Liz Savino's Continuing Blog

  Reflecting on a Moment of Unity During the National Anthem I am not a crier, but I was moved to tears by the hockey fans in Buffalo when the microphone failed during the performance of "O Canada" last week. With no hesitation, the crowd stepped in for the soloist, filling the arena with their voices and honoring their neighbo(u)rs to the north. To witness so many people come together for a tradition that wasn’t even their own felt both generous and profoundly respectful. And quintessentially Buffalonian. I have the good fortune of being a dual citizen of the US and Canada. Born in Canada, I moved to Buffalo in my twenties and felt immediately at home. When I lived in Canada, I did have a steady diet of Channels 2, 4, and 7 and felt like Commander Tom and Irv Weinstein were personal friends. I understood lake effect snow, loved to cross the border at Fort Erie to shop at the indoor malls and even liked the tune “Buffalo’s talkin’ proud.”   So, moving to this city did not...

Savor the moments Photo credit: Thomas Bogner When I was a young mother, I remember telling myself to savor the moments - at least when I had the time to think about it.  Like most new mothers I was sleep deprived and overwhelmed with the responsibility of the new baby. Some days just getting in the shower was an accomplishment. Other days I dug deep and tried not to accidently kill anyone. Add having to go back to work and a meltdown seemed inevitable. Finding my way through that particular work/life 'balance' (balance? ha!!) I was frequently torn by the two competing worlds and usually felt that I was failing in both. Inadequacy was a constant emotion, and I considered quitting my job (which I loved) just to manage all the stuff at home. And it only got worse when our second child arrived. But I was one of the lucky ones: I had a husband who took over most of the cooking and grocery shopping.  And then we found magical Paulette who helped us raise our two little ones. W...

Now I lay me down to sleep... I can't stop thinking about this latest debacle in Washington. It's extremely unsettling. It feels like the grown- ups are on an extended vacation, and they didn't even bother to lock the door after they left... let alone think to hire a babysitter.  America is cowering under the covers wishing mom and dad were actually its friend's parents who live up the street... rather than the idiots we got. All we can do is pray that everything will turn out alright.  Tonight my prayer: Dear Prime Minister Mark Carney, Would you and your very accomplished spouse consider being our parents for the next 4 years? Maybe start adoption proceedings tomorrow? I think America would make a really nice 11th province or perhaps another territory. We already love your citizens, your beer, your comedians, hockey, your exported musicians, butter tarts, peameal bacon and CBC news. If we promise to say 'sorry' more often and to keep our voices lower in Tim H...

Un-naturalization* I grew up in Canada where I had a pretty blissful life. At the age of 23 I followed my parents to the US and settled in Buffalo, New York.  I have had a wonderful and fulfilling life here and I cannot say enough about the people that live in my community. Up until recently I've only felt conflicted about my nationality loyalty during the Winter Olympics or perhaps a Sabres/Maple Leaf hockey game. But, since the administration changed** in the White House this year, I am having serious doubts about whether I threw my lot in with the right country.  Moving back to Canada is fraught with issues because most of my family live here in the states (including my new granddaughter) and I could never leave them.  Plus, I'm not sure if, in the process of leaving the US, I would automatically become 'un-naturalized' - which sounds really creepy and kind of like an episode of Severance .  Although, I'm not sure if I'd want my severed Innie to live in the ...

When my first child was born, I was not well versed in child rearing. I had done some babysitting in my past (my Aunt Janet blithely trusted me with her offspring), but I really didn't have a clue. However, once I realized I was going to be someone's mum, I wanted to do it right.  As luck would have it, Bill and I stayed with my parents for the first 6 weeks of our daughter, Emma's life. We leaned on my mum and dad heavily for support. After that stint, Bill and I were largely on our own.  We stumbled along and, in the process, found out that we had similar ideas when it came to parenthood.  We both really wanted our kids to actually like us - not just love us.    So, we spent a lot of time together as a family and we made it a point to travel as much as we could. That way we could experience new countries, new food, new cultures, and people together as a unit. And, we had a blast.  Don't get me wrong, we also fought like crazed animals, too. Too much toget...

Like millions of Americans, I suffer from lower back problems. Over the last 10-15 years the issues in my back have progressed... mostly because I have chosen to largely ignore the 'twinges' and carry on. Bill thinks I'm very stubborn. I prefer to think of myself as 'determined'.  I just like to get things done and I never expect others to help, and I hate asking for help even more. I figure if it's my problem/project, I'll do it.  Maybe it's because I grew up on a farm where everyone was expected to pull his/her weight. Whether it was lifting bales or mucking out stalls, climbing ladders or fixing fences, I never assumed someone stronger was going to help me.  Plus, my 5'2" and 100 pounds mother was the perfect role model of self-sufficiency. If something had to be done, she'd be in the thick of it (with her wig firmly affixed and her pink lipstick perfectly applied). I took my cue from her (minus the hair and makeup).  So despite a problem...