Ups, downs, highs, lows and speeding tickets

March 11/12.

Days have been flying by. Same with the time. I hate losing that extra hour. (although, it's nice to have sunshine into the evening!)

Just before sunset today, I was outside at the back of the house by the garage and took pics of my son, Max and his girlfriend, Robyn.

We all love the mild temperatures! Goofin' around here. Max has never owned a bike. He's perched on our cousin, Sacha's childhood bike, while Robyn has her own. I TRIED to ride the little one, but couldn't do it! (Hey, I thought "It's just like riding a bicycle," was supposed to be a TRUE saying)!

Max opted for strapping on the inline skates,

 so he could scoot down the street with Robyn.

They make such a cute couple.

Max is a fantastic son. I love him so. We share a sensitive side, emotions right there on the surface. I was having a sad day today, missing people, not able to see those I want to see and wishing I could. I've taken so many photos over the last year, I guess I had pics on the brain, and I remembered two shots from years ago. I want to use them in this blog entry to illustrate a mother/son point.

24 years ago, my sister, Carrie & I were able to take a short trip to England together to meet our "Granddad" (father of our Dad, Rex Loring). We had only met him once when we were tiny kids and had no memory of him. So we flew to London, then took a train, then a bus and finally a cab to reach him in this obscure little seaside town. After many years of writing letters to him in Herne Bay, we couldn't believe the place actually existed, but here it was, at long last!

It was even MORE overwhelming to actually be in his little bungalow and to finally talk with him! Our Dad had warned us he was quite frail and might not be up for a long visit. (he knew we were coming and had the tea all ready!)

We ended up staying about three hours, talking about everything imaginable. It was killer emotional for all three of us. (Tough to catch up on a lifetime)! This little gnome was the only thing I remembered from my visit with him when I was almost four years old. Carrie looks so pretty here. And oh so happy.

When we had to leave, both of us were awash with tears. I knew I'd never see him again. Goodbyes are the one thing I can't stand in life. When we got to the train station, I asked Carrie to take a photo of me so I could remember my feelings on that emotional roller coaster day. She didn't want to do it, but finally agreed.

I like the shot because it captures exactly how I was feeling.

Then I remembered a photo of Max when he was a little boy. While I was still working at Global TV, our nanny took Max (age 4) to the petting zoo. She bought him some pet food from a machine, so he could feed it to the goat. Max was anticipating a minute or two with the animal, but the goat gulped down the food in one fell swoop, leaving him broken-hearted.

I think this picture also captures that sad moment perfectly and it reminds me a lot of me! Kind of a dumb story all around I guess, but I just find it interesting that Max and I are so much alike when it comes to wearing our emotions on our sleeve.

An added note. As it turned out, I DID end up seeing my Granddad again, a few years later, on another trip to England, but Carrie only saw him that once.

Speaking of mothers and sons, Carrie posted her latest Prickles the Porcupine/Stella the Squirrel video on Facebook today.

 

The squirrel (who has been nesting between the screen and the windowpane of her apartment unit), finally had her babies! There are FIVE!  Carrie used her own beautiful song, Mother Son in the background of the video she edited. She wrote the music & lyrics, sang the song along with her nephew, Lief Mosbaugh (in the role of the son), and the tracks were put together by my bro-in-law, Garth Mosbaugh (of The Nylons). Incredible little production. (well, a BIG production for the squirrel!)

Our street looked so pretty today as the sunset began. Working backwards now to a couple of days ago,

we all went to see Kate perform at the Paprika Festival, on Thursday night, held at the Tarragon Theatre.

Robyn & Max were there, Sam was video-taping the show,

My old high school pal, Dean Rogers surprised me by showing up - he's so loyal to Kate and Max when it comes to their performances!

Cousin Kevio was there - (love this pic!) He's long been a Kate Sloan supporter! (has even recorded a few songs in the studio with her),

And of course, Kate's boyfriend, Damian Sommer was there too. They're celebrating their one-year anniversary together tonight! Dinner out at Il Fornello on The Danforth. Congrats you two!



Here's Kate's uke performance of one of her originals - I'd Rather.




I loved her very pretty version of The Beach Boys song, Wouldn't it be Nice.



