Third round of chemo on Monday. So far so good - side effects seem to kick in after a few days, so won't plan much for this weekend. Also saw my oncologist, Dr. Burnell, who feels we'll need another round or two before she can tell if it's working.
Picked up our first strawberries of the season at City Market yesterday. With the rain we've had they are quite large but not very sweet - some sun now would really help, which I think is still in the forecast. Week after next we get our first shipment of fresh organic vegetables - we again this year bought a share in a farm on the Kingston Peninsula which is doing Community Supported Agriculture. Week 1 bag will include things like leaf lettuce, green onions, herbs, tatsoi (a neat little Chinese lettuce), beets with greens. We'll continue receiving what's in season for 20 weeks.
Our friend Anna arrives next week from central Alberta with her group of Girl Guides for 10 days in southern New Brunswick, starting and ending at Rockwood Park in Saint John. It will be great to have a visit with her.
Am still getting used to catching sight of a blonde in the mirror!
Wendy
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Reversing Falls Bridge
We finally took possession of the painting “Reversing Falls” by Lynn Wigginton last week. It’s been hanging in the New Brunswick Museum as part of an exhibit for the past six months. The exhibit was the summary of a research project on the development of Saint John, entitled Saint John: An Industrial City in Transition. This Community Research Alliance Project was a multi-year initiative, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, to document how Saint John is attempting to reshape its economic base, protect and conserve its natural environment, and sustain its cultural life. University of New Brunswick Saint John faculty, New Brunswick Museum curators, and individuals from other community organizations worked with student researchers to address a wide array of specific topics, with the commitment that the resulting findings would be shared with the community in ways beyond traditional academic papers.As project artist, Lynn worked with selected researchers to respond to what they had discovered and present their findings in a series of 12 significant paintings. She commented that, “as I worked collaboratively with the researchers to document and interpret their findings through my paintings, I was challenged to experiment and innovate artistically. It is my hope that the paintings create important visual links to significant local research in natural science and the humanities. I also hope that these panoramic views of Saint John will encourage people to appreciate the city's marvellous setting.”
It was difficult to choose only one of the large paintings (100 by 150 cm) for our living room. However, there was only so much wall space and we agreed upon “Reversing Falls” as our choice. (To see the other paintings in the series, go to http://www.lynnwigginton.ca/ and select CURA.)
Many thanks to Jack Hill, this blog’s unofficial photographer, for transporting the canvas from the Museum to our house in the back of his Element. Thanks also to Regi Mantin for her care in hanging the painting.
Most of all, many thanks to everyone who helped us celebrate the painting’s arrival at its permanent home, as well as the summer equinox, at a gathering last Friday.
Harvey
Monday, June 15, 2009
June in Bloom
After chemo treatment #2 on June 1 and some minor ups and downs that week, by last Monday I was feeling good, with two weeks until the next treatment. Still getting used to catching sight of a blonde in the mirror!
Saturday was the annual barbecue which the breast cancer support group holds in the lovely backyard of one of our members. Last year Harvey made blueberry cobbler for me to take - a huge hit, with the consensus being I should bring it again next time, and that it would be perfect with ice crea. That's what I did, and no one else brought any sweets so we could focus on cobbler.
Yesterday, King's County Studio Tour brochure in hand, we headed upriver with Lynn and Dale. Made a number of studio visits - several also have gardens worthy of a tour - and found a spot for our picnic along the way. Came home with some goat's milk soap and a pretty new mug.
We're looking forward to our weekly vegetable deliveries, which should begin before the end of the month, and fresh local strawberries.
Wendy
Saturday was the annual barbecue which the breast cancer support group holds in the lovely backyard of one of our members. Last year Harvey made blueberry cobbler for me to take - a huge hit, with the consensus being I should bring it again next time, and that it would be perfect with ice crea. That's what I did, and no one else brought any sweets so we could focus on cobbler.
Yesterday, King's County Studio Tour brochure in hand, we headed upriver with Lynn and Dale. Made a number of studio visits - several also have gardens worthy of a tour - and found a spot for our picnic along the way. Came home with some goat's milk soap and a pretty new mug.
We're looking forward to our weekly vegetable deliveries, which should begin before the end of the month, and fresh local strawberries.
Wendy
Monday, June 1, 2009
Lemon Lavender cookies
This recipe is based on a 1-2-3 cookie recipe, measuring ingredients on a scale.
Set oven at 350 F
170 grams white sugar (1)
340 grams butter, room temp. (2)
510 grams all purpose flour (3)
1 large egg
juice and zest of one large lemon
5 ml vanilla
25 ml dried lavender (about 1.5 tablespoons)
Cream butter and sugar
Add egg and beat
Add lemon juice and zest, vanilla and whip until incorporated
Add lavender and mix well.
Add flour gradually until it is all incorporated.
Spoon out 1 inch (2.5 cm) balls (I use a small ice cream scoop), place on cookie sheet and press to between 1/2 to 1/4 inch high. Bake until cooked - about fifteen minutes. This recipe should make about 40 cookies depending on how large you make the cookies.
