YOU | Birthdays Galore!

Just in case all those long weekends, holidays and warm sunny days didn't get us enough reason to be thrilled about Summer, many of our readers also celebrated their birthdays.

Here are A FEW of those birthday bashes...

Rain or shine, the party must go on. The event: Melisa's daughter Sara's 9th Birthday in July- The venue: my friends Doug & Heather's house. The weather: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs!

Fortunately Sara and her guests did manage to enjoy some time in the bouncy castle which had been rented for the party, before the skies opened and the rain fell. 

It was great to see the old gang all on board for Sara's birthday, especially the one's who were once the kids in the room, not parents!

  

 

On August 30th, Jim Triemstra-Bailey celebrated his 50th birthday (yes, despite how young he looks, we said 50) with husband David, family and friends. 

On facebook, our Brantford buddy said "This [Police Box] was on the top of my birthday cake. Thank you to everybody that came to my party. It was a great time especially when my friends from holland surprised me by showing up." 

Lookin' good Jim!  Welcome to your 50's! 

 

What do you get when you take two silly siblings, whose birthday's are only a day apart, and add family, food and refreshments?  You get a wild and crazy party that's what.

Bob and Jeanne's party was one of many events the Farquharson's and their offspring enjoyed while chillin' at Cathy and Ernie's trailer on Mink Lake this Summer.

When her boyfriend Kevin turned 30 this Spring, Amanda Bergsma along with Kevin's family and friends, gathered at a local park to blow up about $1000 worth of fireworks. (That's what you call a "birthday blast" -LITERALLY!)

Amanda's birthday was in August and although the sky may not have been illuminated by the flashes of fireworks like Kevin's party was, Ms. Bergsma put her own unique spin on the event.

She is creating a Dragon Hoodie, and shared the pix above on facebook, to show her friends the progress she had made.  We're not entirely certain if the hoodie is for some particular function or just a new kind of fashion statement. Either way it looks wicked.

 

Our Toronto pal Kirt celebrated his Summer birthday in a grand way, with a trip to New York. Above we see Kirt flying 1500 feet above the Big Apple in a helicopter tour and making a big splash on the speed boat "The Beast".

Kirt also enjoyed the play Kinky Boots on Broadway and ate his weight in tasty foods ("May I have some more ribs please"...LOL). No wonder he referred to this as a "fantastic birthday".

And although it looks impressive, we must confess, Time Square didn't really get all dolled up for Kirt's celebration, despite the Photoshopped pix below.

Diane Murray had extra reason to be happy on her recent birthday. She and hubby BJ now reside in Niagara Falls, and by the sounds of things, they really love their new place.

Diane is pictured above in a photo from Scribbles archives. Diane (right) is seen with daughter Katie. Katie and her BF Jay created a lovely "welcome" sign for Diane and BJ's new home, which we also see above.

Meanwhile, Di's son Patrick and daughter-in-law played host to her birthday lunch in August.

"Endora's" living the good life these days and that's bewitching indeed!

 

PHOTOS COURTESY BRENDA TURNER, JEFF ZWICKER PHOTOGRAPHY, JANE PERKINS, LYNN S.LUDWIG SHUTTERBEAR.COM

There were plenty of other Scribbles pals who celebrated their birthday's over the Summer months including [seen above left to right] Dave Webber, Clayton Hackey, Tyson Lee, Jane Perkins and Steve Sauder.. 

Yes, we're missing a plethora of others, sorry about that....We hope you ALL enjoyed your birthdays

 

YOU | "I'm Not Crazy, My Mother Had Me Tested"

IN MEMORIAM | Colin W. Mackie

Colin Wilson Mackie 

1929-2014

We are deeply saddened to tell you that our father and grandfather, Colin Wilson Mackie, passed away peacefully on August 4^th, 2014 at the East Lancashire Hospice in Darwen, UK.  He was 85 years old.

Colin was unexpectedly diagnosed with acute leukemia in March of this year.  In May, after 4 years in Canada living with son Brian and family, he moved back to the UK to live with granddaughter Katy Quayle and family in Darwen.  He had a very peaceful and comfortable last few months, enjoying excellent care in both the UK and Canada, visits from family, plenty of ice cream, and of course televised sporting events such as the World Cup and the Open Golf.

