a peek inside the fishbowl

I’m a great parent because …

This one requires a bit of explanation.

Sometimes I open the front door, lean faaaarr out with a plate or lunch container in hand, and toss its contents into the wind. I’m sure the neighbours wonder what I’m doing.

These bits of buttered bagels and bread crusts usually land under a mature spruce tree which shelters the corner of our home. (At least that’s where I’m aiming.)

In the summertime the girls pretend that its lower branches are the walls and ceiling of a house, and they play there happily. The other added attraction is that it is within earshot of a sidewalk, and they’ve learned that if they’re quiet enough they can eavesdrop on Teenage Conversations (the best kind, apparently, because they’re usually so dramatic).

Last Spring, Mark hung a bird feeder in the arms of that old spruce.  We wondered aloud how birdie real estate agents described the locale.

“New listing in great neighborhood! Gorgeous one room bird house sheltered by mature evergreen. Close to food and water. No cats. Perfect for fledglings!”

Sadly, there weren’t any takers. Potential avian residents didn’t seem to think very much of the place. But SOMEONE finds it interesting (although the bird house has since been removed):

I’ve seen this fellow a number of times. I also think the little snoop peeks in our windows.

His feathers are glossy and beautiful; midnight black with a bright sheen. The other night, the moon illuminated the frozen twinkling branches of our neighbour’s tree, and the shiny black sky reminded me of him.

I watch him pop gently around the branches, leaning smartly, deeply, to take a look at the day’s offerings. He cocks his head to the side while he looks downwards. You have to know he is considering something.

It all happens so quietly. He’s as silent as the tree itself. 

These guys travel in small flocks of two or three. I wonder if they’re related. When I see one there’s almost always another nearby – father or brother? – perched effortlessly on top of the stop sign or on the telephone wire.

They call to each other. To our ears it is rather raucous, but it means something. Hurry up. So what is it today? Did the old squirrel get to it first? Any peanut butter? See if you can find some rye this time. And no cheese!

Some cultures believe in spirit animals. If that was true, I think my spirit animal would be a crow or a raven: curious, smart, capable of fun and mischief.

I wonder if he’s going to come back?

The Ottawa Distress Centre is hosting its second annual Festival of Chocolate fundraiser on Thursday February 11, 2010. Please come! I’ll be there as a judge. (!) But more on that in a sec.

First I have a few very important key words to share with you:

• chocolate
• chocolate
• Ottawa Firefighters

:)

The Festival of Chocolate is an evening of entertainment and fun in a relaxed, intimate and hip setting. It’ll be at Lago Bar and Grill (that’s at Dow’s Lake) and tickets are $35.00 each.

If you come you’ll have the opportunity to sample hors d’oeuvres and chocolate delights from local chocolatiers, and indulge in a quick dip in the chocolate fountain (that’s for fruit, not body parts. But nice try. I know what you were thinking.)

You will also have the opportunity to bid on some of swank auction items such as:

• A Toronto getaway for two
• Corporate box suite seats to see the Sens vs. New York Rangers on March 2nd, donated by Alterna Savings/ Alterna Bank
• Champagne hot air balloon ride for 2, courtesy of CTV (value $500)
• Luxury hair care package, donated by Hair Junk (value $200)

And more.

Here’s the fun part. The main entertainment for the evening will be a chef competition. Each chef will have prepared a decadent treat for all the guests, based on certain pre-determined criteria. Their creations must (a) be a one-bite treat, like a canapé or dessert item and (b) chocolate must be the inspirational ingredient.

I think that’s a pretty good set of criteria, don’t you?

The chef line-up includes:

• Robin Bowen, executive chef, Lago Bar|Grill|View
• Roch Fournier, Rochef Chocolatier
• Collin Locket, owner, The Copper Pot Catering Service

Each chef will present their creation to a panel of guest judges which includes yours truly, Lianne Laing from “A”, and Gay Cook from the Ottawa Citizen.

Festival of Chocolate attendees will also have the opportunity to taste what each chef has prepared. And guess who’s going to be serving up each decadent creation? Members of the Ottawa Firefighters Assocation! 

That deserves a second mention:

OTTAWA FIREFIGHTERS WILL BE SERVING CHOCOLATE

This event is to help the Ottawa Distress Centre raise funds for their volunteer program. This program oversees the advertising, recruitment, training and supervision of Distress Centre volunteers, which has recently soared to over 160 volunteers (the largest number in their history).

The Festival of Chocolate is an opportunity for the community to come together to show their support for the work of the Distress Centre and ensure that care and support are available for their volunteers.

Some interesting facts about the DCOR:

• It was established in 1969
• In 2008, the DCOR answered 39,331 calls for help
• Nearly 20% of these calls were related to suicide or from those who were at high risk of suicide
• 75% of calls are answered immediately
• If calls go into the queue the average wait time is only two minutes
• The DCOR service area covers 58,389 square kilometers in Eastern Ontario, Southwestern Ontario and West Quebec
• The DCOP works with the Mental Health Crisis Team of the Ottawa Hospital

Information about the Festival of Chocolate and how to purchase tickets is available on their website. Tickets can only be purchased on the phone. Call 613-238-1089 ext. 222.

Tickets sales have now surpassed the halfway point and there are new requests coming through each day, so snap ’em up while you can. Tickets cannot be purchased at the door.

Let me know if you’re coming! And please come find me and say hi if you do!