• I see what you mean about identities, but that, too, makes no difference.

  • Thank you. "None of it makes any difference." There are fewer words so final as these.

  • I suggest you create knitted patches similar to Japanese needlework and keep on patching them. They are history. Heritage socks. :-)

  • I kind of like the idea of sending a gift, but I really enjoy it better if the gift is to someone I know. :-)

  • I haven't read it yet - everything seems to be a master class these days. How do you feel it builds upon the first book, dear Spatz? I used the first book to understand my ideals (in the sense of keeping a home that is a haven instead of a storage box) and to work towards getting them and maintaining them.

    It'll always be a work in progress and I accept that. What goals did you feel were useful to you in Spark Joy, dear Spatz?

  • The filter used on the water is reminiscent of watercolour illustrations of James McMullan. :-)

  • No one takes pictures like you, dear Spatz!

  • You are truly blessed, Amanda Perl.

  • By the way, Spatz, I don't think there are photographs more beautiful or evocative than yours. With or without filters.

  • I think it's perfect. <3

  • It was the hottest day of the year. It was so hot the paint I brushed on the porch dried in a minute and then melted. I peeled off at least five degrees Celsius to send you, along with a few rays of sun and nice low humidity, dear @Spatz. I went to a drop in ballet class. It's down on the harbour. There were no breezes, just a still atmosphere, leaden and laden with the lake. We're still in a drought, but I admit I rather like it. Here's hoping you get some good and proper summer weather while you're on vacation!

  • The heat wave continues, today more oppressively than ever. It might be the best day yet for those prosecco popsicles, dear Spatz! How's vacation going?

  • There are proto-43Things sites ready to toss into the water lest things start looking Noah's Ark-y, dear Spatz! I don't think we will ever feel the solid footing we thought we once had, but we will always be alert when there are heavy rains predicted. :-)

  • I always think it's my computer and no-one else's. Thanks, Spatz, for sending out the SOS. :-)

  • Saturday was a plethora of loot garnered from yard sales and lots of ballet study in the late afternoon. Sunday was a quick samba around doinkery, chocolate in the Distillery, painting and garden work. The whole week feels like a weekend. The slow pace of summer is delightful.

  • Dear Spatz and Amandaperl,

    We all went to Momofuku, where the summerlicious (special prix fixe) is in full swing. I had sake don, which was a bowl of deconstructed sushi, eccentrically spiced. Very delicious. The sous chef had a spicy chicken dan dan noodle bowl, and his father had the same thing with shrimp. I had a seven spice sour - a sake-based slushie. The men had chai cheesecake in a jar and "cereal milk" ice-cream. I bought them both birthday cake truffles, and we all came home to have salted caramel-filled cupcakes with coffee icing. The sous chef enjoyed everything immensely.

    Imzy is fun... it is quietly anonymous but not anonymous. Does that make sense? Under the radar.

  • Today is my sous chef's birthday. I am looking forward to surprising him with gifts as delightfully eccentric as he is, then taking him out to dinner at a place downtown that is so hip it hurts. He has been a joy every single day of his seventeen years. :-)

  • Oh - and commissioned drawings are cool, too.

    A

  • I'm unsure if you're asking if I'm willing to make Imzy illustrations (I'm an ilustrator)... if so, then yes, I'd be willing. Drop me a note and I'll send a portfolio of published Rat illos. Happy to send previously published pieces if credited. Thanks, Imzy!

    Staggering Rat

  • Dear Spatz,

    Our heat wave broke last night, around the time I spent two and a half hours stuck in traffic on what should have been a twenty-minute journey downtown. I missed one of my ballet classes, but saw a rainbow over the CN Tower. I always say that if I miss out on something, it really wasn't meant to happen and probably prevented something else that was miserable.

    In the second class, I asked the teacher if we could have Schubert next week, and he smiled "Yes."

    I have to go poking around for a new lavender today, as all the garden centres have end-of-season clearances.

    I'm inviting you to share prosecco popsicles tonight, too. Clink-clink!

  • Ratopia boasts a cornfield of three stalks, all of which love the heat. New to the garden are tigerlilies. I am hoping to plant some extra for next year. They are surprising me with lovely blooms, even if each only lasts a day. The lavender that spent the winter on my bedroom windowsill loves the heat, too, and is bristling with buds. Since he is a French lavender, I expect him to be at his best in August. I found a tiny red lavender at the grocery store. It has yet to bloom. I don't think I've ever seen a red lavender, dear Spatz!

    Heat wave, day two. Hugs!

  • Dear Spatz, Although the heat outside is fearsome, I shall revel in it late-in-day, as I have noted neighbouring lavenders blooming. They are enticing! Tonight I want to sleep next to a small crystal vase of freshly picked lavender blossoms. Summer can be divine - it's the little once-a-year luxuries. Hugs!

  • I voted for 43 Things, because it had the most comfortable and welcoming presence. It had flow and ease of use, too.

  • Hi there, Spatz! I swam over the seas to get here... thank you for sending the life jacket, just in case! (reaches into pocket) I brought us sprigs of lavender to plant in new soil, so we will feel at home here. I have a cast-iron skillet in case any of us want to make chocolate-chip skillet cookies. I will take off my shoes now, pirouette and find out where things are. Hugs!