Colin is survived by his children Shirley Dickinson, Heather Johns and Brian Mackie, his grandchildren Katy Quayle, Lucy Johns, Colin Robert Mackie and Catriona Mackie, and his great-grandchildren Chloe Quayle and Connor Quayle.  He was predeceased by his wife Pam in 1999, and he can now be with her again.

Colin, like his sister Jan, chose to donate his body for clinical and scientific use.  In lieu of a funeral or an immediate memorial service, we are creating a written memorial to celebrate Colin’s life.  This will include pictures and remembrances to be shared in both printed and online versions.

Any thoughts, memories or other contributions to this celebration of Colin’s life would be gratefully received.  These can be sent to Brian via the contact details below, or uploaded directly to the online memorial page:
http://colin.mackie.muchloved.com

Any financial donations in Colin’s memory should be made to UNICEF.  Colin, with his love of children, was a regular UNICEF donor.  Donations can be made through the memorial internet page noted above, or by post.  UNICEF’s British and Canadian addresses are:

UNICEF UK Donations Team, UNICEF House, 30a Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DU
UNICEF Canada, Canada Square, 2200 Yonge Street, Suite 1100, Toronto, ON M4S 2C6

Sent with much love at this sad time,

Brian and family

PETS | Strike the Pose

KIDS | Green With "Em-vy"

Scribbles VIDEO | Ken Does the Ice Bucket Challenge

 Visit ALS website CLICK HERE

 

KIDS | Off to the Races

VIDEO | Going Bananas

Ever wonder how that banana you're enjoying got to your local grocery store's produce department?  This video from Dole, shows us the process.

VIDEO | RANBIR KAPOOR "Badtemeez Dil"

CLICK PIX TO VIEW LARGE VERSION

It's funny how one thing leads to another sometimes. After watching So You Think You Can Dance, I was hooked on a song used for a Bollywood routine. I went on You Tube and came up with a few great songs by Ranbir Kapoor.

Judging by this striking performers credentials [should you Google him ] and you will see he is both a musician and popular Indian actor.

There's no shortage of songs by Ranpir Kapoor on You Tube and their infectious mix of upbeat funk, club and Indian pop is hard not to move along to.

I particularly love this video for a few entertaining and enlightening reasons. Rampir can really shake what his momma gave him and misses no opportunity to wiggly and gyrate throughout the video. Then there's the two -count them TWO - love interests, both of which he woes, with an interesting outcome.

Looking for something a little different than what you may usually listen to or watch? Give this a try.

[FULL SCREEN MODE RECOMMENDED]

KIDS | Munchkins

Neil Blythin entitled this pix of his kids William and Keira "Cooking Marshmallows for the Munchkins" when he posted it on facebook.

William and Keira aren't the only "munchkins" in the Blythin family.  One year old twins Evelyn and Rachel may be too little to enjoy gooey marshmallows off the fire right now, but soon enough, "Fire Master" Neil will surely be roasting the fluffy treats by the dozens.  LOL!

ART | by Angela O-Neill Whiteley

[ENCORE POST FROM AUG 2014]

We're used to seeing our Nova Scotia pal Angela O'Neill-Whiteley's artwork on display on living canvas. That's because most of her talents are painted on to her body and those of family, friends and clients looking for a unique way to express themselves.

Her body art has become a major hit.

But we found this pix on Angie's facebook and as you can see, Ang is just as skilled using a more traditional media....flat canvas.

Wow, Angela, you are indeed the Queen of Creativity...no wait, that's what I sometimes call myself...LOL...well I guess I will surrender the title to you.

KIDS | Keeping Up With the Quinlan's

If you happened to stumble across the lemonade stand above, could you possibly walk by without making a donation?

With a little help from the grown-ups, Jodi Quinlan's daughter Morgyn and her little friend Olive, set up this lemonade and lollypops stand on Keith Street in Niagara Falls, one day this Summer.

Although a bit young to be a sales girl, Morgyn's little sister Moli (top right) was on hand to add that extra "cute factor" to the scene.

