Wow, a busy week! It went by in a flash, and I have to admit, thank goodness for public transit,
I had a meeting downtown and having the option to take a train and avoid dealing with rush hour traffic and parking was helpful. I love downtown, and had to be up fairly early to make the morning train. I could do that occasionally, but glad it’s not an everyday thing. I know it’s a struggle for those who are moving back into in person work – it seems to be the way of the working world now.
When I was a kid I listened to the radio station 104.5 CHUM FM religiously. Yes, I even had a T-shirt.
I still listen occasionally, but when I saw this classic signage, I had to take a pic. Iconic.
I managed to get to another dance class today, thank goodness! I ate way too much (meetings equals carbs and eating way beyond usual …Interestingly, this week I walked by a “Underground dance studio” along Richmond, and I think it’s a sign. I have been wanting to attend a dance class there for years, since it first opened. Now that I know where it is, I just need to go – at least once.
A not so great thing, my car was dinged at some point in the last week. I guess now that I’m out and about more and parking for work, it was inevitable. But still, not a great feeling. I have to decide if I want to get it fixed, when in reality it may just be the start of many. Unfortunate, as I just bought it out, but you know, it’s a little thing in the whole scheme of things.
I finished up listening to a recent Mel Robbins podcast, and I love the following:
We need to live in our “aliveness”.
How’s your Saturday been?
I need a prompt today – let’s look at five kitchen essentials:
1. My new Coffee Bean Burr Grinder – it is indeed the best gadget EVER! I can’t believe I didn’t get one until I grew up into my late 50’s . There’s nothing like a cup of coffee made from fresh grounds. Perfect way to start the morning.
2. My kettle – also beverage related. we have a cupboard full of all sorts of black teas (Lipton Yellow label, Red Rose, Stash, Twinings), Chai’s and also Herbal teas, like Lemon and Ginger, Orange raspberry, Camomile, Jasmine. Turmeric is in there somewhere too.
3. The Microwave – bad habit, sometimes I take too long to get to dinner, end up warming the food up because I’ve waited too long. Or I take too long to drink my coffee, and it needs a quick zap. We love leftovers, so our microwave is a major essential.
4. Coffee maker – we’ve had this Braun coffee maker for years. I think it’s our second, actually. Drip coffee is our favourite. We do have French press Bodum, but we never use it. Too lazy I guess.
5. The dishwasher – even when it’s just the two of us, it’s an imperative!
(Miss this little guy – he would have turned 17 last Monday )
A Truce That Is Not Peace by Miriam Toews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’d read two of Canadian writer Miriam Toews’ books – the most famous one, Women Talking (upon which an award winning movie was made ) and Fight Night. I enjoyed both of them, Fight Night a little more. I wasn’t sure what to expect with A Truce that is not Peace.
This book is a memoir, written in a most unique, unusual fashion, that took me on various paths. Not chronologically written, it bounces around, back and forth, but I did not get lost. I found it fascinating, stream of consciousness writing, very emotional, and powerful. Incredible given the author’s background, and personal tragedies she has suffered (the loss of her father and older sister to suicide) — how she’s been able to navigate life, still be present for her kids and her grandchildren. It was at times so hilarious, and other times shocking. There is the mundane everyday life. And the heartbreak, especially in her use of letters and correspondence with her sister.
It all starts with the question that she is asked, as she is invited to speak at a literary conference.
“Why do you write?” How does anyone answer that?
A very creative mind, and the result is this one-of-a-kind memoir. With the most perfect title.
A solid 4 stars. Thanks to Penguin Random House Canada and the author for the ARC, it was a pleasure to read and review.
View all my reviews
2. Comfortable walking weather – saw this cute kitty out just enjoying the soft sounds of the brooke in the trails in our neighbourhood.
3. Halloween – I mentioned in the post yesterday, we don’t get a lot of kids here as most are like ours and have grown up. I bought some candy to give out and had about 15 kids come around. The world series game 6 may have gotten in the way.
4. Renaissance, I find fall can be the start of new beginnings, changeovers. With new school years, with new season of TV shows, I used to look forward to fall as a kid too.
5. Cozy – it’s cooler so we can also start turning on our fireplace to get a bit toasty. Not so much into pumpkin latte, but do like pumpkin pie!
