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What's Hot October 15, 2019

Life, Write, Life in 50s

Writing falls down the hill of priorities.

Life, Write, Life

Family, jobs, house, pets
Sleep, read … write
And hope that life somehow works out
If not for life and all its business
There’d be more time to write
No doubt
But, if not for life and all its business
There be nothing much to write about
Right, life?
Right

When I start something, I like to finish. Articles, plays, musicals, poems, love letters to myself… can take forever. So, to satiate cravings, I pop Fifties: 50 word pieces; short sweet and (sometimes) easy to complete.

Quick Fixes

It’s nice to write
But writing takes time, which is tight
So, rarely does paper meet pen
That’s the reason
That’s the rhyme
In my mind, at least
I write all the time
Sometimes, to get my kicks
A fix
A hit of Bliss
I’ll do a 50
Like this

I love to write about things I love.

Love

I’m in love again
For the very first time
We’re a perfect poem of rhythm and rhyme
Walking on sunshine and feeling nothing but fine
I’m completely enraptured; my spirit’s been captured
Who’s stolen my heart, like a thieving thug?
Not a woman this time, but my new dog, Doug

Doug is ten, now, and we love him more than ever.

I wrote an homage to dandelions, thinking they were innocuous, little miracles, subjected to gratuitous poisoning and character smears. Then, my friend, Mr. Trott, told me they’re an invasive species. I’ve been thinking about it, for a year, and I stand by my Fifty.

Weeds

Dandy lions are the pride of the pride
Dandelions, however, we cannot abide
Why? Mother Earth cried, horrified, mortified
Each beautiful, edible prize should be glorified
Not denied, vilified and plied with pesticide
Dandelions provide fresh, free fare, far and wide
Rather than genocide
Why not love what I provide?

Sometimes, I write about justice, equity… Other than make me feel better, it doesn’t do much.

Keyboard Hero

I ensure the poor overcome their plight
I find the blind and give them sight
I take wrongs and make them right
I challenge evil and win the fight
I help the one who gave us light
I save the day every night
I’m a one-man army when I write

I’ve written Fifties about my mighty girls, naturally. I wanted each piece to look like the tip of a mighty sword or a mightier pen.

Dear Erin

Be the best you can be
Look beyond what you can see
Remember, the truth will set you free
If necessary, go for an eye, nuts, or knee
Look up to the sky, splash in the sea
Smell the flowers, hug a tree
I love the girl you call me

Dear Claire

Be nice, sit up straight
Stay outside, play until late
Don’t be afraid of love or of hate
Celebrate, create, date, debate, fascinate
If required: deflate, berate, annihilate, obliterate
Shoot real straight, pull your own weight
Turn off the lights, lock up the gate
You my girl are truly great

Fearlessness is a quality I admire. I like bees, as well, so they got a Fifty.

Why Try?

Bee! Why are you trying to fly?
Your wings are too tiny for flight, I’m afraid
Came the cry
Are you talking to me?
I ain’t afraid
Said the bee
And he took to the sky
Boy, could she fly
Now, the bee feeds the world
That’s why
You try

I have a friend, who writes, but is afraid to share her work because of, “What people might say.” She’s not the one who should be afraid.

Critical Karma

What you fail to comprehend
My conspicuously critical friend
Certainly, victory is sweet
But so is defeat
At least we’re trying
Dying on our feet
You lack the courage to go deep
A shallow grave ye shall reap
And you’ll never ever rest in peace
Never know an artist’s sleep

Perseverance is another quality I admire.

Easy Steps To Success

Get back in the saddle
Reload and re-aim
Return to the battle
Get back in the game
Have another crack
Take another swing
Try a new tack
Climb back in the ring
Quick, quick, lickety split
Get back on your feet
Don’t think of retreat
And never, ever, ever quit

I got into regenerative writing for about 50 seconds. It was ridiculous, but I got a 50 out of it.

Regenerative Writing And A Great Blind Date

If you’re writing to regenerate
Recall the evening you tempted fate
And with eyes wide open and back real straight
You bravely embarked upon yet another blind date
Although it was something you expected to hate
To your delight it was wonderfully great
Now write to create a similar state

I’ve always been hyper. To me, it’s normal, but…

If I Were A Boy Today

Experts would say, He’s ADD, OCD, ADHD
He’s a monkey in a tree
He’s destined for a killing spree
Look, he can’t sit still
Prescribe another pill
There’s something in there we must kill
There’d be white collar thugs
Preaching kisses, prescribing hugs
And pushing piles of white collar drugs

Who doesn’t love sports? Kyle Lowry, Bobby Ryan and Josh Donaldson were on highlight clips, recently. All had poor father figures, but have turned out well, breaking a cycle.

