Happy New Year!

Dear Past,
     Thanks for all the lessons.

Dear Future,
     I am ready.

It's a little after 10pm and Cat and I have just about drawn 2015 to a close. We are both curled up on the sofa very content, I having imbibed my bubbly and she her cream. In taking stock of the old year and in committing myself to resolutions for the new year, I looked for a new year prayer and found the following by Rabbi John L. Rosove, which seems to me to be very appropriate for 2016:

May we hold lovingly in our thoughts
those who suffer from tyranny, subjection, cruelty, and injustice,
and work every day towards the alleviation of their suffering.

May we recognize our solidarity
with the stranger, outcast, downtrodden, abused, and deprived,
that no human being be treated as "other,"
that our common humanity weaves us together
in one fabric of mutuality,
one garment of destiny.

May we pursue the [...] vision of peace,
that we might live harmoniously with each other
and side by side,
respecting differences,
cherishing diversity,
with no one exploiting the weak,
each living without fear of the other,
each revering Divinity in every human soul.

May we struggle against institutional injustice,
free those from oppression and contempt,
act with purity of heart and mind,
despising none, defrauding none, hating none,
cherishing all, honoring every child of God, every creature of the earth.

May [...] all peoples
know peace in this New Year,
And may we nurture kindness and love everywhere.

Amen

Wishing all my kind readers a year of hope, peace, joy and love.

A (Fabricated) Christmas Story

Behind every sewer is a huge pile of fabric.

Unknown, but very probably a quilter

Once upon a time, not so long ago, there was a little fabric remnant wrapped around a recycled cardboard box and used for display as a fake wrapped gift. It wasn't with the other fabric remnants because it was considered too small. After a couple of years taped to the box, the little remnant was a little dusty and yet someone came along and thought it very precious because, among the thousands upon thousands of meters of fabric in the shop, it was unique. The shop clerks weren't sure they should dismantle the manager's display but took pity on the sewer, who said she just had to have it. While she wasn't quite sure what the little piece would become, she certainly knew just the person who would enjoy it. And so the little remnant came home and joined a big pile of other fabric stored in a closet. Until Christmas. Then the little remnant was measured and found to fit perfectly a tabletop, and so it was quilted and bound with love and given to a very special person.

And that's the story of the little Christmas remnant that became a real present.

The End.

Christmas Isn't Over

When the song of the angel is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
     To find the lost,
     To heal the broken,
     To feed the hungry,
     To release the prisoner,
     To rebuild the nations,
     To bring peace among brothers and sisters,
     To make music in the heart.

Howard Thurman, African American author, educator, philosopher (1899-1981)

As the sleet of our first winter storm beat against my window, I sat in my rocker tonight with Cat curled on the footrest and some hand-stitching on my lap, a Christmas gift that didn't quite get finished in time for the 25th. All is calm, all is well, in my little abode. Advent and Christmas have been heart-warming and I'm hoping to hold fast their messages of building hope, joy, peace and love throughout the coming year.

I did manage to finish the wine carrier with the appliqued Nutcracker before Christmas. Just. Those who sit around me on the daily commute have watched him materialize over the past few weeks but he finally stood tall with some help from Mom. S-I-L has a thing for men in uniforms . . . and wine . . . so I figured this was an apropos gift. ;-)

A Perfect Gift

The excellence of a gift lies in its appropriateness rather than in its value.

Charles Dudley Warner, American writer (1829-1900)

My "Secret Santa" presented the perfect gift at our office's low-cost gift exchange: tea and biscuits for those times when work is a bit frantic. While the provisions will provide comfort and soothe frazzled nerves, the motto and thoughtfulness of this perfect gift will bring a smile for as long as the tins prevail. What a treasure my Secret Santa/colleague is!