What do you like about fall?
I’ve decided to do NaBloPoMo again this year – one blog post every day in November.
Accckkkkk! I’m already late for this important date! So this will be a 2-fer post. And I am showing myself some grace because – sob – the Blue Jays lost the World Series last night and I’m suffering a bit from Daylight Savings…(I know we gained an hour, but still).
Here are some highlights from my past week, Scattershot Sunday if you will…
I remember going to the huge parade in 1992 when the Jays won the first of two consecutive World Series. It would have been so sweet for them to win again. And full disclosure, I am a bandwagon fan. The beauty of baseball is that it is straighforward enough to follow, and I even played as a kid in school. Not that anyone picked me for the team, I couldn’t hit very well but I could run.
Sigh… there won’t be a next year with this same group of guys, but at least we had the experience. And today is another day. Heartbreaking, but they showed so much heart!
2) I went to a retreat last weekend, spent a couple days focusing on me, and preparing my headspace for the week ahead. A small group of ladies, strangers when we started, but real connections afterwards. It was gorgeous up in Collingwood area…downtown and the arboretum below:
3) The week ahead entailed starting a new job! I’m back working fulltime now, adjusting to a hybrid model. I’ve been entirely remote based since 2019, so this is an adjustment. So far so good, the week went by super quickly and the people have been lovely.
4)MJ the Musical
Two words. Loved. It.
5)And oh, there was Halloween.
Wednesday on a Friday.
Hope you have a great week ahead!
Not ready for this…
Well, I missed the Saturday scattershot boat! Primarily because it was Thanksgiving holiday last weekend, my birthday happened and the biggest surprise of all – my son came from LA to surprise me! Because it is a big birthday, I intend to continue celebrating for a year!
This was the crudite platter I made to bring to the in-laws Thanksgiving lunch last Sunday. I surprise myself with whatever modicum of creativity I occasionally have.
We drove up north a bit to enjoy the fall colours. My son was especially excited because he misses fall, as the LA weather is consistently sunny and warm every single day. The lack of seasons will be an adjustment.
Our favourite tree, always takes longer to turn…
We then did a very touristy thing – my husband booked a Toronto Harbour tour. It was perfect weather, and a wonderful vantage point to take awesome pictures of the iconic skyline…
We had a lovely dinner at Alder in the Arc Hotel. It was absolutely delish! Had champagne, of course…
Then a couple of days later, my siblings took me and my Mom to Cafe Boulud for another BD dinner…another amazing evening…Seafood risotto!
The week went by quickly – I got up super early to take him to the airport this morning, and was witness to a pretty suburban sunrise.
With all that eating and drinking, I made sure not to miss too many of my workouts:
“Are these my traps?” I asked my husband. “Yup, those would be your traps – you look like a dancer”.
Now that is an awesome birthday present LOL!
At a time 
Three Things Thursday -Podcasts
So many podcasts, so little time. Here are three that I keep on rotation:
I am so Canadian in this regard. Our national broadcaster, CBC, has the best programming both on Television and radio, and online. Q features the most interesting interviews, with musicians, artists, pop culture and cultural icons, Tom Power is one of the best interviewers, he has a lovely approach, a warm Newfoundlander persona – he’s a musician and just became a new dad. He’s had this gig since 2016, and I’m a huge fan.
The podcast interviews are also posted on YouTube!
2. The Readout Loud
I started following this podcast a few years ago at the recommendation of a work friend.
The content was never as dramatic as it has been since the beginning of this year, with the new administration in the US. It’s like a miniseries now, with all the twists and turns in biotech, government, science and business. Informative and attainable.
3. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
I was a big fan of Smartless during Covid – I’ve find it less interesting these days, especially now that we have hilarious Amy Poehler with her own podcast. I love her, she’s great with guests, she would be an amazing BFF to hang out with.
Also on YouTube! Her interview with Mariska Hargitay was such fun!
Honorable mentions:
WTF with Marc Maron – this OG of podcasts, wrapped up recently with the final interview with Barack Obama. A fitting bow on a masterpiece of 16 years of programming.
Mel Robbins Podcast – for some real inspiration and pick me ups.
Any recommendations? What do you listen to would love to know!