Willow of the Wood

Waiting for the plane

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Sun, 06 Jul 2014 18:13:00 +0000

What I was really trying to do was take a photo of the people behind her. But she started the squirm and to make a small scene.

Now we sit and make up lives and destinayions for our fellow travelers. Who is taking the flight to Chicago?and who will head to Thunder Bay. It's all so obvious. Sometimes you really can judge a book by its cover.

The interview

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:51:00 +0000

So, I happened across this job for which I applied. They called me for an interview and I didn't make the cut through to the next round. C'est la vie! Right? Wrong. Several weeks later, intensely looking for a new job, this same company emailed me for an interview. Different location, different position. So, I obliged for the interview.

I arrived early. So did others. Yes, this was a group interview. You've heard of them, or have you? Anyhow, 4 others arrived, then 10, then 14. Soon there were about 20 of us. We were all standing around a naked room. Naked, as in no chairs or tables. Not naked as in people naked. Ok, okay. While we all stood awkwardly around, I began to make small talk with a nice young lady. And then it dawned on me: I was 20 years older than everyone in the room. Gaw! How did this happen. I noticed a nice young man. Okay, he's the only guy. Nope. That soon changed. Then there were 3 guys and one old lady. That old lady was me.

Finally, the facilitator arrived and she struggled to get the room ready. Between myself and two other girls, we offered our help. We all sat down about 10 minutes after that and the interview began. She explained to us that we had all applied for a job in one location, but the openings were in a different location. This didn't seem to bother most, but it bothered me. This was a retail job. I'd be lucky to make $13/hr in this job and we all know that the retail jobs are part time. I worried and fretted about commuting and the cost of gas and the babysitting costs and and and and and.... I went through the interview. I answered where I felt my input was going to matter and kept my mouth shut for questions like "Tell me about a time someone gave you some feedback. What did you do with this feedback?" Huh? I've been the feedback giver, not receiver. How would I answer this one?

source: levistrauss.com

Another zinger came at us: "Who or what inspires you?" I wanted to say David Suzuki. Others dove in telling stories about Grampa coming to Canada from a foreign country and becoming the mayor and then overcoming terminal illness, the smiles that children give, or the smile that you give yourself in the car. Somewhere in the series of questions came about your favourite book and tv show. While some answered with philosophical books and Friends (were they born when Friends was on?), one girl told us all about Kris Jenner's book and The Kardashian's on tv. So she brought that up again. Kris Jenner was an inspiration. Then the Kardashians were changing her life. I was so flabbergasted that I had to come home and call my mom immediately to question what the world was coming to.

Anyhow, within a few short hours of the interview, I received my rejection email. Turns out my rigidity on location didn't win me any brownie points. But I'm dying to find out if the Kardashian-inspired girl gets the job?!?!?!?

signed, the willow

Let me try that again

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Mon, 13 May 2013 21:31:00 +0000

Mom,

No matter what I have done or do, you are always there in a supporting role. It's an unspoken role. You expect no payment, no return of gesture. You just want me to be happy. That's it. It's all that any mother wants for her young. Go out into the world. Live your life. Be happy. Cry if you have to, or want to, or need to. But remember to strive to be happy.

Here is picture that belongs to your day

She's protected, she's the protector. Her stars are the Universe. She oversees all the love. She's you. She's me. She's the embodiment of love and life. Only shared between mother and daughter. The tie is tighter than any other connection. I'm glad you've shown me the ways and I'm so glad that I love my daughter in the same way.

For those of you happening to stop by and read this, please love your mothers every day. No one day belongs to your mother. Every day does.

signed, the willow

For my mother

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Sat, 11 May 2013 23:48:00 +0000

Moonlight Dance Mixed Media at ArtistRising.com

Wherever You Go

My mother's voice is always there comforting, strengthening. No matter how far away, her voice is there reminding me that I am strong enough, brave enough, and I always have her love.

Happy Mother's Day! I love you mom.

F Scott would be pleased

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:21:00 +0000

Years ago, I sat down and watched Gatsby. I think I read the book (note: I'm not a fiction reader, I prefer a textbook any day) but it's the movie I remember. Robert Redford played Gatsby.

