No Easter celebration here!

I worked on the page for Ashley. I used folded iris paper to make a flower. I also made six thank you cards for Ronae’.


I called Dad and we had a long chat. He seemed very down talking about how if he hadn’t had his morning job he would have realised Mum was sick and he could have helped her. There isn’t much I can do from here, but I changed the topic and tried to lift his spirits as best I could.


I went for a two hour bike ride along the Don River and took a few pictures of interesting trees. On the way back I stopped at the Distillery District where I sat outside the café to drink a pot of tea. Everyone there was out with their families, which made me feel quite alone. Where are all the other single people?


I called Kate to find out what had happened when she gave her notice. She sounded much better, and it very glad that she made the decision to quit.

Take a minute to read through these cool facts.

ALASKA
More than half of the coastline of the entire United States is in Alaska.

AMAZON
The Amazon rain forest produces more than 20% the world's oxygen supply. The Amazon River pushes so much water into the Atlantic Ocean that, more than one hundred miles at sea, off the mouth of the river, one can dip fresh water out of the ocean. The volume of water in the Amazon river is greater than the nexteight largest rivers in the world combined and three times the flow of all rivers in the United States.

ANTARCTICA
Antarctica is the only land on our planet that is not owned by any country. Ninety percent of the world's ice covers Antarctica. This ice also represents seventy percent of all the fresh waterin the world. As strange as it sounds, however, Antarctica is essentially a desert. The average yearly total precipitation is about two inches.Although covered with ice (all but 0.4% of it, i.e.),Antarctica is the driest place on the planet, with an absolute humidity lower than the Gobi desert.

BRAZIL
Brazil got its name from the nut, not the other way around.

CANADA
Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined. Canada is an Indian word meaning "Big Village."

CHICAGO
Next to Warsaw, Chicago has the largest Polish population in the world.

DETROIT
Woodward Avenue in Detroit, Michigan carries the designation M - 1, named so because it was the first paved road anywhere.

DAMASCUS, SYRIA
Damascus, Syria, was flourishing a couple of thousand years before Rome was founded in 753 BC, making it the oldest continuously inhabited city in existence.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY
Istanbul, Turkey is the only city in the world located on two continents.

LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles full name is El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles dePorciuncula--and can be abbreviated to 3.63% of its size: L.A.

NEW YORK CITY
The term "The Big Apple" was coined by touring jazz musicians of the 1930s who used the slang _expression "apple" for any town or city. Therefore, to play New York City is to play the big time- The Big Apple.
There are more Irish in New York City than in Dublin, Ireland; more Italians in New York City than in Rome, Italy; and more Jewish people in New York City than in Tel Aviv, Israel.
AFRICA
Percentage of Africa that is wilderness: 28.
Percentage of North America that is wilderness: 38.

OHIO
There are no natural lakes in the state of Ohio; every one is man made.

PITCAIRN ISLAND
The smallest island with country status is Pitcairn in Polynesia, at just 1.75 sq. miles/4.53 sq. km.

ROME
The first city to reach a population of one million people was Rome, Italy in 133 B.C.There is a city called Rome on every continent.

SIBERIA
Siberia contains more than 25% of the world's forests.

S.M.O.M.
The actual smallest sovereign entity in the world is the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (S.M.O.M.). It is located in the city of Rome, Italy, has an area of two tennis courts, and as of 2001, has a population of eighty, twenty less people than the Vatican. It is a sovereign entity under international law, just as the Vatican is.

SAHARA DESERT
In the Sahara Desert, there is a town named Tidikelt, which did not receive a drop of rain for ten years.

SPAIN
Spain literally means 'the land of rabbits.'

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
St. Paul, Minnesota was originally called Pig's Eye after a man named Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant who set up the first business there.

ROADS
Chances that a road is unpaved
in the U.S.A.: 1%,
in Canada: 75%.

TEXAS
The deepest hole ever made in the world is in Texas. It is as deep as 20 empire state buildings but only 3 inches wide.

UNITED STATES
The Eisenhower interstate system requires that one-mile in every five must be straight. These straight sections are usable as airstrips and in times of war or other emergencies.

WATERFALLS
The water of Angel Falls (the World's highest) in Venezuela drops 3,212 feet (979 meters). They are 15 times higher than Niagara Falls.And that's about all you need to learn for today !!

Woodbine Racetrack

Glenn organized an event through www.meetin.org to Woodbine racetrack.

Mark another member of meetin gave me a ride to and from Woodbine.

