Christmas Daze

December 23/11.

Almost Christmas.
Not a single gift bought. No food purchased. Nothing cooked.
As Santa says in the old TV special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, "We'll have to CANCEL Christmas!" (Such is the life of an elf).

Then, all of a sudden, things change, the red nose steers Santa into place and everything is golden. (Miracles CAN happen I suppose)!

My son, Max, helped me pack up all the canned goods collected during the carolling party the other night, to take them over to the Broadview/Danforth Loblaws food drive. I was happy about the contribution, but feeling down about other things. Tough to concentrate on Christmas.

One neighbour donated $5 on carolling night. Upon arrival at Loblaws, I decided to use the cash towards their "Extra Helping" cause. You pay five dollars to buy a box of PC Blue Menu macaroni and cheese, and the store will put together a package of nutritious, non-perishable food (including the box of mac & cheese) for the local food bank. All you do is pick up a box, pay for it at the counter, drop it in the collection bin and the store takes care of the rest. (It brought tears to my eyes when Max promptly opened his wallet and paid $5 of his own because he wanted to help out too).

Following the Loblaws visit, Max took off to visit his girlfriend, Robyn, while I went to see my family doctor. I've been frightened for the past two weeks by the unexpected return of breast pain. (The exact pain that hit me this past February just before the diagnosis of breast cancer). My next follow-up appointment with my breast surgeon, Dr. David McCready at Princess Margaret Hospital, isn't till late January. He advised I see my GP, so I did.

In the words of my late friend, Patrick Spence-Thomas (and the Monty Python gang), "Always look on the bright side of life"! Trying to. My Doc tells me she can certainly feel the lump I'm referring to, - (which may only be scar tissue), but when I asked her to please file her findings/report on to the hospital, she asked, "Well, who would I SEND it to?" Filled with anguish, I sighed, and suggested, "Hmmmmmmmmm, perhaps, could it be, the SURGEON?? Dr. McCready"?

Reminded me exactly of that line from Dana Carvey as Church Lady on SNL, "Could it be...............SATAN???"

My Doc responded she wouldn't do that and I should just go home, take Tylenol for the pain and wait for my appointments at Princess Margaret. I explained that yes, I can take Tylenol, but that's not my concern. I want to know the REASON for the return of the pain. Is it a recurrence? She told me to come back and see her in a week. In the meantime, I've also received confirmation of a new years appointment with radiation oncologist, Dr. Koch to check on things. Makes for a scary holiday season. On top of that, I've been so caught up in the drama of my close friend (who wants to remain anonymous), after a horribly traumatic fall from a rooftop, which caused severe injuries. Today is homecoming day, which I'm happy and relieved to hear. I'm thinking of you and praying for a speedy recovery.

On the drive home, I was kinda dazed.

I just Twilight-Zoned out on colourful Christmas lights, trying to blot everything from my mind.

Thank God for family and some very special friends who've helped me cope, one drama-filled day at a time.
(You know who you are)!

Somehow, you always manage to keep me smiling when the going gets rough.

When I got home, decided to do just what THIS doctor (meaning ME), ordered! Laughter is the BEST medicine, right??

Invited some old animated pals for a visit,

sat down in the den with my daughter, Kate and her boyfriend, Damian,

and hung out with a doctor of a DIFFERENT kind. - The Charlie Browniest!!!
(THIS doctor is REAL IN)!!!! Happy holidays everyone!

A Tale of Two Trees

November 11/11.

Remembrance Day today. As a result, I am remembering people. Watching the emotional CBC coverage of the main ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa this morning was a moving experience. Seeing the faces of the veterans and cadets, hearing the children's choir sing In Flanders Field, witnessing the two minutes of silence at 11 o'clock, followed by the flybys of military jets and helicopters and the firing of artillery guns, all brought tears to my eyes.

I didn't anticipate responding in quite this manner, but in light of missing my Mum and Uncle Ev (plus just generally being in a constant state of heightened emotion these days), I should have expected it. Wandered down to Withrow Park later in the afternoon to jot down a few thoughts in a notebook for myself, and for the blog.

To pick up my spirits, decided to wear a new outfit I bought yesterday. (Thankyou Carolyn and Neil, for the Winners gift card!!) I adore this dress, and the tights & boots! Feels good and this is the me I want to project right now. My daughter, Kate, took the photo in our backyard, surrounded by the beautiful trees. Which brings me to my next subject. TREES. I love them! Always have.

