Tea. Toast. & Trivia.

Season 3 Episode 3: Robbie Cheadle on Writing Children’s Books Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Today, I am travelling the distance of 15,174 kilometers that takes me over the Atlantic Ocean and across the equator to South Africa.  What usually takes 18 hours and 20 minutes by air travel, has been accomplished within minutes via technology. I am meeting up with Robbie Cheadle, a prolific writer whose books span the ages of children, young adults, and adults. In order to clearly separate her children’s books from her adult books, she writes for older readers under the name Roberta Eaton Cheadle. I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia.  I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Robbie and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you to Robbie.  You can connect with Robbie on Robbie’s Inspiration.  There is always an adventure in reading waiting for your arrival on her blog. Until next time we meet, dear friends, keep safe and be well.

Season 3 Episode 2: Klausbernd Vollmar on Beauty Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am travelling over 7,500 kilometers to Cley-Next-The-Sea, an idyllic artists’ village situated on the River Glaven in Norfolk, England. I am meeting up once again with my dear blogger friend, and professional author, Klausbernd Vollmar, who is an authority on colour theory and in the language of symbols in dreams and art.   In our last podcast, we explored the influence of colour. Klausbernd has come back for another riveting conversation on the concept of ‘beauty’. This promises to be an extraordinary discussion. So, put the kettle on and add to your thoughts on Tea Toast & Trivia. Klausbernd Vollmar graduated with a (MA) in German and Nordic literature, philosophy, geology, and linguistics at the University of Bochum/Germany. In Finland and Germany, he worked as assistant professor specializing in symbol systems. Winning a postgraduate scholarship by the Canada Council, he came to Canada and worked for four years as lecturer at the McGill University/Montreal. He was an editor of several magazines in Germany, Canada, and Greece. Klausbernd studied and graduated in general and clinical psychology at the Ruhr-University/Germany. Working in Germany and England in a private practice, his writing specialized on colour and symbolism.  His website is www.kbvollmar.com I enjoy following the extraordinary adventures of The Fab Four of Cley on their blog, The World According to Dina. I continue to learn from the vibrant discussions that open new avenues of exploration.

S3 E1: Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia Season 3 Happy New Year 2021. Dear friends, welcome to the third season of Tea Toast & Trivia Podcast. Thank you for listening in and joining the conversation. I am deeply grateful and humbled by your support and encouragement over the past two years. I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. As we walk together, let us think of the words of Rainer Maria Rilke, “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.” May peace, love and hope be your constant companions in 2021. Until next time we meet, be safe and be well.

Season 2 Episode 62: Aaron Launches Family Book Challenge 2021 Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am heading over the Canadian Rockies to St. Albert, Alberta to meet up with my nephew, Aaron, who has challenged our family to the Book Challenge 2021. As background, it all started in January 2020, when I received Aaron’s message challenging me to participate in a 2020 Family Challenge which was to read 25 books in the Year 2020. Incidentally, Aaron is a prodigious reader, much like his Aunt Sarah, who is well known to consume vast qualities of books, moving from genre to genre with a dexterity that leaves me breathless. Aaron has joined me to today to launch the Family Book Challenge 2021. I want to be the first to know his plans for the coming year and to have head start on my competitive siblings.  Of course, I do not have a competitive nature, but this is survival of the reading fittest. I am you host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for sharing this moment with Aaron and me.   Thank you, Aaron, for being the champion of the 2021 Family Book Challenge. Dear listeners, all the very best on your reading adventures in 2021.  As Dr. Seuss wrote in his book, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut:  “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” Until next time we meet, be safe and be well.

Season 2 Episode 61: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am you host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Clement Clarke Moore, born July 15, 1799 was a writer and American Professor of Oriental and Greek Literature, Divinity and Biblical Learning at the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in New York City.   Clement Moore had strong ties to the seminary for I understand that it was his generosity that led him to donate land, which was his private apple orchard, upon which the seminary was built.  The Seminary remains on the same parcel of land, which is located at Ninth Avenue between 20th and 21st streets, in an area known as Chelsea Square Clement Moore became a wealthy man through the ownership of the estate “Chelsea,” an inheritance he received from the passing of his mother and grandfather.   Fast forward to present day, the “Chelsea” area is located on the West Side of the borough of Manhattan in New York City, between 14th Street to the south, the Hudson River and West Street to the west and Sixth Avenue to the east, with its northern boundary variously described as near the upper 20s or 34th Street. Clement Moore accomplished a great deal in his lifetime.  He was a writer and a poet, a professor and scholar. He served twice in the position of President of Columbia College (now Columbia University) and served as a board member on the New York Institution for the Blind. But what he is most known for is how he changed the way we see Christmas. He called the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” It was published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel in 1823.  He had second thoughts in 1837 when eventually he told everyone that he had penned the poem.  Many believe that it is the most well-known and beloved poem written by an American poet.  We read it every Christmas, most generally on Christmas Eve, and then reflect on Christmases past when we were young and heard the familiar words read by our parents and grandparents.  Santa and the tradition of Christmas gift-giving was transformed by this poem Clement Moore published several academic works, including A Compendious Lexicon of the Hebrew Language (Collins & Perkins, 1809), but “A Visit from St. Nicholas” more commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas” and “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” captured the hearts of children young and old. Please join me in reading, A Visit form St. Nicholas AKA ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore

Season 2 Episode 60: Brian on Music & Celebration Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am heading over the Canadian Rockies to St. Albert, Alberta. Brian, my brother, has come back to continue the conversation on embracing a greater journey.  In our last two podcasts together, we discussed the stages of life, from childhood to old age and then the idea of FOMO or fear of missing out. As we enter December, the month of festivities, many of us will not be going home for Christmas in the usual way.  We will be joining family and friends through virtual channels to celebrate and connect. Today, Brian and I will be discussing the relationship between music and celebration.   Music has always been integral to memorable events. When we remember important moments in our life, we remember music.   On wedding anniversaries, couples may recall the first song that brought them together.  At graduation, music of pomp and ceremony play as graduates cross the stage.  Birthday parties, retirement events –  and the list goes on. So put the kettle on and add to the conversation and in the singing on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Brian and me in this conversation. And thank you, Brian, for sharing your love of music with us. All the best coming from our house and Brian’s house to yours during this festive month . May you feel the presence of kindred spirits in your homes and hearts. Until next time dear friends, be safe and be well.

Season 2 Episode 59: Hanne Siebers on the Art of Photography Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am heading to Blakeney National Nature Reserve on the north coast of Norfolk, England, to meet up with my dear blogger friend and photographer, Hanne Siebers.  I have been looking forward to once again witnessing the uninterrupted views of the spectacular North Norfolk coastline, feeling the wind coming across the water and breathing in that unforgettable clear air. This is your invitation to join Hanne and me in an extraordinary conversation on how photography increases self-understanding of our environment, nature, other people and society. Over the years, Hanne has taught me that photography embraces a creative journey that gives meaning and purpose. So, put the kettle on add to this exciting discussion on Tea Toast & Trivia Thank you for joining Hanne and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a special thank you, Hanne, for sharing your insights on photography and embracing a creative life.  You continue to inspire me. Dear listeners, you are only an internet click away from  Hanne on The World According to Dina, where you will meet up with The Fab Four of Cley. It is a place that welcomes life-affirming conversations.

