22 yrs...

Saturday, June 28, 2008, will be my 22nd sobriety birthday. Next to the birth of my son,it is probably one of the most significant days of my life. I'll celebrate at my group, have cake etc and then go for a ride on Bobbie-Jo. Would have liked to spend it with Beth, Jackie, Don. Matt. to mention a few, I guess I'll have to go see them when I can, until then, I am where I am and will enjoy myself nonetheless with those who are here in Edmonton with me now.

Time passes...

This past weekend, June 21st, 2008, I spent the weekend with my son and family, which is something I rarely do because we all live so far apart. My son continues to amaze me...

Matt and I were invited to participate in some activities to commemorate Aboriginal day, which was okay, although we both agreed to reconsider such invitations again...for various reasons. I can't speak for Matt. My experience with these speaking engagements is that they are becoming redundant. Motivational speaking engagements have a place but I'm too busy living and staying motivated to take time from my life to talk, blah, blah, blah, especially when I'm speaking to the converted. My time is valuable to ME.

What the hell is Aboriginal Day anyway ? I'm part of the human race and have no time for segregation, I would rather HAVE FUN and celebrate our humanity !

I also took time to RIDE and Bobbie-Jo was a hit, everyone wanted to ride her but I only have a single seat, DAMN.

I got a sunburn but it was worth it...

Here are some pics from the weekend.

Life....

Been some time since I've wrote on my blog...life has a way of sidetracking me. Lots has happened and its all good. I will add something soon, until then, I'm healthy and happy!

blessings

Another holiday season successfully over...I found the cure for my blues. Take a trip. Soak in the hot sun on a beach and swim in the ocean, care for myself and be happy, grateful...which I am most of the time, grateful that is. The waves soothingly relieve me of stress, real or imagined and stroke my every worry away. It was an amazing time and now I have something to look forward to at this time of year, a holiday. Somewhere hot and by the ocean. Upon returning to Canada I was that much more grateful for LIFE. After all life is what I create and now that I feel invigorated and rested, this year will be a creative and prosperous!

Got the X-Mas Blues?

For the past several years I've chosen not to celebrate Christmas and do so without guilt. I only make a half hearted effort when my son is with me...otherwise its a depressing time of the year, in fact, its the most depressing time of the year for me. I'm not a Scrooge, I merely will not buy into the consumerism and marketing pressure of the corporate world. If I have a chance to spend time with loved ones due to the holiday, I will and do, without strings. Logically, most people have time off during this holiday so naturally this would be a time for people to visit etc...what matters to me is making the most of the visit, without being overwhelmed to buy - buy - buy!!! My love and time are priceless...
As a child, (and I know my lack of HO HO HO is tied to this)...Christmas meant being without, not to mention the drinking, fights, hungry, and a deep hollow feeling of inferiority because we never had much, or parents who behaved like responsible parents...sober. I recall a couple Christmas's where things were somewhat normal...whatever normal is...normal for me, as a child, was as simple as feeling safe and cared for. Never mind the gifts and food.
So ya, it left a bitter taste in my mouth and as an adult I realize this season is a marketing strategy, we're inundated to spend. Advertising is merciless, via radio, television, stores, billboards, newspapers, add infinity.
At the end of the day, there is always a child who is without. I say thank God for the agencies and people who try to make a difference to a child. Santa's Anonymous was our Santa Claus and if it were not for this charity, we would have been without many times.
Thank you to those people who make time for children and families who are without...if anything, this is the spirit of this season...sharing and caring for one and other, our time, love and laughter. All of which are priceless.
No one needs the stress of spending if they can't afford to and I know many people who can't and yes, it is enough just to spend time together.
I don't think I'm alone with these sentiments. I have given myself permission not to acknowldge the mirage of this season in the stores...as a result, I enjoy myself and no longer stress over it...

Writers - Poets and Legends....

My recent trip to Saskatoon left me homesick for Saskatchewan, again, and sadly I was unable to spend time with several people I care a great deal for. This weighed heavy on my heart as I drove back to Alberta. I'm not torn between two Provinces, I'm torn between three. B.C., Alberta, and Saskatchewan. One day I'll decide where to settle down and then spend time traveling and visiting.

I attending the 2007 Anskohk Aboriginal Literature Festival, hosted by the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company and was honored to facilitate a workshop and participate in a reading during the coffee house.

There were legends, poets and writers throughout the week, it was inspiring and amazing to mingle among them.

Legends - 2007 Lifetime Achievement Recipient, Basil Johnston, affectionately referred to as the 'Grandfather' of Aboriginal Literature by Maria Campbell - who stated if she is considered the 'Grandmother' of Aboriginal Literature, "Basil is 'our' Grandfather"

Blazing his own trail is Neal Mcleod, a modest, humble and kind man, is destined to make his mark. Neal Mcleod launched, 'Cree Narrative Memory: From Treaties to Contemporary Times' and Louise Half launched, 'Crooked Good' at the festival!

All the poets blew my mind, I was mesmerized by Louise Half, Greg Scofield and Janet Marie Rogers, they all raised the bar! Motivating me to listen to my voice and keep writing....

Group photo from left to right, back row, Louise Half, Connie Fife, Joanne Arnott, Maria Campbell, Morningstar Mercredi, Georgina Williams, Sharon Proulx-Turner. Bottom ron, letf to right, Gregory Scofield, Drew Hayden Taylor and Neal Mcleod.

Special mention goes to Beth Cuthand, she was not in attendance this year however Beth will have a new book of poetry coming out and her husband, Gerry Williams novel, 'Woman in the Trees' is a provocative story, of which I anxiously await for the sequel.

Georgina Williams and Sharon Proulx-Turner shed light on the shadows of trauma and life events that scar, both eloquently give the gift of hope through their stories and strong voices. Our presentation was titled, appropriately so, 'Healing Through My Story'

Marilyn Dumont took home two awards! Book of the Year and Poetry Book of the Year for, 'green girl dreams Mountains'...Congratulations Marilyn - You earned it, ummm, them.

SNTC is to be commended for their hard work!

Naturally, I was able to visit my son while in Saskatoon which is always a highlight (I don't see him as often as I would like) Maybe I should just move back to Toon Town...

Renewed, I'll continue writing, (this is like saying- I'll keep breathing) The thing of it is this, we are all making our marks in the literary world and what a journey is it, the struggles, heartache, celebrations, revelations, and damn good story telling through the written word. What a blessing to be part of...

driving me crazy....

Hours and hours of driving, alone, stopped in Enderby, Merritt, Lytton, Peachland, Enderby B.C. and back to Edmonton AB. Went to visit friends and take a break...the thing of it is, I brought me with me. The company wasn't all that great.

How can you go wrong in the mountains? Apparently, you just bring yourself along, thats how. Well, here I am again, alone. Me, myself and I. Maybe this is it for me. Endless road trips...next time I'll leave the truck home and take a real road trip on my Harley...

Either way, when its all said and done, I'll write another book. Thats my job. Writing. Living in my head. Where I'm accused of thinking to much, which leaves me - alone - in my head.

Could always be worse.