Visiting Aunt Dorothy

This morning Neil and I went to visit my Aunt Dorothy (my father's sister) at Summerhill Retirement Residences in North Vancouver where she has lived for nearly a year.  We also joined her for lunch in the dining room. Aunt Dorothy turned 88 years old in 2013 and is still sharp and beautifully dressed. Here is Aunt Dorothy in the dining room:

 

It is a lovely retirement facility for independent living; she is very happy there.  The public areas of the residence were beautifully decorated for Christmas, making everything look festive for the residents.

 

As a young girl I have so many memories of my Aunt Dorothy - she lived with her mother (my grandmother) for a few years before she married Ed and moved to Vancouver in 1961.  When I visited my grandmother during summer vacations in the late 1950's, I remember being in awe of the racks of pierced earrings and rows and rows of high heeled shoes in Dorothy's bedroom.  She was so sophisticated and elegant!

 

Here is Aunt Dorothy as a young woman (holding me).

 

 

Treated Myself to Some New Books

Went to Buchan's, a small, but great, bookstore in Kerrisdale and bought four new books to read in the New Year:

First:  "The Luminaries" by Eleanor Catton, winner of the 2013 Man Booker prize, which has outstanding reviews. The story is based in New Zealand, so that should bring back memories of our trip there.  From the jacket cover:  "Richly atmospheric and brilliantly constructed, 'The Luminaries' is a fiendishly clever ghost story and a gripping page-turner in which readers will gladly lose themselves.  It confirms Eleanor Catton's reputation as one of the most exciting and boldly inventive writers at work today".

Second:  Bill Bryson's "At Home" - the illustrated edition.  I had borrowed it from the library about a year ago and started to read it but didn't have time to finish it.  I found the history fascinating, so decided to buy it to allow me a leisurely read, and then add it to my home library. From the book cover: "A fascinating excursion into the history behind the place we call home".

Third: "Unexploded" by Alison Macleod, which was long listed for the 2013 Man Booker prize. Based in May 1940 in Brighton in wartime Britain.

Fourth:  "The War that Ended Peace" - The Road to 1914, by Margaret MacMillan. From the jacket cover: "A masterpiece of narrative non-fiction, a fascinating portrait of Europe from 1900 up to the outbreak of World War I."  Margaret MacMillan also wrote "Paris, 1919".

 

Should be an interesting few months reading two novels and two non-fiction histories. Better than shopping for clothes during the Boxing Day Sales!

 

Turkey is done!

Turkey is cooked and looks gorgeous - hope it tastes wonderful.  Just going to carve it and then we are taking all the food to Linda's home for dinner.  I also made Pecan Oatmeal Crusted Yams, Mashed Potatoes & Turnip Fluff! 

 

 

 

Ken is doing the carrots and brussels sprouts and Linda has done lots of baking. Looking forward to being with family.

Fortunately my nephew Chris arrived just in time and carved the turkey for me:

Had a wonderful dinner!

Movie: "Philomena" with Judi Dench

Bonnie & I went to see the movie "Philomena" staring Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan yesterday at the Park.  It had excellent, well deserved, reviews.

It was based on the true story of Philomena Lee as told in the book "The Lost Child of Philomena Lee" by Martin Sixsmith.

 

It tells the story from the perspective of the older Philomena Lee with in flashbacks to her youth, when as an unmarried young woman she was placed into Roscrea, an Catholic convent in Ireland which "specialized" in taking in these women in need, helping them with the birth of their babies, and then finding adopted homes for them, in this case with Catholic families in the US.

She spent 50 years looking for her son, Anthony Lee, and with the help of Martin Sixsmith, a former journalist and former investigative reporter, traced him to Washington DC.  They discovered that he had been renamed "Michael Hess" by his adoptive family and had worked in the Reagan administration.  Unfortunately, Michael had died of AIDS but Martin was able to track down Michael's former partner, Peter, who met with them to talk about Michael and to show them a video.

This video revealed that Michael had gone back twice over the years as an adult to the convent n Ireland seeking information about his birth mother, which the nuns refused to give to him.  Little knowing that his mother and her new family lived not far away.

Michael chose to be buried at Roscrea in the hopes his birth mother would some day find him, which of course she did many years after his death.  His grave site:

 

A very powerful and moving movie revealing the many injustices inflicted on unwed mothers at that time.  I do recommend seeing it.

Dylan in Ottawa

Our nephew, Dylan, is attending University of Ottawa, and was thrilled to be invited to the Conservative Party Christmas Party as a result of his volunteer work.  Special moment for him.

Sam in Oxford

Our nephew, Sam, is studying at Oxford University, working towards his Master of Philosophy in International Relations, and occasionally sends us photos, much to our delight.

The first photo below is from October 19, 2013 and is of Sam just as he was to leave for the "matriculation" ceremony for his college, Lady Margaret Hall (a "selfie" on his ipad).

 

Matriculation is the ceremony that marks formal admission to the University as a student and is officiated by the Vice-President of the University, among others.  He was required to wear the appropriate gown for his college and a mortar board or soft-cap. He looks so happy!

 

Then, on November 27, 2013, Sam rowed with the LMH team in the Christ Church Regatta, which is an annual rowing tournament in Oxford on the Isis for novice rowers from the various colleges at Oxford University. Sam said they won their first race, several lengths ahead of their nearest competitor - lot's of fun.  Here are some pictures he sent the family:

 

 

 

 

Thanks for sending these Sam!

Great "English Style" Tea - Fundraiser

On October 16, Bonnie and I attended the "Dayson Tea" given by the Louis Brier Hospital Auxiliary, remembering Esther Dayson, in support of its fundraising efforts. Great to see so many women from the community there in support of this event.

Delicious "English Style" tea, with party sandwiches, sweets and fruit.  They also had a raffle (I won the box of Purdy's chocolates) and a marketplace for women's accessories.  I loved looking at the beautifully crafted sandwich, fruit and dessert platters prepared by the staff - very talented staff.  Here are some examples:

Note the "bouquet" made out of radishes!

 

A very lovely afternoon; will definitely go again next year.