Election day on Bowen is November 15th. Like the fine folks at Corner Gas spitting at the sound of Wollerton, when I hear local politics, I tend to turn my head spit.

I am grateful that the campaign trail is short in Canada compared to the constant barrage of nonsense in the states, but OMG – it may just be a few weeks long, but holy moly, people are getting mean.

Talk to anyone during election season, and other wise nice people feel free to bash and shout, “We like them and not them — He tells such lies! Those assholes did this and these idiots did that. He says he wants this, but we all know he is in so and so’s pocket.”

In politics, there are usually only two sides. Us and them. Worse than having to choose between Coke or Pepsi, on Bowen the two sides are developers and environmentalist. Seriously.

“He’s a tree hugger, she wants to rape the forest. We need to build an Olympic size swimming pool, apartment buildings, and water slide. No, we need better beach access, save the whales and move to higher ground.” And of course, WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?

For the most part I keep my head down and windows rolled up this time of year.  (politicians stalk the ferry line up here instead of going door to door). But this time, there’s a pretty good cast of characters running for both Mayor and Council. I have an opinion and I have two friends running. In fact I even nominated one of them, so my name is out there in definite support.

That means I need to show this support at the All Candidates meeting tomorrow. Ugh….

I’m starting to raise my hands now for a big Guanqifa wash. I’m sure I’ll be needing to wipe the crap off when it’s over. I doubt I’m the only one turning my head in disgust and spitting.

PS – Vote Peter and George for council!

Some of you know I got one of those Fitbit things.

It’s changed my life. When I sync it up with my computer I can see how many steps I taken.

There are several walks I take and use to do them by time. Now I do them by steps!

The easy walk — the 20 minute one, the 40 minute one and the hour long one, now are 3,700 steps, 6,700 steps, 10,000 steps and on.
Now that I have this thing, I feel best when I take at least 10,000 steps every day. My best day I took 21,0000 plus. And, I admit to being pooped that day big time.

It is good to know that from my office to the kitchen and back is 114 steps! Finally a reason to have a big house.

Now, that NaNoWriMo is almost on us, I would love a Fitbit for words.

I use the Scrivener program on my computer for writing. I’m sure it has features I do not have a clue about, but the ones I use, I like. It has a cool way to organize writings for one, and of course spell check is a must. There is also a word count feature. For instance, as I type the word — word, I can see that the word count was 164 at the time I wrote it. Now, I’m up to 183 words. It is sort of like a fit bit. (Those numbers changed as I edited and rewrote stuff.)

What the Fitbit has, that Scrivener doesn’t is, a compiling feature. The Fitbit shows my progress and steps taken at any given moment, and it also keeps track of my steps taken all day, as well as all week.

Scrivener doesn’t send me an email on Tuesdays, letting me know the grand total of words I wrote all week. It’s project specific.

The goal of NaNoWriMo is to write 50,000 words in the month of November. Getting a novel out would be a bonus, but for me, it’s the opportunity to join a writing marathon, and challenge myself.

In order to make the goal of 50,000 words in the month, I need to write 1,667 words per day or, 1,923 words per day with 1 weekday off, or 2,000 words per day with 1 weekend day off. Basically, I just need to keep writing.

I’m going to give it a go…. With the caveat and knowledge that regular people change their behaviour to meet their goal, and addicts change their goals to match their behaviour.

Keeping track of the numbers helps me. It may even inspire me to keep going, and could help me meet my goal by changing my behaviour.

Would that make me a regular person?
FYI, this story is 467 words. Do regular people care?

November will be here in a few days. You know what that means? Besides Rosie turning 65 years old, :)  it also means it is time to write!

November is National Novel Writing Month, shortened as NaNoWriMo is an annual internet-based creative writing project that takes place during the month of November. NaNoWriMo challenges participants to write 50,000 words of a new novel from November 1 until the deadline at 11:59PM on November 30.

Heather introduced NaNoWriMo to me years ago, and challenged me to give it a go.

I have yet to meet the goal of 50,000 words in the month, I have come close though. I’ve not written a novel or even a long story. But I do make a point to spend more of my time writing in November. In the past I hand wrote in notebooks and never posted any of it.

That may change.

Tonight, I’m meeting with April Bosshard, and maybe others, as April has kindly offer to facilitate a NaNoWriMo group on Bowen Island.

I’m excited for the support, encouragement and inspiration I expect to get. April has given me writing lesson in the past, and I like the way she marks up a page.

But the real reason I’m doing this a bit more formal this year is — I have a topic for an actual book.

I’m shy to make the commitment as I’m always looking for an out, and don’t always do what I say I will. But right now, I’m all in.

