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There's Light at the end of the Tunnel!!

12/21/2015

“Each person shines with his or her own light. No two flames are alike.
There are big flames and little flames, flames of every colour.
Some people’s flames are so still they don’t even flicker in the wind, while others have wild flames that fill the air with sparks.
Some foolish flames neither burn nor shed light, but others blaze with life so fiercely that you can't look at them without blinking, and if you approach you shine in the fire."

- Eduardo Hughes Galeano

As solstice nears, the idea of rebirth returns to remind us that no diamond starts out polished & shining:

“A diamond is a chunk of coal that is made good under pressure.”
-Henry Kissinger

Yesterday, an old school friend (Sheila) sparked memories from long, long ago.

I thought what I needed then was:

to change myself and the world (dramatically);
to move (very) far away;
to meet new (very different, more open-minded) people. Etc. Etc.

The irony comes
READ ON

My Letter to the Editor: Why one Canadian is changing her vote

9/23/2015

Dear Editor,

My parents were two of the most loving, generous and happy people I've met. They were also staunch Liberal supporters.

My mom, a teacher, encouraged me to read platforms and what struck a chord with me then was the Liberal philosophy of adapting to the changing needs of Canadian society. Well that and a social safety net based on human dignity.

For years, I too voted Liberal.

And then the party changed. In the last election, I voted NDP because of M. Leslie and J. Layton.

Sadly, the latest NDP shifts & manoeuvres are ones I can't condone. The breaking point: a dubious poll released just hours before a debate reminded me of a Harper tactic with one goal: to rattle Liberal leader Justin Trudeau and put him off his game.

It backfired. Trudeau remains positive, optimistic and speaks to my belief in Canada's future.

If you've never taken out a loan to invest in your education, or a mortgage because you believed in your family and future potential then by all means, champion the others. Or…

Join us!

On October 19th, I will be voting Liberal, a vote for a Canada I can believe in. Will you?

Respectfuly submitted,
Dina Desveaux

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow more stories of how we're gaining momentum (below). But for goodness sake, please get out and VOTE! Vote according to your values and your conscience - it's your right and privilege!

Conservatives bleeding votes to Liberals in Winnipeg: polls
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/conservatives-bleeding-votes-to-liberals-in-winnipeg-polls/article26473170/

Liberals pull ahead of NDP, as support in Ontario grows: Ipsos poll
http://globalnews.ca/news/2232600/liberals-pull-ahead-of-ndp-as-support-in-ontario-grows-ipsos-poll/

Poll: Tory support toppling in parts of Atlantic Canada as the Liberals pick up steam
http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/poll-tory-support-toppling-in-parts-of-atlantic-canada-as-the-liberals-pick-up-steam

Happy Valentine's Day, Norman

2/14/2015

To Norman—you are an idea in my head… like a creature in a languid mood you rest there most of the time, but lately the very idea of you has begun quivering in the early pinks of morning and by the time I’ve injected myself with caffeine, you’re banging & raging against the cocoon that is my head. Please don’t despair—I know you will hatch soon.

Photo taken on Morris Street, Halifax, NS

SLEEP, CREEP, LEAP!! Tales of a Pajama Gardener

1/3/2015

My city friends know all about my other passions, especially for the written word. Great short stories & great novels--especially magical realism--curl my toes with delight.

Researching new places & history inspire me to pen stories which I later share with my writing group--The Wired Monks--incidentally the greatest motley crew ever (minus the opium den).

For awhile, someone came up with a nickname for me: Halifax’s Simone de Beauvoir – ha! Not famous, nor as brilliant, I do share that whole intellectual being and frumpiness thing with Simone. We both lived/live in an incredibly sexist society and have been critical of women who only see themselves in the eyes of others as objects, and of the men who try to keep them in their place.

On the other hand, Beauvoir wrote in ‘The Second Sex,’ how “difficult it is for a woman not to be an object.” Man, she’d have a ‘caniption’ fit if she were around today. Now, women project and see themselves in the eyes of a growing posse of Facebook others. And where once upon a time, sexist men kept marriageable women barefoot and pregnant and the prostitutes in their place, today they are either slaves to porn (i.e. creating an impossible fantasy for women to live up to) or worse, they write misogynist comments about using chloroform to subdue women and then hate-fuck them. Oh, how we’ve progressed!

But I digress…thing is, I found a solution that isn’t entirely bat-shit crazy and prevents me from wanting to impale myself with the nearest sharp object every time I listen to the news: I started gardening!