There were about 12 - 15 of us, and some of us had never been to a race track before.

The weather was perfect with the sunshining and the a nice cool breeze to keep us from getting too hot.

There were 10 races, but we didn't stay for all the races. The last of us left after the 6th race.

Everyone of us who placed a bet, won at least once. I placed 6 bets and 3 of them paid out! Of course my bets were only $2, but hey a win is a win!

We went down to the paddocks to watch them get ready for their races. The horse in the pink was rearing up so I thought it would either do well becasue it was raring to go, or it would do really badly because it wanted to go its own way. Another man looking on down there told us he liked the green number 5 for one of the races. I had already placed my bet, but Glenn went up and bet on that horse. And wouldn't you know it, Green number 5 won, my horse number 2 came in 2nd and the pink one came in third!

We left after that race, all very happy with the day in the sun.

Sunday March 25, 2006

I set up an event with MeetIn Toronto to go for breakfast and then to Allan Garden's Conservatory to take pictures of the flowers. I had enjoyed my trek there so much during March Break, I thought others would benefit from the amazing environment too.

I had booked for 12 people to meet for breakfast at Frans Restaurant, but because I was at another event the night before word got around and many more people showed up! 17 in fact. So we ordered our breakfast, eventhough it was already passed midday, which ranged from pancakes, eggs, steak, and even ice cream! We had been separated into 3 tables, so we didn't all get to meet each other, but that was no problem.

We left the restaurant and walked east along Carlton to Jarvis and came upon the greenhouse. The majority of the group had never been there before so they were quite shocked at how warm it was inside. But we soon acclimatized!

We spent a good deal of time walking around in awe, and snapping pictures. We congregated outside and since it was such a beautiful day we decided to take a walk to the Toronto Necropolis Cemetery near Riverdale Farm.

As we walked we got a chance to meet people we hadn't talked to yet. They were a very interesting bunch of people. I bumped into my son's friend Jason on the way and said a very quick hello.

After walking around the cemetery we went and had a peek at the Farm. Then as were enjoying each others company so much we decided to take the bridge over the Don Valley Parkway. On the other side we walked up the hill and then realised that we were thirsty and needed to find a place for a coffee. We walked along side Withrow Park and made our way to Dimitri's Desserts where coffee, tea and desserts were ordered. I shared a "Split Personality" with Andy as it was way too much for him to eat alone!!

It was a most pleasant day of adventures that I hope we can do again.

St. Patricks Day Celebration

The plan was to meet Kat and her friends at Fionn McCools to celebrate St. Patty's Day. Kat said to bring along friends, so I listed it on the www.meetin.org board, and told them to meet me in the line at 7 pm. Kat called me before I left to let me know she would be at least an hour late!

I left my apartment at 7. It was cold out there! I waited for 45 minutes and started talking to 2 women waiting along side me. I told them that I was waiting for others to join me, but didn't know who they were. After a while Jackie said to me that if I didn't find these friends, then I could join them. They introduced themselves, and the other woman's name was Becky.
"Kat's friend Becky?" I asked.
"Yes!" she said.
"Then you are the people I am waiting for! I'm Mary.
On hearing this, one of the guys standing behind me said, "Are you the Mary from MeetIn?"
"That's me."
And the guy standing beside him said, "I am supposed to meet someone from MeetIn whose name is John."
"I'm John!" said the first guy.

WOW! Talk about wierd.

There we were, all standing together not knowing each other, but supposed to be meeting each other!

After waiting in line for 2 hours and 15 minutes, and no Kat in sight, we finally got inside only to have to pay a $5 cover charge! Well that's not too bad I suppose. Although I think they made us wait till after 9 pm just to get the money out of us. Another friend of Becky's, Natalie, showed up shortly after.

We got in before the band started so we were well lubricated enough to sing along and dance to Celtic music, (I'm not usually a lover of this genre!) We stood along the stage area and met a bunch of people some of which were line buddies of ours. My camera was passed around and I ended up with photos of people I know nothing about. One of them begged me not to email the pictures, but I have no clue who she was! The Guinness flowed along with the Kilkenny. We danced along to music that was foot stompin' and side slappin'! And we posed for the Global News t.v cameras, as we became "famous!"

I left at 11:45 as I was hungry and needed to eat something! But a fun time was had, meeting new friends.

Allen Gardens, Toronto

I spent an hour in the tropics today! Not really, just walked to the local green house and immersed my senses in the wonderful surroundings. When I arrived there were hoards of people, which annoyed me, as I like to go there and for the quiet and imagine myself somewhere hot and exotic.