Season 2 Episode 58: Elizabeth Gauffreau Reading Telling Sonny “I am drawn to the inner lives of other people – what they care about, what they most desire, what causes them pain, what brings them joy. These inner lives become my characters.  I am here to share their stories.”  Elizabeth Gauffreau, Writer, Poet, Storyteller Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Bookstores, libraries, and coffee shops are great places for book readings. There is something extraordinary about hearing the voice of an author reading their stories. Their voice and intonation are nuanced by the many hours of effort putting pen to paper.  They created the characters, structured the plot, and lived every twist and turn that introduced  bumps in the storyline. Living in the reality of Covid-19, book readings at public libraries and bookstores have been curtailed.  We are learning to embrace technology in new ways.  Welcome to a new podcast series,  “Authors Reading their Books”, which will recreate the reading spaces in a virtual venue.  I invite you to put the kettle on and join the conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia. I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. I am thrilled to introduce Elizabeth Gauffreau, who has graciously agreed to be our guest author reading her novel, “Telling Sonny,” a story of a son who became an afterthought, told by a mother who had once loved the vaudeville show. Telling Sonny is available on Amazon. Listeners, you would be interested to know that much of Elizabeth’s fiction is inspired by her family history, and lately she has developed an interest in writing about her family’s genealogy. Learn about her attempts to stick to the facts of her family history by visiting Elizabeth at http://genealogylizgauffreau.com. Thank you for joining Elizabeth and me on Tea Toast & Trivia, Authors Reading Their Books. I invite you to meet up with Elizabeth on Goodreads.  You are only an internet click away from  her website lizgauffreau.com. It is a place where stories dwell. Until next time, stay safe, be well.

Season 2 Episode 57: Dave Astor on Comics, Cartoons & Confessions “Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, ‘Where have I gone wrong’. Then a voice says to me, ‘This is going to take more than one night.”  Charles Schulz Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Dave Astor and I are once again  bridging the 3,923 kilometers between New Jersey to Vancouver. Listeners, you will remember that Dave Astor’s book, Fascinating Facts About Famous Fiction Authors and the Greatest Novels” was one of my first 2020 reads! It was a marvelous collection of delicious literary trivia. And you know how I love trivia!! Today, Dave has come back to talk about comics, cartoons, confessions, and his first book, “Comic (And Column) Confessional,” which covers an extraordinary period in media history that witnessed the advent of the digital revolution, media mergers, and the shrinking newspaper business that changed journalism forever. This conversation came about when I read Dave’s post on October 5, 2020 celebrating the 70th anniversary of the 1950 debut of Charles M. Schulz’s “Peanuts.”  I have followed Peanuts all my.  So how much influence does comics strips have on our society and cultural values?   Dave has a unique perspective on this question.  Put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Dave and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Dave.  You can connect with Dave on Dave Astor on Literature.   There is always an adventure in reading waiting for your arrival on his blog. “Why can’t we get all the people together in the world that we really like and then just stay together? I guess that wouldn’t work. Someone would leave. Someone always leaves. Then we would have to say good-bye. I hate good-byes. I know what I need. I need more hellos.”  Charles M. Schulz

S2 E56: Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene Reading Hullaba LuLu Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Bookstores, libraries, and coffee shops are great places for book readings. There is something special about hearing the voice of an author reading their stories. Their voice and intonation are  nuanced by the many hours of effort putting pen to paper.  They created the characters,  structured the plot, and lived every twist and turn that creates bumps in the storyline. Living in the reality of Covid-19, book readings at public libraries and bookstores have been curtailed.  We are learning to embrace technology in new ways. I am thrilled to introduce Teagan Geneviene, who will be our guest author reading her freshly published book, Hullaba Lulu – a Diesel-punk Adventure. We are embarking on a wild and woolly 1920's fantasy story. I am looking forward to meeting Lulu and tagging along on her adventure. But first put the kettle on and join the conversation  on Tea Toast & Trivia. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Teagan and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Teagan for introducing Hullaba Lulu in our virtual reading room. I invite your to meet up with Teagan at Teagan’s Books. You are only an internet click away from being swept away on a daring adventure.

Season 2 Episode 55: Resa McConaghy on Glamour, Fantasy and Art “Once upon a time, there was a beautiful young girl named Virginia who lived in the Empire D’Amore. Unfortunately, she was very poor, a seamstress for the wealthy merchants of the kingdom. One day, the Emperor D’Amore demanded that his son, Prince Will, marry. He decreed a holiday with a royal procession throughout the empire.” Resa McConaghy, Empress D’Amore – A Cheeky Fairytale Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am heading over the Rocky Mountains across the Prairie Provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba to the vibrant city of Toronto, Ontario to meet up with Resa McConaghy, a dear blogger friend, artist, photographer, and established costume designer in film, television, and digital media.  Resa has worked her costume designer magic on productions for Showtime, ABC, Disney, CBS, CBC, Hallmark, and more.   She brings out personalities with her costume designs and adds dramatic moods to each scene by balancing texture and colours. Resa’s mission is to enable the articulation of character through wardrobe.  And she does this brilliantly through storytelling.  An illustration of this talent is captured in Empress D’Amore – A Cheeky Fairytale, recently published on Flapper Press, an on-line magazine created by Elizabeth Gracen and an international team of talented artists and writers. Today, Resa invited us to Art Gowns, the world of art and glamourous fantasy. So, put the kettle on and add your thoughts on Tea Toast & Trivia.  I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. And a very special thank you and shout out to Resa –  you live life with compassion, hope and bold enthusiasm. Listeners,  I invite you to meet up with Resa on Art Gowns and Flapper Press. You are only an internet click away from the world of glamour and fantasy.

Season 2 Episode 54: Paul Andruss on Myths, Travel, Language & Writing Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in! I am heading across the ocean to Wales, that beautiful country full of magic, mystery, music, and great writers. I am excited to introduce one of those great writers – Paul Andruss. He was born and reared in Liverpool. The city’s legendary Scouse wit and dogged stoicism has left its mark. Keen to get out into the world, Paul dropped out of college at 17. A year later he was taking exams at night school, while working in the local Tax Office.  Today, we are going to talk about Paul’s love of writing. Paul is the author of the Young Adult magical realism trilogy, the Jack Hughes Books, and the forthcoming (very adult) Finn Mac Cool – a mythological saga. He has also written several short stories and novellas. Listeners, thank you for sharing this moment with Paul and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. I invite your to meet up with Paul on Goodreads and on his website, Jack Hughes Books.  You are only an internet click away from a daring and exciting adventure. Until next time, dear friends, keep safe and be well. Exciting News Update: All works, including The Jack Hughes Books Trilogy.  are scheduled for release with exciting new, independent Scottish publisher, Black Wolf Books. BLACK WOLF BOOKS http://www.jackhughesbooks.com/ https://blackwolfbooks.wixsite.com/black-wolf-books/our-authors https://blackwolfbooks.wixsite.com/black-wolf-books

Season 2 Episode 53: Sisters Unscripted on The Book Dialogue Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Much to the chagrin of my father, over 500 Harlequin romances were delivered to our doorstep in the early 1970’s, a gift from an uncle who owned a bookstore and had a delicious sense of humour. My sister, Sarah, and I were delighted by the stack of 1950’s and 1960’s romances with such names, if I remember correctly, as “A Promise is for Keeping,”  and “A Song to be Sung”.  Soon the marathon was underway, even as my father tempted us with non-fiction books strategically placed around our home. Sarah has always been a voracious reader, moving from genre to genre with a dexterity that leaves me breathless. While I followed my father’s footsteps into non-fiction, she embraced fiction from sci-fi to fantasy to historical to romance. And then quite suddenly, the trajectory of our reading changed. I have rediscovered the marvelous world of fiction and Sarah has made a pivotal foray into the non-fiction arena. Sarah and I discuss our reading experiences in The Book Dialogue” podcast, an unscripted discussion of books we love, hosted by Sarah. Tea Toast & Trivia is pleased to present an upcoming podcast scheduled to be published on The Book Dialogue. Until next time, dear listeners, keep safe and be well.

