VACATION - & HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAY!

Today is my daughter-in-law’s birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAY!! She is the beautiful mama of my two youngest grandchildren, Nalou & Bali, a terrific artist, and a sweet person. I hope my Jo has planned a good time for his lovely lady!

Saturday I started the long-awaited vacation. It was a sunny, hot, ‘about time it’s summer’ day, and besides washing clothes, I spent most of it reading a book – a nice, thick book about a nurse’s experiences in World War II. I did run quickly into the pharmacy to pick up the anti-inflammatory medication for my leg, only to discover that I had either left the darned prescription with the doctor, or lost it when putting the other papers he gave me (for tests) into my purse. Today I’ll have to call him back and ask him to fax it over. I also need to call the clinic to set up the appointment for x-rays.

Yesterday Suzie and I went into the office and cleaned the area for the stagiare who will be starting this morning. It was some hot in the city, I’ll tell you! There was a man painting the stairway in the building entrance and Suzie, wearing her famous high heels, grabbed the wall railing to keep from falling. Her expression was priceless as she stared at her hand full of yellow, oil paint. I was laughing so hard that I could hardly make it up to the top of the stairs, LOL! It didn’t take us long to finish up, and we headed back to the country. As we turned onto Route 50, the change in the air was noticeable – it was so much cooler away from all the asphalt & cement of Montreal. We dropped some empty boxes off for Shan’s move, and then went to Suzie’s house. I only stayed for a few minutes before making my way home – I was ready for a sleep. Toiling in that kind of heat sure saps away energy!

And today? This morning I am preparing work for the stagiare, which I’ll send by e-mail to the office. Then Shan will need my truck at some point today – her automobile has a brake problem so will be in the garage. She needs to pick up the cheque for her house sale from the purchaser’s Notary to drop it off at the bank. Later this week she will be signing the papers to finalize her new home, then it’s moving time. I have phone calls to make, and will start on my list of housecleaning. You can be sure I’ll take time to laze occasionally on the gallery, and to play with the doggies. It is vacation, after all! Later this evening I’ll drop in to give May her birthday card and gift, at the same time get some ‘granny-hugs’ from the little dudes.

One priority of the time away from work will be to catch up on sleep. If that needs to happen during the day, so be it, even if the housecleaning takes place at night. I’ll turn off the phone, and snooze until my body & mind begin to feel normal again. A week should be long enough to fix me up nearly as good as new, before going into the rush of autumn’s workload; and a rush it will be. It has already started.

The Weather Network is promising a day of sunshine again. I hope you can all get out and enjoy it! Don’t forget those SMILES! My own is already all over my face – no rush hour for me this morning! Yipee!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

A POEM FOR MY CHILDREN

One of my favorite authors on my writing site posted this poem. I just had to copy it and put it in here so my kids could read & get an inkling of what I'm planning, LOL! I did ask permission of course. There was no title, so here goes:

When I'm an old lady, I'll live with each kid,
And bring so much happiness....just as they did.
I want to pay back all the joy they've provided,
Returning each deed. Oh, they'll be so excited!
When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.

I'll write on the wall with reds, whites and blues,
And bounce on the furniture wearing my shoes.
I'll drink from the carton and then leave it out.
I'll stuff up the toilet, and oh, how they'll shout!
When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.

When they're on the phone and just out of reach,
I'll get into things like powder and bleach,
Oh, they'll snap their fingers and then shake their head,
And when the mess is done I'll just go to bed!
When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.

When they cook dinner and call me to eat,
I'll not eat my green beans or salad or meat.
I'll gag on my cabbage, spill milk on the table,
And when they get angry I'll run . . . if I'm able!
When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.
I'll sit close to the TV, through the channels I'll click,
I'll cross both my eyes just to see if they stick.
I'll take off my socks and throw one away,
And play in the mud 'til the end of the day!
When I'm an old lady and live with my kids.

Author unknown.

I bet they're already searching the phonebook for Seniors' residences, LOL!!

