Judy Price is Writing

Recently, a miracle baby was born into my family which was shortly followed by the sad passing of a more elderly life.

Three years ago another baby was born on a date with numbers that when interchanged signify the meaningful passing of a soul close to him.

All of these individuals are genetically related to one another and three of them to me.

On the day of the earlier of these births, as I stood on a dock overlooking a glistening lake, the most glorious double rainbow appeared before me which encircled the heavens overhead and the lake beneath me, forming a perfectly magnificent double circle of colour.

Birth and death of course are parts of the same cycle of life.

What happens before and after each of these events is a mystery revealed only to the participant, the traveller.

However, as one who is open to receiving signs of life from the universe, particularly those in nature, I truly embrace whatever is presented.

My life experience dictates that the most colorful rainbows follow heavy downpours from cloudy skies.

Silence as we remember those innocents who were tragically murdered ten years ago this morning…

TIFF began once again Thursday evening.

This annual film festival has made Toronto a global hot spot in September .

Celebrity star watching is a favourite pastime of many, who not only line up for hours to catch a glimpse of the famous, but also frequent clubs, restaurants, hotel lobbies, and even the local Yorkville Starbucks with the hope of sighting a star or two   No pun intended!

I, on the other hand, have inadvertently in recent years crossed paths with an actor I admire, while walking the Bloor Street sidewalk after leaving a local health food store.

One never knows where, when or how a star might just be seen!

Last night I experienced another type of stargazing during my first night hike.

As I was looking for something different to do on a Friday night, that would reward me with a pint or two after a moderately fast paced 15 kilometer hike, I decided that a group in north Toronto would provide just the right event.

In fact, with clear skies that cast a bit of cloud to create a heavenly sunset, and a nearly full moon to guide the way, this hike turned out to deliver more than I had anticipated.

Wandering through virgin territory with only a flashlight to illuminate the wooded trail that lay before me during some of this trek, as my gaze turned upward I witnessed what I cannot see in the well lit city night sky.

The stars turned out in stellar quality and quantity, reminding me what true stargazing is all about ;p

A state funeral has been planned for the leader of the official opposition political party.

This honour has been reserved for few dignitaries in Canada.

Jack Layton is one of those.

His accomplishments as the first NDP federal leader to surpass the other opposition parties in his run to rival the race to lead the country is an astounding feat.

He defeated the Bloc in Quebec and parliament, as well as the Liberal party.

His sheer tenacity and optimism served him well in his fight to bring social injustice to light.

He kept the other party leaders accountable.

Prior to entering the federal arena, he had a long history in Toronto fighting at City Hall for his beliefs.

It has been noted that whether one agreed with him or not, Jack had an engaging quality to communicate with all.

Obviously, people listened even when other politicians chose not to do so, specifically in Quebec.

His sense of humour, smiling eyes, and especially his down to earth style with everyone, particularly those experiencing the battle with cancer that Jack Layton bravely faced and unfortunately lost, will be sorely missed.

Gone too soon . . . .

This summer has seen absolutely perfect cottage weather!

Unfortunately, a lakeside retreat has not been possible for me, which has motivated me to discover other activities of interest.

When not hiking in woods, I have taken to air and water to pursue these passions.

Flying an Ultralight aircraft, although fun, is not nearly as free and peaceful as soaring 2000 feet above the earth with a bird’s eye perspective of the 360 degree horizon, feeling only air currents beneath me as they lift me higher, carrying me into the heavens.

Hang gliding provided me a rare glimpse of what life as a peregrine falcon could be!

Sailing on water, as well as in air, soothed my soul this summer.

Learning to manoeuvre a 36 foot Beneteau whet my appetite for future sea adventures.

As I watched vast expanses of water before me in perpetual motion and heard lapping waves against the boat, I relished every moment.

I am reminded of that saying in life, “I cannot control the wind.  I can only adjust the sails.”

Enjoy the ride!