I like writing, but my style over the years is short and sweet. Writing for Today’s Step was edit, edit, edit, creating one liners for the most part. This bloggy thing is one page stories at best. So to write 50,000 words — on the same topic is going to be a huge challenge. Someone should invent a Fitbit for writers!

Besides having a topic, I have an outline and ideas. I think, with focus, guidance and feedback — progress will be made.

I may or may not post on this bloggy thing while I do this. I don’t want to be split in attention and time writing is time writing. Yet, this may be the only place this so called book may ever be read and I know I have a friendly audience. So who knows.

NaNoWriMo — Yay!

I just finished reading a book that I should have read years ago. I don’t know why I think this way, except I believe that somewhere in the world is a list of “must read” books that the “well read” read.

I have no idea who makes this so called list. I’ve never seen it, and Ken says he’s never heard of such a thing. Perhaps I need to ask heather or Marian about it, but somewhere deep down I think there must be a “must read” list.

Perhaps books like Tom Sawyer, War and Peace, and Moby Dick would make this list. So, when I saw Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl at the re-cycle centre, I was quite sure this book was on that so called list, and I felt the need to read it.

I was glad it’s not a thick book. I’m also reading Neil Simon plays right now, but at only 189 pages, including 30 pages for the bibliography, I thought it was time for me to join the “well read” and read Man’s Search For Meaning.

I heard Oprah interview Viktor Frankl years ago, and I would like to have met him. I thought I knew what the book was about. I didn’t, in fact I was way off.

I guess I didn’t pay attention to the interview, because I missed the part where Frankl was a psychiatrist. I had no idea that the book was an introduction to his own version of existential analysis, called logotherapy. His experience in several concentration camps during the Holocaust is only part of the story. It seemed to me like it was actually the fodder for his work.

The book certainly could provide for interesting discussions, and I would welcome them, but in so many ways, it takes on the psyco babble of circles —Do we find meaning in life because of what happens to us, or does what happens to us provide the meaning in our life? Is this just a new way to look at the chicken or egg question.

The book of course was horrifying in parts, and at times I found it pedantic. Truth be told, now that I’ve read it – I’m not sure why it’s a must read. Perhaps I’m just letting my ignorance of psychology and philosophy shine though.

If you know of this so called “must read” list in the world – please send it on to me. And feel free to set me straight as to why this book should be on it. For now, I’m going back to Neil Simon for some giggles.

I’m up early — had my morning walk in the dark. Today, I took a flashlight instead of walking poles. I can only hold one thing in my hands at a time. I thought about wearing a headlamp — but I like walking in the dark, only turning on the light to warn others of my presence. I rarely need it, but for the few times I do, it is easier to just click the button with my thumb, than fumble with a headband.

Today is a big day and I’m looking forward to it and need to get going!

We have two house showings, and our house is almost clean!

The first showing is a second look from some folks who came two weeks ago. That’s a good sign. The second showing, although I have no proof —  (just a feeling really) is with the people we have the contract with. I think this because, our realtor let it slip that they would be on the island this weekend.

Of course we aren’t “allowed” to have any contact. But, oh how I wish we could. It would be so nice to meet and talk. We could tell them so much about the place and find out how the process is going for them. Maybe we could work out something — but… NO! Not allowed! Our job is to, clean the house, leave the lights on, and go to the library for an hour while people poke, and peek around, asking questions the realtor cannot possibly answer, and let the professionals do their job!

But… I digress.

Ken will go to the library today to wait out the showings. I’m going to town to meet up with Ali and I’m so excited!

Ali, Sam and I got in a van and drove across North America for four months in 2001. Ali and I share some very special memories, and I look forward to remembering a lot of them with her. Plus, she lives in Korea now and I want to hear all about her life and what she is up to, AND her birthday is on Monday, so we can get started on her celebration.

Yay!!! A good day is planned.

The Cape on Bowen, is 600 acres near our house, that is also known as the place the super rich go to build their mansions.

We used to know it as Cape Roger Curtis. An incredibly beautiful place to hike and enjoy.

After a huge debacle by our muni, the Cape has now been logged, paved and cut up into 58 ten acre lots. They are for sale.

Most lots are long and narrow so everyone can have an ocean view, and most lots cost at least one point something. That is, at least one point million something — for the lot. The houses that are going up are simple mansions. Most are at least 14,000 sq. Ft. in size. And I admit, if we had that kind of money — I’d love to live out there. It’s freaking beautiful.

Now, as not all lots are sold or built on yet, I’ve been exploring on my morning walks for the last year. I have several favourite lots I walk to and most are perfect to practice on.

