I have to take a wonderful book back to the library today – “The Seven Good Years” by Israeli writer Etgar Keret, one of my favourite writers. The book is extremely short, a bunch of brief chapters detailing the years between the birth of Keret’s son and the death of his father. It’s about life in Israel and being a man, about families and life. He’s witty, hilarious, and very moving, and he’s extraordinarily concise. I don’t know how he does so much with so few words. Highly recommended.
It’s heaven out there today – not as hot as it was on the weekend, when it soared over 30 degrees, but hot and bright. The roses are – I wish there were a verb to go with the noun ‘profusion’ – profuding? Bursting out all over, and the gardenia too.
But it’s also a sad day; my friend and tenant Carol’s mother died early this morning. Born in 1914, she’d attained the phenomenal age of 103, so this was not unexpected, but still, it’s a passage, a loss, an ending; a much loved mother is gone. I picked a bouquet of roses, mint, and lavender for Carol’s room.
On Sunday night, much excitement – Sam and Wayson came to watch the Tony awards from Broadway. “Come From Away” sadly did not win, but “Dear Evan Hanson” did; my ex Edgar was one of the early producers at Arena Stage, his theatre in Washington, and he was onstage with the other producers. (He also produced the Tonys twice, but that was years ago.) We at home were very excited – “There’s the old man!” shouted Sam, and rewound the program after so we could take a screen shot. Bravo, Edgar. What fun for you to be at the Tonys; what fun for us to watch.
Last night, another celebration – to thank John, a dear friend from the Y who does my income tax and recently bailed Sam out of a complication with his, I took him on Sam’s night off to dinner with Sam at his new restaurant, the Emerson, at Bloor and Lansdowne. A grand night, delicious food, all the waitstaff coming up to say hello and joke around – sheer delight.
And now, time to put on my big girl clothes and ride beautiful blue Marilyn to Ryerson.
