Calendar Girl Blog: Almost Canada Day

To perpetuate a stereotype of Canadians, I'm pleased to present you with one of the photo contest submissions that we used in the 2006 calendar. Anne Green is the photographer.

Each month, on the date side of a wall calendar (the lower half) depending on which day the month starts, there is space left over. Right from the get go, we have used this space to bring you some Breastlore; a broad array of subject matter with a breast type link.

The above pic was a perfect Breastlore choice for July 2006 because:
1. We know you folks to the south of us think we are permanently frozen and covered in snow. We aren't. But we can be sarcastic.

2. July plays host to Breast of Canada Day, as deemed by me, and this shot is loaded with patriotism and breasts.

And, 3. Calendar Girl would like to prepare you for this year's Breast of Canada Day. It falls on the first full moon in July. July 21st to be exact.

This is not to be confused with Canada Day, which is July 1 and our countries birthday. Tomorrow in fact. Calendar Girl would be pleased if you sang us a rousing round of Happy Birthday.

Calendar Girl

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: Bartering Breasts

Sentex Communications is my internet provider. They are a local business with a loyal and talented staff.

For the last three year's, Sentex have traded me their service in return for placement of their logo on my website and name in the calendar.

I love Sentex. They were my first provider back when I was a virgin in cyberspace. To this day, I have never known another server. My satisfaction with all manner of their service is complete.

They keep my in box full.

Today, I sent them this letter along with some complimentary calendars. If you feel remotely benevolent and want to add your appreciate to mine, feel free to go to their site and say thanks. Or better still sign up with them. Either way, encouraging business to get involved with community projects is ....encouraging.

Sentex Communications
240 Holiday Inn Dr.
Unit D,
Cambridge, On
N3C 3X4

Dear Sentex,

Thank you for bartering my ADSL service for sponsorship in the 2006 edition of Breast of Canada.

Here’s what your effort is supporting:

• A breast health and breast cancer prevention educational tool in the form of a calendar. Less than 5% of our federal health budget is directed towards taking a proactive and preventative approach to breast cancer. One in nine women will get breast cancer in their lifetime but all nine women need to be informed and consider their breast health options throughout their lives.

•The Canadian Breast Cancer Network is a small but national charity that provide nation-wide education and awareness, influence research and health care policy and focus on the needs of under serviced communities like rural women. They are unique in the Canadian breast cancer landscape. Each calendar helps raise their profile by promoting their name and message. And net proceeds (money left over after the costs of publishing the calendar are covered) is directed to them.

•A grassroots initiative. The Breast of Canada calendar is a brave, cutting edge, artist driven project. It is controversial, effective and one of a few ‘cause'
products that is educational and breast health focused.

I hope Sentex Communications is proud to be behind this small but mighty calendar. I am certainly grateful for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,

Sue Richards
Publisher

Calendar Girl's job would be even harder without sponsors. Calendar Girl works hard enough.

Calendar Girl

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: Reality

It's barely 2pm and my world is full of all manner of breast reality.

In no particular order:

1. I have an offer from a 70 plus woman that would like to be a model in the 2007 calendar. (theme; women and work) Her current vocation: Grandmother. Perfect. I am hastily trying to set up a photo shoot for tomorrow afternoon.

2. Hella von Dehn, mom of my friend Stephanie passed away last night - Monday June 27/05, at her home in Toronto with Stephanie at her side. Her mom's fight with breast cancer is over.

3. Dr. Michael Goodyear, one of the calendar sponsors for 2005, decided to show his 2005 Breast of Canada Calendar to the folks at the Atlantic Centre for Excellence in Women's Health. Apparently, they were impressed. I've already had an order inquiry from the centre.

4. Dick from VisionWorks in Greenfield, MA ordered 75 calendars and wants them shipped today.

5. It is stinking hot. At first, the tiny dribbles of sweat that trickled from beneath my breasts, down my stomach freaked me out. Felt like ticks.....Now, more savvy but no cooler, I know that my breasts are melting.

Calendar Girl is sending her very best to Stephanie and her family. Calendar Girls' mom died when she was in Grade One. She knows it doesn't matter how old you are when your mom dies. It's one of the hardest things to live with.

Calendar Girl

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: Model Details

I purposely did not include any details about the woman featured on the front cover of the 2006 Breast of Canada calendar that I presented in yesterday's post.

So now that you've formed your own opinion and judgment, see if 'what is real' makes any difference.

The model is 41. At the time of the photo she was breastfeeding her second child. She was motivated to pose because her maternal grandmother died of breast cancer and her mother had just had a double mastectomy.

The model believes that 'normal is beautiful.'

And this little story just in as follow up to some 2005 calendars I left in a women's washroom at a Shell station in Nova Scotia.

"Unfortunately, the calendars left at the Shell station, found themselves in the garbage within a few hours. "Porn" is what the owner (a woman) reportedly called it. Thankfully, some of the gas jockeys salvaged some and gave them to their mothers and girlfriends. More rays of enlightenment required to penetrate the dark recesses in these folks."

Calendar Girl does find the porn reference to be frighteningly narrow and prehistoric thinking. Please, go buy a Hustler and dare to compare.

Calendar Girl

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: 2006 Front Cover

Fifth Annual Breast of Canada Calendar Cover

Calendar Girl just learned how to post photos.


Photo Credit: Melanie Gillis 2005
Calendar Girl

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: Being Pesky

Finally. Someone has seen through my earnest facade and revealed my true nature.

I am pesky.

It took a fellow from half way around the world, where the toilets flush backwards,to label me with this badge of honour. But now that you know, the Empress has no Bra AND she is trying to crawl up your nose with multiple ideas about breasts....you can join the parade.

And we all know, everyone LOVES a parade!

Calendar Girl believes the more men and women understand 'what is real' about each other, the better we will all get along.

Here's a simple test.

Learn
_____
Blame

Do you want to live above the line, or below the line?

Calendar Girl

P.S. Mrs. Jarmen, my grade 3 teacher, got close to naming my early tendency toward peskiness on my second term report card. If memory serves me correct, I was deemed "persistent like a magpie."

