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0 Winter Walk…Night Time

  • February 1, 2021
  • by Laura Bachynski
  • · Blog

We heard that the U of A Botanical Gardens had a spectacular event. So we spent the ‘big bucks’ and finally headed over to this held over event.

Although I’m pleased to show you the few photos I captured of the walk through, I have to say it was a very ‘underwhelming’ experience.

The walkways were nicely cleared so that I felt safe to walk up and down and through the different gardens. It was a very cold night but I wore my warmest layers and was so looking forward to all the singers and displays that I had heard about.

And perhaps at Christmas there are more things to look at and listen to…

But I think the (formerly known as) Devonian Garden Group could have done SO much more with their light show. There were two ‘Costco’ type light up deer out in the Aga Khan section and a couple shapes (up above) that looked like snowflake dice. When I think of the space that was available for decorating I found it quite disappointing. It could have been so much more magical if it had had tons of things to look at instead of only a couple in acres of land.

There are trees everywhere but only a few of them were lit up. I could imagine how spectacular it would have looked if more trees were wound round with lights like the few trees before you even enter the gate!

Ah well. We had a nice walk about, enjoyed the clear, starry night, and each other’s company too. We carried hot apple cider in our mugs, and tried to avoid the hoards of people that descended on the place like us. (To be fair, they did have quite a few fire pits and offered hot apple cider at a couple of them.)

I can’t highly recommend this winter experience but I CAN highly recommend the Botanical Gardens in the summer. Now THAT is a sight to behold and really worth the walk around.

0 Winter Walk …Daytime

  • January 30, 2021
  • by Laura Bachynski
  • · Blog

It was a lovely, sunny day yesterday and I was going a little ‘house bound crazy’ so we decided to get out and take a walk together in the river valley.

I am very nervous about walking outside right now as I can’t afford to fall but we went walking along a packed, snow trail so it was not too bumpy or slippery.

Oh! It felt SO good to get outside. I must say though I still didn’t have enough layers of clothes on to be warm enough and perfectly protected from the cold. I had on my warmest fleece sweater, down vest, and down coat, ear muffs, mittens over gloves, and wool socks with my best boots too. But I only had light leggings on my legs. Oops. THEY were cold. Brrrrr.

Also, not the smartest idea to keep removing your mitts so that you can take photos…ha ha. I can’t help myself!

At the end of the walk my bangs displayed hanging ice drips. That must have been because of the mask I was wearing.

Walking is difficult for me these days but it did feel SO good to be out in the crisp air, in one of our beautiful city parks, and of course there is always the best part….

Coming home and fixing up a cuppa and a piece of my homemade banana bread!

Happy Saturday all!

0 Coated

  • January 29, 2021
  • by Laura Bachynski
  • · Blog

I looked out of my kitchen window into my back yard and noticed that everything was coated. Coated in another layer of snow.

Chairs that gleefully welcome visitors in summers past lay still beneath their burden. Grasses bow down under the weight.

Berries that have somehow managed to cling to their branches and are wearing heavy winter caps.

Our city is in a deep freeze and remaining stable at around -20. We are chilled. We are tired. We are coated with a heaviness that is only partially due to the cold and snow.

We too are worn down and burdened with our fears , anxieties, and sadnesses.

And yet. Some of the golden grasses in my yard are still standing tall. And the sun shines through them.

They are surrounded by hills of snow and they too are coated with the heavy crystals. They are not very strong but they reach up to the sky and feel the warmth on their soft exteriors.

Perhaps I too in my weakness can find strength to get through these days by reaching for the sun. The Son.

Yes. I will lift up my soft gaze to the Son and trust that this winter will not last forever. I will allow myself to be vulnerable and shed a few tears if I need to but I will not wallow. I will find the bright spots in my days and hold onto memories of better times that will lead me to hope. Hope that one day I will shed this coat of tears. This coat of fears.

And while my world remains under this frigid coat I will look for the beauty.

