Sweetest Pea

Oh, Canada!

I had a wonderful Canada Day this year.

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a deep love of country music. I have said that in my next life I would like to come back as a country singer. I can easily credit country music for giving me my Canadian citizenship. My Dad was born into a rough Belfast neighbourhood in the 1950's. He grew up watching John Wayne and The Lone Ranger. While his classmates were listening to The Beatles and The Stones, my Dad was spening his "pocket money" on Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings records. He has always loved the West.

Fast forward to 1989. My Dad is now married with three children under the age of eight and a good, secure job. He realized that if he didn't do it now, he never would. So, with a childhood desire to see the West and a lot of support from my Mum, off he went to spend a month in Canada. Two weeks in Calgary, folllowed by two weeks in Toronto. He fell in love with Calgary and the Rocky Mountains and hated Toronto. Eight months later, on May 23rd 1990, we all moved to Calgary. Ten years after that, my Dad bought a small acerage in the Foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and a few quarter horses. He now spends his time living the country songs he so loved when he was growing up in Northern Ireland.

I was raised on country music. I adore it. And Corb Lund could quite possibly be namesd my favourite country singer/songwriter. He is so, so great. He makes so many clever, craftly little refferences to Alberta. Whenever I've been really homesick here in Toronto, I listen to Corb nonstop for a few days. Walking around downtown or sitting in the subway, listening to him talk about horses and rodeo and a "Little Foothills Heaven" keep me going. And on Sunday, Canada Day, I was able to personally thank him for keeping my going while living in Toronto. It was amazing. And he signed my official Corb Lund comic book.

Happy, Happy Ending

Go over to Rachel's blog and read her entry from April 13th, 2007.

Okay, read it? Horribly, horribly sad, isn't it?

Now, go and read her entry from June 27th, 2007.

What a story. I'm sure anyone with a pet can understand what a miracle this story is. But our pets are so much more than just furry little animals we share our home with. They are our family, our happiness, our hearts. I love my pets and the pets I have had over my lifetime. I have so much love and happy memories with Sport, Tess, Flopsy, Hammy, Freddy, Tango, Tip, Tiki, Jake, Josie, Toby, Rosie, Sophie, and my Henry.

A Sweet Summer

Can you believe it is almost July? The "Big Move" back to Calgary is quickly approching and we've only packed one small box. We are both in agreement that we need to purge. We brought too much stuff with us when we moved to Toronto, a lot of it still in boxes statshed away in closets. I'm not even sure what is in half of them. So, slowly, we need to pack. I hate that part of moving.

The TOAE is weeks away, so Sean has been locked in his studio, not getting home until after 3:00 AM each day. I miss him! We had breakfast together this morning. He gets so focused on his work before a show it can be hard to connect with him. But the work he is producing? Beautiful.

I have been working on a shrug. I am knitting it in Manos yarn because, well, the Dream in Color Yarn selection at Lettuce Knit seemed a little picked over. I just couldn't leave the celadon green Manos on the shelf. It is a simple, cleaver pattern and I'm flying through it. I plan to wear it to a wedding in August. Socks are on hold. They just hurt my wrists too much to work on right now.

I kind of applied to Librarain school a few weeks ago. I am now on the waitlist, but doubt I'll actually get the call before September. I am so excited about going. I feel like this is the right career path for me. I can incorporate my love of children's literature and books and crafting and the arts together. I can give my energy to something that does not create a monetary profit for someone else. I'll reapply for next year and hopefully be on my path towards a career I'll love.

Hello Spring

Spring arrived in Toronto this week and we are so happy to see it. It seemed like the entire city came to life. It has become lush and green and fresh. I love the variety of plants and trees in Toronto. I love Calgary, but nothing can compare to the Maple trees here.

Sean recieved his acceptance letter from the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition. I had so much fun doing the show last year. I love to talk about Sean's work with other people. He can be so modest about his work, I feel like I need to sing his praises for him! A role I am happy to play. Just look at for yourself:

We need to talk about knitiing. So, socks seem to be the knitting project of the year. Everybody is doing it. And I love the look of knitted socks. I love the idea of knitting socks. After five attempts, with Socks That Rock no less, I have yet to knit something I'm happy with. Why? Maybe I need to try the two circulars method? I am enjoying the process. I just hope the poor yarn can can take another ripping and reknitting.

Fresh Start

I've had a blog before, but it always felt like homework to update. I did not really enjoy it and I felt guilty about neglecting it. Because I had told a few friends about it, I was always writing with them as an audience in mind. This felt too contrived, it was not as natural as I was hoping a blog would be for me.

I want this space to be a place I can explore my ideas and interests. And if a week or two goes by without an update, it is okay.

For the past few months, I have had a lot of ideas and questions about myself and where my life is going. I am in transition. I am 25. I think that speaks volumns about what I am feeling. I could ramble on now about who I am, what I do, etc. but I think I will just let the details slip as I write.

I should say that I am a horrid speller and editing is not one of my strengths. I have a degree in English literature because I love to read and then think about what I have read. My writing could use work, I do understand this.

Thank you for coming to see what I'm doing, I hope you stay a while. Please say hello.