10 Minutes

I don't get around much to blogging these days. I think its's because, although theoretically I  have less work every day, the structure of it is different. I am out of the house at 8 am every morning, and often detour to pick the children up from after-school activities at 5 on my way back home. At work, I am happily, blissfully busy...certainly no need to "find" things to do as a Professor - there is a steady stream of students and meetings and marking and class prep that I stuff into my day with any extra brought home for a Saturday afternoon or the occasional evening. It's a balance I am still working on as I  try to avoid bringing work home every day.

When I was blogging regularly, it would be this time of day. Morning. With the children off on the bus, the light streaming through the kitchen window, and the fire (this time of year) cloaking the house in the kind of pleasant warm a radiator never can quite manage.

When I woke this morning, it was to a heavy headache and a shortness of breath that made me think I'm getting  a cold. Lovely! I did what any sane person would do....I hit snooze. Twice. Then turned the alarm off altogether. Once, that would have meant a race to get the kids ready at the last minute, but one major benefit of them being 13, 12 and 10 now is that they are organized, self motivated, and best of all make their own lunches. So at 7:55 when I finally crawled downstairs, they were ready to go.

The crisp air revived me and by the time we gathered the recycling and made the bus I was feeling human again. One of the benefits of my job is that my hours are flexible as long as I am in the classroom on schedule. I rarely take advantage of that, preferring to get my work done at work when I can. But this morning, I don't teach until 1030 and so here I am sipping coffee, and enjoying the clear air, the spectacular late November view out the window, and the luxury of having 10 minutes to blog.

Dinner Parties

Oh, I do enjoy a good dinner party. Whether it is dinner for eight in the dining room, pot luck for 12 round the fire, or a snug dinner-a-deux on the veranda, the combination of good food, great wines, and excellent company always makes me happy. Whether they are formal or casual, whether I am hosting or a guest, whether it is planned or unplanned, there is something about an evening of unhurried socializing and eating that makes me happy.

Last night it was a Spanish-themed dinner party at a friend's house where the wine brought back from Barcelona set the tone for the food (Patatas a la importancia and Ratatouille to go with the top steak) and made for a memorable evening.

I just inherited a set of china from Andrew's lovely grandmother who insisted I take her settings and the silver plate cutlery she got as a wedding gift from her husband. She kept for herself a few teacups and plates, but moving into a residence, felt she does not have room for everything. I'm more of a earthenware/pottery person myself, but inspired by the plates, I am thinking about a dinner party. Crisp formal linens, four courses of delicate flavour, sparkling crystal filled with fine wine, Vivaldi, and good hot coffee with cream are in my future.

Now, who wants an invite?

NOTE: I have to mention, since my blogging is erratic, that I had to disable comments due to too much spam. I just saw a bunch of lovely comments and authorized them so they now appear, but wanted to warn you that if you post a comment (and I hope you still do), it won't appear until I physically go in and approve it. A pain, yes, but the stupidity of spam cannot be overrated.

To my wonderful 12 year old....

Hair flying, eyes laughing, long legs and wide smile

Racing, leaping, running, flying

Saving goals with strength and skill

Bounding down mountains on the edge of a snowboard 

Rosy-cheeked confidence; self-assured, strong

(Kick ass karate girl too)

Peace loving ranger already against the next war

Friend to animals, the environment, justice, equality

Willing to go to bat for a cause

To stand up for whatever you believe 

I want to be on your side.

(Just your average superhero)

Big plans, big dreams, big heart.

Deep friendships and loyal sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece 

Writer, poet, speaker, critical thinker

Never change

Paint toenails, curl hair, apply lipstick, wear high heels. Awesome.

These things are good...just not as good as what you already have

Inside.

Rock the world...continue to rock the world

With Kindness. Optimism. Intelligence. Commitment.

And a desire to make the world better

Never stop being you:

Joyous

Radiant 

Fearless

Perfect

You.

Love Mom xox

Edge

"Come on in, jump in," is the chorus from lake-immersed children who have cannonballed  off the rock, while I stand on the edge. What they don't understand is that it is not the leap itself, but rather this moment I wait for: poised between two elements, the sun simultaneously on my back and in the water before me, the juxtaposition between the hot rock and cool water, the feeling of being on the edge of two separate worlds,  holding them both in my hands, weightless and full of possibility. 

Road Trip

8 books

5 provinces

5 people

1 Westy

10 days

= 1 Fabulous Road Trip

Andrew and the two oldest kids drove out West earlier this month in an old Westfalia. They were headed to Sylvan Lake, Alberta for Scout Camp - the Canadian Jamboree 2013, and had a great week out there with 6000 other scouts.

Our youngest and I flew out to Calgary the day the camp finished and we spent the next week or so driving back to Ontario, staying in a variety of campgrounds in every province, and giving the kids the opportunity to see just how big Canada really is. And how beautiful.

Lake Louise

Canadian Rockies

Drumheller Badlands

Cheesy Dino shot

Manitoba Moose

Gitchee Gumee

The kids enjoyed the trip, though were happy to get back to Ontario again. Each province has something new to offer, some new vista to admire, some new terrain to explore. We had booked provincial parks ahead of time, but found that our meandering schedule made it difficult so we threw that plan out of the window, and except for the two end point of our trip (Banff - where we had a condo for two nights - and Lake Superior - where we camped for two nights on the beach) let ourselves enjoy the luxury of stopping wherever luck or exhaustion left us. This meant we got to experience some fun camping experiences, such as the RV resort in Manitoba where a pool and tikki bar were lovely surprises, and where the sunrise over the lake in the morning was unbeatable, as well as a night or two at a hotel, just because we felt like it.

Home now, and already planning next summer's road trip...to Labrador and Newfoundland.

Goodbye, my Lady

A sad end to our vacation when we got back to my mother and father-in-laws to find out that our old Labrador had passed in her sleep earlier that morning. I will miss her.

Lady 2004-2013

Banff

It has been 20 years since I was last (and first) here and I am as in love with the mountains as ever. Driving up from Calgary this afternoon, and heading gradually into the mists of the foothills and then up into the winding mountain highways makes them seem elemental and natural; the rise and slope, hills and valleys of the Rockies.

Majestic and beautiful.

We rode up in the Gonola last night and watched the sun set, and then came back into town to eat and relax at the condo. We sat for a while and listened to a cellist playing on a street corner.

This morning we are going for a bit of a hike. Tonight, we are going to Saltlik, a fine steakhouse, to celebrate my new position as full time faculty that I heard about just before flying out here. And tomorrow, we are off to Drumheller to camp at the Dinosaur park.

We will leave behind the mountains. But will remember them always. Mountains do that to you.