♬ I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas ♬

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten,
and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white

Irving Berlin, Russian-born American composer and lyricist (1888-1989)

White Christmas was only one of the season's movies that I watched this weekend and it really resonated as the ol' hometown is looking very un-white this year, much like the Vermont of Irving Berlin's story. So instead of looking out the window at the rainy pavement, I'm enjoying casting my eyes over the fake snow of my Dicken's Village tableau. There is a child's pleasure in setting up the houses and the little figurines and then turning on the lights -- all under the watchful eye of the Divine Miss.

The season is full of glistening lights. The weekend began with a little Christmas shopping at the Toronto Eaton Centre. Its impressive sculpture of Canada geese, Flight Stop by artist Michael Snow, never fails to halt me in my tracks and cause me to crane my neck upwards. Awesome. Now, if we could only have some snow for them to land on.

Christmas Senses

“I wonder whether the Christmas feeling has anything to do with the sixth sense. Perhaps we're a little more the angels at Christmas than we are during the rest of the year. And Christmas is about all the other senses. I can smell Christmas, I can taste Christmas, and I can see and hear it.” 

Jostein Gaarder, Norwegian author in Through a Glass, Darkly 

I planned to title this post "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" because I put up some lights in my window and the kitchen was looking a little 'snowy'. Then I realized that the scent of sweets baking in the oven is making my little abode smell a lot like Christmas and with the Carols from Clare playing in the background it sounds a lot like Christmas too. You can probably guess that a nibble from the corner of "Sweetie Pie's Gingerbread Cookie Bar" (oh man!) is making it taste a lot like Christmas. And for the final sense: well, I'm having such a fun time that I'm feeling very warm and very happy.

As for Jostein Gaarder's sixth sense of Christmas, I am intuiting a very good year ahead, full of hope, peace, joy and love. May it be so. Amen.

Imbibing Sunlight

Wine is sunlight held together by water.

Galileo Galilei, Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher (1564-1642)

Sunlight sparkled on the vines on this November day as the 3 winos headed with our "passports" to Twenty Valley for its Wrapped Up in the Valley event. Our cousin was able to join us for this season's tour and added further dazzle to the day.

A few wineries offered new releases and all provided very creative pairings. We faithfully collected the recipes at each location with the intention to re-create some of these delicious edibles at home. I certainly see a pot of clam chowder in my future and I believe that have the perfect bit of sunlight to accompany it on a chilly winter evening. Stay tuned. ;-)

Envelop of Cheer

To write is human
to receive a letter: Divine.

Susan Lendroth, American children's author, including Maneki Neko, the Tale of the Beckoning Cat

The mailbox usually contains either bills or commercial solicitations, so there was a little patter of surprised excitement to find a little handwritten addressed envelope in my slot this evening. How that little envelop brightened my day with its sunny greeting inside! While the price of postage dissuades many from sending cards, receiving today's handmade card emphasized that a stamp is a small price to pay for an envelop full of good cheer. Thank you!

Friends Add Colour

You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.

A.A. Milne, English author of Winnie-the-Pooh (1882-1956)

I am very fortunate to have friends who made a long journey from their corner of the "Forest" across country to visit me in my little corner. With open arms and big smiles they found me as I disembarked from my Friday evening train. Long chats, reminiscing, and good food filled our hours together over the weekend.

The weather provided one rainy day for a meander around the museum and a gorgeous day for a tramp amidst the fall foliage. Perfect! Friends very definitely add colour to life.

Creative Inspiration

Make visible what, without you, might perhaps never have been seen.

Robert Bresson, French film director (1901-1999)

Ideas flowed as the three sisters and I made our annual outing to the stitchery/craft show. Whether the beautiful quilts or the handsome giant nutcrackers or the nifty new gizmos, the creativity on exhibit was truly inspirational. I came home with more wonderful fabric for as yet undefined projects to add to the stash. Stay tuned. ;-)

The Feline Elixir

A meow massages the heart.