Season 2 Episode 52: Martha’s Story Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia! Thank you for listening in. I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Manitoba Canada. That was my home growing up. If you look at a map of Canada, Manitoba is the in the centre of the country with its provincial neighbours, Saskatchewan to the west, Ontario to the East, and to the north, the territory of Nunavut. To the South, we share the US/Canadian Border with North Dakota and Minnesota. You may know of some others who came from Manitoba. Neil Young, Burton Cummings/The Guess Who, Randy Bachman/Bachman Turner Overdrive, Bif Naked and Fred Penner. In fact, Tom Cochrane lived for a time in my hometown of Lynn Lake. From literary authur, Carol Shields, to WWII spymaster Sir William Stephenson who was the inspiration for James Bond, to Bobby Hull of the Winnipeg Jets, to the character of Winnie-the Pooh who was named after Manitoba’s capital city Winnipeg – Manitoba is a place of many stories. Today I want to go back to the past, and hear a story from the 1940’s. It all started when I left Lynn Lake to attend college. That was when I first met Martha. Students in residence at the college were given a task. Martha was a library helper, and I was given the task of vacuuming the library. Martha became a librarian, and I well, I still enjoy taking the vacuum out for a spin. This is Martha’s story to tell, but there are times when it is impossible to connect across the miles via technology. Thankfully, letter writing continues to thrive. While Martha cannot be present in the form of her actual voice, she has given me permission to share the story of her parents, Diedrich and Sarah, and of their life on the farm in the 1940’s. For those who have listened to my conversations with my mother, Frances, you will see the similarities of communities working together. I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this vibrant discussion on Tea, Toast & Trivia.com.

Season 2 Episode 51: The Trio on Dunbar’s Number Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Today is Thanksgiving Day in Canada.  What better time than today to discussion the idea of friendship? I am joined by my mother, Frances, and my sister, Sarah, to consider Dunbar’s number, which is a theoretical limit to the number of people with whom any individual can sustain a stable or meaningful social relationship.  This term was first proposed in the 1990’s by Robin Dunbar, a British anthropologist and psychologist.  The number that is suggested is 150 people. Does Dunbar’s number signify friendship?  How do we define friendship?  Is friendship the same as a stable or meaningful social relationship? We invite you to put the kettle on and add to the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

S 2 E50: Klausbernd Vollmar on Colours of Life "Every colour has its personality and a different impact on us. Colour sends out a vibration like every person does. This vibration interferes with that of its onlooker. That’s why we like certain colours and dislike others even if this is mostly unconsciously.." Klausbernd Vollmar, Scientific Psychologist, Author Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am travelling over 7,500 kilometers to  Cley-Next-The-Sea, an idyllic artists’ village situated on the River Glaven in Norfolk, England. I am meeting up with my dear blogger friend, and professional author, Klausbernd Vollmar, who is an authority on colour theory and in the language of symbols in dreams and art. Klausbernd Vollmar graduated with a (MA) in German and Nordic literature, philosophy, geology, and linguistics at the University of Bochum/Germany. In Finland and Germany, he worked as assistant professor specializing in symbol systems. Winning a postgraduate scholarship by the Canada Council , he came to Canada and worked for four years as lecturer at the McGill University/Montreal. He was an editor of several magazines in Germany, Canada, and Greece. Klausbernd studied and graduated in general and clinical psychology at the Ruhr-University/Germany. Working in Germany and England in a private practice, his writing specialized on colour and symbolism.  His website is www.kbvollmar.com I enjoy following the extraordinary adventures of The Fab Four of Cley on their blog, The World According to Dina. I continue to learn from the vibrant discussions that open new avenues of exploration. I am thrilled that Klausbernd has graciously agreed to share his insights on colour theory with us on Tea Toast & Trivia podcast.  He wrote that “I dealt life long with colours as my friends.” This is your invitation to join Klausbernd and me in an extraordinary conversation on the vitality and influence of colour in our lives. So, put the kettle on add to this exciting discussion on Tea Toast & Trivia. Dear listeners, thank you for joining Klausbernd and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And remember –  you are only an internet click away from Klausbernd on The World According to Dina, where you will meet up with The Fab Four of Cley. It is a place that welcomes life-affirming discussions.  Until next time, stay safe, be well.

Season 2 Episode 49: Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene on Writing Steampunk Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. just finished reading a riveting tale of an old lost Valentine and the shenanigans that ensue when it turns up. The intrepid, Fiona Finch, and her brother Steele – along with a helping “wing” from Quellie the duck, work to bring two long ago sweethearts back together.  This story is a Steampunk Novelette. Steampunk is a new word for me and the first time I have encountered Steampunk literature.  I want to know more about this form of writing Today, I am connecting across the miles to meet up with my blogger friend, Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene, the writer who gave us ,“Fiona Finch and the Pink Valentine: A Steampunk Novelette.” Be prepared for an exciting adventure – Teagan is taking us back into time. But first put the kettle on and add your thoughts on Tea Toast & Trivia. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Teagan and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to you, Teagan – I enjoy our conversations and following your remarkable blog. News Update: Hullaba Lulu – a Diesel-punk Adventure is ready to launch! Hullaba Lulu, a Dieselpunk Adventure is finally at the dieselpunk train station.  Teagan has given us another brilliant escapade. We are embarking on a wild and woolly 1920s fantasy story. I am looking forward to meeting Lulu and tagging alone on her adventure. Listeners,  I invite your to meet up with Teagan at  https://teagansbooks.com/ You are only an internet click away from being swept away on a daring adventure. Teagan on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13707141.Teagan_Geneviene You can also visit Teagan at: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Teagan-Riordai… Twitter: https://twitter.com/teagangeneviene Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeagansBooks Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/teagangenev… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoM-… LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teagangen…

Season 2 Episode 48: Mary Jo Malo on a Poet’s Calling A word has power Whether mined by demagogues for control or carved into stone for memorial It can carry us into exile From ourselves From our homes A word can steel the heart or build an edifice of faith in the future It sifts or unites and defines Yet destroy the word You steal time. Mary Jo Malo, Stele Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in! I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.  There are times when it is impossible to connect across the miles via technology.  Today, Mary Jo Malo and I are establishing a new dynamic in podcasting in the form of letter writing, which many consider a lost art.  And yet, Mary Jo and I believe that letter writing has not been forgotten. Thank you dear listeners,  for joining Mary Jo and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Mary Jo.  I invite you to meet up with Mary Jo on her blog, This Shining Wound, Original Poetry by Mary Jo Malo.  It is a place where the music of words dwell.  Until next time, stay safe, be well.

Season 2 Episode 47: Tides of Change with Joan Dunnett It is May 1704, and we are at sea just off the east coast of Scotland…. “James Lightfoot didn’t want to be put ashore at Figgate Whins. It was a dangerous place. He might be robbed of his remaining few possessions. He waited on the deck of the merchantman while the crew loaded bundles onto the boat: probably luxury goods to be smuggled into England. The ship’s legitimate cargo was bound for Leith.” Joan Dunnett, Tides of Change. Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Pirates, spies, danger, and Scotland are all found in my current read, “Tides of Change.” You will be happy to know that I am heading over to Edinburgh, Scotland today to meet up with Joan Dunnett, the author of “Tides of Change.”  We are going back in time, so take a warm coat and be prepared for an extraordinary journey.  But first, put the kettle on and add to the conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Joan and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you, Joan, for sharing your love of history and storytelling.  And a shout out to my dear blogger friend and frequent podcast guest, Liz Humphreys, from “Leaping Life” who recommended, “Tides of Change.”  I am adding my recommendation to Liz’s and invite you to meet up with Joan Dunnett on Goodreads.  You are only an internet click away from being swept away on a daring adventure.  Until next time we meet, be safe and be well.