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: Brafreedom

If ever there was a day in Guelph to let the pups be free, today would be the day. I have no idea how hot it is but I'm moving like a woman twice my age, drinking my body weight in water, and trying not to think.

This post may make that last point evident.

Men are enjoying a shirt free day. Women...well the ones I've come in contact with are covered up, with bras firmly in place.

I've opted out of the bra part. I usually opt out of the bra part simply because I don't believe bra wearing is good for your breast health. But today was a total no brainer. Why would I strap on a tight, synthetic garment again my hot flesh?

Calendar Girl likes comfort. Calendar Girl got over the self conscious part of brafreedom a while back. It took two months of effort and then voila, self consciousness pretty much vanished.

Calendar Girl encourages you to set yourself free and be your own Breast Ambassador. Go ahead. Free the pups. You'll feel much cooler for your effort.

Calendar Girl

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: Selling Nipples

You'd think, that I would have more retailers selling the Breast of Canada calendar in it's 5th year of publication than in it's first.

Sorry to tell you but you'd be thinking wrong.

I've gone from a few hundred outlets to a few.

The unspoken, but overriding reason for this decline can be blamed on nipples. The bulk of conventional retailer's are nipple sensitive. Despite the fact that the calendar is about breast health, and breast cancer is at record highs, stores do not want to offend you, the consumer. Apparently, nipples are offensive. Strangely, they will sell pornography...but that's another blog entry down the road.

I'm also not talking about ALL nipples. Men's nipples are available for public consumption on newsstand, beaches, sporting events, concerts, festivals, your neighbourhood and...well let's just say you can't swing a bat without coming in range of a man's nipple or two.

It's women's nipples that are the problem. And wouldn't yah know, silly me thought that a breast health calendar named Breast of Canada wouldn't be a breast health calendar without including the aureole.

I'm calm about this merchandising glitch thanks to the wonders of the web. Ten year's ago I would have been toast. Today, my website gives me access to customers around the world. Given I'm a marketing maven, my site sells the bulk of my print run.

Besides, I like having direct contact with my buyers...breast friends...patrons. It's more friendly. I hear more stories. And, I get my yah yah's off knowing something me and my team created is heading to kitchen walls far and wide.

Plus, I have a reputation as a overwhelming optimist when it comes to just about anything....I make a fine lemonade out any lemons that come my way. (My little secret...a splash of Grey Goose vodka.)

What does frustrates me is what retailers will sell. Check out the cover of any fashion magazine and tell me what the product is. Health? Self esteem? Positive body image? Diversity? Natural and normal?

I think not.

Calendar Girl did get a request for 60 calendars from Something Special, a bra store in Vernon B.C.. Before she gleefully packed the order, Calendar Girl second guessed the retailer, just to be on the safe side. The retailer held her ground. Not only will she sell the calendar, she will give some to her loyal customers.

Calendar Girls wishes more retailers had such courage.

Calendar Girl

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: Sucking Fumes

My book keeper, Sharon was here all day, sorting out the final pennies of the 2004 fiscal year.

Here's her take on the calendar business so far.

"Well at least you're not sucking fumes like you were back in 2002."

How clear is THAT financial picture?

Calendar Girl is whacked out today. Money crunching makes her tired. Plus Calendar Girl got the crazy idea to sleep out in her hammock last night, under the full moon. How could she not? The calendar has big fat juicy full moons that simply inspires such unorthodox behavior. Calendar Girl didn't end up sleeping very well, but it sure was pretty.

Calendar Girl (with a sore back)

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: Speed Kills

This is one of my common reactions following a break in my routine. (Gawd, just writing that sentence makes me want to run screaming down the street...my routine... yikes... how old am I again??)

Anyway, Nova Scotia was a working, learning, holiday, social, change of scenery, change of faces, change of pace kind of experience. Typically I don't live at the speed of light, nor do I pack every second of my life with plans. I like to keep space in each day for the unexpected because much unexpected seems to knock on my door.

I want to be present in THIS moment as a human being. Not just for those that come knocking, but for myself. The more I pack into my day, the faster I have to travel and the faster I have to travel the less reflection time I have. With less reflection, the more likely I am to react to my surroundings and myself in a mindless way. Mindlessness leads to stress and stress to poor health. Prior learning goes right out the window. Wisdom is lost. And I'm left regaining something I didn't need to loose in the first place.

Map that out on a spreadsheet and see just how economically bankrupt it appears.

Our world is geared to speed and only speed. The faster, the better. Or so you could easily be lead to believe. We are humans racing to some mysterious finish line. Mostly, in the name of power and ego.

But here's the rub. The finish line is the same for every person on earth. Rich, poor, powerful, ignorant, kind, mindful, loved or hated...the race ends in death.

In short, speed kills. It kills our planet, our air, our water, our relationships, our sense of self, our ability to know our own depth, our spirituality, our imagination, our health.

Here's a healthy idea. Use your calendar to create space in your life. Mark out an entire day per week where you are not running around, spending money, burning fossil fuels, shoulda, coulda, wouldaing yourself into a tizzy.

If your response to this idea is defensive and negative, please look again. Yes, you can stop. Yes, you are allowed to rest. This is your life. And, to shed a bit of light on your version of denial, your mindless habits affect everyone of us one way or the other.

Calendar Girl is cranky with our insane society.

Calendar Girl

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: Summer in Canada

This is the first official day of summer in Canada. It's hard to believe that six months from now, all will be grey and white. This is especially so considering how incredibly green and lush everything is right now. But I shan't go there. It will all come about soon enough.

Please Sue, be in the moment.

Change is built right into our daily life in many forms, both externally in our environment and internally as we age. Given the minute by minute shifts that are unstoppable and the unpredictability of these changes I find it curious how 'carved in stone' my thinking can be.

Part of this tendency to hold on to some of my thinking with a two fisted grip comes from the difference between the age of my thinking and the age of my body. My body is more honest and in the moment. My mind seems to have gotten snagged somewhere around my mid-thirties.

