Michael Collins Irish Pub, Toronto, ON

I had supper this evening at Michael Collins Irish Pub (on Bloor Street W, just west of Ossington Avenue).

I had Collins’ Wings with medium sauce and fries, which was good. The wings were a good size and the fries were tasty. Yum!

Interrupted Rib Stitch Knitted Scarf

I knitted another scarf to donate. I found the interrupted rib stitch pattern on New Stitch a Day's website. 

When I was taking pictures, I realized I’d screwed up. About halfway through, I’d knitted an extra knit row so the pattern got reversed. The pattern on either side could stand alone and it happened at the halfway point so it looks like I might have meant to do it … so I’m leaving it be.

Canadian Screen Awards, Toronto, ON

I volunteered at the Canadian Screen Awards. I supported the Cinematic Arts Awards event Thursday and the Scripted Television Awards event Saturday.

Book ~ "I'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home" (2026) Fergus Craig

From Goodreads ~ Carol is delighted to be leaving her tiny prison cell behind to take her place in a luxury retirement home. She's hoping her past as a serial killer won't come to light so she can make a few friends and find some murder-free hobbies. But it's not long before a fellow resident - who happens to be a former police commissioner - drops dead, and Carol's true identity is leaked - making catching up over daily activities of bingo and baking rather awkward.

Just her luck, Carol soon realizes that the victim wasn't the only former law enforcement officer at Sheldon Oaks - it's filled to the brim with former cops, barristers and government representatives, her newfound friends included. And everyone thinks Carol's guilt is a no-brainer but she is ready to prove them dead wrong ... without killing anyone, for once.

Carol is a 75-year-old woman who has just been released from prison after serving decades for a series of murders committed in her younger years. Determined to leave that chapter of her life behind, she moves into Sheldon Oaks, an upscale retirement community, hoping to enjoy a quiet and uneventful retirement. Carol quickly discovers that fitting in isn't easy. Many of the residents have backgrounds in politics, law enforcement and public service, and when her criminal past becomes known, she finds herself viewed with suspicion. Things get even more complicated when a fellow resident is found dead under suspicious circumstances. 

Because of her history, Carol becomes an obvious suspect in the eyes of many around her. To clear her name, Carol begins investigating the murder herself. As she digs deeper, she uncovers hidden tensions, long-held grudges and unexpected secrets among the retirement home's residents. She also forms unlikely friendships with several fellow seniors (Geoffrey, Catherine and Margaret), each with their own unique personalities and histories. 

This was a cute story and funny in parts (like the manscaping discussion, for example). It's written in third person perspective with a focus on Carol, Geoffrey, Catherine and Margaret. It was interesting to read a story written from the point of view of seniors who are 70+ as they navigate today's world, especially for Carol who has been in prison for most of her life. I was okay with the whodunnits but not the ending. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Blanket Rib Stitch Knitted Scarf

I knitted another scarf to donate. I found the blanket rib stitch pattern on New Stitch a Day's website.

I used a Caron Anniversary Cake Special Edition (the colour is Merry Maximus) and 6.5mm needles. 

Cast on multiples of 2 + 1 stitches (I cast on 17 stitches).

• Row 1: Knit into the front and back (KFB) of each stitch
• Row 2: K2tog, *p2tog, k2tog; rep from * to end
• Repeat rows 1 to 4, knitting to the desired length
• Bind off

JZ’s Pizza, Toronto, ON

I had supper JZ’s Pizza at Wellington Street W/John Street. 

"Something Rotten", Stratford Festival, Stratford, ON

Gord and I saw Something Rotten (part of the Stratford Festival) this afternoon.

The Bottom brothers, two struggling playwrights in Renaissance London, need a hit. That’s easier said than done when your chief competition is local rockstar William Shakespeare. The Bottom brothers’ plan? Write the world’s first musical!

It was at the Festival Theatre.

Gord and I

The Festival Theatre store

Gord and I (and William Shakespeare)

Montana's BBQ & Bar, Stratford, ON

Gord and I had lunch at Montana's BBQ & Bar in Stratford.

Book ~ "Searching for Terry Punchout" (2018) Tyler Hellard

From Goodreads ~ Adam Macallister's sportswriting career is about to end before it begins but he's got one last a Sports Illustrated profile about hockey's most notorious goon, the reclusive Terry Punchout - who also happens to be Adam's estranged father. 

Adam returns to Pennington, Nova Scotia, where Terry now lives in the local rink and drives the Zamboni. Going home means drinking with old friends, revisiting neglected relationships, and dealing with lingering feelings about his father and dead mother - and discovering that his friends and family are kinder and more complicated than he ever gave them credit for. 

"Searching for Terry Punchout" is a charming and funny tale of hockey, small-town Maritime life and how, despite our best efforts, we just can't avoid turning into our parents.

Adam is a struggling sportswriter living in Calgary whose career is falling apart. Hoping to revive it, he returns to his hometown of Pennington, Nova Scotia, to write a magazine profile about his estranged father, Terry Punchout, a former hockey enforcer known for his time in the penalty box. Terry now lives a quiet life driving the Zamboni at the local rink. As Adam reconnects with people from his past, he’s forced to deal with old family tensions, memories of his mother and the complicated relationship he has with his dad.

This book came to my attention because of the recent Canada Reads. I like reading Canadian fiction plus I'm originally from Nova Scotia. I liked this story and some of the characters reminded me of people "back home". I liked the writing style and it's a quick read. It's written in first person perspective in Adam's voice. It could have been edited better as there are typos and there are two chapter fours, though the content for the second chapter four is actually for chapter five. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Doors Open - STACKT Market, Toronto, ON

I volunteered this afternoon at STACKT Market at Bathurst Street/Front Street for Doors Open Toronto. a popular outdoor market and event space made from repurposed shipping containers. 

What makes it unique:

• The entire space is built using stacked shipping containers.
• It hosts rotating small businesses, pop-up shops, local brands, cafés, bars and food vendors.
• There are frequent events like night markets, live music, fitness classes, art installations, outdoor movies and seasonal festivals.
• It changes constantly, so different vendors and experiences appear throughout the year.

Usually there's a great view of the CN Tower across the street ... but today it was too foggy.

Double Eyelet Rib Stitch Knitted Scarf

I knitted another scarf to donate. I found the double eyelet rib stitch pattern on New Stitch a Day's website.

I used a Caron Anniversary Cake Special Edition (the colour is Merry Maximus) and 6.5mm needles. 

Cast on multiples of 7 + 2 stitches (I cast on 23 stitches).

• Row 1 (RS): P2, *k5, p2; rep from * to end 
• Row 2: K2, *p5, k2; rep from * to end 
• Row 3: P2, *k2tog, yo, k1, yo, sl1, k1, psso, p2; rep from * to end 
• Row 4: K2, *p5, k2; rep from * to end
• Repeat rows 1 to 4, knitting to the desired length
• Bind off

Doors Open - Gallery 1313, Toronto, ON

I volunteered today at Gallery 1313 in the Parkdale Arts & Cultural Centre at Queen Street W/Cowan Avenue for Doors Open Toronto.

The Parkdale Arts & Cultural Centre was originally built as a police station in 1931 and Gallery 1313 occupies what were once 12 holding cells for prisoners. The art deco building has since been transformed into a community hub, home to community offices, the Parkdale Village BIA, Gallery 1313 (which hosts about 70 exhibitions each year featuring artists from local to international), nine live/work studios and more.

Gallery 1313 is where the 12 holding cells were.

The original floor plan