Everything goes with Dinka...recuperating from October

October has always been “party month” in our family and extended until November 11 th as that was Dad’s birthday. That’s also why this post is NOT on Thursday this week (Nov. 11th) rather than the usual Monday’s and brings party central to a reeling it in on all fronts!! hahaha. Obviously we failed as it’s a Monday post again.

Mom and I have decided to cut out all those nasty carbs for a while to drop those extra celebratory pounds, as well it’s get things organized time so the garage is a project and lastly even Koko is joining in. I am starting new training techniques to help with her anxieties and ADHD (which apparently is a canine characteristic). Wish us luck!

Dad was always the one who could reel things in easily since he was a workaholic and I use that term in a positive sense as he enjoyed being productive and busy. My thought there is that it was his positive way of handling what the world today calls PTSD; how do you go through a world war and challenges of life being born in a transforming country and politic in 1919 and not have it? The only problem with Dad is that he didn’t think he was exceptional and wouldn’t expect anything from anyone else that he didn’t expect from himself. Well that was true but he didn’t get that his bar was very high and not easy to obtain by everyone. This month we’ll try to channel his energy and push ourselves to that level of excellence. Pleasure in the WORK is the theme.

With the Eastside Culture Crawl coming up I decided to bring back the “Mira’s” of the past with a new twist. I’ll post a few pics of the installation by Connie Sabo! Here’s the new beginnings of what will happen to Salon Mira (the Crawl may have got it wrong and put me under Studio Mira but basically same same but different). Ten years ago I did a series of projections onto the garage door and invited a range of artists to present their work in the space. My practice was installation and drawing at the time. Now my interest in these two mediums continues and I’ve added textiles as a focus along the way. Now that I’m at 851 Union and the dust of stress has settled it seems appropriate to look at ways to transform projection into installation with a deeper meaning. It is my pleasure to introduce Connie Sabo as the first artist to explore this change with Box Space.

I signed up for the 2021 Crawl as I wanted to contribute to an organization I’ve given many many years of volunteer time too. Also the idea of art in the streets or art for the people has not left me and rings true in my mind. As I’ve worked with Connie, it’s been a pleasure for so many years to roll our sleeves up and jump into a project, it just unfolded. The result ended up being taking over the 800 blk alley of Union (between Union and Georgia). ART IN A BOX, came to be with the help of my friend Wayne who jumped into helping me (or me helping him) make the box on wheels. It will serve as an art space as well as a wall to cover the crazy madness of my garage. Next thing Carlyn Yandle comes along, helping with the QR code scene and offers up her ideas on rope lighting. One thing led to another and we scored a pretty amazing project. Nov. 19, 20, 21 st the alley will change. Laminated QR codes will be posted on the hydro poles, referencing the past MIRA’s. As one wonders down the alley they will eventually hit ART IN A BOX; in an alley.

Here’s the sneak preview:

Note: I’ll be sitting on the other side of the install waiting to hear peoples feedback. Have a great CRAWL!!

Everything goes with Dinka... (especially celebrations; art exhibitions, birthdays and Halloween)

Well October has always been a crazy month of non-stop celebrating : between birthdays, art openings and Halloween it’s impossible to diet. Dinka was born 86 years ago on October 29th and it warms my heart to hear her say “I think this year is one of the best birthdays I’ve had so far”. Guess that means we’ll have to raise the bar annually and something tells me we’re up to the challenge!!

Let’s start with a little visual re cap of the year.

Yes there have been lots of adventures keeping our social sensibilities alive and powered up. Celebrating life has never been hard for me and as you can see Mom’s no slouch in that department either. I have to admit I feel pretty blessed to be at an age where I “get it”, meaning understand the precious moment we have in life just being here and being able to share the love. Circumstances can be difficult and issues arise that can make us feel disheartened and like giving up and if life was easy we’d all be happy; wouldn’t be a need for the 10 percent happier ap and the likes of that. As I told my sister recently, “life is what you make of it”. It’s important to keep active spend time with the people who bring you joy, eat drink and be merry as the saying goes. When it gets down to the crunch that is what life is all about. Mom certainly helps keep the glass half full and for me it’s joyous to share the crazy adventures she takes me on.

Now onto October celebrations!! This year we had so many people come out of the wood work to celebrate Mom it was fantastic. During the pandemic breakout we met people and watched a lot of Netflix; Turkish subtitled series became one of our favourites; check out some of the great shots below of the head gear and textiles of another time and place. When not watching Resurrtection Eturgul we made time for our Covid friends who graciously invited us for dinner. Also for a longtime friend from younger days booked Whistler for the weekend and dear friends driving up to share the day and art at the Audain Art Museum to name a few of the extra happy times of October. By the way it is definitely worth a day trip up to the Audain to see the special exhibition — I’m going back a few times before it’s gone in February without a doubt.

Closing October and having a Happy Halloween with the magical cemetery we celebrated strong important women, 4 who were connected to Strathcona. Although Viola Desmond and Sister Wendy were not from here they were important to art, culture and anti racism. Sue Teahan was a neighbour and when we lost her in 2020 it was here where we celebrated her life with her family and friends during covid restrictions. Barbara Howard, Mary Lee Chan and Nellie Yip Quong contributed love, activism and were strong role models in this neighbourhood. We learn something new everyday, or can, enjoy sharing the love of knowledge.

Everything goes with Dinka... (even Mike McCardell)

It was the last sunny day to get some garden clean up done when Mike Mccardell randomly walked by and started chatting with Mom and myself. I wasn’t even sure it was him at first, don’t recognize anyone with a mask on these days, and things evolved as they do. He asked about the house and how things were going and what we were doing etc… Next thing I know it’s all on the 6 pm news on CTV (hahaha). What are the odds that after Mike died, clinically dead and brought back to life, he would return to work and his first day back stumble upon us?

Magical things happen in life and this was one of those days. Reflecting on getting to this day…

to chatting with Mike…(mr. magic)

Wishing you magic days ahead!!