Cat Shelter Building Workshop, Toronto Street Cats, Toronto, ON

I spent this morning volunteering with Toronto Street Cats building cat shelters.  The workshops are held throughout the fall and winter season in the garage of the Toronto Humane Society ... today's was the last one of the year.

It's my fourth year volunteering with them ... it's so nice helping the kitties in Toronto keep warm and dry during the cold winter.

Our mission: improve the lives of Toronto’s homeless cats by offering spay/neuter services, free for feral cats, and building overwintering shelters. We are also working to increase public awareness about Toronto’s homeless cat population and the importance of spay/neuter and trap/neuter/return (TNR). 

We are part of the Toronto Feral Cat Coalition, working together to implement strategic TNR programs to sterilize Toronto’s feral cats, decrease shelter intake and reduce euthanasia rates.

There are lots of strict protocols to follow ... we were all socially distanced and required to wear masks.

We taped the insulated walls together in the bins and then taped the tubing entrances ... I started with the first part (I like it better) then moved on to taping the tubing to the shelters.  Thom cut the tubing for the entrance ways, cut the Styrofoam for insulated walls and drilled holes into the bins after the insulated walls had been taped inside.

Before

Book ~ "Enjoying Rum: A Tasting Guide and Journal" (2021) Frank Flannery

From Goodreads ~ From classic to new-generation rums hailing from countries around the world, this book gives you the information you need to enjoy rum with knowledge. Whether you are a straight-up sipper or a frozen-with-an-umbrella-drink type, "Enjoying Rum" offers a hands-on guide and reference to the world of rum and its many varieties and tastes.

With the growth of rum distilleries worldwide, this spirit is surpassing its reputation as just a spirit to mix in an island cocktail. The days of Captain Morgan’s being the only option are long gone and savvy spirit aficionados are developing a newfound respect and love for this once-swashbuckling spirit. There are now subtle and distinct flavor variations and nuances in rum options that hail from diverse regions around the globe. The premium rum market is growing fast as a segment of the spirits market both in the U.S. and abroad.

"Enjoying Rum" offers insight into the growing world of this versatile liquor - with its complex flavors tastes and classic cocktails that are synonymous with relaxation. With this book in hand, you may be inclined to make rum your spirit of choice as you:

• Discover rum's dry, sweet, rich, and mellow variations
• Choose from a collection of classic cocktail recipes
• Follow tasting notes on a full range of rums

Enjoying Rum is the perfect gift for your rum-loving friends (or just for yourself!) - no matter what flavor path they choose.

I like rum, especially spiced and dark rums, so thought this would be an interesting book to check out.

The author provides high level information about the history of rum, how rum is made, how to read labels, tasting rum, a spotlight on some famous rums (Bacardi, Captain Morgan [one of my favs], Mount Gay, Appleton and El Dorado) and a handful of rum cocktails.  At the end, there are almost 60 pages so you can journal as you taste different rums.  

I read it as an ebook ... it works better as a book book because you are invited to write in the book and use it as your tasting journal.  It would be handy if a link was provided so you could download a printable pdf and can keep track of the same info for your future reference.

Book ~ "Massey Hall" (2021) David McPherson

From Goodreads ~ Known for its intimacy and sense of occasion, a night at Toronto’s Massey Hall is magical for both audiences and performers. For many musicians, playing the hall is the surest sign that they have made it. Looking out over the crowd, performers often comment that they feel they have joined history as they stand on the stage where Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, and so many other legends have stood.

Based on scores of interviews and meticulous research, "Massey Hall" chronicles not only the historical and musical moments of the past 127 years but also the community of artists and supporters that has built up around the hall. Covering both emerging artists such as Shakura S’Aida and William Prince and musical giants from Herbie Hancock to the Tragically Hip, this full-colour book is a celebration of music, community, and our shared cultural heritage.

Massey Hall is a performing arts theatre in downtown Toronto ... I've been to many concerts there so was interested to learn more about it.  Plus I like to learn about history.

