ENJOYING CALLIE

Trying to keep my chin up.

After being away on vacation for a week, we returned, very grateful that the nasal cancer had not gave Callie any greater discomfort. However Tuesday things changed.

The overnights are awful. She has trouble breathing, both through her nose and mouth. I'm guessing the cancer has grown into her throat and/or lungs. The gasping and gurgling was so bad that I held her in my arms, waiting for it all to end. The breathing slowed down to near silence - I thought it was over. It wasn't.

The next day I went to the vet and picked up some doggie pain killers. There is 12 in the bottle. I said to the vet, "I don't think I'm going to need that many."

Janice and I have decided that we're not going to let her die alone so one of us will stay with her. Callie continues to come to work with us. The staff like her. She likes being with people.

Yesterday we took her for a walk and she was pulling on the leash as usual so she's still got power and enthusiasm but the gulping was severe, even as she pulled us down the street.

When things are bad, I look into her eyes trying to access what to do. This afternoon, between gulps and snorting, she kissed me repeatedly. Soon after she was perky, eating, playing with toys, watching Animal Planet and tried to bite the TV screen. (Yes, we go thru many bottles of Windex!)

We have a plan so when our emotions are out of control we can get on track with the plan.

Right now, she's sleeping and keeping me company.

I LOVE CRUISIN' IN THE WINTER

I've lived in Barrie for 15 years. I know that the first week of February is the coldest and usually there's a fat snow storm, so, that's the week we try to escape - to anywhere hot.

Last week we took a cruise with Holland America through the Caribbean. Don't ask me, "did you cruise eastern or western" like you know what you're talking about coz if you did you would know that it's all the same! Lots of Bob Marley t-shirts, over-priced excursions, sun, beaches, people trying to braid your hair, everyday, everywhere, and jewelry for 75% off.  They have as many jewelry stores as we do donut stores! Everywhere!

We picked this specific cruise because of the Christian music aspect. It was a "Kathy Troccoli and Friends" cruise. (KT is my wife's favourite artist). The guests were Point of Grace, Don Moen, Scott Krippayne, and comedian Ellie Loafaro. All the artists are a bit girly for me and the audience was 80% women over age 50, but - the ministry time is awesome. I mean, the cruise is amazing to begin with, but adding the Christian component, the songs, the story-telling, the real life stuff - it's always a good time. (I've been twice)

There were seven nights of shows. One artist each night, and three nights where they each sang two songs, and then group songs.

Great moments:

Kathy - singing "My Life Is In Your Hands". It really sums up what we're about.
Group - singing "Shout To The Lord"
Don - singing "Arise" - even if I wasn't a Christian I would love this song!
Scott - singing "I Wanna Sing".
Ellie - reminding us that when we get back home, there might be bad things waiting for us, "it may not be alright, but YOU'LL be alright". Considering the junk I left back home - I needed to hear that.
Kathy - telling us - "You say you want to be a Christian, but do you want to be holy?" I sense a definite line separating our commitment as Christians and what we think is acceptable behaviour. I've struggled with this concept for 20 years. After working in Nashville it seemed almost everyone ignored the line. Now, I think I see the difference of where I want to be.

Other great moments:

Usually the food is "ok", but this time, it really was great!
The gym - had it almost to myself everyday. I guess the over 50's aren't gym rats.
The beach at Half Moon Key in the Bahamas - just like a postcard photo - amazing.'

And the great moments in photos:

 Our ship is the one on the left! Haha!

 Hangin' at the beach at Grand Turk.

 Everyone dressed up for a formal dinner - L-R Don Moen, Ellie Loafaro, Jennifer Somebody, Kathy Troccoli, the 3 Point of Grace girls - Shelley, Lee and Denise, and Scott Krippayne.

Bike riding in the Bahamas - a "strenuous" 3-mile ride.

Bored on board.

Don Moen and Janice.

Ellie Loafaro.

In the Bahamas, hanging with the horses.

I think this is Grand Turk - they all look the same. Our ship on the left.

Janice with her hero - KT.

On the bike ride we stopped for the Stingrays.

Apparently, John Glenn the astronaut missed Florida and landed near Grand Turk. There's a souvenir shop next to the display. The model capsule is actual size. Yikes!

Good times in Grand Turk.

THE RETRO SHOW - VIDEO BLOG

MAN, THIS IS FUN!

Maybe you've heard the new songs by Christian rock/worship band Anthem For Today on LIFE 100.3 ("Inside Out" and "Falling Asleep At The Wheel".)

I posted some photos of the CD release party, during which they announced me as their manager, mentioned on a previous blog.

