and every dollar makes a difference. The cure depends on us...we depend on you.

A Deadly Disease with No Cure

Batten disease is a genetic neurological disorder that affects children and adolescents. Over time, affected children suffer mental impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of sight and motor skills. Eventually, children with Batten disease become blind, bedridden, and unable to communicate. Presently, there is no effective treatment for the disease and the disease is always fatal.


About the Batten Disease Support and Research Association

The Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA) is the largest support and research organization in North America for families that have children with the disease. "Over 50% of our annual budget goes toward research, and more than 96% of our funding is provided through families of children with Batten disease and private contributions," said Lance W. Johnston, Executive Director. "In order to find, and fund the cure, we simply have to broaden our horizons and get more interest in helping these children, said Adina Ryan, Director of Development.

BDSRA has been supporting families with programs, services and research funds since 1987, and we encourage you to visit our website at www.bdsra.org or call 800-448-4570 to learn more about Batten disease and what you can do to help.

Brenna Colleen Greig

June 20, 1989 - September 21, 1997

"You will miss her."  It was said with brisk but genuine sympathy...."Like a fibre gone from my heart."

"Do not marvel at this, because the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out...."  John 5:28,29

Susan/Salynne©2011

  

Just One of My Favorite Things - Cineplex Odeon Classic Film Series

"The Hills are alive...with the sound of Music"...at least they were at theatre that we attended last Wednesday evening.  Cineplex Odeon has a fabulous Classic Film series wherein they showcase older movies at selected theatres and The Sound of Music was being featured on the big screen.  Some of the other movies this past year were Dr. Zhivago, Psycho, The Wizard of Oz and upcoming will be Mash and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. We saw Casablanca in the fall and I came to understand why Humphrey Bogart became such a big star and what a great actor he was-the camera angles really focused on his face and micro-expressions but all of that is lost on a smaller TV screen.  Seeing these movies on the big screen is like seeing them for the first time.

In The Sound of Music I saw for the first time the detail and beauty of the ballroom and the stately home the family lives in.  The background scenery was not just a foggy blur but you got a sense of the majesty of the Alps and when the camera zoomed in on Julie Andrews on the top of the mountain it made you feel like you were breathing fresh mountain air.  I fell in love all over again with Christopher Plummer too.  It's no wonder the audience broke out into spontaneous applause when the credits appeared.

The Sound of Music will be playing again this coming Sunday, May 29, so if you want the opportunity to sing along with Julie Andrews to My Favorite Things or get goosebumps when the Nazi's are looking for the Von Trapp family in the graveyard be sure to check out where it is playing.  Oh yes, and for those frugally minded, one of the bonuses is the cost is only $5.00 which means you can splurge on some extra goodies;  and considering the movie is three hours long, although there was a short intermission, you just might need the sustenance!

Check out Cineplex Odeon Classic Film Series Here

Salynne ©2011

Five Reasons to Live in a Cabin Up North Alone

The thought of living in a cabin up north all alone is one of those fantasies that I reserve for one of THOSE days.  Not the kind where I just want the world to stop for a short while so I can catch my breathe or when I want run away to France to for a couple of weeks.  It's one of those "if another thing happens to add to my stress and busyness I'm going to quit the world and become a hermit" days. 

Thankfully days like that don't happen that often but when they do I have to say that I envy good ole Dick Proennke of Alone in the Wilderness fame. The documentary style chronicle of how at the age of 50 he decided to go into the wilderness of Alaska, build a log cabin and live all on his own is one of my favorite night time TV spots on PBS.  It's not hard to put myself back into the emotional foray of one of those days and the reasons why I want to run away: 

1.  Going north and being by myself would get me away from irritating people, cranky people and people demanding things of me, wanting things done yesterday.  Oh...to throw away my overloaded work schedule!

2.  I could get away from sick and dying children.  I do like and sometimes love my job but there are days when seeing little kids who should be healthy and happy and who aren't is just too much to take.  Instead I could look at the healing beauty of nature, green trees and blue sky.  And I could spend my time building a cabin, making door hinges or my very own wooden spoon--quiet but contemplative work.

.

3.  No traffic and no stupid rush hour....only peace, quiet and bird song...how I love to hear birds. 

4.  Going North means SNOW.  Tons and tons of snow. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers magical scenery.   Blissful, white flakes falling softly into a blanket instead of wet, slushy, half rain/half snow that soaks through everything.  And let's talk about sunshine...sunshine instead of rain which is another thing I could very easily get used to.

5.   A cabin.  What is better than a log cabin to live in?  With a log burning fireplace built of river rock.  No namby pamby gas burning or electric fake.  Real logs and a real fire to drink a glass of wine in front of (of course I'd take wine up North with  me!) and I could spend time just writing...writing to my hearts content.  No interruptions, no phone calls, just me and my journal.  The Dick Proennke website says it all: 

"To live in a pristine land unchanged by man...
to roam a wilderness through which few other humans have passed...
to choose an idyllic site, cut trees and build a log cabin...
to be a self-sufficient craftsman, making what is needed from materials available...
to be not at odds with the world, but content with one's own thoughts and company..."