Stuart McMillan

There's nothing like the warmth of a purring cat spread across your lap to make being sick feel OK. Cat has been providing a healthy dose of TLC lately. She doesn't need a bevy of tests and specialist visits to determine the best medicant. She prescribes calm, warmth, and rest. Works for me!

Flying Firsts

You were born with potential.
You were born with goodness and trust.
You were born with ideas and dreams.
You were born with greatness.
You were born with wings.
You were not meant for crawling, so don't.
You have wings.
Learn to use them and fly.

Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, Persian Sufi mystic (1207-1273)

On Thursday, the Museum celebrated its first anniversary with a spectacular gala featuring the Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma. The atrium radiated glamour and cheer. The staff joined in to celebrate an intense and satisfying year full of amazing firsts. We are truly flying.


And I received news that little Catherine opened her birthday present. Here are the finished quilted blocks. I am told that they not only amuse her for play but also provide a soft landing for spills as she learns to walk.

I am in awe watching her make 'firsts' and at a rapid pace. She has an amazing future ahead of her. I wish her a flying spirit.

A Little Spark

A little spark of kindness can put a colossal burst of sunshine into someone's day.

Unknown

It's a busy time around the office as we celebrate our first birthday. My role is behind the scenes organizing multiple management meetings, with which I can get just a little tense worrying about the details. The last meeting of the day was underway and I needed to take in some sweets to accompany the coffee. Trying to be unnoticeable and not interrupt the conversation, I slid the tray onto the table. The gentleman in the centre jumped up thanking me, shaking my hand and kissing my cheeks. I had been kissed by Yo-Yo Ma! We spoke for probably a whole minute and I couldn't tell you what was said except that I was honoured to meet him and that he was thrilled to be at the Museum. He put a colossal burst of sunshine into my day. A colleague reports that he's that wonderfully friendly and real with everyone, so I suspect that he spreads a lot of joy wherever he goes -- through his music and his kindness.

And, no, I have yet to wash my face. :-)

Child's Play

We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.

Author unknown

The newest quilting project is a gift for an upcoming first birthday: soft building blocks. I am having much fun with all the bright, cheery fabric, some selected for the pleasure of their soft plush feel. My inner child is enjoying playing with them as much as I hope little Catherine will.

And of course I have a little helper who also wants to play!

Revisiting the Past

You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.

Jane Austen, English novelist (1775-1817) in Pride and Prejudice

 

A friend from university days and I challenged our memories and enjoyed a grand time re-visiting a number of our former loves at the Pompeii exhibition now showing at the Royal Ontario Museum. I won't say how long ago we wandered the ancient streets of Pompeii with our professor and I can't say that our memories are crystal clear, but I will say that we laughed and had a good time then -- as now. We couldn't let pass the opportunity to have a little dress-up fun!

The exhibition has a pretty impressive selection of artifacts. Memories of my beloved Egypt were  stirred with the charming little vignette of an ibis perched on the back of a stone sphinx in a Pompeiian fresco painting. The presence of the palm tree transported me back to the lovely shaded sculpture garden of the museum at Memphis.

I subscribe to Jane Austen's philosophy: I'm so very thankful for the warmth that such memories bring to my soul. And to making more good memories, such as a day spent with a friend!

Celebrating Backwards and Forwards

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) in The Merchant of Venice

I am blessed for all the mirth and laughter around the table this evening celebrating my birthday with family. Do birthdays celebrate the year past or the year ahead? I've thought of it as the latter but with this birthday I feel like I am celebrating both faces of Janus. The previous 365 days have had their ups and downs and yet I can raise a toast and bid adieu with a smile. I also toast whatever lies ahead in the next 365 days with a promise to myself to manage (and maybe learn from) the bad and to revel in the good with exuberance.

I decided to celebrate throughout the day. Taking a vacation day from work meant that I could sleep in (after getting up to feed Cat her breakfast at the appointed hour of 5am, without which there would be no further rest). I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast coffee before (gasp) taking Stealth out for her first road trip of the year to the bayfront where I could sit under a tree, sip a coffee, breath in the soft watery air and listen to the quiet dives of cormorants fishing for their lunch. Heavenly. Then I followed Cat's example and luxuriated in an afternoon nap before getting ready for dinner. It was a wonderful celebration.

