Showing posts with label YQG. Show all posts

Choose Wisely: Erie St. Gastro Pub Food Review

One thing to love about Windsor is the food. We have so many places that have been in business for ages, and for good reason. As life changes, as it always does, it's exciting to see plenty of new local spots with creative and passionate chefs that are popping up that really seem to have the bones for lasting a long time - well, as long as they are supported.

Erie St. Gastro Pub has a great minimalistic look but is still bright and welcoming with elegant touches of decor. If you're in the mood for a hearty burger, a little asian fusion or even something off the vegetarian/vegan menu, this might be the place for you.

Dinner & Thoughts:

Steamed Dumplings (Appetizer)- A great start to the meal. We had veggie dumplings which were tasty with a sweet chili sauce. The freshly chopped green onions were a nice addition.

Pho - I haven't had Pho (pronounced "fuh") in a while, so I was excited to try it out here. It had a heaping amount of chicken, noodles, and a very flavourful broth - I could taste the coriander with every slurp. The bowl was large enough that I have a bit of leftovers for lunch.

Double Pork - If you know Bill, he loves a good pulled pork sandwich. He really enjoyed his meal - the pork was soft enough but still with a little bit of chewiness. He also really loved the blend of mustard, chipotle mayo and honey ginger bbq sauce and the Vietnamese slaw. It was incredibly filling.

Usually a side salad is nothing special, but this one was elevated with the right amount of lettuce, shredded carrots, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, a little slice of avocado (he didn't eat that but a nice touch regardless). It was complemented by a delicious carrot/ginger dressing.

Warm hospitality - Maggie was top notch as our server, with a bubbly personality and just so accommodating to whatever we needed from the moment we sat down to the time we left. We don't drink alcohol (if you do, they have a huge menu to choose from) but that was not an issue at all, as our glasses never remained empty for long, whenever passing by to check on us.

Overall, I am confident to say that this time, we have chosen wisely. :)

💜Website: Erie St Gastro Pub

💜Facebook

Bright Lights Windsor 2022

Bright Lights Windsor 2022 has returned and it's bigger and brighter than ever before!

It was a fun evening strolling around Jackson Park, admiring the lights, reflecting upon many of the displays and stopping in to check out some of the terrific vendors/artists, as we should be making an effort whenever possible to shop and support our local businesses. After all, a city can't thrive without support from their community.

Here are some photos taken, which I hope you'll enjoy.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season!

💜More info: Bright Lights Windsor

*Bright Lights runs nightly from 5:30 - 10 pm from December 2, 2022, to January 8, 2023.

*Sensory friendly “Silent Nights” are offered on Tuesday evenings. The lights will be on, but sound will be muted and strobe elements paused.

Windsor Alley Metamorphosis: Butterfly Lane

Butterflies are often seen as beautiful, mysterious and hold a special symbolism and meaning. They are considered a metaphor representing transformation, change, courage, hope, and life. Welcome to Butterfly Lane.

Thanks to the Brain Injury Association of Windsor & Essex County, residents, city councillor, Chris Holt, and many local artists, the 1100 block of Devonshire Road is bursting with butterflies. The Butterfly Lane mural project was created to raise awareness and the prevalence of brain injury in our community and is quite the sight to see.

A snapshot of just a few favourite art pieces from our walk

One of my favourite movie lines from Ferris Bueller's Day Off reminds me that "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." I'm so glad we stumbled across this little area. I had no idea it even existed, but that's the fun of exploring the city you live in, you always find new things you never encountered before.

I hope you enjoy your stroll through Butterfly Lane as much as we did.

💜Check out the Butterfly Lane Mural Facebook Page to learn more about the artists and their work.

The Giggle Mat: Terrific Travels

COME JOIN US FOR EPISODE 13: TERRIFIC TRAVELS!