I left the office last night, feeling guilty because there was still so much left undone, and I'm supposed to be on vacation. I do have to go in this weekend and clean out a space for the new 'stagiare' who is starting on Monday morning. I think I'll grab Suzie and take her up with me. We enjoy the time together, and it goes much faster with two of us, especially Suzie, who is a champion in that kind of thing.

I didn't really want to accept any stagiares while I would be away, but this student was stuck. A certain number of hours working in an office is a required part of her course, and it is up to the students to contact a business where they can practice working in an office environment. This particular lady had been promised a spot in another place, then was contacted at the last minute and told it had been cancelled. She needs to complete her 4 week stage by mid-September, or no diploma. These students work for free, so there is no cost involved. However, because they are just learning, there is a certain amount of time involved for training and supervision, and none of us at the office has alot of time to spare. However, the employees all agreed that everyone needs a chance, and we have accepted as many stagiares as possible for the month of September and October, and it does give us a leg up on reliable candidates for the placement agency. Still, it's gonna be rock & roll in the office for those two months!

My vacation plans? Massive housecleaning (going through my mom's stuff and giving away what needs to be gone), supervise the staining of the huge gallery, helping my daughter finish the packing for her move, and putting some order in my home office. One whole wall is shelved and crammed full of books and Cd's, all helter-skelter. There are also x-rays to be done, my truck left for its tune-up, and a visit to the optician. Mmmm... maybe I should have scheduled off a month or two, huh? Actually, my mind is set that whatever gets done will get done; what doesn't, won't - a very relaxed, non-intensive agenda.

It's a beautiful sunny day, and I'm going to eat my breakfast outside, sitting on my swing, gazing at my mountain. Ahh - life is good.

Have a nice one, y'all! Give someone your SMILE today - if nothing else it will make you feel better!!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

WHERE DID MURPHY GO?

It looks like my vacation is going to be interrupted by having to go for x-rays. The doctor isn’t sure what the swelling is, so, besides telling me I need a healthier lifestyle (work less, relax more, eat regular, exercise, etc.), he couldn’t shed light on that tiresome leg pain. He did offer me pills to sleep, which I refused. There has to be another way. Even a couple of Tylenol turn me into a Zombie. They don’t really give me a restful snooze, then for the rest of the day I just wander around in space and it seems to takes forever to get them out of my system. Last night I slept for a grand total of TWO hours…GRRR…between 10 PM & midnight. I worked some, but finally gave up on that too. Too tired to write, or do anything else, but not able to stay in bed. It’s very frustrating. This morning I have a meeting at 9 AM with one of my associates, and I fear I’ll have to come back to the house for a power nap before going to the office in the city. When I’m driving is when I could nod off – it’s getting too dangerous. Maybe I should have someone drive me around for a couple of hours each night like we do with cranky babies. You think that will do the trick, LOL?

I stopped off to visit with Bird for a few moments on the way home yesterday. Frannie was there, so he was in a good mood. Frannie’s hair is red now – it looks real nice on her. I spent some time fixing things up on Bird’s computer before driving home. I was too tired to take a walk with the doggies. I had planned on doing just that – and maybe I should have. I get the fresh country air by sitting out star-gazing on the balcony, but the walk would probably have done more good, and been more conductive to Murphy’s visit. That darned dude didn’t stick around long – maybe I should chain him to the bedpost.

I did get to watch the sun rise over my mountain this morning – gorgeous pinks and greys! What a sight!! And Kilroy is back, so I have fallen into my old routine of reading his blog with my coffee. We are both happy that there is a forecast for sunny days right through the weekend. Line is on vacation, and she called us from her boat yesterday. She has been working very hard, so the break will be good for her– didn’t she have great weather this week? I’m hoping it will continue for my days off next week.

Off I go. Hope you are enjoying this sunshine. We won’t say it too often for fear of waking the Dunany demons who just love to screw up our weather!! Sending you all a big SMILE (albeit a sleepy one), so pass it on!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

...MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD.