I remember my older sister coming home from town one day quite distraught. She had been walking down Main Street, feeling pretty saucy, light in step and she caught sight of the reflection of an older woman in the store window she was passing. She stopped to get a better look and realized she was looking at herself.

I get that now. As much as I wish it was not true, my brain and my body seem to be on a slightly different trip.

Aging is not a disease and yet, in our youth driven culture, countless hours and bags of money is spent on all manner of avoidance of our natural human cycle. Me thinks that our brains could do with a time out to reflect on the damage it (our brains) impose on our bodies. Our bodies require exercise, sleep and good nutrition to function well. But our minds, living in the past, seem to have another idea.

I'm trying hard to take my changes in hand gracefully, with wisdom and humor. But this separates me from many of my peers who dye, inject, coat, implant, pierce and seal themselves into an age limbo. My less perky breasts, arctic blond hair, multiple laugh lines that seem to span from tip to toe (too many belly laughs perhaps) reveal my age much like the rings of a tree stump. How to get my mind to be in synch seems to be the real challenge to living a good quality life. Finding like minded peers, another.

Calendar Girl is very pleased with the weather today. To save heartbreak for any Coasters that might be reading, Calendar Girl will refrain from bragging.

Besides, maybe weather is an internal condition.

Calendar Girl

P.S. Get this. You can place a Breast of Canada Banner on your website or blog and become one of our Breast Friends.

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: Blue Sky, Train Strain

I have train strain. Thirty two hours of jiggy, jiggy will do that to you. It will take me a few days to get used to land and still toilets. This said, I would not hestitate to take the train again. If you hate hectic and like courteous and friendly, train travel is where it's at.

I did manage to do a nice yoga routine, in my wee sleeper, as we speed through the Gaspe Bay, sun setting in an orange blaze. Train yoga included various spine twists, leg inversion, cats going every which way and a remarkable downward facing dog. This followed by breathing. Lots of alternate nostril breathing.

The sky is blue in Ontario. The temperature is appropriate to the month. And nothing untoward happened to my house while I was vacant.

But the air is not good. My throat instantly got clogged up and I started coughing.

Calendar Girl would like to suggest that people drive less and walk more. We all share the air. Calendar Girl would like hers to be cleaner please.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Happy Time

The orange dog did the forbidden and crawled into bed with me this morning. As dogs go, he's a very gentle snuggler and only requires 1/2 the surface area to be comfortable. I'll do a tic check when I get on the train. No doubt he shared his bounty of them with me.

Happy Time was pretty darn happy. Folks danced and sang, cajoled and guffawed. More weather excuses were offered and as I expected some blame is starting to come my way. You know the kind. "The weather is probally like this because you're here" stuff. If the sun does come out this afternoon, as my train pulls out of the station I will be forever branded as a bad weather omen.

I'm not sure why this didn't cross my verdant mind but.... folks around these coastal parts are referred to as Coasters. That's my kind of humour.

Susan and Kim have fabulous photo contest ideas which we discussed loudly and in some detail. I have a feeling we will be seeing much more of Nova Scotia in the 2007 calendar.

So...my world...my view is about to change again. Guelph is hot, stormy and land locked. My garden (featured in April, August and September 2006) will be a tangle of green. My house, exactly as I left it.

Christine, my lovely Guelph transplant and reason for visiting, plus her neighbour and friend Ruth are making the Halifax trip with me this morning. We hope to hit town in time to go to the Market. I've got a half a box of 2005 calendars to plant in the ladies washroom. Breast work is 24/7.

I know there's a song called Farewell to Nova Scotia. Year's ago, I toured with a band that included Melanie Doane, a lovely and talented Coaster and she would sing it in a transfixed, mesmorized kinda way.

I can understand why now. Lovely place.

Calendar Girl wishes you all blue skies.

Calendar Girl

Other Links and Blogs of mine. Maybe even of interest to you...or maybe not...
I'm just sayin.

Breast of Canada Calendar
Calendar Girl Blog
The Breast Views Blog
My Menopause Blog

Calendar Girl Blog: The Breast Views

The fog is rolling into Jordan Bay making the ocean invisible to me right now. This is my last full day in Nova Scotia. I'm leaving Halifax on a breast train at high noon tomorrow.

Last evenings drop in guests included Dave whom I had met once before on my home turf at a Hallowe'en party. He was quick to point out that he and his wife Kim were big fans of the calendar. As Dave succinctly put it, 'it is a celebration of life."

I so appreciate finding people who share or at the very least are willing to listen to my viewpoint on 'all things breasts.' My education on the issues and perspectives have been accumulated on a daily basis over the last five years in both a professional capacity and on a personal experience level. Rarely a day goes by without a breast story. So it's a buzz when I find someone who is willing to dig into a meaty conversation, ask questions and explore the complexities. It is especially rare when it is a man.

Another Jordanian Ferry fellow thought a Breast Bus would be a marketing hit and a blast to boot. We imaged one of those old, smallish school buses, with two boobs retro-fit on the top. I'd roll into your town, much like the circus or a book mobile and set up shop. We didn't get into the services that I would provide but we did have fun imagining how the Bust Bus would look.

I love my work. I get to be smart and have fun.

I've mentioned this before and here I go mentioning it again. My newest Blog The Breast Views is designed to provide you with a glimpse of the resources I draw from, my own analysis and the many questions that result.

Calendar Girl is off to Happy Time at the Yacht Club today. Calendar Girl is hopeful that all the names will stick with the faces that she has already met. Name remembering is not Calendar Girls forte.

The colour of the sky has stayed a constant light grey and much pontification has gone on as to what is happening to the weather out here.

Mike put it this way after we chewed through a conversation about the melting polar icecaps.

"One things for certain, big change is coming. I don't know what it is exactly but it's approaching fast."

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Smile and Act Nice

The pies are in the oven. Two rhubarb pineapple, 1 rhubarb raspberry and 1 pure raspberry. By the look of them, the pie fairy was generous with her magic dust. The taste test is yet to come. But the immediate pressure is off. The Jordan Ferry Coffee Club is just around the corner and Calendar Girl is ready.