Come visit Dizzy, Mr. Purpleman, Miss Kate and Uncle PJ as they discover, explore and express themselves in the amazing world around them through stories, music, dance, crafts, juggling, magic, laughs and more!

We are now on EPISODE 13 and have several local #YQG authors who will be featured in the next few months.

Don't forget to like The Giggle Mat on Facebook to keep up to date with more content, games, outtakes/bloopers, contests and info on upcoming episodes!

Our shows are also available on Youtube, so you can watch Episode 13 and check out all the other episodes too!!

💜Supported by the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) achfwindsor.ca

The Giggle Mat: Rewind

COME JOIN US FOR EPISODE 12: Giggle Mat Rewind

Don't forget to like The Giggle Mat on Facebook to keep up to date with more content, games, outtakes/bloopers, contests and info on upcoming episodes!

Our shows are also available on Youtube, so you can watch Episode 12 and check out all the other episodes too!!

💜Supported by the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) achfwindsor.ca

The Giggle Mat: Festive Feelings

COME JOIN US FOR EPISODE 11: Festive Feelings!

🌈 The Giggle Mat 🌈 is made possible through the wonders of modern technology. To maintain the safety of everyone, we are still utilizing the virtual space, however we are able to appropriately social-distance for any additional filming.

Come visit Dizzy, Mr. Purpleman, Miss Kate and Uncle PJ as they discover, explore and express themselves in the amazing world around them through stories, music, dance, crafts, juggling, magic, laughs and more!

This is our final episode of 2021 but will return in 2022 with more local #YQG authors who will be featured in the upcoming months, plus some other exciting news to share with all our fans!

Don't forget to like The Giggle Mat on Facebook to keep up to date with more content, games, outtakes/bloopers, contests and info on upcoming episodes!

💜Supported by the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) achfwindsor.ca

The Giggle Mat: It's A Celebration!

COME JOIN US FOR EPISODE 10: IT'S A CELEBRATION!

Don't forget to like The Giggle Mat on Facebook to keep up to date with more content, games, outtakes/bloopers, contests and info on upcoming episodes!

Our shows are also available on Youtube, so you can watch Episode 10 and check out all the other episodes too!!

💜Supported by the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) achfwindsor.ca

The Giggle Mat: Tricks & Treats

COME JOIN US FOR EPISODE 9: TRICKS & TREATS!

🌈 The Giggle Mat 🌈 is made possible through the wonders of modern technology. To maintain the safety of everyone, we are still utilizing the virtual space, however we are able to appropriately social-distance for any additional filming.

Come visit Dizzy, Mr. Purpleman, Miss Kate and Uncle PJ as they discover, explore and express themselves in the amazing world around them through stories, music, dance, crafts, juggling, magic, laughs and more!

We are now on EPISODE 9 and have several local #YQG authors who will be featured in the next few months, plus some other exciting news to share with all our fans!

Don't forget to like The Giggle Mat on Facebook to keep up to date with more content, games, outtakes/bloopers, contests and info on upcoming episodes!

Our shows are also available on Youtube, so you can watch Episode 9 and check out all the other episodes too!!

💜Supported by the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) achfwindsor.ca

The Giggle Mat: In The Mood For Food

COME JOIN US FOR EPISODE 8: IN THE MOOD FOR FOOD

🌈 The Giggle Mat 🌈 is made possible through the wonders of modern technology. To maintain the safety of everyone, we are still utilizing the virtual space, however we are able to appropriately social-distance for any additional filming.

Come visit Dizzy, Mr. Purpleman, Miss Kate and Uncle PJ as they discover, explore and express themselves in the amazing world around them through stories, music, dance, crafts, juggling, magic, laughs and more!

We are now on EPISODE 8 and have several local #YQG authors who will be featured in the next few months, plus some other exciting news to share with all our fans!

Don't forget to like The Giggle Mat on Facebook to keep up to date with more content, games, outtakes/bloopers, contests and info on upcoming episodes!