Opening in 1894, Hart Massey wanted to build a music hall in order to fill the need for a meeting place where people from the Toronto area could meet and enjoy choral music not of a religious theme. He also wanted to construct the building in memory of his son, Charles, who loved music.  Massey also did not want the music hall to make large profits ... he wanted both rich and poor to attend events.  It closed in July 2018 for a two-year-long renovation including a new seven-storey addition and two smaller concert rooms and recently reopened.

The book covers a lot of information:

1. The House that Hart Built
2. The Early Years:  Opening Night to the Great Depression
3. The Jazz Age and Beyond
4. For Folk's Sake:  The 1960s
5. Let There Be Rock:  The 1970s
6. The 1980s
7. Canadians Take Centre Stage:  The 1990s
8. The New Millennium
9. The House of Gord - focusing on Gordon Lightfoot
10. Last Call at the Hall
11. Revitalization
12. Artist Development and Outreach
13. Legendary Leaders
14. A Beacon of Hope

There were many pictures and it was interesting to see how styles and tastes had changed over the years.  It was entertaining to hear stories about Massey Hall, especially from performers.

Jingle All the Way knitted dishcloth

The Year of the Dishcloth is organized by the Kitchen Sink Shop. 

November's pattern is Jingle All the Way. I made a couple mindless errors (purled when I should have knitted) but I didn’t notice until I was finished ... next time I'll be more careful.

I used Bernat Handicrafter cotton yarn and a 5mm circular needle.

Cast on 37 stitches.

Border

• Rows 1-5: K37
• Row 6: K3, P31, K3
• Row 7: K37
• Row 8: K3, P31, K3
• Repeat Rows 7 and 8 4 more times

Pattern

• Row 1: K16, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K16
• Row 2 (and every even row): K3, P31, K3
• Row 3: K15, K2tog, YO, K3, YO, SSK, K15
• Row 5: K14, *K2tog, YO* x 2, K1, *YO, SSK* x 2, K14
• Row 7: K13, *K2tog, YO* x 2, K3, *YO, SSK* x 2, K13
• Row 9: K12, *K2tog, YO* x 3, K1, *YO, SSK* x 3, K12
• Row 11: K11, *K2tog, YO* x 3, K3, *YO, SSK* x 3, K11
• Row 13: K10, *K2tog, YO* x 3, K5, *YO, SSK* x 3, K10
• Row 15: K11, *YO, SSK* x 3, K3, *K2tog, YO* x 3, K11
• Row 17: K12, *YO, SSK* x 3, K1, *K2tog, YO* x 3, K12
• Row 19: K13, *YO, SSK* x 2, YO, S1, K2tog, PSSO, YO, *K2tog, YO* x 2, K13
• Row 21: K14, *YO, SSK* x 2, K1, *K2tog, YO* x 2, K14
• Row 23: K15, YO, SSK, YO, S1, K2tog, PSSO, YO, K2tog, YO, K15
• Row 25: K16, YO, SSK, K1, K2tog, YO, K16
• Row 27: K17, YO, S1, K2tog, PSSO, YO, K17
• Row 28: K3, P31, K3
• Row 29: K37
• Row 30: K3, P31, K3
• Repeat Rows 29 and 30 4 more times

Border

• Rows 1-5: K37

Bind off and weave in the ends.

Be a Santa for a Senior Holiday Gift Drive, Toronto, ON

Since COVID, I've been keeping my hands busy by knitting and among other things, I've been knitting Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens. I've given lots away but still had many and I was looking for someplace to donate them.

Yesterday I came across the “Be a Santa for a Senior Holiday Gift Drive” program, run by Gwen Potter.

Gifts donated will go to recipients of the Meals on Wheels program run out of West Neighbourhood House (Ossington/Dundas W). Most of these men and women are over 55 and live alone.

I connected with her yesterday and she just picked up 28 pairs of mittens and a hat (she's in my 'hood). I'm so happy my mittens will find a home!

If you want to donate $, she will purchase gifts on your behalf. You can donate via the GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/64ff080a.