Season 2 Episode 46: The Trio on Milestones Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my mother, Frances, and my sister, Sarah, to share our thoughts on milestones.  What are they?  When to they occur?  How do we remember and celebrate these pivotal moments? So put the kettle on and add to the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. “Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.” Nelson Mandela

Season 2 Episode 45: Brian on Fear of Missing Out Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in! I am you host, Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.  Today,  I’m heading over the Canadian Rockies to St. Albert, Alberta. Brian, my brother, has come back to continue the conversation  on embracing a greater journey. In our last podcast, we discussed the stages of life, from childhood to old age.  How do we live the fullest in that stage of life that we find ourselves in? How do we embrace the twists and turns that life gives us? How do we gracefully give up the things of youth and embrace the age of active wisdom? Today, Brian and I will be discussing FOMO, which is the short form of “fear of missing out” is that uncomfortable, even anxious, feeling you get when think that other people might be having a good time without you.  Going back to the stage concept, FOMO can happen at any place on that life I understand that this can happen at any point on that “from childhood to old age” timeline. So put the kettle on and add to the conversation on TeaToastTrivia.com

Season 2 Episode 44: Heading into the Library with Dave Astor Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one.” Neil Gaiman Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Dave Astor and I are once again  bridging the 3,923 kilometers between New Jersey to Vancouver. Today, we are heading to the library. So, listeners, put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on TeaToastTrivia. I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Welcome Dave, thank you stopping by for a visit. You once said that “Books are there for us, even in the most difficult of circumstances.” If books are the best companions and a comfort during times of uncertainty, libraries are the places to go to build our resilience and courage. We are entering our fourth month of what I call the Covid19 solitude, which began on March 11, 2020 when the WHO declared a pandemic. During this time, libraries have closed their doors but have continued to be an invaluable resource and guide to the virtual and digital world.  Dave and I are celebrating libraries and librarians who share their knowledge, wisdom, and experience. Thank you for joining Dave and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Dave. He continues to inspire me.  You can connect with Dave on Dave Astor on Literature. There is always an adventure in reading waiting for your arrival on his blog.

Season 2 Episode 43: Elizabeth Gauffreau on Tanka Poetry Wilderness Tanka snowy wilderness cold winter sun, soaring trees a small lone figure for a time she stood fearless my protector, my mother Elizabeth Gauffreau, Tanka Poetry Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am delighted and thrilled  that my dear friend,  writer and poet, Elizabeth Gauffreau, has come back to share her insights into an ancient style of poetry.  We are once again bridging the 3897 kilometers, as the crow flies,  between New Hampshire and Vancouver. Several months ago, Liz introduced me to Tanka poetry.  In a few words, emotions, memories, and intentions come together.  This is going to be an exciting conversation. So put the kettle on and add to the discussion on Tea Toast & Trivia.

Season 2 E42: Elisabeth on The Eugene Onegin Challenge Finale Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. “We still, alas, cannot forestall it This dreadful ailment’s heavy toll; The spleen is what the English call it, We call it simply, Russian soul.." Alexander Pushkin, Eugene Onegin Elisabeth Van Der Meer from the extraordinary blog, A Russian Affair, has once again joined me from Finland, the far distance of 7,514 km from Vancouver.  We have come to the end, the grand finale, of the Eugene Onegin Challenge. We are at the unforgettable chapter eight, where everything become clear.  Or does it? So, put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. When we first started this journey, Elizabeth wrote in her blog: “With this challenge I hope to add something extra to your reading experience that will make it more interesting, intense, attentive, and (even more) enjoyable. I will be eating, dreaming, thinking, hearing Eugene Onegin for the next four months and I can’t wait to find out what the end result will be!” Elisabeth Van Der Meer We may have completed the challenge, but the pathway continues into the far horizon.  There are more adventures ahead on A Russian Affair with Elizabeth Van Der Meer.   Until next time, dear friends, keep safe and be well.

Season 2 Episode 41: The Art of Romance with Shehanne Moore If her body was fed to the crows in one-inch pieces, before her eyes and all she needed to do to stop it was kiss him, she’d sooner the crows didn’t go hungry.." Shehanne Moore,  The Unraveling of Lady Fury Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am travelling approximately 8,000 kilometres from Vancouver to Broughty Ferry, Scotland,  Dundee’s Historic Seaside Village, to meet up with my friend and Shehanne Moore, the writer who has given us the exciting historical romance, “The Unraveling of Lady Fury.” When not cuddling inn signs in her beloved Scottish mountains alongside Mr. Shey, or spending time with their family, Shehanne Moore writes dark and smexy historical romance, featuring bad boys who need a bad girl to sort them out. Put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on Tea Toast & Trivia. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Shehanne and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Shehanne.  I invite your to meet up with Shehanne on her blog, Shehanne Moore . Be warned, you are only an internet click away from being swept away in a daring adventure.

Season 2 Episode 40: Patricia Sands on Telling Your Story Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. “Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities — always see them, for they’re always there.” Norman Vincent Peale “Sixty-two-year-old Arianna arrives in the South of France for a two-week artists’ workshop full of anticipation but burdened by guilt. Back home in Toronto, she has been living with the devastating diagnosis of her husband’s dementia and the heartbreak of watching the man she has loved for decades slip away before her eyes. What does her future hold without Ben? Before her is a blank canvas.” Drawing Lessons, Patricia Sands Transitions, art, and France are all found in my current read, “Drawing Lessons.” I am delighted and thrilled that the brilliant storyteller, Patricia Sands, the author of Drawing Lessons is joining us today and bridging the distance of 3,364 km between Vancouver and Toronto. We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of Patricia’s first book, “The Bridge Club,” which was published in 2010.  Based loosely on her bridge club, the story weaves the reader through a maze of life’s inevitable scenarios. So, put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Exiting news for Book Clubs. Patricia has an open invitation to get together in someone’s home to talk about her books via Zoom, phone, or FaceTime!  Choose one of Patricia’s novels, decide on a date and time, and have someone from your group email Patricia at patriciasandsauthor@gmail.com or message her through Facebook or Instagram @patricialsands. A special thank you, Patricia, for this extraordinary conversation. I am delighted that we have connected. Until next time, dear friends, keep safe and be well. And remember you are only an internet click away from Patricia and the South of France on  patriciasandsauthor.com

Season 2 Episode 39: Joan Hudson on the Artist’s Journey.  Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am heading over to England today to what has been called Somerset’s most charming town –  Clevedon, situated on the Bristol Channel famous for its magnificent pier.  The pier was completed in 1869 as a landing point for paddle steamers, carrying passengers along the Severn Estuary from Wales and Devon. I am meeting up with Clevedon’s famed artist, Joan Hudson, a dear friend who has invited me for afternoon tea in her summer garden.  You are invited to join us and share in an extraordinary conversation about art, imagination, and embracing our creativity. Thank you, Joan for your invitation to tea.  I have been looking forward to this discussion. Thank you for sharing this moment with Joan and me.   Your visit and comments are very much appreciated.  You can meet up with Joan on Instagram at Joan.hudson3 or her blog On the Bright Side. Until next time dear friends, take care and be safe. P.S. In our discussion, Joan mentioned Alice Strang’s initiative in response to the global lockdown, which can be viewed at this link: Digital art in a time of virus. "Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Alice Strang, is a keen user of social media channels Twitter and Instagram, matching current affairs with works in the National Galleries of Scotland’s collection. With the closure of our Galleries following the outbreak of Coronavirus (COVID-19), not only is everyone joined in common concerns but the power of art to boost morale, in digital form, is becoming more apparent every day." National Galleries Scotland

Season 2 Episode 38: Frances on the Art of Aging Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. A few weeks ago, my mother,  Frances, and I were discussing the aging process, something that we all have in common.  I think of the quote by Andy Rooney: “It’s paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.” There are many self-help books and articles that promise ways in which we can age gracefully and provide tips on how to stay sharp and look amazing.  When Frances suggested that, for her, it was books that added joy to the aging process,   I asked whether she would share her thoughts on a short podcast.  Since we were on our mobile phones, rather than in-person, we did not know whether the audio would have enough clarity.  Thanks to our techie, we have a short discussion about books, life and embracing who we are at any age. So put the kettle on and add to this discussion. We would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. Until next time, dear friends, keep safe and be well.

