Digressions by D’reen

— by Doreen Uren Simmons

I am pleased to report that I am in a VERY good mood. Change eh? But I guess, for me, summer does that. Yes it may be a bit too warm, but I do remember that I promised to NEVER complain about the heat so I’m sticking to that promise. After all, we have AC and the sun is so lovely and watering the garden is not only easy but actually pleasurable. And I LOVE summer cooking. 

My partner is no longer BBQing so every afternoon I decide on the dinner menu and then get my scissors and go out to the garden. In a handy raised bed, we have parsley, rosemary, chives, thyme , tarragon, sage, and basil. I sometimes just use them ALL in one dish!! 

And then there are the wonderful Farmers’ Markets. Our favourite is an easy 15-minute drive and our favourite vender there is someone we’ve supported for 15 years. She actually carries our purchases to the car; the advantages of old age. So, I now have 12 jars of frozen strawberry jam, 12 of raspberry, and am well on my way to 12 jars of chili sauce. Yes, we have an extra small freezer in the basement and are ready for a tasty winter. 

So, you see, so much to be thankful for. And I am doing all the music for our church in August. That means the postludes will be Brahms, Schumann, Mendelssohn and Chopin, plus accompanying the fine soloists.

Speaking of fine soloists, I meet regularly with a man I fell in love with in 1978. He was a boy and is now a profoundly beautiful Bass-Baritone. We are currently revisiting Schubert’s Winterreise and discovering new splendours each time. 

So, you can see that my life is currently lovely. But I do think regularly about the displaced persons in the west due to the abundance of wildfires. It is so bitterly ironic and wrong that the majority are Indigenous. If we had only followed their wise life-style, being one with nature, things would be different. Is it too late to learn? I leave you with that question, and my love. D’reen