Posted on September 16, 2013 under Monday Morning Musings with no comments yet

Honestly. I have made every attempt to be politically correct over the past year. I have tried to avoid demeaning remarks and cheap shots. After all, my intent is to entertain and not provoke or inflame. I saw a comment on Facebook on the weekend that caught my eye. A friend from Halifax was expressing disgust and outrage at the level of discourse from our provincial politicians who are in the throes of an election. The negative advertising which is so pervasive in the United States  has crept into Canadian politics and it’s not going down so well. When I saw the comment I felt I had to weigh in so I immediately penned a new story called “Playing in the Mud.” Coming soon.

I was at a family dinner yesterday and heard a story that I thought was hilarious. It was about a couple who were going through an acrimonious divorce. That’s no laughing matter but when it came to dividing assets, they reached an impasse over the piano. “Playing the Same Tune” takes a look at what happened to the piano. Not an easy thing to divide.

I have submitted the last of my stories to the editor of my book and we’re still hoping to publish in late October. In addition to the paperback version, I am hoping to make it available as an e-book.

I am also working with a web designer and you should see a new look in the not too distant future.

Phil and I did a dry run of our upcoming show at a local senior’s apartment building this past Thursday. We had a great turnout and were well received. I have a few surprises up my sleeve for the big event.

Have a great week.

Posted on September 14, 2013 under Storytelling with one comment

We live in a capitalist society.  We buy and sell goods.  In some cases we barter goods and services.  And, of course, there is the ever present “underground economy” that thrives on cash transactions, far away from the peering eyes of CRA (IRS Lite).  And if that isn’t enough economic activity, there are flea markets and yard sales.  You are either a yard sale type or you’re not.  There’s no in-between on this one.

In our house, one person lives to go “yard sailing” and it’s not me.

I stared at the counter and saw what had to be the world’s smallest slow cooker.  This was on a Saturday morning so I had no doubt where it had come from.  After a long and reasonably happy marriage, I have learned that not being inquisitive is a good thing.  But, I’ll admit, I did the old head scratching thing wondering why we needed a dwarf slow cooker to go along with papa slow cooker, mama slow cooker and baby slow cooker.  I mean, how many slow cookers does a married couple need at this stage of the proceedings with all of the eaglets out on their own?

More than three, I guess.

I have learned a lot about the sub culture of yards sales.  You can never have too many of one item.  Case in point:  Iggle Piggle. Even Ken Jennings of Jeopardy fame probably doesn’t know who Iggle Piggle is so you can be excused for having that stunned look on your face.  Iggle Piggle is a character from a British children’s show called “In the Night Garden.”  Rather than have me try and describe him (her?), just go ahead and Google the name.

One of our granddaughters lived with us for two years and regularly watched this show.  She became fond of all the characters but none more so than Iggle Piggle. To satisfy this craving, my wife bought an Iggle Piggle doll, and then, the feeding frenzy started.  In relative short order, the number of dolls multiplied, like mitosis on steroids, most of them purchased at yard sales.

Why?  Sorry.  I don’t understand calculus either.

Which brings me back to the teeny weeny slow cooker.  After two days of it tantalizing me from the kitchen counter, I had to ask the question.  And I did.  And I got an answer.

How often do you use a slow cooker?  Once a month?  Five times a year?  Or is this a wedding gift that you have pondered re-gifting because you already have enough of them to cater a wedding?

I was told that this newest prized possession was for the use of a new tenant in our household, an education student.  “And what are the chances that he will need this cooking vessel on the same day that we have all three of ours on the go?”  As is the custom, my comment was dismissed.  A stern rebuke was not required.  The Look said it all.

Too many crocks spoil the broth.

Posted on September 12, 2013 under Thursday Tidbits with one comment

Have I mentioned the big fundraiser coming up on Sept.26th. at the Schwartz auditorium? Only about 10 times. Two weeks from today is the day and tickets are starting to sell. If you want to make sure you get in, get your tickets early and while you’re at it, invite a few friends to join you. Phil and I are planning on doing a dry run of the program this evening at a senior’s apartment building. Remember…. every penny raised goes to charity. Phil and I have waived our normal exorbitant speaking fee!

Do you like going to yard sales and flea markets? Do you ever buy something that you really don’t need? Do you ever buy more than one of the same items on successive weeks? Do you ever end up selling things you bought at a yard sale at your own yard sale? I have come to the conclusion that you either love yard sales or you don’t. There doesn’t appear to be a grey area on this subject. So, in our house, there is one of us who LOVES yard sales and the other person is me. My better half arrived home recently with more “treasures” and I paused when I saw one particular purchase. I know better by now, not to ask why. It’s like asking “why do you breathe?” I thought it would be much easier for me to explain all of this by writing a story. Coming this Saturday ( yard sale day ) is a brand new story called ” It’s Just a Crock”

Also coming soon is the new story I recently wrote about CJFX radio station and some of the characters who worked behind the microphone in years gone by. It is called “In The Shade of The Chestnut Tree.” You see, the only thing separating our old family home from the radio station was a chestnut tree. Do kids play in chestnut trees or any other trees for that matter, these days? If you are of a certain age, you will remember all of the people in this story.

On a more serious note, someone stopped me the other day and suggested I write a serious piece on people who text and drive. It is a real problem. I’m sure you’ve witnessed this. I think distracted drivers have overtaken drunk drivers as the major threat on our highways and byways.

If there is one of my stories that you think I should read at the fundraiser , let me know. I’ll see if it passes censorship!

Have a great weekend.