Our shows are also available on Youtube, so you can watch Episode 8 and check out all the other episodes too!!

💜Supported by the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) achfwindsor.ca

A Pancake Mistake: Q&A with Author, Stri Anderson

A Pancake Mistake is a delicious story by Windsor, Ontario author, Stri. This book is stacked high with fun rhymes and energetic illustrations that everyone can enjoy reading. Also a good reminder that even in the messiest of situations, a good laugh together can always make everything better.

Stri's book A Pancake Mistake will also be showcased Sept 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that.

Enjoy my Q&A with Author, Stri.

Stri and his little Riv

1. Okay let’s get the BIG question out of the way, what do you put on your pancakes?

Syrup of course. My son and I are BIG fans. Occasionally I'll use jam though.

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2. The bond between a father and a son is very precious, and I know you dedicated this book to your son, Riven. What was his reaction when you showed him the book?

My son was an integral part of the process, and I couldn't have done this without him. The book is dedicated to him, yes, but his consistent assistance was as always, invaluable. That said, he WAS extremely excited when I first told him what I was planning, and that I wanted him to help with ideas and sketches throughout development.

Even if this book isn't extremely successful, just seeing the smile on his face as he held a physical copy for the first time, definitely made it all worth it.

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3. Writing a book is not always a linear path. Did you encounter any obstacles in creating this book, if so, how did you navigate that?

There's always challenges when creating anything, but this book in particular, thankfully had very few.

Creatively, we didn't really see any obstacles we couldn't easily circumvent, except perhaps how/where to publish and advertise.

As a new author, I'm not really sure of the best ways to get the word out, so for me personally, it's still an on-going learning opportunity.

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4. I read that you consider yourself an “adversity survivor” so can you tell me a little more about how that term fueled your passion to write a children’s book?

There are plenty of reasons I could consider myself a survivor, but the truth is, the REAL survivor is my son Riven.

He was born in The Hospital for Sick Children, with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Hypoplasia, and dextrocardia. Basically, that means there was a hole in his diaphragm, which allowed his intestines to enter and crowd his chest cavity, thus causing severely depreciated lung tissue, whilst pushing his heart into the axilla region (armpit).

In the hospital, during our many, lengthy visits to soothe Riven when he was in pain, I would sing/read him nursery rhymes. Eventually I ran out though, so I turned to writing poetry. I would read my poems to him so often, that other ill children began to gather and listen in. Their parents soon joined as well, until one day a parent suggested I write for children in a professional fashion.

I suppose that was the first time I had even thought about it, much less considered it. As a single father, I had spent many years by my child's side, worried about his well-being and inevitable future health complications. So my priorities had to remain there, with my little Riven, until his health improved.

Despite his prognosis, he has not only surprised the medical professionals, but has exceeded ALL expectations and I honestly couldn't be more proud.

The love and mutual admiration my son and I have built and share, is a joy I hope every parent can experience one day. Thinking back, I truthfully cannot remember what it was like without him in my life, and for that, for HIM..I am eternally grateful.

Dedicating a series of rhyming, poetry based children's books to him, is just one small way I'm attempting to show my son just how much I adore him.

We have certainly struggled in numerous ways in addition to what I've said, but the bottom line is, together, we have successfully made it to today and because of this, I have found some time to pursue this poetic passion.

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5. Will there be other books on the horizon for you?

Actually yes. This is shaping up to be a series.

In fact, book two (titled: "Where'd you go? I don't know.."), is already written now and ready for purchase here!

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Check out all of Stri's links below!

💜Amazon: A Pancake Mistake

💜IG striPlay

💜Facebook We See Poetry

The Giggle Mat: The Giggle Squad

COME JOIN US FOR EPISODE 7: THE GIGGLE SQUAD

🌈 The Giggle Mat 🌈 is made possible through the wonders of modern technology. To maintain the safety of all crew members, all meetings, planning, filming & editing continues to be done virtually.