Here's another original. Hot Tamale.

Great show Kate!

The only drag of the evening? I got a speeding ticket driving along Gerrard Street - 56 kms. in a 40 zone on the way to the show. I was SO angry at myself. (and Max, Robyn & I were also late for the performance as a result). I don't want to lose the three points, so tomorrow, - another first in my life. Heading to Old City Hall to set up a court date to try and fight it. (the officer advised me if I feel strongly about the points, which of course, I DO, to fight it and I might win). Fingers crossed.

Behind in my blogging! - (no further comment here!)

September 13/11.

Got distracted by some other projects over the weekend, so actually MISSED a day of blogging. Gak! WTF? How'd THAT happen? Getting caught up now. OK?

Back to Sunday. Went to check on Kevio at Bridgepoint.

Flaunting my new American Apparel mini. (also using it as my Facebook status pic too! - Why not?? I LOVE it) - Think it's pretty funny that I stuck with PANTS for years, but suddenly, at this point in my life, pants are passe, thrown on the floor, in Value Village bags or the laundry, and all I want to do is flash skin, bare legs, skirts way-up-to-there, have frivolous fun and let the chips fall where they may. (In fact, can't find the chips anywhere. - My bro-in-law, Garth, would tell, me, "Chips are over-rated")! I'm not getting any younger, that's for sure, so let 'er rip! - OK with you? - If NOT, too bad. This above "auto-pic" was shot with my camera stuck on top of a post in the Bridgepoint parking lot on the way in to see Kev. (FYI - Always use a PROFESSIONAL photog post when you can find one). If not, then you must resort to asking a real human being to take a shot for you, and they are sometimes tough to find!

Added a mauve hoodie to this version of the outfit. Mauve is one of my favourite colours EVER!!

When I got there, discovered Kev out in the courtyard on a beautiful afternoon, hanging with his friends, Sharon Fischer Mitchell and her hubby, Paul Mitchell. I always love to find pals visiting Kev. He needs them. His fam is still away in Malta, and though Skyping is fun, it's not quite the same as the real deal. THESE people ARE!!! Kev had a blast, showing off the series of gorgeous colour shots, (on his iPAD), of his wife, Marilyn, daughter, Sacha, granddaughter, Sienna and her Dad, Mark, to Sharon & Paul. I SO wish I could put a pic or two up from the Malta trip, but I don't have official permission yet, so can't.

Reflecting back on my OWN hospital experience, it wasn't bad at all, (well, apart from excruciating pain!!) - since I got to go home the SAME day as the surgery. (April 27th - going on five months ago now), but with Kev, he CAN'T go home. And it's SUCH A DRAG, as his house is just three blocks away, (so close - and yet, so far). And he's stuck in this place, whippin' around in a wheelchair. - But always SO upbeat and easy-going.

I feel SO badly for him though, legs still in casts and having to rely on others to get him to & fro, back & forth to work, so he can work on his music.

I know Kev. I LOVE Kev. (Duh!) And am getting to know him even better, which is just fantastic.

I got Paul to take a shot of me with Kevan, bringing him a couple of mini-Heineken cans. (I mean, what is a hot, sunny Sunday summer day good for, if not, a beer or two??) I have one, Kev is "smuggling" the other, as you see. He was very happy to receive the beer!

I was SO mad I missed Auntie Ray's visit to Kevan at Bridgepoint. A friend of hers drove her to see Kev. I REALLY wanted to capture the mother-&-son-reunion thing, but it was not to be. So, on the way home, stopped by my fave spot on Broadview to see if I could TRY again to get a decent pic in front of the fab cityscape view over Riverdale Park.

One of my MOST favourite settings!

Part of our neighbourhood!

On Monday, Kev needed me to get money over to his Mum, so she could pay her cleaning woman. He got his friend, Martin, to drive him over to MY place, and give me the cash to take to Ray.

Then, my daughter, Kate came with me to deliver the money to the condo, -and Auntie Ray, was then able to pay Cleo! (spelling? - not sure - sorry, not a good editor at this moment here!)