So I went to the other end, my favourite end where the cactus plants are. They fascinate me, not sure why, but they just do. I tend to see more than the plant, I see people and objects in them.

Every time I go to the green house there are artists there. There was just 1 when I arrived, but 5 when I left. I wish I had the ability to paint those wonderful visions, but I did take lots of photos. Click on my title for a link to see them.

After the cactus plants I made my way to the east end, and most of the noisy families had left. I couldn't see any fish today, and the fountain pond was so murky that I couldn't see anything in there either.

The water wheel turned effortlessly as the noise of the constant rush of the water fell. Two kids ran past me as I was attempting to get this shot. One yelled "sorry" as he almost knocked me over. "I doubt it," I said. But then they were gone and tranquility returned.

An hour spent filling my nostrils with the tantalizing scents of the flowers, and my eyes and heart with the beauty of this place was just what I needed.

If you have never visited this little bit of paradise in Toronto, make time to go there. If you have been before, it's time to reimmerse yourself in this amazing environment.

Birthday Present

I got a birthday present today from my son in Korea. I picked up the package from the post office and hurried home to open it.

Inside were 5 presents and an envelope containing a card with special message on the front. I opened the first one and to my delight was a lovely notebook, with lovely textured pages inside. The next gifts were dvds of the new movie The Pink Panther, then Tim Buton's Corpse Bride and finally RENT. I was just saying that I would watch some movies this March Break, and now I can. The last little package had a cute little key ring in it. It flashes a picture of what looks like a little Korean cartoon girl. There are some Korean words, but I've no idea what it says! The card that was inside the envelope was so cute with a bear and star jewels on it.

What a great surprise. And it arrived at a great time, too.

March Break

March Break begins.

I am grateful that the school includes March Break for the children and the staff, as usually by this time we are all ready for a break!

Fortunately this winter has been a mild one, but in past years with the dreary February days, our spirits start to decline as we dream of the spring buds and flowers. Winter here in Toronto is long and tiresome, and to have a break in March gives us a chance to rejuvenate and revitalise.

I generally don’t go anywhere at this time, not because I don’t want to, but because I can’t afford to. For teachers our breaks come at high season, Christmas, March break and summer so we seldom get a good deal on a getaway.

So it tends to be a good time for me to do Spring cleaning: out with the old, in with the new. I get the opportunity to go through my closets, and storage area, and purge again. This is sometimes very difficult as I am something of a packrat, and find throwing out perfectly good stuff that I might need at any time a challenge.

I will also get some shopping time in to replace all the junk that I have thrown out! I want to buy a new camera as the old one won’t flash any longer. I did purchase one already but returned it as the video element on it didn’t record sound. So any suggestions of a reasonably priced digital camera are welcome.

I plan on getting more scrapbook pages done. Perhaps even a book of my 50th birthday. I have so many old photos that I brought back from my last trip to England, I want to get them organised and put into layouts. Procrastination!

I will go to a couple of movies and perhaps rent a few as well. If the weather stays nice I will take walks around the city to explore a few sites that I’ve not been to in a while. I used to go to Allen Gardens every March just to get the smell of the tropics in my memory again. It is an amazing greenhouse with beautiful flowers, plants, trees and cactus. There is also a small stream that runs though with a waterwheel and a wishing pond with beautiful goldfish.

I will spend some time in the kitchen trying out a few more recipes from the cookbook my son gave me as a Christmas gift. I hate cooking, but usually because I don’t like standing in the kitchen at the end of the day. Therefore I have no excuse over the break.

So hopefully I will have lots to report during this break.

A FEW MORE PARTY PICTURES

Some samples of the fun I had on my 50th birthday.

Me and Bruce

Beatriz and Mona

With my birthday drink. (no cake for this birthday!)

Having fun showing off my new body!

Hurry Up and Be Patient!

There is great benefit in learning to wait calmly and creatively. Here is a "waiting checklist" to test your waiting skills:

• Do you expect delays, or do they catch you unawares? Do you anticipate those times when you are likely to have to wait?
• Do you calmly let your inner motor idle though others around you may be stripping their gears?
• Do you welcome unexpected delays as a gift of time, which can be used creatively? Do you use the free time to plan ahead or quietly meditate (to get in touch with your soul)?
• Do you prepare for delays? Do you have work or entertainment handy when forced to wait?

How did you do on the exercise? Are you making the most of your waiting time? We will never escape delays, but we can use them creatively. Now is the time to hurry up and be patient!