We are now on EPISODE 7 and have several local #YQG authors who will be featured in the next few months, plus some other exciting news to share with all our fans!

Don't forget to like The Giggle Mat on Facebook to keep up to date with more content, games, outtakes/bloopers, contests and info on upcoming episodes!

Our shows are also available on Youtube, so you can watch Episode 7 and check out all the other episodes too!!

💜Supported by the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) achfwindsor.ca

The Giggle Mat: Let's Get Pets

COME JOIN US FOR EPISODE 6: LET'S GET PETS

We are now on EPISODE 6 and have several local #YQG authors who will be featured in the next few months, plus some other exciting news to share with all our fans!

Don't forget to like The Giggle Mat on Facebook to keep up to date with more content, games, outtakes/bloopers, contests and info on upcoming episodes!

Our shows are also available on Youtube, so you can watch Episode 6 and check out all the other episodes too!!

💜Supported by the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) achfwindsor.ca

The Giggle Mat: Summer Is Coming!

COME JOIN US FOR EPISODE 5: SUMMER IS COMING

We are now on EPISODE 5 and have several local #YQG authors who will be featured in the next few months, plus some other exciting news to share with all our fans!

Don't forget to like The Giggle Mat on Facebook to keep up to date with more content, games, outtakes/bloopers, contests and info on upcoming episodes!

Our shows are also available on Youtube, so you can watch Episode 5 and check out all the other episodes too!!

💜Supported by the City of Windsor’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund (ACHF) achfwindsor.ca

No Limits - ABCD is for Down: Q&A with Author, Cindy Lasi

With a mission to work toward educating the masses about inclusion in a fun and whimsical way, Cindy Lasi is a local author here in Essex County! ABCD is for Down is filled with colourful illustrations and poetic verses and was inspired by her own little superhero; Noah.

Cindy's book, ABCD is for Down, will also be showcased August 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that.

Enjoy my Q&A with author, Cindy Lasi below!

1. Since you will be featured in our “Superhero” episode on The Giggle Mat, “ABCD is for Down” was a perfect fit. How is Noah a superhero to you?

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When I think about where to begin, in answering this question I am immediately reflecting on what a superhero is. To me, superheroes, some of them anyway, started out as regular people that were cast into extraordinary lives causing them to be extraordinary! That is how I feel about Noah. In the eyes of our creator, and in the depths of my heart, he was ‘normal’ upon his arrival and is to live an extraordinary life, bringing with him what I think is his greatest superhero gift!

Different is as natural as night is from day. Somehow Noah seems to remember this! He does not question why he is ‘different’ because to him different IS normal, so why question or judge it?

Noah’s greatest superhero trait is not just the bravery he displays every single day when faced with the fact that clearly he is unable to do things exactly as his peers can do at any age he is in. No, he processes each incidence, in that moment and moves on from it completely.

His greatest superhero trait is not just his ability to know when his family or others are lost in day-to-day stressors and tells you matter of factly to …. Calm Down which is often so blunt that it ends up being funny and resetting you. Noah’s has an innate ability for self acceptance, because he does this so seamlessly that you are constantly in awe of it. Noah is a superhero to me because he has somehow managed to ‘normalize’ the word different.

He has lived his current 9 years of life in such a way that yes, you are clearly aware that he was born with Down Syndrome but you literally have seconds before his radiant way of being and living over takes any predisposed judgments or assumptions about what different means and how we are supposed to feel about it and that has been an incredible gift to witness.

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2. Can you tell me about Noah and how the “No Limit Noah” brand came about?

No Limit Noah came to me one day as I was walking around the Children’s book department at Chapters/Indigo. Noah was 2 years old at the time. I was looking at all the fun, brightly coloured books but did not see anyone in all of these books that looked like Noah. Not a single book that featured a cool cartoon hero that just so happened to have Down Syndrome. This hurt my heart. What would I tell him when he was old enough to know? I wondered if he would ask, Why aren’t any of these characters like me?