Yes, lots of reasons to move up North alone.  Only problem is there would be no family dinners, no laughing at my sons jokes until my stomach hurts and tears run down my face, no TV to cuddle in front of and watch Pride & Prejudice with Keeley, no Bruce to share a glass of wine with, no morning kitty kisses, and no computer to connect with friends or blog on.  OK..so maybe moving up north all alone for good isn't realistic but just being able to think about it always makes me feel better and somehow the day turns out to be not that bad after all.

Salynne©2011

I AM Metis-An Emotional Journey

I've known for about ten years that I'm of aboriginal ancestry on my mothers side. I'm Métis and getting my & Keeley's "Métis status" is something I've wanted to do for years.  Today Keeley and I went to the Nova Métis Society in Surrey and met the lovely couple who volunteer there weekly and keep the place running.  In the past you could walk in to any Métis organization, self-identify as mixed ancestry and become a member.  That is no longer the case.

Traditional Metis Sash

In the summer of 2003 the supreme court of Canada's Powley decision provided guidance on who can claim Aboriginal rights.  Being "Métis" does not encompass just anyone who is of mixed Aboriginal and European ancestry. The term  "Métis" refers to distinctive peoples of mixed ancestry who developed their own customs, practices, traditions and recognizable group identities separate from their Indian, Inuit and European ancestors.  In practical terms this means you must have proof of Métis ancestry documents to at least 1901; in the case of the Nova Métis society and the Métis National Council they want to see five generations and evidence of an ancestor who received a land grant or a scrip grant under the Manitoba Act or the Dominion Lands Act, or who was recognized as a Métis in other government, church or community records.

I was excited with anticipation but also nervous that we would not be approved.  My research, and that done by my mom and a couple of aunts, showed the names of my grandparents, great-grand parents going back more than five generations along with deep connections to the Métis homeland in the Red River Valley.   I even have a photo showing my great-grandmother at 16, her mother and her two grandmothers!  Still it all had to be confirmed by governmental archival and consensus type documents.

My Great-Grandmother Melanie at 16 on the right,
Her mother on the left and two Grandmothers in the Centre.
Her cousin front left and brother with hat off.

It took almost two hours to do research but right in hard print before our eyes we got to see confirmation that generations of my family were listed.  My mom's family names such as Parisien, Marjore & St. Denis are common and well-known names in Metis history and geneology.  As we sat at the table covered in books we talked about other things that I knew about my family-in particular my Grandmother.  She was the secretary for the Saskatchewan Métis association back in the late 1960's during the time when Métis people started a new round of political activism.  My mom left her family and did not want much to do with them after she got married so all I knew growing up was that she had been really poor and embarrased to be from the "wrong side of the tracks".  Yes, I knew I had cousins, aunts & uncles in Saskatchewan and an aunt who had married a native and lived on a reserve but as far as I was concerned my mom's family really consisted of just of my "Nanny" who came to visit a few months each year to escape the winter.   I remember knowing that she had been a social worker and had raised a couple of foster kids after her children had grown up but that really didn't mean a lot to me when all I knew was a Nan who came and baked buns, bread and pies and taught me how to play crib.

I knew that somehow I had aboriginal ancestry but had no idea what that involved.  Only two times in my life do I ever remember my Nan saying anything about our background.  The first was when I was very young and she told me a traditional Indian tale about how the Bear lost his tail.  Then when I was in my early twenties and we were in an antique store together, she told me furtively and in a very quiet voice that I should take note of some beadwork because it was the same as my great-grandmother did and that I should remember that one of my great-grandmothers had fought in the Louis Riel rebellion;  she said that they ran out of ammunition and that they put buttons into their guns and fired them at the soldiers.  She said it quickly, in a very low tone and then walked away from me--thinking back it's one of those moments when I wish I had had enough insight to realize the import of what she said; one thing is clear in my mind though--she may have said it quietly and quickly but there was a note of pride when she said that I should remember this fact about my family.  More than likely, knowing my mother did not want to have anything to do with her past, Nan was being discreet and did not want to get in trouble with her daughter.

Metis Beadwork by Artist Lisa Shepherd

It was not long after seeing my great-grandfathers name in one of the books at the office and after we had started talking about my Grandmother that I started having a shaky feeling inside.  After that we finished up the rest of the process and were told we can expect to get our Métis Nations cards some time in the next six to eight weeks.  I still have to get a couple of birth certificates as absolute proof but there is no doubt that Keeley and I are of Métis origin and we have been accepted and recognized as such.  We left the office with a book about Métis history, a Métis cookbook, Métis magazines on art and culture and the sense that we have a new-found family. 

It's been several hours since we've been home but the shaky feeling is still with me and I feel like weeping. It's a very clear sign that I have a lot of un-resolved issues about this and that I'm about to embark on a rather unexpected emotional journey.  Most of it, I feel certain, is related to my Grandmother and mother's relationship and the sorrow that I can feel just under the surface at not really knowing the dynamic woman I suspect my Grandmother was.

Salynne/Susan ©2011

UPDATE:  July 2012 - I am now also writing at a new blog:  The Métis Reconteur where I write using my real name; the focus is on sharing my Métis culture.