It only takes a second. And I see it. It is all around me. It is also within me.

And I am warm once again.

Peace.

0 Have a ‘Cuppa’ With Me !

  • January 28, 2021
  • by Laura Bachynski
  • · Blog

I love tea.

If you could come into my home you would have plenty of choices of flavours, cups, pots, and creamers.

My love of the ‘cuppa’ might have come from my British father who taught us to have tea with breakfast, afternoon tea at 4 pm. ,and tea before bed in the evenings. I missed two trips home to Ontario last year where I usually have the pleasure of staying with my parents for a few weeks. My dad would make us tea a few times a day and usually there were a couple of ‘bickies’ (biscuits) on the saucer too.

I’ll never forget this one trip that we took to visit our relatives in England. We were out and about viewing castles and the like when all of a sudden my Auntie Jean just ‘flipped a switch’ and became extremely agitated. “We’re LATE”, she intoned and we all had to quickly, quickly pile back into the car to return as fast as we could to the bed and breakfast. It was TEA TIME !!!!!!…. ha ha ha.

There is nothing like having a cuppa to slow you down in a day filled with activities. Tea time is where I get most of my reading time done in the day. I always have at least three books going at a time and when I stop for tea in the afternoon I like to pull out my book and read a few chapters.

There are teas for so many ailments and I have enjoyed the benefits of ‘Throat Coat’ tea when I am about to do a concert , Mint tea for an upset tummy, or Echinacea tea for those times I have had a cold.

We believe my sister was cured of breast cancer from Dandelion Root Tea (and a LOT or prayers!). Check out Dr. Pandey at the University of Windsor for his many successes in this field.

My parents gave me the cute teapot you see above (that looks a bit like a bride) when I got married. Our daughter, Lana, gave me the wee, yellow teapot above that she made for me when she was in school.

I was heartbroken recently when due to some stomach issues I was told that I could no longer have tea….not even decaf ! But, thankfully, my doctor told me to try decaffeinated and so far I seem to be able to handle it.

I love sharing a cuppa with my best friends when we get together in Ontario. (Barb even brings her own tea kettle when we go to a bed and breakfast so we can have tea anytime we want!)

I love sharing a cup of tea with our children when we visit their homes too. I just finished reading my twentieth “Number One Ladies Detective Agency” book and I love how “Precious” always has several cups of red bush tea a day to clear her mind and encourage conversation.

I wish I could write a bit more to you about how much I wish we could share a cuppa together but I just heard the kettle click on……

It’s tea time!

0 Vintage Toys

  • January 27, 2021
  • by Laura Bachynski
  • · Blog

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When I think of ‘vintage’ toys I think of a simpler time…. a rag doll, a homemade wooden truck, etc.

This past Christmas we watched quite a few Christmas movies as we were home more than we ever have been. In one of the movies,“The Santa Clause”, two of the adults in the film (who have lost their Christmas spirit) are reminded of the time they asked Santa for toys that meant so much to them…. an “Oscar Meyer Weeny Whistle” and a “Mystery Date” game.

Today I was reminded of some of the toys that myself and my brother and sisters used to play with when we were little. When I looked up the images online they all came under the title of ‘vintage toys’. So. I am officially old. ha ha.

I remember when we got our tabletop hockey game and how excited we were to play with it. All the players were made of thin metal and you stuck them on rods on the ice. You would stand across from each other and twist and pull 2 handles to make your players skate and your goalie save. They still make a version of this game today but the players are rounded plastic and it is a little better quality, I’m sure. But it didn’t matter to us. We couldn’t wait for our turn and I used to try and make my brother mad by pretending I didn’t know how to pronounce the players names….( for example…. Jacques Plante. I would purposely pronounce the goaltender’s name like ‘Jack Plant’. Naughty sister that I was).

My sister, Paula, loved her Spirograph game and I secretly wonder if all those hours spent making those colourful designs were her first inspiration for the wonderful colourful paintings she creates today.

