My Jack Layton Encounter

As a permanent resident of Canada, I am not entitled to vote. But if I could I would vote for Jack Layton's NDP party, not only because that party reflects my personal ideals but also because of my own encounter with the man whose political leanings seemed to be intrinsically linked to the person he was.

I “met” Jack Layton two years ago during the Fête Nationale du Québec parade held in Montréal. In 2009, I had been a permanent resident for almost 5 years but this June 24th was the first time Michel (my conjoint) and I had gone to the parade.

We arrived early and waited with numerous Québécois along the parade route, almost everyone wearing Québec blue. The parade began, and I was soon caught up in the whole celebratory atmosphere as the “giant” historic figures went by. I had learned about these legendary people in my francisation course.

One of the last “floats” had members of Cirque du Soleil performing acrobatic feats in moving cages. And as is the case with all performances of Cirque du Soleil, it was awe-inspiring.

Then, came the final procession of the parade--various political leaders who represented Québec, walking shoulder to shoulder, spanning the street from curb to curb. I saw Gilles Duceppe and others that I had only ever seen on TV. But the one man I really noticed was Jack Layton.

As I stood on the sidewalk near the curb, I watched as he waved and greeted the people. He was smiling and looking like he was having a grand time. I smiled back and somehow at that moment our eyes met. We connected, and he nodded at me as if to say “hello; nice to see you; thanks for coming.” I was so amazed and impressed. That moment made the parade so special for me and made Jack Layton a real person, someone I somehow knew and not just some politician I would see on the news. In that instant, I became a fan of Jack Layton both as a man and as a politician.

On Monday (August 22), I was saddened to hear of Mr. Layton's death and then was inspired by the letter he had written as he approached his final “good night.” I have shed many tears this week because a good and caring and compassionate man no longer walks among us. How great is our loss!

Now, Mr. Layton lives on in our memories. For me, Jack Layton will forever be the man, the political leader, who, with twinkling eyes, a smile, and a nod, made a US citizen and Canadian permanent resident feel included in his vision for Canada and the world.

A Lion Surprise

Although I haven't been posting much on this blog because I concentrate on my art blog A Year Without Words, I just had to share what I saw yesterday. :o)

Currently, I am staying with a friend in New Jersey and we have been visiting New York City. Yesterday I waited at a café while she went to an appointment. The name of the café is Getting Hungry and when I walked in, this is who greeted me!


Here is a Haiku that I wrote about the experience...

found: getting hungry
looming lion fiercely still
path to daily grind

Enjoy!

--Vicky :o)

Shoppe Grand Opening

I am pleased to announce the grand opening of the Blue Heron Visions/Two Chairs and A Window Greeting Card Shoppe. (Yay! Finally!) ;o)

I have already had my first sale, which felt pretty great.

Right now, I have 4 categories of cards: Angel and Fairy Doodle cards, Collage cards, Photo Mandala cards, and Mandala Doodle cards.

Take a few moments and check out the shoppe and my updated website.

--Vicky :o)

If you create it, they will come...

Today, as I was adding the current day's picture to my other blog (A Year Without Words), I noticed that I have 4 followers for this blog. I was amazed and then the questions started.

Where did they come from? Are they real? ;o) How did they find my blog?

Now, I feel some sort of responsibility (in a good way!) to actually post on this blog--if only to give the people following it an opportunity to read something from me.

So this is me writing to those of you who are following me (and anyone else who is reading as well). Thank you for taking the time to read and follow my blog!

In honor of those following my blog, I am posting a photo from our vacation last summer. I took it at the Parc national du Bic in Québec. Enjoy!

--Vicky :o)

Photo © 2010 by Vicky Lynn Macchione

Just a Reminder ;o)

I have not been posting much on this blog because I have been busy making art. The image posted here is a sample of what you can see if you visit my "wordless" blog, A Year Without Words, http://www.ayearwithoutwords.com/

Enjoy!

--Vicky :o)

"Siren Song of Truth"
Mixed Media Collage/Zentangle-ish Art
Copyright © 2011 by Vicky Lynn Macchione

Remembering Bob

Someone emailed me that a friend's husband Robert "Bob" Bauman left this Earth experience yesterday morning, March 28, 2011. I shed a few tears because I have loved Bob since I met him over 12 years ago.

Bob's life had not been easy. He had suffered a traumatic brain injury several years before I met him as well as having various health challenges throughout his life. But what I always felt when I was around him was an underlying cheerfulness, an acceptance of Life as it happened and living the best he could with the results.

Bob had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to see me roll my eyes. He also loved Jennifer Aniston. He and I had a running joke about when she was coming to visit him. When we spoke, he would always ask if I had heard from Jennifer yet. :o)

Last summer I felt impressed to create a Life Stamp for him to commemorate his 64th birthday, which was in August. This impression had an urgency about it, as if the Life Stamp had to be done immediately with no procrastination.

The poem that came to me used sailing, Bob's great love, as a metaphor of traveling through life, death, and beyond. Bob's wife Mary told me he had tears in his eyes as she read it to him. In remembrance of Bob's life here and in honor of his new adventure, I have posted the poem below.

Sail on, Bob! I will miss you.

--Vicky :o)

Setting Sail

The dawn arrives, crisp and clear,
The sea is calling to my Heart:
“Come and play! Do not fear!
Bring your Soul; no need for charts.”

The brilliant sun shines up above,
Looking skyward, I see the sails
Full with wind, God’s breath of Love;
I know I am guided; I cannot fail.

The sun begins its slow descent,
Night’s silence will soon prevail,
And still my boat glides and ascends;
Gentle breezes embrace my sails.

A new Life begins;
what do I see?
A Universe of stars
waiting for me.

Trimmed and ready, my Soul and I
Set my sails toward Source’s Light.

Copyright © 2010 by Vicky Lynn Macchione

With compassion and loving thoughts for the people of Japan

earth quakes, water swirls
in an instant, alters worlds
only, Now prevails

The Great Wave off Kanagawa
by Japanese artist Hokusai, c. 1829-1832
Haiku © 2011 by Vicky Lynn Macchione

--Vicky

P.S.An irony to note--My last post on this blog was on October 17, the anniversary of the 7.1 Loma Prieta earthquake my family and I experienced in 1989. At that time, we lived in Santa Cruz, California, one of the places affected by the tsunami that resulted from the Japanese quake.