Season 2 Episode 37: The Trio Goal Setting Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my mother, Frances, and my sister, Sarah, to discuss goal setting.  We want to seek progress, to live our best lives, to be recognized and valued for our contributions.  There are many ideas and opinions about goal setting.    We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com. So put the kettle on and add to the conversation. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Season 2 Episode 36: Going Back to Manderley with Liz Humphreys My dear blogger friend, Liz Humphreys from her blog Leaping Life and I have once again bridged the 7,059 kilometres between Edinburgh and Vancouver to discuss, well, let me give you a hint: ‘Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again. It seemed to me I stood by the iron gate to the drive, and for a while I could not enter, for the way was barred to me. There was a padlock and a chain upon the gate. I called in my dream to the lodge-keeper, and had no answer, and peering closer through the rusted spokes of the gate I saw that the lodge was uninhabited.’ Yes, Liz and I will be discussing Daphne du Maurier. Put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Liz and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Liz from the blog, Leaping Life and to heavenali, who hosted Daphne du Maurier Reading week May 11 – 17, 2020.

Season 2 Episode 35: Traveling the Mists of Ancient Orkney with Lorna Brown Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Join me as I travel across the ocean to Orkney, where the fresh sea air and rugged landscape captures the spirit of daring souls.  I am delighted that I am meeting up with my friend, Lorna Brown of See Orkney Tours, who was our family’s intrepid guide through the mists of ancient Orkney.  We touched the Standing Stones of Stenness and traced the prehistoric path of the Ring of Brodgar. Travel plans may have been placed on hold, but for today imagine that you have joined Lorna and me on the white sandy beach that leads up to Skara Brae, a 5000-year-old Neolithic village. Do you feel the chilly breeze off the ocean?  It is sunny, a perfect day to begin our adventure. So, put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation.I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. A special thank you to Lorna for sharing the stories of Orkney. She has promised to come back for another conversation.  Until then, you can meet up with her at See Orkney Tours Until next time, keep safe and be well.

Season 2 Episode 34: Elisabeth on The Eugene Onegin Challenge Part 2 Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Elisabeth Van Der Meer from the extraordinary blog, A Russian Affair, has once again joined me from Finland, the far distance of 7,514 km from Vancouver.  Elisabeth promised to come back and talk about the  “The Eugene Onegin Challenge” which is happening on her blog, A Russian Affair. As you know, I have taken up the challenge and am reading Alexander Pushkin’s masterpiece, Eugene Onegin, which he wrote over the course of eight years. The adventure is underway. So, put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. “With this challenge I hope to add something extra to your reading experience that will make it more interesting, intense, attentive, and (even more) enjoyable. I will be eating, dreaming, thinking, hearing Eugene Onegin for the next four months and I can’t wait to find out what the end result will be!” Elisabeth Van Der Meer

Season 2 Episode 33: The Trio on Learning a New Language Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia! Thank you for listening in! I am joined by my mother, Frances, and my sister, Sarah, to discuss – should we learn another language? In 2019, UNESCO launched a special website dedicated to the International Year of Indigenous languages (IY2019) The purpose of this website is to increase the awareness about the urgent need to preserve, revitalize and promote indigenous languages around the world. There are some 6.000-7.000 languages in the world today. About 97% of the world’s population speaks only 4 % of these languages, while only 3% of the world speak 96% of all remaining languages. IMPORTANT CORRECTION: In the podcast I stated that 7000 languages would be lost by the end of this century. I should have said: “It is estimated that, if nothing is done, half of the over 6,000 plus languages spoken today will disappear by the end of this century. With the disappearance of unwritten and undocumented languages, humanity would lose not only an irreplaceable cultural heritage, but also valuable ancestral knowledge embedded, in particular, in indigenous languages. UNESCO’s Endangered Languages Programme So, put the kettle on and add to the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Season 2 Episode 32: Jean-Jacques Fournier The Poetry of Crows & Ravens I am delighted and thrilled that my dear friend and poet; Jean-Jacques Fournier is with me today to speak about crows, and ravens within his poetry. As background, ravens and crows are embedded within our mythologies from ancient times. In Greek mythology the crow was a symbol of Apollo in his role as god of prophecy. In Norse mythology, Odin is portrayed by a raven.  In Celtic mythology, Morrighan, the warrior goddess appears in the form of a crow or raven. Crows and ravens have been envisioned as a mediator animal between life and death.  They have been known as tricksters and mischief makers. Jean-Jacques has great insight into these magnificent creatures. So put the kettle on and add to this exciting discussion, on Tea Toast & Trivia.

S2 E31 Elisabeth on The Eugene Onegin Challenge Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.Thank you for listening in. Elisabeth van der Meer from the extraordinary blog, A Russian Affair, has once again joined me from Finland, the far distance of 7,514 km from Vancouver. Elisabeth issued “The Eugene Onegin Challenge” which is happening on her blog, A Russian Affair. I have taken up the challenge and am reading Alexander Pushkin’s masterpiece, Eugene Onegin, which he wrote over the course of eight years. Elisabeth has introduced the characters, Onegin, Lensky, Tatyana, Olga, and yes, Pushkin. The adventure is underway. So, put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Season 2 Episode 30: The Trio on Living in the Time of Covid19 Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in.   I am joined by my mother, Frances, and my sister, Sarah to share our thoughts on living in the time of Covid19. How do we embrace a new reality within this unexpected worldwide disruption?  Within a few short weeks, the terms “social distancing” and “self-isolation” have become household phrases. Now we must reinvent how we connect, show kindness and compassion to others and ourselves. So put the kettle on and add to the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. “It may be that when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which way to go, we have begun our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings.” Wendell Berry

Season 2 Episode 29: Sylvia on the Joy of Music Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Today, I am delighted that Sylvia, a remarkable blogger and dear friend, has come back on Tea Toast & Trivia. We are once again bridging the 4,245 kilometres, as the crow flies, between Florida and British Columbia I have followed Sylvia’s blog, Another Day In Paradise, for many years.  And the name says it all. Sylvia has created a place that welcomes and encourages life-affirming conversations. In our last podcast conversation in February,  Sylvia and I thought to explore the idea of travelling. Sylvia has traveled extensively, visiting forty countries, and embarking on two round-the-world trips. And then the world changed. Who would have known that the entire world would enter a period of solitude? In a recent blog post, Sylvia wrote, “Wishing you all a peaceful Wednesday. Remember that happiness is the new rich, inner peace is the new success, good health is the new wealth and kindness is the new cool.” Sylvia’s courage during an uncertain time inspires me. So put the kettle on and add to this exciting discussion on TeaToastTrivia.com

Season 2 Episode 28: Liz Gauffreau on The Art of Writing Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am delighted and thrilled that my dear friend,  writer and poet, Elizabeth Gauffreau  and I are bridging the 3,897 kilometers, as the crow flies, between New Hampshire and Vancouver. Liz holds a BA in English/Writing from Old Dominion University and an MA in English/Fiction Writing from the University of New Hampshire. She is the Assistant Dean of Curriculum and Assessment at Champlain College Online in Burlington, Vermont. Her fiction publications include short stories in Adelaide Literary Magazine, The Long Story, Soundings East, Ad Hoc Monadnock, Rio Grande Review, Blueline, Slow Trains, Hospital Drive, and Serving House Journal, among others. Her poetry has appeared in The Writing On The Wall, The Larcom Review, and Natural Bridge. So, it will not come as a surprise that today’s discussion is on The Art of Writing. So put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation. Welcome Liz and thank you for joining the podcast conversation and sharing your insights on writing. Thank you for joining Liz and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a special thank you and shout out to Liz, who continues to inspire me.  You are only an internet click away from  Liz on lizgauffreau.com. It is a place where stories dwell. Until next time, stay safe, be well.

