• The Vinyl Cafe returns in 2021

    Missing Stuart

    July 18, 2021 / No Comments

    I’ve been a fan of “The Vinyl Cafe” for more than 20 years. I own all of the CDs created during the long run of the CBC radio program as well as most of the books written by host Stuart McLean. When I’m out in the garden, putting away groceries or baking something special, I’ll turn on one of the old “Vinyl Cafe” podcasts that I’ve saved from when the show aired live and virtually. M and I faithfully listen to Stuart spin his wonderful holiday tales while we drive around the neighborhood on Christmas Eve, laughing at the characters’ antics even as we marvel at the lighting displays. We’ve even named our Wi-Fi network after one of the show’s fictional businesses (Wong’s Scottish Meat Pies).

    While Stuart has been dead for more than four years now and his show has been off the air for nearly as long, his words and stories haven’t left my life.

    Still, I was thrilled to receive an email from Jess Milton, Stuart’s “long-suffering” producer, bearing the news that the CBC Radio was bringing back “The Vinyl Cafe” and airing fan-favorite episodes this summer. Just thinking about the return of Dave and Morley, Stephanie and Sam and all of the other characters who appeared in these oh-so-Canadian tales filled me with joy.

    So imagine my surprise when I downloaded the first couple of episodes of the podcast this morning, hit play and instantly burst into tears.

    Oh Stuart, it’s so nice to have you back, even in this small way. You are truly missed.

  • Lasagna

    Quote of the day

    July 17, 2021 / No Comments

    “If you put a lasagna on top of another lasagna, it’s no longer two lasagnas. It’s one giant lasagna. That is the power of lasagna.” –Bob Heller

  • Christmas lights

    Dreaming of a white Christmas

    July 13, 2021 / No Comments

    It’s that time of year — Christmas in July — and I’ve got mistletoe on my mind.

    The maples and elms are full of leaves, but I’m already thinking of snow-covered pines, silver tinsel and golden garland. The fireworks have barely stopped echoing in the sky and I’m dreaming about taking our annual trek to the tree farms to find the perfect evergreen and driving around town to look at all the beautiful displays of light.

    I want to plan my Christmas menu, combining traditional favorites with soon-to-be future classics. Or smell freshly-baked cookies that must be eaten warm with a large glass of milk. I’d like to trade in this tumbler of sweet tea for a massive mug of hot cocoa tinged with cool peppermint.

    I long to sit on the couch, snuggled under blankets and cats, while black and white holiday movies play on the television. I’d much rather light a fire while a wintery wind howls outside than turn on the air conditioner once again.

    If I concentrate, I can almost hear the silver bells that ring when the front door opens. The scratch of pens on paper writing pleas to Santa Claus or sending good cheer to family and friends. I yearn to listen to the carols of old while decorating the house in Currier and Ives fashion or wrapping presents in tartan paper and shiny bows.

    But since it is Summer, I shall have to settle for placing the order for our annual ornament, knowing that in a few short months, it will be added to our family’s collection.

    I can’t wait!

  • braces

    Bracing for the future

    July 8, 2021 / No Comments

    After fainting last fall and breaking my face, I had to undergo extensive dental work.

    Anyone who’s spent significant time in the chair understands how unpleasant this process is, ranging from routine and annoying to “Running Man” torture. My time there has involved several pulled teeth, healing from a fractured jaw, agonizing pain, high anxiety from needles, the application and tightening of braces and the addition of elastics.

    Unfortunately, the amount of dental work I need to be done is nowhere near complete. I am, in fact, facing at least another year of it and that’s before the braces are removed and two teeth are pierced into my jaw with metal screws. By that time, I’m told my underbite will be a thing of the past. My teeth will be properly aligned and I’ll be able to live a normal life again (albeit one that involves wearing a retainer for the next 50 years).

    Alas, eating is no longer a pleasurable experience. Due to the repairs, I cannot bite into anything. Food must be cut into small pieces and carefully chewed. I cannot consume nuts, popcorn or almost anything crunchy or chewy because that could easily damage the braces. After each appointment, the limitations on my diet are even more substantial and I have to subsist on soft foods like mashed potatoes and applesauce.

    When I am able to eat a proper meal, everything gets caught in my braces or between the wires and my teeth, which creates uncomfortable pressure on my entire mouth. And as soon as I’m finished, I then brush, floss and reapply the rubber bands to the metal brackets.

    Eat, rinse, repeat.

    This whole affair has not only been unpleasant but it’s also taken a detrimental toll on my finances. Yet I push on because really… there’s no alternative. I must be patient and hope it’ll all be worth it in the end.

    In the meantime, I don’t even like to smile anymore.