August 24, 2010

Continental breakfasts are surely one of life’s great delights. Whether the table includes pretty linen-lined baskets or plastic trays and mini cereal boxes, it seems wonderful that someone has gone to the trouble of laying out tea, coffee, sweet things and savoury things, steaming things and crusty pastries for me and my family to saunter up to and enjoy. I always feel a little furtive and a little delighted when I can help myself to whatever I want and I don’t even have to clean up afterwards! A hot cup of tea and one or two comforts in the morning, especially if those comforts include butter and/or sugar, are enough to set out on a day’s adventures feeling fortified.

Washing damp towels away from home is the same as washing damp towels at home, but less convenient. 

When you make an effort to communicate with another person, even haltingly, even using not-quite-the-right words and lots of hand gestures, you will get further than when you insist on speaking too loudly and sticking only to what you know.  Make mistakes, you’ll make more friends that way.

Being out of one’s own environment leads to feeling uncertain, uncertainty can lead to fear. I believe that the keys to any journey are an open heart and a curious spirit. Certain people will tell you that this sort of shilly-shally, Pollyanna, naïve, everyone-is-your-friend approach will get you duped, pick-pocketed and misled. Those are the same certain people who hate asking for directions. While I do believe in being smart and careful, I also believe that decision-making from a place of fearfulness will rarely lead you to somewhere truly good.

Cleaning up after dinner is nicer in someone else’s kitchen.

There is truly, even when the floors are dusty and the fridge is empty, nowhere quite as sweet and welcome as home.

Labels/Tags: EarnestGirl, The West Coast Chronicles, postcards, vacation, no place like home

Posted by CatherineJ at 03:42:22 View Comments | Click Here to Comment

August 14, 2010

There is a pair of white balloons with a round pink logo tied to the front of my house. Into the pink string I have pushed a voluptuous spray of silk peonies.  

Aross the street are women in hot pink shirts, walking, some jogging, in clusters, solo, with men at their sides and with pompoms tied into their hair. They are all chatting, calling out to one another, a gorgeous flock. 

The morning is still fresh, clear and bright, truly a day for banners. 

They see me, and the balloons, and we wave like crazy. There is laughter. 

As I arrange the display, I think of my friend, the friends of several more friends, mothers, sisters, the women who never got to hold their grandchildren, the children who grow up without their grandmothers, mothers, aunties. All the women who live fiercely with a shadow carved into their bodies. 

The boisterous journey continues across the street. More cheering. I wave, whoop, swallow past the lump in my throat. 

We all walk on. The balloons nod in the breeze. 

In celebration of, and recognition for the women and men who are participating in The Weekend To End Women's Cancers.

Labels/Tags: EarnestGirl, West Coast Chronicles, A Day For Banners, The Weekend To End Women's Cancers, BC, cancer walk, cheering

Posted by CatherineJ at 14:46:38 View Comments | Click Here to Comment

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