Have fun
Harvey
Set oven at 350 F
170 grams white sugar (1)
340 grams butter, room temp. (2)
510 grams all purpose flour (3)
1 large egg
juice and zest of one large lemon
5 ml vanilla
25 ml dried lavender (about 1.5 tablespoons)
Cream butter and sugar
Add egg and beat
Add lemon juice and zest, vanilla and whip until incorporated
Add lavender and mix well.
Add flour gradually until it is all incorporated.
Spoon out 1 inch (2.5 cm) balls (I use a small ice cream scoop), place on cookie sheet and press to between 1/2 to 1/4 inch high. Bake until cooked - about fifteen minutes. This recipe should make about 40 cookies depending on how large you make the cookies.
Have fun
Harvey
The Wig Experience
For this trip through chemo, Wendy decided that, while hats were wonderful, she would be open to new experiences and try a wig. So Friday morning we made the journey to visit the Hair Prosthesis Lady.
Wendy had her ideas about what she wanted (hot pink as proposed by the Smith men had already been nixed) but the catalogue offered a stunning variety of hair colours and styles all displayed on attractive models. Wendy prefers short hair and was looking for a colour that did not mimic her own – she thought silver. There were not many wigs that you could call ‘short’ mostly because the strands of ‘hair’ have to be long enough to cover the net foundation to which they are knotted. We also soon discovered that some styles didn’t suit Wendy’s face.
Some of the grays and whites looked quite strange on Wendy. The very attractive red (a deep mahogany colour) looked odd. One silvery white wig with a bit of a mullet was quite attractive. The Hair Prosthesis Lady fussed about with it, teasing and brushing to make it look even more attractive. I could see that Wendy was not fully convinced this was the right one, so we soldiered on.
Finally, we came to the moment. Out came a wig. Wendy rolled her eyes, but the Hair Prosthesis Lady smiled and put the wig on Wendy. Wow! Despite the flinching and the hesitation, Wendy looked in the mirror. Her look went from mild distaste to questioning with denial. She looked at herself from every angle. She asked for reassurance and looked again. Then she smiled. The cut and shape of the wig and the colour were perfect for her facial structure and colouring. But she had exposed her dirty little secret ….
Wendy was a closet BLONDIST!
The blonde Hair Prosthesis certainly changes her appearance. The Hair Prosthesis Lady trimmed the wig and shaped it slightly (she is also a licensed hairstylist) making it even better. Going blonde is such a cliché. Even my mother did it. Wendy was worried about becoming a blonde, even if for the next six months or so. Colleagues and acquaintances have almost all done a double take when first encountering a blonde Wendy; one friend encountered in a checkout line had to ask who she was.
So I’ve shared my one and only true blonde joke.
Why are blonde jokes one liners?
So brunettes can remember them.
Scroll down to the previous entry for a look.
Harvey
Wendy had her ideas about what she wanted (hot pink as proposed by the Smith men had already been nixed) but the catalogue offered a stunning variety of hair colours and styles all displayed on attractive models. Wendy prefers short hair and was looking for a colour that did not mimic her own – she thought silver. There were not many wigs that you could call ‘short’ mostly because the strands of ‘hair’ have to be long enough to cover the net foundation to which they are knotted. We also soon discovered that some styles didn’t suit Wendy’s face.
Some of the grays and whites looked quite strange on Wendy. The very attractive red (a deep mahogany colour) looked odd. One silvery white wig with a bit of a mullet was quite attractive. The Hair Prosthesis Lady fussed about with it, teasing and brushing to make it look even more attractive. I could see that Wendy was not fully convinced this was the right one, so we soldiered on.
Finally, we came to the moment. Out came a wig. Wendy rolled her eyes, but the Hair Prosthesis Lady smiled and put the wig on Wendy. Wow! Despite the flinching and the hesitation, Wendy looked in the mirror. Her look went from mild distaste to questioning with denial. She looked at herself from every angle. She asked for reassurance and looked again. Then she smiled. The cut and shape of the wig and the colour were perfect for her facial structure and colouring. But she had exposed her dirty little secret ….
Wendy was a closet BLONDIST!
The blonde Hair Prosthesis certainly changes her appearance. The Hair Prosthesis Lady trimmed the wig and shaped it slightly (she is also a licensed hairstylist) making it even better. Going blonde is such a cliché. Even my mother did it. Wendy was worried about becoming a blonde, even if for the next six months or so. Colleagues and acquaintances have almost all done a double take when first encountering a blonde Wendy; one friend encountered in a checkout line had to ask who she was.
So I’ve shared my one and only true blonde joke.
Why are blonde jokes one liners?
So brunettes can remember them.
Scroll down to the previous entry for a look.
Harvey
Searching for a Wig
For this trip through chemo, Wendy decided that, while hats were wonderful, she would be open to new experiences and try a wig. So Friday morning we made the journey to visit the Hair Prosthesis Lady.
Wendy had her ideas about what she wanted (hot pink as proposed by the Smith men had already been nixed) but the catalogue offered a stunning variety of hair colours and styles all displayed on attractive models. Wendy prefers short hair and was looking for a colour that did not mimic her own – she thought silver. There were not many wigs that you could call ‘short’ mostly because the strands of ‘hair’ have to be long enough to cover the net foundation to which they are knotted. We also soon discovered that some styles didn’t suit Wendy’s face.