So Salute! to the past year and Cheers! to that which lies ahead.

Let the Fun Begin (OK, Continue)

Stop acting so small.
You are the universe in ecstatic motion.

Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, Persian Sufi mystic (1207-1273)

I opened the mailbox and found a touching birthday card cheering me on for a year of striving for the exciting, catching opportunities to do the special, dancing with each new day, looking positively to the future, and making a difference in the world.

The card suggested that I already do all this, yet I haven't felt that I've been such a bright light bulb in the work-a-day world recently. My splendidly stripped friend here is my new mascot, prominently displayed on my cellphone, to remind me to fill my world with colour.

And I'm already smiling!

Pioneer Spirit

Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd. Without innovation, it is a corpse.

Winston Churchill, British author and politician (1874-1965)

Sunglasses? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Wallets? Check. Road trip! On what turned out to be the hottest day of the summer, Mom and I headed for Black Creek Pioneer Village and the annual "Quilts at the Creek" art exhibition -- making a detour along the way to check out a recommended quilt shop in the countryside of Halton Hills. Navigational challenges licked, we enjoyed a great outing.

I haven't been to the village since I was a child and so I was seeing it with new, old eyes. Pinned throughout the village, the quilts honoured tradition while bringing out their own pioneering spirit.

The 1858 town hall, traditionally used for the circuit judge proceedings, town council meetings, concerts and other community gatherings made a perfect setting for 'trunk shows' in which a quilter presents their quilting journey illustrated with their numerous creations pulled out like magic from suitcases. Lots of oohs and aahs and inspiration shared. Robert Gutcher's use of machine embroidery amazed all.

This exhibitions has been marked in my calendar since the cold, snowy days of February or March when I spotted an advance announcement. The sun and warmth of July and the show were things to look forward to and I wasn't disappointed. Over 200 colourful and unique quilts lined the streets and yards of the historic buildings. We came away with some ideas as well as some fabric to add to the stash. ;-) I'm already looking forward to next year!

Working from Home

In every job that must be done there is an element of fun.

Mary Poppins, lead character in children's books written by P. L. Travers (1899-1996)

An appointment meant that I worked from home today. There was a lot of work to be done and some intense activity but Supervisor Cat kept me grounded and added more than a teaspoon of sugar to the day.

Summer Road Trip

And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, American author (1896-1940)

Warm temperatures and sunny days shone through the windshield as Mom and I made a couple of road trips this weekend. Swaths of yellow flowers lined the country roads. I figured they were dandelions but when we stopped for a closer look they turned out to be delicate, buttercup-like flowers. Ah, there is a lesson to be learned there! Our journeys over the two days took us East, and South and Southwest,  across country to quilt shops promoting themselves with a July shop hop. The one set beside a river, where a young family and grandparents fished, was so quiet that I could hear the fly buzz and and Canada Geese splashing as they took their bath. That peaceful view capped the weekend of views across green farmlands, white shaded porches, and the odd magnificent hawk flying overhead.

The road home passed by the old diary bar -- it's not quite as old as me, but it's close, so perhaps I should call it 'vintage'. Never one to miss what might be the last opportunity to enjoy vintage treats from my childhood days, we indulged in some wonderful real ice cream. Life is good! :-)

A Geometrically Perfect Afternoon

Nature is impersonal, awe-inspiring, elegant, eternal. It's geometrically perfect. It's tiny and gigantic. You can travel far to be in a beautiful natural setting, or you can observe it in your backyard - or, in my case, in the trees lining New York City sidewalks, or in the clouds above skyscrapers.

