The true test of an actors life is where in the newspaper they are featured after their death. Most get an article with their career highlights on the entertainment pages but a rare few get their life reviewed in the news section. Paul Newman’s passing and his accomplishments are in just that prominent place.

He is portrayed as a man who kept his private life private. He appeared in some memorable movies and some not so memorable. However, it is probably his philanthropic legacy that propels him to the front pages. Newmans Own is an outstanding foundation and as the person behind over $250 million in donations Paul Newman’s legacy is remarkable . As is fifty years of marriage. In these days of self-absorbed, snivelling actors it is good to remember that for one man acting was only part of who he was.

A few days later another outstanding person lost their life but the events couldn’t be more different. Her name was Malalai Kakar, actually  she was Lieutenant-Colonel Malalai Kakar. And she did not pass quietly into the night surrounded by family, she was murdered.

As a senior police officer Malalai Kakar was the head of the city of Kandahar’s department for spousal abuse and crimes against women. This woman who represented & defended women’s rights in Afghanistan was struck down by a single bullet to the head.

The best way that I can honour her is by not linking you to the news stories about her death instead here is the link to Maire Claire’s article on her life.

There is nothing like travel to provide fodder for my observations on life. It easily starts with the fascinating people at the airport. I know that nowadays comfort is key but to that couple in the grey sweats and over sized tee shirts from some local restaurant did you suddenly decide to go on vacation on the way to clearing out the basement? And don’t even get me started on a few folks wearing PJ bottoms, I know it was an early flight but!

When we are away husband & I try to satisfy our $30- on the slot machines gambling problem in some anonymous town somewhere. While the advertising for casinos always shows happy, glamorous people in reality everyone looks serious and slightly desperate. While leaving a hotel casino $45 poorer I also noticed that no matter what province or state the red stained carpets are identical; is there a ‘Casino Carpet R Us’ that they all use?

By far though restaurants are the best places for people watching. During a leisurely lunch of perfectly chilled Chablis and a really tasty piece of salmon, I was aware of how the women were appraising each other in a manner that was reminiscent of those high school cafeteria days, only now the cheerleader, shy girl and track & field star is all grown up.

Over by the window is popular girl who has married into the country club/tennis set. She has the sweater tied around her shoulders, Hermes bag and is sporting some very expensive jewelry. In the corner with numerous family members is the cookie baking, loves her role as a grandmother type - not sure who she was in high school. Probably did well in home economics which is a class I hated. She is actually wearing her sweater, it has some sort of motif on it and she is finished off with comfortable stretchy pants. Sipping tea & honey is the forever young, still diggin’ it, 60’s love child embracing the long flowing skirt, silver & turquoise jewelry and her grey locks haven’t seen a hairdresser since 1984. We all silently but collectively hate track & field girl because she is into cycling now and is buff and tanned. She has just walked in with a man who looks like Richard Gere, so no one even cares about what she is wearing.

Who am I in the room? I was quiet library girl, now Life Coach on holiday with eclectic taste in clothes. I am wearing the J Crew chino pants, a v-neck black top that fits me in all the right places, an art deco necklace, gold earrings and leather loafers (in an eye catching shade of light green) that are  comfortable and stylish. I also never go anywhere without half of my office and a good book so handbags are not really feasible which is why I own an assortment of tote bags. This trip it was Eddie Bauer’s canvas & leather tote.

Whatever one’s individual look may be the truly great thing about being over forty is that we can be whomever we want to be. However I don’t think that I’ll be wearing my favorite sleepshirt to the airport anytime soon.

Overall I throughly enjoyed the book. It was a little offputting sometimes as she goes back and forth in order to cover a multitude of people and events. While not as well written in as one might have expected, the pages do pull you into their singularly quirky flow especially when you realize that she writes in the same style as she speaks. The reader is taken behnd the scenes of her life and a litany of events that are fascinating and relevant. Then, suddenly on page 391 (hardcover edition) she writes ‘I think that is enough about my personal life’ and firmly shuts the door. It’s not as though we are voyeurs as it was Ms. Walters herself who invited us in. Up to that point her words had been candid and sincere as she interwove her complicated personal and professional life with the headlines that made up the fabric of her remarkable career.

What is written after that statement reads more like a series of essays, albeit interesting essays but very structured never the less. Even the chapter titles become terse. I finished the book but was less enthusiastic; I felt perplexed as though the most interesting guest had abruptly left my dinner party just as we were about to have dessert and coffee.

For readers who have an interest in the stories behind ‘the story’ this is the memoir for you. And for any female who wants to know more about this media icon “Audition” is well worth your time.

We made the decision, found a great breeder and got an Australian Shepherd puppy. What was I thinking!!!??? Actually Mia is wonderful but all that energy. I have surprised myself though, I am more patient than I use to be, laugh at her antics and quickly realized that the best thing to do was go with the flow and enjoy her.

I especially like the way that she has re-decorated the house. The living room is a delightful blend of PetSmart toy aisle accented with a few chewed up magazines tossed here and there for that splash of colour. The kitchen she has done in the wet look of upended water bowl. But nothing can surpass the bathroom now a trendy grunge look of toilet paper draped everywhere except on the roll .

