Laurie Jones:  

Life All the self-help books in the world cannot help if we're caught in the "tyranny of the urgent" I think it was Eisenhower who said something like: seldom are urgent things important, nor are important things that urgent... This would be the reason I had afternoon tea so often with my grandmother by running down the block of Trinity Street...and that I still love sex and all things physical at my age - linger a little longer always, please... and as I go through this convoluted journey of life...I've figured out that the more I know, the less I'm certain of (all that hash blow had to amount to something, didn't it?! - no wonder I love pepper and my friend's Cyndy Davis' baking :)) ~ beyond all the fuss and bother, there's a big blue sky...look up, look way up. Michael J Fox is "always looking up" - the incurable optimist. Can you hear the "Friendly Giant" theme song? If it means anything I will always do the most good, be impeccable with my word, love with all my heart and in the words of Barbara Coloroso (my grey fox parenting guru): say what I mean, mean what I say and do what I said I was going to do... What is behind all that I do: I love you, I care about you and you're very important to me. No "What ifs" - take the rope, swing out and let go at the top of the arc - then so what if you scream ?- it lets the world and everyone in it know you're delighted...I am Hope we get to meet again... School Kindergarten with Miss Markwick in her house - the big independent walk to Cambridge Street. Gilmore - she is a Grande Dame - all faced up with new brick and mortar for another generation! My Dad went to school there!! and 4051 Trinity, the home I grew up in has sold this year for close to $1,000,000. Grade one - Miss Allen once spanked me, then sent me to the corner store for a fudgicle for her...?? I wrestled with the Abacus and loved reading Dick and Jane aloud! Grade 2 - Miss Maugher - epitome of sweetness Miss Backman's choir sang "When you walk through a Storm" and dedicated it to Jackie Kennedy when JFK was shot - we were in Gilmore School's library for choir practice... Mr. Johnson, the janitor pretended to open our bottles with his bare hands...we were in awe, spellbound My mother worked the cafeteria where I loved to get milk tokens, play jacks and listen to the echo of everyone's sounds...too many cheese whiz sandwiches and sweet mix pickles could be my undoing in the end... Michael Copeland has left his scars on my shins from kicking me at my desk...no one stopped him?! He used to pile books on my desk and seat, put ice down my shirt. Actually, Mrs. Herbert insinuated that I did it myself to get attention?! That's when I decided the world could be an unfair place and adults could not be trusted and that bullies usually rule. Ricky Bramhill saved me in Grade six from Michael's daily bullying - walked me home one day...my savior not to be forgotten. You can bet your ass I support anti-bullying programs in schools: Kudos to author/Principal, Cyndy Seddon! My heart throbs (not in any particular order): Michael Morrison (RIP), Don MacDonald, Rod Martin(RIP), Rod Cameron, Rick Ockenden and Greg Grieve (always remember fantastic grey pants on long legs and blue shirt to match blue eyes - never took my eyes off his all-round team sports action and track & field star-maker machinery, cheerleading was so worth it) - and Dan Penn and his cousin, Jeff from Comox-Cumberland...days at the Penn poolside in summer were the best! Doug Penn doesn't know I could watch him take his perfect dives (from our back porch) and do 10 underwater laps in his pool - wishing with envy if I could only swim like that?! He then taught the neighbourhood kids. I recall telling my Dad what to say when he was interviewed by the Firechief about Doug's application - disciplined and community oriented, YES, he would be the best! The rest is already history - retired owner of B & B, Sunshine Coast Boys after the girls tag was a favorite game in Grade 1 recess - I actually caught Dave Domijan once... I once forgot I brought my lunch to school, ran home and ended up eating a measuring cup full of miniature marshmallows on Porteous's lawn before heading back...no idea what possessed me? Once I brought home our lost cat, Beau Brummel and told my Mum I didn't have to go back...stayed at home playing on the living room rug while my aunt visited that day...my first skipping out/ don't think I ever did that again. Halloween meant a sprint to Domijans for homemade candy apples - a chosen few got them! I hated the first one mile walk to Burnaby Heights, crossing Gilmore school grounds and heading to the big junior high where the older kids were obnoxious and mean. Thank goodness for Prefects - Brian Mitton, Billy Matthews - died young. Lovely Mr. Borelli, Dagg's English, Music class, Repertory I and II, Mr. Black's blushing during sex ed in Science, dissecting cow's eyes, Mr. Estereicher, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. Korda, Mr. Slinger, Mr. Howe, Mr. Currie's Socials class where I hated hearing constantly about Vietnam Our home-ec class where the dinner was everything "lemon" - that poor teacher we invited... Loved Slinger's coaching Track & Field - coupled with Barb Hawkins' rivalry, made me fast and furiously competitive...couldn't get enough sprinting and relay - to hell with the Ballet teachers telling me I couldn't train at sports, cycling or water skiing...it all ended up helping me be a better Contemporary dancer once I made the leap of faith to do a dance degree - My Dad said it was too weird for him... My first encounter with an assertive girl, Heather who cornered me in my locker in Grade 9 - ahhhh The Egg 'n I - where we added vinegar to...Expand for more