“Age is just a number”, my daughter assures me! 

At her age I could have said the same thing, and believed it.

Throughout my youth I always dated boys/young men older than me.

In fact, I was barely out of my teens when I married my first husband, who was three years my senior.  It just seemed that with my maturity level this was the natural order of things.

When almost three decades of marriage ended and I re-entered the dating scene, I once again gravitated to men older than me.  Only now I seemed much too young for them!

At this stage of life’s journey, my age expectations are almost non-existent, provided the younger men whose company I find myself enjoying have no problem with my number.

Some believe I am their junior until they determine the reverse to be true, and then cannot handle the possibility of being with ‘an older woman’. 

Others don’t give age a thought.

The men who date women a decade or two, or even three, younger than their own ages, would never refer to themselves as ‘predators’ or ‘dirty old men’, as some women perceive them to be. 

Yet, when these same men view women dating in a similar fashion, some label them ’cougars’, which conjures a negative image of ‘huntresses’ on the prowl for young males.  

Once again the old male-female double standard adage rears its head! 

The first time I was referred to as ‘an older woman’, while my daughter wondered aloud whether a seven year age difference would be problematic for a man she thought might be a good match for me, I looked around the room to see where this ‘older woman’ could be hiding!

Since I feel ageless most days, and genetics have been kind to me, I do keep them guessing, at least for a while.

Then, when I refer to my ‘first’ husband in conversation I usually get a double-take. 

If asked whether I have a second (or third) husband I answer, “Not yet!”

Or, on a shy day/date, I might reply, “I am my former husband’s first wife since he has a second wife, which makes him my first husband”.

In retrospect, he actually might end up to be my ‘starter’ husband

Couldn’t let this date slip away without a Happy Independence Day wish to all of my American friends and neighbors wherever you may be located!

Just know I did a little celebrating myself today on this perfectly beautiful summer’s Monday.

My attire wore a bit of red, white and blue to honor you. 

Of course some hiking was included which was satisfying enough, although less arduous than on Canada Day

Yesterday marked the 144^th anniversary of the confederation of my birth country.

No better way for me to celebrate that perfect summer’s day than hiking through forests alongside waterfalls, traversing up and down the rocky escarpment in Ontario, my provincial birthplace and home.

When I decide to undertake a 20+km trek on a hot sunny day, I don and tilt my Tilley hat as I begin my adventure.

I’ve mentioned before that I feel a little like Indiana Jones when I gear up this way. 

Since I am not from Indiana nor is my last name Jones . . .  well, you get the picture

By the way, as businesses were closed on this Canadian holiday, I have no idea whether or not my province’s costs increased yesterday!

I do know that Will and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, graced my nation’s capital city which, for those of you who are unfamiliar with Canada, is also located in Ontario. 

Their royal presence alone ups our value considerably! 

We treasure and appreciate them.

The charming prince and his bride having chosen Canada for their first official overseas visit as a married couple, is indeed a priceless gesture

A very Happy Canada Day to all, belated yet no less sincere!

To all of the men who have not only positively impacted me, but also the lives of many others, especially children, I write this note of appreciation.

Fathers and those who assume the roles of guide, guardian, mentor, protector, disciplinarian, and friend are very important people in the lives of those they encounter.

These men provide strong role models in the childhood of both sexes.  Their behaviour speaks much louder than their words. 

The boys they influence will act accordingly.  The girls in their lives will as well.

The greatest gift that fathers and all men can give is to be unconditionally loving and present to all whom they touch.

Today marks a day of remembrance in the States of all of those in the military who have sacrificed their lives for freedom.  A tradition since the end of the Civil war.

In recent years their numbers grow daily.

When tragedy strikes and civilians lose their lives in any circumstance, it seems appropriate to remember them on this day as well.

Honoring the memory of  each individual means living the most honorable, love-filled life one possibly can, expressing gratitude for each day as it unfolds . . . .