Hello All, November is finally over, yes!! December is a much better, if colder and more, expensive, month. Bring it on. Let it be resolved, that for the next, month and a bit, I will indulge, in, NO OVERTHINKING there! it is said for all, to see, to read. All you my friends, my family, my acquaintances, my readers, know this about me, I am a thinker, that is who I am, it is neither, a good or a bad thing, it just is, one might even say, it is what it is. But, aside, from being a thinker, I am also an, over thinker, and, that isn't good. It stops me from taking, action, it stifles, my ambitions, it drives my loved ones, insane. I obsess, I over analyse. This is especially bad, when I am unhappy, when I am searching, for the next thing. A new year is about to dawn. I have decided, that this is the year, I start the next big thing. I have narrowed it down to, three possibilities, all are creative endeavours, all interest me, intensely, immensely. I will devote myself to, one of them, starting at the end of January, and intend, that by December, I will have a finished, project, no matter what. That is my resolution. For the month of, December and the first days, of January, I don't over think, I work, I share, I breathe, I walk, I love, I experience, I do not search, I let experience, come to me, present itself, I will be reading, going to films, listening to music, watching tv, art exhibits, museums, conversing with good, smart interesting, people, I will be living my life, without dissecting, everything. There will be no obsessing, no overthinking. I need to break that. Move on from the hurt, the fear, the paralysis. Move. I have been inspired by, the musical, Hamilton, it's story, it's creation, it's actors, dancers, singers, great art, lifts us, inspires us, in sometimes, surprising, unexpected ways. I wish you all, a wonderful weekend. Will be back on Monday Later girls, BB
Goodbye Mr, Cohen
Hello all,
Hope you are all,
fine,
happy and healthy.
Been a bit of a rough,
week,
last week,
for us bleeding heart,
liberal types.
Cold cock,
punch in the face,
the election of,
Trump,
WTF!!!!
but,
rise up,
fight.
I realize,
this is easy for me,
to write, say, think,
I am not an American.
But, I have faith,
in Americans,
just like I did,
in Canadians,
through the dark,
Harper years,
stand tall,
brothers and sisters,
keep up the good fight,
this too shall pass.
Still reeling,
from the election news,
and,
in an attempt to distract,
myself,
I was scrolling,
through,
my Instagram account,
lots of menswear,
lots of cats,
pretty photographs,
very little news,
but,
I do follow,
Rolling Stone,
Mother Jones,
The Advocate,
that kind of stuff,
so I scroll,
and,
I see a picture of,
Leonard Cohen,
and,
and the words,
Leonard Cohen dead at 82.
What??
So I turn to google,
and,
yes, it's true,
Leonard Cohen,
is dead.
Instant sadness.
The month of November,
had been better,
than expected,
I did not,
in spite of,
surgery and waning light,
feel sluggish and blue,
like I often (read always),
feel in November,
I felt good,
sort of,
optimistic,
then the Trump thing,
but after,
freaking out,
I figured this might be,
a turning point,
a historical rallying point,
for breaking down,
and,
maybe even fixing things,
at the very least,
spur people to involvement,
action.
I did not come,
to this on my own,
help from friends,
and people much smarter,
than me,
pointing me in that direction.
There is always hope,
and things are never,
finished.
But, Leonard Cohen,
Dead,
that's hard.
I know he was 82,
he lived a long,
and,
full,
life.
Love, work, music,
sex,
family, work,
legacy,
creation,
words, tunes.
He left us,
a great body of work.
Words polished,
words agonized over,
work,
decades of work.
A man of art,
a man of appetites,
a man of quests,
a man of understanding,
a man of doubts,
a lover of life,
a lover of language,
a lover of women,
by all accounts,
a good friend,
father,
neighbor.
I did not know,
Leonard Cohen,
personally,
we both loved,
this city,
our beautiful ugly,
I did not know him,
but,
I felt he knew me.
My longings,
my desires,
my ambitions,
my failures,
my foibles,
my qualities,
my fears,
my triumphs,
yes,
I felt he knew me,
I felt he knew,
us.
The collectivity,
the common consciousness,
has lost an important,
mind, heart, soul,
we will miss him,
but,
his words,
his music,
his voice.
live on.
Godspeed Mr Cohen,
Goodbye.
Be well my friends,
be kind to each other,
reach out and love, smile.
