Posted on January 13, 2014 under Monday Morning Musings with no comments yet

Another tequila sunrise

I know that some of you aren’t Facebook people and probably did not see this picture that I posted a few days ago. If you can get out of bed early enough, there are some spectacular sights including some amazing sunrises.

I received a lovely call on the weekend from Fran in Guysborough. She was calling to chat about the story “Mass Appeal” that appeared on my website and in The Casket  last week. It brought back a lot of memories for her growing up in a family of sixteen. She, too, was raised Catholic and went through some of the same pre-mass rituals including polishing 16 pairs of shoes. Some of you will remember the “It” white shoe polish. If you do, I know how old you are! She sounds like a natural born story teller and we chatted for quite some time. Near the end of the conversation she told me a story about her experience trying chewing tobacco. I had one of my own. Notice that I said one. If you have ever swallowed chewing tobacco juice, you will readily understand why I only tried it once. When I got off the phone, I rushed to my computer and whipped up 1000 words on this subject. The story is called ” The Spitting Image” and I will be posting it soon.

I mentioned to Fran about the Senior’s Café coming up February 5th. at the People’s Place library. It is the “Phil and Len Show” reincarnated. If you’re not working and want to come in for some story telling and treats, please come by the library at 2:00 on the 5th.

Tomorrow, I will be posting the story “A Splash of Inspiration.” I do some of my best thinking in the shower. How about you? When or where do you get flashes of inspiration?

And if you happened to miss it, just go to my website and go to the search box and enter “Laundry Quandry.” This story easily received the most comments of any story I’ve posted in months.

I still am brooding ( not really – I don’t do brooding very well! ) about the ticket I got for cell phone use while driving. I read and re-read the Motor Vehicle Act and the definition of “usage” is very vague. To reiterate, I was not texting, e-mailing or talking on my cell phone. I glanced at the screen to check a message. That qualifies as “usage.” With my tail between my legs, I dutifully went over to the Provincial Court building and paid my $169. fine. And speaking of tails, I used the opportunity to exorcise this event by writing a story about this event. It is called “Driven to Distraction” and I will be posting this soon as well. A dog plays the leading role.

On a more sombre note, I attended the funeral for Melissa Landry on the weekend. More than 1000 people were in attendance and it was a beautiful, moving ceremony. I had the privilege of singing for the funeral with the Cathedral choir. Rest in peace, Melissa.

Have a great week and count your many blessings.

Posted on January 6, 2014 under Monday Morning Musings with one comment

When do you do your best thinking? On a solitary road trip to the city? During a walk in the woods or a long run on the back roads? Gardening ( not so much in January! ). Early in the morning before the world speeds up or late at night when the house falls silent? At certain times in ones life ( when you’re raising a young family ), it seems like there’s never time for contemplation. For many people, the bathroom in general and the shower in particular, is the place where many ideas are hatched. Coming up soon, the story called ” A Splash of Inspiration.”

My New Years Eve story ” The Longest Day” hit home with a lot of you. I received a lot of comments and it sounds like many of you shared similar experiences.

And coming this Wednesday, is the story “Mass Appeal” which recounts the rituals around getting ready for mass and attending mass back in the day when Latin masses were the norm.

It seems like the weather is the dominant theme these days now that Rob Ford has quietly slipped into the background. It continues to amaze me the depths of whining and complaining that’s out there. It almost seems like people are surprised with the snow and cold. Spoiler alert: we live in a Northern climate. There are many people who have a legitimate right to complain. When the power is out, it is not only inconvenient for people but life threatening for some. The elderly, the infirmed and people who need electricity to run medical equipment like oxygen tanks are at risk.  People with mobility issues are basically held hostage when the roads and sidewalks become virtually impassable. And being trapped indoors can be particularly difficulty for people who suffer from mental health issues.

May I humbly suggest to the rest of us who are blessed with warm houses, food on our table and who enjoy good health…. please give the whining and complaining a rest. It doesn’t achieve anything.

Instead follow the lead of K.G. and make yourself a “gratitude jar” and on a daily basis drop a small piece of paper into it with something that happened to you that makes you grateful. I am on day 5 with my own. The more that you articulate gratefulness, the happier you will become. Go ahead. Try it. You might surprise yourself.

And if you are suffering from the January blahs and a Christmas/New Years hangover ( not a real hangover… the psychological kind ), go and do something for somebody. Help someone shovel their driveway ( because you haven’t had enough of your own to deal with! ). Volunteer for an organization or just say something positive to someone you bump into.

Have a great week.

Posted on December 30, 2013 under Monday Morning Musings with no comments yet

Happy New Year

It has been quite a year for Week 45. We have been writing a regular column for two weekly papers, have been keeping an active website, have done a few public speaking gigs, one significant charity event and the publication of a book. This is not meant to be self congratulatory. Unless there are people reading the material then it is all for naught. So let me express my deep gratitude for all of you who have stayed connected over the past twelve months. Whether it is a “like” on Facebook,  an e-mail or just a passing comment on the street, you are responsible for keeping me motivated.

So what’s in the offing for 2014? I have three major goals for the year ahead. I plan to do volume 2 of “Living and Laughing.” That one is the easiest now that I have one under my belt. A few days ago, I stated a longer term goal of creating a fund that would provide a hot meal for those who need it on a weekly basis. There is a lot of work to be done before this can be achieved but I have always felt that writing down a goal gives a person the motivation to carry it out.

I am also having preliminary discussions with a few friends about trying a “Stuart Mclean” type of show, possibly as early as the Spring. Tentatively, I am calling it “The Week45 Express.” It would be a live show featuring some story telling interspersed with music by local talent. Please feel free to weigh in with any comments.

And of course, I will continue to write stories inspired by everyday events.

Live well. Laugh often. Love Much.

Len