The big willow tree - (among others) in our backyard.

I'm not a "tree hugger", but immensely enjoy being surrounded by them and have been known to cry at length, when I see someone cutting one down, no matter the reason.

More of the stunning, colourful trees in our yard.

Nearly twenty years ago, when we were shopping for a house, I told Sam I wanted a place that didn't just look out over another house. I wanted a gorgeous view and TREES. When we discovered this Riverdale property, Sam looked out the back window, pointed,

and quipped to me, "Will THIS do"?? Yep.

To add to my bliss, the house is right down the street from Withrow Park, which in the fall (even well into November - like today, when I took this picture), the colours are golden and glorious!

And EVERYBODY looks better when surrounded by colour, trees and leaves!

Now my little tale of two trees. Each tree special in its own way. Recently, we were asked by our neighbours, Judith and Brian Hunt, to contribute to a fundraising event to pay for the planting of a memorial tree on Logan Avenue, off Withrow Park in memory of our late friend, Manuel Machado who lived on our tree-lined street for decades.

Everyone knew Manuel and he was such a familiar face on our street. Following a painful hip replacement, he insisted on walking each day to a special bench at the park where he would sit for a while and watch the world go by.

A few days ago, I received an email message from the Hunts, telling us, the tree, at long last, had been planted. Here's what it said.

"We can now report that the tree with its plaque is finally in place. As promised it is a sugar maple and located in Withrow Park beside Logan between Albemarle and Grandview. It looks rather fine".

"The Parks Dept didn’t let us know when the planting would take place as I had understood, but they did send a note saying it had happened, along with a certificate to prove it".

Manuel and Bambina Machado

"As promised, the small sum left over from the total collected has been sent to Hill House Hospice, the place where Manuel spent his last days".
Judith and Brian Hunt

Now, the little tree (in front), is surrounded by much bigger and grander trees, but one day, Manuel's sugar maple will grow as tall as they are!

Welcome to the neighbourhood and thank you to Judith and Brian for making it happen!

Now, moving on from one tree teller to the next!

The second tree tale will be told by "guest reporter" Carrie Loring, (my phenomenal sister). The tree she is reflecting on here, was very special to her and to her young son, Lee, (who is now 16, but will never forget the tree in his late Gramma's front yard). Take it Cayr!!

Carrie's tale of one tree.

My mother had a beautiful tree on the front of her property. It was
full and lush. Mum loved it.

Every time Lee visited his Gramma, he spent much time climbing high in this tree (with his Mum and Gramma nervous beneath it.)

One day, some years ago, lightning struck the tree, and it was
ruined.

We were all so saddened (Lee especially), when it needed to be removed. What a lush, full tree it was!

Lee, Carrie, Franc Mosbaugh, Kate, Lain, Gramma, Max, surveying the damage.

The city said they would replace it, but for months they never showed.
Finally, after numerous frustrating calls, they came to Mum's door
and asked what kind of tree she would like. They gave her a choice.
She chose the white chestnut tree. She had known a guy in highschool by the name of Hank Chestnut, and that association influenced her
choice. Another many months passed, no tree arrived,

and Mum continued to look out at the treeless yard,

and saw only a stump of the old tree. (It was particularly noticeable during garage sales, when we had NO shade in the front yard)! Then finally, the city showed up and planted what apparently was a
chestnut tree.

It was the skinniest little twig you have ever seen.
Mum was infuriated. We put more calls in to complain. She threatened to rip it out herself, and plant something else. Still no response back from the city.

She stared at this "Charlie Brown tree" every day, until one morning she woke up and decided that instead of fighting it, she would nurture it.

She watered him every day, and well, "Hank", as he was known, started to blossom, - not a lot, but a little. Mum hoped that she would live to see the day that Lee could climb the tree once again. (Of course, that was not to be). However, last spring, for the first time, Hank suddenly grew thick and lush. Lain and I have been amazed to see his growth! He is a "government tree", but it took years of bureaucracy and love to get Hank this far!

Now, when Lee passes by his Gramma's house, he doesn't always think of this devastation!

but of the days he used to energetically climb the tree,

and hoping, maybe one day, he, (or his own children?), will climb it again!

Visiting days!

September 27/11.

Have been here, there and everywhere the last day or so, visiting people, catching up with old friends, dropping things off, you name it.

