As promised: Here are some key dates coming up that will affect my availability.
May 9-16: Edmonton to see my parents and my brother Gordon and sister Colleen
May 31- June 1: in Ottawa - my friend Robin Pike, who lives in Sidney BC, hopes to visit, from Victoria. Robin is a dear, dear friend - we have known each other from undergraduate days in Victoria. A fearless and deeply perceptive person.
June 4 - 7: Ottawa. My cousin Linda Sangwine will be visiting us from Mission, B.C. Linda is a gifted massage therapist, devoted Auntie to Franck and Ada, and solid soulmate to me. Thank you Linda! Your timing was perfect.
June 10, 9 PM: Forsyth's world premiere of Ballad for Canada and Beethoven's 9th at the National Arts Center.
June 11: lunch time celebration with Oliver family of brother-in-law's birthday. Many of you will remember David's masterful management of the heirloom yard glass at Geoff's and my renewal of vows ceremony last summer. A man of many, many talents and a huge heart.
July 1 - 9: Ottawa - Caroline (Carrie) youngest sister, and Bill Anderson, bo-law, will be visiting from Vancouver. They love our bloodhound.
July 7 - 13: Ottawa - Michael Oliver, son of Jamie Oliver and Juanita Poletto, on an internment in New Orleans (nicely played), here to represent the entire Australian wing of the Oliver clan. I love a full house.
July 9 - 10: in Ottawa - Celebrating with the Oliver/Brown families and friends. A beloved nephew, Philip Oliver and his lovely fiancee Kathleen Brown are getting hitched. REALLY looking forward to this!
July 18-21: in Ottawa - Leesa Flynn, another dear friend from Victoria, will be staying with us. Laurel Laignen will also be joining us. Between them, they have stuff on me that goes way back.
I will keep updating this calendar.
Proposal - Posting YOUR stories about me and my family or other topics
It would be fun for this blog to be a shared conversation, where folks could recall, recommend or even rant a bit. In other words, there is no need to restrict your comment on whatever topics I happen to post at any particular time, although comments are of course welcome. Also book reviews, hot tips on cafes with good terraces, local treats and events. movies to avoid or enjoy, etc.
And if you have a particular story suitable for public consumption about me or my family, feel free to share if you wish at any time. Many of you have got me laughing with these recollections, and a shared laugh is even better.
Today is looking like a good day
It's warm out, I hope to do something wild and crazy like go for a walk. Our gardens are starting to burst forth with tulips, daffodils, crocuses, scilla (sp - tiny blue flower). I am trying to figure out a low-maintenance veggie garden strategy. The piano is beckoning - I can still play some of my classical repertoire, slow movements only. Enjoy.
11 comments:
Working hard on explaining this to Mum. Carrie
xxxxxxxxx
Robin: Thanks for doing this. I think about you and your family quite often and this is a nice way to stay connected.
Neil G
I didn't know that you play the piano - me too! In Norway, we went to the summer home of Edvard Grieg (now a museum), it's called Troldhaugen ("Trolls Hill") since he and his wife were so so short. It's a beautiful and magical spot. I bought a CD and I can't stop listening to it, particularly this one lovely song! Check out this guy playing it - with no music! I'm not quite that good, haha.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGOj_ASePqc
Kathleen
Lovely idea about family stories, Robin. I do have a few and will include them when I can.
Much love,
Nancy (yes, Nancy...)
Did someone say "Nancy"??? This is cousin Gord and my daughter Grace. We're in Edmonton to visit for night, collect Robin from the airport and sit down with the assessment team at the residence that Mom and Dad are considering. It's another hopeful thought to hear about your proposed treatments Robin.
Whatever floats your boat. Stupid joke coming up:
What goes clip clop clip clop BOOM! clip clop clip clop??
An Amish drive-by.......hyuuuk hyuuuk
Hey auntie Robin, it's just me this time not my dad and I so no need to worry about any corny jokes. I just wanted to let you know that I think this blog is a really good idea and I'll be checking it often. I think about you everyday and my mom sends her love. See you soon!
Love Grace
Hey Robin, Happy birthday from your brudder.
Happy Birthday Big Sis! Remember when we used to figure out how old we'd be in the year 2000 and we couldn't imagine being 47 and 48?! We thought about having jobs, kids of our own, driving cars ... and got all freaked out! You've done it all, Robin. I'm so proud to be your sister.
Love,
Colleen
Carrie said we should make lists of things we want to remember. (Doesn't she do that anyway? I live by sticky notes!) So here's my list of everything I can remember doing with Robin when we were kids.
Art classes - painting and pottery
Jazz dancing
Charm classes (Cant' you tell?)
Going to the Edmonton Symphony
Attending the Edmonton Opera
Piano lessons - years and years of them
Toronto Conservatory Theory, Harmony, History, Counterpoint, Form - years and years of them
Playing in the Kiwanis Festival - solo and duet classes
doing homework at the dining room table
studying together - making up goofy sentences to remember facts!
speech classes
house parties
double dates
school dances
shopping downtown
watching movies twice in the theatre
skating, broomball, curling, tennis, tobogganning, baseball - were we good at any of it!?
swimming lessons, life saving lessons
teaching piano downstairs
sharing the downstairs bedroom - lots of talk and figuring out the world
I remember when Robin moved to Victoria and I had the bedroom to myself. I was at first pleased and then incredibly lonely. Can't imagine a world without Robin.
Love you forever,
Colleen
Yes, Nancy, you crazy wonderful goofball! So good to read your words (even the...joke) and to see your photos. Grace is beautiful!
Love from (cousin) Nancy
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