“This isn’t right” I thought and I knew I needed to do something about it. A few weeks later I was driving Noah to a doctor’s appointment in Windsor. I remembered that moment and thought, I am going to write a book for Noah. Why cant he be the feature character in a book. He has no limits! No Limit Noah! I saw it in my minds eye.

My mind flooded with the book concept, then a few lines of text and even stronger were the graphics. I could see what they would look like in full colour. I literally had to pull over to write it all down. Noah was asleep. I looked at him and made a commitment right then and there to see it through. That is when No Limit Noah and ABCD is For Down was born.

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3. What are the biggest misconceptions about Down Syndrome and how do you think, “ABCD is for Down” tackles that?

I think the biggest misconceptions about Down Syndrome is that the child or person with Down Syndrome is perpetually compromised and leads a limited life because of the condition. Let’s also stop using the term…Has Down’s. They don’t ‘have Down’s’ they aren’t all sick with Down’s, they were born with DS. It is a condition, a chromosomal anomaly, not something they ‘have’)

So yes, I think that when a person meets someone with DS they immediately feel a sense of pity, curiosity or are figuring out how they feel about it.

ABCD is for Down was created to remove all of that. It was created to inspire others to realize that there are NO limits. That just because a person was born with DS, that does not mean they cannot live fully, with an adventurous inspiring fearless spirit! This little book incredibly has anticipated exactly, how Noah lives each day. He lives knowing No Limits! He has played on soccer and baseball teams and can hit a baseball farther than I can! He has adventured in Costa Rican waterfalls, and is a fierce self taught Ninja martial arts enthusiast! He has navigated the typical school system which was wonderful and lacking all at the same time. No limits. That is what his character inspires, this is how Noah lives.

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4. So you’re not only a professional author, but a nurse, as well as a mother of 4 wonderful children! How do you juggle all these responsibilities?

I will admit that much ‘living’ has happened since the writing of this book. I made the difficult decision to leave nursing in 2013. At the time I was fully immersed in the OT, PT and speech therapies that we had enlisted for Noah to give him every opportunity to live as fully as he was able. People with DS can do anything others can do, it just takes a little longer and a lot more work sometimes, but they truly are limitless. My heart as a nurse was far too big to allow me to leave the job at the door which created a preoccupied mind and so I left it behind. I wanted to be able to give 100% of myself to Noah and my other children. I have never looked back. I am now the General Manager of a not-for-profit store where I oversee 6 staff and just over 100 volunteers.

How do I juggle my responsibilities? Day by day. One bit a time with drive and passion for my work and my family. Do I do it well? I would like to think so, but reality says that there are definitely challenging days. This is where living with Noah is a gift to me. I watch him navigate and manage every challenge that comes before him. He doesn’t over think things or whine about it but rather he just works at it. He has taught me that sometimes today is not the day. Tomorrow. Yup, sometimes it’s a ‘tomorrow thing”. This is how I now live too.

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5. If you could offer a single piece of advice to any caregiver/parent, what would it be?

I wrote this book with new parents, families and friends in mind of children with DS and those without.

The advice was simply to know NO LIMITS with your child. To see NO LIMITS even if you are told they exist. I would like caregivers and parents to know that you and your child create the lives they will be living. Not what you are told they will be. Our children, ALL children regardless of challenge, ability only have the limits that we set upon them. So don’t go there. Different is just...different. Like night is just darker than daylight or up is just farther than down. There is real power and comfort in that.

Do not judge your success, happiness or how well you fit in with others, based on what your child can or cannot do. Rather, celebrate their uniqueness and the gifts they bring. And never ever forget to live like No Limit Noah! On the days that you do? Just Calm Down.

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You can purchase Cindy's book "ABCD is for Down" at the following links below!