House breaking is so much easier in the summer, as is her training and exercise. The blip is that the chocolate lab really doesn’t like her so I have to keep a close eye on the two of them. The back yard is fenced but I worry that he may try to push her through one of the few small openings or whisper in her ear that the little green unripe crab apples are really puppy treats. So I usually sit outside with them which has actually been a good thing. I stop slaving over a hot laptop, grab my book and relax for awhile. I have even strayed from my schedule, made my afternoon tea and herded them both outside. Quelle shock!

A friend of mine, UK Life Coach Lynette Allen is currently raising TWO spaniel puppies, she is using the Life Coaching puppy training method mixed with some timely cursing. While I am trying the Zen like ‘what the hell’ method mixed with expletives. Lynette’s blog is aptly entitled The Life Behind the Coach .

Here are some pictures of our new addition Mia on the Casselcreek Australian Shepherds website.

(For those of you who are new to this blog the Aussie in the picture with me is Jenna, we lost her to a brain tumor in May.)

So late last year, certain things happened and I ended up sitting in my gynos office and the C word comes up. It’s ok male readers there will be no details because that is not what this entry is about. Anyway over the next six months we took certain steps and yesterday’s appointment confirmed that all is now well.

What is kinda’ interesting is where one’s head space goes during those somewhat traumatic events. For instance the first thing I wanted after yesterday’s appointment was to go to the Starbucks across the road. So I bellied up to the counter and asked the barista for a venti latte with whole milk AND a piece of banana loaf. What the heck, husband was driving.

Then on the way home I tried to remember what deal had I struck when this all began. Had I promised to enter some monastary, which wouldn’t be too bad if I didn’t have to take a vow of thou shall not use thy laptop. Or had I offered my first born to the other end of the spectrum in which case I was in trouble as that would be the neurotic chocolate lab.

Truthfully, my mental deal was far from spiritual and not even remotely noble; I had in fact promised that my healthy self would work harder to grow my business and I would find the time to write more. Now, don’t take the high road until you have been there. The brain is a mysterious thing and when backed into what it feels is a corner it is amazing what thoughts emerge. The fact is that I love working and we have a house in Nova Scotia that needs a lot of expensive renovations. The Plan being to move there in 3-4 years when the house is completely restored. The property also has a lovely little art studio (& it too needs work) which is going to be my office. So far from being mercenary, I just want to work harder on ‘The Plan’.

It is also true that in the face of an unknown one does dwell on plans not accomplished, places not visited and goals not met. So, did this experience leave me with a greater comprehension of the meaning of the time before me in which I can still tackle some of those things, yes it did.

Here is an overview of an article that I read this morning in the Calgary Herald: The town of Strathmore has 300 sheep in the rodeo grounds to keep the grass manageable . Two weeks ago a lamb was found dead and teenagers were chased from the grounds. Just recently hockey sticks have used to beat some of the sheep and one had to be euthanized. I am at a loss for words. Here is the Full article

On a happier note in the aniaml kingdom I came upon these follow-ups regarding the Michael Vick dogs. By the way they are now being called Vicktory Dogs! Now those are empowering words.

Best Friends Animal Society

Bad Rap - Grab a tissue and watch the See Them Now video

What is happening to the self-indulgent, leisurely, yes I deserve to spoil myself pastime of thank god that day is over, finally it’s the weekend, let’s have some with dinner, glass of wine? Wine consumption has become positively clinical with each improvement having a perfectly logical 21st century explanation.

We are told that screw caps & synthetic corks seem to be ‘ok’ for near term drinking but the verdict is still out on what happens with those wines that should be aged before they are ready to be enjoyed. Wine tumblers are convenient as they have no cumbersome stems and they fit in your dishwasher.

The whole plastic wine bottles/tetra-pak wine containers brings out my two conflicting personalities. Jekyll, my environmentally conscious, forward thinking side vs Hyde, traditionalist wine snob. Then, don’t even get me started on those pump action wine preservers, they sound like something that belong by the swimming pool.

It’s not really a wine snobbery thing (well, maybe a soupçon) so much as a we all thought bottled water was revolutionary and now look where that has taken us. All I know is that my wine rack has glass bottles gently reclining, one of which I will uncork and then pour it into my favorite wine glass that I will later have to wash by hand. I can feel myself relaxing already.

I was out this morning walking neurotic chocolate lab (I’ll share his story another time). We live in a normal neighborhood where 97% of the homes are well kept with nice gardens but then there is THAT house; little lawn maintenance, overgrown shrubs you get the picture. What really gets me seething is that this who cares attitude spills over onto the sidewalk. Walking past the house one steps over cans, wrappers, paper coffee cups, grass cuttings from where he actually trimmed the grass growing through his fence but never bothered to pick it up and then there is the broken glass beside his curb. Now I am not saying it is all his but really, let’s have some civic pride here!

After plowing through this mess for the umpteenth time I went home grabbed broom, gloves and green garbage bag and cleaned up the potpourri of garbage. Sometimes enough is enough and you have to just do something. I wonder if he intends on thanking me?