lawless brutes bellowing

Imagine, Canada's now famous - for the hideousness of the trucker tantrum in Ottawa, which may spread worldwide. Of course, the real inspiration is January 6 in Washington - violent lawless brutes, bellowing. The policing has been abysmal. You can imagine what my far left daughter says about this, she who was at a demonstration with Indigenous people at Queen's Park when a woman draped a red flag on a statue and was arrested and handcuffed. Almost nothing has happened to the thugs in Ottawa. Surreal. Disgusting.

Is it because the police are sympathetic to the cause? Partly, perhaps. Of course, Anna thinks it's because the "protesters," aka terrorists, are white. And she may be right. It's also true this is an armed, angry bunch aching for trouble, to make themselves martyrs and provoke more trouble. And now this weekend, it has spread to this city and many others. People screaming about freedom, who live in one of the freest and safest countries on the planet. It is to weep. 

Next, the Conservative party will probably elect a sympathizer, a far right cretin, as leader. We are sinking into the abyss. 

To cheer us up, there's fresh snow, tons of snow, and it's very cold. We are deep inside the tunnel of winter here; I haven't left the house in days. But in fact, that's because I've been working like mad on the essay book. The latest draft went off tonight to my editor Ellie. It may be - as I wrote to her - like tapas, light snacks, not like the rich, heavy duty essays I love. Maybe not worth much. We'll see.

Tomorrow - dancing with Nicky and a date with Ruth, who's coming over to listen to my Mike Nichols and Elaine May record. Otherwise, blank. Luckily I have work, work, work, to fill my days and my soul. 

I read the most superb essay about the Beatles' "Get Back" by British writer Ian Leslie. I've written him a fan note before, after reading his "64 reasons to celebrate Paul McCartney." I just sent him another. What a kindred spirit. He wrote back, Beth - what a wonderful, heartening note for a writer to receive, thank you so much for writing it! Yours appreciatively, Ian

https://ianleslie.substack.com/p/the-banality-of-genius-notes-on-peter 

More good news: I got a royalty statement for my audiobook from Audible: $19.72. I sent this info to Jason who helped me produce the book. "That villa in Mykonos is just around the corner!" he wrote back. Yes, Jason. Any day now. 

Paul Kelman died last week. We met in 1966 when he played Mr. Frank in our high school production of The Diary of Anne Frank. We became professional actors in 1969 when we were brought to Toronto, with four actor friends, to do a Young People's Theatre school tour and all rented a house in Kensington Market together. Here we are in the house in 1970 - Lynn, Suzette, Karin, Paul, me, Peter. 

All still friends, Lynn a linguist in the south of France, Suzette a screenwriter in L.A., Karin a journalist with CBC, Peter a visual artist in Nova Scotia. But now, Paul, handsome moody Paul the actor, has gone.