The Sign of Spring

Like most people with kids---I have done "the McDonald's thing". Something about the uniform taste of the chicken nuggets ---fries---the toy---oh yeah THE TOY--that appeals to kids.

The end of a long day of work or errands --and it is too easy to give in to the drive-thru. After eating...all of the "dishes" go into recycling...except the toy which vanishes into the pit of the toy box...usually never to be seen or referred to again. (Even though when the toy was missing from the bag, I went BACK through the long drive-thru line to assuage the flow of tears coming from the back seat. Sigh)

About four years ago, my youngest had just finished his "Happy Meal"---when he suddenly began to look a little green. He ran upstairs and got to "enjoy" his meal again in reverse order. That was the end of McDonalds in our house.

So for me, there is one reason and one reason ONLY to go to McDonalds now. SHAMROCK SHAKE. While the nutritional information is not listed, probably because it is a seasonal shake, I am not sure there could be any number on it that would make me NOT want to have my ONE shake per year!

For some people ---Roll up the Rim at Tim Hortons is the first sign of spring. For me ---it is the green of the Shamrock Shake!

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Shame is A Full-Contact Emotion (Brené Brown)

It is a cool outside this morning and I have on my fluffy red robe as I sit outside and watch the birds flit back and forth from the fence to the feeder----arrogantly tossing aside imperfect sunflower seeds to get to the good ones. The discarded seeds, some empty, some full, punctuate my deck, waiting for the squirrels, who will later claim this easy buffet. I am still reading Brené and The Gifts of Imperfection. Feels a bit like learning a new language ---I see the words---I hear the words---but the meaning is so diffuse...I need to read and reread and sometimes, even read out loud to make the words stick It is hard work. And while the smooth cover of her book lies balanced on my palm, seemingly weightless, many of the concepts have a density that knocks me flat on my ass ---like a large medicine ball. CATCH THIS ONE! Oooooooof! I am down. Eyes wide, trying to catch my breath, wrestling with the weight of hefty concepts like shame, authenticity, wholeh

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Dr. Dr.

When we moved to Brampton I needed to find a family doctor---at 37--not married--two weeks into a new job in a different city--sleeping on an air mattress on the floor while my partner and son were wrapping things up in our London condo where they were still living---I found myself pregant . I went online and found a website that provided the names of doctors in various parts of Ontario who were accepting patients. Of the few names listed I was immediately attracted to one. Dr. Patricia Francis--a woman --who had studied in Ireland. This to me was a sign. I am of Irish background and if you know Brampton at all you will know that finding her seems like a bit of the luck o' the Irish. I was escorted into a room where a lovely coffee skinned, well dressed woman with a gorgeous South African accent I couldn't place asked the reason for my visit. I told her I needed to speak to the doctor about a bit of a crisis. Her eyes popped open as she sat down putting one hand on m

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Asking for Help

My oldest son walked into the kitchen last night while I was drying the pot I had just used to make marshmallow squares. He leaned against the wall, eyes downcast, unfocused and spoke in a soft voice: "Mom. Tomorrow. Just so you know. Something has happened and I cannot remember a SINGLE thing about ANY of the stuff that will be on the exam. So. Just so you aren't expecting anything. I am going to fail the exam. Probably need summer school. Will have to quit my job. Will get my university offer rescinded. But it is probably too late for summer school so. It is just all over." I put down the pot and gave him a hug. (no hug back) I told him it was fine. He was fine. He remembered stuff--he had an 87 going into the exam! You can't have marks like that if you don't remember stuff?! Right? I could see the tears forming in his eyes. He still wouldn't look at me. "Ok. Get your jacket we are going for a walk. Your brain is in overload a

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