Yeah, him.

And now we have Leonardo:

Slightly believable. Brad Pitt would have convinced me on looks, but I think Leo will play it best. Well cast.

Then we had Mia Farrow playing Daisy

And now we have Carey Mulligan

I'm not sure I believe it yet. But proof will be in her acting.

Then it was Sam Waterston who played Nick Carraway.

Yeah, Sam from Law & Order.

Now we have Tobey Maguire.

Completely seeing this character emerge already.

I'm not a fan of the movie theatre, but I could see myself going to see Gatsby. How about you? What's on your list to go see at the movies?

signed, the willow

And I've traced my tree back to Ragnar Lothbrok

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Since our tree has been traced back to Thorsteinn the Red, a few clicks away on Wikipedia led me back to Ragnar Lothbrok. The legend states that Thorsteinn would have been a contemporary of Ragnar, which makes many a historian wonder about the sagas. Was Ragnar alive a century or so earlier? Since my other ancestor (Snorri Sturlason) was a big influence, who knows? A mystery to be solved in my lifetime.

signed, the willow

Addicted to Bad

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Lately I have been watching deep dark dramas. Finding my dark side is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I've released a lot of negative energy when Walter White rids the world of a drug dealer, or Nancy Botwin marries a drug kingpin to avoid her own execution.

The beauty of tv is that it has evolved into binge watching on Netflix.

So, just what keeps me entertained these days?

Nancy Botwin and her cavalier attitude. She seems to always manage to get by, or does she?

Weeds

When I first started watching Bryan Cranston in this role, I thought "How on earth? What is going on?" But through the first episode, I realized he could totally carry off the role and I was immediately hooked. This show has to be one of the best ever to hit the tv screen. Thank you Netflix!

Breaking Bad

Ok, so I watched this because it came recommended. First Weeds, then Breaking Bad, followed by Homeland. I had no interest in the war on terrorism. It terrifies me. But Claire Dane's character is hypnotising and you feel for her and at the same time you want to choke her. At the essence of this series: human. We're all humans. We are all taught to hate based on one incident. Look deeper and you may find that oil, money, and politics really do rule the world. Love this show.

Homeland

I was never a Kevin Bacon fan during his Footloose days. But as Kevin matured, he became this demure guy with a secret. His passion shows through in this show. Still I struggle to get through the gory sick episodes, but I do it for Kevin. (insert corny smirk here)

The Following

I told you yesterday that I had become just a wee bit addicted. History Channel has done a fabulous job telling the legend of Ragnar Lothbrok. A bit of a Robin Hood feel to it, makes you wonder if he really did exist? I think he did and if he did, well he's my ancestor. Or so the story goes. (psst, so is Robin Hood)

and who could forget Vikings

and now for something light

Meet the Bluths. Jason Bateman was the reason I started to watch. Then Michael Cera's quirkiness caught my interest. But Will Arnett? And his chicken dance? I'm a crazed fan now too. And don't we all know families this dysfunctional?

Arrested Development

Hank Moody (David Duchovny) is a tad crazed, a tad calm, just overall filled with problems. Yes, you want to bring him home for dinner and ask him all sorts of questions. Like why? why? why?

Californication

What's on your watch list lately?

signed, the willow

Lately on the internet I have been randomly found here and here and here

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:56:00 +0000

Doing Blogilates with this cool chick

Visit her blog and Blogilates along with Cassey.

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And quite honestly, I spend a lot of time here (but who hasn't?):

Pinterest!

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A great blog to read (and lots of decorating eye candy) from Croatia (and heck I'm married to one - a Croatian. that is):

COPY PASTE

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I've been exposing my Viking side to my Croatian husband and he's become more and more intimidated thanks to the History Channel's Vikings.

Meet Ragnar Lothbrok

via Vikings

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Speaking of Vikings, I love me a little Iceland and while I dream of my journey there soon (very soon!), here's where I drool

Wouldn't a marathon in Reykjavik be fun? Get ég fengið bolla af kaffi?

signed, the willow

She needs MILK!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

she also needs a lot of bran.

