Beauty, Love, Pleasure

Peace and Blessings to All

2009-12-23T05:45:00.000-08:00

Three Crones

2008-11-03T07:54:00.000-08:00

When my husband and I were first dating, he went out to dinner with his grandmother and two of her friends. I remember him coming over after and telling me about these amazing women. "You will love them," he said and I did.

It's hard to capture the Friday nights we spent with these powerful crones - the ribald tales, dirty limericks, and too many glasses of wine. These women had traveled the world, experienced life to the fullest, and broke down barriers for generations of women to come. Marj and Jan became doctors in an age before second wave feminism. Marj graduated third in her class, as a Doctor of Medicine, at U of T in 1955. Jan graduated from the same university a year later. They met Nita while she was working in the Pathology department at Princess Margaret Hospital. Nita, Joe's grandmother, is not what one would expect from a granny - she has tattoos on her hands from her days serving in the Navy during WWII. None of these women lead an ordinary life.

I am immensely grateful for our short time together.

Nita spends her days in a nursing home, feeling ever more isolated from the world as the ravages of hearing loss and dementia take their toll. Marj and Jan are both gone. All three are sorely missed. Blessed be.

This is the notice that ran in the Toronto Star:
PLATTS, Dr. Marjorie Eleanor
Suddenly at her home in Toronto on Saturday, October 25, 2008, in her 79th year. Beloved cousin of Thomas Platts (Gladys) of Jordan Station, ON, James (Betty) Platts of Chicago, IL Dick (Betsy) Platts of Vineland Station, ON, Ronald (Irene) Moyer of Toronto and Olive Reinhardt of Grimsby, ON. Predeceased by her parents Lena and Thomas Platts of Grimsby and brother Kenneth of Marathon. Marjorie was born in Timmins, ON, on May 27, 1930. She attended the University of Toronto, a brilliant student, she graduated 3rd in her class with a Doctorate of Medicine in 1955. She pursued postgraduate studies in England and Stanford University in California obtaining a postgraduate degree in Pathology and Neuropathology. Marjorie was on staff at the Wellesley and Princess Margaret Hospitals for many years. An avid world traveller, Marjorie also loved to play golf. Family and friends will sadly miss her. Cremation has taken place. Urn burial to take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Queen's Lawn Cemetery, Grimsby. If desired, expressions of sympathy to the S.P.C.A. or World Wildlife Fund Canada would be sincerely appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to STONEHOUSE-WHITCOMB Funeral Home, Grimsby (

905-945-2755).

Dim Sums

2008-05-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

I took the Boy and a friend of his downtown for a concert on the weekend. The Boy loves being downtown. As we're making our way there, he starts the negotiations for our post-concert meal. It goes something like this...

"C. do you like sushi?"

C. responds with a quizzical look.

"How about Dim Sums? Have you every tried Dim Sums?"

C. cheers, "Why don't we eat at Chuck E Cheese?"

"Hooray!"

At this point I'm cursing because Dim Sum sounded so good. There are many things to be said for having an only child, but one of them has got be that on nights out, we eat at places with tasty food, not Chuck E Cheese.

A Change of Course

2008-04-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

The stories of my friends and family have a home in my memory - their loves, losses and lives capture my imagination. There is such beauty in reality. Walking home today, I thought of Laura's* story.

I am still getting to know Laura. Our friendship is through our sons. Sitting on a rather cramped school bus, she tells me about how she came to be a mother. She was watching A Birth Story and started crying. When her partner of 22 years discovers her, teary eyed, she tells him that she needs to have kids. His unexpected response is elation - he always wanted children and dreamed of being a father. Her shock was complete, as the subject of children never came up in all of their years together. He appreciated that her focus was her career, so for 22 years he put away his own desires for a family to be with her.

In his devotion to Laura, he was willing to sacrifice something precious to him. Now they are happily ensconced in a life with two beautiful children. How lovely.

*For her privacy, I did change her name.

In case you forgot what green looks like.

2008-03-05T09:22:00.000-08:00

We're buried in the fluffy white stuff (again!) and I really needed to look at something green. I love green. I've been spending a little time each day with my seedlings. They are coming along nicely. I've learned that competition brings out the best and have started seeds of the same kind in one pot and will transplant to individual pots when the seedlings start begging for space.

When/if spring arrives I hope to use my garden pictures instead of National Geographic's photos. This one is of a giant lobelia (Lobelia giberroa, I think). The photo was taken on Mount Kilimanjaro's Shira Plateau by George F. Mobley. I found it at the National Geographic site. They post a new photograph every day. It is well worth a visit.

