Forever Friends

I was chilled and damp all day it seemed - but it was worth venturing out into the city to meet up with Jilly - my friend of almost 40 years. Impossible! We met at our favourite Thai restaurant, and for the next two hours over shrimp satay and basil chicken, we slipped back into our easy, familiar "us", our friendship that is soft, worn flannel that gets better and more comfortable with each wash. We catch up, swap our parenting laments and marvel at how blessed our lives are. How lucky are we to have found one another. I think it is anything but luck! We are travel mates, accompanying one another on this fantastical journey - there to share, care and support when needed - unconditionally, eternally.

When we were little girls meeting for the first time, I told her that we would be best friends. It was a bold move but there was something about that tall, quiet unassuming girl with the long brown hair that told me in an instant that we would know each other forever. And I was right, and we have.

Good Place to Be

If I was into astrology, I would probably say that the stars are aligning and the universe is shifting, with bounty, clarity and opportunity sliding my way. There are interesting, exciting times. I have nurtured this egg of possibility and purpose for years now, self educating along the way, with expectation of who knows what building.

I am immersed in "inspiration" - learning about seemingly endless numbers of creative projects being undertaken by incredible human beings. People are taking matters into their own hands, using their skills and talents to solve problems in their communities and around the globe. Change makers.

I love this feeling, this place I find myself in. The more I learn, the more my optimism is fueled. I am finding my voice and have set sail -- destination to be determined. But the ship has left the dock ... an hour ahead!

Happy Daylight Saving Time. Spring can't be far behind.

Frothy Times

You know when you pour beer carelessly and a tsunami of foam billows up and the froth spills over the glass? That's what my life is like right now ... full to overflowing. The foam in the glass is what seems like a million details that have to be dealt with - cleared - if we want to get to the good stuff.

Three weeks ago Kidlet and I were immersed in our Africa trip preparations ... getting shots, filing paperwork, and arranging insurance etc. at the same time Kidlet was applying for university residence and perusing her course options. I thought then that our plates were full and things were heating up ... HA!

Life, in its quirky unpredictable fashion, dangled possibility in front of us; the opportunity to buy our own piece of paradise. True to my motto "when opportunity comes knocking, you gotta answer, ready or not!" we took the bait and are now poor proud owners of a quaint lakefront cottage.  At least we will be once the paperwork is completed. See Hubby smile. This exciting development was not in the plans ... nope - not even penciled in. So to say we've been a little preoccupied and busy is a GROSS understatement.

From here on in until Kidlet and I board our plane for Kenya our days are going to be jam packed as we close the deal on our cottage, get Kidlet graduated, take our previously planned weekend jaunt to Montreal, and celebrate Father's Day.

So much foam and froth to work through to take us to the real deal. And that is the very essence of what I love about life ...   the unexpected, and the bends in the road that make life spicy and delicious. Life is funny like that, with plans for us that are grander than we ever dare to dream. And you just have to have faith that if you keep sipping through the foam, there'll be good stuff at the bottom of the glass.

Our thoughts and imagination are the only real limits to our possibilities.
- Orison Swett Marden

Saturday Morning

Clunking, clanging, banging
of the washing machine
that seems eternally in motion.

Matching a mountain
of orphaned socks
and wondering to where it is they disappear.

Folding and piling high
the endless loads of laundry
inhaling the sweetness and freshness of clean.

Sipping a second cup
of steeping hot coffee
letting the morning leisurely unwind.

Yup! It's Saturday morning. Let the games begin ...

Hope yours is a good one!

How Art Thou

My friend is going to kill me but I can't resist posting one of her first second artistic creations. She is one of those people who wants to do and try everything. We were teasing her at dinner the other night that she has taken every course offered at the community college. She protested that no she hadn't -- only sewing. photography, floral arranging etc etc. She learned to fly. She loves to boat. She took a horseback riding vacation in the Canadian Rockies and a safari to Kenya. She skies, golfs and fishes. She cooks, decorates and can keep the books. She has an insatiable thirst for knowing and a desire to do. She can be a handful on vacation with her boundless energy and "every ready" attitude - especially for a bookworm like me.

