Alone – story #1

It has been showering on and off again all day. Aside for a few brief "outs" with the dogs, and a trip to Morrisburg for some lemonade, we've been reading, and in my case writing.

I am having some sort of writing mania - Spike's story about our trip (I'm on chapter 2), and a short story about a person that I saw. Each story is quite different,  Spike's is fun to write, but I find the other one a bit depressing. Sometimes as we go about our business, a person will catch my eye; there is something about them that moves me, causing me to wonder about their lives. They are usually people a bit down on their luck in some way (at least as I imagine). I've always wanted to capture the essence of my impression and feelings - this is my first try.

~

<edit - I had pasted the wrong version>

He sat in his car outside the restaurant, thoughts of the past and present swirling through his head. He knew he wanted a good meal, there had been too many nights of canned soup by himself in his apartment, but eating alone was always hard, no matter how many times he'd done it. He'd never really fit in anywhere, and often sat on the sidelines watching other people live their lives. Finally, with a sigh of resignation, he stepped out of the car and walked to the restaurant. On his way in he could hear music playing on the patio and quickened his step in time with the beat.

He'd always loved music, it had been his dream to be a performer - Frankie Vallie, Frank Sinatra, and more recently Michael Buble were his idols. He remembered singing in front of the mirror in his room as a teenager, playing his few records over and over until his mother would shout up at him. Once he even tried out for a talent show at school, but was jeered for his efforts. Not because he couldn't sing, he wasn't 1/2 bad, but because he wasn't one of the in crowd, he was shy and a bit of a loner. Not that he didn't long to be part of a group, it just didn't work out that way.

With strains of the music wafting through the restaurant, he ate his meal and dreamed of what might have been. After he finished eating, he walked over to the patio door so he could watch the fun. As he stood there, a woman came inside, and as she passed he asked her if it was a private party. She shook her head and smiled, inviting him to join in the fun.

He walked out onto the deck, passing several couples on the dance floor. Standing against the back wall he watched. He always felt that with his grey hair and sallow complexion that he was like a ghost, invisible; it was unlikely that he'd be invited to join any of the groups gathered around each table.

There was a pause in the music as the two entertainers stepped away, no one else seemed to be taking their place. He felt that this was his chance, a chance to live, even if for just a few minutes, his dream of being a singer. Spurred into action, he sought out the owner and asked if he could sing just a song or two. With her okay, he waited till the entertainers returned so he could have his turn at the kareoke machine, then walked over and introduced himself. A song was selected and as the first notes hit the air, he closed his eyes and imagined himself in another place. The people sitting around the patio became a cheering crowd. Women crowded the edge of the stage. He was a star.

After the song ended he stood quietly for a few more seconds, unwilling to let the illusion go. Reality eventually intervened, and he saw not a cheering crowd, but people gathered in the same groups, talking together, oblivious to his performance. His shoulders slumped. And he walked out of the restaurant alone.

~

Enjoy your week!

Oh Deer, What is Kabira doing outside?

As I was moving about the kitchen this morning, a bit of brown near the pond caught my eye. My first thought was Kabira, as the colour was almost identical. As a doe moved out onto the lawn, with two fawns frolicking at her side it was immediately apparent that I was wrong.

A mad dash ensued - I had to get my camera!

Transfixed by this glimpse into the secret lives of these beautiful creatures, I hoped that one or two of the shots would capture their wild grace. Sadly, they didn’t linger in our sights for long, perhaps the smell of dog became too over powering for her, and they bounded away out of sight.

We felt that our day had been blessed.

 

We are at Riverside camping again. It is warm, hot really, and the wind is blowing like the dickens. There are a few large trees on our site that I’ve been watching carefully, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be coming down on our heads.

As usual the set up went well… but when it came time for the satellite… lets just say that it didn’t go well… we’d better enjoy the tv after all that excitement. (so much for the deer blessing!)

---

Last night we were invited to the Sol de Acapulco for a music night. Alicia had organized for a few entertainers to open the deck. It wasn’t the official opening as the liquor licence hadn’t come through yet – lots of coffee and ice tea was consumed instead - but with some music, and dancing, the deck was christened. On a night like last night (a bit of a breeze, warm, bright moon) I can see it being full of people enjoying our short summer. Add a bit of music and it will be packed!