Season 2 Episode 27: The Trio on Communication Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. April 27th is “Morse Code Day”  which commemorates Samuel F.B. Morse and the Morse Code, an event that forever changed the way our world conveyed messages. The sound of the staccato taps reminds me of adventures past and the darker days of wartime when the transfer of information was critical to victory. So, it is serendipitous that I am posting a podcast on communication. Frances, Sarah and I taped this podcast before the world entered a time of solitude. Little did we know that, once again, our global community would soon experience a challenge that would impact the way we dialogue and connect. So put the kettle on and add to the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Season 2 Episode 26: Irena on Curling, Connecting Canada & Scotland Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Today, I am delighted that my dear friend, Irena, has joined Tea Toast & Trivia to bridge the 972  kilometres, between Calgary and Alberta. If you are taking a road trip it would take 11 hours and 46 minutes via the Trans-Canada Highway.  I promise it would be an unforgettable, breathtaking journey for you would amid the majestic Canadian Rockies. Irena and I will be discussing Curling, the sport that Canada has embraced as an essential winter pastime. What is curling? How many players?  How do you win? Where did it originate? And why is it most firmly established in Canada? Put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on TeaToastTrivia. Irena and I would love to hear your thoughts! “It might look complicated when you watch curling on TV, but when it comes right down to it, our sport is pretty easy to understand — once you learn some of the basic terminology and strategies. This is where you can start your learning process to find out how the game of curling works. And then you can get onto the ice and have fun with the rest of us!”Curling.ca

S2.E25 A Hero's Journey Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia  Thank you for listening in.  I’m your host, Rebecca Budd and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. As I wait for my tea to steep, I think back to marvelous stories and ancient legends. Hercules, Perseus, Theseus – these were the myths for which I searched the libraries as a 10-year-old.  Magnificent heroes, blessed with superhuman strength and unfaltering courage, forged their destinies through journeys fraught with danger and treachery.  As time passed, I chose new stories to take their place.  Ones that were more in line with what I considered credible and more suitable for my reality.  While I still enjoyed the hero myths, I lost that singular childhood enthusiasm.  When I grew older, I became less sure of their relevance in my life. Indeed, the word “mythology” has the implication that what has been written is so fantastic that it simply cannot be true. That being the case, what significance can be given to these narratives?  The real question is, do we still need heroes? The heroic story is not only limited to Greek mythology; rather there are common elements through all mythologies that speak to the need for a hero, a model, someone who can be emulated, someone who makes us proud to be human.  Their journeys are more about overcoming an internal conflict than achieving an external victory.  The quest pattern begins with a journey over land or sea into the unknown.  The hero confronts danger to bring back a person, object or knowledge. Gilgamesh  overcame despair and grief in his pursuit of the meaning of life. Jason led the Argonauts on an expedition in search of the Golden Fleece to secure his kingship. Hercules performed twelve labours and achieved immortality. Our modern world still holds these same qualities is high regard.  We pursue a “Golden Fleece”, the symbol of authority, to establish our position within society.   We identify with Gilgamesh  in our search for the meaning of life.  We live in a finite existence, yet we recognize the possibility of the infinite, of immortality. We need hero myths to remind us we are on a personal quest that celebrates the life that has been granted. A Hero’s journey ends with enlightenment, with a new-found understanding.   It is seeing that our decisions and responses within a difficult situation give voice to the greater narrative There is meaning and consequences in everything we do. We travel the path of heroes.

Season 2. Episode 24: Dave Astor On Writing Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Dave Astor and I are once again  bridging the 3,923 kilometers between New Jersey to Vancouver.  Welcome Dave, thank you stopping by for a visit. I enjoy our conversations. As you all know, the book on top of my 2020 stack of books, is Dave Astor’s Fascinating Facts About Famous Fiction Authors and the Greatest Novels of All Time: The Book Lover’s Guide to Literary Trivia. Dave has a marvelous way of going deep to find the story that is hidden in the folds of history. A few days ago, I read this brilliant comment: “When things are hard, books are there.” Books are the best companions and a comfort during times of uncertainty. They build our resilience and courage. I have been very interested in the transition from reading to writing. For some, it seems to be a natural progression. Dave is here to answer questions about his experience in writing. So listeners, put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on TeaToastTrivia.com Thank you for joining Dave and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Dave. He continues to inspire me. You can connect with Dave on Dave Astor on Literature.   There is always an adventure in reading waiting for your arrival on his blog.

Season 2.Episode 23: Frances on Embracing Change in the 1930’s Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. A few weeks ago, Frances and I were discussing the Great Depression, the severe worldwide economic depression of the 1930’s, which started in 1929.  We still talk about with the market crash of October 29, 1929 known as Black Tuesday.  It was a decade that experienced the most extensive, deepest, and most widespread depression in the 20th century.  It gripped the entire world with devastating consequences.  Unemployment was as high as 25% in the United States and for some countries, unemployment rose as high as 33%.  Frances lived through the decade of the 1930’s and has talked about those years in a series of podcasts. This podcast is about the transition between the 1920’s, a decade of plenty and the 1930’s, the decade that would change the world. Frances and my discussion occurred before we knew that our world would soon face a global challenge,  Frances’s memories remind us that by working together we can overcome this challenge.  So put the kettle on and add to the discussion. Frances and I look forward to your insights on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. One last thought – comes from Eleanor Roosevelt: “You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt, You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life

Season 2.Episode 22: Frances on The Art of Canning Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.  Thank you for listening in. A few weeks ago, Frances and I were discussing the Great Depression, the severe worldwide economic depression of the 1930’s, which started in 1929.  One of the questions that came up was food supplies and production. This led to a great discussion on the art of canning, a method of preserving food in which the food contents are processed and sealed in airtight containers. As our world faces a new global challenge, Frances’s memories remind us that working together we can overcome challenges, such as food storage, production and safety.  So put the kettle on and add to the discussion. Frances and I look forward to your insights on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. One last thought – comes from J.R.R. Tolkien : “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Season 2.Episode 21: Frances on The Great Depression Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. A few weeks ago, Frances and I were discussing the Great Depression, the severe worldwide economic depression of the 1930’s, which started in 1929.  We still talk about the market crash of October 29, 1929 known as Black Tuesday.  The 1930’s was a decade that experienced the most extensive, deepest, and widespread depression in the 20th century.  It gripped the entire world with devastating consequences.  Unemployment was as high as 25% in the United States and for some countries, unemployment rose as high as 33%.  Frances lived through the 1930’s and has talked about those years in a series of podcasts. As our world faces a new global challenge, Frances’s memories remind us that by working together we can accomplish great things.  So put the kettle on and add to the discussion. Frances and I look forward to your insights on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. One last thought – comes from Franklin D. Roosevelt : “If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships – the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.” Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Season 2. Episode 20: The Trio on Joy Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in.   I am joined by my mother, Frances, and my sister, Sarah, to discuss a subject that is very close to my heart. How do we define joy? How do we acknowledge our need for individuality as a well as  connection and belonging within a compassionate community? So put the kettle on and add to the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy. Rabindranath Tagore

