http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFpKFATPwI40&h=6a2ef0cf33f9f99d7d3ade1ecb433166

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFpKFATPwI40&h=6a2ef0cf33f9f99d7d3ade1ecb433166

This is a "memories movie" I put together of my immediate family, extended family and some friends we've had over the years. The photos were "lost" in an archived collection at the back of a closet. I dug them out, brought them home and scanned some of my favourites and compiled a presentation that has since been viewed and enjoyed by many family members!

Meet-up II - Hamilton Beach Trail!

All in all, I'm glad I joined meet-ups. On sign-up my one simple expectation was to connect with other skaters for a social skate and that's what I've done now on two occassions. I would skate regardless of being a member/organizer and in spite of being a member/organizer I will continue to deeply enjoy my solo cruises; however, adding structure, organization and committment to my sport has already upped my participation level. Yesterday I was beat! A nasty tooth ache robbed me of a night's rest and my morning garage sale robbed me of a sleep-in. I could very easily have thrown in the towel after my sale but with an agenda to follow I switched to auto pilot and headed out for my 45 minute or so country drive from Acton to Hamilton!


It was with something of a "tongue in cheek" attitude that I gave the "travel brochure" title of "In Line Skating in Scenic Locales" it's name but the "scenery" aspect of my skate and I'm sure of many others' is a sensory pleasure that complements the child-like thrill of exuberant motion that the sport of in-line skating provides. The brisk skate and the gorgeous trail stimulated enough adrenaline and seratonin for me to complete the 16K skate with complete enjoyment.

Joining me for the second time were Paul and Diane and an additional member, Linda. Linda has only just taken up inline skating and she logged a very impressive cruise yesterday! The Hamilton trail is wide, smooth and continuous. It has no terrain transitions or street cross-overs to make it difficult to navigate for the beginning skater. It takes you past picnickers on the beach, beautifully gardened homes, parks, outdoor volleyball courts, ice cream stands, a public pool, a go-kart track, a water park, snack stands and Baranga's on the Beach - a great, sprawling patio bar/restaurant serving good food with a Greek flare that we afterwards brought and happily sated our 4 ravenous appetites. This venue definitely demands a repeat performance!

5 Years in Acton

Acton has changed a lot since I moved here 5 years ago. Coming from the big smoke with its ever changing skyline I don’t find Acton’s transformation to be exactly explosive. The face of “downtown” (I still smile at that term) Acton has in my opinion become more gracious, inviting and genteel through the many thoughtful touches and embellishments made by the B.I.A., the Horticultural society, the municipality and the local businesses; things like the new sidewalks at the four corners, the vibrant planters along the main thoroughfare in summer, the festive lighting arrangements in winter and the ongoing storefront makeovers.

I like Acton very much. My closest family live here so when my 3 sons and I needed refuge from “an abusive domestic situation”, Acton was the logical choice. I must admit however that, at least initially, I did not like it - not one little bit. The turn-a-round for me was gradual, much like the evolution of the town itself. Over the past couple of years I’ve loosened up a bit. I’ve lost or consciously dropped that bit of urban edge that left me indifferent to the many charms of our very charming town. No longer do I take for granted the brilliant beauty of the town, its parks and its lake in the fall, nor do I steel myself to the silvery lustre of a frosty winter’s dawn viewed from high up on the escarpment.

“Why the change of heart” you may ask? I think the people of Acton had a great deal to do with it. They pummelled me mercilessly with their (pardon my triteness) “niceness” and wore me down with their friendliness! We were here for only 1 month when I registered my teenaged son for high school. What a shock it was to walk into Acton High and receive smiling, full-frontal eye contact from teenaged students – not to mention cheerful greetings and genuine offers of assistance and friendship! As city dwellers, these things were totally beyond our realm of experience. When we walked out of the school, Donnie turned to me, stunned, and said, “Mom, that was freakishly friendly!” I could only agree.

