Posted on July 30, 2015 under Thursday Tidbits with no comments yet

Big bike….. great cause!

 

 

The first “back to school” flyers arrived in the mail the other day. Can the Halloween flyers be far behind? Back to school means different things to different people. If you are a parent, the mere thought of preparing school lunches may induce the urge to have a second ( or third! ) glass of wine with the evening meal. If you are a seven year old, September seems as far away as Pluto. The summer seems endless and moves at the pace of molasses. If you are a teacher , the end of July is the first harbinger that school is just around the corner. Intellectually, you know that there’s still a month of holidays left but school is lurking in the deep recesses of your mind.

With these things in mind, I thought that this would be a good time to write a piece about the phenomenon of going back to school. “Class Act” is the fictional tale of a teacher who returns to school in September. Not only will she be teaching a new grade but she is going to a new school. Some of you may know that I was a teacher , once upon a time, so I’m in a good position to write this one.

Now, you know Pat Evans. The response to “positively Pat” was overwhelming. You were inspired by her story as was I when I first met her. Here are a few comments that were sent to me:

“Well, Len, this attitude in a person who has endured severe physical hardship and restricted mobility makes us aware that our minor aches and pains are less than inconveniences. You often find an appropriate word or phrase in a song that you sing/or did sing. One such comes to mind here: When you’re weary and you can’t sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep. And you’ll fall asleep counting your blessings. The lady deserves all the praise that comes her way for her positive attitude to life. “

“ Len, what an incredible lady! Hopefully you will be able to persuade her to come to Antigonish in the fall. She is an inspiration to others and we have much to learn from people with courage, perseverance, optimism and fortitude. Keep finding people like Pat and add hope to a world that is in need of heroes and heroines. Thanks for sharing Pat’s story.”

I will keep you posted about a possible visit from Pat to Antigonish in the fall.

My third book is in the hands of my book editor and is scheduled for release in late October. I haven’t finalized the title so if you have any ideas, please send them along. If I choose your title, I will send you a fabulous prize!

Which is a convenient segue to my next topic: merchandise. Now women, don’t get excited. The prize is NOT a crocodile leather handbag from Hermes. And, no guys, you won’t get Leaf playoff tickets (!). The prize is , a soon to be released, “limited edition” Week45 baseball cap. These will be on the market soon. I expect long lineups at fine retail establishments once the launch is announced…. and pigs fly!

Ok. Last thing. If you are having a reunion some time this summer or fall ( would someone please tell me when summer arrives? ), bring me along to your gathering. I can tell stories from my books and also play some Maritime music.

Have a great long weekend and hope to see some of you next Monday 3^rd. at 2:00 at the Visitor Information Centre for “Tales and Tunes.”

Posted on July 23, 2015 under Thursday Tidbits with no comments yet

“Go Go” the gorilla getting his teeth checked at the dentist’s office

 

 

I’m in training… again.

No, I’m not going to run the Boston Marathon again. Those days are in the rear view mirror. I love to walk and have a hankering to go on a long walk. I was in Western Newfoundland a month ago. The Trans Canada Trail happened to pass through the property of the people we were staying with. The trail goes from Port Aux Basques on the west coast to St. John’s on the east coast… a distance of approximately 900 kilometers.

I got to thinking that a walk across Newfoundland would be an adventure and might make a great book. My plan would be to walk 20-25 kms. each day and stay with locals in the small towns and villages that dot the landscape. In exchange for a room for the night, I would have my hosts tell me some stories which I would include in the book. I’m thinking that I’ll try the first leg this fall ( Port Aux Basques to Stephenville ) .

Michael MacDonald is a character. There are lots of Michael MacDonald’s but as far as I know there is only one by that name in Red Islands. Antigonishers will remember Joe Sam’s hands. Now , Michael’s aren’t quite as large but they are mitts, for sure. He has used them for labor, in the ring and holding a fiddle. I think you will enjoy hearing his story which I’m working on presently.

You’ve heard the expression “ opportunity knocks but once.” I am here to dispute this claim. In an upcoming story called “When Opportunity Knocks,” I will review the long and storied history of the Opportunity Shop. I have dropped off bags of clothing in the outside bin over the years but never spent much time inside the facility… until I spent some time researching this story. I learned a lot and there will be some things that surprise you too, including some of the interesting things they’ve found when they’ve opened the bin in the morning!

Week three of the Antigonish Art Fair is happening this Friday at Chisholm Park. The crowd at our last fair was close to 1400 and we’re hoping for another big crowd this week. Come on down and enjoy some amazing ethnic food, lots of great art, an awesome kids corner and lots of live entertainment at the gazebo.

I’m still digesting the two hours I spent with Pat Evans. Pat is a wonderful, warm and witty woman who lives in George’s River, Cape Breton. She is one of the most positive people I’ve ever met. She had a terrible accident thirteen years ago when she hit a moose and instantly became a quadriplegic. While she was robbed of her independence, it hasn’t stopped her from inspiring lots of other persons with handicapped along with her care givers and everyone else she meets. Her story “Positively Pat” will appear in an upcoming edition of the Cape Breton Star as well as on my website.

I am trying to convince Pat to come to Antigonish to give a talk at the library. I will keep you posted.

Can someone explain, where and how July evaporated?

One more thing. When is the last time you visited the Antigonish Visitor Information Center ( VIC )? Like a lot of locals, I haven’t been there in a very long time, until recently. Let me tell you this: it is a gem and one of the most interesting Visitor’s Centres I’ve been in lately. I reckon that I have been in 20 or more in the United States in the past year alone. On the holiday Monday at 2:00 p.m., I will be putting on a show called “ Tales and Tunes” at the Antigonish VIC. Grab a chair and come on over. I’m hoping to have a few musical guests and will do some story telling as well.

Have a great weekend.

Posted on July 2, 2015 under Thursday Tidbits with 2 comments

Searching for turtles at the river behind Columbus Field

Another Canada day has come and gone. As I wandered through a glorious day filled with sunshine, it dawned on me that we take so much for granted. Many people in the world can only dream what have come to expect here in our small corner of the world:

. When we woke up, the air was fresh and clean and we could see the sun… no smog here

. We had running water and electricity enabling us to have a hot shower and a fresh cup of coffee

. No one was dropping bombs from the sky or terrorizing us

. There was ample food on our table

. Our home was warm and dry

. We were able to walk freely down our Main Street and see smiling, welcoming faces at the Legion pancake breakfast

. We were able to walk into a drugstore and find shelves teeming with the necessities of life

. Our economy is strong. I went into our financial institution and withdrew cash

. We shared breakfast with people of different cultures and beliefs

. I sat at the gazebo at our apartment and read the paper. Freedom of expression is paramount. Even old geezers like me and Phil can write a weekly column for our local paper

. Did I mention all the green spaces in town and the beautiful flowers that adorn our downtown?

. A person is welcome to worship at any of the area churches

. We have several playgrounds for children to play in and excellent athletic facilities

. When we get sick and require medical care, it is just around the corner and paid by our tax dollars… not just rich people have access to top notch care

. We are a community that cares about its most vulnerable citizens

. We are blessed with talented musicians and artists.

. We have beautiful beaches and hiking trails galore

. Everyone was wearing the red and white yesterday. We’re a pretty patriotic bunch

I hope you realize it folks. We live in paradise.