Favorite Films That Will Always Stick With You

The rules: Don’t take too long to think about it. Twenty films you’ve seen that will always stick with you. List the first twenty you can recall in no more than twenty minutes.  In some particular order:

1.A Year in Provence--The most watched movie in my library for when I cannot be in France.

2.French Kiss-the second most watched movie in my library.

3.Pride & Prejudice-all six hours; best with a cup of tea and a day off school with Keeley but my other favorite time watching was the six hour marathon with good friends!

4.Much Ado About Nothing--I'd always hated Shakespeare--that was probably related to the fact that when I was in Grade 8 we were doing Romeo and Juliette and the nurse came to the door and told me my Grandmother had died....but that is another story.  Much Ado About Nothing is how I fell in love with Shakespeare--"there's a double meaning in that".

5.The Man from Snowy River-I always wanted a cowboy to sweep me off my feet.

6.The Princess Bride-one of the few movies I remember quotes from! "My name is Enigo Montoya. You Killed my Father. Prepare to Die".

7.Dr. Doolittle--this was Brenna's favorite movie; we watched it pretty much every day from the time she was 18 months old until she died at 8; so maybe it is my most watched movie!  Sometimes I put it on in the middle of the night when I cannot sleep and it just makes me feel all happy inside.  I've been wanting a ride on that big Pink Sea Snail or the Lunar Moth since I was a little girl...

8.The Sound of Music-just one of my "favorite things" but only once a year or so.

9.Chitty Chitty Bang Bang-a memorable movie that's for sure.  I was so scared of this when I was a kid because of the child catcher that I wouldn’t let Keeley see it until she was 11 because I was worried she be traumatized.

10.Chocolat-what can I say...Johnny.....Chocolate......Johnny....

11.Tortilla Soup--one of my favorite food movies; food & family sitting around the dinner table, what more could you want in life.

12.The Philadephia Experiment-this was one of first sci-fi shows I ever saw...time travel...I was hooked.

13.Amelie-absolutely charming; I was so happy when Keeley was old enough to watch it with me.

14.Earthquake-another one of those that scared me to death--I think it's where my fear of bridges come from.

15.Seven Brides for Seven Brothers-this was another one that we played a lot when Brenna was alive only this was one of Keeley's favorites.  She'd put on her yellow dress and dance her heart out.  You also cannot deny this has the most majical winter scenes ever--fake but magical.

16.Beauty & the Beast-we went to the movie theatre and Brenna wore her big pink "beast" slippers.  Everyone gave her attention, she was sooo cute.  It's one of my favorite memories.

17.Bed of Roses-hmmm...pause...what can I say...a very thoughtful movie, mirrored my own life in many way.... and the garden, oh my goodness-sometimes I've watched just the garden scene to get me in the mood to get out in to my own garden.

18.Pirates of the Caribbean--Johnny....even with bad teeth; this is the ONLY movie I've dressed up for!  Keeley and I put on our pirate headbands & earrings and we went to the midnight showing.

19.Bread & Tulips--this is one of my favorite foreign films that I usually watch when I'm alone; its for those times I wish I could step off the world and slow things down.

20.Breakfast at Tiffany’s--the ultimate classic; the ultimate actress. 

Others that I just cannot leave off the list-besides I'm always an over-achiever and I'm affected a lot by movies:

1.Persuasion--I cannot leave this out; it's my all-time favorite Jane Austen book come to life; I've seen three versions and I love them all.

2.You've Got Mail-a good one for a rainy day--I want that bookshop!

3.Funny Face--I always wanted to be the girl in the black top, leggings & flats on the top of that ladder..again I think it has something to do with the books.

4.Innerspace--totally a hilariously funny movie; I nearly broke the seat in the theatre from laughing so hard the first time I saw it.

5.Peter Pan--my all time favorite story & the Disney version got even better when we went on the Peter Pan ride at DisneyLand because I was flying!

6.Mary Poppins-another Brenna favorite which I'm sure I've seen hundreds of times.  It's magical, just magical-who doesn't want to jump into a chalk picture & dance with penguins?

7.101 Dalmations-one more Brenna favorite that is burned into my brain. When I was a kid I love the  thought of two doggies getting married....and "all those little ones"-ok so maybe I can quote from three movies.

8.Pretty Woman--I still want that polka dot dress--ok...the 2011 version without the shoulder pads.

9.The Lion King--great movie but we ended up having to get rid of it because Keeley would go around biting people after she watched it--good thing she was only 3 at the time.  We still don't have it in our Library although its on our acquisition list...I'm a little worried.

10.Secondhand Lions--cannot help but think of my Grandfather and the farm in Saskatchewan.

11.A Beautiful Mind--this was riveting Russel Crowe-I was speechless and I think I held my breathe for most of the show.  It was one of those movies that I couldn't stop thinking about for days afer.

12.Walk the Line--I've always been fascinated with Johnny & Roseanne; true love and country music...the best!

13.Seducing Dr. Lewis--it sounds bad but its not what you think & its one of the sweetest "foreign" movies I've seen despite it not really being foreign but home grown French Canadian.