A few years ago, I wrote an article for our regional English newspaper. The Federal election campaigns were in full swing, and I had attended the press conferences of both the Liberals, the favoured party in our county, and that of the controversial, pro-separatist Parti Quebecois, or P.Q.. I wrote the piece describing what I had experienced, what I had seen and felt at each of those events. I mentioned how I had noticed that it was mostly “suits” – the ‘white-collar’ business faction, doctors, lawyers, etc., those who were relatively well-to-do, participating in the Liberal activity; whereas the majority of the P.Q.’s group were what is termed blue-collar workers – farmers, those from the service industry, mechanics and industrial labourers, etc.. I ended the piece by wondering if this could mean that people thought the P.Q. was more attuned than the Liberal Party to the needs of the ordinary citizen.

When the newspaper hit the streets, there was some heavy reaction. The editor found himself having to field anonymous calls (some in the middle of the night) from irate readers. The paper was accused of being a separatist rag; the writer was a traitor to Canada; there were even veiled threats that the story should be retracted or else…. The editor, like any good editor, responded by telling the callers they were welcome to send us their views in writing; he would make sure they’d be published. He also added that they should maybe read the article again with the purpose of quoting any statement that would support their accusations. No letters were received. One fellow did call back, saying he had heeded the advice and now found he was mistaken, but we are still not certain if it wasn’t because the editor, in spite of this fellow’s first call happening at 1:00 AM, had recognized the voice and inadvertently said “You have a good night now, Robert.” at the end of their conversation, LOL.

It seems that I have once again ruffled some feathers with one of my latest posts. Although I find it unfortunate, I feel no need to apologize. Anything I write in my blog, unless it is fiction, reflects, as in the former case, what I experience, what I see, and what I feel. It doesn’t mean I’m right, nor does it mean I won’t view if another way at a different time but, at that precise moment when I put ‘pen to paper’, it is my present and personal description of events. Like any aspiring writer, I won’t ever insist that everyone agree with me either. We live in Canada, a great country where there still is freedom of speech. Written comments, for or against, are welcome. I would, however, make the same suggestion as the editor did so long ago – read it again to make sure what is really written there can support your censure.

With that said and done, Shan has advised me that nearly all her packing is completed in preparation for her move. It looks like the vacation I have planned for next week will be mostly real vacation!!! Ain’t that something?

Another footnote – I am making one of my rare visits to the doctor tomorrow morning. I couldn’t believe there was only a 10 day waiting period! I’ve found a lump on the side of my leg, just below my hip, and it’s bugging me, and just painful enough to make the hours I do sleep even less. It’s the side I curl up on while waiting for Murphy to do his stuff. Bird (my bro) is thinking maybe bursitis, but I suspect it will be wiser to get the doc’s opinion, LOL.
And that’s it for tonight, folks. Sweet dreams to you, and a great day tomorrow. I’m counting down to vacation, so of course I’ll be SMILING! Hope you’re all SMILING back!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

A SURPRISE VISIT

I love mornings! As a child, I would be out of bed early, certain that a new event would take place that day। Something always did, even if it was limited to discovering a new trail through the bush, learning a new word, opening a book I had never read before, finding a new silhouette in the tree tops and giving it a name (I was an avid �Anne of Green Gables� fan, thus bestowed names on everything on the farm)। Granted, if it was a bad day my outlook was somewhat jaded by bedtime, but the next morning the excitement would start all over again. Fortunately, for the most part, I�ve been able to keep that feeling in spite of the more serious trials and tribulations of adulthood (is that a word?).One never knows how the day will unfold.



Thursday morning was no exception. I was driving to work and listening to the messages that had been left on my cellular phone. There was one from my sister, Judy, who spends her time between her houses in Alberta and New Brunswick, telling me that she would be stopping by that evening on her drive to Ontario. Kool!!