(Don't you love solving the mystery dinners of your neighbourhood?)

signed, the willow

Was there a ochre Ford Escape convention?

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Suddenly she realized they were everywhere! The ochre Ford Escapes had surrounded her. This was it. The end of the world as she knew it. And it would all go down on Fairview by the Burlington Mall? Huh?

signed, the willow

Willow Winds @ the RBG

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

On Good Friday, we went for a spin....to blow the stink off. We landed our eager legs at the RBG in hope of feeding birdies. However, the birds were being generously fed and we couldn't find a parking spot. So we drove down to the Arboretum. First, we had had to watch the monkey climb a tree.

Then the monkey fell into the shadows of the Willow Winds sculpture. Amazing how someone decided to salvage these beauties and create anchored artwork out of them. And what a great way to explore your shadow amongst these curvaceous pretties.

signed, the willow

Shrink-ly dink-ly

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Remember making these? We heated up the pan over and over during a sleepover one night and discovered something magical. When the pan was hot, it caused the shrinky dinks to curl up. *Mila* chose to make this one and coloured her edges with a nice blue Sharpie marker. It looks like a melted, warped piece of glass. I adore it.

What do you need?

Shrinky dink plastic (we picked up some at the dollar store) - be sure that it's shiny

Oven heated to 350F

Sharpie markers

A cool pan lined with tin foil (or hot - for the warped effect)

Bake your plastic goodies for a few short minutes. Watch carefully as they curl, shrink and don't let them burn. P-U!

signed, the willow

Post Easter Egg post

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:24:00 +0000

*Mila* made some eggs. I blew some eggs. Boy, do I ever feel the pain of the Ukrainians.

She loved NY.

I love our largest Canadian version: T dot (while *Steve* says I should call it HogTown).

signed, the willow

I can't decide who I like better....

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 23:33:00 +0000

michael carson (via this gallery)

samantha french (via her etsy store)

beverley hawksley (via her website)

kelly grace (via her website here)

I'm reviewing each artist and trying to decide what it is that I identify with. I thought at first it was the vintage quality. There is evidence of that with Michael Carson, Beverley Hawksley, and Kelly Grace. But I'm not too sure about Samantha French. Then, I thought there was a watery aqua coloured themed. But no. Michael Carson doesn't push that colour, nor does Ms. Hawksley. So, what is it? Hawksley and Grace are Canadian through and through. Having seen Ms. Hawksley many times as she would quietly wander through my former store in Muskoka, I like to think I entered her artistic genius. I can't pick a favourite, so I pick all 4!

signed, the willow

Target (with a soft G)

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:57:00 +0000

Target has come to Canada. And yes it's true, where there was once a Zellers store, there is now a Target store.

So, we happily went to check it out. The parking lot was full. But there were no fist fights over parking spots. We walked in not knowing what to expect. Then, we began to realize that where things once sat on Zellers shelves, they now sat on Target shelves...in the same spot. The shelves were new, but looked the same. The white walls now red. The employees that wore red polo shirts, now wore red polo shirts. Scrreeeeech! Yup. We found that Canadian Target was a lot like Zellers. I'm not sure what we were all expecting in Canada. It makes you wonder about hype. Shoppers are complaining that the prices are higher. To be honest, I thought the pricing was reasonable. But, what do I know? I don't make it across the border ever.

So, to sum it up: *Mila* found a purse. I found packing tape. I'm happy to have the spot filled where we had Zellers. I miss Zellers and Walmart makes my head explode, so I've lived out my Zellers shopping at the local grocery stores in the interim. Thank goodness for Joe Fresh!

signed, the willow

While we wait for Spring....something cute for you to see

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Photos courtesy of my sweetie neighbour, Maren. She's a talent and inspiration. What's with all the artsy neighbours of today and yesterday? Neighbours with paintbrushes. Neighbours with cameras (and many songs written on her albums!). Neighbours with oil paints. Neighbours with watercolour ink. Yes, you Jules! I miss you.