Off to see Kevio as usual, for a "Henkell run," just in time to sparkle up his rehab dinner!

But Shhhhhhhh, - don't tell anyone!

I keep warning Kev I'm trouble! (now maybe he BELIEVES me!) My fave new title for the book I will never write is: "95 Pounds of Trouble with a Capital T!!" (LOL) - I'm more devious than people realize. (Do I LOOK all that angelic on the outside)?? I learned ALL my sneakiness from my old pal, Franelle.

Me with my best friend, Emmy award winning TV writer, Franelle Silver, (best sneak in the biz who taught me everything she knows)! Thanks! We were quite a team back in the day. Her devious legacy continues to live on in me, and always will!! After all her hard work and training, I have to do her proud, right??

Auntie Ray has a streak of deviousness too, even at age 91! Her personal philosophy, which she has passed on to me, has always been:
"NEVER ASK PERMISSION. APOLOGIZE LATER!" - Love it! As the years go by, I find I rarely ask permission anymore, just to see what I can get away with! Sometimes works, often doesn't! But fun trying!

Stopped in to see Auntie Ray (now my "surrogate Mum") at her Christie Gardens seniors condo, to drop off some cash - sent courtesy of her son, Kev, so she can pay the cleaning lady and buy groceries. While Kev is laid up, I'm "the middle man." Meanwhile, on her table, spotted this old B & W glossy publicity pic of Kev when he was younger and at the height of the Rough Trade Days! Cute!!

My cousin, Kevan Staples, "Mr. Rough Trade!"

The next day, we took off to see my parents-in-law, Ben & Jean Bornstein at THEIR seniors condo!

Out the front of the condo with my son, Max and daughter, Kate. We were all looking forward to seeing "Bubie and Zaidy"! Sam snapped the pic.

Mum and Dad B got some beautiful new furniture. Here's my father-in-law, Ben with his granddaughter, Kate, showing off their new purple couch. They both wore some great colours to match! Auntie Ray would approve!

Max tries out one of the pretty (and comfy) new easy chairs!
We had a nice lunch with Mum and Dad and then drove a couple of blocks over to the site of the old "hidey hole!" (My late Mum's house).

The new owner, Dang, is in the midst of a massive renovation, and kindly allowed me inside to see what he's done and take some shots! Wow! I can't even believe it's the SAME PLACE!! - Weird to be able to see the house again - but all different. New door here.

Livingroom in the midst of renovation.

New kitchen being installed!

Wonder what Mum would think of her place NOW??

Dang says he's fixing everything up, brand new, and has arranged to lease the place soon!

He's added these new panels.

The back deck is the only area that looks the same!!

New flooring at the front entrance.

Front hall closet the same, but walls have been freshly painted.

The old den (which also doubled as the caregiver's bedroom), also painted and has new windows.

Mums's old bedroom is repainted too, and has new windows. The beautiful vines which grew outside the windows (and Mum LOVED) are all gone now, allowing much more sunlight to flow in! Thanks for the tour, Dang!! Hope whoever moves in, will be very happy there!!

On Monday, I was invited to have lunch at the uptown Friendly Greek with my old friend, Randy. We met at CFTR Radio (now 680 News), in 1976. I was the City Hall reporter and he was general assignment and could do it all!

The following year, we dated for a few months. He was known as Randy Stevens back then, but his real name is Randy Maxwell. He was the station's best news reporter at the time, smart, aggressive and a real go-getter who wouldn't take no for an answer when it came to interviews and getting the story. (Auntie Ray would have loved him!!) We talked about old times and caught up on the present.

He works in the video biz now.

Randy S Maxwell
ALL EVENT VIDEO INC

I told Randy I still miss all the fun of those early radio days. What a blast I had working in the newsroom there. Somehow, I've never been able to get news out of my blood. Might get back to it one day, if I can!!

I brought along a VERY old t-shirt to make Randy laugh!!

This was one shirt I just could never part with!

Randy was always into photography. I still have a few shots he took of me when I was about 22. Here's one of them.

Randy shot this one in my old apartment on Roehampton Avenue (where I lived with Franelle). I borrowed her shirt and I BELIEVE I was TRYING to look sexy here. Hilarious.

Randy, ever the photographer, figured it was time for some new pics (after more than 30 years!), so he took a few in a nearby park. Thanks for the memories Randy. Man, CFTR. Those were the days, eh? As Kate would say, "Fun Tymz!"