Excerpt from Steve Goodier's book Touching Moments

www.lifesupportsystem.com

So this is what 50 looks like!

Pretty fantastic, don't you think?

I went to my hairdresser who curled my hair within an inch of it's life, very sexy! It made me look great. I was going to get someone to do makeup for me, but since I already looked pretty good, I figured I only needed mascara and lipstick, and I can do that!

Beatriz came over around 5 pm and we took a cab to the Oasis and set up the room with some decorations. I also set up the Karaoke machine and the t.v. I had brought along bubbles, funny glasses, leis, necklaces, bracelets, and some party poppers that I placed on the tables. Francesca said they would serve the food at around 10 pm. We left to go home and get ready.

After dressing and applying the makeup, (I was thinking now that I am older I should learn how to use the stuff, but quickly changed my mind!) I took the subway and streetcar to College St and arrived at about 9 pm. I met Dan our waiter and placed the birthday book on the table along with the money pot and play money.

The guests arrived shortly after, and after placing their $10 in the pot I gave them $25 play money. My guests included: Alex and Mona, Anna and Art, Kathryn and Robert, Bruce and Oscar, Beatriz, Kat, Blair, Vanessa and Sharon, Maria, Mehmet, Meggie and Marina and Louisa and Debby.

It took a while before anyone would think of a dare, but I began by daring Bruce to sing karaoke for $5. Pretty safe as I knew that he could sing well! Before long people were daring each other to chug-a-lug, sing karaoke, dance, take items of clothing off, massage, and other silly things. In general everyone had a great time. The tapas was amazing with lots of compliments going to the cook.

Kat then took the microphone and said some kind words, and had everyone sing Happy Birthday to me. They gave me a fruit punch with pineapple and a strawberry on top with a candle sticking out of the strawberry. Very nice.

The night continued with dancing, eating, and socializing. At midnight everyone counted their money and Kathryn's table had the most, (they did the removal of clothing, so no surprise there!). I awarded them half of the money in the pot $100, which they promptly gave back. I wasn't expecting that! But it was great as all the money collected ($200) paid for the food.

At the end of the night Beatriz helped me pack up the stuff and we got into a cab and returned home. I then had the time to open gifts that people had given me: p.j's from Louisa, chocolates from Alex and Mona, a gift certificate for scrapbook supplies from Sharon, a gift certificate for Winners from Anna and Art, a necklace and aroma candles from Kat, a facial spa from Maria and family, dipping oils and decanter from Vanessa and Blair and a gift certificate for a facial and makeup application from Beatriz.

After Beatriz left I went through the birthday book to read some of the comments people had written. It was so warming to have these people share in the celebration of this milestone in my life.

All in all it was a great party with wonderful friends and now I look forward to the second half of my life!

The morning after

So last night was my 50th birthday party and I had a great time with my friends. As soon as I get the photos I will add them with an account of the night, but in the meantime here is a picture of me the morning after! Still in pyjamas and unshowered. Not bad for an 50 year old!

The Ant and The Grasshopper

CLASSIC VERSION:

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he's a fool, and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed. The shivering grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.

THE END
-------------

THE BRITISH VERSION:

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The grasshopper thinks he's a fool, and laughs and dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.

The shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others lessfortunate, like him, are cold and starving.

The BBC shows up to provide live coverage of the shivering grasshopper, with cuts to a video of the ant in his comfortable warm home in Hampstead with a table laden with food.

The British are stunned that in a country of such wealth, this poorgrasshopper is allowed to suffer so while others have plenty.

The Liberal Party, the Respect Party, the Transvestites With Starving BabiesParty and the Coalition Against Poverty demonstrate in front of the ant'shouse. The BBC, interrupting a Rastafarian cultural festival special fromGrimsby with breaking news, broadcasts them singing "We Shall Overcome."

Ken Livingstone laments in an interview with Panorama that the ant has gotrich off the backs of grasshoppers, and calls for an immediate tax hike onthe ant to make him pay his "fair share".

In response, the Labour Government drafts the Economic Equity andGrasshopper Anti-Discrimination Act, retroactive to the beginning of the summer.

The ant's taxes are reassessed, and he is also fined for failing to hire grasshoppers as helpers.

Without enough money to pay the fine and his newly imposed retroactivetaxes, his home is confiscated by Camden Council.

The ant moves to France, and starts a successful agribiz company, funded by Britain via the EU.