Later girls,
BB
Changes
Hello all, today is the tenth, of, November, two days ago, Donald Trump, became, President of the, United-States, so after having one of, the classiest, stand tall, strong moral fiber, presidents, we now will witness, four years of... I don't know- bad stuff, sends chills, down my back, not in a good way, more like the, invasive chills, you experience, right before, a bad case of the flu, fever, joint pain, teeth chattering, that kind of bad stuff. I am not an American, I am a Canadian, a Quebecois, a Montrealer, but, I have so many friends, acquaintances, people I care about, and, admire, who live in the U.S, and they are our, neighbours, our biggest trade partners, an omnipresent, influence, on everything that happens, here, elsewhere. I think politicians, rule very little, I think, big business, does, mostly. The world is run, by oil companies, pharmaceutical companies, banks etc and this is why it is in, the state it is, and, we are, all of us complaisant, we buy, and, consume, hoping to fill the voids, in our lives. I am not a political, analyst, I have been a student, of history and politics, my whole life, it interests me. In the past ten years, or so, I have felt a rising anger, at the ugliness represented, in politics. The rise of social media, has brought greater, access to information, also to disinformation, it has allowed people, to have a voice, also the trolls to run, rampantly free. It reminds me of that line, in A Tale Of Two Cities: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens, English novelist (1812 - 1870) Donald Trump, in his words, in his actions, in his lack of anything, remotely resembling, character, or moral fiber, has become President, by spewing, hate, of... everything, wearing an ill fitting suit, long red ties, and, orange hair and face dye, an epically bad, comb over. and a made in China, snap back cap that, states: Make America Great Again. I understand about fear, about despair, this guy, an exporter of jobs, and, dishonorable employer, a man born with a silver spoon, in his mouth, a graduate of elite, universities, will not make, America great again, he is everything that is wrong, with America. Greed and bully ism, are his credo. He is not the unemployed, West Virginia coal miner, the former Kodak employee, in Rochester, New York, the waitress in Buffalo, the single mother in, Mississippi, he is not the pensioner, in Arizona, who now works for Walmart, after his pension fund, disappeared in the 2008, financial collapse. Trump and his ilk, The Waltons of Walmart, the Koch brothers, etc, the friends of Putin, and, his fascist policies, that's who Trump is. Are the Clintons, the Obamas, the Biddens, the Trudeaus, perfect? not even close, their war policies, and, friendships with oppressive, regimes like, Saudi Arabia, bother me to my very core, however, their messages and policies, are kinder, more optimistic, are they better people? I think so. Is the world in need of change? Oh Yes, massive changes, is Trump the route to that? well... It would seem so. The ride is going to be, excruciatingly painful, it will get a lot worse, before it gets better. Change is inevitable, and, always, difficult and scary. We must hold through, to our principles, we must be kind to each other, we must stop pointing fingers, and, creating scapegoats, we must fix, this, all of it, lots of work ahead. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step- Lao Tzu
Lace up your boots,
reach for your protective,
all weather gear,
pack a sandwich and a thermos of tea,
and a book,
sustenance and protection,
will be required.
Bon courage,
my friends.
Be well.
Later girls,
B.B
Rockin’ the scarves and Turtlenecks
Hello all,
hope you are all,
well and chipper.
My surgery is done.
Went as expected,
perfectly.
I have no pain,
slight discomfort,
that's it.
My surgeon,
recommended,
a week off work,
and,
that is what I am doing,
I will rest.
Naps, walks, good,
high protein,
high calcium food,
I will read,
I will write,
compile ideas,
rest up my body.
Surgery is hard,
on a body,
even a robustly,
healthy,
one.
I want to thank all,
of you,
for your well wishes,
and,
positive energies,
been a big help.
As usual mom,
and,
my friend, Helene,
have been there for me,
moral support,
company,
listening to my,
ramblings.
My friends,
my love,
my family,
everyone,
I,
felt the warmth,
the concern.
Just so you all know,
I'm fine,
truly,
I will be rockin' scarves,
and,
turtlenecks for the next few,
weeks,
protect and hide,
the scar,
which right now,
looks like a,
garotte gash
It will get better.
In a few months,
it will barely show.
I am glad it's November,
Summer would have been,
more of a challenge,
to hide the scar.