Season 2.Episode 19: Frances on Building a Sod House Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Today, Frances looks back to a time when sod houses or soddies were the homes of early settlers on the frontiers of the Great Plains of Canada and the United States. When the prairie lacked standard building materials such as wood or stone, sod from thick, toughly rooted prairie grass was abundant, free, and could be used for house construction. So put the kettle on and add to the discussion. Frances and I look forward to your insights on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. One last thought – comes from Maya Angelou “The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Season 2. Episode 18: Elisabeth on Alexander Pushkin’s Dual Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Elisabeth van der Meer from the extraordinary blog, A Russian Affair, has once again joined me from the far distance of 7,514 km or 4,669 miles. We are connecting Finland and Canada via Russian Literature. Elisabeth has come back to discuss Alexander Pushkin, poet, playwright and novelist of the Romantic era. He is considered the father of modern Russian literature and some say that he was the greatest of all Russian writers. Bold, impetuous and daring, he lived with enthusiasm. So, put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. I highly recommend Elisabeth’s  “The Eugene Onegin Challenge” that is happening on her blog, A Russian Affair.  Right now, I am reading Alexander Pushkin’s masterpiece, Eugene Onegin, which he wrote over the course of eight years.  Elisabeth has introduced the characters, Onegin, Lenski, Tatyana, Olga, and yes, Pushkin.  The adventure is ready to begin… “With this challenge I hope to add something extra to your reading experience that will make it more interesting, intense, attentive, and (even more) enjoyable. I will be eating, dreaming, thinking, hearing Eugene Onegin for the next four months and I can’t wait to find out what the end result will be!” Elisabeth van der Meer Music by Leimoti, "Jeanne in a Waltz" Epidemic Sound

Season 2.Episode 17: Frances on Community and the Ladies’ Aid Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.  Thank you for listening in. Frances and I are in the sewing room again, with the material stacked on one side of the room and on the other, the finished costumes for an upcoming dance performance.  It’s exciting to see the progress, week to week on the colourful tutus and jazz outfits. This week, our conversations turned to my mother’s recollection of the Ladies’ Aid Society.  As background, Ladies’ Aid Societies were formed during the American Civil War.  Women worked tirelessly to provide supplies to soldiers on the battlefield and to care for sick and wounded soldiers. They raised money, sewed quilts and provided sanitary supplies to solders to stop the spread of disease.  When the war was over, many Ladies’ Aid Societies continued their good work. Today, my mother shares her memories of the Ladies’ Aid Society of her community that worked together in the 1930’s and 1940’s. So put the kettle on and add to the discussion. Frances and I look forward to your insights on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. One last thought – comes from Helen Keller: “Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Season 2. Episode 16: Dave Astor on Books & Creativity Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Dave Astor and I are once again bridging the 3,923 kilometers between New Jersey to Vancouver. The book on top of my 2020 stack of books,  is Dave Astor’s Fascinating Facts About Famous Fiction Authors and the Greatest Novels of All Time: The Book Lover’s Guide to Literary Trivia. Dave has a marvelous way of going deep to find the story that is hidden in the folds of history. In Dave’s most recent post, “More Than Zero Interest in Zero-Year Novels”, he featured some of his favorite (not necessarily the best) novels that were published in 1970, 1920, 1870, and various other years ending in that big ol’ round number of zero. Put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.Thank you for joining Dave and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Dave. You can connect with Dave on Dave Astor on Literature.   There is always an adventure in reading waiting for your arrival on his blog. Safe travel wherever your adventures lead you. Music by Sven Karlsson “Wait for the Night” Epidemic Sound

Season 2. Episode 15:  Stephanie on Coaching Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. We live in a world that demands our time and energy.  These are precious and scarce resources.  There is only so much time and we have only so much energy.   Time to check in with my wellness coach, Stephanie from Bold Moves, for an energy boost and a great conversation on coaching for health and fitness. So put the kettle on and add to our discussion on TeaToastTrivia.com.  I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Stephanie and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  A special shout-out to Stephanie who keeps me focused and inspired by her dedication and enthusiasm for health and fitness. Music by Martin Hall (Enjoy Your Heartbreak (Instrumental Version) Epidemic Sound

Season 2. Episode 14: Another Day in Paradise with Sylvia Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Today, I am delighted that Sylvia, a remarkable blogger and dear friend, has joined Tea Toast & Trivia to bridge the 4,245 kilometers, as the crow flies, between Florida and British Columbia . If you consider travel time, a road journey between us would take 3 Days, 5 Hours, 9 Minutes. I often wonder how a Google search can produce those exact time measurements.  And here we are connected within minutes as if we are in the same room. I have followed Sylvia’s blog, Another Day In Paradise, for many years.  And the name says it all. Sylvia has created a place that welcomes and encourages life-affirming conversations.   When you visit Sylvia, you enter a place of sunshine, warmth, blue skies, and lush vegetation. It is truly Paradise. Put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on TeaToastTrivia.com Safe travels wherever your adventures take you.  And remember you are only an internet click away from Sylvia and Another Day in Paradise. Music by Howard Harper-Barnes "The English Affair" Epidemic Sound

Season 2. Episode 13: The Trio On 25 in 2020 Challenge “It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.”Oscar Wilde Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Books book and more books. This year Frances, my mother, Sarah, my sister and I have embarked on a challenge to read 25 books in 2020.  This is our first installment, the beginning.  More to come. So put the kettle on and add to the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Music by Ennio Mano "Birds of Paradise" Epidemic Sound

Season 2. Episode 12: Jean-Jacques Fournier on Poetry Welcome to Tea. Toast. & Trivia.Thank you for listening in. I’m your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.  I am delighted and thrilled that my dear friend and poet; Jean-Jacques Fournier is with me today to share insights on poetry. Jean-Jacques Fournier is a native of Montreal and has been living  in the Eastern Townships (QC) since 2010 with his French wife Marianne. Before returning to Canada, he lived eight years in the South of France, first in Vence, which is situated in the hills of the Alpes Maritime overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Then in Grasse, considered the world’s capital of perfume. It sounds marvelous, does it not? Jean-Jacques’s poetry expresses the emotional depth and breadth of the human experience.  I am pleased to announce his sixteenth book of poetry has just been published, entitled. LOVE  – by any definition – A collection of Love Poems He shared a poem from this collection in a recent blog post: “The Gift” of you,  It is a marvelous way to welcome 2020, a new year and a new decade. Join me as I explore the theme of love through the lens of poetry by Jean-Jacques Fournier Jean-Jacques Fournier Facebook Poetry on a Canapé – A journey through Jean-Jacques Fournier’s poetry For more information, and preview of Love by any definition, click here! Music by David Celeste, "Two as One." Epidemic Sound

Season 2. Episode 11: Frances on a Farmer’s Day in the 1930’s Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. All of us have a story to tell.  Our lives are full of drama, celebrations, joys, sorrows – even a little mystery, intrigue, and magic are sprinkled on some of the more mundane moments My mother, Frances was my first storyteller.  Over the years we have shared many stories. So put the kettle on and listen in as mom and I look back on what it was like to be a farmer in the 1930’s. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Music by Gabriel Lucas "Moonlight Night" Epidemic Sound

