A family filled with fun

Today is my mother's birthday. Last Friday was my birthday,
and this Friday is Sam's birthday. Saturday is Steven's birthday,
and the excitement about this solid week of cake, presents,
and cheer is mounting. Sam is away at school studying acting.
And Christopher, his brother, is in Korea. So although the
family is scattered, the plans continue.

My brothers took my mother out to dinner in Ottawa.
I had flowers delivered to her yesterday, our tradition in recent
years. A nearby grocery store puts the bouquets together,
and they are especially kind and gracious to my mother.

My mother lives alone, with her Siamese cat, and although
she'd deny it she is a strong woman. She manages to do a bit
of gardening despite the constant ravages of deer, racoons,
rabbits, and groundhogs. Although she'd like to be in harmony
with nature, she's frequently at war with large segments of
the natural population around her two acre property. We all
love and admire her, and love the fact that she continues to
prosper, and enjoy the gorgeous view across the river of the
Gatineau hills.

Tonight I should be recalling the 36 hours of labour I
endured with Sam, but isn't that what the morphine at the
birth was for? Instead I'm thinking about what a
beautiful and sweet baby, little boy, teenager and now
almost adult he has been and is. He is a really great
person, and everyone who knows him would agree.

Ocean play

16 x 24 inches

watercolour

The picture I'm showing you tonight was based on a photo
of Christopher, Sam and Steven playing in the ocean in
Nova Scotia. In the photo it was a grey day, but
obviously warm enough that the boys were having
a glorious time. I loved those days, but it's
no longer my picture of our family. Now I see all
of us around a table, out in a restaurant, or on the beach
in Nova Scotia laughing and laughing at the stories we
tell each other. My children are growing into fine young men.

The great thing about being apart is that there will be
even more of these stories when we all reunite, and
they will be funnier than ever.

As for Sam, we're going to see him for lunch on his
birthday weekend, because we're driving down to
join him. He may be a bit weary from celebrating with his
friends, but we'll all be glad to see one another.

Have a having-a-laugh-with-family day.

The cat's meow

Despite all of the work the grown ups in this house do to try
to keep things rolling, and the way we dominate the landscape,
the true heads of state in our house are the animals.

A view of the studio cleaned up for Artwalk




Another view of the studio
during Artwalk

On October 5th it was the cats' birthday. We planned the menu
a few days in advance, and set out to purchase the Loblaws
roast chicken they like so well. We had a festive meal for
the humans, toasted the cats, fed them endless treats of
the freshly roasted bird, got the dog to do her Happy Birthday
rendition (something I've longed for her to do on Letterman
as a stupid dog trick). It was a regular jolly party. Both
animals got presents -- the panther toy Fiona thinks is a
mouse, and the tiny mice with bells that Timbah likes.

Timbah views his 4th birthday cake
with guarded interest

We are a family that likes a party. The boys will both be away
on their birthdays this year, so this lets the cats, and Zoey
get more high quality attention on their special days. It just so happens that
Timbah turned four, and Fiona turned one on the same day!
That is so lucky.

Fiona wonders why her candle is blue

It was a good thing that Artwalk with all of its preparations
and excitement was over, so the house was still relatively
clean, and we could concentrate on what really matters --
family.

After the festivities
Fiona had to retire to her
Princess and the Pea bed
(We were forced to eat the
cakes -- tragically good)

Have a give-your-cake-and-eat-it-too day.