KC's tree, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto, ON

I went to Trinity Bellwoods Park this evening and visited KC's tree. All the trees are so green and leafy! And it was nice to see so many people enjoying the park.

“No Laughing Matter”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Sweet Action Theatre Company, Toronto, ON

I spent the evening volunteering at No Laughing Matter, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival. 

I got to sit in on it and it was funny, crazy and at times raunchy. I’ll never look at hot dog buns the same way again. They still have 6 shows left so check it out if you can. 

Sweet Action has assembled the best Clowns & Comedians to engage in the ultimate clash of comedy styles—ONE STAGE, ONE RULE: DON’T LAUGH! ‘CAUSE IF THEY LAUGH, THEY’RE OUT! BUT THE AUDIENCE WILL LAUGH, MAKING IT HARD! 

It’s all led to this ... witness the Ultimate Form of Comedy!

“100% Wizard”, The Toronto Fringe Festival, Buddies In Bad Times Theatre, Toronto, ON

Gord and I attended 100% Wizard with Keith Brown, part of The Toronto Fringe Festival, this evening at Buddies In Bad Times Theatre. 

Award-winning family-friendly magic & storytelling. Chosen Toronto’s BEST magician ... & he’s not even from Toronto! 

2x Critic’s Choice Best Magic Show Orlando 2024, 2023 

2x Orlando Sentinel Best of Fest 2024, 2023 

BEST MAGIC SHOW - Winnipeg 2023 

Patron’s Pick Edmonton Fringe 2024

We’ve seen Keith a few times and he never ceases to amaze us! Go see him if you get a chance. There are still 10 shows left. 

Hoops, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper at Hoops on Yonge Street (just north of College Street). It’s a big restaurant and there were maybe five of us at supper time. 

Book ~ "The Age of Hope" (2012) David Bergen

From Goodreads ~ Born in 1930 in a small town outside Winnipeg, beautiful Hope Koop appears destined to have a conventional life. Church, marriage to a steady young man, children - her fortunes are already laid out for her, as are the shiny modern appliances in her new home. All she has to do is stay with Roy, who loves her. 

But as the decades unfold, what seems to be a safe predictable existence overwhelms Hope. Where - among the demands of her children, the expectations of her husband and the challenges of her best friend, Emily, who has just read "The Feminine Mystique" - is there room for her? And just who is she anyway? A wife, a mother, a woman whose life is somehow unrealized? 

This beautifully crafted and perceptive work of fiction spans some fifty years of Hope Koop's life in the second half of the 20th century, from traditionalism to feminism and beyond. David Bergen has created an indelible portrait of a seemingly ordinary woman who struggles to accept herself as she is, and in so doing, becomes unique.

This story is about Hope, the only daughter of Scottish mother and a non-practicing Mennonite father, living through changing times in a small Mennonite town outside Winnipeg, Manitoba. Set from the 1950s through the early 2000s, it follows Hope, a conventional housewife, as she goes through marriage, motherhood, societal expectations and personal discontent.

On the surface, she has a pretty typical life and instead of following her dreams, does what was expected ... she marries Roy, a car salesman, and raises their four children. But deep down, she’s often unsure of her place in the world. As time goes on and society shifts (feminism, changing family roles, new cultural norms, etc.), Hope finds herself feeling restless, confused and sometimes lost. She doesn't always know what she wants but she senses there's more to life than what she's been told to expect.

This is the first book I've read by this author and I liked it. It's written in third person perspective, with a focus on Hope. It explores things like identity, mental health, growing older (at the end of the story, Hope is in her 70s) and what it means to live a good life. As a head's up, there is some swearing.

George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Massey Hall, Toronto, ON

Gord and I saw Alastair Greene and George Thorogood and the Destroyers tonight at Massey Hall. What a show!

Alastair Greene opened for George Thorogood and the Destroyers tonight at Massey Hall. Until today I’d never heard of him but after listening to his latest album on Spotify this morning and seeing him tonight, I’m a fan!

Toronto Blue Jays 12 ~ New York Yankees 5, Rogers Centre, Toronto, ON

A Canada Day tradition for Gord and I is to spend the afternoon at the Toronto Blues Jays game . And that’s what we did today! It was a fun game! 

Here we are!

Not hard to tell it was Canada Day!

Our seats were in the 200 level and we had a great view of the CN Tower.

Happy Canada Day!

Ladybug Tavern, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper at Ladybug Tavern (College Street, just east of Dovercourt Road). 

Gord had a couple chicken tacos (happy hour price was $4 each) and said he’d get them again. 

Man of Kent, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper at Man of Kent on Ossington Avenue (just south of Dundas Street W).

I had a Chip Shop Curry Chicken pie (creamy mash served with housemade mushy peas and gravy) which was good, though I couldn’t taste any curry in the pie. 

Book ~ "The Franchise: Toronto Blue Jays - A Curated History of the Jays" (2025) Keegan Matheson

From Goodreads ~ This thoughtful and engaging collection of essays captures the astute fans’ history of the franchise, going beyond well-worn narratives of yesteryear to uncover the less-discussed moments, decisions, people, and settings that fostered the Blue Jays' distinctive identity.

Through wheeling and dealing, mythmaking and community building, explore where the organization has been, how it came to prominence in the modern major league landscape, and how it will continue to evolve and stay in contention for generations to come.

Jays fans in the know will enjoy this personal, local, in-depth look at baseball history.

If you're a Blue Jays fan, you should check this book out. Instead of walking through every season, Matheson picks out the best, wildest and most emotional moments from nearly 50 years of Jays history. 

For example, such as the Jays' dramatic and super-secret attempt to sign Shohei Ohtani in 2023. They rolled out the red carpet with custom lockers, team gear and even a special dog jacket for his dog. But in the end, Ohtani signed with the Dodgers.

The chapters include:

1. Origin Stories
2. Only in Toronto
3. Faces of the Blue Jays (such as Dave Stieb, Cito Gaston, Joe Carter, Carlos Delgado John Gibbons, etc.)
4. Stories of the Seasons
5. The Glory Years
6. The Storytellers (such as Tom and Jerry, Dan Shulman and Buck Martinez)

The book isn’t just about blockbuster deals. Matheson also dives into quirky and heartfelt moments ... like players trying to stay warm at freezing Exhibition Stadium with soup and the emotional return to Rogers Centre after nearly two years away during the pandemic. 

I liked the writing style. It was as detailed as I needed it to be. Because Matheson covers the team for MLB.com, he brings a unique insider vibe so can share personal stories, player memories and little moments that most fans never hear about. What would have made the book even better is if there had been photographs. As a heads up, there is a swearing (some baseball people surprisingly have potty mouths ... ha!).

The Cherie Bistro, Toronto, ON

I had lunch today with the Toronto Social Seniors and Retirees gang at The Cherie Bistro (Church/Wellesley). 

The menu has lots of choices. I had Chicken Parmigiana (breaded chicken cutlet, mozzarella, tomato sauce served with spaghetti) and it was very good. 

We were a big group and Shane and the others took good care of us.