Posted on November 24, 2014 under Monday Morning Musings with no comments yet

The scales of injustice

 

 

I saw this card in a UPS store in Florida. It just about says it all for those of us trying to lose a few pounds.

I’m rarely serious in these posts but from time to time, I’m like everyone else and like to blow off a bit of steam.  Facebook. It is a prevalent force in many of our lives. It is a terrific way to stay in touch and is a powerful tool for getting messages out to family and friends near and far. I also understand that Facebook is running a business and as such they can do what they want. It’s like the old adage “ he who pays the piper, calls the tune.”

Every now and then Facebook changes things up in an effort to monetize their business. Fair ball. It’s hard for small businesses who have spent a considerable amount of time cultivating customers ( or in my case, readers ) to see their “views” and “likes” plummet virtually overnight as a result of a change in algorithms. Or as climate change proponents might say “ Al Gore Rhythms.” ( Sorry. Couldn’t resist ).

So only a small handful of my loyal followers are getting my posts. There is no point whining about this because that won’t get any of us anywhere. It’s just the way it is. If you like my material and want to be sure that you receive every story… and idle musings, the best way is to go to my website and sign up for e-mail notifications. Yeah, yeah, I know that’s the boring, old fashioned way of getting messages… but it works. A small favor. If you could pass this story along as a “share” I would be extremely grateful. I would hate to think that my followers thought that I took the last three weeks off from writing stories.

Thanks.

My book launches are just around the corner. The first one is in Port Hawkesbury on Wednesday, Dec. 3^rd. at 7:00 P.M. at the Fleur de Lis Restaurant. The second is on Thursday, Dec. 4^th. at the nationally acclaimed People’s Place Library at 7:00 P.M. Come along for a few laughs and some refreshments.

I have a new story coming on Wednesday. I stumbled upon this one the other day while wandering the halls of the university library. I was over there to drop off my two books that they are going to put on the shelves in the Canadian Studies section.

I saw something that caught my eye. It was very colorful and really unique. I don’t want to give away  too many more clues or it will spoil the story but, safe to say, it will bring back a lot of childhood memories. The story is called “Color My World.”

Thanks again for all the nice comments about my story about retired art teacher, Mary MacGillivray. I was honored to share the space with Herald cartoonist, Bruce MacKinnon.

Have a great week.

P.S.  Congrats to the folks who organized the Christmas parade. Great job!!!

Posted on November 17, 2014 under Monday Morning Musings with one comment

Florida Book Launch ( click to enlarge )

 

 

As some of you know, I did a book launch last week, while on vacation in Florida. It was at this funky coffee shop ( I’m dating myself with this language! ) and was very well attended. Truth be told, there wasn’t an empty seat. My friends at the resort where we stay, really got in the spirit of things and wore their Halloween costumes to the event. They paraded up Gulf Boulevard, a distance of about a half a kilometer to the  honking of car horns. I did three stories and finished things up with guitar in hand with the Proclaimers tune “I’m going to be ( 500 miles ) “

Now, while I was pleased with the turnout and even with the fact that I sold quite a few books, it was a chance encounter with a woman from St. Louis that really made my day. Earlier that morning while finalizing plans at the coffee shop, I met these two senior citizens who were in for their morning coffee. I invited them to the launch and, lo and behold, they were the first two people to show up. Must have been my offer of free coffee and banana bread,  which I provided to all guests.

One of the women confided in me that her friend’s husband was dying and that she had made arrangements for respite to come for the launch. She sat just off to my right and she spent the entire hour with the biggest smile on her face. She gave me a big hug at the end of the show and told me that I had made her day. This was the highlight of my trip, hands down.

Those of you who have taken long road trips know that there is a McDonald’s restaurant about every half mile. We went to a lot of them to get a coffee and access their wireless internet. Two quick stories. In Northern Florida yesterday we stopped for a coffee. I was itching for a muffin. Here’s how the conversation went: (me) “ Do you have any fresh muffins?” ( young clerk ) “Yes. We have Egg McMuffins. “ (me ). No, I mean a muffin. Would you have any carrot muffins?” She looked puzzled. ( yc ): “We have Egg McMuffins and Sausage McMuffins.” (me) “ Do you know what a muffin is?” She looked around in complete bewilderment. She had no idea what a muffin was.

Yesterday we stopped at a McDonald’s in Virginia. It was very cold out. Having been in the car for 6 hours ( other than gas stops ), we decided to eat outside at one of their outdoor tables to get some fresh air. As we huddled together, an older female staff person poked her head out and said, “ Is he holding you against your will out in the cold?” We all had a good laugh. ( They didn’t have muffins either!. )

I have a good story tomorrow. My two brothers were also visiting in Florida at our resort. They decided to do a road race and I was their chauffeur, coach and cheerleader. Must have worked as both of them won their divisions. Don accomplished something that I’ve never seen in a race before. Coming right up, “The Honeymoon is Over.”

Not sure what happened on Saturday. I posted a story that is new and one of my favorites. I read it at the Florida launch and had people in stitches. Were you all out shovelling snow, or what? If you didn’t read it, go back and take a peek. It’s called “We Do It All For You.” I’m sure you’re aware of the use of the “royal we.” This is a lighthearted story about how husbands and wives interpret the use of “we.”

If the weather cooperates we’ll be home sometime Tuesday.

Hope you have a great week.

Posted on November 10, 2014 under Monday Morning Musings with no comments yet

Gypsy Souls Café – Site of my Florida book launch

 

 

I was wandering along Gulf Boulevard the other day and came upon this really neat café. It has only been opened since June. It has a very unique layout. The ante room is circular with all kinds of comfy leather chairs to curl up with a book and a cup of freshly brewed coffee. A narrow hallway leads you into the restaurant part which has one large table in the middle and also a counter to place your laptop. The back door opens up onto a patio that overlooks one of the many inland waterways.

I got chatting with one of the managers and one thing led to another and the next thing you know, we planned a book launch for later this week. I’ll let you know how it goes.

It won’t surprise you that our resort in no way resembles Daytona Beach during March break. Betty and I would be among the younger people here. I haven’t read any Maeve Binchey but I’m told that the cast of characters at The Islander would not be out of place in one of her books!

Two of my brothers have been staying here this week and one of them made an interesting observation. Several of the guests have medical issues and he was impressed by what he called their “ calm acceptance of their age and infirmity.” He went on to say that “ I’m starting to see the worst of aging. But I’m also struck by the best of it.” He sent me an interesting article from the NY Times. I don’t know if you ever read these links but if you are lucky enough to have an aging parent or relative, this might shed some light.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-gray-hair-and-silver-linings.html?_r=0

Are you “Jian Ghomeshied” out? Me too. So much so that now when his name comes up in a conversation we all refer to him as “the person who shall not be named.”

My Tuesday story which will be published on Casket day ( Wednesday ) is about old fashioned diners . At the risk of being drawn into a controversy (!), these diners are the complete opposite of a “restaurant that shall not be named” which is much in the news these days. I love the older women who have been toiling in these places forever. Especially in the U.S. where they are likely to call you “hun.” Coming up on Wednesday, “Dishing it out at the Diner.”

And how about our own People’s Place library and their award as the best public space in Canada. Most of you are too young to remember, but this was Eileen Cameron Henry’s dream 30 years ago. Congrats to the visionaries and the people that kept this dream alive.

Have a great week.