That game and Lite-Brite are also still made today and we all had fun creating designs on this game too. Oh! And I just remembered loving “Etch a Sketch”!

I remember one day that my sister,Paula and I were reading a comic book and at the back of it you could order these super cool ‘spy glasses’. They were cheap, plastic sun glasses that had a mirror in the corner so that you could see who was walking behind you. Ooooooooh, cool ! But even though they probably cost only a few allowances( we got paid 25 cents an hour to do chores at one point) to order them, those glasses inspired hours of evening play. Paula and I played ‘spy’ in the evening with our siblings and our neighbour,Jay, across the street. It was sort of like an evening game of ‘Tag’ but a lot of hiding involved. ha ha.

I always wanted an Easy Bake Oven and I think one of my sisters received one one year. Funny that I wanted to bake those tiny cakes so badly but I never offered to really bake at home. Now I LOVE to bake and pies are my specialty. Thank goodness my mum taught me to bake these!

I always wanted a ‘real’ Barbie. With five children and a modest, three bedroom home without a basement and one bathroom, it was clear that our parents did not have a lot of money. But we never felt that we were lacking for anything. We had the happiest, laughter filled childhood, and I am blessed to still have all my siblings and parents today. They are just the most kind, wonderful folks.

But when I was little I saw all of my friends playing “Barbies” and I hoped with all my heart that one day I too would receive my first Barbie. The image above is the exact Barbie that I had the pleasure of receiving one year and Paula had “Skipper“,her little sister I think. We never had a dollhouse or anything grand like that but we would throw a big blanket on the back of the couch and when it fell we would use all the folds and pockets created from the throw as the ‘home’ for our dolls that day. Our brother, John, had a “G.I.Joe” doll and sometimes he stood in for “Ken”. ha ha.

Sometimes I feel sort of sad at how many children are missing out on simple play experiences because of cell phones. My cousin, Daniel, actually wrote a blog on this topic today and inspired my own blog. I see parents in parks looking at their phones instead of their children playing across from them too.

My play time memories with my brother and sisters created a bond in us that is very strong. We learned to share and laugh, imagine and create.

What kind of toys did you have growing up?

0 Long Shadows

  • January 26, 2021
  • by Laura Bachynski
  • · Blog

The sun is slinking away and in her place she leaves a temporary gift… this long shadow.

She moves with me and does things I cannot. As I carefully navigate icy sidewalks she hops and skips over the banks of snow. She is a charlatan yet an artist, imitating patterns made in solid form.

She tries to scare me with the ‘shark’ behind my chair. She tries to entice me with the ‘heart’ near my lamp.

Her long eyelashes blink behind a tree. She leads me to paths I might not have seen.

Sometimes she only follows.

She is a wisp, a mirage, a shape shifter. She is mine today.

I want my life to cast a long shadow. I hope that my encouraging words will reach someone and bring them peace. I want my prayer life to give good example to my children, my friends. I see this shadow continuing through to two generations so far. But to have this shadow there must still be light. And it’s the light that helps the long shadow reach those I love.

Shadow girl : spread your long arms out to those I care about and give them a hug.

For now I’ll wait , trusting that the sun will return.

0 Never Give Up.

  • January 25, 2021
  • by Laura Bachynski
  • · Blog

How early does a person feel compassion for other people? Well, in the case of one of my grandsons I can assuredly say….five years old!

The other day my daughter-in-law was trying to put our tired, newest grandson, Remi, down for a nap. He was soooo tired and although he generally is a happy little guy, this day he was crying and crying as his mum tried to settle him into his crib.

These folks live in a fairly cramped apartment in Vancouver with 3 boys under 5 and a daddy who works from home. They’re pretty much all in the living room together with mum every day. I can imagine how difficult that must be on so many levels. I know that if I was my daughter-in-law I would crave my own quiet time and space from the others no matter how much I love my family. I know that my son must find it difficult to concentrate some days with this gang of happy boys playing right behind his work station. And I can imagine that the two older boys would not always feel happy to be locked down for weeks/months on end.