So it only makes sense that she is taking a painting course. It's an uncharted creative territory for her. She said she is finding it relaxing .... (her relaxing? THAT's a picture!) She is what I call a life long learner. The reason I am blogging about her I suppose is that she is an inspiration to me. She reminds me to see things in fresh and new ways and like my father, she is has a keen interest in virtually everything.

And although her second attempt at painting a canvas may not be a Monet, it represents the spirit of trying and perseverance. And I believe she will prevail.

Update: Apparently her most recent work is her interpretation of "The Scream" -- now THAT will be a scream! (All in good fun my friend)

Living Until We Die

I'm down half a box of Kleenex after watching the documentary film, Young at Heart. The film is the true story of the final weeks of rehearsal for the Young at Heart Chorus in Massachusetts. The average age in this white haired choir is 81, many of them with health problems to overcome in order to participate. They perform contemporary, rock music - unexpected for their age group. The images of their determined faces as they struggled to remember unfamiliar lyrics and complicated rhythms hooked me in. Their zeal for life and love of music translated into pure joy in their performances as they move their bodies to the music. Secrets to a long and quality life ... they all echoed the same thought -- that if you don't use it- you lose it. When they lose two members of their chorus within a week, fear and shock ridden faces aside, they soldier on ... their stark reality.

I can't remember when I have laughed, cried, reflected and derived such a heart full of love all from one film. Maybe I replaced the faces of the elderly with loved ones of my own, or maybe I am reminded of my own mortality. One thing is for certain, the movie shows our elders as human beings with desires, hopes and energy for life that are shared by the young. We are reminded that they are more than their ages, their fading memories, crinkly skin and ailments. They are lovers, mothers, fathers and friends - and willing participants in life. Their eyes are their archives, storing and reflecting the sum total of all the experiences and emotions of their lives. They wear a cloak of peace and knowing that comes from surviving and thriving for decades.

For a society obsessed with youth, the message is clear, the dance isn't over for these folks - and they will keep on singing, dancing and living - until they can no longer. When I grow up, I want to be just like them. I want to die living.... Now if only I could carry a tune!

-----------------
Lyrics to the pop songs they sing, like Forever Young, Fix You and I Wanna Be Sedated take on new meaning.

And may you grow to be proud
Dignified and true
And do unto others
As you'd have done to you
Be courageous and be brave
And in my heart you'll always stay
Forever young, forever young
And when you finally fly away
Ill be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime
No one can ever tell
But whatever road you choose
I'm right behind you, win or lose
Forever young, forever young.

Procrastinating Can Be Fun

So today I was supposed to take down the tree and put away the Christmas decorations and say my final farewell to the holiday season. I had good intentions but I also had a conflict -- with my new approach -- taking it as I like it. Instead I lounged in bed for an extra hour this morning, remote in hand, surfing channels to find out what happened in the world overnight. Funny enough, CNN (the Cable NEWS Network) doesn't cover more than one story at a time! I tried HNN (Headline News) but they were just goofing around and seemed more like TMZ than a news channel. Thank goodness for the CTV Newsnet and BBC. Journalism lives! However, I digress.

Had my self-prescribed 2 mugs of coffee and a big bowl of Cheerios and then puttered some more. I surveyed the situation and Hubby even brought up all of the crates and boxes out of the basement for me to fill. Decided we needed food and went grocery shopping. Called eldest and youngest daughters to invite them for spaghetti tonight (which Hubby makes so well - with big, spicy meatballs). Yum. I can smell them cooking as I write this procrastinate.

Made the mistake of logging onto my computer and flicking on the TV when I got home. Of course I had to watch Step Mom for the tenth time ... especially that part when Susan Sarandon is singing Ain't No Mountain High Enough with her kids. But again -- I digress, or procrastinate. Or both.

As I sit here contemplating if I should have wine with my dinner (even though tomorrow is a work day), my tree is lit up, my garlands and banisters a ablaze in white light for the final time and I have decided to defer undressing the house. Rather, we will enjoy the beauty one more day (or two) or until I get my backside in gear.

What is that quote? Don't put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today.
I think I prefer Mark Twain's version: Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.

And so the tree will wait. But the spaghetti won't, and a little glass of wine never hurt anyone. Cheers - and here's to taking it as it comes - or as you like it.