This latest passion set seed when we left our urban bohemia to buy a 3-acre property outside the city on a lake. I got hooked (my friend Steph would say I’m consumed, apparently some inherent caprice in my personality, to become all-consumed by something, anything).

Here I am not known as Simone de who? but as: THE PAJAMA GARDENER!

Here’s What I learned
+ My TOP 10 TIPS for a novice gardener & My Top 10 Perennials

January 03rd, 2015

1/3/2015

Anniversary of Diego Rivera's Death

11/24/2014

Today marks the anniversary of the loss of one of our greatest artists. Diego Rivera was an exceptional artist and yes, a bit of a rogue.

Diego was also known for his passionate & tumultuous relationship with Frida Kahlo.
They both, in their own way, revolutionized the art and social scene in Mexico.

Diego Rivera also happens to be one of the fictionalized historical characters from my second novel PAPILLON.

From the pages of my novel, one of my favourite Diego quotes:

“An artist is above all a human being, profoundly human to the core. If the artist can’t feel everything that humanity feels, if the artist isn’t capable of loving until he forgets himself and sacrifices himself if necessary, if he won’t put down his magic brush and head the fight against the oppressor, then he isn’t a great artist.”

For a taste of Diego's murals, I'd recommend checking out the last exhibition they hosted at the MoMA called:
Diego Rivera: Murals for The Museum of Modern Art:

View the exhibition site

Arrogance, Irreverence...or Truth?

10/25/2014

Arrogance: ✔

Swearing: ✔

Good points: ✔

Irreverent? You decide.

Watch:
Ottawa Killings: Who Wins? Russell Brand The Trews

I believe it’s critical to consider a diversity of opinions in order to make sense of any issue. While some of you may be put off by Brand’s delivery, others will laugh, or cringe. But like him or scorn him, he points out the political talking heads’ bullshit and nails it.

Like the vast majority of Canadians, my heart goes out to the families and loved ones of WO Patrice Vincent and Cpl. N. Cirillo. These two men lost their lives in acts of extreme violence undertaken by very disturbed individuals.

What we individually consider to be the truth or reality behind these heinous actions is, like all truth or reality, judged through the lens of our personal perspective.

For example, some of Harper's actions and policies--through my lens--are actions of environmental terrorism. I’m not condoning the actions of those disturbed individuals, but I think it’s shameful that Harper is using a soldier’s senseless murder as a platform to justify the war he’s declared.

Where’s the dignity in that?

And why did it take so long for Harper to address Canadians? Simple. It’s because his message required CRAFTING. I’m familiar with crafting because I write fiction, but I don’t pretend it’s reality.

It’s fair to be skeptical about Harper’s intentions, but that doesn’t mean anyone should be ignorant about radicalized ISIS members either. I’d recommend watching the Fifth Estate – they really dive into the meat of it, eyes open.

As for Harper’s speech about this fair and equal democracy we live in and all the talk about living in dignity…well that’s plain hogwash. Ask those Canadians living in poverty whether they think life in Canada is fair, equal and dignified.

According to Food Banks Canada, nearly 900,000 Canadians are assisted by food banks each month. Even the Public Health Agency of Canada has argued that reducing child poverty can have huge spillover effects on society. "It is estimated that $1 invested in the early years saves between $3 and $9 in future spending on the health and criminal justice systems, as well as on social assistance," the report says.

But changing the lives of children twenty years down the road doesn’t jive with a politician’s mandate of four years. It's terribly inconvenient.

A war, on the other hand, has immediate impact…however its consequences are just as dire….twenty years down the road.

-Dina

October 18th, 2014

10/18/2014

On hiatus: my new job as Executive Director of the Fishermen and Scientists Research Society (FSRS) has left me with little time to blog. One day, I hope to bring the blog back to life, but in the meantime, thanks to all my wonderful readers!

I'm back!!!!!!!! 2014: Are you ready?

1/3/2014

And what about you? Are YOU ready to let go of your little cages??

First, let me apologize to you, my blog readers….I saw the spike in visitors on New Year's Eve & Day…I guess it's become my 'thing' to blog about new beginnings.

This year will be no different I'm sure…so allow me to rectify by posting one of my most popular posts, a New Year's wish filled with cages that continue to follow me today...

Floating cages Photo credit: MissDanger, Deviantart website

Some mornings, I look up at the sky & my view of possibilities & dreams is obstructed by these little cages I've created or 'inherited'.

