The Compline was perfect. We arrived a bit late because I turned a corner too fast and was stopped and questioned by police for driving heedlessly in the DTES. I said I couldn’t be late for a very important date and explained I was headed for a memorial compline and church starts on time. I offered to come to the police station after the service and they rolled their eyes and let us go. But the quiet and peace of the sanctuary evaporated the cloud of angst trailing in our wake. It was unforgettable but how special to be able to listen again today. Ps I think our obsession with decades etc has to do with our fingers and toes.
So glad you were up, not glad aboit why, but glad you were up and writing. This entry is what I needed to read at 730 this morning, the birthday of my dear man, dead these seven years. He would be 82 today. He loved -- loves? -- your writing. Tale care, Bill
2) I understand never re-reading work after it's out in the world. But in this case, surely you must be the expert on Mavis Gallant and a personal memoir book would have been in order, especially given all the fun side tracks?
3) Your AI artist is a much better Philip Surrey than Philip Surrey. I have never appreciated his appeal At. All. So garish and unpleasant. But your artist captures his forms with a very warm, agreeable palette. :)
When MG first applied to The Montreal Standard, and was told to come back when she was 21, it was Philip Surrey who interviewed her; he was the photo editor, or some similar position. I don't know his work at all well. Goodridge Roberts was a neighbour and friend to MG, and someone about whom she wrote fondly a couple of times.
Late to the chat, but just as grateful for this essay as for all the others. If Mavis has any knowledge of your endeavours since her departure, I expect she feels fortunate. Here’s to your restored good health ❤️
That August evening was my introduction to both the word and experience of compline, and a perfect reintroduction into Vancouver, after thirty years living elsewhere. The event itself was wondrous and made even more so by the accidentals: the man who came in from the street because he could, the sirens, the gulls, and the tent pitched right on the steps of the church set to face the corner. And the light….
Marian, thanks so much - I remember it as though it were my wedding, in a way, which is to say half-remember, there'd been so much fussing and fretting and so on, and then it was on and then it was over. I'd forgotten the fellow who wandered in. There was a volunteer warden from the church who had a pleasant, frank chat with the guy out front in the tent who confirmed that he didn't want to get in anyone's way, just needed a place to be. Thanks for coming, I'm so glad you did.
Well, Slim, even in the throes of Covid you deliver something terrific. That August 2022 event was moving . Thanks to technology Toronto could join in. Please get better soon, oh, and congratulations on another bonny bunny book!
Thanks, Linda. I wear my opera scarf whenever the occasion arises that an opera scarf is either required or tolerated -- they are rarer than would be ideal -- and I LOVE my MG beanbag paper weight. I think of you whenever I see it -- which is pretty much every day. Love to you!
a feature of my posts is that they always include errors -- charming! April 18 should read February 18... duh...
The Compline was perfect. We arrived a bit late because I turned a corner too fast and was stopped and questioned by police for driving heedlessly in the DTES. I said I couldn’t be late for a very important date and explained I was headed for a memorial compline and church starts on time. I offered to come to the police station after the service and they rolled their eyes and let us go. But the quiet and peace of the sanctuary evaporated the cloud of angst trailing in our wake. It was unforgettable but how special to be able to listen again today. Ps I think our obsession with decades etc has to do with our fingers and toes.
I loved that August gathering! Especially the Gallant fragments put together by you, voiced by Gabrielle Rose to music by Veda Hille. So perfect.
Glad to hear you’ve given up the cigs; sorry about the Covid. Just getting over it myself. Bark bark.
Drivel, Bill? Never. I’m always delighted to find you in my inbox.
Thanks, Jo. That means a lot! Glad you came through the Covid ok, it's not so bad so far, just a nuisance. See you soon, I hope.
So glad you were up, not glad aboit why, but glad you were up and writing. This entry is what I needed to read at 730 this morning, the birthday of my dear man, dead these seven years. He would be 82 today. He loved -- loves? -- your writing. Tale care, Bill
Thank you, Wendy. That's incredibly kind. And -- sad. Ach. Those losses. So hard. Take care, you too.
1) Get well soon!
2) I understand never re-reading work after it's out in the world. But in this case, surely you must be the expert on Mavis Gallant and a personal memoir book would have been in order, especially given all the fun side tracks?
3) Your AI artist is a much better Philip Surrey than Philip Surrey. I have never appreciated his appeal At. All. So garish and unpleasant. But your artist captures his forms with a very warm, agreeable palette. :)
When MG first applied to The Montreal Standard, and was told to come back when she was 21, it was Philip Surrey who interviewed her; he was the photo editor, or some similar position. I don't know his work at all well. Goodridge Roberts was a neighbour and friend to MG, and someone about whom she wrote fondly a couple of times.
Late to the chat, but just as grateful for this essay as for all the others. If Mavis has any knowledge of your endeavours since her departure, I expect she feels fortunate. Here’s to your restored good health ❤️
Thank you for your 3am writing and I hope you get over Covid very soon.
That August evening was my introduction to both the word and experience of compline, and a perfect reintroduction into Vancouver, after thirty years living elsewhere. The event itself was wondrous and made even more so by the accidentals: the man who came in from the street because he could, the sirens, the gulls, and the tent pitched right on the steps of the church set to face the corner. And the light….
Marian, thanks so much - I remember it as though it were my wedding, in a way, which is to say half-remember, there'd been so much fussing and fretting and so on, and then it was on and then it was over. I'd forgotten the fellow who wandered in. There was a volunteer warden from the church who had a pleasant, frank chat with the guy out front in the tent who confirmed that he didn't want to get in anyone's way, just needed a place to be. Thanks for coming, I'm so glad you did.
Well, Slim, even in the throes of Covid you deliver something terrific. That August 2022 event was moving . Thanks to technology Toronto could join in. Please get better soon, oh, and congratulations on another bonny bunny book!
Thanks, Linda. I wear my opera scarf whenever the occasion arises that an opera scarf is either required or tolerated -- they are rarer than would be ideal -- and I LOVE my MG beanbag paper weight. I think of you whenever I see it -- which is pretty much every day. Love to you!
Pleasure and comfort -- so important. And you can start the trend of opera scarf and jeans. The world is watching! xo
also - honestly, I'm hopeless -- that's Archdeacon of Burrard, not Burred -- that was spell check playing a trick on me, as often happens.