I have to say that I see my face emerging in the photo above. Maybe she does look a little like me?

signed, the willow

Social media and children

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:07:00 +0000

I'm encouraging my *mila* to learn how to use Instagram, Twitter, and the likes. I'm also encouraging her to use these tools responsibly. However, I'm noticing something (and this is new to all parents out there, as we have never grown up with these mobile tools): bullying. Kids get on these devices, toys, mobile phones, etc. and find ways to ostracize each other. They ignore texts and they're berated. They put their iPads down to, I don't know, use the bathroom; and the bullying begins. The constant tethering and umbilical-like ties we teach them by example is causing their own demise.

*Mila* is nine and she wants to use her new iPad to text, facetime, take pics and post them to instagram. But the second someone gets the least bit upset with her, she's deleted from their following. "Following"? Yep, what they hell are we doing?

When I was her age, kids rarely phoned each other after school. So, we came home put our troubles away and didn't lose sleep. We had our stomach aches in the morning and there was no constant dingling of texts, facetime requests, or instagram deletions. It's time to teach our children etiquette with the technology we created with such immediacy and need for the quick, small, and entertaining. These tools are meant to make life safer, easier, and delightful. They aren't meant to cause gut ache, worry, and drama.

If you have children on these tiny little tapping tools, teach them manners. Set boundaries. Set limits. Our new rules today: no texting after 7 pm. No facetime while you eat your dinner. No followers on instagram without your parents permission. Oh, and another thing: we watch everything you do!

signed, the willow

IX birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 02:59:00 +0000

I won't bother with my babble about how busy I am (or not).

Happy birthday to my sweet *Mila*. You're 9. It's gone zooming by. I haven't missed a heartbeat. Your first 9 years have set the tone about what life's all about. I love you.

Signed,
the willow

How lucky am I?

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:55:00 +0000

signed, the willow

I am sorry

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:41:00 +0000

I am sorry that this is a world where a grown woman collected assault weapons and felt it was her right to keep them in a place where her grown son could access them.

I am sorry that this is a world where a murderer had access to assault weapons, which was more readily available than the help he needed.

I am sorry that this is a world where we glorify violence on tv and teach young children to shoot via video games.

I am sorry that this is a world much different than the world I grew up with.

I am sorry that this is a world with weapons. All of them unnecessary.

I am sorry that this is a world that let those children lost their graceful innocence .

I am sorry that this is a world let them see, feel, hear, and witness this.

I am sorry that this world left the moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandparents, friends, emergency teams, and a world that feels this heartbreak.

I am sorry that this is a world that has come to this.

I am sorry that this is a world with someone who violated the security of schools.

I am sorry that this is a world where we feel let down.

I am sorry that this is a world that I haven't made into a better place.

I am sorry.

for my *mila*

signed, the willow

vintage ski attire

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:46:00 +0000

So, just what will this turn into by tomorrow? Look at those knickers on those NW Ontario dudes.

signed, the willow

She kilted her lily

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 01:54:00 +0000

The goat is the Capricorn. And yes, that's her kilt. Where on earth did this come from? Um, the creative genius that crawled from the fireplace.

signed, the willow

Kilted Lily

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:57:00 +0000

She's a Kilted Lily. She's a Lady of the Lake.

So, my challenge again will to pull my creative genius from within the wall and create a piece of art from this inspiration. Look at that dress...it's oh so familiar....

signed, the willow

And just what happened with the girl who ironed?

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:57:00 +0000

This:

signed, the willow

Learn something new

noreply@blogger.com (Willow) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:39:00 +0000

I'm stuck. In a funk. Routine is shot. Life is odd that way. We define ourselves with how we earn our money, what we studied at University, or through our relationships with who we know. We don't define ourselves enough by our passions.

I am learning a new skill. Starting today. Breaking the old habits and finding the things that make me happy.

No, I am not ironing. I was never happy ironing (ask my husband). Nor did I create this scrapbook page. I suck at that too. I am taking this time in my life when I feel like I was happy and recreating it in my creative mind. Turning 6. I had a moose shirt, a pair of jeggings from the 70s and bangs.

I'll share with you tomorrow what this has taught me.

What makes you happy?

signed, the willow