Digging Roots Nominated For A Juno

My good friend's daughter, Shona,(whose birth I remember as if it were yesterday) and her partner, Raven, have been nominated for a Juno. Together they form the group, Digging Roots, Congrats, you guys!

Hey Mag!

My dear friend Maggie from Newfoundland paid me a visit last night. She was in Toronto for the premiere of a play her sister, Jillian, is directing in Toronto and made the sidetrip to NOTL for some risotto and wine. I first met Maggie when she came to live with us as a nanny (not at all the sort that sends little ones to the naughty chair, though). She became a friend. She's all grown up now and has two bright and rambunctious boys of her own, the younger one named Jacob Patrick after my two. She's a real dynamo, works in the communications biz, is finishing up her MBA, rows, is an excellent mother (having had my kids to practice on) and still finds time to kick back. Doesn't blog though - pity.

So Long Friend

I last saw Eric a couple of years ago at a reunion of our tight little group that had worked together on the children's unit at Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital well over thirty years ago. Working there was tough and the adverse conditions had drawn us together, much like soldiers in wartime.
I was pleasantly surprised that most of us looked much as we had all those years ago although the hippie apparel was long discarded. Eric, everyone's best friend, came with his guitar and his bottle of rye and we got drunk and we sang and, for that moment, it was like nothing had changed much. He was the last one to hug me and wish me well when I left and he meant it. We had a good time and, somewhere in the back of my mind, I thought we'd do it again. If we do, Eric won't be with us. My buddy, Jorja, just told me that he died. I believed her but still had to Google his obit to make sure it was true. It was.
Old friends are best friends, even when you don't hear from them for years at a time. I'm sorry I won't get to see him again.

Welcome Home Bailey

Bailey, the daughter of very close friends, is back from Ghana where she was doing valuable work. Here's a photo of her there.

Family

Cousins

The only positive thing to say about funerals is that it brings families together. The memorial service for my mother did that - all her children, grandchildren and siblings and some of their children were there. There's been a diaspora so people had to make a real effort to get to Montreal and they did. It was also good to see some of my mum's friends. She left Montreal for Arkansas twenty years ago but there were still some who remembered her fondly. I was the crybaby and there were so many to comfort me. And the sun came out - a real bonus at a graveside service.

My Friends are Great Grandparents!

Jack Anthony

....and they're younger than me. Are we shifting places in the generational sandwich? We used to be the filling and now we're the bread. Eek!

Digging Roots

"Those who have experienced the music of DiggingRoots agree that they have witnessed something unique and exceptional. Their self described style of “Odeimin Music” or heartbeat music pulls the rhythm of this land base into a bold, moving, and at times, defiantly honest voice. A history lesson has never been this stirring, and uplifting. Clearly these two are making their mark as up and coming innovative artists."

ShoShona's parents are my friends and I've known her since she was born. How remarkable that she's developed such talent - I know that Ron and Bambi are as proud as can be. She and Raven are playing in Toronto tonight as part of WinterFolk :

February, 5 Time: 5:00 pm
Stanley's Lounge

Click on the link below to find out more and listen to some of their music.