14.August Rush--a modern day fairytale; I love the feel of this movie and the music.  Not a great classic but I liked it enough to buy it and watch it once in a while.

15.Mostly Martha--my all time favorite German movie...mmm food--the American remake "No Reservations" was horrible.

16.Brigadoon--an all time family favorite and one we love to share with friends, especially when a certain friend happened to be dating someone Scottish-we arranged a special viewing.

17.The Village--Ok...so have you noticed a category missing from my list.  Suspense.  Suspense and I don't get along but this was so incredible.....I had to watch it and turn the channel every time I started to freak out but I was in love with the movie by the end.  I've watched it all the way through a couple of timesbut it's still freaky...ahhhhhh! what was that?

18.Footloose--totally an 80's icon movie.  I saw it at a drive-in movie in Cache Creek with Bruce after we were first married--our car was rockin cause we were hoppin in our seats to the music!

19.Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School--one of the more recent movies I've seen that left me pondering for days. Not only was the list of cast members stellar but I was touched by way they handled the topic of grief, bereavement and moving on.

20.Casablanca--I just saw it on the big screen a couple of months ago and was awestruck--I now know why women loved Humphrey Bogart!

There's a lot more that come to mind but it's been fun taking a virtual walk through my DVD cupboard and discovering the reasons why some movies will always stick with me.

Salynne

Bad Timing - Hot Chocolate, Memories and a Diet

Bad Timing.  It happens now and again. 

I started my HCG diet again. Beforehand I prepared myself mentally and have been looking forward to enjoying the bounty of spring vegetables.  For the past week things have been going well and I have been watching my weight on the scale go down each day.  I've enjoyed swiss chard, asparagus, grape tomatoes and even the celery is crisp and better tasting this time of year.  Peppermint or Apple Spice herbal teas have been my comfort treats.

And then this morning darling daughter said she'd found a new recipe and she begged me to make it.  I love cooking and don't even mind doing so for other people when I'm on HCG and its restricted diet but today's request was the ultimate test of will-power.  Now what sort of concoction should put me on the verge of throwing out weight loss, healthy eating and all self-restraint? 

Nutella Hot Chocolate
3 Tbs Nutella
1 1/3 Cup Milk

Put the Nutella and 1/3 cup milk into a small saucepan over low-medium heat.  Stir until Nutella is melted.  Add remaining milk and increase heat to medium and whisk until hot and frothy.


Keeley Greig Photography

Ever since our first trip to France, Nutella has been a staple in our home and diet.  I love chocolate and I love hazelnuts, it's a match made in culinary heaven as far as I'm concerned.  By the time the Nutella Hot Chocolate was done my mouth was salivating and I just had to have a taste.  It was oh, so creamy, and rich.  Memories of being a kid coming home after skating to find my Dad had made hot chocolate & Cheez Whiz on toast flashed before my eyes.  Then I was off to France and sitting in the cafe in Monet's garden sipping dark delicious cocoa.  And finally I saw myself sitting around the campfire with whipped cream and marshmallow topped hot chocolate in a blue & white speckled tin cup.

It's a bit of a rainy day and all I could think about was the comfort a good cup of hot chocolate brings.  I took one extra sip and handed it over.  Keeley tasted it and smiled dreamily.  Bad timing for me but I did find contentment in knowing that "the first time we had Nutella Hot Chocolate" made a very good memory for her.

Salynne ©2011

Getting Things Accomplished-A Bucket List

At Closet Writers several weeks ago the prompt I chose was "Describe one thing you feel is necessary for you to do before you die". 

My list of things I want to do before I die is comprehensive; there isn't just one thing, but 249 at last count, and I know that list will grow.  It all started when my daughter's class watched the movie The Bucket List three years ago and the required class assignment was for each student to create their own of things that they wanted to do before they kicked the bucket.  She created a beautiful little book with a list of over one hundred things she wants to accomplish such as visiting a concentration camp, see a Shakespeare play at the globe, make pasta, go to Egypt, and drink a cup of tea at the Empress Hotel.

I was completely inspired and decided that I too wanted to create my own list.  I chose a black leather journal that had the imprint of the Eiffle tower on the front, appropriate because Paris is one of my favorite cities and quite a number of the things I want to do are related to the "city of lights".  There are many travel goals, the desire to meet a couple of specific celebrities but the one outstanding thing on my list, the one that seems to jump off the page each time I look through my journals pages is "Quit work and write full-time".

In the movie, both Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson are diagnosed with terminal cancer and they pursue accomplishing one item on the list after the other because their time was so limited.  For those of us who don't have terminal illnesses, however, creating a bucket list is still a great idea because it is essentially writing down goals. About nine years ago I read a book by Brian Tracy, one of my favorite motivational gurus, and  I decided to follow his advice and write down 25 goals that I wanted to accomplish in the next five years.  Brian's encouraged reading that list every day with the understanding that our mind and subconscious will then work toward things we write down and think about.  I did look over the list I created each day for several weeks but the sheet of paper somehow got buried and I lost track of it.  Seven years later, around the time of Keeley's assignment, my list turned up from its hidden spot inside of a book.

