Halloween

It is Sunday and Halloween. I know that this area does not have many children out for Halloween but so far I have not seen one child. The light is on, I am eager to give out some chocolates and Michael bought good ones. He picks good ones so that he can enjoy a few before the big day. Michael is away and I am on my own giving out chocolates but so far nothing. I thought that I heard some foot steps but no luck.
Wonder what happened? Did the neighbours on either side turn off their lights and now there is no reason to come to our house? What a disappointment. I do not expect many children but none?
Hope that the rest of you had more.

Schnitzel!

I love to have a good meal of schnitzel once in awhile, too often it is not good. One of the places that we enjoy is the Coffee Mill which has been in business for 47 years. Not always in the same place because of the changes not created by the restaurant. It has been in its present location for quite a number of years.
According to an article by Amy Pataki, restaurant critic of the Toronto Star, it is her favourite restaurant. I feel reassured that it is okay to enjoy a place like this. Sometimes, I wonder if I am enjoying food at a place that has become passe.
Apparently, the Coffee Mill sells at least 30 schnitzel sandwiches at its take out each day. I think that I will add to the count today and get a sandwich after I attend a concert at the University of Toronto. It will be a concert that features an octet by Emil Bernard and an octet by Franz Krommer. Music that my octet has played and hopefully will play again.

Chess Champ spreads love of the game

Yuanling Yuan is a restless chess champion.
The 16-year-old from Victoria Park C.I. recently spent a couple weeks in Russia playing as a member of Canada's team at the World Chess Olympiad.
She ranked 27th out of the 564 female players, the highest a Canadian has ever finished.
When she's not busy being a chess whiz, she busy championing the game which a wonderful aspect of her game.
Two years ago, Yuan founded Chess in the Library, a smart sounding club for smart-sounding people. "I just wanted to do something to promote chess in Canada." she said of the day in spring 2009 when she walked into Brookbank Library and told head librarian Denise Drabkin that she wanted to start a chess club.
Less than two years later, Yuan's idea has turned into a weekly ritual for people of all ages across Toronto. Chess in the Library now operates in 12 Toronto libraries and has more than 40 volunteers.
The program also operates in a library in Ottawa and recently it expanded to a library in Victoria B.C.
Each library has between 20 to 30 participants coming to learn and play chess every week. That's more than 250 people participating in the program altogether.
What a wonderful achievement for Yuan to have given back.

The car

Well, now I can report that the car will cost over $1000 to get road worthy. $400 to stop the noises and $600 for regular maintenance. What is interesting is that the maintenance is $110 to inspect the car but they know already that they are going to want to replace certain fluids and to do certain adjustments. Why pretend that the work will only be $110 when that is only for oil and to look at the car. When was the last time that they looked at a car and said okay it is road worthy. The car is only over the mileage for free work by a couple kilometres but I bet that the particular problem would not be under warranty.
I am not pleased with the work and attitude that it is acceptable to charge so much. We are looking for a much cheaper car when this one gives out.
If there are more problems, will probably tell you what kind of car we are driving.

Wedding

Just got back from the wedding of a dear friend's son. He is 35 and he took his time making the decision but it seem to have been a good one. The wedding took place in a country church built in 1865, near St. Mary's and the reception was in a community hall about 10 km. away. We got to sit at the family table for the groom's side. The bride had a table for her side and because she has a few more relatives the table was a little longer.
Food was served buffet style which meant that you did not have to have more food than you could manage and also have more of those things that appealed such as the mushrooms which were different and tasty.
The wedding was a nice reflection of the families and a pleasure to attend.
Now what was not so nice was the noise the car starting making as we drove to the reception. Luckily, we managed to get home and then drove to the nearest Toyota dealership and dropped off the car. I will call tomorrow morning and see what the problem is. Hopefully, it is not too serious and can be fixed without too much trouble.
As Roseanna Dana said "It is always something!"

Selling Scarves and cards

Finally, I was selling my cards and scarves today at the Retired Women Teachers Luncheon. Last year, the scarves were on sale but because I was working, I was not able to attend the sale. This year, I was there. It was interesting to see what people were attracted to. Will help me decide what to make. The cards sold and I think that I will prepare more plant and scenes. People were interested in the card that is the water purification plant. Wonderful scene. Unfortunately, because I did not take a digital picture I can not upload the picture. One of these days, I will do that.
Now back to the knitting and picture taking and will get ready for future sales. It is time to do more and profit from the time that I spend knitting.

Tennis indoors or out

This is the time of year when tennis transitions. This morning, I will be playing indoors, much too cold to play outdoors when it is only 4 degrees centigrade and then this afternoon when the sun has had a chance to warm things up, it is time to play outdoors. I am greedy and taking every chance that I can to play. In a few weeks, I will be playing 4 days a week which is still good but it will be indoors only. I need to make sure that the other days I get out and do some exercise even if it is walking to the store. Must keep active.
I need to get new tennis shoes as well. Without winter tennis, I would wait until the spring for shoes but with tennis several days a week, I do not think that my shoes will hold up. Oh well, better than getting 5 inch stilettos.
Not sure that I am looking forward to the winter. I think that we were spoiled last winter when we had two small insignificant storms and almost no snow. The temperatures were mild as well. Wonder what this winter will bring.