Gretchen Rubin, American author of The Happiness Project

What a peaceful, meditative sight, looking up through the trellis into a blue expanse. In the background was the quiet conversation  of family around the table for a bar-be-qued meal in honour of Dad and Father's Day. There's something quite special about a low-key Sunday afternoon in summertime spent with family in the backyard.

A Grand Kickoff!

At commencement you wear your square-shaped mortarboards. My hope is that from time to time you will let your minds be bold, and wear sombreros.  

Paul A. Freund, American jurist and law professor (1908-1992)

For my friends across the pond, in North American English the word "commencement" has denoted a graduation ceremony since at least 1850. Perhaps the good people back then realized that graduation does not so much signify the conclusion of years of study, but rather marks the dawn of a new adventure.

Contained in the word "commencement" is the sense of anticipation and of exciting new adventure. And while there may be some trepidation of what the future holds and concern about choosing what to do next, one needs to hold fast to the belief that the knowledge, skills and experience gained during those long hard years of study provide solid stepping stones for whatever path is chosen now and in the future. The achievements marked by commencement should stoke the courage to open wings and leap into the future.

And so I congratulate Justin and Jeanette, who both celebrated their commencements today, on their success and wish them the courage to believe in their accomplishments and themselves, and to go confidently in the direction of their dreams, wherever they may lead.

Lessons from the Animals

You cannot look at a sleeping cat and feel tense.

Jane Pauley, American television anchor and journalist

It has been a busy couple of weeks and I have been remiss with my posts. Let me catch up by beginning with the end of the week when I looked to Cat's wise example and spent much of the day supine. She reassured me that busy-ness can be overrated. 

There had been much ado around the office. During a rare quiet moment I caught a glimpse of an arabesque reflection.

Under the big top on Saturday, a friend and I watched the amazing performance of magnificent horses, their riders, and acrobats all set before stunning images of a global odyssey. While the human feats had me holding my breath, the powerful, gentle, playful beasts are without a doubt the stars of the show. The 'acrobats' in the photo were battening down the hatches before the thunderstorms brought torrential rains. When it hit, the rain pounded on the tent, yet the horses, as true professionals, remained calm and focused on their performance: a good lesson to take into the next week.

Forging Forth with Friends

Be a lamp, a lifeboat, a ladder.
Help someone's soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.

Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, Persian poet and Sufi mystic (1207-1273)

Good friends came to visit and since they had never seen Niagara Falls, I pretty much insisted that we make it a priority on their final day. As we gazed down, miniature (in the face of the Falls) boats regularly challenged the cascading torrent and treacherous currents. I got to thinking about facing challenges and having friends who shine a smiling light into the mists so that you know that you are not alone. Sincere thanks to each and every one of you out there!

Hang in There

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.

William A. Feather, American publisher and author (1889-1981)

In my early morning walk to the train station an unfamiliar profile crossed my path. A little further along, not sure what I was going to find, I stopped to wish the little fellow a good day.

Greeting Geese

If we all have as much sense as geese we will stand by each other, in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

Unknown

I received quite a welcome from a pair of geese on my arrival at work this morning. They trumpeted my approach. I thanked them for the greeting, although I suspect that their honking was more of a warning to stay away from their newborn hidden somewhere on the grounds nearby than a warm how-do-you-do.

Souls Blossom

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. 

Marcel Proust, French novelist (1871-1922) 

With blossoms emerging and pools newly replenished, the garden created by Lebanese landscape architect Vladimir Djurovic is coming to life from its winter dormancy. And the sight of it fills one with a breath of Spring!

Shamrock Green

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver. 

Martin Luther, German priest and leader of the Reformation (1483-1546)

Summer-like temperatures over the past few days have summoned green to burst forth from what have long been barren branches. The wee park near my little abode shone gloriously in the sunlight with the shamrock green of Spring. The park is dedicated to the Irish immigrants who lived in the area, many of whom worked the rail lines upon which my commuter train now rests.

Glittering Eyes in Hiding

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it. 