You can imagine my surprise when I looked at the list and realized that I had actually accomplished 24 of the 25 things.  The one thing that I didn't accomplish was related to a financial goal; I was selling antiques and collectibles on the internet at the time and my goal was a certain amount in sales, which looking back was a little unrealistic.  Still, I had one outstanding month where I made 3/4 of what that goal was and that amount was nothing to sneeze at and in truth fulfilled all of my expectations.  It was shortly after all of this that I started my own bucket list.

 

There is my goal to "have dinner with Michael Buble"; that could be subjective--I could put his Michael Buble Meets Madison Gardens show in my DVD player, put on my MB t-shirt, pour a glass of wine and chow down on a salad, steak and baked potato or some strange opportunity will come up, perhaps through his and my connection with BC Children's Hospital, and I will literally have dinner with him and a few hundred other people.  Or maybe I'll win a "Have dinner with Michael Buble contest.  Regardless of how my goal actually plays out I'm going to have a nice evening.

I have every confidence that I will see the sun rise over the pyramids; that was supposed to happen this fall after Keeley's graduation but the political situation there dictates that will be delayed for now.   Perhaps I'll "create a Brother Cadfael herb garden" this spring, "go on a mountain hike" or "ride in a hot air balloon" this summer, or "book a home exchange" and a flight to Switzerland so that I can "stand on a Swiss Alp and yell out "Ricola"."   I might choose to go down to Fraser Street, spend a few dollars so that I can "wear a Sari" or that might have to wait until I stand on the shore of the ocean and "watch the sun rise in India".  This coming Saturday I might decide to "make Yale Hotel Borchst" for guests or "Finish my Raw Foods cookbook and publish it as an ebook".

What constantly amazes me is how when you actually write things down your subconscious really does start working on those items.  One of the recent things I added to my list was "Learn Archery".  It's not something I know anything about or would even know where to start looking.  Then I'm driving down a street that I always drive down and that I have driven down for at least 10 years and I suddenly noticed an Archery store.  It has been there all along but obviously wasn't a focus in my life.  Then two weeks later I'm driving down the same street and see a young man carrying a bow-no doubt walking to the archery store which I then noticed had a sign in the window "Archery Lessons".  I now know where to go and what to do, its just up to me to decide when and how I want to do it.

There are a lot of things I would like to do before I kick the bucket.  Will I accomplish everything listed in my journal?  Maybe, maybe not.  However, my goal to quit work and write full time is something that I really want to accomplish--I'm glad I've got it written down because just doing that one thing is a sure way that it will happen.  Watch the movie, make a list, get things done.

Salynne ©2011

Mr. Bingley Experiments with Drugs

Mr. Bingley, of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice fame, was spoken of as "lively and unreserved" with "unaffected manners".  He was easy going and didn't care about class differences.  Charm came naturally to him and besides being handsome he was rich and just an all around pleasant fellow.

Of course I've read the book too many times to count and my favorite film is the six hour long BBC production starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and Crispin Bonham-Carter as Mr. Bingley.  The quality of the acting is outstanding in that version but I have to admit that as far as looks go I prefer the Mr. Bingley played by Simon Woods in the 2005 Keira Knightly production of Pride and Prejudice.  There is just something about that shock of orange red hair and the way that his face lights up in a smile that is charming.

So charming did we find him and his style that we couldn't help but think of this Mr. Bingley when we brought our new cat home from the SPCA several years ago.  Our cat who was originally named "Houston" had gotten out of his cage and climbed up into the duct work of the building causing staff to call the manager and explain, "Houston, we have a problem".  We saw his picture on the SPCA website and drove out to Maple Ridge to have a visit.  There were many cats to chose from but our fellow was a charmer who laid down and rolled around on the floor of the visiting room, making eyes and begging us to come and pet him.

When we brought him home I don't know if we had the movie on or if it was just seeing our new cat sit very gentlemanly on the bookshelf but both Keeley and I looked at each other and said, "Mr. Bingley" in unison.  Our Mr. Bingley has a mane of orange on his head, more orange wrapped around his shoulders and back while the rest of him is white.  When he sits, front feet together, he looks as if he's a stately gentleman in regency era breeches and a jacket.  His personality matches Jane's Mr. Bingley well.  He doesn't care about

classes, going to most people for attention  and he is definitely an all-around pleasant fellow who charms pretty much everyone who comes in

to the house.

Today, though we got to see the "unaffected manner" side of our kitty. 

He is still young and plays quite often but today he was running around the house like a wild-man goofy cat--jumping, leaping, playing with anything he could get his claws on and his eyes were huge and a little glazed.  I was beginning to wonder if there was some truth to the full moon go-crazy theory and then I walked into the bathroom.  The truth was all too evident.   Mr. Bingley had very obviously been experimenting with "drugs".  We have a number of very small narrow shelves next to our tub and he must have stood on his hind legs to reach all the way into the back and somehow drag a herbal bath bag down on to the floor.  He then proceeded to completely shred it and spread it all over the room.   Obviously the lavender mint herbal mixture had something in it, perhaps similar to cat nip, that made him go nuts.  He must have imbibed quite a bit because there was not a whole lot left and what was was not spread around the room was a soggy chewed on mess.