You can see from the photos that it overlooks an inlet of the St. Lawrence – such a pretty view!

We did deek into the restaurant to get a proper meal (the shrimp special was outstanding), but the lure of the beautiful evening brought us back outside as soon as we were finished. We even got a few practice dance steps in (under the cover of darkness!).

 

“Your growing antlers,' Bambi continued, 'are proof of your intimate place in the forest, for of all the things that live and grow only the trees and the deer shed their foliage each year and replace it more strongly, more magnificently, in the spring. Each year the trees grow larger and put on more leaves. And so you too increase in size and wear a larger, stronger crown.” ― Felix Salten, Bambi's Children

It's the hundred and 47th anniversary of Confederation

Monday afternoon we escaped the heat the classic way – going to the movies. We met up with my mom and some other relatives to see ‘Jersey Boys’. It was well acted with an interesting plot. It took a few songs for the music to grow on me - Frankie Valli is not my all time favourite – but in the end I enjoyed every note, and will buy his greatest hits album. It was incredible to see them produce hit after hit - a creative assemblage of talents. I will admit to have the urge of clapping after some of the music numbers (thankfully I kept my wits about me)!

I started the day yesterday with the onerous task of clipping the poodles. Although I dreaded it, once I got down to business the job went well, and time flew by. Isn’t that often the way – time spent procrastinating is greater than the actual effort required to accomplish the task! The next hair cut will be in just a month – right before we go to Presqu’ile for almost 4 weeks!

Today is Canada Day – a celebration of our wonderful country! I always remember back to the two Canada Days that I participated in on Parliament Hill – 1977 &  1978. I’m not sure exactly how I got involved, it might have had something to do with my friend’s sister, but there I was, singing and marching on the main stage – televised and all!

We were in the same show as Bruno Gerussi, Maureen Foresster, the Irish Rovers, and other Canadian icons that I can’t remember. While the memory of specific details has faded, I do remember the essence.

The song we were singing was an “updated” version of the “Centennial Song” written in 1967 by Bobby Gimby.

CA-NA-DA

(One little two little three Canadians)

We love thee

(Now we are twenty million)

CA-NA-DA

(Four little five little six little Provinces)

Proud and free

(Now we are ten and the Territories sea to sea)

(Chorus):

North south east west

There'll be happy times,

Church Bells will ring, ring, ring

It's the hundred and tenth anniversary of

Confederation

Ev'rybody sing together!

We haven’t gone up to the hill to enjoy the celebration for a few years, but I always keep my ears and eyes on alert for the CF-18s flying over! No luck  seeing them this year though :-(

Spike started writing an essay about our trip to Alberta last summer. He hasn’t gotten very far, but here is a first draft excerpt for comment.

 

My name is Spike, I'm a dog, but they also tell me that I’m a poodle, whatever that is. I've been around for more than a few summers, but last year's was the best.

Summer time is when we go camping, which I think is great fun. When I see my people carrying stuff out to the house on wheels, (they call it a camper), I start to feel excited. But sometimes they take days and days to get all my beds and toys loaded, not to mention my food, so I try to wait patiently... On the day we leave I sense an extra urgency, so then I keep a really close eye on them. Bella and Kabira, my dog sisters help.

We know it is really going to happen when Laura gets out the collars that we wear camping. Then I leap and jump, I just can't help myself, I feel that we are in for an adventure.

Last summer was different though. I could tell that my people were getting ready for something big. It seemed like they were running things out to the camper for weeks. Sometimes is was stuff for us dogs, but often it was boring things. Even if I could count, I don't think I'd be able to count the number of times L. emptied and reloaded the front of the camper. Not even the truck was spared this attention - even our beds in the backseat were changed and rearranged. I wondered what was going on.

I’m not really sure where I’m going with this, but it will be a fun writing exercise, although writing in past tense, dog eye might be a bit tricky.

Happy Canada Day!!!

My dream is for people around the world to look up and to see Canada like a little jewel sitting at the top of the continent. ~Tommy Douglas