Truly Canadian….

Happy Canada Day ALL!! Joyeuse FETE du Canada!

When people ask me where I’m from I have a difficult time answering. Eventually, I say Canada. Born in Vancouver, brought up in Banff and PEI, schooled in London, Ontario, and Quebec City (La Ville de Quebec) (et, oui.. je parle le Francais!), lived in Frederiction, Ottawa, Montreal. Worked in Banff, Vancouver, and theatrically toured all the Western provinces.

I feel Canadian.

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My first road trip across the country was with… Continue reading “Truly Canadian….”

Children of God….

Last Sunday afternoon was a sunny, extraordinary Vancouver day. But, I and a large gathering of people spent it in a dark theatre witnessing the play “Children of God”, produced by Urban Ink Productions, with the York Theatre-The Cultch. My goosebumps burst at the introductory primal drum and the First Nations’ presence that lead us into the tragic story of the residential schools in Canada. This tightly knitted show culminated with an audience bonding and a talk back. The conversational finale helped to give more meaning to the depths of feelings I was experiencing.

“I don’t want to look like an Indian today” “Good luck with that!” This exchange between grown son, Tom, played by Herbie Barnes, and his wise mother, Rita, played by Cathy Elliott, as Tom dresses for a job interview, summarized the back bone of this coming to light historical story.

Last week I worked on a TV series Continue reading “Children of God….”

“On a First Name Basis”

Take an upper echelon, self absorbed (until today) writer, and his clever, under appreciated housekeeper and throw in some expensive bottles of booze. The result? A wonky waltz of intellectual and emotional discovery.

When writer, David, insists on them using first names and crossing boundaries, the awkward fun begins. Especially as he didn’t even know her first name. After twenty eight years of service.

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First Impressions Theatre has once again Continue reading ““On a First Name Basis””

“Promise”, synonym: “lie”….

For those who read this blog, I have begun another blog dedicated to senior care, and issues that have a senior theme. There is just so much out there that wants to be addressed and stories to be shared.

Today’s post brings back the reoccurring theme of the “new” Riverview Manor in Montague, PEI and the unfulfilled promises by their government:

“Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the…. government iz?” Here we go again. It’s called the Montague Riverview Manor Waiting game. The rules go like this:

  1. Make a promise.
  2. Get people excited and feeling cared for.
  3. Get others advocating for your promise. “No, no! It’s real, this time!”
  4. Make a gesture that is called “tender”.
  5. Hold breath for a few months.
  6. Give a good excuse or don’t even say anything.
  7. Repeat.”

Go here to read the rest of the post:

Women… taking the stage

It’s International Women’s Day March 8th, 2017.

I’m not going to go on about all the rights, movements, motions, marches, liberation, suppression, equality, love, violence, hate, bigotry, motherhood, sisterhood, beauty, nurturing, bold gestures, going back in time, empowerment, daughters, peace, activism….

Many are addressing these issues. And, well… I guess I sort of am. A tiny bit.

We women still have a long way to go to gain our place in this world. But… I believe our inner mother nature is sliding around quietly influencing, more than ever. And, we need it urgently.  In the past three days, Continue reading “Women… taking the stage”

Québec…My Country, Mon Pays

My plans to write about the film “Québec, My Country, Mon Pays” today became  heightened after the past weekend’s tragedy at a Québec City mosque. My heart goes out to the people who were practicing a peaceful prayer, their families, and the community, that includes us.

I lived in Québec City. J’ai vecu a Québec. I know that when we say “a Québec” (in Québec) as opposed to “au Québec” (also, in Québec) that the former means the city, and not the province, the latter. I spent 4 years there. First, studying French. Secondly, studying acting at Le Conservatoire d’Art Dramatique de Québec.

Then… Continue reading “Québec…My Country, Mon Pays”

Demain… Tomorrow… There will be one…

Hope. Commitment. Change. Health. Care. Movement. Not waiting for someone else to solve the problem.

That’s what we need. What the whole world needs. Especially, right now when there seems to be small groups of people making decisions that put millions at jeopardy, world wide.

The film “Demain” (Tomorrow) is an elixir, a well needed boost of encouragement to an overwhelmed feeling I’ve been experiencing lately.  “Demain“, which is mostly in English with French subtitles as there are many international interviews, is a documentary that takes us around the world to witness how different communities are taking social, healthy movements back into their own hands, through gardening.

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Yes. Gardening.

My previous post Continue reading “Demain… Tomorrow… There will be one…”

Gardening… therapeutic art

My first garden was in the back yard of our Banff house in a little dark corner with black earth. My first plant, a strawberry plant. Our neighbours’ fence was high above, blocking my sun, but dripping gooseberries that I guiltily snuck from time to time. When my first strawberry emerged, albeit tiny, I was excited. My Mom had the main garden that produced peas, and, I’m sure a lot more, but I only remember peas.

Our PEI vegetable garden was massive as we had… Continue reading “Gardening… therapeutic art”