The BBC later shows the now fat grasshopper finishing up the last of the ant's food, though Spring is still months away, while the government house he is in, which just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him because he hasn't bothered to maintain it.

Inadequate government funding is blamed; Diane Abbot is appointed to head a commission of enquiry that will cost £10m.

The grasshopper is soon dead of a drug overdose; the Guardian blames it on the obvious failure of government to address the root causes of despair arising from social inequity.

THE END.

Will Ya Do It For A Dollar?

My upcoming birthday party is taking up some of my time lately. I had to find a venue to celebrate it, and my original plans of using the Oasis Restaurant seemed smashed as I heard they are selling. But I called and was told that it changes hands on February 28, so I just moved the party to the earlier weekend. The date of the party is now February 25th.

The sending out all the invitations should be easy with email now in most people’s lives, but there are those who just don’t have a computer yet! So designing an invitation was further time spent. I don’t mind doing this as it just gets me more in the mood for the party.

Next I had to make the play money that we will be using on the night.

The theme of the party is:

“Will Ya Do It For A Dollar?”

So people arrive, put $10 in a pot, and receive $25 play money. The rest of the night they ask other guests to do stuff for them, or offer to do stuff for others. They can name their price.

What Can You Do For A Dollar?

Refresh my drink
Tell everyone at the party how wonderful I am
Rub my back
Admit to your spouse that you’ve finally decided to come OUT of the closet
Sing so we can ALL hear it
Bring me a snack
Make a prank phone call
Dance like a fool
Kiss my bare ass (this just might be more than a buck)
Give everyone a big hug
Do a shot. Or a Blowjob (the drink)
Share with us all your most embarrassing moment
Put your shirt on inside out
Give short ballroom dancing lessons
Foot & back massages,
Streak
And anything else you can think of that is wild and creative. Anything someone will pay for is fair game.

At midnight, those competitive & uninhibited souls who've collected substantial stashes have their money counted and the prize is awarded.

I am planning on taking a karaoke machine for people to sing a long to. The food is ordered and there is a waiter who will take drink orders.

So I still need to photocopy and cut out all the play money I have made. And make sure I get all the other invites mailed or handed out. I will also need to find friends to help me set up the room the day of the party.

Sounds like fun, right? I hope so. So drop by if you like!

SUCCINCT

SUCCINCT: "Canadian Ingenuity
Due to the global war on terrorism, many terrorist organizations have had their finances frozen. Consequently, they have resorted to counterfeiting Canadian money.

Canadians have therefore decided to redesign their currency to prevent the radical Islamists from even touching it!

It is also hoped that this will have a positive effect on tourism.

Do you think America should do the same?"

Love Letter To My Parents

It has become evident lately, that I have many wonderful things for which to be thankful. One of the most important things, are both of you. This is a letter to thank you for all the time and effort you have put into being my parents.

Included in my memories are incidents and moments of love and caring that have influenced me in becoming the person I am.

Our Sunday walks in Friday woods. Picking wild berries, acknowledging the gypsies, bathing in Bounstead Brook. It was a family affair, enjoyment being of the utmost importance.

Our summer camping trips. The long drives, pitching the tent, Dad getting skin rashes, visiting the local sights.

Our daily trips on the “picking bus." Duck, ducks, ducks at Bourne Pond, picking leaves out of the berries, having picnic lunches, secret adventures, taking off boots to discover socks full of squashed berries.

Parent’s Days at Kennylands. Waiting anxiously to see the old car, even sometimes when I knew you weren’t coming, but hoping anyway, showing off my family, showing off myself, having serious, important conversations, catching up on old news, receiving the goodies.

Baking on Saturdays. Rolling pastry for hours on end, eventually producing a jam turn-over. That is a very special memory for me, the smells, the private time we had, the feeling of happiness, and of course the good eats afterwards.

Our trips to the seaside. Walking along the beach in the wind, sun, rain, enjoying the quiet, looking for shells, money, treasures.

My birthday parties. The best in town, everyone wanted to come, sandwiches, jelly, cakes, biscuits, pop, everything a child loves. Even when we had so little, you could always make the best birthday parties.

Fishing. The chalk pits, the gnats, the worms - yuck! the quiet, the long conversations, the catch?

Sunday dinners. Spending what seemed like endless, empty, boring hours in church, to return home to a wonderful family event - dinner. Always plentiful, always grateful. Wearing our Sunday hats, just like Grandma!

Monkwick School. School plays, dinnertime, encouragement to return after many bad days of teasing, school reports.

Learning to play the harmonica. Special instruction from Dad in the car, lots of encouragement, recitals.

