http://www.guelphmercury.com/opinion/editorial/article/563104–dawn-matheson-deserves-our-applause

Dawn Matheson deserves our applause

while other kids are at goalie camp, karate camp, and saultos gymnastics camp, our kids are engaged in factory labour.

production takes place in the gravel section of our backyard where worker Auguste digs down deep with her fingers for dirt to be dunked  into a glass vase full of water. she squeezes and forms the balls of mud to be inspected by Trygve, factory boss.

Trygve’s job is to sit in the red chair atop the fantastic new grassy knoll (a pile of dirt that sprouted which we now so love– best feature in the yard by accident). from his throne he orders the production of mud balls. once approved (Auguste’s handprint squeezed into each one) worker Auguste marches them one by one to the secret laboratory (behind a bare bush in plain view) where they dry out for 22 hours, according to the boss. many hours of production has formed quite a pile.

Graham, (who we call Gray Ham) our gentle,  sophisticated 50-something friend who occasionally drops off bread to our home,  popped over to deliver some of his garden share. he is the first mud ball customer. worker Auguste ‘disappeared’ into the secret laboratory to select his dry mud ball while boss Trygve counted the ‘looney’. “yup, its a dollar all right.”

Gray Ham was instructed to whip it at the side of our house with all his force.  the mud ball shattered, exploded!, and left a black circle on the stucco. Gray Ham said it was very satisfying and well worth the money.  one of the more invigorating activities he has engaged in.

in all this, i neglected to mention that worker Auguste wears a uniform: a shiny silver space suit, homemade from tinfoil.

facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=209609129083723

On Saturday, July 16 at 7:30pm: a screening of ‘So Much Depends Upon,’ a short film by Dawn Matheson and Cheryl Turner followed by a public storytime hour with Action Read Adult Literacy Learners! Not just for kids – everyone is welcome.

Bring your pillows, yoga mats, sleeping bags and wear your pjs for this storytime hour!

‘So Much Depends Upon’ focuses on the everyday joys in the life of Cheryl Turner. Squirrel friends in the park, a snack stand at a literacy centre, a cat called Eric, an invitation from a variety-store owner, coffee dates with mom. Living with a lifelong disability, these little bits of beauty and goodwill are what keep Cheryl going. The pursuit of happiness is shared by everyone despite difference in background, education or class. In exploring this concept, Dawn and Cheryl hope to break down the barriers between individuals. The video was shot and edited collaboratively by Dawn Matheson and Cheryl Turner, with a final cut by editor Scott McGovern).

The bedtime story hour, is for many, a family ritual steeped in magic and nostalgia, rich in reflection, immersed in make-believe. The scene is an intimate one, perhaps the most precious, protected part of one’s day set in the refuge of the bedroom. Children’s picture books are often filled with tales of hope and heroism: fears faced, the underdog triumphant. ‘Slumber Party: Storytime Edition’ moves this fabled bedtime setting into the public sphere with a communal storytime. Here, adult literacy learners from Action Read are the readers. Some learners have never experienced this twilight tradition in their childhood; others have not had the literacy skills to read to their own children. At Slumber Party, they will.

Some readers will share real-life anecdotes of struggle and success; all will read aloud stories they have selected to a lying-down audience, ‘tucked in’ for the night. Illustrations from the books will be projected on the ceiling.

This event has been produced as part of 1mile2, an eight-month art program happening in downtown Guelph. Many thanks to Dawn Matheson, Cheryl Turner, the team at Action Read Community Literacy Centre and Scott McGovern.

Recent Publication on Psychiatric Service Dogs, a Guelph initiative…

http://www.dogsincanada.com/psychiatric-service-dogs

Auguste and I take baths together. Kind of our thing. She likes them hot; my other  can only take luke warm which I find unpleasant, sitting in murky wetness.

Auguste’s latest greatest excitement is the hair growing on her legs. She explains it, I’m growing up so the hair is coming in. At three, this is a great source of pride. One leg is bumpy, maybe a rash, I’m concerned. No mommy. (silly mommy doesn’t know a thing.) That’s the hair coming in.

Auguste’s other pleasure of late is washing my back with the sponge. Getting it really really clean. This is my bath pleasure. To be taken care of by a three-year-old. To be nurtured by my child.

When I’m out in the world looking for work, watching the men repair the train track, seeing the  young women heading into the meth lab in the morning with their coffees, I can feel my clean back.

Guelph Tribune:

http://www.guelphtribune.ca/arts_and_entertainment/article/217090

Guelph Jazz Festival Nuit Blanche

http://www.guelphjazzfestival.com/2010_season/performers/singing_in_the_shower__dawn_matheson

National Post best pics Nuit Blanche

http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/Night+Fever/3613569/story.html

Guelph Mercury Nuit Blanche

http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/676648

see sidebar for details!
October 2, 7pm — sunrise at the Gladstone Hotel…