Authors' Afternoon with John Oughton

Inviting you to meet John Oughton, our guest author with a great sense of humour. He will talk about his mystery novel and read some of his poetry. Come by to chat with him about his work and journey as a writer, poet and editor.

On the nature trail in High Park

After a delicious brunch with some friends on Sunday, I was in High Park, on the trail that runs along Grenadier Pond, to do some research for my current short story. Visual feasts greeted me ... inspiration and elation at the beauty around me ...

We're blessed with so many large parks, and ravines within the bustling city that is Toronto. Let's make more time to connect with nature's wonders and reap the mental and physical health benefits. Reducing stress fosters positive attitudes towards others and conciliatory ways to resolve problems ...

stand tall in the wind

unwind your mind in nature

sip the wine of life

Ode to friendship

A close friend gave me those lilies, and it means so much to me. I love them not only for their elegance, but what they symbolize: innocence, purity, devotion, sympathy, and most of all friendship. 

Ode to friendship

Bursts of lilies, your offering

in graceful shades, ease suffering

O what a thrill to have you back

Sweet scents you bring with your presence

with much remorse break your silence

O what a thrill to hear you sing 

The clash of minds tore us apart

but in our hearts the bond remained

for love that's free cannot be lost

expands along in all weather

in forgiveness grow stronger

with you my friend

I share my soul

in truth and trust

ever closer

Art in nature

On a walk through a park, in the fresh spring air, I saw paintings everywhere. 

Sometimes I feel nature is the best artist ...

Abstract Tableau

ice sparkling

snow melting

beneath the cold

warmth of gold

sprouts dormant

hidden, latent

wait for spring

to have their fling

when hearts perceive

and eyes can sieve

with awareness
a mundane mess

the alchemy

shifts silently

the grunge below

to abstract tableau

The Magic of Creativity

We are all born creative. Some may have more aptitude or dedication, but that should not discourage us to follow our passions and learn new skills that bring magic into our lives. Creativity in all forms are elixirs for our well-being.

As much as I love creating stories, and getting into the heads and hearts of my characters, I also need to feast my eyes with delicious visuals and allow the intuitive shapes and shades to flow into my photography. Creating images balances the heaviness of thinking.

When winter is tough, this quote from Shakespeare's Richard III sometimes slips into my thoughts, Now is the winter of our discontent. It sounds depressing until I remember the next line, Made glorious this summer by this son of York. Yes, it makes me wonder if spring would be as joyful without the struggle of winter ... It's perhaps the contrast that makes us appreciate each season better ... the natural balance that brings harmony ...

Welcoming spring, my favourite time of the year with this photo montage: Winter melting into Spring

Authors' Afternoon with Sarah Stanners

Hello book lovers, writers and artists, It's a pleasure to invite you to meet Sarah Stanners, our guest author this month. She will talk about her book Jack Bush: In Studio (2016), which was launched at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, where she served as chief curator from 2015 to 2018, and will also tell you more about her other books. Hope you will join us for an exciting discussion about her work, and the importance of art in Canadian culture.

Connecting with nature and those we've lost

I love being by the lake. Even when it's frozen. Nature has a way of bringing balance and perspective when we connect with it. I feel immersed in a spiritual magnitude in which the mundane world is secondary.

It's made me think about some friends who are going through grieving from the death of their dear ones. The physical loss is painful and overwhelming, but there's comfort in knowing that the spirit of the one who passed lives on ... in an otherworldly dimension that is hard for us to define ... suffice to say  the  connection is intuitive.

When we connect deeply with someone, often distance and loss can't erase the emotional bond. The person is still with us because of the profound, positive ways we've touched each other.

summer memories

summer memories ... punctuation marks ... on a winter day

I took this photo while strolling along Humber Bay.

I do love snow, especially fresh snow fall.
It makes everything so soft, pretty, and romantic,
that is, until it turns to slush.

But life is like that ... ephemeral ... nothing lasts ...
let's make the most of beautiful moments we're blessed with ...

Authors' Afternoon with Gregory Monteith and Sean Steele

Inviting you to our Authors' Afternoon. Our guest authors Gregory Monteith and Sean Steele

 have worked together on an exciting poetry and music project, titled Trails to Helicon.

They will perform, read their poetry and talk about their writing and music.

Come by to chat with them about their creative collaboration.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

She will rise

Wishing you a beautiful Lunar New Year ... kind of late as it started on February 5th, but from what I understand, it's celebrated for 23 days anyway ... so keep enjoying ...

