Into the future with Kathleen Wynne

I think next week, things begin to calm down. I hope so, because this last while has been manic. Five minutes ago, I emailed the latest draft of the writing book to my publisher, and now I have to pack for a trip to Ottawa tomorrow morning - renting a car and embarking with Anna and Eli. We will be packing many many snacks and toys, and Anna is planning the trip like D Day - when to come over here so that she can wear him out so that we can leave just as he's about to fall asleep so that we have at least a few minutes of peace on a five hour drive with a very active two year old. Who at his annual paediatric checkup the other day was off the charts in height and weight. And counting to three.

Well no, looking at my daytimer for next week - teaching Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, a private coaching client, various health appointments, and work to get the book out. Not lying on the chaise with the grapes and the chocolates just yet. Luckily my friend John will be here over the weekend keeping the garden going, as it's bursting with life and so heavenly, I hate to leave. But it's important to see Auntie Do, who had her 94th birthday while I was in France, and it's my brother's 60th birthday too. Par Tay. 

Yesterday, at Carole's class at the Y, I talked to Elizabeth, a very bright woman and a lawyer. She told me she has always voted NDP or Liberal, but this time she's so enraged at Liberal incompetency and corruption - i.e. the gas plants - that she refuses to vote for them. "But that's exactly what's going to get Tim Hudak elected," I said, "the whole 'spanking the Liberals' vendetta." 

I missed the leadership debate on Tuesday night, thank the lord, I was teaching, though when I got to College Street to get the streetcar home, I ran right into Kathleen Wynne getting into a big SUV after a campaign stop. Waiting in the car for her was her partner, a lean, attractive woman. And I thought, how incredible, no matter what happens, that Wynne's sexuality is simply not an issue in this campaign. She was a married woman with children who fell in love with a woman and ended up living with both her new lesbian partner and her ex-husband and their kids - who can do that? And in how many countries in the world would that not come up in an election campaign? It's not just that Canada is exceptionally tolerant - though in many ways it is - but that she is an exceptional woman, so hardworking and honest that her worth cannot be doubted, even by bigots. I gather that the debate was not her finest hour, and she has been saddled with huge quantities of grief from her predecessor. But that's no reason to punish her party and thus elect Hudak, a Tea Party thug second only to Mike Harris and Stephen Harper for thuggish hideousness. 

By the end of my harangue, Elizabeth was beginning to waver. I'll work on her again next week.

My parents were 100% NDP, always. I was NDP through my youth, a card-carrying member of the party as a young mother. But now I'm voting Liberal, and in fact, it's been a while since I've voted NDP. Is this the hardening of the idealistic arteries as I get older? Is it just being realistic about what's possible and electable? This time, it's simply that NDP leader Horvath made a very bad call in rejecting a fine budget and forcing an election which might bring the monstrous Hudak into power. 

I beg you out there, my fellow Ontarians, to forget the past and focus on the future. 

Beth's book launch talk with Sam

Friend Nicole took a video of my talk at the book launch, and finally my helper Grace is here to help upload it. She has just posted it on Youtube, so that we can link to it here. It's in two parts, the first Sam introducing me and the start of my rambling talk, and the second the continuation and end. Will this woman ever shut up? Stay tuned.

Click here to watch part 1 and part 2.

I have no idea what I said. Hope it's entertaining, at least.

from girl to boy, with the love of his parents

Have spent this lovely day sitting on the deck, reworking my stern lessons for writers, including an admonition not to be distracted by the internet. And of course, after writing that, I stopped to check email and Facebook. Just watched a very moving little film about a transgender child. Quite beautiful. Chris Tyrell, you will cry. And everyone else may too.

How This Family Has Supported Their Trans Child is Truly Inspiring

Beth's garden writing workshop July 20

Enough of this book-writing story reading merriment. Back to earning a living. Come one come all to my next garden workshop! (The date has been changed so as not to coincide with the FIFA world cup finale...)

WRITE IN THE GARDEN:

A one-day writing adventure.

Inspiration, structure and support for those with lots of writing experience and for those with none.

Spend a summer day learning to trust your voice and tell your stories. Listen to your creative self. Gain confidence and perspective from friendly contact with other writers. Write in the garden and enjoy positive feedback, bushy perennials, and lunch.

Who: Writer and teacher Beth Kaplan has taught writing at Ryerson for 20 years and at U of T for 7.

When: Sunday July 20, 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m

Cost: $150, including food for thought and actual food (and wine). Register early; registration is limited.

Where: Beth’s secret garden in Cabbagetown.

Laughter, camaraderie and insight guaranteed.

For more information - bethkaplan.ca/coaching

To register – beth@bethkaplan.ca

“Glorious stories being made, a beautiful setting, great food, a garden to die for.” Kelsey Mason

 “Just what I needed to get started writing again.”  Pat Broms

“Beth has a special gift for creating a safe learning environment, with a well of positive things to say without passing judgment. It was a joy to be there with her and the others. Her garden is magical, and she created a magical day for me.”  Ann C.

sweet Sunday

One of my favourite days of the year, as longterm readers will know - the Ride for Heart shuts down the Don Valley Parkway, and the neighbourhood is still. I went for a bike ride on the trail - on all sides, birdsong (a huge population of redwing blackbirds), sunshine, the babble of the river, and below, the singing of my wheels. Heaven in the core of the inner city.

This afternoon, I made a stir fry while listening to Eleanor Wachtel interview a young Chinese writer about Tiananmen Square. Lucky Canadians. A note from my friend Lynn in France about the 50th anniversary of L'Arche, where she worked for many years and I for six unforgettable, life-changing months. Later, my neighbours Mary and Malcolm came for a glass of rosé on the deck. Mary is a dear friend and also my lawyer - she brought my will for an update. She came to buy ten copies of the memoir for all her friends. "It took me back," she said. "It reminded me of how complicated my relationship with my mother was." Me too, Mary. Me too.