Lot A really is the best in my mind. Of course I’m not the only one to think this – Lot A is owned by the developer of the entire Cape. I imagine he called dibs pretty darn fast. I also like Lot 1, 3, 16, 18, and 44 as well.

Today I hiked out to Lot 8. Beautiful. Okay, now when I say beautiful – I’m not talking about the lot per se – I’m talking about the view from the lot. Remember all the lots are long and narrow so each have a water view and as long as you look straight out, it is gorgeous.

I practiced qigong over looking Worlcombe Island this morning — half watching for humpback whales that have been sighted out there, and half enjoying the grandeur while doing my best to block out the constructions noise.

A million bucks for the lot. Yup – right in-between two another million buck sites, both undergoing huge construction, with loads of trades men and trucks.

It is beautiful out there — no doubt — but I have to wonder, if you had that kind of money and would spend it build a monster house — would you really do it right next door to another monster house?

The Cape on Bowen offers 10 acre lots — and as I stood this morning on Lot 8 – it was very apparent to me that everyone on Lot 7 and Lot 9 were watching me, watch them.

It’s a weird world.

I did it. I went to the Dr. I got poked, prodded, and peeked at yesterday. All the big stuff seems to be just fine. I do have a little wax build up in my ears and that could explain why I am always saying, “What?” to Ken.

I was surprised a bit by one thing though and now because I saw it, I need to change it and well, here comes the post about fucking change again!

I know change comes from doing or not doing things on a continual and persistent basis.

For some reason it goes like this… we decide to make a change. Say, we quit drinking or smoking. Then we start to feel better, so while we are on this roll, we decide to make another change, we start jogging or take up yoga. Now, while we are at it, we become vegetarians, no — vegans! And then we decide to train for a marathon and go to an ashram in India and on our way to perfection… we slip and drink again, or realize we gained 10 extra pounds.

 And the problem is we honestly are shocked because we were doing so well and can’t believe everything just fell apart.

Or, in my case I get complacent and think I’m doing so well on this front, that THAT front doesn’t matter.

This is why I like bumper sticker philosophy like Today’s Step offers. I need simple slogans and constant reminders. Easy does it and first things first… blah, blah, blah….

we’ve heard it all before. It seems I need to hear it again and again,

Thanks to years of Tai Chi practice, it is easy to look back and see personal transformation. I’ve learned it takes persistence to change, but more than that,  I need a deep seated feeling that what I do matters. And because of this, and because I am a creature of habit. Over the years I developed some habits that are good for myself, and others.

I’ve also developed a few that need to change.

As much as I’d like to click my heels and snap my fingers — I know I need to wake up and do different on some fronts.

I can’t say I’ve changed a habit until the “no matter what” comes into play for me. 

I will not drink, no matter what! I will take a walk and practice every day, no matter what. I will kiss and hug Ken everyday, no matter what. I will eat popcorn and cookies everyday… oh wait. I see the problem.

Dammit.

No one likes to be treated as an object. We all like to be seen and treated as the wonderful people we are… unless…

Unless you go for a scrub!

Over the years when I visit Allyson in San Francisco, and a few times after PAWMA near Olympia, WA, several of us go for a scrub.

Scrub happen at particular spas. They usually have communal hot tubs, saunas, and several different quiet rooms for you to hang out in as well.  These spas are usually run by Korean women and provide a nice relaxing way to clean up and relax and be treated like laundry. (in a good way)

After years of looking, Marian found one near us. I say near us in that we didn’t have to go to WA or CA, but we did have to drive all the way out to Coquitlam on Hwy 1. Why we chose to go on a Friday afternoon with all the traffic, and the pouring rain is beyond me, but we couldn’t wait to get there.

It was worth it when we arrived, were given a locker key and a matching set of pink shorts and shirt, that I swear came directly out of my mothers closet. We ditched the short set and sunk deep into the hot tub getting “seasoned” for the scrub and massage we booked. We alternated between hot tub, cold tub, and salt room, as we dropped whatever cares we carried, waiting for the scrub to begin.

At the appointed hour, we got on the table and the scrub began, or as I like to say, the laundry was washed.

This is where being treated like an object comes into play. This is no place for modesty, explanations, or small talk. The women scrubbing you do not ask how you are, or if you are comfortable. They assume permission and start in.

Scrub means scrub. From head to toe, and all parts in-between, dead skin starts flying off and the only conversation for the next hour were the directions for me to be, “face down, on side, on other side, and face up”  as I was handled by a very small and maybe elderly woman. I can say she had stronger hands than most men I know.

These scrubs are not for the timid or shy. I close my eyes and let go. After the dead skin is scrubbed off,  hot towels are placed over your body, cucumber masks put on your face, and a pounding massage, that I swear only woman with serious dim mak training can do.