Chris from Breast Stories has been scouring the web and came across a website that claims to be "In Girls We Trust."

Smile and Act Nice has gutsy and irreverent content. The PERSONAL BREAST: 12 essays on 12 pairs page is clever and also sports a recipe...for Chicken Breasts and Wild Rice.

I've always said that having a good chicken recipe tucked up your sleeve is a valuable resource for a gal to have. And since I'm in baking mode today, this caught my eye.

Calendar Girl has nothing new to report on the weather. It just is.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Rubbing Away the Usual

The photographer for the February breastlore photo just stopped by for a visit. Sue was on hand for the Jordan Ferry Dead Bra Day celebrations with her digital camera in hand, and beautifully captured the string of dead bras flapping in the wind on Linda's flag pole last February 13th.

I love all the meeting and greeting that I'm doing here in Jordan Ferry. There's a dynamic element to being away from home. Less predictible. When I mentioned this to Sue it reminded her of the movie ‘Sliding Door’. Apparently Sliding Door is a flick with two endings that result from two plot lines about the same woman. In one, the lead character goes through the sliding door and gets on a subway. In the other plot line, the lead does not go through the sliding door and does not get on the subway. Simple premise. Dramatically different outcome.

Every minute of every day, we are presented with sliding doors of some sort. We can decide to go through or pass by. When we get stuck in a regular routine, the doors are not always so obvious but they are there. We are simply blinded by the familiar. Traveling rubs away the ‘usual’ and leaves space for the ‘unusual’ to be seen. At least, the unusual for you. I call it following your nose, your gut, your intuitions or your own true north. With a pinch of common sense, two drops of courage and a mind that is flexible, the ‘unusual’ can be delightfully stimulating and fun. And refreshing. Very refreshing.

Calendar Girl is sitting by the fire in the kitchen. It is 10c outside, windy and damp. No doubt Linda would call this a dry damp. The orange dog is bored out of his nut. Calendar Girl has heard three full body exhales in the last few minutes. Rumour has it that a W-A-L-K is on the agenda, followed by a raid on the neighbours rhubarb patch. Calendar Girl has been conscripted to bake pies for tomorrow’s Coffee Club and will be using the rhubarb, plus a pineapple and some of last summers raspberries as filling. Scott, the man of the house has willingly dug out four pies plates. He’s hoping to see them all full but not all consumed by the Coffee Club gals.

Calendar Girl hopes the pie fairy dusts her with ‘good pie baking karma’. Calendar Girl is under baking pressure.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Dry Rain

By the time I leave Jordan Ferry, Linda, the host of Dead Bra Day 2005, will have saturated the market with breast calendars and will have helped motivate a whack of gal's from Shelburne county to submit photos for the 2007 calendar. I'm blown away by her energy and generosity. I would like to take her home with me.

Note to self: I must teach Linda the Breast Ambassador salute.

Christine and I will be doing some breast health guerilla work over the next few days. Here's how that works....I go into any public washroom I come across and put up a 2005 calendar on the wall. Then I leave a small pile on the counter, beside the sink, for washroom patrons to pick up if they are inclined.

Two year's will go by and then I will meet someone at an event in some other province. They will tell me a story about where they first came across BoC...a public washroom on the south shore of Nova Scotia, and I will know that my marketing strategy had excellent sticking power.

I'm told by John and Scott, two of the men of Jordan Ferry, that they love the Breast of Canada calendar. This is good. Men get breast cancer. And the women that men love get breast cancer. So if the men of the women of Jordan Ferry are becoming more informed about breast health and breast cancer prevention, this will bode well for all parties.

Yesterday, I reported about the NFH people that I've met. I'm sorry to say that I misinformed you about the acronym. People who are 'not from here' are actually called 'Come From Away' or CFA. And, it would appear, that unless your grandparents were born on this soil, then you're a CFA.

I found this N.S. loyalty charming. People from Ontario (at least the ones that I know,) do not seem to have the same pride in their provincial roots. In fact, many Ontarion's play down their precise home turf location and instead plunk on the bigger hat and simply claim to be Canadian.

I usually play my Guelph card and overlook the Ontario part all together. Guelph seems to have the fortune of good city karma and people always seem to know something about or someone from Guelph.

Here’s a Guelph fact. We, the city, is the birthplace of topfree Ontario, making it the obvious place to publish a topfree calendar. So now you know. If I didn't do it, someone else would have.

Calendar Girl is wearing her fleece vest. It is no longer balmy on the south shore of N.S.. It is no longer sunny. It is no longer calm. Yesterday, Calendar Girl learned that N.S. has two seasons. Winter and Winter's Coming. Linda claims the pissy drizzle that is falling is a 'dry rain.'

Funny weather. Ha Ha.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Leveling The Playing Field

The conference market place is clearing out and I've got 100 lbs of calendars left over. Yes, if I haven't mentioned this already (and even if I have) calendars are heavy. It is one of my key challenges...shleeping boxes of the suckers too and fro.

Many women are up in the dining room having a final lunch, exchanging the last shreds of their stories and contact info with new found friends. You can be sure that more tears are pouring and more grief is being felt.

I went to one more workshop this morning, hosted by a Kiwi woman named Sue Mcleod. She attended the last world conference in Victoria, BC and became a breast cancer activist poster girl of sorts simply because she brought up the concept of breast cancer prevention.

Here is one sobering tidbit that she shared with the room of delegates.

We know that radiation exposure causes cancer. No debate there. So get this. In New Zealand, a first world country and member of the Commonwealth, many dentists do not use lead lined blankets to cover their patience when taking x-rays. In fact, most don't use anything at all.

It is commonly understood that radiation scatters. That's why technicians leave the room before zapping you. So there we are in New Zealand, with the expectation that our dentist is equally concerned for our health as we are, trusting the authority of a medically trained professional, only to learn that, for some reason(s), safety standards are not being universally applied around the world.

The playing field is clearly not even. It is no where near even between countries. And, there are huge disparities between urban and rural districts, frozen and melted lands and first, second and third world countries.