Thankfully, after about an hour, our calm, genial, Mr. Bingley returned and for the past few hours he's been sitting on the window seat in front of our living room window.  I'm not sure if he's still too stoned to do much or recovering from expending too much energy.   Who knows what Mr. Darcy would say about his friend trying "drugs" but hopefully Mr. Bingley has learned his lesson and no future intervention will be necessary.  And as a responsible parent I promise not to buy any more bath infusion mixtures that might be too much of a temptation for our gracious, well-mannered gentleman.  

Mr. Bingley with Jane Austen

Salynne ©2011 

Taking a Look Back

Yesterday I decided to go back and look at some of my posts.  There were so many things I forgot about; small, mundane, everyday things that I commented on in my blog--what treasures they are.  I keep a journal but somehow this blog goes into more detail about specific situations and topics plus there is the added dimension related to the satisfaction I get from creative writing.

Looking back shows me that last year, 2010, was more than an interesting year; if I had to classify it or give it a theme I would call it the "year of ups & downs".  Between May and early July we kicked up our heels at two weddings, hosted a 50th wedding anniversary and attended four funerals.  We cancelled our holidays in mid July when it became clear that another friend was losing her battle against breast cancer; it was a privilege to help both her and her husband during her final days.  The following week after her death and before her memorial I wrote her obituary, her memorial program (got a job offer to do memorial programs from the printer) and compiled a book of memories for her parents and her husband.  In November, I revisited the memory book and added a number of my personal thoughts and some of the more difficult conversations that we had.  It was cathartic for me, a way to grieve and let go.

A lot of the last part of 2010 and early 2011 was taken up with the projects at my work like starting to help design a new hospital as well as my involvement with the Federation of BC Writers and the creation of their website.  There are a couple of things I probably should have blogged about.  There was the time I spent over the winter holidays going through the last of the boxes we had packed in preparation for moving to Kamloops.  I don't think I kept more than one item out of each box since I reasoned that if I hadn't missed the items for a year I'd be safe getting rid of them.  Doing that felt like a huge weight off my shoulders and it brought with it a sense of closure.  Then another day Bruce got out his nails & hammer and we went around the house putting up every single piece of artwork that had been hanging around.  Since there was so much found room we redecorated our boudoir in a Paris theme even buying a new ironing board cover in a black & white damask.  It's the little things in life that bring satisfaction!

At that same time we also hired a housekeeper.  We had never really "fully" cleaned the house since renovations were completed last spring/fall.  We found our little Filipino whirlwind through a friend; she came in for two six hour days and did a "winter cleaning" so that she would get the house off to a good start and be able to maintain it easier.  There is absolutely nothing better than coming home to a clean house once every two weeks--we all concur that she is one of the best presents we've ever given ourselves!

Hubby and I also made a new friend in the early months of this year.  HCG.  Human Chorionic Gondatropin.  Nonplussed and puzzled?  We were at first but we found out it's a hormone that is produced during pregnancy and is now being used for weight loss.  I have not owned a scale for almost 20 years and during that time refused to even consider anything that came close to the word "diet".  However, we saw a number of our friends try it and have success by keeping off the weight.  Bruce was the first guinea pig and lost 28 lbs in 21 days.  It was my turn next and I lost 25lbs in 30 days.  And.... I lost it in all the places that I wanted to lose it, just like they said I would.  Going down two dress sizes so quickly has been a little disconcerting and it meant that I had to buy new clothes.  It's probably not a painful thing for most women but I'm no shopper.  I'm still having body size clothes "confusion"--when I went to the store to buy clothes everything I picked out was way to big--it felt good in the change room but a little frustrating too.  Maintaining my new weight has not been a problem and later this month I'm looking forward to starting my second session and losing more weight.

Helping to plan dahling daughter's graduation has also been on the agenda these past few months. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  She is organized, has her dress already, and we've worked out the details of the venue and decor.  Getting on with her "adult" life means moving forward with her step by step plans in learning to cook better by trying out new recipes, using transit, going downtown with friends and doing "adult" things like making reservations and planning events.  I've started reading articles on "empty nesting" and how I need to focus on being proud of her and proud of us as parents for raising such an independent, capable person, instead of the despair and loneliness that an empty bedroom brings....choke, hack, sigh....

So, I think that encapsulates the highlights of what has happened during the past months when I haven't been blogging.  An important step, this looking back but now it's clearly time to move forward.

Salynne
©2011

A New Design

Now that I'm back on blogger.com it's been fun to see some of the advances and changes that they have made in their formats & designs.  It seems appropriate that since I'm getting a new start with my blog there should be a style change as well.  The addition of a photo background, new colours and design is exciting and inspiring to me.  I hope you'll enjoy the changes too!

