Hello, goodbye!!

September 22/11.

Went into major clean-up mode after blogging yesterday about the house being in such an outta control state! Won't post pics re: "accomplishments" quite yet, as there is still SO much to be done, but it's coming along! I just needed to really kick butt. (my own). Will have to do more of the same for MANY days to come to reach my lofty autumn goals.

Thank goodness for Howard Stern, on SIRIUS, who kept me company all during this complete mundane drudgery!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (mundane-drudgery-is-us!)

Tried to snap an auto-pic before taking off to see Kevio at Bridgepoint, but as usual, my photography skills were severely lacking. (my next door neighbour tried HER hand at taking a shot or two, but they were even worse than THIS, if you can believe it!! - so, went with the above horrific pic!) Seems my digi-cam is damn tricky. I really need a crash course!

Just as I was about to leave the house, (Henkell piccolos in hand for Kev), my cell phone rang. It was my "long-lost" - (now FOUND), college pal, John Axelson, from Nelson, B.C.! I SO love getting these unexpected calls from him!

He reached me via "Skype phone" - just to say hi. (I STILL can't get over hearing his distinctive voice! Such a blast! Really, just phenomenal to me!) He says he's had a very good, productive few days, working on the next installment of his book,

explaining that writing it, is kinda like working out a jigsaw puzzle in advance in his brain, one carefully concocted, convoluted piece at a time. He KNOWS what the end result should be, - the look of the finished product, but putting the pieces in place for the reader, is the trick! Have never heard ANYONE describe the actual process of writing in quite that manner. Even just a minute or two on the phone with John, is always unique and informative!

When I told him I was on the way to visit Kev, John asked me to say a special hello, because Rough Trade apparently had a profound effect on him back in the day!

Carole Pope & Kevan Staples

John claims Carole Pope broke the mold in such a heavy duty way, when it came to sexuality, (in the early '80s), that it made a world of difference to him in his own self discovery back then. Having known John only such a short, (but blindingly brilliant time) - a semester or two at Seneca College in 1975, I never knew of his love for and appreciation of, Rough Trade! Will tell Kev soon.

When I got to Kev's room, to drop off some cold Henkell on ice to sparkle up his bland dinner, he wasn't there, (still off, working on his music), but his roommate, Leo, was having HIS evening meal. My husband, Sam, had kindly made a colour copy of the blog entry I wrote about Leo a week or so ago, and I gave it to him. He read it right away and allowed me to take a photo of him with the entry! LOL.

Leo (age 79), plans on mailing this blog copy to his wife in Windsor to impress her! LOL. He's been a good companion for Kevio in rehab for weeks! They've shared close quarters for quite some time now. This week, Kev has also been sharing Vitamin C tablets with Leo because they BOTH need more immune system protection, with all the coughing, hacking and sneezing going on all around them. Yikes. Kev continues to get into his studio as often as possible, via cab and wheelchair to work on his documentary music. In the same way I tried to take MY mind off daily radiation (minus the "table top fantasy getaways"), Kevio needs to retreat from rehab and find ways to escape his current crazy existence.

After leaving Bridgepoint, I found retreat of my own at No Frills, (in pouring rain),

buying $138 worth of groceries and dragging them home, then putting them away, heating up and serving frozen pizzas - (by request!), and finally, (my fave joy of joys), changing kitty litter, also by "request" - of our cat, Tru!!

Spoke to a couple of friends by phone tonight, laughing, AND crying, then said a fond (ya, teary-eyed), farewell to my sister, Carrie, via email, as she embarks on a complex canoe trip in the morning, which will be unlike any other. Details another time! This trip involves a total of 8 participants in search of a very special destination! Travel safely gang! I'll be thinking of you!! - Oh, the stories I am bound to hear when you return from this mission/labour of love!

School days, golden rule days

September 7/11.

No time for a new photo shoot today, so using this pic.

Pretty much translates to about how I felt, sending the kids off for another year of school. Melancholia. (What's with all these other parents jumping for joy about "empty nesting")? I don't GET that at ALL.

Below, Max, (16), heading off for the first day of grade 11.
Good luck Sweet!