Some of the grays and whites looked quite strange on Wendy. The very attractive red (a deep mahogany colour) looked odd. One silvery white wig with a bit of a mullet was quite attractive. The Hair Prosthesis Lady fussed about with it, teasing and brushing to make it look even more attractive. I could see that Wendy was not fully convinced this was the right one, so we soldiered on.
Finally, we came to the moment. Out came a wig. Wendy rolled her eyes, but the Hair Prosthesis Lady smiled and put the wig on Wendy. Wow! Despite the flinching and the hesitation, Wendy looked in the mirror. Her look went from mild distaste to questioning with denial. She looked at herself from every angle. She asked for reassurance and looked again. Then she smiled. The cut and shape of the wig and the colour were perfect for her facial structure and colouring. But she had exposed her dirty little secret ….
Wendy was a closet BLONDIST!
The blonde Hair Prosthesis certainly changes her appearance. The Hair Prosthesis Lady trimmed the wig and shaped it slightly (she is also a licensed hairstylist) making it even better. Going blonde is such a cliché. Even my mother did it. Wendy was worried about becoming a blonde, even if for the next six months or so. Colleagues and acquaintances have almost all done a double take when first encountering a blonde Wendy; one friend encountered in a checkout line had to ask who she was.
So I’ve shared my one and only true blonde joke.
Why are blonde jokes one liners?
So brunettes can remember them.
Harvey
Wendy had her ideas about what she wanted (hot pink as proposed by the Smith men had already been nixed) but the catalogue offered a stunning variety of hair colours and styles all displayed on attractive models. Wendy prefers short hair and was looking for a colour that did not mimic her own – she thought silver. There were not many wigs that you could call ‘short’ mostly because the strands of ‘hair’ have to be long enough to cover the net foundation to which they are knotted. We also soon discovered that some styles didn’t suit Wendy’s face.
Some of the grays and whites looked quite strange on Wendy. The very attractive red (a deep mahogany colour) looked odd. One silvery white wig with a bit of a mullet was quite attractive. The Hair Prosthesis Lady fussed about with it, teasing and brushing to make it look even more attractive. I could see that Wendy was not fully convinced this was the right one, so we soldiered on.
Finally, we came to the moment. Out came a wig. Wendy rolled her eyes, but the Hair Prosthesis Lady smiled and put the wig on Wendy. Wow! Despite the flinching and the hesitation, Wendy looked in the mirror. Her look went from mild distaste to questioning with denial. She looked at herself from every angle. She asked for reassurance and looked again. Then she smiled. The cut and shape of the wig and the colour were perfect for her facial structure and colouring. But she had exposed her dirty little secret ….
Wendy was a closet BLONDIST!
The blonde Hair Prosthesis certainly changes her appearance. The Hair Prosthesis Lady trimmed the wig and shaped it slightly (she is also a licensed hairstylist) making it even better. Going blonde is such a cliché. Even my mother did it. Wendy was worried about becoming a blonde, even if for the next six months or so. Colleagues and acquaintances have almost all done a double take when first encountering a blonde Wendy; one friend encountered in a checkout line had to ask who she was.
So I’ve shared my one and only true blonde joke.
Why are blonde jokes one liners?
So brunettes can remember them.
Harvey
Good Vibes Abound
Thanks to Jane and everyone else who created "Good Vibes" for me at Homeport B & B yesterday. It was great to feel the positive energy from everyone who was able to drop by, and others who sent them along.
Harvey and I enjoyed chatting with everyone; he was able to meet a number of people he's heard me talk about (good things only) and vice versa.
Harvey's contribution to the goodies was his lemon lavender cookies - Toby's cream cheese and cherry sandwiches were another crowd fav. And the photo collection Rose and Cheryl assembled was fun - including a few embarassing moments I didn't realize had been captured (as well as the ones I was aware of!)
For those not from Saint John, Homeport is spectacularly located overlooking the Harbour. We were in a new space sensitively built to connect 2 historic homes, with a great view of the gardens and harbour - and it was a beautiful sunny afternoon. Ralph and his staff are always great hosts and ambassadors for Saint John, and yesterday was no exception. You can find out more at www.homeport.nb.ca
Wendy
Harvey and I enjoyed chatting with everyone; he was able to meet a number of people he's heard me talk about (good things only) and vice versa.
Harvey's contribution to the goodies was his lemon lavender cookies - Toby's cream cheese and cherry sandwiches were another crowd fav. And the photo collection Rose and Cheryl assembled was fun - including a few embarassing moments I didn't realize had been captured (as well as the ones I was aware of!)
For those not from Saint John, Homeport is spectacularly located overlooking the Harbour. We were in a new space sensitively built to connect 2 historic homes, with a great view of the gardens and harbour - and it was a beautiful sunny afternoon. Ralph and his staff are always great hosts and ambassadors for Saint John, and yesterday was no exception. You can find out more at www.homeport.nb.ca
Wendy
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