©Salynne/Susan

The Soup Pot of Life

Sometimes life takes over....
My apologies for not posting more regularly; I got behind in postings and the soup pot of life started filling up. After the pleasure of my in-laws 50th Anniversary the news that my husbands grandmother was palliative was thrown into the mix, followed by the funeral and the family lunch afterwards. A lot of people think that I have an outgoing personality but over the past few years I've found it increasingly challenging to be with new people. Part of it, I'm sure, is that our life tends to be so full that down time with people who I'm close to is treasured. Thankfully, Keeley and I sat with Bruce's Uncle and Aunt whom I do know and love so making conversation was easy; Bruce sat with the other relatives and he had a great time too.

Looking at it from the culinary aspect of my life soup a few really large chunks of tough meat were thrown in next. The week after the funeral I got a disconcerting call from someone in the Ministry of Health telling me that their Patient Care office had a complaint about me and the department I run. Solving the systemic issue took a couple days of working full time which I'm certainly not used too.

At the same time a particular hospital department that has been making leaps and bounds in moving forward with Family Centred Care took a huge step back towards the "medical model". That chunk of meat fell uncontrollably into the pot splashing me right in the face. The next couple of weeks haven then been a mish mash of things. The directive from another part of the Ministry asking me to become involved with a "delicate" family situation was a bit of a surprise, then came the not so good news about a close workmate who is going through a very difficult family situation, concern for my daughter-in-law who was slammed with a whole lot of family bad news, sadness for the two friends who got bad medical news and sorrow when a friends mother and an elderly friend in our congregation died. Throw in a full time 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday project at work that had site wide implications for families that week and it is no wonder there was little time for blogging.

It was crazy busy but it hasn't all been bad. Keeley and I took the long weekend and headed down to Seattle for one day of shopping and two days of pure relaxation. We hit Deception Pass on the way home which is always a place where I can let absolutely everything go.

There was also the wedding of one of girl's who had been best-friends with Brenna. I thought it might be an emotional hurdle watching this last friend of hers get married but it was pleasant; very, very pleasant and all I felt was pure happiness for her, her husband and her family. I really should send a thank you note for their careful planning of the seating. We got to sit at dinner with two old friends who I have a lot in common with and don't get to visit with often. Then to our absolute delight another table mate who arrived late proved to be new acquaintance whom we'd only met a month ago but with whom there was that "instant" click of friendship. Throw in a little bit of dancing, a couple tears shed when the groom started to cry during the speeches and the soup was pretty tasty that evening!

Then 10 days later her brother got married so we attended another lovely wedding which you could call icing on the cake or some additional flavouring to the soup. Our convention followed, we spent a few days in Kamloops which of course always clears my head and thinking. Spending time with my best friend is always balm for my soul. It was during this time that I was able to make some decisions about the future of my current job, my plans for my author website & online business and future goals when it comes to writing. Clarity is always a good and tasty thing.

We had a lovely week of holidays and visit with my husbands parents shortly thereafter and I planned to start blogging again. Then we got news that my congregation friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall of 2008 was in the hospital with organ failure. Since then I've been either at the hospital or assisting to get things set up in their home. K**** is considered palliative but she has a strong will to live and despite her doctors prognosis she is determined to extend her life.

My summer soup pot is overflowing with experiences, both good and not so good. One thing is for sure, it will certainly be a soup/summer to remember.

Salynne ©2010

I Love You a Bushel & a Peck

My apologies for not writing over the past month. Things have been busy at work but I have also been suffering from writers block. For the past month I have not been able to write because I have been mourning the loss of someone very special in my life. The following is what came out because of the encouragement I received from my Closet Writers group at work and the opportunity I had tonight at my other writing group to get this down on paper.

I Love You a Bushel & a Peck

Grandma Minnie died last month. She was ninety-two. She wasn't my relation but my husband's grandmother. All of my grandparents had died by the time I was twenty-five so that element of aged wisdom was missing from my life until she came in to it. I treasured Minnie and I loved her because she became my Grandma too.

Minnie was everything a grandmother should be; warm, inviting, ready to wrap you in a hug at a moments notice. She cooked, sewed and canned showing us younger women how it was done. Her homemaking skills were a product of a bygone era when women's rights and equality didn't have a lot of meaning. Most people today would, of course, consider her old-fashioned but I always found comfort in her domesticity and her warm, fresh from the oven cookies. Whenever Bruce and I visited, we women-folk would do the dishes after dinner while the men would go play pool in the basement. Then we would sit in the warm kitchen and play a board game or perhaps sit and chat about local goings on while her knitting needles clacked harmoniously with the sounds of the crickets and night birds.

The last time I saw Minnie she was in the lock down area of a seniors home. Diagnosed with dementia several years previously she needed a safe place and constant care. One of the nurses told me before I went in to visit her that even though she might not remember who I was she was a delightful, happily confused tenant. When I entered Grandma Minnie's room she was laying on her bed reading and re-reading a letter from her daughter, my husbands mother.

She looked up at me. "Well Hello".

"Hello Minnie. It is so good to see you. I've missed you", I said.

Confusion registered on her face and I could see her struggling to remember who I was.

"I'm Susan, your grandson's wife".

"Susan. Well, I like your face. You look like a nice person. I think I like you. Come sit beside me". I did as I was told.

