This long weekend is no longer whispering my name, it’s FULL OUT SCREAMING in my ear! The Civic long weekend is probably my favourite. I have many fond memories, from a gang of us heading to Bala to catch April Wine perform in the 70’s, to years later spending lazy days at the cottage with my kids.

I was spoiled the many years I lived in Thunder Bay. Our cottage was 25 minutes from the city, we would move out as soon as school was finished and stay until Labour Day. I was up at 4:30am each day to host a morning show but loved the early morning drive in. The sun was never up, but the combination of the first signs of daylight and the stars was always beautiful. The only thing I needed to watch for was the moose!  The other day, my husband and I were talking about how much we appreciated our years at the cottage.  Our kids spent their summers enjoying tree houses, fishing, swimming, tadpoles, bike rides, board games and bonfires. So many good memories!

This long weekend I’m working every day, but honestly- this never feels like work. Way too much fun, just like this past two weeks when Darren Osborne and I sat in for Erin and Mike. We had such a good time, we got to laugh and joke around with the General and Gord Rennie. That much fun could never be considered work. Saturday while I was broadcasting from Home Depot in Markham, many of you came by just to say hello and tell me how much you enjoyed Darren and I in the morning. You are so kind and thoughtful – thank you!

I must also thank Edna who came by to tell me how much she loves the Sunday Morning Oldies Show. She told me about a book she recently picked up at Costco that contained musical bits that made her think of me and the show. She gave me directions to the Costco where she found the book and I had every intention of stopping there after I finished at Home Depot.  Well, to my happy surprise – Edna returned and gave the book to me as a gift. I was so thrilled, such a nice gesture. The book is right up my alley, thanks Edna. I’ll give you credit on next week’s show.  

Even though I’m working all weekend I still plan to squeeze in some of my favourite past times. Off to a movie, then to Little Italy for espresso & pizza and watch the world go by – I LOVE TORONTO!

I will be taking a few days off, relaxing and enjoying my back yard. I thought I would show you “my cage”.  It’s covered with Virginia Creeper and Wisteria (a non blooming Wisteria - I might add).     

Hope you’re long weekend is fabulous!

Thanks for stopping by. ‘Til next time…Stay Gru-v!

Tish

I have always been a big Melissa Etheridge fan and months ago purchased tickets for her July 28th concert at Massey Hall, but just hours before the concert I was less than enthusiastic about attending. The prospect of not getting to bed until midnight and waking up at 3am to host the morning show did not make me “feel good all over”, but as it turned out it was perhaps the most moving concert I have ever attended. About the fourth song in, I realized we were all watching the performance of a woman who was totally comfortable with herself and where she is in her journey, and we were all participating in that journey. I have seen Melissa many times in concert before and last night was the best.

Another Great Summer Weekend in Toronto! 

There is no better place on the planet better than the City of Toronto in the summer. So much to do, and this weekend was no exception. The Beaches International Jazz Festival is always one of my favourite yearly events. There was cool music on every corner, and as ridiculous as this sounds, I really enjoy people watching while walking back and forth along 

. 

I love to stop at the jewellery stores and the flower shops that line the street, and when my timing is just right I love finding a table on an outside patio. The parking was a bit nuts again, I’m sure some of the residents are pleased to see it end. I actually don’t mind parking far away, because that means I get to walk along some of the neighbourhood streets on the way to the event enjoying people’s gardens and after dark I have to admit I like looking through windows to see how homes are painted and decorated inside (I know I am not the only one who enjoys doing that). 

Wakefest was also held this weekend on the 
Toronto
Island - in summers past when the event was held at

Wasaga
Beach, we would often drive up for a day at the beach. After enduring a crazy line of traffic into Wasaga (one of the reasons the event was moved to Toronto Island) it was great seeing the kids having so much fun, sometimes we would watch the wake boarders do their thing on the river behind the beach area. It was always a thrill to watch the young competitors up close. 

Erin and Mike continue to enjoy a well deserved vacation so Darren and I along with The General and Gord will be waking you up and getting you into work again this week. Your emails and phone calls have been terrific. Thanks for taking the time to let us know you are enjoying the show. We are having so much fun it could never be called “work”!   

Thanks for stopping by. ‘Til next time…Stay Gru-v!

Tish  

She recently gave the commencement speech at Stanford University. I thought it was worth posting here in-case you haven’t had the chance to hear it in it’s entirety. It is almost 30 minutes long…..so grab a coffee and sit back for a bit and enjoy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpd3raj8xwwThanks for stopping by.  California calls…(I think Joni’s singing) I will be on vacation for a couple of weeks.‘Till next time…Stay Gru-v!

Tish

Well they said yes and my story along with some pictures of my hooking are featured in the summer issue.  How exciting! It is a great article and I am very pleased with how it all turned out.  My only regret is that I didn’t have a picture of a mat I made for Loreena Mckennitt many years ago.  I usually took pictures of everything I did because many were one of a kind and once they were sold they were gone forever. For some reason I didn’t take a picture before I sent it to her.  It was a mat I was inspired to design and hook after listening to the Bonny Swans, and ancient tale of sister rivalry. I knew when I was hooking it that I would send it to Loreena as a “thank you” for the great music she gave me on her CD’s.  It was very time consuming but I remember how delighted I was with the finished piece and even more delighted when I received her wonderful thank you note.  But- no picture.