Feeling fine
Catch you all,
soon.
Later, girls,
B.B
November
Grey day, November coming at full, speed. I love the Fall, I hate, November. Some of you are, thinking, hate is a strong, word, emotion, BB. Yup, it sure is, so maybe, I should say, I. have an intense, dislike, visceral, even, for November. I tell ya, November is a crappy, month, like, March. one is the beginning, of the long Winter, the other is the, will it ever end??? part, of the Winter. Of course, good things happen, in November, lots of good things. Some of my favourite, people, were born in November, my parents got, married in November, other things, I am sure. To me the last few, days of October, and, November, are about, fading light, and, energy. The colours are, brightest and, prettiest in, October, the crisp, air, the bluest of skies, but, as October recedes, so does the light. The deep steel gray, of November follows, no snow yet, cold rain, dark skies, cold, damp, nothing to buoy, the spirit. Every year, I feel this way, every year, I try, not to feel this, way, but, it is what it is. I will not wallow, I try, hard, to find good things, about, the grey, the dark, the damp ... I spend time with friends, I read and watch, and, participate in, creative inspiring things. I look at the past year, and, look to the coming one. This year, I am in, the here, the now, this week, I will have surgery, for my thyroid. Prognosis, is excellent, and, I feel fine, physically, psychologically, my emotions, are a tad, grey, but, not black, this will go well. I am in good hands, the best, from this will come, bigger and better things. Surgery is a little bit, scary, and, even though, the physical healing, goes well, when you are a strong, burly butch, such as, myself, the emotional healing, is harder. Doable, necessary, and, ultimately, life changingly, rewarding, but, hard. Everything that makes, you grow, stronger, taller, bigger, is, not the incremental, growth of, everyday life, but, the punch in the gut, epiphany moments, of growth. My hysterectomy, was a beating, an emotional, car crash, from which I have, fully recovered, and am in fact, that much more, strong, confident, weathered, dashing and dapper:-) This thyroid thing, I'm thinking, stinging face slap, shock, small red hand imprint, move on. Bring on November, let's get this shit over, with. Be well, don't let November get you down. Later girls, BB
Fall thoughts, Fall plans
Good afternoon, you all. Grayish and coldish day, here in the beautiful ugly. Still lots of colours, pumpkins aplenty all around, October coming onto, November. A time of reflection, and preparation, for the long, indoor periods, that will follow, in a few weeks, Winter, will be upon us, so the last bit of Fall, even the rainy, windy bit, must be lived, to it's fullest, that is my way of seeing, things. I love the fresh crisp air, the Fall layers, jackets and hats, boots and yes, even rain gear. Yesterday, was a gorgeous, Autumn day. Clear blue sky, a nip in the air, all the colours still around, the wind hasn't blown all, away, all the leaves, yet. I had coffee with dear friends, and, then I went to, the evensong service, at our beautiful, Anglican cathedral, in downtown Montreal. There is a full choir, and, majestic organ music. I love choirs, always have, and, hymns and devotional music. They have a very positive, effect, on me, they fill me with hope, with inspiration, with feelings of love, of community, I have been needing that, lately, perhaps I am having, a spiritual moment, in my life, or maybe it is just that, I need a place of calm, and beauty in my life. It felt good, the service, and I shared it, with a friend who, loves music so much. I intend to go back. I feel much better, this week, less raw, I know everything, will be alright, and, that if I feel lonely, or as if my life, isn't full enough, I must find a way, to fill it. My brain is bubbling, with thoughts, with ideas, I need to give them, shape and texture, I need to create, and, live, not overthink, everything. Embrace, walk, feel the wind, feel the rain. I am making chowder, I made fish stock, started with, onions and garlic, I added, potatoes, corn, peas, scallops, and whole milk. It is cooking slowly, it will be delicious, simple, easy, hardy, nutritious, life is good. Be well, all of you, stay warm, stay safe, love each other. Later girls, BB
When Balladeers become Nobel Laureates
