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Category Archives: My mother
Telling stories of dogs and gods
Anecdotes are one sort of story. For example I heard that in 2020 COVID caused a surge in canine adoptions. Later I heard there was a flood in reverse, dogs being given up when people changed their minds. No I … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, Dance, theatre & musicals, My mother
Tagged adaptation, André Alexis, Animal Farm, apologue, Bengal Tiger, Crow's Theatre, Fifteen Dogs, George Orwell, Giller Prize, Isle of Dogs, Marie Farsi, Pride and Prejudice, rescue dogs, Wes Anderson
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Rebuilding Janise: Andrew Smith’s labour of love
The cover picture is a disturbing metaphor for its subject. In 1992 Andrew and Janise were married. This poem “What Once Was”, is by Andrew Smith, posted in July 2022 on Facebook. what once was; is so long ago.two fools, … Continue reading
Toronto Choral Society – Mozart Requiem
I had my first experience with Toronto Choral Society last night at Eastminster United Church on Danforth. Holly Chaplin’s page on Facebook (where my review of the weekend opera was shared) told me that she and Joshua Clemenger (also in … Continue reading
Lessons of the Paralympics
As usual I’ve been watching tv with my mom when I visit her to bring her lunch and dinner. During the Winter Olympics she would sometimes get up in the night to watch opening or closing ceremonies, given the time … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, My mother, Personal ruminations & essays, Sports
Tagged curling, hockey, James Dunn, physiotherapy
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Chatting with Bruce McGillivray about the German bow, music and rehabilitation
After a short stay in Mt Sinai after collapsing in early September, my mother went to Bridgepoint Hospital for rehab, gradually seeking to re-cover her mobility with the help of physical therapy. The beautiful view through the window lifts patients’ … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Health and Nutrition, Interviews, Music and musicology, My mother, Personal ruminations & essays, Popular music & culture
Tagged Berlin Philharmonic, Bridgepoint Hospital, Bruce McGillivray, busking, French bow, German bow, Kitchener Waterloo Symphony, Martin Heinze, physical therapy, rehabilitation, Sean Bennesch, string bass
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2021 False starts and #BellLetsTalk
That may be the goofiest headline I’ve ever written. I waited to post my review of 2021 until today for a couple of reasons, although the main one is simple. 2021 was not a normal year, not one where I … Continue reading
Things we do for love
This is a brief tale of tail, concerning two things that really happened to me recently. Event #1 was on Thursday when I was at my mom’s giving her lunch and dinner, as I will do a few times per … Continue reading
Missing church
The last thing I posted had the word “missing” in the title. A few days ago I wrote a rambly thing as I thought about a canceled show and one of its canceled performers, pushed off the stage by contagious … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, Books & Literature, Cinema, video & DVDs, My mother, Personal ruminations & essays, Spirituality & Religion, Sports
Tagged Betty White, Christmas, Come From Away, Hillcrest Church, Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming, Muriel's Wedding, Nutcracker, Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, The Time Traveler's Wife
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Levity in Longevity
I’m not a philosopher although I do enjoy asking questions. “Longevity” has nine letters, including the six letters of “levity”. Is a sense of humour the secret to a long life? All I know right now is that I’m confronted … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, domestic & wild, My mother, Personal ruminations & essays
Tagged levity, longevity, Squiggle
6 Comments
Promised Lands
I took lunch to my mom today, as usual. I’m part of an unofficial committee with my siblings, sharing the various chores such as lunches, laundry, and more. She asks how we’re doing, if Erika is working hard, how is … Continue reading