RugHooking Magazine is available at the big bookstores in the magazine section  if you feel inclined to check it out but I have included a couple of pictures here that were featured in the story.  Happy hooking!

Thanks for stopping by. ‘Till next time…Stay Gru-v!

Tish

David Bisbal - He is a Latin singer and was a finalist on a show in Spain similar to American Idol. I discovered him a few years ago by accident (which is often the way it happens) while buying a piece of pizza at Pizza Nova in the Beaches. The music was loud and infectious - I loved it!  When I asked the fellow behind the counter what he was listening to, he said it was a CD he had made of Spanish music. He told me about David then offered the cd to me. How fabulous was that!  I have no idea what David is singing about - but it doesn’t matter! It feels good! Especially when the sun is shining and the roof is down! Here is a link to see and hear David for yourself …    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDfbjK155dI&feature=related

Another CD I have been enjoying lately is Gino Vannelli’s 1974 Powerful People. I have always been a Gino fan and this album was one of my favorites back then.  It is kind of jazzy, has some soul and in no way sounds dated.  My first radio job was in Halifax, and while hosting the all night show, midnight to 6,  I would play Gino from my own personal collection every so often. Other dj’s might have been really wild and played Led Zeppelin at 3 in the morning but not me! No, it was jazzy Gino my listeners were treated to!Anyway, I am really enjoying this revisited time with the Powerful People CD.

There is nothing I love more than finding “oh wow” songs each week for the Sunday Morning Oldies Show.A few weeks ago my husband and I were talking about a novelty song we enjoyed back in the 70’s. He listened to it on WLS a monster radio station in Chicago that could be heard in the north Central US and in
Northern Ontario at night. I remembered hearing the song on Toronto’s CFTR. The song was “Life is a Rock – (But the Radio Rolled Me)” by the group
Reunion.The song went to #8 back in 1974 with a group of studio musicians and a bubblegum lead singer Joey Levine who also sang such songs as Chewy, Chewy and Yummy, Yummy, Yummy.I seem to remember the song was customized for each radio station in different cities. I played it today on Sunday Morning Oldies - had it cranked-up loud and enjoyed every minute of it.

I found this video on You Tube that someone put together (too much time on their hands). I’m sure grateful they did it, because it brings back lots of great music memories.

Enjoy!

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxzXNysmxnY

Thanks for stopping by and enjoying some delicious music with me. ’Till next time…Stay Gru-v!

Tish

Two weeks ago North Western Ontario received about 80 mm of rain in a very short period of time that caused the evacuation of the community of Hymers, just outside of Thunder Bay.  The rainfall also caused the banks of the Kaministiquia River to over flow effecting the provincial tourist attraction - Old Fort William. Workers scrambled to remove animals and period furniture while the water continued to rise.  My girlfriend Karen Uchman, who lives in Thunday Bay, sent me this picture of The Old Fort emerged in water.  (And we thought a damp basement was trouble!)

Thanks for stopping by. ‘Til next time…Stay Gru-v!

Tish

Mount Pleasant
Cemetery and tree bark immediately began falling out of the sky! It was the weirdest sensation. By the time I reached Blythworth, hail was pounding my car and I could hardly see the street in front of me. Along the way I passed a family that had been out for a bike ride and where they soaked! Poor kids, although I am sure they thought it was great fun! It sure was a crazy little storm!

Thanks for stopping by. ‘Till next time…Stay Gru-v!
Tish

Well, we sure did dance the night away Friday at the CHFI Oldies Dance. It wasn’t long before the shoes were off and the dance floor was packed. It is always nice to meet so many of you who come to let your hair down, forget about the cares of the week and dance like maniacs!  And we sure did that this year! Thanks for making it a night of fun. After my feet recover I will be looking forward to next year.

Friday was busy-busy for me as I had planned to spend the day with my daughter. First we shopped, then we shopped some more, then we made our way to the Varsity Cinema for the 1:40 showing of “Sex And The City”. It was packed! Perhaps five empty seats in the theatre. You could feel the energy of anticipation as the audience prepared to visit with four old friends. The opening music drew loud cheers and applause and then we settled in to watch the continuing story of their lives unfold.  It was wonderful! I was teary eyed not once, not twice, but at least three times. Don’t forget to take tissue when you go. Tears or not it was worth it! We didn’t watch the series when it was on TV, my daughter was young and I deemed it inappropriate for her age. It has only been the last year or so that we started to watch. NYC is one of my favourite places on the planet and seeing the streets of Manhattan is as enjoyable to me as the fashions on the show. Not being a fan from the beginning I don’t feel qualified to tell you that you will love the movie, but there is a good chance you won’t be disappointed.

After the screening, it was a quick trip home to throw on my fab 70’s jumpsuit, then off to the CHFI Oldies Dance for some groovy fun!  You’ll notice I didn”t mention eating supper, which is why as I met many of you and signed your t-shirts I was munching on Twizzlers. Not a great meal - perhaps that is why I felt like a inflated flounder when I woke-up for work on Saturday morning at 4:15 a.m.. Nasty! How old am I again?

Hope you’re enjoying the weekend and whatever you’ve planned. Thanks for stopping by. ‘Til next time…Stay Gru-v!

- Tish