Saint Sundin

Nothing makes me feel more Canadian than a Leaf's game - and I got a full dose of it last night! They entirely outplayed the Islanders but it was to no avail, losing in a shoot-out. But I did manage to get a clip of Sundin during his shoot-out moment (and on his birthday!). The crowd does love him (as do I)!

Relive the Molson moment here - and that "woo hoo" sound? Just me:)

Is It Really About YOU?

Well, the Dixie Chicks must feel an overwhelming sense of vindication after their fistful of awards at last night's Grammys! You go girls!!



It got me thinking though. About you. Not just you. I mean YOU. As in Time's person of the year is YOU! And if it really is about you. Here we are - 2007 - supposedly living in a time and place where everything is about YOU, where you are free to ping, text, blog, video or even utter face-to-face anything you want and it's ok. Except it's not really ok. At least not without the acquiesence of the greater informal majority. If the Dixie Chicks, with all their power in the American music industry, can get fired by their once adoring American neo-con fans, think about what can happen to YOU!

Now, I do not agree with the approach Natalie Main took to communicate her message. It could have been more thoughtful, less emotional - but it was right because giving her opinion, in a free country (even if she was, physically, in the UK), is her right. It's your right. Afterall, this is about YOU (remember?)!

I wonder what Voltaire would have thought.

The Baptism

I took a writing course a few years ago, the professor a published poet. It took no time for her to move from prose to poetry and she encouraged all of us to test its economy. I chose to write about my youngest daughter's baptism. I already had a few false starts attempting to articulate the day through prose. The results were unremarkable, displaying my penchant for the cumbersome and excessive. So, I took some poetic license (ha ha - yes I know that was bad!!) and came up with the piece below.

The exercise helped me focus better on my subject, let me feel her impatience, and despite all that, the sheer beauty and elevation of the moment. Sacraments often laud pageantry, and while I absolutely relish such acestheticism, it is often at the expense of my reluctant little stars. But then there are moments of sheer transcendence, when I feel the full circle of life and think " I would never do it any other way."


The Baptism

Living Water, blessed oils
Splashing from sacred urns
A call to everlasting
Destiny for her soul.

Silken gown, graceful lacery
Flouncing, flitting in the air
Ribbons jostling 'round wet lips
Tasting luxury of rare linens.

Pious hand, resting forward
Gentle on her delicate brow
Lavishes gifts of Holy Spirit
Enduring love and eternal grace.

Jarring sideways, restless twist
She tries to move away
Anxious for the doorway now
Curiosity wins!

And then a light, a melting beam
Sacramental towing line
Brings her back, facing forward
He anoints her with the Sign.


At the risk of drawing your attention to my weaknesses [if they aren't already obvious!!], my prof's comments: "Succinct use of language. Perhaps play with some lines to tighten the rhythmic flow [i.e. she thought I was getting wordy at the end of the second stanza - actually the end of most stanzas, in my opinion]. Suggest reading it aloud to help you accomplish this. Another thing you might try is a series of haikus as your piece is so beautifully visual!! Your ending image is wonderful! Lovely!"

Did I ever improve on it? Naaah. But I did like the idea of rewriting it as series of haikus. Now there's a challenge in austerity! Who knows? You may see it again, version 2, in the not too distant future. Or perhaps I will try a net new piece for my next great circle of life moment - First Communion. Just the thought of it makes me cry! Oh well, if I can't handle the all the emotion, I'll just focus on the dress. See? Pageantry does have purpose!

New Beginnings

To all visitors - I extend a warm welcome. It has been a while since I chose to simply write for enjoyment. Work takes my ideas, my writing elsewhere - no creativity there. So here I navigate a different path - one less analytical toward the unexplored.

I hope this site becomes both an entertaining and insightful experience for those that choose to visit and spend time here. Take away and leave behind what you wish. New ideas are always welcome!