💜 Chapters-Indigo
💜 Amazon

💜 Balboa Press

Movie Review: Crab-Loading Fun For All in Marathon

Well it’s time for a mockumentary! Marathon, written and directed by Anthony Guidubaldi and Keith Strausbaug, throw together a hilarious cast of pseudo-professional misfits who are determined to win this year’s Devil’s Canyon Marathon, yet keep failing at every turn.

The first 10 minutes couldn’t help but transport me to any of the Christopher Guest-style mockumentaries like A Mighty Wind and Best In Show, as both had me laughing even after the credits ended. However, those are huge shoes to fill and so this movie is just be taken on its own merit.

Marathon feels like an on-going dysfunctional therapy session, if you’ve ever partook in one of those. We get a glimpse into each of the runners’ lives, including Ed (Jimmy Slonina) the organizer of the race, who is silently swimming in all of life’s woeful regrets, yet making the best out of it by proudly showing the devilish swag t-shirts he had made, after all there are some Satanists running the race – inclusiveness for all. I am pretty convinced he still lives in his parents’ basement.

Ryan (Andrew Hansen) is up next, a self-absorbed divorcé who marches to the beat of his own drum and insists on his tried and true crab-loading (NOT carb-loading) system to prepare for the upcoming race. When one brings out the superiority complex, you don’t need a therapist to note there’s esteem issues and umm… 8mm to play with.

Jenna (Natalie Sullivan) is right behind Ryan as far as competitiveness goes. Keep your eye on the prize. She intends to get the fastest marathon time dressed as… you got it, a banana! I think she’s also a bit of a closet nymph but she has a lot of layers to peel back to figure out who she really is.

Of course, we can’t forget Shareef (Tavius Cortez) who must have a bullseye target on his back since the police continue to show up wherever he goes and try to attack him. Any reason? Nay, just the usual racial profiling that still sadly exists today. To make matters even more complicated, his sister is a big bully and tries to undermine his confidence any chance she gets.

Abby (Anais Thomassian) is just on the struggle bus as a new mom, and desperately longs for a moment of peace to herself so she can train for the race. Her identity is glued to being a mom though, and as a side note, her clumsiness is really getting out of hand.

Emilou (Kimia Behpoornia) is motivated, motivated to do nothing. There is a sense of epic levels of apathy. She quits before she even starts just about everything and is damn proud of it – hey pass the chips.

I will also give a shout out to the Cody LeBoeuf, the Water Station Attendant. They never get any love.

The on-going counter-intuitive guru inspiration from Ryan is hilarious and probably stands out the most, as we follow the runners’ through a camera lens and share glimpses into their complicated lives. As continual setbacks happen before the marathon, the competition gets fiercer day by day, ultimately leading to race day where chaos ensues.

Overall, a fun romp of a film, not to be taken seriously, thus a heads up to anyone reading that everyone is going to be mocked in some fashion. It’s like if you’re going to a comedy club, don’t sit in the front row and expect not to be picked on. Hell, don’t even go to the show in the first place because you may be the comic’s next victim. The movies pushes the boundaries, and in today’s sociopolitical climate, some may enjoy the humour and others may cringe. If you want to venture into these comical waters, you be the judge for yourself!

You can check out this review and many others that I have written, by following the link below!

💜519 Magazine Review

A Samoyed Tale: My Dog Boo Q&A with Author, Scott Rawlings

Often viewed as "a faithful life companion" My Dog Boo is a special book written and illustrated by Scott Rawlings about ... you guessed it, his beloved dog Boo!

All aboard the imagination train, as we follow Boo and all his crazy and fun adventures from taking a bath to having fun at the beach. Each page will make you want to know what funny antics he's up to next and a message that no matter what, Boo always has a place to call home.

Scott's book My Dog Boo will also be showcased Thursday, July 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that episode.

