A few years back, my son and I sat adrift in a Toronto hotel restaurant, considering our respective breakfasts. He was of an age when our interests did not necessarily intersect. And we were tired — not exactly up for a day at the museum or the zoo. Unaccustomed as I was to the concierge concept, I was at a loss. Then I saw a large chalk board looming not ten feet away. It listed local activities, particularly shows. I had no interest in any of those Broadway shows foundering on the Ontario shores like the castaways of the S.S. Minnow entertaining themselves with half-remembered stage directions. Besides, Miss Saigon did not seem family-friendly.

Among the listings was a preview of The Hobbit at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People (LKTYP). I ran through the basic plot with my son, who had recently become familiar with the story. Having no idea what to expect, we requested seats for the back of the theatre and mounted the subway. The production was wonderful; the stage was huge; Smaug was massive; it was just a grand day out.

Now, whenever we find ourselves in Toronto in season, we venture to the LKTYP and catch a current production, which is often something out of the ordinary. This year they’re doing everything from Hana’s Suitcase to George & Martha. Their website [now defunct] provides a schedule, directions, recommended ages, and quite a bit more. The walk from the subway station may be a bit longer than it appears on their map, but it can also take you by the Hockey Hall of Fame and the St. Lawrence Market.
September, 2006

I did something odd a couple weeks ago. I looked up at the sky and realized that the sun was in its place and all was right with the world- at least no dark clouds threatened. I looked around my house and noticed the usual array of stuff, but it was the copious amounts of sidewalk chalk that drew my attention. Apparently, when left alone, buckets of fist-size chalk produce smaller boxes of slimmer, artier colors. I did what any sane person would do with this chalk blessing; I made a maze on our driveway.

We have a long urban driveway that stretches to the detached garage at the back of our lot, so this was a large maze- the kind that made passers-by stop and ask, “What were you thinking?”

My anecdotal experience had told me that pretty much everyone likes a good maze. Certainly, the corn farmers of America would agree. Satisfaction abounds in watching the neighborhood stroll through a maze that is as ephemeral as the arboreal autumn explosion.

This winter I look forward to trying out a very old maze game: the Fox and Geese. Everyone mashes down a knot of paths through the snow plus a den and a nest. One of the players is designated the fox and must pursue the geese through the maze. When captured, the goose must go straight to the den and await consumption. Another goose can rescue them, but only at the greatest danger to themselves.

The nest is sacrosanct.

September, 2005

City: So what are you reading right now?
Random 9-year-old: Freddy in Peril, which I am near finishing.

What is that book about?
It is about a golden hamster that knows how to read and write.

So it’s a true story?
No.

No?
No, a golden hamster learns to read and write in the first book and in the second book he’s trying to escape Professor Fleischkopf who says that hamsters are capable of reading and writing if certain nerves are connected in their brains. He dissected hamsters’ brains while they’re still alive.

How did Freddy feel about this?
He was scared. Fortunately, he escaped. He got his head shaved by Professor Fleischkopf right here (motions down the center of his scalp) and Enrico and Caruso [Freddy’s friends] made pretend bald spots and put them on their head. Enrico and Caruso made fun of him a little.

There’s a first book?
I, Freddy. It’s about the hamster Freddy learning to read and write.

Why does he want to read and write?
I don’t know. I haven’t read it in a long time.

I thought you read it only two months ago.
Yes, but that’s a long time ago. He wants to learn to read and write for the good of golden hamsters.

A hamster dipped in gold?
Noooo, it isn’t. It’s a type of hamster. As you can see in the picture, his hair has a kind of golden color.

Who wrote the books?
Dietlof Reiche. He knows how to write a good story.

Would you recommend these books to someone else?
Um-hm. It’s a funny book. Kids who like animals and silly animals would like the book.

November, 2005