When Judy finally arrived late Thursday evening, it was even kooler! With her were her daughter (I had last seen this girl when she was about 10 years old), her daughter�s new baby, and another 11 year old niece (her mom is my youngest sis) whom I had never met. What a great evening we spent together! I had picked up my brother, Bird, so that he could join us in the mini family reunion. We sat and did catching up, some strolling down memory lane, and a lot of laughing � until 4 AM!! They were up and on their way to Ontario by noon the next day, leaving me with total awe for the baby, Finn, who entered this world only 3 months ago, but is unbelievably alert � and as lovable as they come. I can say the same for both my nieces � and I hope they enjoyed the visit as much as my brother and I did.

Needless to say, I did not go into the city on Friday. After driving Bird home, then touching base by telephone with my office, I lazily strolled through the bush with the doggies, revelling in the lingering warmth of the time spent with such nice people, taking in the sunshine and the sounds of a summer day in the country, admiring the lush green of our many trees and grass, counting the daisies and brown-eyed Susans, picking wild raspberries. It was wonderful! Later in the evening I caught up on my Blogit authors, explored new writers on Blogspot, and sent a joyful �welcome back� to my friend, Kilroy, who has returned from his cruise to Alaska. I ended the day by submersing myself in an excellent book written by Louise Bagshawe (another new author for me) while eating a huge piece of blueberry cheesecake. It was sinfully delicious, worth knowing that I would have to starve myself all the next day to re-adjust my calorie intake, LOL!

I wake up this Saturday morning to gorgeous sunshine! There�s a slight disappointment in not being able to attend the live AC/DC show tonight in Montreal, but it will pass. Everything happens for a reason, so if I don�t get to see my favourite group rock the city, it is because there is something else reserved for me this day. What can it be??
Whatever it is, I�ll be waiting, and smiling in anticipation.

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.

We were sitting in the lunchroom when the waiting room door tweeter sounded. I looked at my watch. 12:40. “Are we expecting someone?” I asked, glancing around the table at my work colleagues. They all shook their heads, one of them adding that her next interview was scheduled for 13:30. We try to discourage applicants between noon and 1:00. The workday is hectic enough, and it has been unanimously agreed that the lunch hour is a constructive break.

Because I was seated at the end of the table, therefore closest to the lunchroom exit, I went to check it out. I opened the solid door between the waiting area and our offices. The intruder was standing there, peering through the side windows. I looked him over as he turned to me. A young man with dark hair, glasses, slightly stout, attired in a royal blue shirt with long sleeves, in spite of the summer heat, and black dress pants and shiny black shoes. The ‘60’s business era..

“Can I help you?” I asked in French. He replied in the same language.

“I have an appointment.” He gave me his full name. It was the candidate my colleague was expecting for 1:30.

“You’re early,” I switched to English. It is a pre-interview tactic we use to gauge the bilingualism of potential employees.

“I’m sorry.” Apologetic, but not sheepish, and in English. “I’ll come back later. I just wanted to be sure to find the right address.” There was a slight Spanish accent. Trilingual, huh? I caught him before he could spin around to leave.

“No, it’s okay. Come on in. I’ll have you fill out the application form while we finish lunch. It should take you at least that long.” His smile and his ‘Thank you!’ were both sincere as he walked towards me and entered the room. I gave him the forms. He had his own pen at the ready, and smiled at me again as he took the paper from me. “I think we have a winner,” I told myself as I returned to my meal. I was right. He passed all the tests, except one, with flying colours. When I told him he needed some revision on the one he had missed, he immediately asked if we could provide the service. We could, and we do – and it won him more points.

A regular client called about 3 hours after his departure; the owner of a small, yet growing company, who wanted another full-time employee. The competence required was exactly what my royal-blue-shirt could offer. When I called the first number on his application, a lady answered. It was Mama, no doubt. I asked her to have him call me back, and she laughed with pleasure when I gave her the telephone number in Spanish. Her son (it really was his Mama!) returned the call within fifteen minutes He also laughed with pleasure when I told him “You have a job.”

It’s hard to believe that we are getting paid to feel so good inside.

