“…Courage, my word. It didn’t come, it doesn’t matter. Courage, it couldn’t come at a worse time.”
Courage – The Tragically Hip (For Hugh MacLennan)
I don’t know how much of a lot of Canadian music always makes it out of Canada sometimes, but the big news here this past week is the announcement that a nationwide musical icon has been diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer. I just figured I would share one of my favourite songs from Gord and his band. I learned something new and interesting about the origin of the song “Courage” and it seems apt.
I know I have looked to these lyrics, searching for courage at different times in my own life, and now it appears courage “couldn’t come at a worse time” for Downie.
😦
Here’s what I learned about a Canadian writer who inspired “Courage” the hit song:
Onward and to my thankfuls for the week and there are some, for sure.
For just how good my parents really are to me.
I honestly, sometimes, feel I really don’t deserve them as my mother and father. This was brought home to me in a big way this week.
I was on the phone with my mother early in the week about something. When I hung up, I found myself feeling emotional about how they have always looked out for me, in both big and small ways, and how even now they are preparing for the future. It is a hard thing for me to think about sometimes, how much they have had to worry about me, but that’s how life goes. I can’t fully express, as we’re in the middle between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, still upcoming.
For that ability to turn on my AC when spring suddenly makes the leap into summer earlier than one might have expected.
For a local, provincial television station.
I guess it’s like PBS or something, but again, this one would be something only those living in Ontario, Canada would likely be aware of.
I watched this channel since I was a kid and now I watch it for so many fascinating nature, science, social issue and travel documentaries. I love a lot of their historical programs. I learn a lot, as far as media goes, from TVO.
For the sharing of ideas that make me better and believe I deserve to strive for more in my own life.
Lidia Yuknavitch: the beauty of being a misfit, TED2016
This woman’s words made me cry because I’ve felt out-of-place too, many many times in my life, but I still want to believe I will figure out where I fit in.
For hash tag Greatertorontoday and the good deeds that were done.
All across the city of Toronto, for one day, acts of kindness were done for others. I would hope this isn’t just a one shot sort of a thing, that it could go on for more than just one single day, but it was nice to hear the reporter on the Toronto news reading the Tweets from the random acts of kindness that were happening.
My feelings on Toronto as a city run deep, but I know it has a great respect around the world, for its multiculturalism. I hope this, in itself, helps people to realize we are all human and deserve the same kindnesses shown to us all.
For gestures put forth and peaceful acts, amongst so much nasty rhetoric and angry attitudes throughout the world.
First, mid week, it was nice to see Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, taking one day off during his trip to Japan, to celebrate his anniversary with his wife.
Many thought this worth commenting on, criticizing, but I was glad to see that he values his relationship with his wife, while still performing his duties for Canada.
But then came the real uproar, at the end of the week, when President Obama visited the site of the bombings, on Japan, at the close of World War II.
Misinformation spread like wildfire, that he was offering an apology. He was simply pausing, at a place of great significance and destruction, while already in the country on official business.
It was the respectful thing to do. I know all the arguments, I realize I didn’t have loved ones directly affected by Pearl Harbor, but I know when peace is called for. I’m thankful he made the gesture.
For several more steps forward in the planning and execution of this podcast idea with my brother.
We did a trial run and it was not bad, but I couldn’t truly focus until I was happy with the name and then my brother’s friend reminded us of something memorable, an image that comes to his mind when he thinks of our family: Ketchup on pancakes.
That’s right. It’s a family favourite around here, for breakfast, or whenever.
🙂
Our podcast is officially “Ketchup On Pancakes”.
So now we think we’ve figured out the microphone issues, settled on a catchy name, and have begun a proper outline for our introductory episode. We hope to record next week. I am excited and just hope my brother doesn’t get sick of me too quickly, as I can actually see this podcast going somewhere in time.
For a rebounding, a super positive, as in my latest violin lesson.
Sometimes, you’re just not feeling it. Other times, everything, the energy in the room, it seems to flow and I leave feeling super pumped about this choice to learn to play the violin at thirty-two years old that I’ve made.
That was the difference between the previous lesson, as I prepared to play Happy Birthday for my sister and this latest lesson, where I felt I could handle it, whatever it may be, and I took in every single word and concept my teacher explained to me.
For the support (past, present, and future) of audacious women writers, editors, dreamers who make their dreams come true and who show me guidance and kindness along the way.
Every week, twice a week, I read one particular website religiously. I have been trying to get a feel for the sorts of essays they publish, in the hopes of writing one. I have the idea all ready to go and again, this week, I came across one essay and it spoke to me, being about a similar topic.
Well, the editor of the site has been supportive of me submitting (actually resubmitting, as I was rejected early on, but feeling more and more confident to try again), as she seems to be encouraging me to give it another shot.
And, of course, there is my long developing support from an editor who reads my blog occasionally, who has followed my progress, and sounded intrigued about the podcast.
And…
For the premiering of a brand new website, publication, and a truly panoramic take on literary travel writing
Panorama: The Journal of Intelligent Travel
The word “panorama”, as I’ve understood it in the past, seemed out of my reach, as something visual. Now, I see things differently with this project,, begun and run, in part, by my writing mentor.
I may actually have used the following quote before, but again it fits. It is all about the writing, the courage, the courage to write.
“Writing is the only thing that when I do it, I don’t feel I should be doing something else.”
—Gloria Steinem
Her Headache 