Later, after the whole shower/hair/makeup-with-a-garden-trowel routine, went out by cab to the Toronto Marriott Bloor hotel to see my old friend, Patrick Stoner, - a "junketeer", in town for the Toronto Film Festival. Haven't seen him in years, so, it was quite a blast, catching up on SO MANY THINGS! (the hotel had decorated a table with film cans and other film festival thingys behind us!) An actual person offered to take this shot of us! LOL.

The junket circuit seems so very foreign to me now, and yet, familiar too. I also caught up with a lot of other junket gang members I hadn't seen in SOOOOOOOOO long, (MARIA BABE!!!!), (sorry, still looking for a pic!)

- And Sandie? - Beautiful as ever! (will post a "Maria pic" as soon as I FIND one)!

- and it was all great, just to shake hands with them and share a few laughs. Big-time laughter looms large in my legend right now. (line from A Hard Day's Night). Thanks Beatles!
Thanks Patrick!

Wild Wednesday!!

August 3/11.

This was the best Wednesday I've had for, - well, at least two weeks! Just kiddin' ya here. This day was pretty frickin' fantastic & hard to top. Right Cayr?

Carrie & me. I love this pic! You can really see how much alike we are. (only my opinion).

After my final treatment, Carrie & I were hoping to get a pic together. A man outside the hospital offered to snap the shot for us, and he did. When he asked why we were doing this photo, I told him my 16 radiation treatments were over. He informed us he had just started a round of 25 treatments for prostate cancer, and had completed #2. I almost cried.

My friend, Cynthia Mulligan (CITYNEWS reporter), a cancer survivor, told me way back in March, that one of these days, I would be the one to inspire others, as she did for me. I didn't believe her. Then, I met this man. Not that I inspired him. Far from it. But I felt such a connection, knowing what he's going thru. Before I could even say a word, he wished me the very best as he handed the camera back to me. I wished him the very same, with tears in my eyes.

Still can't believe my final day of radiation - (treatment #16), happened to coincide with the same day my great friends/family members, Franc & Mary, were set to entertain in the Wednesday Atrium concert series at Princess Margaret Hospital. Too bizarre that this was their scheduled performance day too!

And, a special surprise guest!!

Not only did Franc & Mary perform, but my brother-in-law, Garth of The Nylons, (Franc & Mary's bro), dropped by to appear with them! GENES reunited!! I was SOOOOOOOO surprised!!

Garth, clowning with Mary & Franc - They are the greatest!!

With my bro-in-law, Garth Mosbaugh, whom I have adored since he was a teenager. Through everything that's happened, we remain close and he is oh-so-special to me. It was a blast to see him perform old Genes numbers with Franc & Mary! (And The Nylons have a new CD out called Skintight!) They are in town to promote it and perform some concerts.

The Nylons - Gavin Hope, Tyrone Gabriel, Claude Morrison and Garth

With the Fabulous Franc, Marvellous Mary and Great Garth!! What a fantastic final radiation day with a concert "just for me!!" They even dedicated a song to me - Here Comes the Sun!

"Where's my stylist?" shot - out the door today!! The medical gown is no more!! Bye Bye blue monstrosity!! It's been real.

And the day's "number shot?" - NO numbers. On this, the 16th treatment day, only thumbs up! All is well and now, I'll spend some time recovering at home from all the burning. Carrie took my pic as stand-in "construction worker" today. I got cards, prezzies, you name it!

Lain in front, back row: Kate, Carrie, Tina Nodwell, Franc, Mary, Nancy

Today's table top fantasy? I went skinny dipping! Can you believe it? Not sure where it was, a lake somewhere in Ontario. It was picturesque and isolated. I was alone and just jumped in! Funny. What happens in radiation, stays in radiation. (except, of course, if you have a blog).

(something like THIS, I think).

Quite sure it represents the ultimate freedom I've been feeling, now that radiation is over. Only recall skinny dipping once in my life, while at a cottage on a beautiful secluded lake near North Bay with my boyfriend, when I was 19 (the "ultimate age of freedom," - at least, for me). What a time we had. I still remember what it was like - cold, exhilarating, fun & free. I don't expect to be doing it again, but, never say never I guess!! If the right person were to ask! - who knows! LOL Could happen!