He didn't want me to drive him there. Instead, he chose to walk off, listening to music and get to class on his own - (for only a half-day).

Meanwhile, Kate took off for her first day at Ryerson SO early, I didn't even SEE her in the morning! Her initial class was at 8 a.m.
The only pic she managed to get - (taken, by her boyfriend, Damian, I think), she was concerned because she blinked. Oh well. At least you can see her outfit! She looks so pretty.

After everyone left, and I was alone, able to breathe, I crashed for a little while, getting an hour or so of sleep, (which I didn't get all night). Sleep eludes me. (Duh). That is for sure. Had an interesting dream, which is how I know I was asleep. Right in the middle of the best part, I got a cell phone call which woke me up. (Thanks). It is always the same person who wakes me up, who shall remain nameless.

After the shower/hair/makeup routine, did a bunch of errands, and then, put together a package of stuff to take to Kev at Bridgepoint rehab. The man has been without decent food OR wine OR beer for weeks. I wanted to make it happen for him, so, got a big bag of ice and a plastic lunch box. Packed it with icecubes, stashed in a container of freshly prepared, sweetened strawberries, -

(with no-cal sweetener and lemon juice, which "tarts up" the berries perfectly), the way Kev likes them,

and tossed in two piccolos of my OWN fave - Henkell sparkling wine, (and a couple of clear plastic glasses for camouflage)!

Kev was just about to have dinner (which they serve at the crazy friggin' early hour of 5 p.m.), and I figured the Henkell could ALMOST make bland cafeteria fare, palatable!

(guess I was right!!) - Kev's roommate, Leo, was laughing, as I used another lunch table to hold up the camera for this shot. I told Leo, he has the best roommate ever. (he wisely agreed). Leo has been in Bridgepoint for at least 8 weeks, and just like Kevan, he takes it all in stride.

Kev had just arrived back from a very frustrating meeting with Wheel Trans, trying to figure out how he can arrange transportation from hospital to office - to work on his music, but was told it will take weeks to arrange this. He needs it NOW! How do people DO these things when they are under such duress?

I brought Kev some newspapers and the latest People magazine, all about the children of 9/11 (at the ten-year anniversary).

Strangely, September 11th, was also Kevan's Dad's birthday (my amazing Uncle Ev). I remember delivering birthday gifts to him at his house the day of the 9/11 disaster. We all just sat and stared in shock at the TV coverage, while his prezzies sat in a corner. Kev and I talk about his Dad a lot and how much we miss him in our lives every day.

The late, great Uncle Ev, who passed away last December. (He would have been 98 on September 11th).

Next, it was off to do grocery shopping for me at No Frills. (very exciting!)

After getting the groceries away, was able to Skype with my old friend John Axelson, in Nelson, B.C. for about an hour, which was a blast.

Got to tell him my latest comments and ask all my questions about his manuscript, Stalker The Average Man.

John gave me lots of surprising answers (as always), and told me if I liked what I was reading NOW, there is much more intriguing stuff to come. Yikes! I don't know if I can TAKE it!!!!!

Not much else to say, except, get better Kev! See you soon, on Wednesday. if there's anything you need or want, I'm sure I can get it for you!

Or not. If there's NOTHING you need, just hit delete and will see you later anyway! These are sure some wild & crazy times.

While at the giftshop, bought this oh-so-pretty, bird-covered wine glass with a beautiful little dragonfly attached to it, - for myself. Seems I just had to have it.

The glass was only 3 bucks and the dragonfly, $4! (Funny, the dragonfly cost more than the glass)! Worth it though. Any dragonfly always reminds me of my late, beautiful cousin, Ellie, (who died 42 years ago of cancer, at the age of 19). She was forever rescuing dragonflies from Sturgeon Lake at Pleasant Point, bringing them to safety to dry out on the dock and watching them take off again. I've had a thing for dragonflies ever since. I love them because of Ellie. Kev and I also talk a lot about Ellie too, as they were exactly the same age and shared a special friendship until her death. I so wonder what she would have been like now, at the age of 61?