Christmas. All the many wonderful gifts, the excitement, wrapping paper, crackers, decorations, food, loud conversations at the dinner table, the quiet afternoons in exploration of gifts, the typewriter I couldn’t find, waking up at 3 a.m. to open and then rewrap presents, trying to show surprise at 7 a.m.

Trips to visit Grandparents. Long drives, laybys, 224 Tatwin Crescent, Midway, breakdowns, stops at the pubs, crisps and pop.

The visits home with a new baby. The pleasures, excitement, pride, joy, delight, the friendships of boy and dog, boy and Grandparents, boy and Aunts and Uncles, the relaxation for a few weeks of less responsibility.

Your visits here. The honesty and closeness it brought us, the sharing of friends, the recognition of accomplishments, the baseball game, the visit to Thomas’ school, the Hot House brunches, the souvenir shopping, the good byes at the airport.

Acceptance. This is one of the biggest gifts you have given me. No matter what my choices, there has always been acceptance. My friends, music, clothes, jobs, lifestyle. I am very grateful that I was never tainted by suggestions of disapproval. By accepting my decisions, you made me able to choose the right path in life, without discrimination.

Your understanding and support. The calming words, the reassurance, the warmth, the common sense, the love.

These are just a few of the memories of the caring and enjoyment you have given me. Words like these are often left said too late, so I wanted to take the opportunity to let you know how much you both mean to me.

Thank you both, so very much.

Your loving daughter,

Mary

(This letter was written and sent in 1997. My mother died in 2004. I am happy that I had the opportunity to send this.)

Breakfast

Having had a good night's sleep, I feel much better today after a week of a cold. I got up at 9:30 a.m. and made myself breakfast. I had bought strawberries yesterday and the kiwi fruit I bought last week is finally ripe enough to eat.

I sliced up 4 strawberries and a kiwi while the kettle boiled and the pancakes browned in the toaster oven.

The kettle boiled and I poured the tea into the coffee mug, and added a little skim milk.

The toaster bell rang telling me the pancakes were ready. I added them to the plate of fruit and poured a little maple syrup onto the pancakes.

And that was my breakfast this morning.










Delicious!

Making a difference one step at a time

Here is my son with his class, K10. He has now completed the winter camp in Chuncheon, Korea. Camp Korea was a great way for him to decide if he wanted to continue doing this kind of work.
He is now on his way to Seoul to find another position for a one year contract. I have to say that I am very proud of what he is doing. Eventhough he may not realise it, he has already influenced children's lives.
A man who grew up as a child of a single mum, he is the ideal guy to be in the lives of children. He is good, gentle, fair and honest. He has a healthy sense of humour, a playful spirit and knows how to have fun. He is artistic in many ways, including music and visual arts, and is able to think outside of the box.

Okay, okay, enough gushing! But when it is warranted, you just can't help it, can you?

Questionnaire

What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being with someone who treasures me

What is your greatest fear?
Losing more family members

Which historical figure do you most identify with?
Princess Diana

Which living person do you most admire?
Stephen Lewis

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
My seemingly inabilaty to exercise regularly

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Dishonesty

What is your greatest extravagance?
$5000 tummy tuck

On what occasion do you lie?
To save hurting other people’s feelings

What do you dislike most about your appearance?
Very little at this time in my life. Perhaps my eyelids

Which living person do you most despise?
Child abusers

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
”You need to ….” said to the children I work with

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
The pain I have in my knees and feet

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Overcoming depression

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
A person with a loving family

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?
A singer

Who are your favorite writers?
Tolkien, Dick Francis, Sue Grafton

Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
The Grinch

What is your most treasured possession?
My passport

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Being so depressed it hurts to take a shower, and the though of drying yourself off is overwhelming

Where would you like to live?
I love living in Canada, but like to live in New Zealand

What is your most marked characteristic?
My creativity

What is the quality you like most in a man?
Patience

What is your greatest regret?
Not taking George to the hospital sooner

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
George

How would you like to die?
Doing something heroic

Lucy

After Mum died so suddenly we were all worried about Dad. Mum was the motivating force behind our family and now she was gone, how on earth would he manage. We had all suggested he get another dog, but since he had taken Fluffy, his last dog, to be put down when he was so sick, he couldn't stand the thought of having to do that again. Fortunately a neighbour stepped in and brought a dog over and Lucy and Dad fell in love instantly. So although the dog is a crazy one, and I am incredibly allergic to her, I love her for saving Dad's life.