GRRRRRuesome Couple

In a recent email Zoom asked me, "By the way, the zombie walk was lovely. Was Erratic Genius there this year?"

Last year Zoom walked right up to Erratic Genius and took his picture without recognizing him. Not even when he growled at her, "Brains, brains, brains!"

Yes, Zoom, he was there again this year.

Warning! Picture of pestilent face ahead.

Erratic Genius

Pin-Up Girl

GRRRRruesome Couple

Can you guess what kind of zombies they were?

Corny Jack-O'-Lanterns

Remember this stalk of corn? Well, it grew jack-o'-lanterns.

I can't wait to see what it grows in December ...

Sugar Pie

Isn't that the most beautiful pie you have ever seen?

It's a sugar pie - une tarte au sucre. I made it according to my maman's instructions with my great-grandmother's rolling pin. Oh, it was sweet heaven delicious.

Musicians of New Brunswick

I was rushing home, when I came across a group of friendly musicians.

They came as separate pairs to visit friends in Ottawa, connected and decided to play together. They are not a band, but rather two separate musical duos.

I didn't want to chat too long, since they had an audience and people seemed to be in a generous mood.

Their bluegrass music and sweet harmonies, and their hip grungy look sent me off in a happy humming mood.

Boys Don't Knit

I approach the gentleman sitting at a local café, and I ask him what he is knitting. He flashes me a kind smile, and as he shows me his knitting, he explains that he is working on his first sweater.

"I imagine that this must impress the women," I say hoping that he is not offended by my sexist comment. I quickly add that my understanding is that knitting used to be a male only occupation.

"Yes that is what I hear too. You know the expression quoted by feminists, take back the night? I like to say, that I am taking back the knit."

A Tail of a Whale

Leviathan: Watercolors of Whales from William Jardine’s The Naturalist’s Library

I get on the elevator, and I sigh. I am not smiling in my usual happy way.

I look at my elevator companion, and I see a elderly impish man. Plastered on his face is a shit eating grin.*

He has come down on the elevator, but he does not exit and he now goes up with me. Instantly he turns to me, "So, why is your hair long?"

I look at him, and my grumpiness fades, and I am smiling. "Because I love my hair long."

"And why do you have blue eyes?" His own black eyes reflect a tease.

"I don't have blue eyes, " I break out into a sincere laugh, and I feel happiness, "but my father had blue eyes."

I look down at his hands - he is holding an unfinished soapstone carving. He follows my gaze, "I carve things. This one is going to be a whale. Do you see the tail?"

"Yes. Can I take a picture?"

"It'll cost you five dollars."

"Ha! I'm not giving you money." He seems well off.

"A picture of my art is worth five dollars." His face is serious, but his eyes are laughing out loud.

I reach my floor, and I am in a fabulous mood now.

"See ya," I say as I leave the elevator.

"I'm rich you know!" And he laughs, as I watch him push the down button.

*Slang - a sly, knowing, or self-satisfied grin: somewhat vulgar
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.