Here is the Q&A for you to enjoy:

1. To those who may not know, what kind of dog was Boo and what inspired you to pick that type of dog breed?

Boo was a Samoyed. I had him for 15 1/2 years. I always loved the look of a Samoyed and their temperament is amazing with children and families. I also wanted the “wow” factor for my magic shows and making Boo appear on stage got that without me having to get a tiger! Plus they are cheaper to feed. lol

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2. Why the name “Boo” for a dog?

I had lists of names for Boo but I wanted something that reminded me of a white dog. The breeder had coloured paint on their heads, so she could tell one dog from another and Boo happened to have blue on his head. I also liked the name BLUE but then I thought, white like a ghost... BOO! That was it. His full name is MAGICAL BOO BEAR for the registration.

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3. Can you share a funny story about Boo in real life.

Boo was very animated and he would talk to you in his own words. He was very vocal and had mannerisms that were just so funny to watch. I miss him deeply.

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4. What led you to create a children’s book on your dog, Boo?

I started to cartoon one panel cartoons for myself, then had them published in a weekly paper. I always liked Herman cartoons, one panels with a caption, so my friend said you should do 365 days of these and make a desktop calendar. So the challenge was on to come up with various situations, which I accomplished.

After looking at all the cartoons, someone suggested that I do a book, so I looked at the images and created a story based on illustrations. It was kind of backwards, usually you write the story first, but I liked the idea of coming up with the visuals first because that’s what children like to see.

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5. Pets can teach us humans a lot without even realizing it. What was one valuable lesson that Boo taught you that you still hold onto today?

Boo was loyal and giving and they just can sense your emotions, DOG spelled backwards is GOD and I really believe that people are so blessed to have a pet. They will give you everything without asking.

I remember once going to the seniors home to visit my grandmother with Boo and everyone wanted to meet him, it brought the guests great joy and Boo loved all the attention.

A story that really stands out to me was visiting a lady in the residence one day. She hadn’t spoken a word, but was there with her husband. I felt compelled to go over and just introduce Boo to her and to everyone’s shock, she started talking. It was a miracle and her husband was amazed. It was truly a magical moment.

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To purchase My Dog Boo and other books from Scott Rawlings, visit his sites below:

💜Website: www.mydogboo.ca

💜Blurb: https://www.blurb.ca/b/793696-my-dog-boo

💜Magic Enterprises Productions: www.magicentprod.com

The Giggle Mat: 519 Magazine 3rd Anniversary Edition!

🌈 The Giggle Mat is featured in the special 3rd Anniversary of 519 Magazine on page 4 & 9!

Our ad! #yqg

Thank you for all the support - our next episode Let's Get Pets! - will air July 1st, 2021, so you won't want to miss that one.

💜 Join us on The Giggle Mat Facebook page

💜 Your fix for all music & entertainment: 519 Magazine

CBC Radio Afternoon Drive: The Giggle Mat

We were just featured on CBC Radio: Afternoon Drive.

Check it out below!

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-80-afternoon-drive/clip/15842317-windsor-performers-create-childrens-show-spread-positivity-showcase

The Giggle Mat: Spring Has Sprung

COME JOIN US FOR EPISODE 4: SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

We are now on EPISODE 4 and have several local #YQG authors who will be featured in the next few months, plus some other exciting news to share with all our fans!

Don't forget to like The Giggle Mat on Facebook to keep up to date with more content, games, outtakes/bloopers, contests and info on upcoming episodes!

Our shows are also available on Youtube, so you can watch Episode 4 and check out all the other episodes too!!

Do you like the content we are producing and want to help keep the show going? Treat us to a coffee!

It's THAT simple.

Click on the link to help support The Giggle Mat https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thegigglemat

Wishes Do Come True: Q&A with author, Tara Shannon

Rabbit and Bear Illustration by Tara Shannon

A book is a wonderful gift that will never go out of style. It may get a little dusty or the pages may wrinkle over time, but it’s often a treasure worth keeping. Once you open that first page, your heart skips a little beat because there’s an adventure waiting just for you and that’s pretty exciting. A book is also like your own personal travel companion, as it goes wherever you go, no questions asked.

