Nov 25 - Dec 14, 2013 - Photo A Day Project

'Tis the season to be busy. Fa La La La Lahhh, La La La Lah!  :)

The past three weeks have been such fun! Although I was only one of a team of 12 awesome set-crew folks at Ottawa Little Theatre's production of Christmas Belles, my co-crew-chief status kept me engaged in some capacity each day of its three-week run. 

There were fill-ins and prayers for ill and injured teammates, worry over mystery lighting problems, and concern that the great cast may actually have meant it when they teased us about attempting to upstage them. There was pride as we watched the actors become their silly, Texan characters, and bewilderment as audiences laughed at and actually applauded our simple, frozen poses. But mostly, I felt the warm fulfillment of being a part of a creative production that brought a bit of lightness and cheer into what is often a stressful time of year. 

Last night was closing night, so -- at least for awhile -- it's back to "normal life." Bravo to old and new theatre friends! Hope to work / play with you all again soon.

Here, now, is my three-week catch-up of daily snaps. :)

Nov 25 - Quirky

My delightfully eccentric best GF!

 

26 - Message

"Brrr! Letting me in now would be good."

27 - No!

Poor White Pine couldn't handle the first heavy snow this year.

28 - I am Grateful for ... 

Home with my dear Pierre, Copper & Penny.
Snow. This glorious life. :)

29 - Black

Meeting my new friend, Marta, and her pups,
Monty & Mylo at the dog park.
At 8 + months pregnant, she was feeling
like a big, black wardrobe!

30 - All Done

Patrick, my stepson, finishes
U.S. Thanksgiving Chinese dinner.

December!

1 - Red

The front door gets festive.

2- Where I Stood

The motivational speakers at MoMonday Ottawa. We joined them
on stage at the end of the talks for a round of "All You Need Is Love."
Yep. I sang on stage. lol!

3 - Silver

Mary Beth / Rhonda Lynn sparkles onstage and off!

4 - Tiny

Christmas Village where Catzilla regularly naps

5 - In the Cupboard

Penny checking out the paper recycling

6 - Shadow

Wonder whether the neighbourhood Zellers will become a Target?

7 - Six O'Clock

We three crew chiefs carpool to the theatre

8 - Where I Shop

Picked up dinner after working the matinee
from our favourite Ethiopian Restaurant: The Blue Nile

9 - This is the Weather Today

Another layer of lovely snow!

10 - R is for ...

Roses ... dead and alive! (By the way, those mini-roses
flourish outside! They even over-winter in Ottawa.
Hearty little fellas!)

11 - Green

Our buddy, Grey, bundles up to head home after the show.

12 - Joy is ...

Building Christmas Traditions

13 - Composition

The sound and light boards and their designers and
operators who help create the magic.

14 - Drink

Cheers to closing night of Christmas Belles --
a toast to all with Peppermint Schnapps and Cocoa!

Oct 14 - Photo a Day - Makes You Laugh

Rick and Nancy Chuckle Together

ROFL!

What a treat it is to find people who crack you up.

I've been told throughout my life that I'm far too serious... or intense... or sensitive. In truth, I am all of those things. There are many things that "the general population" finds hilarious which seem cruel or simply sad to me. Sit-coms usually don't qualify as comedy in my world. The things that make me laugh are goofy, off-the-wall, and strange to many.

 What I have learned though, thank goodness, is that I am far from alone. The longer I live, the more people come into my life who share my sensitivity and values. I'm blessed to have a partner who not only finds me funny, (an amazing thing in itself) but makes me grin, chortle, and snort. That feeling of finding kindred spirits -- those whose oddities are similar to yours -- is affirming and freeing, and that in itself inspires laughter.

Spending time with happy, loving people is truly a delight. Discovering partners-in-weirdness makes the journey so much more fun. And the best thing to help lighten the somber contemplation of our out-of-balance and somewhat uncertain future is a grand guffaw.

Oct 13 - Photo a Day - Landscape

Cottage Country

This past weekend we had the great honour of being invited to our friends, Rick and Nancy's, family cottage. Resting on the shore of the beautiful Severn River in "cottage country" north of Toronto, this sweet haven was Nancy and her grandparents' summertime home when she was young. Naturally, the area has become much more populated and the cottage itself is getting some necessary face-lifts, but the memories and feeling of a loving family's country get-away remain.

Saturday afternoon we were joined by three other fellow motor-sport-enthusiast couples and two low-riding long-haired dachshunds. Oscar and Ernie graciously handled Copper as he towered over them, and they all seemed to enjoy the extra canine company. Once everyone had settled in, nine of the ten of us, plus all three pups, climbed aboard our hosts' comfy pontoon boat for a final river cruise of the season. The views of gorgeous autumn foliage and river-side homes (and toys) totally overshadowed the bite of the chilly breeze. It was truly a photographer's dream, and a wonderful, relaxing boat ride.

What is a friends- or family-gathering without a feast? As expected, we all ate too much delicious lasagna and salads and followed the meal with pumpkin pie, bread, and coffee cake, topped with fresh whipped cream. Such decadence!

Cottages in Washington State are called cabins, and this weekend reminded me of my grandparents' cabin on gorgeous Lake Chelan. Wooden walls, tiny bedrooms, a fireplace, and a central dining table whose leaves and extensions created room for plenty of company were all so familiar. Many of my childhood summer weekends included a rousing card game of "Oh Sh*t," a form of rummy, which Rick and Nancy allowed me to add to their cottage's repertoire.

With Friday's brief display of snowflakes making winter's beginning obvious, we're feeling quite blessed to have experienced this end-of-season retreat, and are once more grateful for the generosity of dear friends.