I'm only drawing attention to geographic differences and how this impacts the quality of the health care/illness management that you may get. Throw in our different levels of income, and the picture quickly divides again. Add culture into the mix and you get even more distinction. Education levels...might as well spin the bottle one more time.

World conferences point out these glaring differences. World conferences on Breast Cancer prove that brcan is a universal issue. Can World Conferences help to level and improve the playing field?

Calendar Girl has cleared out of Halifax and is now sitting pretty on the south shore of Nova Scotia looking out at Jordan Bay. Calendar Girl hitched a ride with Darcy, a conference participant, survivor and friend of a friend.

Ripple, the orange dog of the household of Christine and Scott is being very attentive. Calendar Girl speaks and understands fluent dog and leans towards a wardrobe of shades of orange so bonding was inevitable. All dogs love a good conversation with their own kind and 'orange' lovers alone qualifies as a kind. In fact, I've dedicated a day in January as Orangeness Day to prove my point.

The weather today is balmy. Calendar Girl did note a collective sigh and body slump of the 4 Not From Here's (NFH) and the 2 Born and Breed Nova Scotian's (BBNS) last night as all sat around the screened in porch with the fire blazing, discussing the weather. Calendar Girl concluded that 'balmy' is rare in Nova Scotia.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Swallowed by a Conference

First, the Calendar Girl weather report. From what I can see and feel out my shabby little window, the weather in Halifax is around 19c and slightly overcast with a very high ceiling of clouds.

I've just re-read some of my conference posts and realized that due to the fact that I've been attending BrCan conferences for five years and because they (brcan conferences) tend to swallow their delegates whole, I may not have been as accessible with my descriptions as possible. Let me fill in some of the blanks that I found.

"Tits in a Wringer"is how mammograms were described in the video of the same name. For many women, mammograms are extremely painful. I am one of those women. We rarely talk about this. (just like women don't describe and talk about child birth) I'm not sure why that is but I'm of the mindset that the more you know the less you fear rather than the ignorance is bliss club. So imagine a ringer from an old fashioned washing machine. Imagine your tits going through, one at a time, and then getting stuck. Imagine being told to "hold that pose." Did you cringe? Then you got the picture.

The demographics of the gig. I'd say 80% of the delegates are bracan survivors. The age range would be mid 20's to late 70's. To my eyes, there seems to be about 30% young women which seems higher than the last world conference in 2002. Some of the survivors are currently in treatment as evident by the number of women with hair loss. Many women are not wearing their prostesis or wigs. The few dozen men are scientists, media people and doctors. The remaining women, like myself, work in the field as support people, researchers, advocates and activists.

Several people told me they were 'cancered out' yesterday. Every speaker, every meal, every workshop has a thick ribbon of loss running through it. Loss of life, lost of self esteem, loss of breasts, loss of reproductive ability (many breast cancer treatments bring on sudden menopause or instantly sterilize), loss of family (the trauma can be too much for a spouse to contend with), loss of life savings (brcan is very expensive), loss of hope for a future.

Then there's the guilt. BrCan survivors with daughters suffer terribly. They struggle with the question of whether, by having breast cancer, they have given their daughters a death sentence. Even though less than 10% of ALL cancers are genetic. That's right folks, Cancer is our own creation.

Calendar Girl does her very best to listen to and comfort the women who tell her their story.

Calendar Girl thinks we all need to wake up.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Cause Marketing

It is true that Breast Cancer is the darling of corporate North America. The catch phrase to describe this behaviour is 'Cause Marketing'.

A few weeks ago, an male acquaintance told me he was going to shave his head for 'the cause.' I asked him why? He was puzzled by my question so I expanded it a tad and asked him if he had a personal connection to breast cancer. When this got a negative response, I went on to ask what part of 'the cause' he was going to contribute to. His brow furrowed. I was clearly complicating the issue for him.

Today, I watched and listened to a room of people react to the suggestion that at the very least, we should THINK before we PINK. Here's an example of why this is wise.

There's a pink ribbon campaign happening right now with a soya milk company. The company will not disclose how much money they raise, nor will they say where it is going. The product is not organic. This is an important point as soya beans are one of the most heavily pesticide sprayed crops grown. And there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that there is a link between pesticides and breast cancer. As consumers, we see the pink ribbon logo on the product and that alone may be enough for us to chose that brand over another brand. That is 'cause marketing' in action.

You can be sure that the company's bottom line is greatly improved by their campaign. Yet the product is contributing to the problem.

There seemed to be a 'fear of thinking' or maybe it was a 'fear of encouraging thinking' that whipped through the room. People kept asking the presenter to list the 'bad' companies. She didn't bite and instead encouraged each of us to ask questions and get answers before we made a purchase.

Her suggestion went over like a lead balloon.

It wasn't until much later that I got a new glimmer of understanding of why the idea of asking questions was so poorly received. Canadians, who are the bulk of this conferences delegates, are by nature polite. Our 'niceness' is part of our cultural identity. Asking questions is .... well...can be seen as.... kind of rude.

Say no more.

Calendar Girl is moving up the coast tomorrow afternoon. No more sailors. No more Halifax. And the final, half day of the conference is but a few hours away. For now, Calendar Girl would like to report that it is now dark out and slightly cooler.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Random Notes from The World Conference on Breast Cancer

From BrCan and Ovarian survivor, Annie Smith, " Life is a river. Damn." Annie is currently recovering from Liver cancer.

From Breast Cancer Action Montreal, "Prevention is the Cure."

The terms "Pinkwash" and "Think Before you Pink" were tossed around liberally during the Pink Ribbon Blues Workshop.

From Stephanie Austin, from Ontario Breast Cancer Community Research Initiative, "For a bilingual country, there is a surprising lack of resource material for francophone women living with breast cancer."

Several delegates commented on how overwhelmed they were and how they were struggling to take care of themselves. They felt guilty if they left a presentation. But they could not always control their sobbing.

Sobbing. And barely a kleenex in sight.

Calendar Girl wonders why we remain so firmly attached to our denial? Would it not be preferable to anticipate the emotional toll of such a conference by at the very least supplying kleenex?