I think I'm a little shyer now than I used to be, (although, there are those who would tell you otherwise!) Gotta work on being a bit bolder - more daring. Makes life more out there and exciting, right?

Table top Muzak today? Nothing! Seriously! They didn't playing ANYTHING!! (maybe they read my complaints the day before about Cry Me a River!! - and shut the whole system down!)

Didn't matter anyway. (Who needs music when you're splashing around in a lake with no clothes on)??

Once again, this imagination notion came from the suggestion of a friend who loves skinny dipping and jokes with me about it all the time! (Does this table top escape mean I really want to do MORE of this? Sure would cut back on bathing suit costs!!) I never think these crazy ideas given to me by friends will affect where my brain takes off, but it's happened a number of times. To quote Shatner, "Weird or WHAT??"

So, treatments are OVER!! Guess it's back to reality! (whatever THAT is!!) Don't think I KNOW what "normal" means anymore! - only, the "NEW normal!" - and the new normal is pretty OUT THERE and over-the-top! (But I'm getting used to it!!)

Thanks for a more-than-memorable day gang!! Can't imagine a day like this could EVER happen again!!

Photo day!

June 27/11

Carrie & I spent much of the afternoon dealing with something we've been putting off for weeks. Photographs. Mum had thousands of them. Many weeks ago, we ended up stuffing all the pictures, albums and tons of letters into a basement closet, but finally had to drag them OUT OF THE CLOSET in an attempt to widdle them down a bit.

The albums in the above photo, feature shots of Carrie & Garth's wedding - 30 years ago. Carrie sure was a stunning bride. You can see Carrie's pic in my left hand. Next to my right hand, (top pic), is Mum, being escorted down the aisle by Franc (brother of Garth). So many memories of that day. Carrie & I sat and looked thru countless albums, deciding what to do with all the photos. She came up with the idea of removing pics from the albums, since she already has copies of most of them. Then I could select the shots I want to keep, and the EMPTY albums can be thrown into the upcoming garage sale or donated to Goodwill. That way, we don't have to find places to stash heavy photo albums. There are SO many more pictures still to sift through over the coming days.

For some reason, my camera didn't take good shots of the sale items in Mum's house today. I am truly the worst photographer. Here's one of the den/spare bedroom, filled with oddities up for grabs. Looks like the sale will be on Canada Day! Not sure if that's a good idea as many people will be away. However, lots of others will be off work and might be looking for something to do!

We arranged to have a charitable agency come to collect some of Mum's old furniture soon. What we didn't know is, there's a pretty hefty cost attached to that service (even when you're DONATING items), however they issue tax receipts, which we can use next year. Looks like the pick-up will be July 4th - same day as my appointment at Princess Margaret Hospital with the radiation oncologist, and just 72 hours before the closing date! Never a dull moment, as usual.

Meanwhile, didn't get to post any pics from the weekend. My daughter, Kate and her friends are very involved in the PRIDE events. On Sunday, they attended the Stonewall TO march at Queen's Park and had a blast together.

Above is my beautiful Kate, who wrote on her Facebook page, - "Wearing a psychedelic neon dress + turquoise cummerbund + purple feather fascinator to STONEWALL TO! today, because I'm just that awesome." - Love it!

She and her pals ended up heavily sprayed with mega-glitter! (Later, they discovered it's practically impossible to remove)! - So, what the heck? Glitter on!

Cadence - covered in glitter! - Perfect, for her sparkling personality!

Great shot of awesome Arena, the divine Ms. Cadence and inimitable Emily!

Random colourful shots at Stonewall TO!

Kate's boyfriend, Damian, (also covered in glitter)! - Click pic to enlarge and see the "glitterishness"!

I really like Damian! Whatever Kate wants to do, he's into it! Good man!

Sparkle Arena, Sparkle!

Emily rules!!

Kate came home with a Stonewall shirt! (It cost 5 bucks). Good deal!

Coming up? Kate is looking forward to the Trans March on Friday, Dyke March (Saturday) and Pride Parade (Sunday)! - (Mayor Rob Ford, - you'd better get your act together and COME ON DOWN!!!!!!)