Kyle Lowry, Bobby Ryan, Josh Donaldson, Woody Harrelson…

The apple falls close to the tree, it’s true
But, sometimes, as falling apples do
They hit a bump or rock
Then roll
As if on a stroll
To the edge of a knoll
Then spill down the hill
And come to rest
At a place where trees grow best

Life has one rule; it’s two words, but I used 50 to explain it.

Be Good

Be good at night
Be good all day
Be good at work
Be good at play
Be good when they’re watching
Be good when they’re not
Be good while doing
Be good when you plot
Simply too simple to be misunderstood
Two little words:
Be good, be good, be good

In a recent conversation with a colleague, we agreed, Toronto is losing its allure, for one reason.

Dear Neighbour

I’m afraid you’re stuck
Lanes and lanes of cars and trucks
Parked on highways and byways
Holy moly
Hog Town is snarled, snarling, crawling, stopped, blocked
Thoroughfares are parking lots
From sunup to slumber
Toronto is bumper and bumper
Subways, buses, LRTs
Tolls, taxes, HOVs…
Toronto, fix your transit
Please!

Or don’t. I prefer walking The Bruce Trail, through Hamilton, anyway.

Sunlight’s shining between trees
Or casting shadows on fallen leaves
I see and hear beautiful birds
While in my head, I play with words
Sometimes, it feels a little queer
As if my God is very near
Little else is quite as good
As being alone out in the wood

Henry David Thoreau made a good point about the pursuit of happiness, so I wrote a pointed Fifty about it.

Thoreau’s Point

If you desire a natural high
A springy step and twinkling eye
Stop chasing a pie that is up in the sky
Stop dreaming of things you’d like to buy
Take your device and wish it goodbye
It may not be easy, but give it a try
Simplify, simplify, simplify

Indeed, less is more.

Pruning

Prune your plants and they’ll grow well
Prune your urges to kiss or tell
Prune your friends if you’ve got too many
Prune your rude if you haven’t any
Prune your appetites for things and food
Prune your desires whatever the mood
Prune to be stronger
Prune to live longer

I misplace my wallet, keys, glasses, phone, mind…regularly.

Technically, Not A Handicap

Already late, but still scuttling around
Looking for something, which can’t be found
Help!
Where did it go?
It was just here ten seconds ago
Mother has it and gave it to me
It runs, alas, in the family
Things, of course, could be worse
But absentmindedness is a curse

Pessimistically, I’m hopeful.

I Hope

I hope I live for another day
I hope my girls are always OK
I hope I’ve something worthy to say
I hope the world sees things my way
Someday
I hope I’ll hope until my dying day
I hope, I really hope, I hope I don’t hope life away

I know what I like.

I Like

I like coffee and herbal teas
I like toast with stinky old cheese
I like parks with beautiful trees
I like birds, I like bees
I like mountains, I like plains
I like sunshine, when it rains
Cars are fine, but I like trains
I like people with kindly brains

I like to rhyme, too. It started early. As a wee one, my mother read me Dr. Seuss and I can’t enough.

An Addiction?

I’m in too deep, I suppose
I very rarely think in prose
I’m addicted to rhyme and rhyme all the time
Every word heard
Claims my brain
Here we go again
Perhaps not an addiction
More an affliction
Or peculiar condition
Regardless, it’s free, it’s fun
And hurts no one

That’s all, for now. I’ve got a million things to do. Right, life?

Right.

News July 19, 2018

GO Transit allowing dogs onboard until October

Looks like your pups will now be allowed on the GO trains and buses for a trial period after a petition surfaced asking to allow dogs onboard.

A petition was published calling for 30,000 signatures in support of allowing dogs to ride on Go Transit. Technically dogs are allowed on GO Transit, which the petition acknowledged, but only if they’re in crates or licensed service dogs. GO Transit specified previously how the reason for this was to ensure the safety of its customers and for liability reasons.

“This policy does not serve GO customers and is short sighted. Crating a dog is unrealistic because some dogs may be too large to crate in portable crates and are too heavy and owners will struggle to carry them or if they are crated, there is no place to store the crate when the owner arrives at their destination,” the petition stated. “Leashed dogs are allowed to travel on the TTC, allowing dog owners to travel within the city without a car. With the growth of the GTA and excessive traffic congestion, GO Transit customers need to be able to move across the city and into surrounding communities without using a car.”