There was plenty more emotion at the end of the day, (which I won't get into "here & now" but perhaps, "then & sometime")! Let's just say, the first day back to school can take a toll and be a bit overwhelming for one & all. More to come, I'm sure.
Cheers!

One more day

August 29/11.

On the way to Mount Sinai to visit Kevan around 6 last night, was
driving down Broadview Avenue past that gorgeous cityscape view I see
every day. It was so beautiful, I just stopped the car and took a few pictures. Stuck the camera on top of the car for this auto shot.

I think I've decided I need to stop and smell the roses a little more in my life these days. Need more of that. Don't we all?

Toronto is an amazing city.

I always see TV camera crews stopping here to shoot standups because the view is so spectacular. Whenever I see them, it makes me miss the news biz. Working with creative cameramen & editors. Loved it. Those were the days. (I'm happy some of them are still my friends even all these years after leaving Global).

Decided to bring Kevan a movie mag, a couple of bottles of juice, a bagel with cream cheese and a coffee.

When I got to the hospital, found Kev in his usual upbeat manner. We talked about everything under the sun. No dead air or dull moments with Kev!

My cousin is even more special to me now than he ever was before (and that was already insanely special!) - because he is such an inspirational man. Despite two fractured ankles, the heavy duty casts, not being able to walk and do what he wants to do, he just rolls with it all, takes it in stride and has figured out how to whip around the hospital and even outside on the sidewalks of University Avenue in his wheelchair. He doesn't ask for help, just does it himself. I love Kevan. Always have. Always will.

It was also fun to find out that he now has an iPad with him in his room.

Had to laugh when we sat and read "Lain's Log" together! Now Kev can catch updates about his own progress on my blog! LOL.

Got home about 8:30, just in time to sit down for some barbecued salmon. Loblaws had a great sale, $5.99 a pound. Sam cooked up three large pieces. Just delish. And then, the MTV Video Music Awards at 9. Oh my gosh, did Lady Gaga ever surprise me! I had NO idea that was her doing her Jo Calderone alter ego thing at the opening of the show!

I thought she was absolutely brilliant.

Others disagreed. The dirty white T-shirt, black pants, boots, wild pompadour and cigarette turned her into a different person. I'm not even sure the audience in the theatre knew it was her!! (Justin Bieber seemed right out of it when they cut to him in the crowd).

Got lured away in the middle of the awards by a Skype call from my friend John Axelson in B.C. Wanted to see the rest of the show, but wanted to talk to John more. Can always catch an awards repeat some other time! John was now.

Always worth the interruption! We seem to be able find endless things to talk about, sometimes reminiscing about the long lost past, (usually about our late friend and phenomenal Seneca College teacher, Mike Monty, whom we both adored), and more often, speaking of the present, our current situations in life and about the future.

I am still reading his manuscript - Stalking The Average Man, and will no doubt have more questions for him soon! Thanks for the time John! Talk soon.

So, that was my yesterday. What about today? Didn't start off too good. Maybe I can fix it. Will let you know. Tight hugs!

Crazy day

August 19/11.

When it comes to holidays like this one at Fern, the only problem is, I tend to get emotional. (to which, I can clearly hear some of my friends & relatives saying something like, "No kidding Lain." Or, "Duh." I mean, I'm like that every day anyway, but toss in sunshine, beauty, nature, time to reflect and contemplate, John's manuscript, thinking about the past, about Mum and saying goodbye to friends, and I'm pretty much a goner. Goodbyes are my worst thing. (ask anybody)
Hence, my new graphic t-shirt! Hee hee.

Went to town - Orillia Square, and naturally, HAD to have this to counteract any tears. Yep. Me and horror movies. Love zombies. Always have. Always will.

The day began with Crazy D calling the morning Bingo game, with his usual Jamaican flare, - "The COOLEST LINE - I 29!!!" (the night before this, Crazy D took to the stage at the staff lip synch show and wowed EVERYONE as USHER)!! - D, you were outstanding!!!

For my pal, Pam, it was her final game, as she was leaving two days earlier than usual instead of staying till Sunday.

Her son, George, was playing too, before having to pack up and leave.

And Pam's Mum, Lenore - (engrossed in her Bingo cards) and Pam's fab bro, Rod, also had time for one last game at the pool.