ON GOING BACK HOME...

“So you’ve forgiven him. Again.” It was more a statement than a question. I didn’t answer her immediately. Her words provoked thought. Is that what it was? Forgiveness? Or was it something more subtle? The term ‘forgive’ didn’t quite fit. She waited in silence as I pondered my answer.

We were sitting on her stairs outside, watching the purple summer dusk settle over the tree-filled mountain facing her house. I knew she had wanted to ask much earlier, and if I changed the subject now, she would let it go. For the moment. That is what close friends do. I sighed. Might as well get it over with.

“I’m not sure forgive is the right word,” I finally said. “It takes two to tango.”

“Violence is not an answer.” Her voice was firm.

“You know that and I know that,” I replied. “But his training has been different. He has existed with it most of his life. For him, it has been the only way to survive.”

“Not with you! Never with you! You don’t deserve that!! Don’t make excuses for him!”

She was right, of course. If you looked at it in black and white, what he had done was inexcusable. But, as in with most situations, there were grey areas. Grey areas are difficult to pin down, let alone explain. I began to speak, feeling my way as I did so, raking my emotions into a little pile, then watching them scatter again, in an attempt to help both of us understand my decision to return home. She listened as I reminded her of the years of caring, money and work both he and I had invested in our relationship.

The relationship was not normal by any standards. There was the age-gap, the up-bringing, the family values (or lack thereof), the culture of our nationalities and, of course, our so very different attitudes when dealing with the ups and downs of life. We were the perfect example of ‘opposites attract’. Numerous compromises were required. To an outsider, I was the one making most of them. It was true. He admitted it himself, and also agreed that, of the two of us, I was the one most able to handle it. His strength lay elsewhere.

She was looking at me, her expression doubtful, but accepting. Close friends do that too – they don’t have to completely understand or support your reasoning – they love you anyway.

“I can’t help but worry. He could have killed you.”

“The key word is ‘could!” I soothed her. “But he didn’t. Even as drunk as he was, I don’t think he actually swung at me. And I gave nearly as good as I got in the tussle. If I was bigger or had his practise, he’d have been the one running.” I smiled at her. “Think of it as an Ozzy Osbourne-Sharon scenario.”

She frowned. “Yeh, well I think they’re both crazy, so that doesn’t help.” I could tell she wanted to say more, but she stood and gathered our wine glasses instead. “Time for a refill,” she said, then headed inside. When she returned, I took the glass she held out to me and waited until she sat down before I continued my explanation.

“Listen, he’s working again, everyday. He knows that the booze is his problem, and one of his ways of avoiding the booze is to be on the job. He’s too tired at night to even think about getting so drunk.” I could tell my comment did little to reassure her. Hell, I wasn’t sure myself, so I couldn’t blame her. I was having problems holding up my own end of the bargain we had made before reconciliation, and his was much harder to keep than mine.

“I’ve been trying to do my part too. I get home as early as I can; I’ve stopped working most of the weekends. It seems the more time we spend together, the better we get along. I was giving all my energy to my business, in huge part because I was fed up coming home to a drunken, mouthy idiot every night. And he was getting drunk because he was alone with his thoughts most of the time” I sighed, lowering my chin to rest on my hand. “It was like a vicious circle.” I hesitated, not wanting to relive it again. I was taking a huge chance going back, and I knew it. Yet……“He is such a different guy when he is sober.” I shook my head.

I felt her hand on my shoulder. “I know,” she sympathized. “They all are, but he takes it to the extreme. Still, if you’re sure you’ll be okay, and that’s what you want…”

This I could answer with certainty. “Yes, that’s what I want. And that’s what he wants too. We just have to work harder on it. Nothing worth having is easy, they say.”

“Okay, then!” She capitulated as she lifted her glass in a toast. “Here’s to you being back in your home that you love, surrounded by the mountains you love, with the dude you love!”

“And to the doggies I love! Don’t forget the doggies!!” We laughed together as the glasses clinked. It was time for another refill.