in the 'hood

that's the grandparent-hood...have been in it almost 4 years with darling #1 whose birthday approaches and as it approaches, so does the arrival of darling #2, his little sister due October 1st...this is one of the nicest 'hoods to be in; once you arrive you get to stay and enjoy all the associated perks: falling in love with a new person, holding their hands, hugging them, bathing them, listening to their little sounds then attempts at speech, singing to them, making up stories for them, reading to them, watching them crawl, then waddle along then walk, run, climb; shopping for them - all these activities are legitimate and encouraged. So, you can enjoy your Bel Air, Pacific Heights, French Riviera, Arrondissement # whatever, Central Park, Kensington Palace Gardens, Westmount, Forest Hill, Rosedale - I'll take the grandparent 'hood any day.
this image is from an almost-completed oil painting of darling #1 at the beach

The Annual Birthday Celebration - covers at least 1 week

what fun it has been to celebrate this most recent birthday - a few of the highlights: as a guest of Gerry and Lucie I attended the 5th Annual Patsy Cline Birthday Party at a Toronto night club, the professional performers each paid tribute to the late PC by performing one of her recorded songs, a highlight was by a female jazz guitarist who did her rendition of "I Fall To Pieces" all the performers were excellent, and so was the company and the dinner. Next night was a lovely dinner on an outdoor patio in the 'hood with Marg and Tony and today Margaret and Brink hosted me to a tasty brunch at University of Toronto's Hart House Grill, yummy menu! As we exited that historic building on campus, a carillon recital began from the Soldiers' Tower. Take a Gravol and watch my shaky video to hear some of the heavenly music.