Calendar Girl

P.S. Eight thousand new sailor came into town today. Calendar Girl has snapped out of her precious state of mind and realizes the implications of a port city. Sailors being part of that reality. Calendar Girl will put a white flag outside her door this evening. She surrenders.

More news and breast views from the world conference has been posted on my other blog.

Calendar Girl Blog: CBC Mainstreet Interview

It is with relief that I report that my radio interview was dandy. I had the gift of stringing a sentence together and all key nouns and verbs remained within my immediate grasp.

Another words, I was on.

The ten minutes flew by. Carmen, the show host was keen.

What does it all mean in the bigger scheme of things? Who knows. Will anyone buy the calendar as a result? Maybe. Was it fun? Of course. How often does a person get to do live radio, talking about something that they love, at 4:20pm on a sunny Friday afternoon? Someone, driving home from work, was listening. For me, knowing that is a buzz.

I have one complaint that seems to be universal with radio. Rolly chairs. IE Chairs with wheels that are very responsive to all movement. Hosts need rolly chairs. They roll around for some reason. Guests don't need rolly chairs. Not only did I have to keep track of my use of language, I had to hold the table so as not to fly off and away from the mic.

And something you may not know. When Carmen did the weather report....she looked out the window.

Calendar Girl would like to start reporting on the weather now that she knows how to do it. So, Halifax is sunny with some cloud. Warm....maybe 25C. People are outside laying on the grass at the citadel. Calendar Girl is going to join them.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Tits in a Wringer

I've dragged my iBook, from the Y, down steep Sackville Street hill, to the conference this morning.

By 8:00 am, the International Market Place, where my booth sits, is bursting with energy. Women are fueling themselves with coffee, pancakes and blueberry sauce. Métis drummers are signaling the beginning of the day's sessions. I can feel the anticipation.

And so it goes at the World Conference on Breast Cancer.

Last nights reception eventually turned into dinner at Pier 22, a vast space with seafaring paraphernalia hanging everywhere. Lucky for me (and typical of my artist nature), I was able to scoop a complimentary ticket and join a table with the Executive Director, President and V.P. of the Canadian Breast Cancer Network. CBCN is the national charity that I donate net proceeds that are made from the calendar. (Net proceeds = Gross Proceeds minus expenses.)

Our dinner conversation was rich. Issues of the day circulated around accountability for fundraising efforts and the pervasive tendency for people to ‘give money for research’ with no idea of what the nature of that research might be. The limited awareness is frustrating to these women who are trying hard to cultivate a more informed consumer and donator base.

There's been a change of stewardship at the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, which will inevitably ripple down through the many breast cancer agencies across the country. Discussion of the change was positive and respectful and the Network hopes to develop a strong tie with the new CEO.

And of course, stories of home life, dreams and ideas filtered through the conversation. Breast cancer conferences are not for the faint of heart. Laugher and some distraction are needed if you want to make it through with you heart in one piece..

Now that I have the lay of the conference land, I decided to attend a workshop, specifically, the video screening of Tit’s In A Wringer, produced by the De Dwa Da Dehs Nye’s Aboriginal Health Centre, in Ontario.

Culturally sensitive and edgy, the production inspired an emotional reaction in many of the delegates in the room.We see five native women sitting around the kitchen table discussing and disclosing powerful sentiments that speak volumes about their personal journey. My hastily scribbled notes included the following lines from this heartfelt and funny breast health documentary, which by the way, will help ease the fear, confusion and ignorance associated breast health needs.

“Our bodies are our sacred lodge.”; “I learned to hate myself and then I had to learn to love myself.”; “At 48, I grew up and started caring for myself.”; “We are uncomfortable looking at our own bodies.”; “Breast Cancer made me stop and look at my life. I needed to listen to my spirit.”

Twice the room went deadly silent and I wiped tears from my eyes. Several times I added my laughter to the audiences joyous outburst. If you work with any group of women, and want to add to their breast health confidence, buy this video.

Tits In A Wringer is available for sale at the Aboriginal Health Centre.

I’ve done the pre-interview for the live CBC interview taking place later this afternoon. I get 10 minutes. That’s plenty. But likely not enough. If you know what I mean.

I’ve tried to find a way of being on line so that I could post this entry but technology has evaded me yet again. Posting will have to wait until I get back to my digs, post CBC Radio interview.

You may have noticed that Calendar Girl is intentionally not mentioning the sailors. She is using childish logic and hoping that by ignoring them, they will go away. Sailors seem to think they are the only people staying at the Y. Calendar Girl begs to differ.

Calendar Girl

For World Conference news, check out The Breast View Blog....my latest edition to the blogosphere.

Calendar Girl Blog: Sleepy at the World Conference

Last night, on my way to the Opening Reception of The World Breast Cancer Conference, I walked past the CBC Radio building. This time instead of paying no mind, I introduced myself to the security guard who was outside having a smoke. I also handed him a package of calendars and conference info to pass on to their drive home show called Mainstreet.

When I returned from the conference this afternoon, an email was waiting for me from CBC. I quickly called them back on the well used payphone down the hall (no cell phone for this chick) and voila. They've booked me for a live interview at 4:20 on Friday afternoon.

And here I've been mailing media packages with polite, pleading letters all these years. Little did I know about the power of the smoking security guard.

Three of my models from previous year's are in attendance at the conference and have excitedly been showing off their Calendar Girl photos to anyone they can snag. No tredpidation there. Each one is a full fledged Breast Ambassador in their own right.

My day was spent staffing my booth. Meeting, greeting and exchanging calendars for hard, cold cash. Lots of comments. Mostly positive.

I've another reception to attend this evening followed by what I hope will be my best sleep yet. (DID YOU HEAR THAT SLEEP GODS??) But wait, is that the returning French sailors I hear roaring down the hall? (They trickled in between 3am and 6am...just loud enough to wake me but not enough for me to complain.) Just how long do sailors stay in port anyway?

Calendar Girl is sounding like her grandmother. Calendar Girl is sleep deprived. Ten years ago, Calendar would have been singing sea shanties. Now, being more um, mature, Calendar Girl is fond of 'the good, long, uninterrupted sleep.