Since then, I’ve been the regular recipient of public hugs, greetings and exuberant hand-waving and horn-tooting as I drive through town. I do business here and my youngest son, 10 year old Kyle, is happy and content with his tight circle of good friends, his soccer team and his Navy Cadet’s group. I have friends with whom I get together for good times and usually really good food. They share the same opinion I have of our little berg – that it's Norman Rockwell come to life and, believe me; none of us take that for granted! So on the eve of my 5th anniversary as an Acton resident I would like to state for the record that I am happy that Necessity conspired with Serendipity to place me where I am today and to thank my lucky stars for a soft landing after a turbulent ride!

In-Line Skating Meet-up

In researching some inline skating info, I recently stumbled across a web-based "social facilitator" called www.Meetup.Com It's organized to connect people of similar interests and provide venues and opportunities for their mutual pursuit. Because my particular interest did not have an organized group, I quickly and easily became the organizer. The following is a description of our first meet.


Meetup 1 – Was it “Worth the Drive to Acton?”

Our inaugural meet up saw an intrepid trio cruise the burbs of Acton last evening. Many thanks are extended to Paul and Diane who ventured out. These meetings are essentially leaps of faith. Without knowing each other above the scant bio details in our profiles we hope and trust that the one common element that brought us together will help us to “gel” and ensure the event’s success. While I don’t think that any of us will be re-writing our wills I can certainly state that it was a fun evening!

We all met at the appointed spot at about 6:50, made our tentative intros and skated nearby for about 20 minutes while we waited for Anne-Marie who did not make it (but will next time, right?) We skated on the wide, smooth streets of Acton’s new subdivisions. There was very little traffic to contend with – Acton “rolls up the sidewalks” at about dinner time! I warned Paul and Diane that the sight of 3 skaters of “mature years” rolling down the streets together might draw a few raised eyebrows but even I was surprised when one younger man laughed and shouted out, “where’s my camera when I need it!”

In what was the first or second skate for all 3 of us, we put in a solid hour without calamity! I think that’s an excellent start to the season. A comfortable cruising speed allowed for some exploratory conversation during which we discovered additional common interests – Diane and I are both avid gardeners, Paul and I are both sailors and, obviously, all 3 of us like to enjoy active, healthy lifestyles. On one particular street a good hill provided a challenge to our skate as we tested our stamina on the way up and practiced our “decent techniques” on the way down – a successful exercise that didn’t require opening the first aid kit!

With our skate over, we decided to head “downtown” (Actonites actually refer to it as such!) We had hoped for a meander through the Old Hyde House but it was closed at the time (Acton – surprise? I think not!) Instead, we went for a “cool down” walk around the track of Acton’s very picturesque lakeside park – the sight of its annual Fall Fair in mid-September (small plug for the home town!) After only one lap of the track though, my growing thirst put an end to the sight-seeing excursion.

We bestowed our patronage on “Tanner’s Restaurant” (it’s all about the leather in this berg). There, we settled in with our “assorted libations” and a few less healthy offerings from the kitchen and furthered our acquaintance. We were joined by some local colour in the persons of Janis and Arlene. Arlene has become a group member with the intention of taking up the sport. “Good for you, Arlene.” I did that with skiing many moons ago and it worked out beautifully. Although the feminine presence might have been a tad too dominant, Paul bore it gracefully and did not seem to mind – AT ALL!

Now, Diane is from Brampton, Paul is from Etobicoke and I am from Acton. Do you think that there could be an underlying connection besides our mutual sporting interest? Do you think that this world is so vast and diverse that there is but a miniscule possibility of encountering deeper similarities? Under normal circumstances, perhaps not but the proverbial “beans” were spilled after a couple of the previously-mentioned libations were consumed and it came out that we are all members (to various extents of commitment and lapse) of the “subversive sect of seven sibling, Catholic families!” Paul even attends the church where Janis and I worshipped/were dragged to as children! When I found that out I was torn between an urge to clasp hands in a circle of solidarity for a resounding chorus of “koom-by-yah” or run straight to the Casino and put my money on the “Lucky 7”!

Sitting here with my coffee on the morning after, dignity in tact, I can happily report that I did neither! At one point in my life I would describe a good day as one in which nothing bad happened. My standards are considerably higher now and last night’s meeting; my very first experience with www.Meetup.Com , did not disappoint:) As the weather warms up I hope more and more “groupees” will find their way to our meetups!

