S6 E13 Frances Remembering a One Room School House

Welcome to Tea Toast and Trivia!

Thank you for listening in.

I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Welcome to this special episode of our podcast, where I share a heartfelt conversation with my 93-year-old mother. In this episode, we journey back to the 1930s, as she reminisces about her experiences attending a one-room schoolhouse on the prairies. Her vivid memories paint a picture of a simpler time, filled with laughter, learning, and the bonds of childhood friendships.

As we delve into her stories, we also reflect on the present moment, as my mother now receives 24/7 care. This conversation holds a special place in my heart, as it was one of the last meaningful exchanges we had before she transitioned into this new phase of her life. Despite the challenges she faces, her spirit remains unbroken, and she continues to express her gratitude for each day that unfolds.

Join me as we celebrate my mother’s incredible journey and the wisdom she has gained over the years. Her stories are not just a glimpse into the past; they are a testament to resilience, love, and the importance of cherishing every moment. Tune in to hear her voice and the lessons that resonate through generations.

Until next time we meet, safe travels wherever your adventures lead you.

Rebecca

Music by Epidemic Sound

"Lots of Love, Judy" by David Celeste

https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0vjuoCfgAn/

S6 E12: Misty the Cat . . . Unleashed: The Spirited Adventures and Amusing Antics of an Asthmatic Feline on the Loose

“A little voice inside my head tells me that I’m joking too much and should get more serious for at least one chapter. Okay.

Sometimes, I let out a small moan when walking around the apartment. I’m not unhappy – I’m loved, well-fed, and sheltered – but there are still things a cat thinks about.

Such as, who were my mom and dad? Where are they? Are they still alive? Do I have siblings somewhere? Why am I an “only cat”? Chapter 27 “I Get Serious, Not Sirius Radio” Misty the Cat…Unleashed” by Misty and Dave Astor

Welcome to Tea Toast and Trivia!Thank you for listening in.I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Today, we are on an extraordinary virtual journey, bridging the 3,923 kilometers between Montclair, New Jersey, and Vancouver, British Columbia, to meet up with Dave Astor and our special guest, Misty. Misty has just published his first book, which I believe has the potential to evolve into a stimulating series of adventures co-authored with his companion (aka servant), Dave Astor. I have waited over a year for this conversation to happen. It has been worth the wait.

It is time to put the kettle on and join in as we delve into Misty’s world of thrilling tales and embark on an unforgettable literary expedition. I am pleased that Dave has graciously agreed to act as translator during our conversation. I have not had the opportunity to learn “meow” or feline language, but thankfully, Dave is an expert.

Thank you, Misty and Dave, for this remarkable conversation. Misty – your book is brilliant. I appreciated your discussions on the intricacies of furballs, rubbing up against legs, and why cats make the best pets!

Dave, thank you for the 2024 feline memoir “Misty the Cat…Unleashed.” Your friendship with Misty inspires us. I love tagging along with you and Misty on your daily walks – and now I have experienced Misty’s blockbuster adventure.

Listeners – Thank you for joining Misty, Dave and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. Dave Astor is the author of the 2017 literary-trivia book “Fascinating Facts About Famous Fiction Authors and the Greatest Novels of All Time,” and the 2012 memoir “Comic (and Column) Confessional.”

You can connect with Dave on Amazon and his blog, Dave Astor On Literature, his YouTube Channel, and read his award-winning weekly Montclairvoyant humor column for Montclair Local. He was a longtime National Society of Newspaper Columnists board member who still copy-edits the organization’s newsletter. Dave is a former magazine writer/editor, newspaper reporter, and freelance cartoonist; a graduate of Rutgers and Northwestern universities; the husband of French professor Laurel Cummins; the father of Maggie and Maria; and (happily) the servant of Misty the Cat.

Music by Epidemic Sound

"Careful Now" By Arthur Benson https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/g0TQCCspnE/

"No One but Yourself" By Claude Signet https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/l89C9VoigE/

"Sneaky Fingers" By T. Morri https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/8sZv9s0Kgi/

S6 E11: John Quinn on the Play, “O Halflins an Hecklers an Weavers an Weemin’”

“To my Scots and Irish forebears who came to the Tay and the Jute and whose endurance and sacrifice bequeathed the precious gift of an education. To my family for copious love and laughter down the years and especially to my wife Marion, a Dundee girl, and as goes with the territory, a dancer in the rain.” John Quinn, Poet, Writer, Playwright

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

What does “O Halflins an Hecklers an Weavers an Weemin’ mean, you may ask? Come travel virtually with me to Dundee Scotland to meet up with John Quinn who wrote and produced the play that we will be discussing on this episode of Tea Toast and Trivia.

I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this exciting dialogue!

‘One of the things that I think a lot of people overlook is that the story of Dundee and jute is actually a worldwide story… Although it’s a story about Dundee, it’s also a story about the wider world.’ John Quinn, Poet, Writer, Playwright

Listeners, thank you for joining John and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. You can find information on John’s work with the Dundee Heritage Trust in a recent ⁠interview⁠.

A very special thank you, John for sharing your insights and your commitment to the city of Dundee and the memory of all those who came to the Tay and the Jute.

Until next time we meet, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures lead you!

Music by Epidemic Sound

Old Scottish Town by Trabant 33 https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/POZUIxpxOG/

Fountain of Miracles by Trabant 33 https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/hBLXkhqXiS/