But I heard about this wonderful story the other day and I just had to share it with you.

In the midst of our Jenny trying to get Remi settled she noticed that a note was slipped under the door. Oldest boy,Otto, is just learning how to spell and read. The note attached (above) is what he took the time to sound out and deliver to his mummy that day.

This story just brings tears to my eyes that a little one could have so much compassion for his mum. He could have reacted in anger to the noise in their small space. He could have plugged his ears and tried to move as far away as possible from his wee, baby brother.

But instead, he moved toward the difficulty and acted with love and true caring.

How wonderful if all of us could remember this simple but amazing lesson. As we all deal with the pandemic in our own ways, work spaces, and homes let us try and have compassion for one another. We are all suffering in some way(s) right now. But let us always always remember to never give up!

Never Give Up!

0 Your Path

  • January 23, 2021
  • by Laura Bachynski
  • · Blog

Free will. Each of us has the ability to make choices about where our path will take us.

Will we live our lives, heads down and bullishly trudging ahead with no regard for others?

Will we have our heads in the clouds, oblivious to those around us as we maneuver our way down a path of our choosing?

Each step we take has consequences. Each fork in the road offers us choice. Is your path what you thought it would be?

I always knew ever since I was a young girl that I would be an actress. And for a time…I WAS! But then I had a major ‘fork in the road’ when I couldn’t walk anymore (arthritis) and had some decisions to make. I could fall into despair. I could keep pushing myself and hurting myself by continuing on in that genre. Or I could embrace a new path.

I’m not saying it was easy. I railed against the change and against God. I was angry. But when I allowed myself to choose a new path (art) my life opened up to new challenges, rewards and joys. Along the way I learned to walk again and these steps led me to the exciting world of singer/songwriting and performing. I really think being open to new paths can be incredibly fulfilling.

I remember that old expression ..something like… “I told God my plans. God laughed”.

Does your path lead you to compassion? Can we walk by a stranger and feel a connection?

Anne Voskamp says, “…compassion says there will only be abundance for me when there is abundance for you, so I will be bread broken and given to you so we both can taste the communion of abundance.”

Although we are apart right now we can continue to walk in unity. I want my path to take me down the back alleys, the bumpier paths, places I might find those in need. I don’t want to walk alone. I don’t need to walk alone as I know I have a higher connection to lean on for support. And I know I will trip up and that my path will twist and turn many many times. But I am open to the adventure.

It’s been a great journey so far!

0 Locked Down

  • January 22, 2021
  • by Laura Bachynski
  • · Blog

Well, our lock down has just been extended. Not a surprise really but if you’re like me this is becoming a very long time without hugs from extended family and friends.

And don’t get me wrong… I have lots to do here in my personal ‘bubble’ and I love the person I’m locked up with! Maybe it was the days and days and days I spent putting together a year’s worth of family photographs in albums to pass the time. But I am truly missing my loved ones.

It seems tears are always just right there ready to cascade down if I allow myself to think about my parents and how long it’s been since we were together. And as annual travel plans continue to get quashed it hurts my spirit just a little bit more. We just cancelled our Spring trip east to be with our children and grandchildren. Don’t even get me started on how I’ll feel come May.

So I turn to more positive things in my life. The winter snows have already been here for quite some time and being the spoiled ‘snowbird’ that I am I’m not used to being here at this time of year. But this quote helps me feel more positive….

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” ― John Steinbeck

Today I’m going to make myself a nice cup of tea and get back to illustrating my latest book. This is one wonderful way for me to pass many hours feeling enjoyment and also a great pleasurable feeling of accomplishment.

I guess we can sit upright and look around for the goodness in our lives as they are or we can settle down for a long winter’s nap and hope when we wake up this nightmare will be over.. ha ha. What will you do today?

0 #Throwback Thursday : Me & Marie

  • January 21, 2021
  • by Laura Bachynski
  • · Blog

I’m thinkin’ about my buddy, Marie, today.