2008-03-03T07:12:00.000-08:00

My Boy tells me that he's getting married. I figured that he would, I just didn't think it would be so soon, given that he's six years old. The girl in questions is beautiful, funny and very bright. She's polite, adventurous, and likes all of the important things - Spiderman, snakes and Scooby-Doo. Oh, they have so much in common.

How did it all begin? Where did he get the idea that you need to set these things up now? The other day we were looking through a photo album of his baby pictures and he asked if I knew Daddy when I was in grade one.

"No, I met Daddy when I was an adult."

"So you didn't know when you were little that you would marry him?"

"No, but I wish I had known, it would have made some lonely high school years easier to bear."

He's decided to get his life together early. I wish I'd had that kind of wherewithal. I didn't start making "to do" lists until my twenties - the Boy already has his first item checked off! Good for you, kid. I hope that you and C. enjoy many playdates together.

The Last Knit

2008-02-28T07:06:00.000-08:00

Light

2008-02-19T15:23:00.000-08:00

Tonight I walked the dog at 6PM and the sun hadn't yet set! I felt joyous to be walking in the last minutes of daylight. The days are getting longer and I'm extraordinarily grateful. Bring on the Vernal Equinox!

On March 20th dance with pagan joy to welcome Spring. (There is some disagreement about the exact date of the equinox - I like this explanation the best, especially the chart.)

(The moon, almost full, made an appearance on our walk. Gorgeous.)

Finally getting to the love part of the blog

2008-02-13T07:20:00.000-08:00

Every time I pick up my knitting needles I give thanks to my Grandmother for teaching me to knit. In those few seconds I feel closer to her than I have in well over a decade. She suffered from Alzheimer's disease for so long that I cannot remember the last time she called me by my name. The gulf between us grew wider just as I was coming into adulthood. and looking for answers that she was no longer capable of giving. How could such a fiercely independent woman find solace in the Church that I viewed as misogynist? She died without ever giving me the answer. But the gifts she left me are cherished - my smile, my own fierce independence, and the joy I find in picking up a pair of needles.

I cannot imagine a better inheritance.

Blessed be.

Zesty Spainish wine

2008-02-08T07:03:00.000-08:00

Marques de Riscal 2006 Rueda
(I think it's $12 in Ontario)

If you like Sauvignon Blanc, this crisp, dry white wine from northern Spain is a tasty choice. The fresh aromas of grapefruit, minerals, grass and floral notes are complimented with citrus flavours on the palate. Enjoy a glass before dinner, with seafood appetizers or with pan-fried tilapia, which is how we served it.

Interestingly, Riscal started a winery here and revitalized the region in 1971, the year I was born.

Canada Intends to Knit

2008-02-05T07:49:00.000-08:00

Okay, it sounds strange, but I like it...Canada Intends to Knit.

Listeners of the CBC are familiar with Canada Reads and a few summers ago we had Canada Intends to Read (attempting to tackle Ulysses) with Jian G...why not Canada Knits or Canada Intends to Knit? I prefer Canada Intends to Knit, it's inviting for non-knitters (try it, intend to learn) and doesn't offend knitters who have trouble actually finishing projects.

I'm starting a campaign, far in advance of summer, to have a Canada Intends to Knit segment on Sounds Like Canada this summer. Don't tell me, I've lost you already! Give me a chance. Here are the reasons why Canada Intends to Knit would make great radio:

Picture the Yarn Harlot as the fantastic and entertaining panel guest. She meets all the prerequisites - she's Canadian, she's written 4 or 5 books and she's laugh out loud funny.
A significant portion of CBC listeners must be knitters. We're are often thoughtful people, so of course we listen to the CBC. A quick visit to Ravelry (social networking and so much MORE for knitters) and you'll find a group called, We Love the CBC with 234 members. That's pretty good considering there are a little over 70,000 members worldwide. (I should note that you can't get into Ravelry unless you have signed up, they're still beta testing. Once you are in it is so fantastic, but that's another posting...)
Still not convinced that it would make for entertaining broadcasting? Perhaps some of the CBC personnel who have been caught knitting will attest to the entertainment value and, indeed, popularity to knitting. Let's ask: Stephanie Domet, in Halifax; Kate Porter of Ottawa; Allana Stuart in the North; Laurie Fagan in Ottawa; Lisa Laco in Thunder Bay; oh I'm not finished yet! The host of The Link (out of Montreal); and Ing Wong Ward of CBC Toronto. There I'm done that's all that I know, but I bet there's more! Ask them if an on-air knit-along (KAL) would be entertaining radio. Be sure to mention the Yarn Harlot!!
Knitters are everywhere and they are making all kinds of interesting things (not just hats or sweaters, I'm talking screen doors, wombs, thongs, dissected frogs, you name it.
Knitters need good press, recall Belinda Stronach bashing knitters with her, "I don't sit at home and knit on Friday nights" comment. Incidentally I'd much rather knit, than sleep with another woman's spouse. (Did I really write that?)
If you are still not convinced knitting makes for good sound, listen to this amazing podcast by Brenda Dayne. Sadly she isn't Canadian, though she does have a fondness for Canadians, especially Dave from Chub Creek.

