The personal blog of Debbie Ridpath Ohi: writer, illustrator and photographer.

(Update: More photos of me as a clown posted here.)

So one of the first things that I’m told by the more experienced Greeter Clowns just before the 2008 Toronto Santa Claus Parade is: “Don’t let the kids take your gloves!” [click to continue…]

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Guess what? I’m going to be a clown in the Toronto Santa Claus Parade tomorrow! And not just any clown. A GREETER clown.

I looked over the five pages of instructions sent to me by the Santa Claus Parade people, and apparently Greeters are the only parade characters allowed to shake spectators’ hands along the side of the road. My goldfish costume was originally assigned to be a Marcher, which meant that I’d have to walk in formation.

But HA, now I’m going to be a blissfully unfettered clown, free to menace the general populace! [click to continue…]

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Credit: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Congrats to my astrophysicist friend Bruce and the rest of the Gemini team on imaging planets outside the solar system! [click to continue…]

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I took the photo above on my iPhone during my get-together with Allison and Jodi last night. We were doing prep for our Filk Waif duties at FilKONtario. Allison’s cat Kara was doing her best to distract us. [click to continue…]

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I’m giving away a free copy of Linda C. Wisniewski’s Off Kilter: A Woman’s Journey to Peace with Scoliosis, Her Mother, & Her Polish Heritage over in Inkygirl. Just post a comment at the bottom of my interview with the author; one commenter will be randomly chosen. A well-written, inspiring book!

In the interview, Linda also offers tips for those thinking about writing a memoir.

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So remember I said that I was going to be a Goldfish in the Santa Claus Parade? Well, yesterday the Santa Claus Parade people called yesterday and said that I’ve been reassigned to be a “Greeter Clown.” [click to continue…]

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I’ve been doing more thinking recently about the kinds of people I’m drawn to. They tend to be positive, benevolent personalities: the “half-full instead of half-empty” types, who assume the best about people instead of the worst. [click to continue…]

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My tea cravings changes with the seasons and more often than not, with the day as well. Today was a Lapsang Souchong day. I took a mug down to my office and cupped my hands around the heat; the taste brings memories of smoky campfires and a moonlit lake, sparks wafting up in the darkness.

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Just posted a new painting in my Etsy shop: Companion, an 8″x8″x3/4″ acrylics painting on stretched canvas. The sides are painted, so you don’t need a frame. Speaking of Etsy, I’ve sold out of some of my Blush cards, but have ordered more. I also just got word that a Canadian distributor has signed a deal with Blush to distribute their cards, yay! [click to continue…]

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