Since we're in the moon mood ... I'm sharing a photo of mine and a line from one of my short stories on relationships.

For this story, some inspiration came from Eckhart Tolle's book, The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. 

Warmth on a cold day

Hope you're all dressed in cosy layers on this blistering cold day in good old Toronto.

Sending some positive vibes to combat this challenging weather with a haiku and this bouquet of flowers that was given to me over a week ago ... and is still exuding so much love and warmth ...

Authors' Afternoon with Clara Blackwood

Welcome back to the Authors' Afternoon. We're starting 2019 with neighbourhood poet and artist Clara Blackwood. She will be reading some poems from her books, and will talk about her writing process and her journey as a poet. Inviting book lovers and writers to participate with questions and discussions  in this relaxed meeting of creative minds.

Happy Holidays with lots of love ...

Love ... it's always there within each of us

discover it with acts of kindness and forgiveness

share the love freely and pass it on ... 
it will keep growing ...

and will spread more caring in this world ...

Moods in images

Sometimes when I'm overwhelmed with emotions
images float in my mind in colours, shapes
visuals that soothe my inner world
and I feel an impulsive
 desire to recreate
the mood


Sharing one of the images with you in this collage of pictures I captured, titled:
Purging negative vibes with love

Finding closure when relationships end

I've been thinking of friends who are struggling from their broken relationships. They feel there's something unfinished, and they can't move on because their exes won't talk and give them the closure they need. 

Waiting for closure from exes is an exercise in futility if they are determined to cut off contact. Maybe their hearts are blocked with hurt, anger and negativity. Or they lack empathy. Or if they were deceitful, maybe they are cowards who can't take responsibility for the emotional damage they have caused. 

Whatever the reason, whether the exes may need help themselves, it's best to find your own closure through other means like creative outlets, self-care, and surrounding yourself with supportive friends. This article has more practical advice about how to get closure from a relationship.

Starting a new journey may seem daunting at first, but it is liberating to move into a period of soul-searching, and self-discovery. It may take time to heal, but when we are willing to learn from negative experiences, forgive those who have hurt us, and accept that some people are meant to share our lives for a limited time, it is easier to let go, and allow our hearts to fill with love again.

Photo taken in Gainesville, Florida

WOMANVOICE 2018

Inviting you to WOMANVOICE 2018, an event organized by 

Honey Novick, a multi-talented poet and singer 

in celebration of women artists, poets, writers, singers, musicians, photographers, and more.

I will read a few poems from my book Island Lovers.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Honey Novick on WOMANVOICE:

"WOMANVOICE was founded on the spirit to empower women and girls.  It was born of the tragedy at the Polytechnique in Montreal where 14 female students were murdered. A group of artists led by the late Susan Meurer and Lilita Tannis organized 14 women artists in 1991 at the pARTisan Gallery. I was one of the original 14 and loved it so much that I asked for permission and have been continuing the tradition for 26 years. We do not dwell on the tragedy.  We use the platform to reach out to others, explore new ideas, find our voice and make friends."

Thank you to Tony Merante and all the Authors' Afternoon guests at Stella's Lunchbox Café

A note to inform you that there will be no Authors' Afternoon in November and December. We are taking a break and will be back on January 27^th, 2019. 

I would like to thank my good friend, Tony Merante, the owner of Stella’s Café for his continuous support of the arts. Without him, the Authors’ Afternoon would not happen. Thank you also to all the guest authors and book lovers and writers who have participated in the Authors’ Afternoon every last Sunday of the month. Looking forward to seeing you in January.

If you are a musician or singer, you'll be happy to hear that Tony is also the owner of Desotos and supports music every week through Sunday Jazz Brunch and Thursday Open Mics, both hosted by Anthony Abbatangeli.

Tony is gifted with boundless energy and is always coming up with new ideas. Not only has he created the most idyllic patio, lush with flowers and cosy outdoor furniture, but he has also hosted art exhibitions at both Desotos and Stella's, and movie screenings at Desotos. Lately, he's creating his own pasta made from organic ingredients. If you're interested in the culinary arts, there are currently classes in sausage making... and who knows what else he'll come up with ... come by to find out.

Stella's has become my favourite café, a little home away from home that offers great coffee, delicious food in a friendly atmosphere. A cool meeting place for creative people. When I can't focus at home, I go there to write. Hope you'll drop by some time. 

Tony Merante, owner of Stella's Lunchbox Café and Desotos