They look so innocent! Do not be fooled! I can not be sure but I think that at one point this little lady was standing on me in order to get at a certain knot! Tapping out does not seem to be an option, still, I like to think I can handle it. I did hear Marian on the table next to be, saying, “Ouch” a few times and the lady working on her laughing. Not me! I can take it, I connected to the touch like only push hands can teach you, and I let it in. Grrrrrooooooaaaaaaannnnnn!

I knew it was coming to an end when she washed my hair and magically tied my locks into a top knot, that I wore for the next 15 hours. I only took it down so I could wear a hat on this mornings walk.

All my nooks and crannies have been massaged and scrubbed out. I’m sure no ribs were broken. Actually, I feel great! My skin is soft and silky, and truth be told, I’m glad no one asked anything of me during the process.

Like I said, no one wants to be treated like an object in this world. We all have our stories, that is unless, you are getting a scrub! Then, I say, be the laundry.

When I was 21 years old, I won a blue ribbon in the Crawford County Fair for my cherry pie.

I don’t think I have to tell anyone what a big deal this was. Crawford County is located in the south-east corner of Kansas. Farm country — small town – Crawford County folk take blue ribbons serious. There are women who spend most of the year perfecting their pickle and pie recipes, so not everyone was thrilled when a “young upstart from away” (me) pulled off a coup and took home the first prize.

I admit to being first time lucky. I made a great crust with an oil and not butter recipe, and don’t tell anyone, I used canned cherry pie filling!

Still, it was that blue ribbon that gave me the confidence to continue making pies.

I used that particular oil pie crust recipe for years. I don’t know where I got it. I had it memorized, thinking I would always know it, and then … I’m not sure when, but one day I forgot it. I couldn’t make it. My ratio of flour and oil were off and it just wasn’t the same. I didn’t make pies for a while, and the ones I did, were okay, but not great.

Then, a few years ago when I was teaching in Massachusetts, I went to the home of Rachel Scherer and we made pie. Her recipe was terrific and foolproof. I wrote this one down and have been using it ever since. It doesn’t use oil; it uses butter, a lot of butter, and … crisco! Probably what most Kansas housewives used in the early 70s.

The crust is flaky, yummy, and easy to make.

I made two pies this last weekend for Thanksgiving, blueberry and pumpkin. Tonight with the left over pie crust dough – I made blue ribbon pie crust cookies.

Pie is tradition, and pie crust cookies are a throw back to my mom.

Food and memories — we all have them.

I just finished The Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis.

I picked up this book at the recycle centre. They have a terrific book exchange there. I chose the book because it was a Canada Reads winner in 2011. I think one good way to choose a new book is by the awards they win. They don’t usually give awards to bad reads. The yearly Canada Reads contest tends to select the type of book I enjoy reading.

This book is a perfect book if you want to know a bit about the crazy world of Canadian politics and still keep it light. Of course it’s fiction, so our hopes are raised with the prospect of reluctant politicians that is free to speak the truth, do what’s right, and call bullshit — bullshit, when it’s bullshit.

Good ole Angus McLintock, only agreed to run in his riding if he is sure to lose. Big surprise — he doesn’t lose. Technically he didn’t win, spoilt ballots had the most votes, because the favoured candidate really fucks up, so to speak. Unfortunately, we don’t get to vote NO in our country, so it is possible someone can hold office with a fraction of support.

I don’t read or listen to the news much, but I will say our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper is an Asshat of the biggest magnitude and bad for Canada; a perfect example of someone who leads with a fraction of support. Now, while this book never mentions any of the leaders by name, there is a paragraph in the book that sums up my feelings quite well on page 60.

“…The clowns that have run the country for the last two decades have dragged democracy through a sewer. There is no end to their conceit and arrogance and no beginning to their vision and intelligence. They simply do not, or cannot, see what is really happening. As Canadians’ respect for democracy declines and their disdain grows, we tend to abandon the greater good, follow the politicians’ lead, and grab what we can for ourselves. We give up and accept things as they are, leaving us trapped in a perpetual cycle of self-interest. That’s what’s happening in this country. Aye, it’s a mess and I abhor it. The writ drops tomorrow, but I’m just a name on the ballot, an ambivalent observer.”

I read that page many times as it is also how I feel now as Bowen Island enters the 30 day hell of election season for a new mayor and council. I’d like to stick to my knitting as an ambivalent observer, yet something in me holds out hope for change. Not the obvious change from them to us, or a fake change of Coke to Pepsi. I’d love to see real change, a nice clear and clean drink of water to nourish the people.

The Best Laid Plans does that — it was refreshing and fun, the way I always hoped politics could be.

4 stars