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”

French Films in.. Vancouver? Yup!

Parlez-vous le Francais? Speak French? No? Doesn’t matter!!

Here in our own Vancouver, we are lucky to have French films being brought in by  Visions Ouest Productions, Régis Painchaud and Lorraine Fortin, for the 23rd Rendez-Vous French Film Festival. Around 50 films (including shorts) from Québec and around the world will be presented, most with English subtitles, between February 1-12th.

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I have some favourites, and some events that I would like to share on my blog, so stay tuned, if you’d like!

First of all, however… Continue reading “French Films in.. Vancouver? Yup!”

A bridge back to the arts…

The last few posts have been distinctly more political and heated. I had felt a strong need to write about something that impassioned me. The state of a group of seniors’ situation in a place in which I’m deeply familiar. That story hasn’t ended. And, I will keep a strong eye on it until it does. And, other stories related to seniors. (I have many up my sleeve)

But. For now… Continue reading “A bridge back to the arts…”

How deeply do we care…Action not just words…

Last Saturday night I watched a documentary called “What About Me?“. I scanned through comedies, dramas, and documentaries to find something that would soothe my despair over losing a friend to suicide last week. Imagining the incredibly bright light of Haigan Day in her final darkness alone sent myself stumbling blindly.

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“What About Me?” was the perfect balm for my soul. Philosophers, spiritual guides, ordinary people, and musicians were Continue reading “How deeply do we care…Action not just words…”

Why bother, they’re going to die…

Imagine:

You’ve led a full life in a community where you paid your taxes. You’ve purchased over and over again in your community, spending your money at local businesses. You’ve had a family. Your own home. Your own house. Your own garden. A dog. Maybe a few. Some cats, despite that damn hair on the couch. You’ve listened to your TV in the background of coffee scents, a home cooked meal, popcorn your kids made, smelled bacon from a weekend breakfast, heard laughter, saw tears, did laundry, played board games and cards, had barbecues in the summer, shared a drink or two over some heated conversations, slept in a double bed with your honey, attended some weddings, some funerals, some graduations…. then, you got old.

You. Got. Old.

And, your ill health became… Continue reading “Why bother, they’re going to die…”

Beyond Belief, Booze over Elders…

Yes, it’s true. The PEI government has chosen to construct a new liquor store in the community of Montague, Prince Edward Island, and postpone, once again, their 2009, 2015, 2016 promise of a brand new Riverview Manor, residence for seniors, to (we’ll see) 2017.

BUT, the new liquor store will be ready for business in June 2017.

How we treat our vulnerable defines us as individuals, as a community, and as a country.

How must Montague feel right now as… Continue reading “Beyond Belief, Booze over Elders…”

Keep Going….

Today, the announcement for the new government liquor store in Montague was published by CBC in a positive light, gleefully optimistic about an increase in liquor sales next year, in their new building that will be constructed.

A new building that will break ground as soon as ….. next week. Ready for an opening in June, 2017.

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Those dots represent the unbearable silence as we all take this in.  Continue reading “Keep Going….”

Playing Russian Roulette with the Elderly in Prince Edward Island

The Riverview Manor in Montague, Prince Edward Island.

A place no-one wants to spend the last part of their life. But the decrepit nursing home building is full of the community’s elderly. The community’s loved ones. I know it well. Because of my Dad.

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Last week I wrote an article to light a spark of action toward the repeated promised construction of a new Manor. Two days ago I wrote another one to remind the government of the safety of the people, especially fire. And, tonight… Continue reading “Playing Russian Roulette with the Elderly in Prince Edward Island”