But sadly, then I had to say so long to Pam and her family. They have become good friends. This time with Pam was particularly intense and unique for me, since the past year has been such a tough, trying and challenging one. Pam allowed me to share a lot of these experiences with her and also told me lots of her own amazing stories. I had SUCH a blast with her, especially all the laughs! There were moments, poolside with her, that I was practically convulsed with hysterical fits of laughter! She is very funny, lemme tell ya, but I will confess to being a very good audience!! If this past year has taught me ANYTHING, it is that laughter IS the best medicine. Without it? I would have been, "DOOMED AS DOOM CAN BE!!" (thank you Ed Grimley!!)

After crying over goodbyes to Pam, Lenore, Rod & George (who all gave me big hugs), we went to Orillia to shop!

My incredible husband, Sam, took this pic of me outside the Orillia Opera House where we have seen many shows over the years.

Wandering downtown Orillia with my fantastic son, Max! He makes life such a joy for me. Both my kids do that, with their humour, wit, musical gifts and zest for life. (Where did I go right)?? - Line stolen from Mel Brooks' The Producers!!

For many years, I bought ALL my Mum's birthday presents here in Orillia and would bring them home for her special day on August 27th. Little did I know it would be her last birthday in 2010. So, here I am, wandering the streets, looking at all the shops where I bought her prezzies, and of course, broke down crying when I hit the bird/nature store where I have spent SO much money and time, getting things for Mum, the lifelong bird lover. I just stood there and sobbed. Somebody stop me!! LOL. I wanted to take my cell phone and call her. But I can't. I can't. I can't.

Instead, I went to another store and bought some prezzies for my wonderful Auntie Ray (Mum's sister), who is now 91! At least I can still buy things for HER. Then, when I drop the gifts off at her condo, we can sit and talk about Mum, what a great person she was, how much we loved her and miss her every single day.

Back at the resort, I pulled myself together to go for dinner with the fam. The food here is unbelievable!!!

After dinner, took my friend, John Axelson's manuscript out with me to the pool patio, to read more of it and watch the sunset. Just a gorgeous evening.

It is SO unbelievable to me that I have reconnected with my old Seneca College pal after 36 years with no contact. He now lives in Nelson, B.C. and has written this astounding, engrossing book called Stalking The Average Man.

(not sure why he calls it that, since there is NOTHING average about John and there never was!!)

I sat there and read, highlighting parts I want to remember or don't understand, (so I can ask him questions later), and just had a wonderful time reading.

I stayed until it got dark and I was asked to vacate the premises!
When I got back, there was a surprise waiting for me on the laptop!

This is John - a photo taken in Victoria a day or two ago. John's significant other, Geri (whom I have never met), spent a long time talking to me in a Facebook pop-up chat. We got to know each other and she even said she thinks we are alike in some ways. I am so happy John has her in his life. She has now agreed to be FB friends with me and allowed me to have this phenomenal photo (which she took), and after clearing things with John, he said I could use it on the blog!!! Thanks to both of you.

So, the very emotional day was counteracted by the happiness of reconnecting with an old friend, and also by my family, whom I love so very much. Here is my beautiful daughter, Kate, wearing some of her acquisitions from Orillia.

After talking with Geri, I also spent some time looking at my sister, Carrie's Facebook video of her canoe trip (last week) with her boyfriend, Paul Nodwell. It is absolutely stunning and is set to the Kenny Loggins version of Rainbow Connection (one of my all-time favourite songs), which -yep, made me cry. (you already KNEW that, right??) Just kept wishing Mum could see the video and how much she would have loved it. People tell me the first year after losing a parent is the toughest. I am guessing they are correct.

Love, pain, the whole damn thing - & John Axelson!

August 16/11

The day couldn't have started much better by meeting up, (poolside), with Mike Stewart, activities director extraordinaire at Fern. Mike has been working here since he was a teen.