I know that letting those damn cages go is the greatest gift we can all give the world. And yet, so far all I've managed is to identify a few key cage-dwellers and keep track of them as they float around.

What I need is a good old Cheticamp suete!!

Imagine 2014 as a world where everyone let go of their old baggage, the limiting beliefs, childhood conditioning, judgments & resentments. Imagine all the new connections & possible synergies between us.

Letting go involves starting fresh in the present moment...

Oh, innocent little line!!

That sentence could scare the pants off anyone. I'll be the first to admit that I've held onto problems, unhealthy situations, and outworn roles and relationships because I felt safe in their familiarity.

Here's what I'm thinking. I'm gonna start this thing bit by bit.

(and boy I really meant it when I first wrote 'bit by bit', more like 'reluctantly, at times plunging sideways, backwards and only occasionally, hitting a patch of black ice & accidentally skidding one half step ahead:)


Voila! It wasn't the most ORIGINAL resolution conjured then, but it's mine, so plunge & skid I shall continue.

I plan again to pay more attention to where I resist & where I struggle, and then I'm gonna try to nudge those cages away...starting with those same three particularly pesky cages:

♦ The cage of habits that interfere with writing.
♦ The cage of obsessive thinking & analysing. [Now this should be a good one for me!!]
♦ The cage of old stories & roles & beliefs.

[Everyone knows how much I love stories, but…]

What I'm referring to here are the stories that limit the depth and expansiveness of who we are past roles and stories. I read somewhere that you could imagine taking the old stories and roles off like pieces of clothing & then stepping away from them & leaving the room.

My wish to each of you: May you tune into who you are without your stories. Dig deep to find those core limiting beliefs that are not your highest truth and release them.

May 2014 be the year you share your true self with the world!!

Cheers to one & all!
-Dina
xoxo

A TartanFrog Xmas: My Top 5 French & Celtic Xmas Songs

12/23/2013

1. Noël Ensemble

This first song is for my family in Cheticamp and in other parts of Canada. Just like Mama et Papape, you may not be with me here in person, but in my heart, we are together. At this time of year, I'm flooded with the memories of Christmases we spent together, surprise visits, nieces & nephews fighting for Papape's lap, Paul stealing Mam's doughnuts, Papape more excited than any kid, Nora always crying during the Muppet Xmas Movie, all the board game marathons at Bernice & Victor's…Indeed, in my spirit, nous passerons toujours Noel Ensemble. xoxo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEo_ncZekjg

2. Il est ne le divin enfant

One of my childhood favourites (and Mama's too). I think the best interpretation is by Aurelie Cormier and Ashley MacIsaac. You can preview it by clicking on #4 on the iTunes link below:
https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/a-cape-breton-christmas/id431881961

3. Charlie Brown Christmas Dance

Yep, even in a French Acadian village, I grew up with the annual Charlie Brown Christmas Special.
This one by Vince Guaraldi is my favourite from that album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1LUXQWzCno

4. The Grinch Song!

Who can resist the Grinch? He's just so cute!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgP0aUKlmNw

5. O Holy Night / Minuit Chretien

This is my all-time favourite Xmas song. I wish I had the version that the choir sings at midnight mass in my hometown, Cheticamp. However, this version by Rita MacNeil seems especially fitting, given that Cape Breton lost Rita this year. RIP Rita.

http://grooveshark.com/#!/s/O+Holy+Night/2qEyfG?src=5

In closing, I would like to wish all my blog readers a very,
Merry Christmas & a most joyful New Year!!

May you dance! May you laugh!
May you be surrounded with love!

-Dina

Welcome to my Blog!

My name is Dina
(aka TartanFrog)
I'm a writer & educator.

More about me

More about the book I just finished

Why blog? Why write?
My dream: To see all children grow up with dignity, self-esteem and a passion for their dreams.

I've met many children and adults whose dreams and innocence were stolen.

I write for them; I write as one of them.

I try to blog weekly.
Blog topics:
Writing & publishing-related tips for my writerly friends; social justice issues that touch children, adults, trees or threaten our world of future wholesome communities; my experiences navigating the process of living & writing.

Spoiler Alert:
Some days, these may be rants:)

Why TartanFrog?
TartanFrog--a celebratory tip of the hat to the interweaving of my French Acadian roots with the Celtic culture of Cape Breton.

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