"Die Hard", Revue Cinema, Toronto, ON

It has become a holiday to tradition for Gord and I to see his favourite Christmas movie, Die Hard, around this time of year.  A couple theatres used to show it but COVID put a pause on that last year.

Drunken Theatre put it on at The Revue Theatre last night and tonight (we went tonight) ... it sold out both nights.

40 Stories. 12 Terrorists. 1 Cop. 220 Drunken Cinema attendees. The odds are against John McClane ... That's just the way he likes it.

HO! HO! HO! Drunken Cinema is hosting a special “X-Mas” themed interactive movie game to celebrate the return to DIE HARD back at The Revue!

We will take you on a sleigh ride to Nakatomi Tower (A.K.A. Revue Cinema) to celebrate with John McClane and Hans Gruber!

Come and enjoy one of the most beloved Christmas films out there with your friends at Drunken Cinema!

There will be popcorn, a holiday themed pre-show and a themed cocktail!

19+ EVENT!

*Customized game card and a glowstick is included in the price of admission.

We got in line at 8:30pm and were 7th and 8th.  Within minutes, the line-up was going up the street and around the corner.  Once they opened the doors, the line-up moved pretty quickly.

Before the movie started, there were old and new commercials and coming soons shown along with a 22 minute Tales From the Crypt Christmas episode from 1989 starring Mary Ellen Trainer, who was a reporter in Die Hard.  The movie started about 10:15pm.

Everyone was given a green or red glow stick and whenever McClane’s name was said or there was something Christmasy, we had to wave our glow sticks. In addition, we were given cards … whenever someone smoked, I had to wave my glow stick. Whenever someone was killed, Gord had to wave his.

It was fun to see the movie on the big screen again!

Loons Restaurant & Pub, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper this evening at Loons Pub (Roncesvalles Avenue/Howard Park Avenue).

Gord ordered The Reuben with a salad.

I ordered the Big Mouth Burger (with no lettuce or onions) and fries, with a side of gravy.

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting a pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens. They are fun to make.

I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

1. With A, cast on 42 sts
2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
3. Purl
4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 48 stitches

Pattern

1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
3. Purl 2 rows with A
4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
6. Purl 2 rows with A
7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
9. Purl 2 rows with A
10. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
11. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
12. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb

1. In step 12 above, purl 2, put 7 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 7 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten

1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 6)
2. Knit 1 row
3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
4. Knit 2 rows
5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
6. Knit 2 rows
7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
8. Knit 2 rows
9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
11. Weave end inside

Thumb

1. With A, pick up the 7 stitches from the holder
2. Pick up 7 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
3. Knit to fit length of thumb
4. Knit 2 together all around
5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
6. Weave end inside

Cat Shelter Building Workshop, Toronto Street Cats, Toronto, ON

I spent this morning volunteering with Toronto Street Cats building cat shelters.  The workshops are held throughout the fall and winter season in the garage of the Toronto Humane Society.

It's my fourth year volunteering with them ... it's so nice helping the kitties in Toronto keep warm and dry during the cold winter.

Our mission: improve the lives of Toronto’s homeless cats by offering spay/neuter services, free for feral cats, and building overwintering shelters. We are also working to increase public awareness about Toronto’s homeless cat population and the importance of spay/neuter and trap/neuter/return (TNR). 

We are part of the Toronto Feral Cat Coalition, working together to implement strategic TNR programs to sterilize Toronto’s feral cats, decrease shelter intake and reduce euthanasia rates.

There are lots of strict protocols to follow ... we were all socially distanced and required to wear masks. Today there were 14 volunteers who made 81 shelters in 3 hours ... 53 sold today, 458 sold this season and 7,840 made since they started in 2010!

We taped the insulated walls together in the bins and then taped the tubing entrances ... I started with the first part (I like it better) then moved on to taping the tubing to the shelters.  Thom cut the tubing for the entrance ways, cut the Styrofoam for insulated walls and drilled holes into the bins after the insulated walls had been taped inside.