Roald Dahl, British writer and poet (1916-1990) in The Minpins

 

The Divine One does not appreciate manicures that reduce the visible sign of her power and authority. Being all wise, she knew of today's scheduled appointment with our kind veterinarian and so her Egyptian heritage led her to the perfect spot to be hidden and yet all-seeing -- behind the mashrabeyya screen. I might mention that she is also unreachable in this particular situation. All knowing, she strutted out as soon as the vet's office was closed for business.
Divine Cat 1 : Mere Mortal 0

Perfect Pairings

In the abstract art of cooking,
ingredients trump appliances,
passion supersedes expertise,
creativity triumphs over technique,
spontaneity inspires invention,
and wine makes even the worst culinary disaster taste delicious.

Bob Blumer, Canadian food show host and author of The Surreal Gourmet: Real Food for Pretend Chefs

At the conclusion of Day Two of the Three Winos tour of Twenty Valley, courtesy of the Get Fresh passport program, we have come away with a lot of inspiration, a stack of recipes, and not a small number of bottles that will enhance many a meal. Bernedette at Sue-Ann Staff's Estate Winery walked us through the pairing of a Baco Noir with a Bacon Salad with a history of the grape and the estate. Visiting Sue-Ann's elegant dining room is always a treat . . . and so are her wines.

I usually shy away from icewine, but Rockway Vineyards' 2013 Vidal Icewine was luscious alone and it paired perfectly with a non-sweet peach tart, so a bottle has come home with me for a special dinner.

Vineland Estates Winery paired its 2012 Chardonnay Musque with Smoked Whitefish Taco with Pico de Gallo, Pickled Cucumbers and Créme Fraiche. This summer we will be sure to encourage He with the Barbeque to learn the art of smoking -- fish that is.

At our last winery stop of our two-day excursion, we paused to ponder which was the best of the 21 that we had the pleasure to sample. Each winery has its own special quality and so the question could not be answered. Judging by the tinkling of bottles in the car's boot, all are very, very good.

I can't wait for November's tour!

UPDATE
The following weekend, my cousin and I made use of Twenty Valley's Sunday passport. The weather blew cold but the view across the vineyard and Lake Ontario over to Toronto in the distant horizon made us feel like Spring was certainly in the air. I can't wait to taste that nascent vintage!

Spring in the Valley

Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it.

Anonymous

It's that wonderful time of the year again! A time of sipping the grape and savouring tasty morsels while gazing over the hope of what will be the newest vintage. Yes, the Three Winos headed into the Niagara fruit belt for another great "Get Fresh in the Valley" event. This is the first of three weekends that the passport is offered and we enjoyed the fact that there were markedly less people at each winery. The big surprise for me was tasting some delightful rosés and I was inspired by the simple but awesome nibbles. I can't wait for the warmer weather and someone to fire up the barbeque and invite me to imbibe the new vintage on their new desk! Cheers!

Throwing Down the Gauntlet

To begin, begin.

William Wordsworth, English poet (1770–1850)

Visiting with the family's master quilter this afternoon, she threw down the gauntlet (that is, a thimble) and provided me with all the necessary tools for taking up the next quilting challenge, hand applique. Along with her instruction, she gifted me with the thimble, the tiniest pins and the longest, thinnest needle that I've ever seen, as well a ball of wax for coating the thread. So now I take up the challenge -- and the thimble. Updates to follow.

God's Sense of Humour Reineth (or Snoweth)

Dear God, so far today, I’ve done all right. I haven’t gossiped, and I haven’t lost my temper. I haven’t been grumpy, nasty or selfish, and I’m really glad of that! But in a few minutes, God, I’m going to get out of bed, and from then on, I’m probably going to need a lot of help. Thank you! Amen.

Unknown

The robin on the front yard was trilling, so I know it's Spring; but the snow on the car really had me scratching my head. God has a devilish sense of humour!

Happy Easter Everyone!