Hello all, hope you are, well, or better than. I have been under the weather, lots of stuff on my mind, not all of it good, understatement of the year! In the immortal words, of, Stephen Sondheim: Good times & bum times. I've seen ‘em all &, my dear, I`m still here. Plush velvet sometimes, Sometimes just pretzels and beer, But I`m here. I am working on it, all of it, and, yeah, I'm still here. Something weird, and, kind of wonderful happened, in the world, last week, Bob Dylan, won the Nobel prize for, Literature. Crazy world. Now many will see this, as a blatant attempt, to market the prizes. As far as I know, they need no marketing. Anyone who says, Bob Dylan isn't a great, writer, well, I don't know how anyone can, say that. He isn't a novelist, or an essayist or a short story, writer, but, he is a writer, a great writer. His songs have brought, political awareness. to successive generations. His songs have been, made love to, think more, To Make You Feel My Love, rather than, Masters Of War, but, hey, whatever floats, your boat :-) His songs have been sung, on family trips, and, on union lines. We all know, Dylan, at least some, Dylan. His songs are filled with, universal truth and artistry, deep thought and whimsy, make no mistake, Bob is a great writer. He has influenced every, songwriter that came after him, as someone to imitate, or rebel against. He has done it all, and, well. Dylan isn't a great singer, but, he is instantly, recognizable. Everyone has their favourite, Blowin' In The Wind, Lay Lady Lay, People Are Strange, one, at least, for everyone, and, all his eras are good. My favourite is, 'coz I'm a romantic, To Make You Feel My Love
When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love
And there is no one there to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love
I know you haven’t made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I’ve known it from the moment that we met
no doubt in my mind were you belong
But I would never do you wrong
I’ve known it from the moment that we met
no doubt in my mind were you belong
I’d go hungry, I’d go black and blue
I’d go crawling down the avenue
No, there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love
I’d go crawling down the avenue
No, there’s nothing that I wouldn’t do
To make you feel my love
The storms are raging on the rolling sea
And on…
And on…
Bob can write,
you like him,
that’s cool,
you don’t,
so what.
I don’t like,
Philip Roth,
Or,
Paul McCartney,
but, there is no use,
denying their greatest.
Be well, you all, listen to some,
music,
read a book,
feel the love
Later girls,
BB
Why do I feel lonely?
Hello ladies and a few gents, hope you are all well, happy, healthy, basking, in blue skies and, Fall colours. Hands down Fall is, the handsomest season. I don't even think that can, be disputed. :-) I've had a busy, social calendar of late, well, for me, maybe not for some, of you social butterflies. Last week, went to a birthday dinner, for a new friend, I know, how often does that happen?? It was lovely, met some, intelligent, stimulating, friendly people, food was great too. She is a kind and funny person, my new friend, she makes many sacrifices for, her art, I admire that, I am no way near as disciplined. This weekend, my cousin got married. He is the youngest of the cousins, and, I am almost the oldest. I graduated from high school, the year he was born, so.. big difference. He is a good man, and, he has married a good woman. Long life to their union, to their love. I took pictures, I am quite happy with them. You work with what you've got, bad lighting, rain? improvise:-) I have a date for my surgery, so that has me, preoccupied, I am reaching for Zen, it is being allusive. I guess what I am trying to say, is, it's Fall my favourite season, lots of good social stuff, work is fine, I feel healthy, but, I'm lonely, weird, I'm not depressed, I'm not bored, I'm lonely, lots of people, in and around, my life, family, friends, colleagues, and still.. I am lonely, maybe, I need to, fill my life with, more meaning, be more involved, work, ideas, creativity, not sure. Just thinking, out loud, wondering, what you all think, do you feel lonely? even with people around, do you search for meaning? Maybe it's just, the coming of Winter, maybe it's just, a need for physical, closeness, maybe I am just, scared of the operation, maybe it's nothing, a good walk and egg sandwich, can't fix. Maybe I need to breathe and feel, not think so much. Fresh air and bright colours, here I come be well, you all, Later girls, BB
On style and typecasting