Tara Shannon is an Ontario-based children’s author who recently published her exciting book Rabbit and Bear Make a Wish that sprinkles a little extra magic in every page, filled with hope, comfort and endless possibilities. It teaches us connection and helps to unravel those uncomfortable emotions that get stuck. The illustrations are simple and combined with meaningful verses in every line, Rabbit and Bear become your best friends and that will warm anyone’s heart.

Tara's book Rabbit and Bear will also be showcased April 1, 2021 by Miss Kate – the librarian, on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that here: Episode 3: Bunny Tales

Enjoy my Q&A with Tara below.

1. For your book, you chose an interesting pair; a rabbit and a bear. What’s the connection for you with these particular animals?

Rabbit came along out of the blue one day, or so I thought. About 2 years ago, I was looking for a way to relax and calm my anxiety and express my creativity. I decided to try and draw a rabbit and I searched Pinterest for photos. Surprisingly, my first few rabbits turned out well, so I kept going. I was adding to each image some dialogue with another animal, insect or element of nature. One of the friends I paired rabbit with was a bear and people really seemed to like the two of them together.

It wasn’t until later that I realized the personal connections... there are a few. Bear was my nickname as a child (I couldn’t pronounce the *T* in my name and it came out sounding like a *B*) and I still have some family who call me that. I used to hate it but actually like it now because it’s a link to my childhood and my family.

My parents died several years ago in 2011 and 2013. I also lost a pregnancy in 2009. Those combined losses affect me to this day. One of the gifts I received during my pregnancy was a toy rabbit. So, Rabbit and Bear are equal parts the younger and older version of myself and representative of those I have lost. My parents and grandparents in Bear and my baby in Rabbit.

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2. Let’s take a trip back to a nostalgic time. Do you remember your favourite childhood book?

I enjoyed Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit and A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh but it was the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams that had me by both heart and mind. I remember when my mom read it with me... it was so sad but so beautiful. Like life can be.

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3. One of your illustrations went viral around the world, which is amazing. Why do you think this particular drawing resonated so much with a global audience?

It tapped into the collective consciousness worldwide at the outset of COVID-19. I created that particular piece several months before it went viral, based on my struggles with anxiety and depression and my husband's struggle to know how to be there for me. At the time that I first shared it, it received a few likes and shares. Then, with COVID it seemed overnight hundreds of thousands of people understood anxiety, fear and depression in a way they maybe hadn’t before. They needed someone to sit with them. Rabbit and Bear were there.

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4. Another passion you have is cooking. I read that you were dipping your toes in culinary adventures in Dublin, Ireland. So of course, I need to ask, what is your number one comfort food that you like to make?

Yes! That was an amazing adventure that I will treasure always. I went to Dublin in 2016 for three months and stayed with my Aunt (my dad was from Dublin and much of his side of the family are still there) and earned a professional cookery certificate. Pretty well everything we made and ate was amazing but my go to for comfort food has to be just about anything with fresh pasta or mashed potatoes. That or Indian food. Absolutely love eating and making Indian food.

Tara in the kitchen

The finished dish. Yum!

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5. What is one piece of sage advice you’d like to share with anyone who is going through a difficult time?

If you feel you are out of your depth, ask for help.

I’m pretty much a die-hard introvert and I am stubborn but there have been times when I couldn’t go it on my own. My grief, anxiety and depression were too great and I was out of my depth. I had to ask for help. Sometimes we need help to get through difficult times. Don’t feel bad or ashamed about that. Ask for help. Reach out to a friend, family member, doctor or therapist. Pick-up the phone or send a message.

💜You can find Tara’s book to purchase on Amazon, Indigo.

💜Website: https://www.tarashannonwrites.com/