The lemonade stand was only one of many MANY things the Quinlan family during Summer break.

Below, we see Jodi, Matt, Moli and Morgyn as they head out on a road trip which would take them to all sorts of places, including The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. 

IN MEMORIAM | Bart

Big, beautiful Bart, who passed away on Aug. 15th, was originally my sister's boyfriend's cat, before the couple moved to a new place together.

Bart became one of 3 cats the family would grow to include over the years, and he made it very clear, he was the alpha male of the group (and we're not talking about just amongst the other felines...LOL)

With his long black fur, Bart often looked to be very large and ominous, but whenever he was given a lion haircut, it was clear that under all that fur, he wasn't quite as tough as he would like you to believe.

Maybe it's because I'm soft spoken. Perhaps it's because at 5'4", I don't come across as much of a threat. Whatever it is, most cats seem to like me.  Bart was no exception.

When I lived in the same apartment building as my sister, I often babysat the cats. Bart needed insulin for a while, to treat his diabetes. So whenever Bart heard the door open and looked up to see it was me, he knew what was coming next...his needle. While he could have tried to hide, run away or give me attitude, Bart was a good boy, letting me do what I had to so we could then enjoy some quality time together.


Through a change in diet, in the past few years, Bart no longer needed insulin, which was great news for everyone involved. 

Although Bart was a cat I'd consider to be pretty laid back, that didn't quite apply whenever Timmi was around. Bart did not like Timmi. Not at all. Sometimes he would even charge at Timmi from a hidden position under a coffee table or chair.

Bart's cat siblings are Toonces and Pussyfoot. Like their big brother, both Toonces and Pussyfoot also have their own unique personalities.

Pets are a lot like people or snowflakes...each being unique in their own way. Some shine or stand out just a bit more than others and to me, Bart will always be a pussycat I remember as being very special.

My sympathy to you Jane, Ken, Graham, Toonces and Pussyfoot.


[EDITOR'S NOTE:  Despite their differences, Timmi has asked me to also send his condolences. JJ does as well]

PETS | Timmi's Ten!

 

TIMMI TURNS 10 on AUG 17 & SHARES THE AUGUST BIRTHDAYS SPOTLIGHT WITH:

TIMMI AS A PUP -CIRCA 2004

Dave Webber, Diane Murray, Amanda Bergsma, Tim Whyte, Jeanne Prince, Bob Farquharson, Michael Poirier, Sharon Prior, Clayton Hachey, Tyson Lee, Jim Triemstra, Steve Sauder, Gil Beaulieu, Tony St Louis, Julie Turner, Michelle Bertrand and Linda "Babycakes"..... 

Milk Bones for everyone....WOOF WOOF!

Here again is an encore presentation of the silly video I created in Summer 2012 featuring the birthday boy and I.

EDITORIAL | Blurred Lines

MATURE SUBJECT MATTER: NOT RECOMMENDED FOR YOUNGER OR SENSITIVE READERS

Robin William’s sudden departure stunned the world. Legions of fans, his family, celebrities, friends, strangers whose lives he had somehow touched....all felt an immense over-powering loss, while asking themselves; “Why?”

Why would someone with fame, fortune and notoriety take their own life? Surely someone of William’s stature could afford the finest help in the world, why wouldn’t he have sought out that help? Did he lose sight of all the people who loved him and treasured his comedic genius?

The truth is, we will never really know with all certainty what was running through Williams head. Superficial wounds on his wrists suggest hanging himself was not his first attempt at taking his life that agonizing night. All while his wife was sleeping, oblivious to what was going on only a few rooms away.

He leaves us with a legacy of memorable performances, both on screen and off, as we remember the man who made us laugh and now makes us cry.

Williams death hits very close to home for me. A very bitter pill to swallow.

In my past, I have attempted suicide. An overdose of drugs and alcohol was my method of choice. 

In my irrational stupor, I entered the home of a nearby friend. No one was home except the family dog, so I sat in a chair petting him, uncontrollably bawling my eyes out one second and laughing hysterically the next.

My friend arrived home, extremely shocked to find me sitting in her living room on a drug-induced, manic depressive roller coaster ride. She called the girl next door who came right away.