This is an exciting time! We're booking shows, choosing radio singles, t-shirts, stickers, making promo materials and setting goals. I'm lovin' it! I'd forgotten how much fun this is!

For a couple of years I avoided this position because the medication I take for depression messes with my concentration and... uh...um.... what was I talking about, again?  Oh ya, concentration. :)  It also messes with short term memory. So there are post it notes and checklists galore. I guess the band didn't think those two idiosyncrasies would be a deterrent so they took me on.

This week we're getting lots done. Mmmm - it's gonna be a great spring and summer!

Go here to the website - or facebook! 

A QUIET DAY

Light snow falling over the lake. It's a quiet day at home.

Thinking About: My dad's generosity, upcoming Sharathon, Anthem For Today goals
Listening to: U2 mix of songs on my iPod
Reading: Jesus Calling
Praying for: the above, trusting, hearing.

My current devotional is "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. It's like Daily Bread - one page for each day of the year. The interesting thing is that she writes it as if it was God speaking to you. The message is not about God; it's from God. It certainly personalizes the message.

The message that is sticking with me is about how God orchestrates each day, if I let Him. So, on the days when things are running smoothly I may be unaware of His presence in the situation. And when the days are not going well, and there seems to be many of them, maybe God is doing something important. I need to tune in and see what He's doing, listen, and above all, not try to figure it out.

As I was reading, thinking and praying, Bono was singing, "It's a beautiful day, don't let it get away." Nice.

2013 JUST STARTED

In a previous blog, I mentioned my dad passed away on January 5. It was unexpected but at the age of 87, it wasn't completely unexpected. Some of you already know that my Dad was often a trigger for my depression. He could find the negative in any situation and I didn't handle it well. However, the last time I saw him was Christmas Day and it was fabulous, positive, fun and hopeful.

Three days after my dad passed, my dog was diagnosed with nasal cancer. Her nose has bled intermittently for a couple of months and my worst fear was now realized. She's 11. When she was 9 she had bloat, so, since surviving that, I feel every day has been a gift. She's lived a great life but the next few months could be agonizing.

If that's not enough, a few days later I found out that my mother-in-law is being moved into a seniors assisted living home. That means she'll be leaving her house of 50-plus years - the same house my wife, then girlfriend, grew up in. As an elderly lady, leaving her home and all those memories must be very hard. She's a very with-in lady; her problems are only physical, and my wife and I are concerned that she may not enjoy the new home and her health will quickly drop.

This blog brings three sad situations together, but I am looking at each of them separately and dealing with each with a different set of emotions.

About five years ago I was at a Christian conference where Kathy Troccoli was the guest speaker. She said, "You tell yourself you will never survive the passing of a parent. You tell yourself you won't make it." But, she said, "God gives you the strength when you need it. Not now, but when you need it."

I recalled that message as I sat with my mom when she died. That was three years ago and Kathy's words were absolutely true. God gives us the strength at the moment we need it most. I'm hoping God to do the same three more times. 

It's going to be hard. 2013 just started.

ANTHEM FOR TODAY

Ok, so it was announced today that I'm managing the band. I've done band management three times before in my Kingston years, a while ago. I managed two top 40 cover bands and a glam-metal band. Booking shows, booking PAs, coaching the band, working through issues - it was a great experience and brings me as much joy as does radio. I vowed to never do it again, though, unless it was for my own kid. Lately, I suppose because of my interaction with recording artists, their music and airplay, there has been some management opportunities, but I stuck to my vow.

Then, Anthem For Today happened!

Davey, me Robbert and Pip - just before the show.

Tonight was our CD release party in Flesherton, ON - their homebase.  They did a 6-song set complete with song explanations, which made it more than just a concert - it was an intimate show with 100 fans, family and friends. Pip Lucas, the singer, talked about the songs, many written by Trevor McNevan from TFK, including their first single "Inside Out" which has 14 radio stations playing it.

We cut the band cake, bought merch, gave out copies of the album and announced the second radio single being released Monday. (Falling Asleep At The Wheel).

Pip, Robbert and Davey are great guys, coming from great families. I look forward to do some fun stuff together!

(The top photo was taken by Evan Duran. Excuse the crappy photos that follow, taken on my iPhone. I love the iPhone but let's be honest - the camera quality sets us back 40 years!)

Pip Lucas "Falling Asleep At The Wheel"

AFT booth next to the LIFE booth.

"Inside Out...."

Robbert van der Grift (bass), Pip Lucas (vocals, guitar), Davey Hooper  (guitar), and the band cake!

Anthem For Today - in Flesherton.

The official band photo - Davey, Pip and Robbert