Liz Savino's Continuing Blog

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 ...