a peek inside the fishbowl

I am sitting on the back porch with my pen and notebook and the last of this year’s peonies. It’s hard to narrow it down to a list of TOP floral favourites, but if I had a top five, let’s say, peonies would be on it, along with violets, mini-pansies, tulips, and lily of the valley.

We have two kinds of peonies: white and pinky-purple with layers of ruffled petals.

The peony plants were here at the house when we first moved in, 21 years ago, and I gather they’ve been in the same spot for many years before that.

They grow happily along a south-facing wall, and as a result, they flower early. Some years, when I haven’t forgotten about them or they haven’t been pummeled by rain, I fill up all of our vases with bouquets of peonies. Sometimes I remember to shake the ants out of them.

It’s impossible not to love peonies. They are just, so, cheerful, but when I think about it, I realize that’s the reason all of those other flowers are on my list.

Every once in awhile their scent drifts towards me. The wind is softly rustling through the maple tree. The air smells fresh, and here, in the shade, I feel protected from the heat of the day. The neighbourhood is quiet for a change – no drills or circulating saws or heavy machinery today – just the occasional flip-flop of passers-by or the whir of a bike or the drone of a car. Even the birds have taken a break.

I am reminded of a promise I made to myself to live more mindfully. It’s easy to do in the shady oasis of our backyard. Even though I’m often frustrated by squirrel damage and my struggling tomato plant, or overwhelmed by weeds and watering, it’s probably my Happiest Place. Why do I have a tendency to forget this simple fact? Why can’t I find a way to spend more time here?

Let’s Save Ontario Sex Ed! https://t.co/cGEacTKl0b

— andrea tomkins (@missfish) June 24, 2018

• Thermostats, Locks and Lights: Digital Tools of Domestic Abuse, nytimes.com
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• Ontario government kills green programs but can’t say who gave the order, ottawacitizen.com
• Nearly Eradicated in Humans, the Guinea Worm Finds New Victims: Dogs, nytimes.com
• Why didn’t someone stop Melania Trump from wearing that jacket? That’s not how this White House works, washingtonpost.com
• Getting to the Bottom of ‘Thrift Store Smell’, nytimes.com
• Where a Taboo Is Leading to the Deaths of Young Girls, nytimes.com
• The Stereotypes of Father’s Day and Mother’s Day Cards, theatlantic.com

On the nightstand: Pretty Girls: A Novel

I was talking to someone today about how SOME people say that Ottawa is boring. Urgh. I hate those people. Folks, if you think Ottawa is boring, YOU are boring. There is so much great stuff going on, and so much of it is free. All you need to know, is how to find out about it. :) So, in the interest of Finding Out About Things, if you’re looking something fun and interesting (and free!) to do in Ottawa, consider the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival. It’s taking place at Vincent Massey Park from June 21 to 24. There is a full program of events and activities scheduled and all of it is family-friendly.

For example, this year’s Family Fun Zone (combined with free admission!) definitely makes the festival an appealing destination for Ottawa families. There are bungee trampolines, bouncy-inflatables, a rock climbing wall, interactive arts, crafts and culinary pavilions, and a live Birds of Prey show. There is much to see and learn about!

A big item on the program is the 2018 Summer Solstice Competition Pow Wow. It attracts the best singers and dancers from across North America and there is $75,000 worth of prizes at stake. Trust me when I say this will be a sight to behold.

Of course, food is a big part of any celebration and there’s food to be found here as well in the form of a special Long Table luncheon or dinner on Friday June 22. These top chefs are bringing some amazing meals to the table. (You can read more about them on the bottom of this page.)

It’s a droolworthy menu for sure. The lunch menu includes: Toasted Sunflower Seed Latte (garnished with whipped cream and cinnamon); Quinoa and Smoked Venison Salad with Quail Eggs and Mixed Greens tossed in a Cedar Vinaigrette (garnished with fresh chives); Pulled Duck Slider in Mexican Molé Sauce with Three Sisters Relish.

Behold the dinner menu: Birch Syrup and Cranberry Wine-soaked Blueberry and Blackcurrant Shooter (garnished with greek yogurt and fresh mint); Roasted Corn, Red Pepper, and Cauliflower Salad with Dandelion Greens and Wild Rice tossed in a Walnut and Juniper Berry Vinaigrette; Elderflower-infused Tomatoes with Mushrooms, Avocado and Garlic Aioli (garnished with Fresh Thyme and Sumac Spice); Sunchoke and New Potato Salad with Spruce Tip-infused Asparagus tossed in a Herb Vinaigrette (garnished with Blackened Mint Dust); Braised Bison Osso Bucco in a Red Wine and Herb Sauce.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

I was offered tickets and I wish I could go, but we’re booked. The silver lining here, of course, is that YOU can win tickets for yourself and three of your friends or family members.

These meals are family-friendly but I’m thinking this would this would also make a fun date night!

Interested in this spectacular culinary experience? Please review the details before you put your name down:

• This giveaway is for four tickets to the 2018 Long Table luncheon or dinner at the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival and will be given to one individual.
• In order for your entry to qualify, all you need to do is (a) Check out the event details on the Summer Solstice Indigenous Festival website and (b) leave a comment below letting me know whether you prefer lunch tickets or dinner tickets.
• For a bonus second entry, leave a second comment letting us know what other sights or activities you’d like to take in while you are at the festival.
• One entry per email address, please, but make sure you’re able to attend before you enter. e.g. Babysitter is available, your calendar is cleared. Thank you!
• This giveaway is void where prohibited by law.
• If you can’t post your comment for whatever reason, you can email it to andrea at quietfish dot com. Please note, I cannot be responsible if your entry is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder.
• I will draw the winning name using Random.org at 6 p.m. EST on June 20, 2018. I’ll contact the winner via email at that time and post the name here as well.

Sound good? Over to you!