Montreal, 1976.

Slender Keyed

Slender keyed
not like
my momma's
CLUMPY
electric

That thumped
out grade eight
English essays
And hummed
low vibrato

And when
the correction
tape ran out
I had to be perfect.

Ziiiiiip!
Paper pulled out.
Twelve-year-old
holding proud
a messy love:
Page One.

Finders Keepers: Hand Drum for Leo.

My son's first birthday is in a week and he loves drumming, so I wanted to get him a Leo size drum kit.   The alleys were listening and left me this little hand drum. All we need.

Leo loves his hand drum from Hawaii.

Nothing like a good old dog walk to help me remember what is important.

Finders Keepers: Animal Blazer

Maybe not a blazer I would wear to an interview, but when I saw this soft pink jacket sitting in a free box a few alleys over, I could not resist the stance of the emu or the stare of the kangaroo.  Perhaps it is just incredibly ugly, but I am sort of loving it at the moment.

Home Envy: Glenwood Manor

Brick, stained glass, juicy red paint, wrought iron, and just enough wear and tear. The front of the Glenwood Manor is charming, but it is the back that captures my heart. I am stolen away to quiet coffees in Amsterdam via this Calgary gem.

Finders Keepers: Adirondack Chairs

Found in a nearby alley: one big person's chair, one little person's chair. Perfect for summer tea with my daughter.