Hello all, October, love October, raw natural beauty. Lots going on, feeling kind of raw, sore. Soreness of the, psyche. Body is ok, getting better, all the time, feeling strong, not yet, svelte, but, working on it, someday... I have had a bit, of a weight plateau, going on, it's normal, you have to shake, things up, if you want to resume, the loss. I have started, doing my cardio, on an empty stomach, and, it's working, feel stronger and leaner, good feeling. Been a tough week, emotionally, and, although, I won't go, into details, some things are, private, it has been difficult, and I feel adrift. I don't think, I am rudderless, but, there is definitely, a crack in it. A little putty, will be required to fix, the crack. I have been wondering, how, to fix it. DIY ing. Thinking, overthinking, even. Those of you, who know me, know that I am, anything but Zen. Don't even need to know me, just reading me, tells you that:-) So the hamster, that lives in, my brain, has been cycling, running the wheel, triple salchowing, up a storm, burn baby burn. He hasn't come up, with much, hamsters are sweet, but, they need help, in the, interpretation, department. I need to reassess, things, notions I have had, for years, I need to get, to the bottom, of certain things, what am I truly, looking for in, relationships, in work, in life. I know that sounds, a little over stated, and, honestly, on the whole, I am pretty together, and, confident of my abilities, but... like the style of my blog, was dictated, by the form I used, because of wonky, computer skills, True story, didn't like how the paragraphs looked, because of margin set ups and my lack of knowledge about them, I went for a stanza like, look. Strangely, it has served me well, it has become my style, the odd cadence, staccato 'sound'. in this case necessity, 'invented' my style. It worked for the blog, but, does it, with life, should we just accept, the role we are cast in, or should we change that, rage against the typecast, is what people perceive, important I am butch, I say it, I write it, I wear it, to me it means, a ton of complex things, I am not one thing, I am thousands of things, and, feelings, I am tough, I am vulnerable, I am smart, I am clueless, I am butch, I am woman, non conventional, perhaps, I am yin and yang, I am sensitive, I am petty, I am gentle, I am rough, I am every man, I am every woman, and, yet uniquely, me. and right now, contrary to outward, appearances, I am a little bit, lost But, I see a light, ahead, and, the wind is at my back.. Be well. Later girls, BB
The pillars of our style
Good afternoon, ladies, gents, hope all is well, in your own, personal part, of the universe, bubble, sphere, whatever works for you. Here on planet, Butch, life is fine. Not perfect, not calm, not stress free!! but, fine. I just finished a, bowl of All Bran, banana, and, Weetabix with unsweetened, almond milk, with a shake of cinnamon, pretty darn tasty, and, an efficient use of fiber. I had my workout, aerobic cardio, a la BB, combination, dance, strut, jogging in place, lateral side by side, steps, to music, classic rock, country, disco and dance music, half an hour, followed by vacuuming, it ain't glamorous, but it gets the job done. This week, at work, although I hesitate to say, has been much better. I am surprised to say, this, but, I miss my shorts a bit :-) Ah but, Fall, the clothes, Butch heaven, and this Summer and Fall, I have found, pretty much all, the Fall wardrobe staples, I needed, some dark wash jeans, perfect cut, from Gap, on sale, a grey crew neck sweatshirt, again from Gap, an amazing navy dress sweater, to wear to my cousin's wedding, and yesterday, a Shaker knit cotton sweater in black, basics, grey, black, navy, match my entire wardrobe. The Shaker knit is a medium, which gives me no end of joy, I know, I know, It's silly, but, whatever gets us through, the night, no? This is a good wardrobe assembly, year for me, I am finding, the colours and styles, I need. Sweaters and jackets, even pants and jeans, if well cared for, can last a few years, they better :-) As I tried on the shaker knit, yesterday, I was reminded, of a sweater I used to wear, when I first opened, my bookstore, it was a gift from my friend, Denise, a navy shaker knit, with silk in the blend, Land's End, a perfect sweater, I wore it so much, it ended up having a, big tear in the back, I kept wearing it, I referred to it, as, my eccentric bookseller sweater, it eventually, died, of exhaustion, I weighed at least 60 lbs more then. So, things change, our weight, our jobs, our entourage even, but, style, ... style is timeless. Some years, fashion, hits the right note, for our style, so in years of flannel, blue, shaker sweaters and basic, stuff, I stock up, to weather the years, of neon, pastels, and, acid wash I notice, that although I have, changed, in many ways, in the last few years, my style has it's pillars, I experiment with t-shirts, boxers, caps, or scarves, but, to my oxford button downs, hoodies, shaker knits I remain true, like old friends. But, as in friendship and life, you should not allow, your style, to become stagnant, and, what works at twenty, might not at fifty, but, like life, we keep climbing, building, walkers and shakers, do not gather dust. Just some thoughts and ramblings, on elements of butch style Be well you all. Later girls, BB