Holes

Mighty Mouse sat in the tall, armed stool with a poise not normally attributable to a five-year-old.

"Stand right there, Mommy."

I stepped forward into position. She grabbed both my hands and together we waited while the teenage salesperson and the store manager loaded their weapons. The toes of Mouse's black Mary Jane Crocs grazed the hem of my skirt. We could still make a break for it, but I knew she wouldn't let me.

I always said the girls could pierce their ears when they were ready. After all, my ears were pierced, twice even, and for a brief period of time I'd even sported a belly button ring. But it had never occurred to me the feelings I was going experience once the decision was made. Was I insane? How could I let perfect strangers punch holes into my precious child?

The younger salesperson had drawn two small purple dots on her perfect little lobes. After careful inspection, Emma had her move the one on the left a little closer to Mouse's head. She'd settled on a pair of cubic zirconium studs so she could look like me and for a brief moment I wished I'd never worn earrings.

The jewelry shop ladies moved into position. They would work in synchrony. They counted out loud, "One, two, " and it was done.

Mighty Mouse looked up at me smiling with the faintest hint of tears in her eyes. She looked beautiful. I told her so.

Oh, Deer!

I can't tell you how glad I was that we came across this doe and her fawn, already well hidden, on our way into town. It's too easy to forget with whom we share this place.

Loonie

Above is a folk art version of the bird which inspired the nickname of the Canadian dollar coin. The first official loonies, created to replace the paper Canadian dollar, had a loon on one side with a picture of the Queen of England on the other. As the beloved nickname was believed to not inspire confidence in the then floundering currency, the powers-at-be changed the emblem to include more awe inspiring images. Unfortunately, the damage was done: the term 'loonie' had stuck and, worse, had given rise to the name of the newly created Canadian two dollar coin, the 'toonie.'

Goosed

Kempenfest

We spent a few hours today at Kempenfest on the shores of Lake Simcoe in Barrie, Ontario. Rows of white tents lined the waterfront where artisans from Ottawa to Niagra-on-theLake displayed their wares in every imaginable medium. There were loons and bullrushes laser cut from steel; Canada geese in oil on canvas; wooden moose, soap moose, candy moose, stuffed moose; and images of woodlands in every seasonal and diurnal mood. When I was permitted I took pictures of some of my favourites, but I couldn't help wishing I could bring some of it home. It's too bad my tastes run so heavy and/or breakable.

By the way, the girls found a drinking fountain while at the festival. They didn't know what it was. When I showed them how it worked, Emma asked, "Is it eau potable?"