Yo-Yo Ma

Yesterday, I had the privilege of seeing Yo-Yo Ma do a presentation. A former student invited me to come and attend the presentation. What a wonderful experience to see his joy at hearing others perform. I have a feeling that he was going to explain further aspects of performance in the following presentations that were scheduled yesterday morning. I had lunch and chance to talk to Natalie which was nice. Natalie is a medical student and also very involved in a number of projects. A role model for the rest of us.

Curried Turkey

At long last, we have some turkey. Our friends gave us enough turkey to make Curried Turkey. Love that left over.

Curried Turkey with Fresh Fruit
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Makes: 4 servings

2 cups long-grain rice
3 tbsp butter
2 medium onions, cut into eighths
2 tbsp curry powder
3 tbsp cornstarch
3 cups cubed cooked turkey or chicken
1 banana sliced
1 red-skinned apple, cut into thin wedges

Cook rice according to package instructions. About 15 minutes before rice is finished cooking, melt butter into a large saucepan. Add onions, and sprinkle with curry powder. Saute until onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the bouillon. Blend cornstarch with a couple tablespoons of cold water to make a smooth paste. Gradually stir into chicken bouillon mixture and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth about 5 minutes. Then stir in turkey and fruit. Cover and simmer just until turkey is heated through about 3 minutes. Spoon over hot rice.

That's it and it is a wonderful way of finishing the extra turkey.

Happy Thanksgiving

Here it is Thanksgiving weekend. The last weekend before the Christmas holidays. My goodness who would believe it.
Tomorrow, we are going to visit friends for dinner. What a wonderful surprise to be invited out. For many years, we have gone away on Thanksgiving weekend and this year we ran out of steam and did not make plans. Luckily, good friends invited us and we were pleased to accept. I will bake a cake, a bundt cake because it will travel well. In case, you can not tell we are pleased to be invited out.
Hope that the rest of you have a wonderful dinner and weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving.

Kennedy 50 years later

Can you believe that is 50 years since JFK became president? My goodness the years have passed quickly. Last week, I was in Paris, Texas and picked up a copy of USA Today outside my hotel door. This particular issue focused and the fact that there will be celebrations for the next three years marking 50 years since his presidency. Sadly, on Jean Kennedy Smith remains of the Kennedy clan of JFK's generation. She is the torch bearer along with Caroline Kennedy.
Will be an interesting and sad time of remembrance of good things and I am sure of the fashions of Jackie Kennedy who was very much part of this time of Camelot.
Will be a time to remember what could have been.

Art helps the economic future

Who would have thought that in the recession cultural centres would become economic centres. Brooklyn painter Ran Ortner had never heard of Grand Rapids, Michigan (wonder where he had been all this time?) before a friend entered him a a new art contest there last fall.
Since winning the $250,000 top award in the city's inaugural ArtPrize competition, Ortner's career has blossomed.
Art Prize also provided a boost to Grand Rapids, in western Michigan. the works of more than 1,200 artists drew an estimated 200,000 people downtown far exceeding expectations according to executive director Bill Holsinger-Robinson.
As the nation's economy has struggled amid falling property values, many other communities are counting on the arts as a means of economic development. In downtown areas of Baltimore and Phoenix and smaller towns such as Pudach,Ky, officials see the arts as chance to bring development, grant dollars and people back to struggling neighbourhoods.
It is interesting that communities have little use for the arts when they are thriving, they are seen as a frill. They depend on for profit companies. Artists are expected to manage on their own but once the economy falters, arts are supposed to be the source of development. Time to rethink this attitude.

Bassoon lessons and other opportunities

Today, I will be giving my first bassoon lesson of the school year. Next week, I might be starting another student as well. Wow, who would have believe that this could happen. Should be good. At the same time, I received an e-mail about playing chamber music with the orchestra. Not sure that I will make that commitment. Right now, I am trying to decide about my commitments and as strange as it sounds I am having trouble balancing all the things that I want to do. One sign is that I have not written in this blog for several days. Not because I have nothing to say but because I have not got the time. Too many things to do and take care of.
Time for the lesson.
More later.

Luggage recovered

If there was any doubt, thought that I would let you know that my suitcase was returned. Spoke to the person who returned it and he told me about someone whose suitcases were missing for 26 days. How does this happen? I find this fascinating since the airlines are concerned about terrorists and making sure that luggage goes on the same plane as the person. Now, when I turned in my claim form, I was told by the official that 98 per cent of the time suitcases arrive with the person. That is not very comforting because that means on a large plane, 2 people will not get their luggage. Hopefully, it will not take 26 days to match the person with the suitcase but you begin to wonder what happens. I was lucky that I could manage to be home. Not sure what would have happened if I couldn't.
As I mentioned earlier, my packing plans are very different. I am going to become very good about my packing. I have friends who will impressed with the change.