For World Conference news, check out The Breast View Blog....my latest edition to the blogosphere.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Opening Reception of World Breast Cancer Conference

The 8th Floor of the Delta Halifax was buzzing with the energy that seems distinct to the beginning of a breast cancer conference. Old acquaintances reunite, new faces find kindred spirits and everyone is fueled by a sense of hope.

Katherine from Prince Edward Island, is one of my touchstones at these events. She grabbed my ass as I was bellied up to the food table and we both squealed with delight. An eight year survivor, Katherine claims to be like milk and well past her expiry date. I tell her she has entered the world of 'sweet butter', not 'sour milk'. I look at her, deeply. I want to see that she is telling me the truth about her health.

Marie from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Jocelyn from Ireland and Kate from Saskatchewan are my new faces. One at a time, we formed the Wall Flower wall, which by virtue of our acknowledgement, will bond us for the next few days. Two of the flowers are young women living with breast cancer.

Speeches ice the evening. I see a woman nod off. Others clap politely. The room is packed, perhaps 500 people, clearly from all over the world. And the waiter likes us. Guy (our guy but also his real name) brings all food items to the Wall of Flowers first. When I take my leave from the speech room and make my way to the live salsa band room, (which is the perfect cherry for the evening), I'm fully of snacks.

The dance floor is packed. One man and a full compliment of women, some with salsa lessons under their belt, appear to be a hot swarm of bodies. This is an excellent start to a challenging conference.

Calendar Girl is told that her publishing tenaciousness is admirable.

Calendar Girl thinks, "That's one way of putting it."

Calendar Girl

P.S. A million French sailors arrived in Halifax today. White uniforms were thick in all directions. Several of these young men seem to be sharing my floor at the Y. I'm going to bed. They just left to go out. Why oh why didn't I pack ear plugs.

Calendar Girl Blog: Breast Stories Abound

I'm a vintage clothes nut. My body seems to have been built from a late 40's template, one that might be referred to as curvy. As well, I'm no fan of fashion magazines or shopping in conventional stores. I find the emaciated models frightening and the monotony of new clothing stores boring. That said, I do own current clothes. I usually find a style of clothing I like and then buy multiple copies in various shades to save me from having to return when my clothes wear out.

I think that bears repeating. I wear my clothes out. No re-sale for my duds.

With vintage, my clothes never go out of fashion because they are so far out of fashion they can not be rated in the same way. And I have no fear of showing up in the same outfit that someone else is wearing.

So tell me I wasn't in heaven when I found a crammed little store called Dressed in Time, tucked around the corner and down the side somewhere in Halifax.

I spent a long time in the store and tried on dozens of pieces. The owner was very helpful. And as it goes when I'm traveling, we started to chat about this, that and finally breasts.

Which lead to her telling me the following sad story about an older women she knew who had a breast reduction surgery at 65. Her large breasts were interfering with her day to day enjoyment of life. Apparently, things didn't go well with the surgery and after six weeks, a nurse discovered that a drainage tube had not been removed. The infection was advanced. Antibiotics were prescribed. Two more surgeries were performed until the woman had undergone the equivalent of a radical mastectomy. She slowly faded and eventually died.

How tragic is that?

Calendar Girl find breast surgery difficult to swallow unless it's for life saving purposes. Surgery is risky business at the best of times. From the stories Calendar Girl hears, breast surgery seems even more so.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Training Your Breasts

Three trains and 31 hours later, me and the pups have arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Here's what I've learned.

1. Train stations do not have elevators. Instead, narrow, steep escalators or narrow, steep stairs are provided.(Note to anyone who works at VIA. Escalators, luggage and older folk are a bad mix. By the look of the crowd, you depend on older folks with luggage for your business. Out of respect, it would be great if you would get with the game on the elevator part.)

2. Because of number one, I learned about porters. This after wrestling my stuff on and off two trains. For a mere toonie a bag, a porter will wrestle your bags on and off the train for you.

3. Unless you stay locked in your slightly bigger than your body room for the whole trip, you will meet people. Interesting people. Train people. Like the guy who toured the world as the lead guitarist for Helix, a 70/80's Canadian hard rock band. Or the gaggle of nuns. Apparently Farley Mowat too. But he came out a week earlier.

4. Everyone I met knows more than one person with breast cancer. Including the porter.

5. Trains are very jiggley.

Calendar Girl is getting settled (trying not to rock back and forth) in her new world at the Y prior to winding up for the World Conference on Breast Cancer.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Leaving on a Breast Train

I'm getting on a train this morning. In my own city. A few blocks from my house.

With changes in Toronto and Montreal, I will be in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for the World Conference on Breast Cancer, 26 hours later. It's all very civilized. I've got my own room.

Hopefully I will be rested and not green from the perpetual motion of the train. Buy, knowing what I do about hope, I've packed my Ginger pills just in case. Motion sickness and I go a wayyyyyy back.

Calendar Girl has not been out of town for awhile. Calendar Girl has pre-trip jitters.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: World Conference on Breast Cancer

Every three years, the World Conference on Breast Cancer takes place somewhere in Canada. I attended in 2002 when it was held on our extreme left coast. Next week, Halifax, Nova Scotia plays host.

Calendar Girl will be attending with fresh boxes of calendars and setting up in the display centre.

Given the weight of 'fresh boxes of calendars', I decided to let Canada Post do the heavy work instead of wrestling 200lbs of paper, on and off the train, myself. (Calendar Girl "uses prior knowledge" and saves herself pulled muscles. Calendar Girl likes to work smarter, not harder.)

Moments ago, my east coast destination and calendar model Juli emailed to tell me that all 6 boxes arrived safely.

Yippy.

Now that's a load off Calendar Girls mind...and aging back. Way to go Canada Post. You get Calendar Girl's stamp of approval.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Model Party

Rather than me yammer on about the Breast of Canada 2006 Model, Writer and Photographer Party , I think it appropriate to let the various participants have their own crack at this blog. After all, we are in fact live, at the party, right now! And yes, as you might expect, Calendar Girl is Very Excited.