He has always had a special gift of making every guest feel welcome and remembered. His demeanor is happy-go-lucky, (though I know he's much deeper than that)! He's a musician, M.C., entertainer, and the best lip syncher I have EVER seen in my life. Anyone who has witnessed him perform Day-O at Fern would agree. THE BEST. I'm upset this year, because this insanely, impossibly great number has been dropped from the show. There was anarchy in the dining room tonight over this omission from the upcoming Thursday night performance. I told Mike. He just shrugged, laughed and promised a great new show on Thursday.

Later, my good friend Pam Deacon-Pickard met up with me (ALSO poolside) for one of our annual Fern chats. We first met five or six years ago, exactly in this spot, started talking, discovered we were kindred spirits and have remained pals ever since. She is a wonderful woman, hard-working, devoted to her teenage son, George, her Mum (Lenore) and her brother (Rod). I have come to know Pam and her family in a way I never could have anticipated.

Pam's bro Rod Deacon and their incredible Mum, Lenore Deacon!! - In her 80s, Lenore was diagnosed with breast cancer, same as me, and is a survivor, (also same as me).

Fern can "orchestrate" these things for you, but in THIS case, it is also just the power of Pam, a true force to be reckoned with. Her sense of humour knows NO bounds, lemme tell ya.

Meanwhile, ANOTHER force, is my daughter, Kate. Shot this outside the cabin on the way to dinner. She is brilliant, beautiful and has a style all her own, which will serve her so well when she starts at Ryerson in just a couple of weeks. I can only IMAGINE what lies in store for her there. I will also point out that I have driven her nearly insane here at Fern, asking her to teach me how to upload pics and many other things. She has ALMOST lost her mind with this out-there Mum of hers, yet, she continues to assist me.

Kate is also a great photog and took this pic of me in front of a few of Fern's gorgeous flowers tonight. Since I accidentally forgot about half my clothing in a wardrobe bag at home, (ya, only I could do that), I am wearing Hue short-shorts and a Betty & Veronica t-shirt, given to me by my sister, Carrie. We were both ARCHIE comic freaks as kids. (she moved on, but I never did). ARCHIE rules!

After dinner, I asked my son, Max, to accompany me back to the zipline park, because I discovered that the "Jane Fonda burn" you feel from 'doing the zipline', is SO intense, you just HAVE to do it again! And I HATE ab exercises, but THIS one just feels so fabulous, you NEED to go for more. I want to do it every night. (so, could I just install one of these things in my backyard??)

Hurts like hell, but, in a GOOD way!!

Today's festivities also included the annual pool party at 3 p.m.

You have to be ready for,

Crazy D & his Jamaican dance moves!!

But what I REALLY wanted to do was sit and read the manuscript from my old Seneca College friend, John Axelson. I only re-connected with him about a week ago, (after having searched 25 years or so)! Then, one day, out of the blue, a message suddenly popped up to me thru Facebook, and the next thing I knew, I had his autobiographical book in hand! "Stalking the Average Man," he warns, may be dangerous for me to read, and could lead me to decide I can't be friends with him anymore, according to John. (which, naturally, only fans the flames and makes me desire to read it all the more!!) - And I REFUSE to read it "backwards," - NOT wanting to know the ending in advance. I only want his highly personal story to unfold exactly the way it HAPPENED.

Just days before leaving for Fern, John & I ended up having a 3-hour Skype chat, (my first-ever Skype encounter), trying to sort out this long lost friendship. (which, just for the record, was never a romance, - only an "Intensity Entity" thing). We laughed, cried and shocked each other with over-the-top revelations, and I promised John I would read his book, which chronicles many things, including his horrendous days as a CBC TV soundman during several wars. His stream-of-consciousness style, (as far as I've read), is da bomb. I told him he may NEVER find a better audience than me right now, in my "out there" state of mind.

John also acknowledges his colleagues, Robert Whyte, David Wilson, Brian Stewart, Ann Medina, Al Jazeera and Tony Burman, among others, in this book. I look forward to devouring the rest of his graphic & intense tale.

Meanwhile, I languish in this stunning, sparkling lakeside view.

And hang out, thinking about Axelson's complex, horrific war stories in my juxtaposition comic book t-shirt.

Yep. Contemplating many thoughts, ideas, moods, friendships, feelings. On & on & on. Think about it all, before it is too late.

Good night. - No, I guess - good morning.