Mommy - Daughty Day

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From City of Hamilton Website

This afternoon, daughter Chelsea and I took some much needed time off. We don't often have a chance to get out one-on-one; and, this Wednesday seemed as good as any for what Chelsea calls a Mommy-Daughty Day.

One of the places we like to go during the summer is Wednesday's at Whitehern, where we can enjoy music and bottomless tea or lemonade for $1. This was our first and only opportunity to attend this summer, and I'm glad we didn't completely miss out.

Armed with comfortable folding chairs; we set off for a sojourn in a peaceful urban garden; enjoyment of 1920's era guitar, violin and vocal music; and a refreshing beverage.

Today, Mike and Jill Daley's cheerful tunes rang through the trees and foliage while Chelsea and I enjoyed the ambiance, each others company, and the beautiful vintage garden setting.

Lucky for us, dark storm clouds that threatened to end the afternoon's entertainment early, managed to hold back their raindrops; and, eventually passed right by the Whitehern garden before the lovely concert was over. 

Chelsea and I returned home refreshed and rejuvenated, having once again enjoyed a brief outing, and more ready to take on what life has to offer in the days to come.

Here's to Mommy-Daughty Days! I highly recommend them.

Glen Campbell

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Glen Campbell performing at Hamilton Place in 1983
Photos by Philip Haigh

Glen Campbell
April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017

The music world has lost a much beloved musician and entertainer; and for me the news of Glen Campbell's passing, though not unexpected, brought back memories of growing up with his music, enjoying watching him in movies, and a memorable chance to see him perform at Hamilton Place, back in 1983.

I expected to be amazed by one of the world's best guitar players and anticipated listening to Campbell perform many of his hit songs; but I was totally surprised to hear him play the bagpipes - And good too!

He played Amazing Grace, Mull of Kintyre, and a couple more bagpipe pieces in addition to many guitar picking and banjo plucking classic fan favourites for his ecstatic audience. Watching all this from 4th-row center-front seats, I remember the evening as one of the best concert experiences I've ever had.

With Glen Campbell's passing, he leaves behind a legacy of music and memories. For me that includes songs like Honey Come Back, and Galveston; movies like True Grit, and my personal favourite fluff piece, Norwood; and of course the aforementioned concert.

Though immortality comes to very few, I think Glen Campbell has a good shot - In my memory, anyway!

Link here for a great Glen Campbell vocal/bagpipe rendition of Paul McCartney & Denny Laine's Mull of Kintyre.

David's Glasses

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My brother, David Ross Hunt (left) and the

Ecuadorian recipient of his eyeglasses (right)
Photos by Nancy Gordon & Barbara Skinner

I write this blog post in honour of my brother, David Ross Hunt, who passed away just before his 20th birthday, an inconceivable 35 years ago today. Losing this smart, generous, talented, hard-working, and tender young man was unbearably hard; and, my mom, my sister and I still cherish his memory, all these years later.

That said, David's optimism would never have stood for a sad tale on this anniversary, so I'll simply relate a positive true-life story about how David's generous belief in organ donation ended up providing the gift of sight - in an unexpected way - to a young man far away on another continent. 

Specifically, when David's intention to be an organ donor - as indicated on his driver's license - was deemed impossible due to the nature of his brief illness, the donation of David's eyeglasses by our mother to Medical Ministry International Canada, allowed David's spirit of generosity to live on.

Family friend and Optician, Barbara Skinner, carried David's glasses with her - separate from the other carefully cataloged eye wear - while on medical missions to Ecuador following my brother's passing. When she finally found a young man who was able to be fitted with David's frames and prescription, Barb took a picture. On returning to Canada, she gave my mother a copy of the picture showing the young man who's life had been changed immeasurably by receiving David's glasses.

Though tragic beyond words, David's untimely passing made it possible for another young man, thousands of miles away, to see well for the very first time in his life; and, it's clear to see in the photos above that David's strong uncommon prescription and sturdy frames made the Ecuadorian recipient very happy, something that would have made David happy, too.

That a simple pair of eyeglasses could link one person's past with another person's future is the sort of legacy of which David would have approved; so, let the spirit of generosity live on!

For more information about donation of eyeglasses, please link to: Medical Ministry International Canada

For an update on current MMIC work in Ecuador, please link to: MMIC Ecuador