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The reason I decided to participate in the 2006 Breast of Calendar is because of my mom. She is an extremely important part of my life and for me this was my way to show her that I love and care about her. My mother had breast cancer a few years ago and it hit me really hard - for years I struggled with a way to let her know how I cared...what better way than to pose topless in a calendar. :)

When I first came to Calendar Girls' house for the shoot, I was uneasy and to be honest, very scared - I just didn't know what to expect. It wasn't until I met Calendar Girl that I was comfortable and confident that this was the right thing to do. As hard as it may be to believe, this felt so natural. This was a life changing experience for me, and I would strongly encourage others to participate. My mom and I were very emotional after the shoot...it brought us together. I would pose for this calendar every year for the next 20 years - no questions asked. I applaud the efforts of Calendar Girl for starting this calendar - it is incredible and I truly cannot thank her enough for this extraordinary opportunity.

Thank you...I had an absolutely awesome experience!!!

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Thanks for the chance to share in your calendar, it was a truly amazing experience.

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This is my second year submitting photos to the BoC calendar... The first year I just rounded up a few friends and a free afternoon to see what we could come up with. The results were photographically mixed, but psychologically amazing. After a few drinks and indigo girls songs on the stereo... we couldn't have imagined not trying the whole thing out. The second year the ideas came flying fast and furious and now I am convinced that I will keep submitting as long as the calendar and Sue will have me! It has been such a positive experience... From both sides of the camera!

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When I first was asked by my friend to take photos of me and a few other ladies, I was a bit intimidated. I didn't think I would have the gall to take off my shirt in front of someone. Retrospectively, I am so glad to have had this opportunity! It was quite a liberating experience and really great for my shy soul!

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Too much Fun!!! Sue, your ability to educate, entertain and enlighten is contagious. Thus ends my first blog :)

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Well, the party is winding down. The strawberries have been eaten, the dishes are done and the last 7 or so of us are hanging out on the deck chatting. It has been fun to see the models come, wait expectantly to receive their copy the 2006 calendar, and see their reactions when they finally saw the pictures for the first time. This time last year I was one of them waiting to see my picture in the 2005 calendar, so it was really neat to watch from the other side this time around. After taking a look through 2006 I can say that I really think that this calendar is the best one yet. - Miss September 2005

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It's after midnight. Doors closed. Calendar Girl is pooped.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Breast Cancer Donations

My business mentor and friend, Jim Estill has joined the blog crowd.

He's a self confessed health nut. And competitive. The combination of which has him accepting a pretty major challenge from Zeno Ricci, President of Targus Canada and Latin America.

Jim is wearing a pedometer from June 1 to Aug 31 to see who does more steps. Not steps like stairs. Steps like walking. Apparently, the loser has agreed to donate $1 per step difference to Breast Cancer Research.

Now there's initiative.

My friend Liz Armstrong sent me the following email.

In April, the Canadian Cancer Society released its 2005 statistics stating that close to one in two men and over a third of all Canadian women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Cancer is by far Canada’s leading cause of 'potential years of life lost' – premature death. The tragedy is that so much of this loss is preventable.

Right now, less than 5% of our annual cancer budgets are targeted for primary prevention, simply an inadequate amount for such a huge opportunity. Of course researchers need to keep pursuing better treatments and, ultimately, cures for cancer, but if we neglect prevention, we're missing a huge chance to reduce Canada's record high levels of cancer incidence.

Calendar Girl does not have cancer. AND she would like to keep it that way. That's why The Breast of Canada Calendar is focused on education and prevention.

Jim is stepping up for research. Tell us what you are working on?

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: Breast Photo Requests

One of the key criticism's I get as the publisher of the Breast of Canada Calendar is that I only use Caucasian women as models.

As example, this email came in yesterday.

I wanted to let you know that I think the calendar is nicely put together and there are some excellent photos in it. I noticed however that most of the photos seem to show Caucasian women, and thought that was not really an accurate representation for all women across Canada. I myself am a young First Nations woman, and thought it would be wonderful to see more images of different ethnicities. I'm not exactly sure of this, but is there not a higher chance of breast cancer for certain ethnic groups?

Here's the situation. All our photos are sepia tone which seems to neutralize skin tone so that difference is less obvious. My cover model for 2005 is a woman of colour. Unless I tell people this, they assume she is white.

But it's not just the photo treatment. I have a model data base of a hundred models, of mixed skin tones. When I put out a photo shoot call, inviting all, no matter who they are, nine times out of ten, only white models will attend. Even when I've asked for RSVP's and had a positive reply from non-Caucasian women, they don't actually show up. This is my observation.

I've lost friggin sleep over this. Of course I want to show all skin tones of women. Just like I strive to show all ages, breast size and shapes.

I had hoped that my photo contest would inspire more women of colour to submit images. And maybe it will in time. But so far, I'm piled high with Caucasian model submissions and looking high and low for more diversity.

Calendar Girl is puzzled.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl Blog: 1,000 Calendars On The Wall

I'm rewriting that drinking song we used to sing on our public school trips. 100 Bottles of Beer (a charming ditty for 12 year olds)is now 1,000 Breast of Canada's. It's a bit awkward, and will require a road trip that lasts days if one is to reach the goal of 1, but it helped me through the first day of calendar ownership.

I wasted no time after Dale left. Within a few hours, I was banging on the side door of the post office looking for a trolley. I had 335 calendars ready to be shipped off to Seattle, Halifax, Hood River, Scanton, Marathon and Stoneington. Coast to coast, north and south. Breasts heading off to their new homes and owners. I'd shed a tear but being the mother of 3,000 of these paper babies I'd be a wreck and no doubt dehydrated in no time. Instead, I wished them well, hoped they found a nice wall to live on and asked them to write if they got work.

The women at the post office dug right in. Three hundred and twenty seven dollars later, we had parted ways. Me feeling lighter. Much lighter. My wee car riding higher.

Later in the evening, after yoga, I sat down to look at this lastest creation. Page by page, photo by photo, word by word.

Calendar Girl is very pleased. Perhaps a bit puffy even.

Calendar Girl