Minnie started to sing, "I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck." She reached over and hugged me. Then she held my face between her hands. "Yes, I like your face. I can tell you are a nice person. I LOVE YOU. I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck."

I stayed for another twenty minutes. I tried to make small talk about her lovely room and asked her how she liked living there. She would start a sentence and then her brow would furrow because she just couldn't hold on to the thought and express what she wanted to say. She would drift off and comment on the weather or talk about her slippers and then sing a bushel and a peck and hug me again. When it was time to go I gave her a final hug and said goodbye.

Walking out of the building tears sprung up in my eyes, not because I was sad, but because I left feeling that somewhere deep down Minnie could sense that I loved her and despite her failing memory I think she felt love for me. Today I look at the photos that I took of her that day, grateful that I captured her happy and grateful that I have a visual portrait of those cherished last moments with her. Yes, I loved her a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck.

Salynne ©2010

Poetry - Fifty Years Gone

Insomnia strikes me from time to time and last month was no exception. During these times I sometimes don't remember what I write and like today, I come across a file and wonder how it got there. The following was obviously inspired by my in-laws approaching 50th wedding anniversary, which was beautiful, by the way.

Fifty years gone
Promises and vows of long ago
Not remembered but lived
Youthful dreams relinquished
Family grows and pales
Youthful vigor slides away
Leaving only fraility
And two hearts sitting close
Moving to and fro on their own
But on the same path
Till death do us part

Salynne ©2010

Week End Laughs - Wrinkled Ladies

A little something to brighten the end of your week!
Even if you're not a Woman of a Certain Age you'll still appreciate this video for its outright silliness-it has certainly put a smile on my face and encouraged outright giggling by quite a few of people who've watched it with me.



Susan©2010

Kindred Spirits: Life with--and without--Sydney

Ruth Hartanto, a mother whom I have a lot in common with and know from time we spent together at several hospital conferences wrote an article on the first anniversary of her daughter, Sydney's death. Ruth was involved with the planning stages of CHEO and Roger's House Hospice and now serves on their Family Advisory Committee. Her writing is powerful and captures the realities of living with a child who is medically fragiles as well as the loss one feels when our precious children are gone.

The Globe & Mail - Facts & Arguments Essay

"Life with--and without--Sydney?"



Salynne ©2010

Spring Cleaning - A Dream Come True

Over the past couple of weeks we have been busy doing some of the physical spring cleaning that needs to be done. Last year when we thought we would be moving I started packing up boxes of items that we wanted to keep but didn't need for home staging. Now it's a year later, we're not going anywhere and we have had to decide what we're going to do with these packed treasures.

To get myself in the mood I watched part of the "Hoarders" marathon last weekend--it's that show that tells the stories of people who have serious collecting issues, to the point that their children will be taken away or they'll be evicted from their homes. My family hates when I watch these shows because they know that as soon as its over I go into "Super Susan" cleaning mode; I throw things out and simplify anything my eye lights on and that usually means that I want them to go through their spaces too. Fortunately, the spring cleaning bug has hit them too because they actually watched several shows with me and didn't roll their eyes when I said that we needed to get busy!

After the shows we turned our attention to the myriad of boxes that have been sitting for the better part of a year. Now it is true that some of the things that have sentimental value I have missed, but to tell the truth, probably 80% of what I thought was important was not. If I can live without seeing something for a year chances are it wasn't that valuable in the first place. Ten years ago I read about this technique for people who have trouble getting rid of things and they use it on Hoarders too--you place items into a box, tape it shut and put a date six months in the future. If you haven't gone into the box to retrieve something during that time and the date arrives, you take the box, lock, stock and barrel to charity. I have practiced this in the past but had gotten out of the habit because I thought I was good at getting rid of things. Wrong. The number of boxes of "stuff" that I packed was much bigger than I thought and now that I've been going through them it's surprising that there is so little that really means anything to me. Over the weekend we filled several large boxes and bags with items that someone else should be able to use. We quite obviously will not miss them.

What's been most interesting about this process however is the type of items that I found I really do treasure. There is the odd trinket from someone special or that I picked up in a special place; what I missed the most was my books. Getting back my Cadfael series, a number of self-help books that made an impact over the years on my life and favorite novels was like having a visit with long-lost friends. These are the books that I have and will read over and over again.

The second part of this yearly springtime ritual has been facing some of the storage issues we didn't deal with when we renovated with a view to selling the house. Everything was a quick fix and the reality of getting it ready for show versus living in it means we are reviewing the space we have and making it more practical and useful for our needs. We have taken stock of our boxes of books, culled whatever was not that necessary and have now created an entire library for our spiritual resources in the basement. We also put a bookshelf in our guest room to house less-read but favorite books and its our hope visitors will thank us for having something to read. Near future plans include increasing shelving in our office space for business items but I'm most looking forward to another upcoming project on our list. We're going to start by painting and installing more shelving in our boudoir/closet area and then it will be searching for that just-right, comfy lounge chair. Having my dream of a luxurious and private reading nook where we can curl up and devour our literary treasures come true, is probably going to be one of the best end products of spring cleaning that I'll ever receive!


Salynne©2010