Wow. I think I'm finished. Surely you're convinced by now! So convinced, in fact, that you're madly typing an email to the nice folks at Sounds Like Canada. You can also leave a passionate voice message for them, they love that stuff...being in radio and all. Then we can all look forward to spending the summer listening to Canada Intends to Knit.

Cheers!
Karen

Libations

2008-02-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

OED definition for the term libation:

1a the pouring out of a drink-offering to a god
b such a drink-offering
2 joc. a drink

In the not too distant past, I was paid to be an oenophile. It was every bit as hedonistic as it sounds - delicious drinks, wonderful food and interesting conversations. I have some close friends still involved in that world, but it no longer holds the same allure for me. Though I will always find pleasure in a glass of something delicious and sharing my experiences with you would be an even greater pleasure.

Our first libation together is the Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select Bourbon (in Ontario $45.60 for 750mL bottle)

Golden amber colour, enticing aromas of toffee, vanilla with a hint of orange rind, and a smooth, sweet, creamy palate. Easy sipping on a cold night.

Cheers!

Winterlicious

2008-02-02T07:52:00.000-08:00

Tonight, as I feast upon tasty food, wine and conversation, I'm sure to be thankful to have found such amazing friends. What could be better than finding yourself in a warm and cozy environment, eating scrumptious food, surrounded by intelligent, fun and opinionated women?

I'm so excited, here's the menu:

Winterlicious Menu

Octopus Salad with Steamed Potatoes, Olives, Italian parsley, Lemon dressing
or
Roasted Beet Salad in a shallot red wine vinaigrette with baked Goat Cheese (optional)
or
Arugula Salad with Endive, Radicchio, Candied Walnuts, Gorgonzola, Bartlet Pear, Champagne Vinaigrette
or
Dairy-free Wild Mushroom Soup with Truffle Essence (vegetarian)
or
Warm Duck Confit and French Bean Salad with Dijon Mustard dressing

Venison Stew in juniper-red wine sauce, Spaetzle, Roasted Root Vegetables
or
Grill-Smoked Atlantic Salmon in a Thai-spiced Vegetable Broth, Baked Formal Squash and Sweet Potato
or
Whole Roasted New York Striploin, Whipped Yukon Mash, Crimini Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Barolo sauce
or
Crackling Roasted Boneless Cornish Hen, Natural Jus, New Potatoes, Roasted Carrots, Sunchokes, Leaf Spinach
or
Handmade Ricotta and Spinach Gnocchi with a roasted tomato and pepper Fondue (vegetarian)

Belgium Chocolat Torte with Raspberry Chocolate Ganache
or
Warm Vanilla Risotto with Plum Compote
or
Currant Panna Cotta with Passion Fruit Creme Fraiche

Winter is delicious! I'm off for a walk in the fresh, white wonderland, thankful that winter, though it's lovely, will to end soon...I hope...

New Path

2008-01-30T17:01:00.000-08:00

This may come as a surprise, I already have a blog. A blog full of opinions and outrage about current events and politics. I've always wanted to change the world. To make it a better place. To right the wrongs. You get the idea - I'm full of idealism and good intentions. Somewhere along the way it usually turns into rage and irritation at the world I find myself in. I'm thankful that my blog allows me an outlet for those feelings.

But where is the joy at being alive? Well, that required a whole new blog. A blog where I can share a better side of the world. So here it is, my arena to explore beauty, love, pleasure and liberation.

I'd like to thank Brenda Dayne for inspiring me with her wise words, "...move down a new path and create something you've never seen." So here goes, wish me luck!