Book ~ "Missing from the Village: The Story of Serial Killer Bruce McArthur, the Search for Justice, and the System That Failed Toronto's Queer Community" (2020) Justin Ling

From Goodreads ~ The tragic and resonant story of the disappearance of eight men - the victims of serial killer Bruce McArthur - from Toronto's queer community and the failures of the social and political systems which allowed the cases to go unsolved for so long.

In 2013, the Toronto Police Service announced that the disappearances of three missing men - Skandaraj Navaratnam, Abdulbasir Faizi, and Majeed Kayhan - from Toronto's gay village were, perhaps, linked. On paper, an investigation continued for a year but remained "open but suspended." By 2015, investigative journalist Justin Ling had begun to put in multiple requests to speak to the investigators on the case. Meanwhile, more men would go missing and police would continue to deny that there might be a serial killer. On January 18, 2018, Bruce McArthur, a landscaper, would be charged with three counts of first-degree murder. In February 2019, he was convicted of eight counts of first-degree murder. 

This extraordinary book tells the complete story of the McArthur murders. Based on more than five years of in-depth reporting, this is also a story of police failure, of how the gay community failed its own, and the story of the eight men who went missing and the lives they left behind. In telling that story, Justin Ling uncovers the latent homophobia and racism that kept this case unsolved and unseen. This gripping book reveals how police agencies across the country fail to treat missing persons cases seriously, and how policies and laws, written at every level of government, pushed McArthur's victims out of the light and into the shadows. 

I like reading true stories and this one was especially interesting to me since it happened in Toronto not that long ago.  

Starting in 2013, men who frequented Toronto's gay village started disappearing ... some of the men were openly gay while others had families in the suburbs leading double lives.  At first the police didn't think the disappearances were connected.  As soon as Bruce McArthur landed on their radar around the beginning of 2018, the pieces started to fall into place.  McArthur was a 66-year-old landscaper who had been married and had two children before separating from his wife in 1997.  He knew the men, meeting them in gay bars or online.  The police found remnants of his victims in planters at his clients' sites.  He was sentenced to life imprisonment with no parole eligibility for 25 years.

It was interesting to get the scoop on this story.  I liked the writing style ... I found it was written at a high level and there was enough information given.  The author also provided information on what else was going on at the time (other murders, missing people, crimes, etc.).  I found the author went on rants at times expressing his own opinion rather than being unbiased but it's his book and he can write what he wants, right?  But it was obvious he had put a lot of time and effort into researching this book and it was near and dear to his heart since he was a journalist and a gay man.

The Twisted Apron, Windsor, ON

Gord and I had lunch today with Ken (Gord's son) and Jasmine (Ken's partner) at The Twisted Apron.

Gord ordered Smashed Toast (grilled rye / avocado / sautéed mushrooms and onions / crispy poached egg / chill oil with hash).

How they made the crispy poached egg was interesting!

Jasmine ordered Eggs Benny with hash and onions on top of the hash.

Ken ordered Korean BBQ Tacos (crispy chicken or tofu / korean bbq sauce / sriracha-sesame slaw / scallions) and a side of garlic parm fries.

Eastwood's Grill & Lounge, Windsor, ON

Gord and I had a late supper tonight at Eastwood's Grill & Lounge.

We sat by the window and had a great view of Detroit. 

Gord ordered a Cluck Cluck Clubbing It with chicken gumbo on the side. He said it was really good. 

The Loose Goose Resto Pub & Lounge, Windsor, ON

Gord and I had a late lunch at the Loose Goose (on Ouellette Avenue).

It’s wing day … 2 pounds for $20 … so we split an order. I got mine with Tequila Lime BBQ sauce with dill sauce on the side and Gord got lemon pepper rub. Both were good! 

Tyler was friendly and took good care of us.

A Dog's Breakfast, Windsor, ON

Gord and I had brunch this morning at the Dog's Breakfast with Monica and Mark ... they lived next door to us more than ten years ago and moved a couple times around Toronto and recently moved to Windsor.

"Brunch without a Mimosa is just a sad, late breakfast" ... so we had to have one, right?  And they were yummy!

Gord and Monica had Eggs Benny and Mark and I had Good Ol' Breakfast with peameal bacon.  All were delicious!