The petition went on to suggest that GO Transit could designate several cars as being “dog free” while having the rest of the train accessible to dog owners.

To date, the petition received 25,483 signatures.

Metrolinx has since updated their policy to allow for dogs to travel on GO Transit. Their updated policies state that from July 20 – October 15 people will now be allowed to bring a maximum of two leashed dogs on weekdays and holidays between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. They will also be allowed to ride from 6:30 p.m. until the end of service. Outside of those hours, Metrolinx asks that dog owners revert back to the old policy of having dogs that can fit in your lap or that can be placed in crates.

Additional rules state that patrons and their dogs need to be seated on the lower levels of trains and buses, they would obviously need to pick up after their pet and ensure that any dog is kept close by without causing any disturbances for others.

“We aren’t making any changes to our service animal policy. Service animals are welcome on board with their owners all day, every day, and must wear a vest and have identification from an accredited training organization,” the statement read. “Throughout the pilot, we’ll collect and monitor feedback from customers and staff to help guide our future plans. […] We’ll let you know if we make any permanent changes to our policy about travelling with your pets.”

Though nothing is permanent, you’ll be able to participate in GO Transit’s trial period starting this Friday.

Health & Fitness January 20, 2018

Should you go running with your dog?

On a typical morning before work, I am out the door by 5:30. The Vancouver streets are quiet and mostly deserted, except for a regular runner ahead of me with a frisky, four legged friend at his side. The pair always look happy, enjoying each other’s company on these cold winter mornings. They were like dance partners in perfect synch, running step for step. It made a delightful picture. A dog may be the most reliable companion to share in your running journey, because they are always ready when you are.

Does this image inspire you to run or walk with your dog?

There are many benefits to running with your dog, including keeping you both fit and enjoying bonding time with your favourite furry friend. They also provide comforting security, especially for women who run by themselves in secluded areas. But, before going for that run or walk with your wiener dog, dachshund, or pug, however, knowing the dos and don’ts of running with your pet could save you both a lot of grief and injury.

According to Vancouver-based veterinarian Dr. Kathy Kramer, you can’t just decide one day to go running with your dog. Owners need to be committed to their pet first. “Running requires training, since most dogs like to sniff along the way and get easily distracted,” she said. “Not every dog is cut out to be a marathoner. Common sense dictates that while you may try to run with your border collie, you would leave your bulldog or Chihuahua at home.”

The best runners are athletic breeds, or dogs over 20 kilograms, Kramer explained. It’s important to do your research. For example, greyhounds are sprinters and not long distance runners while labradors, golden retrievers, border collies, and German shepherds may enjoy the freedom of a marathon. Larger dogs like great danes or mastiffs won’t enjoy running because it will put pressure on their joints.

Training for any distance requires following a proper program, and it is the same principle when running with your dog.

“Dogs also require conditioning like people do,” Kramer said. “A person would be crazy to start out by running 10 kilometres, so don’t expect your dog to do it! The same wear and tear that affects a person’s joints will affect a dog’s as well. Acute injuries, such as soft tissue sprains or ligament tears can happen quickly. As the dog ages, the percussive forces of running can cause arthritis to start at an earlier age.”

When you and your dog encounter someone on the trail, it is best to pull off to the side to let them pass without interacting. A dog might be occasionally spooked and one should not assume others want your dog to greet them. People will feel safer when the lead is shortened.

Some smaller breeds will love running and some larger dogs would rather be couch potatoes. A good running companion depends on personality, stamina, and overall health. Dogs with high stress levels may not be able to run in the city. Dogs that are prone to heart disease should be thoroughly screened for starting a serious exercise program.

It is also important to remember that dogs are stoic creatures who won’t show pain or discomfort until there is real damage. Heat stroke is the biggest risk during the summer. Dogs only sweat through their footpads and can easily overheat, even in normal temperatures. Always have water handy for your dog anytime you run. If your dog is limping, call your veterinarian. Sprains or ligament tears can be very painful even though your dog is not crying out or will let you touch the injured limb.

There is some debate about the best age to start training your dog to run. Most dogs have finished growing by 16-24 months. Kramer says if you start slow and on a soft surface, you can start to train the dog at around 12-18 months.

Will you try running with your dog this spring? Let us know in the comments below!