I met Marie in 1982 when we both joined the cast of a children’s theatre company called “M & M For Kids” run by Heather Mitchell. I used to describe her as a ‘biker chick’ and I seemed to be her polar opposite. Marie knew me as a conservative, Catholic, mother of four, who liked to wear what she described as ‘foo foo’ clothes (too much ribbons and lace..ha ha).

It wasn’t long before we knew that we had very very similar tastes of humour and I would go out of my way to get her into trouble at the table reads by doing gross things to make her laugh (showing her my open mouth of food for example) and then smiling sweetly when she would get into trouble for interrupting the read with her pointing the finger at me like we were four years old. Ha!

Marie sort of adopted one character that she played called “Madame Amoré” and I adopted a character that I had auditioned for called “Mrs. Nitch”. Sometimes we would get dressed up as these crazy ladies and go downtown to spread the love. I specifically remember one Valentine’s Day when we burst into the children’s school with a basket full of Hershey’s Kisses and hugs for all and embarrassed our middle son SO badly. ( Don’t worry. He has since gotten me back in the embarrassing me department MANY times…ha ha) We loved pulling pranks like that (like when we took a photo of us together in my bedroom and made sure Terry found it…ha ha)Silly stuff but this laughter has been one of the glues of our friendship.

We did many many shows together where we got to wear cute costumes (as shown in the Hallowe’en and farm yard pics above)and sing silly songs for many school groups or other gatherings of children. Marie was a professional singer (still is!) but I was a professional actress by trade. She was a little nervous at first about performing on stage as a character actress.

One day Marie invited me to join her band called Escapade and that certainly put me outside my comfort zone. Although I had so much fun in the girl group where we sang 3 part harmonies of music throughout the ages with Joanne Clark(from the Andrews Singers to the Supremes!) I was nervous every time and would look at Marie like the proverbial deer in the headlights when I forgot my lyrics. She always graciously sang with me until I remembered the words to my solo.

In the blink of an eye 13 years had flown by and my hips were done. I needed hip replacements.

But my husband worked out of town and I had these four little ones, the youngest two being in grade one, and I knew I needed a live in helper. We couldn’t afford much and I didn’t know where to turn but Marie soon said to me, “What am I….chopped liver?” (Meaning that she would like the job!)

Marie was so incredible at taking care of the children, making me laugh, making sure I prayed, cleaning the house, (and even helping me lift my leg into bed), shovelling the walks, and SO much more….. that it was like the kids had two mothers. That’s when we started calling each other “Mother”.

Marie used to haul me and my wheelchair everywhere. And that thing wasn’t light! I have so many funny stories of the things she did to me when I couldn’t walk and it might sound cruel but I think she is hilarious. She once took me to see Santa in the mall against all objections. When Santa put his hand on my leg, told me he was a healer, and said to get up and walk (!) I thought Marie was going to take him out! “Back off, Santa, her husband will kill me if she breaks that hip!” she yelled as she wheeled me off the ramp with Santa chasing us through the mall. (He was just trying to give us a candy cane he said…ha ha ha)

She even took me to a class I as taking called “Bible Study Fellowship”. She would drop me off inside the church and wait outside in the cold while she smoked and patiently waited for the class to end. (Marie laughs about the day our twin girls gave her a note that asked her to stop smoking because smoking takes lives. And she recently mentioned about the time one of the girls had to write a story about their hero and they picked HER! Rightly so.) Marie didn’t really have a faith per se at the time of her taking care of me after my first hip replacement but she always made sure I continued to pursue my prayer life by handing me “the beads” even when I was too tired and sore to want to pray.

Today, Marie still lives in Calgary and is still singing and teaching music. She has visited me many times in Edmonton and taken care of me again after my fairly recent foot operation.She is still funny and kind and in contact with me almost weekly. She has a new dachshund doggie named Ollie.

And currently she attends Bible Study Fellowship.

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