Black and White Ball Barbie

It is almost impossible for any ball to rival the splendor of Truman Capote's Black and White ball held at the Plaza Hotel in 1966.  Truman Capote was either celebrating his successful book In Cold Blood or working to further his social ambitions.   He invited many very famous people but then asked them to wear masks to hide their famous faces.  Although supposedly a private party, the guests were met at the entrance by phalanx of reporters armed with flash cameras.

The menu for the midnight meal included such delights as  scrambled eggs, chicken hash (the hotel specialty) and spaghetti and meatballs.

The orchestra played catchy tunes and the dance floor was filled.  One lady's designer dress failed her and shed beads when she danced so she sat out the evening. 

Barbie has celebrity enough to be included on the guest list of the most glittering and exclusive ball and she has a dress all ready in case you want to invite her.  I promise the sequins will stay on the dress and not fall on the floor no matter what the music.

Barbie's Souvenir from China

 China is a wonderful place to visit.  The crowds at the most popular tourist sites defied comprehension.  I don't think there were as many people in the city where I grew up as there was in the line to view Mao's tomb and the Forbidden City.

The Great Wall was a revelation.  There were few people in the section we visited but the views were breathtaking and the climb strenuous. 

The whole country was extraordinary.  The fabulous aquarium in the shopping center, the people meeting friends in parks to dance to the music on the boom box, to sing difficult choral music, to play traditional instruments in small ensembles, the pandas, the efficient and pristine transit systems, the occasionally weird food, the death-defying hot pot, it was all wonderful.

The tourist markets were just what one would expect, full of cheaply made goods in noisy, crowded spaces.  Barbie did barter for and buy this umbrella.  I'm not sure why.  It won't protect her from the sun or the rain but it is pretty.

Barbie's Christmas List

There are many, many necessary tasks to complete before Christmas arrives.   It very helpful to make check lists so that nothing is forgotten.

Grocery lists, housework lists,  Christmas shopping lists, Christmas card lists, menus (a menu is a list) , and most important of all, the wish list.  What do you want for Christmas?

A wish list can be started at any time of the year and is open to constant modification as your whims dictate.  Have no doubt.  This list is for whimsical items only.  It may be that on Christmas morning your gifts include practical necessities like winter boots or bathroom towels.  Your family knows you need those things.  Does your family know you would love a purple scarf with sequins on the hem?  Does your family know you would love a package of sparkly paper, a rainbow stamp pad and a unicorn stamp?

When I was twelve I gave my parents a list of fabrics with yardages.  Two meters of pink velveteen,  1 1/2 meters of blue flannelette,  black corduroy, navy bottom-weight cotton, heavy calico and so on.  My father was skeptical that fabric was a Christmas gift but that's what was in all the gifts I opened that year.  I was so excited and spent the whole school break hunched over the sewing machine.

This year, I asked for fabric again.  Barbie is wearing a new dress made from one piece and behind her are two more examples of my treasure trove.   Don't you love gifts you don't need but really, really want?

Santa's helper, Ken's friend, Allan

Santa Claus is the most magical being in the world.  In one night he travels around the world in a  sleigh pulled by 8 tiny reindeer  delivering gifts to all the good boys and girls.  Or does he?

In some countries he appears on December 8th. In other countries, he comes on January 6th.  Maybe your family receives gifts on December 24th.   Perhaps your home is visited by La Befana or Dred Moroz or Father Christmas.   Saint Nicholas is  another welcome guest who brings presents at this time of year.

It matters not, the job gets done on time because Santa has many helpers.  These helpers preside at parties, listen carefully to wish lists while sitting on festive thrones posing for photos with children and pets.  Santa's helpers collect money for charity and ride in parade floats.  They distribute Christmas baskets of food for Christmas feasts.  They help Santa answer the millions of letters sent to the North Pole.

This year, Ken's friend, Allan, wants to be a Santa's helper too.  Ho, Ho, Ho.

Festival of Lights Barbie

Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year and in 2017 falls on December 21.  Winter is a very difficult time in northern climes.  It is depressingly dark, freezing cold and food can be very scarce.

While nothing we can do hastens the passage of the Earth around the sun,  people use sympathetic magic in an attempt to speed the return of long light-filled days.

Decorating our homes with sparkling lights (ostensibly to celebrate Christmas) is really a form of sympathetic magic.  We are trying in vain to lure the sun back.

The ancient tradition of burning a Yule log in the fireplace is based on the same idea.  Thinking that like engenders like, people would build a ceremonial fire in an attempt to bring back warmer weather.  Sometimes, now, we might just eat the rolled cake that represents that solstice fire.  Not everyone has a fireplace and that chocolate icing is delicious.

Barbie thought she'd hang lights on herself.  It may or may not affect how long winter will be.  It will certainly affect how great she looks. 

Ken Celebrates Canada 150

Canada Day in Ottawa was marked by huge crowds trying in vain to get onto Parliament Hill to watch the show. 

I volunteered at the Museum of Nature in the fossil gallery.  I think I talked to a million visitors, many of whom were there for the very first time.  My husband walked up to Major's Hill Park to enjoy the buskers.  He stopped at a booth where a group of Sikhs were teaching people about turbans.  When he met me after my shift, he was wearing a beautiful red turban.

For Sikhs, turbans are symbols of equality and dedication to a life of truthful living and  a high moral standard.  While a turban serves to keep a Sikh's long hair clean and tidy, it is not a hat but a two meter length of cloth that must be wrapped and unwrapped every day thus serving as a reminder of a Sikh's core values.  The colour, size and shape of a turban hold no specific meaning.

Tersh's bright red turban is very festive looking and perfect for Canada Day.  Ken also wanted to celebrate so he got one too.

Marathon Barbie

Marathon Barbie

In honour of Canada's 150th birthday, the annual Ottawa Marathon will be a run across Canada.  Each water station represents a province and I am the  captain of Team Saskatchewan.  We will be sporting  corsages of wheat tied with green and yellow ribbons to honour the provincial flag.

Runners from around the country voted  Ottawa Race Weekend the Best Race of 2016.  They loved the big crowds of spectators, the wicked fast pace of the 10 km (I’m quoting) and the enthusiasm of the volunteers. Apparently there was an impressive vibe (still quoting).

 

Organizers are anticipating about 43,000 runners in the six events and 2,500 volunteers.  My team of 40 stalwart souls is a seasoned group of elites.  We'll be there at 6 AM pouring a couple of thousand cups of water and  rehydration drink.  

Look for Barbie at kilometer 11.  She'll be wearing this dress and waving her stalk of wheat while she cheers.  On marathon Day, we are all winners.