A new toaster

…and an old groove

Maybe instead of reading this, you can press play, here. And get your groove on.

My tiny book today was inspired by a weird lyric in one of my favourite songs by Deee-lite.

So I wrote the tiny book and did a little improvised narration of my day.

Ah! In the box was a toaster! A gift from Beth!

Oh and I did write a little something about my yesterday! Which was also magical. (TOO MUCH MAGIC, must share)

Last night I got some sushi, then went and sat with Beth to the grandstand to relax.

Another friend had asked me to go to the Lunenburg Theatre Collective’s new show, Half-Cracked.

Once I walked in the doors of the Opera House I felt home, and welcome. My friend was selling raffle tickets, and I’d forgotten to get cash so I left to hit up an ATM.

As soon as I got back to King Street I heard a chorus of my name from all directions. I kid you not.

Some of my friends were heading to the theatre.

..and then an enthusiastic kiddo, belonging to my friend jumps out of her car and comes rushing at me, and asks if I wanted a hug.

This kid and I ran clubs at Curious & Kind Inc. for 24 Thursdays. Each Thursday she would welcome whomever into her club, and by the end some 30 people of all ages would show up to craft and hang out and play and eat granola bars and drink tea and juice.

…and I’d had plans to have her and a few friends continue the tradition at another local space. But that didn’t work out.

So I hadn’t seen her since the last club in April.

…and it was such a joyful reunion.

I think what I miss about running Curious & Kind is that unadulterated joy. It was the opposite of bureaucracy. It was just people gathering, making art, sharing stories…crating community…and the friendships that grew there? They still exist without the space.

Heather who was taking me to the play found me there, ensconced in an excited discussion with this ten year old and her mom.

…and me and the kiddo made plans to see each other again, and I walked away thinking. I belong here. In Lunenburg.

…and it was that energy I brought with me into the opera house. This deep gratitude at being accepted the way I am by the town full of creative people.

The show was AMAZING. The actors brought such heart to their characters. And it was fun. I know because I laughed aloud on several occasions.

And at the end I cried. Not because it was sad, but because I get to be here. As the crowd around me rose up to give the show a standing ovation, I rose too. Because that’s how we do it here. When something is amazing, we let the people doing it know.

I hope you get to see it. But more than that, I hope you feel cared for by your community. Belonging and mutual respect and kindness really are the best things out there. And I’m feeling so so good.

After the show we popped down to Elizabeth Books so my friend could return some DVDs and the filmmaker who is doing the The Bookstore That Never Sleeps documentary was there. And I got to thank him for caring about Chris (the owner) and his story. I thanked him for shining a light on this magical town that exists during and after tourist season, with real people who are doing their best to make this place magical and kind and caring all year round.

Next week I start my new job at an Inn, and I’m so excited to be part of the magic of this town.

I also recorded this video of me and my dog because I’m trying to get more comfortable on camera.

I hope your Friday is beautiful.

Heart,

Wake