March and April flew by and as a result I didn't get around to writing my diary until now - May! But here goes and I have lots to tell you about!

March 1 ~ Happy Birthday Mum

80 years ago today a beautiful, generous being came into the world and all of us who know and love her will be forever grateful that we were given such a gift. My mother was born in England (near Liverpool) on March 1, 1926 and from an early age I believe she had a sense of adventure. She grew up during war-time (World War II) and had to learn how to make do. She apparently was quite clever in school although I guess a bit too chatty for her teacher's liking. Her sense of adventure took her over to post-war Germany where she helped feed the troops! That's where she met my Dad. Rumour has it they were quite taken with each other on first sight. My Dad and Mum emigrated to Canada in 1956 with my two older sisters Chris & Kathie. I was a welcome (I am certain) addition a couple of years after their arrival. My Dad passed away when I was about 13 and my Mum and I were on our own for a few years (as my sisters had grown & moved out). We grew very close and I treasure that time with Mum. My mother has always encouraged and supported me. She continues to amaze me with her kindness even in the face of daily pain (due to arthritis). Mum, I love you.

March 4 - The Traveller Returns

Well my sister Kathie thought better of running away to Italy and decided she had best return to celebrate my mother's birthday so it was back to the airport. Silly me spent almost an hour waiting for her by the arrivals gate while she spent almost an hour waiting for me outside! We must have just missed seeing each other. Oh well... worth a good laugh. My mother & Jerry came down for a quick visit and we had a belated family birthday dinner for Mum. My sister came bearing gifts - I received a beautiful tapestry table runner from Florence. I have a little piece of Italy in my diningroom.

March 18 & March 25- New Ideas Festival

Missed Week One of the New Ideas Festival at the Alumnae Theatre but managed to catch Week Two & Week Three. The New Ideas festival is an excellent opportunity for playwrights to have their work produced and get feedback from audience members. You never know what you are going to see. Which to be honest can sometimes be a good thing. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the selections for both weeks. My top picks for each week were - "Work and How to Enjoy It" by Diane Forrest and "Ditching Mackenzie" by James Papoutsis. I also had a debut of sorts as I worked the box office March 25th for the first time as part of my Alumnae member volunteer duties!

March 23 - The Innocent Eye Test

Oh the theatre.... I certainly had my share of it through March and into April. I enjoyed The Innocent Eye Test a play written by Michael Healey (one of my favourite actors on "This is Wonderland" - a brilliant show that the short-sighted CBC cancelled!) The play centres around Sam the stereotypical Canadian - you know - trusting, polite, people-pleaser. A case of mistaken identity leads Sam to a Ukrainian plutonium dealer, a clairvoyant casino performer, and an international spy ring! Michael Healey also wrote The Drawer Boy (voted one of Time magazines Top 10 plays of 2001).

April 6- Lunch with Alice

Checked out a lovely little cafe/restaurant called Shananigans on Queen Street East near Woodbine Avenue. The food & atmosphere was great! Alice and I grew up together in Kincardine and she is part of the famous "Blue Meanies" (my Kincardine gal pals). Alice is busy jet-setting around the world with her consulting work (we are still not quite sure what she does!) and as a result we don't get together often enough. One of my favourite memories growing up with Alice was the time she tricked me with the old brake light scam when we were on one of our "infamous" gravel runs. Good one Alice.

April 13- The Lord of the Rings

Well after much anticipation I finally saw the Lord of the Rings (www.lotr.com/intro.html) production at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Too say that the lighting & technical artistry were fabulous would be a gross understatement. The staging was incredible and as a result they pulled off Fangorn Forest, Helm's Deep, Lothlorien and Rivendell. The performance was long and if you were unfamiliar with The Lord of the Rings storyline you would have had a difficult time following the action. I was also a little disappointed by the lack of energy from the actors except of course for Gollum. That being said, it is definitely a play worth watching.

April 15-16- Easter in Kincardine

Buster (my miniature schnauzer ) and I drove up to Kincardine for Easter weekend. Had a great visit with my friend Tamis. I even managed to drag her out to the Bruce Inn to see a blues band! Had a great Easter dinner and then it was back to T.O. with Easter goodies in tow for the kids (they had to work).

April 20- Cirque Eloise

I took my daughter to see Cirque Eloise (www.cirque-eloize.com) at the Canon Theatre as an early birthday present. The show incorporates many traditional circus elements with song & a unique quartet performing on stage with the aerialists, jugglers & tumblers. The staging was quite effective as it evoked the night sky. All in all - pretty cool according to Caitlin.

April 22- Moonlight & Valentino

Worked the box office at Alumnae Theatre again and took in the final show of the season - Moonlight & Valentino. Some of you might recall the movie with Jon Bon Jovi playing the part of the painter! Well... let's just say that Chris Lang was just as easy on the eyes in the Alumnae Production. All in all a good show with some really poignant moments.

Movies, Movies, Movies

Well we had a couple of really rainy weekends in April so when I wasn't busy going to plays I was busy watching movies. I highly recommend "Mrs. Henderson Presents" starring Judi Dench & Bob Hoskins. It is based on a true story of a widow who deciding she needed a diverson, bought a theatre in the 1930's (shortly after the death of her husband). The staged productions (naked tableaus) were considered quite risqu for the time. Hard to imagine given the plethora of naked bodies thrown at us in the movies & plays of today! Judi Dench was absolutely fabulous in the role of the widow Mrs. Henderson. A must see. I also watched "Good Night and Good Luck" a movie by George Clooney about the life of Edward R. Murrow, a newscaster from the McCarthy era who refused to compromise his beliefs.

April 29 - Caitlin's Hawaiian Birthday Bash

My daughter Caitlin asked if she could have a bbq with her friends to celebrate her 17th birthday which of course meant a day of preparing for a full-blown Hawaiian theme complete with a "tiki-hut" & palm tree. The things we do for love!