Odds & Ends

I haven't written since I got back from Scotland -- partly because I brought back a wicked cold, now in its fourth week, which has left me temporarily (I hope!) deaf in one ear.  But also because I seem to be taking a breather.  A summer holiday.  No art classes.  No summer music school.

Yes, no summer music camp.  I thought about deleting the post but that felt a bit scary.  Could I actually erase the past?  No.  I'm not going to camp because I'm saving for Scotland.  This is true -- but also memories of past summer school experiences came back to haunt me.  Starting with French school after grade 11 and I couldn't help but wonder -- what if it's a nightmare?

Never mind -- I am saving for Scotland.  My next trip will be at Christmas -- including the holiday itself.  Horrors!  Is that allowed?!  Yes, I will make it so.  And there is no question about continuing with Senior Band.  I love it.  This weekend is our year-end party.  And the clarinets and flutes have already scheduled a meeting in July.

Saving also involves being more careful about the classes I take at the Toronto School of Art.  As I've said, I'm taking the summer off but I also have another dilemma.  Should I finish off the diploma quickly?  (I have half the credits.)  Or perhaps not at all?  Who cares?  Don't know.  But I'm looking at an art school in Ullapool for next summer.  A week long course.

I didn't actually write about the latest Scotland trip.  The photos seemed enough.  Beautiful and calm.  I love it there.  Tangled up in history, of course.  My history.  Reminds me, I have to see the new animated movie called "Brave" which is set in medieval Scotland and starring a young girl.

And speaking of young girls, we had an eight year old with us on the mini-couch.  She was such a live wire.  I enjoyed her company.  Here we are on the last day spent with the leader Karen.  She took us to Iona and Skye.  Another leader/driver took us north to Orkney.





Toby is also on a summer break from his daily group walk -- saving money, talking holidays.  So, instead of Brian mid-day he'll have to rely on me.  Not a problem.  For the most part, walking with Toby is relaxing.  Except for when the humidex is 40 or Toby needs to go THAT way to visit a dog he spies way off in the distance.  My favourite are our morning walks.  As I've said, the only thing I miss about working is the morning walk there.