I would soon find myself at the hospital E.R. where they removed the contents of my stomach. This would be followed by several weeks in the psychiatric ward, where I learned there were other options when it came to facing my problems.

In 1990, my estranged father, whose life story could act as the definition of mental illness, committed suicide. We were not close (the results of an abusive childhood) but at his funeral I got to witness firsthand how taking your life affects those who love you.

I told myself this was the lesson I was to take away from this surreal situation, something I would remind myself over the years, whenever things seemed unbearable.

With medication, therapy and plenty of counseling, I have learned to accept myself for who I am. It is a continuous work in progress, which has rarely been a walk in the park.

Even as recently as this past Spring, I found myself “going there”. Back to that oh-so-familiar dark, dank, depressing place, where hope and logic dare not enter.  Where the demons within me turned the volume to max with their macabre allure of a permanent solution to the mental and physical pain I once again felt.

It is at that desperate time and in that horrible place, when divine intervention has always somehow stepped in. Sometimes charging in like a hurricane, other times merely a whisper, but always there, just in the nick of time.

When the storm has once again passed and the sun pokes through the dark clouds, I usually find myself feeling a rejuvenated sense of appreciation for the good things in my life and the fact that I am still around to enjoy them.

When I first heard that Robin Williams had taken his life, I doubled over in shock. I was not alone. People around the world shared my disbelief while collectively asking “how could he do this?”

The reality is clinical depression is a disease which knows no boundaries. It doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care if you’re rich and famous or penniless and a virtual unknown. 

PHOTO COURTESY www.deviantart.com

Robin Williams used humour to mask his pain and distract his demons. But beneath that beaming, bright, contagious smile was a troubled soul. Someone who fought with their own demons, over and over and over again.

Where was divine intervention on that fateful night when Williams ended his life? Was it just outside the closed door?  Was it whispering when it should have been screaming?  Was it even there at all?  These are questions we will never have the answers to.

For only Robin Williams knows what was truly going on inside that room and within himself. Was he weak?  Did he not know how much he was loved and would be missed? I believe he indeed knew we cared, he knew he was gifted and he was far from being weak. 

When I have been at the depths of despair, I have envisioned what the outcome of killing myself may be. It’s never, EVER been a matter of not knowing or caring how taking my own life would hurt so many others. It’s always been about making this all-consuming torture and agony stop. Just stop, please for the love of god, just fucking make it stop!

In life, Robin Williams made us look at the world around us differently. In death he does the same.  It is my hope that his shocking death will not end up as merely a discouraging footnote, when in the future we recall the life of this amusing, caring, one-of-a-kind individual.

I hope mental illness remains in the forefront and those of us living with it can find the courage to remove our masks, thus allowing the world to see us and this insidious disease called clinical depression in a more realistic light.

From an act of great pain, sorrow and confusion, let the seeds of hope grow again.

Rest in peace Mr. Williams. Nanu, nanu.

 The Life & Death of Robin Williams [ABC News]  CLICK HERE

ENTERTAINMENT | AGT

VIDEO | Hands Down - Paws Up!

One of the most enjoyable acts on America's Got Talent this season is hand-balancer Christian Stoinev and his lucky little pal Scooby.

With Christian's smoking hot looks, charm & skills and Scooby's talents, this dynamic duo is destined to go far.....hands and paws down!

Here's a clip from their recent appearance, a crowd-pleasing routine that America voted to move ahead to the top 12.

DAMN... I wish I was Scooby!



Below is Christian's debut on America's Got Talent.... Scooby is not in this one but the stuff Christian does more than makes up for that.... you won't believe what he can do....
 

SMART IDEA | Keep it Clean

YOU | Honouring Her Brother

Jocelyn Duguay [above] joined family and friends as they once again gathered to remember Jocelyn's brother Zack in their second annual fundraising event.

The event was held Sat. Aug. 2, "kicking off"  with a football tournament and later a fundraiser event to raise funds for young athletes who are pursuing football careers.

The day was a celebration of the life of "gentle giant" Zack Duguay - a renown local football player - who passed away on Aug. 3, 2012 at the age of 21.