Reflections on motherhood

This is a clip of a response I made to Leah McLaren's recent musings on Motherhood in her Globe and Mail column...


Having children a decision? Every child I had (I had 3 boys, now 19, 17 and 10) was either a surprise or a shock. I knew nothing about children when I had my first at 30. I knew nothing about marriage or domesticity for that matter (but that’s another story). Motherhood is a “crash course.” In the spirit of “sink or swim”, everything you need to know is learned in an instant – in that first 24/7 week; at the end of which you are proclaimed “expert” in the minutely narrow field of YOUR CHILD.

My sons are bright, personable and damn good-looking! When it happened, I knew nothing about being a mother. My first son spoke sentences at 16 months. I thought nothing of it. I thought that the few other children I saw must be “slow.” I learned as much if not more from my children than they learned from me. I learned patience. I learned to listen. I learned the finer points of empathy. I re-learned what it was like to be a child - that was a lesson AND a gift!

From the beginning, I had a sense of how momentous the smallest moments could be. I deliberately freeze-framed some cherished times. With Donnie, my first, it was the 1:00 AM feedings when he would fall asleep after I fed him. His tiny head would droop and I would kiss the back of his chubby neck, lingering a moment as I savoured the absolute peace; knowing in my heart that I would always have that “happy thought” to think back on. With Ryan, my second, I filed away the picture of him running towards me after I let him drop off mail at the post office. Long, dirty-blond hair bobbing as he ran, I held my arms out to catch him and spin him around and around in an exuberant pas de deux. With Kyle, my third, every day is like a gift. I had him at 40. I was in precarious health before being pregnant. It was pointing to MS. As my pregnancy advanced I felt healthier. My symptoms vanished and I have not looked back since. He is my inspiration, my motivation and my personal trainer!

I can personally advocate motherhood even though it’s been a largely single-handed endeavour. I furtively gathered my sons and fled from their father 5 years ago. Over the years my little boys and I have had fun going on “adventures”. This can mean being lost or simply exploring new territory but its fun to be Peter Pan again! It’s wonderful to re-live your childhood.

My first trip to BC

In typical "Judi" fashion, I impulsively booked a trip to BC to visit my friend, Zoe this summer past. It was a wonderful reunion of teenaged friends and I fell in love with the BC interior - I mean, who wouldn't! It's so hot, the winters are much shorter the walking is more challenging - gawd, I'd have "great glutes" if I hiked those hills all the time! Zoe is one of life's "good guys" - positive, enthusiastic, loving. She's a personal care worker - extraordinaire no doubt. She just enriches the lives of anyone she meets both personally and professionally! I couldn't be that engaged and interactive with life and people if I tried! I'm more of a "hit and run" kind of person - examine, analyze, engage, interact, step back, reflect, analyze, interpret...you get the picture.

Now I've always been an active person but my good friend nearly wore me out in her zeal to show me a good time and be the consumate tour guide! And was she ever - drives, walks, tours, shopping, dinners, parties, BBQs, talks, talks and more talks. We even tracked down a few "blasts from the past" and chatted by phone about the good old fun days. I introduced Zoe to the "classic" martini and she wowed me by handling 4 (or was it 5) the very first time while I ended up crashing with the party in full swing!

Not being a seasoned traveller, I had worked myself into a worried frenzy at the prospect of flying again. Two hours or so of measured breathing and semi-yoga trance calmed me down sufficiently to make it through the remainder of the flight. Calm set in at last as we approached Calgary. After that, I took immense pleasure in beholding our country unfold below, confirming all of the geography lessons learned in grade school only to later find that we had largely flewn over the northern United States. Then awe, excitement and soul-moving elation swept over me as I flew over the Rockies for the first time. Snow-capped in July! - stately, majestic, emphatic and timeless - reaching almost it seemed to within my touch - what an achingly beautiful world of wonders!

Of course, with Zoe and her partner, Vic there to greet me at Kelowna airport I was instantly relieved of all luggage - both literally and figuratively. As we savoured the prolonged embrace of "chosen" family my cares and worries of the flight and any stresses of work, family or exes evaporated.