Season 2. Episode 10: Brian on The Navigating Transitions Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.  Thank you for listening in.  Today, we are linking British Columbia and Alberta. Brian, my brother, came back to continue the discussion on embracing a greater journey. Today, we are looking at transitions and life cycles. How navigate the stages of life. Do we recognize that we have stages in life? How do we live the fullest in the stage of life that we find ourselves in? How do we embrace the twists and turns that life gives us? How do we gracefully give up the things of youth and embrace the age of wisdom? How do we applaud the next generation? So put the kettle on and add to the conversation on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Music by Eric Williams “When I’m Out With You” Epidemic Sound

Season 2. Episode 9: The Trio on What Happened to the Spoons? Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in.   I am joined by my mother, Frances, and my sister, Sarah to solve the mystery of the missing spoons and discuss the importance of storyteller. So put the kettle on and add to the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

S2.E8: Celebrating Robert Burns Address to a Haggis Welcome to a special episode of Tea Toast and Trivia. I am you host, Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.  Tonight, we celebrate Robert Burns, affectionately known as Rabbie Burns, the great Scottish poet and lyricist.  He has been given the honoured titles of National Bard, Bard of Ayrshire and the Ploughman Poet. He penned in the language of the Scots, even though much of his writing is in light Scots dialect and in English. January 25, 2020, Rabbie Buns will be celebrated with the traditional Address to a Haggis accompanied by the rousing sound of bagpipes.  For those of you who have not tried Haggis, please do – you may be surprised by how much you enjoy the “Trenching your gushing entrails bright.”  Never fear, there is vegetarian Haggis so all can join in the merriment. For those who have never heard the Address to a Haggis, I have asked Thomas,  my son, to recite these famous words. Truthfully, I am unable to pronounce the words, so will leave the honour to Thomas. Thank you for celebrating this special day with Tea Toast & Trivia. Music by Traditional "Auld Lang Syne" Epidemic Sound

S2. E7. Fashion, Closets & Organization Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my sister, Sarah and my mother Frances as we consider the idea of fashion, closets and organization. There are many ideas on how to arrange our clothes and declutter our closets. Join us for a candid discussion on how this trend plays out in real life. So put the kettle on and add to this conversation on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Music by Stonekeepers “A Faded Photograph (Instrumental Version) Epidemic Sound

S2 E6 Dave Astor on Connecting via Books Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Today, Dave Astor and I are bridging the 3,923 kilometers between New Jersey to Vancouver. Winter is a time for books, tea, great conversations and more books. Dave will be sharing his thoughts on how to decide what to read next, how to write a book review and should you read a book you don’t like? Put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Dave and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Dave from the blog, Dave Astor on Literature.  In closing, I wanted to share a quote from Dave’s book, Fascinating Facts: “Literature can send our minds to another time and place, allowing us to forget our lives and troubles for a few precious hours. It can educate us about history, open our minds, increase our empathy, make us think, give us things to converse about, and/or provide plenty of excitement along with the escapism.” Connect with Dave on Dave Astor on Literature.  Be prepared for an adventure. Until next time, dear friends, safe travels.

S2.E5 The Cake that Travelled Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in.   This is a Christmas retrospective conversation that occurred during the December holiday season. Frances, Sarah and I never had time to make this cake, but the story is a profound reminder that traditions keep our families and communities focused on the things that matter and make for unforgettable memories. So put the kettle on and add to the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

S1.E3: Elisabeth on Ivan Turgenev Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Elisabeth van der Meer from the extraordinary blog, A Russian Affair, has joined me from the far distance of 7,514 km or 4,669 miles. Yes, I am thrilled to report that once again, we are connecting Finland and Canada via Russian Literature. Elisabeth has come back to discuss the life and work of the brilliant writer, Ivan Turgenev, and the complicated relationships that existed between the great Russian writers. So, put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation.  I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Elisabeth and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  And a special thank you to Elisabeth for sharing your love of Russian literature.  I am truly grateful for your willingness to come back and speak about Ivan Turgenev. I would heartily recommend Elisabeth’s blog “A Russian Affair” which is highly entertaining and an invaluable resource for understanding the complexities of Russian Literature.  Stay tune for more from Elisabeth.  She will be back to discuss – I will only give you a hint!  Something about a dual. One last thought comes from Ivan Turgenev, “If we wait for the moment when everything, absolutely everything is ready, we shall never begin.” Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you. Music by Leimoti, “Jeanne in a Waltz” Epidemic Sound

S2.E3: Frances on The Art of Sewing Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.  Thank you for listening in. Frances and I are in the sewing room, with the material stacked on one side of the room and on the other, the finished costumes for an upcoming dance performance.  It’s exciting to see the progress, week to week on the colourful tutus and jazz outfits. Sitting in this vivid assortment of cloth and glitter is a reminder of Frances and my many sewing projects of past years. Sewing has an ancient history and has been around since the Paleolithic age aka, the “Old Stone Age.” After all, those caves were rather cold in the wintertime, even with the discovery of fire.  And well, necessity has always been a motivation for progress.  Archaeologists have been busy in their digs finding bone, antler or ivory needles and thread  of sinew, catgut and veins.  These were the beginnings of today’s enormous fashion industries. Thousands of years passed before the sewing machine came into being in the 19th century.  Now with our computerization, we are in the era of mass production. But there are those who choose a more artistic way in which to design and sew garments. So put the kettle on and join in the discussion. Frances and I look forward to your insights on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. Sewing, fashion and clothing are huge subjects that continue to be featured in the mainstream news, magazines and other social media venues.  It is also a main topic when we are planning a wedding, vacation, party, or first job interview.  Every morning, we chose our fashion statement,  which is a nod to the vibrant history of sewing. One last thought – no, two last thoughts come from Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli, worthy opponents in the fashion world of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Elsa Schiaparelli declared that,  “In difficult times fashion is always outrageous.” Coco  Chanel adds that, “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you. Music by Francis Wells “New York City (Instrumental Version)” Epidemic Sound

S2.E2 Martha on Librarians Are Awesome Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia.  Thank you for listening in. Neil Gaiman said “Librarians are the coolest people out there doing the hardest job out there on the frontlines. And every time I get to encounter or work with librarians, I'm always impressed by their sheer awesomeness.” Librarians have awesome, even magical powers.  They are the champions of literacy; they safeguard our stories and keep record of our ideas.  Above all, they are the wizards that facilitate learning.  We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to their determination to preserve and protect our civilization. We live in a world where technology and connectivity are growing exponentially.  Now, more than ever, we need librarians to be our guides.  How to annotate texts?  Ask a librarian.  What is copyright and fair use?  Ask a librarian.  How to determine whether the information is honest?  Ask a librarian. Librarians keep us grounded and create spaces that encourage and support exploration. I am pleased to introduce Martha, my long-time friend from college days, who chose to be a librarian.  Martha joined me in a huge leap into the podcasting unknown from a distance.  We are linking Vancouver and Winnipeg, which is a separation of 2,313 kilometers So, put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Martha and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  A special thank you to Martha for sharing her love of books and for agreeing to come back in future podcasts.  One last thought comes from Albert Einstein, who said many years ago. “The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.” Until next time, dear friends, safe travel wherever your adventures take you.  And don’t forget that libraries have the best adventures Music by Johannes Johannes Bornlof "Flight"  Epidemic Sound 

Season 2, Episode 1 Happy New Year with Frances & Eleanor Welcome to Tea Toast and Trivia. Happy New Year! Thank you for listening in and celebrating January 1, 2020, the beginning of a new decade. Today, I am joined by my mother Frances to go back in time to another New Year’s Day. January 1, 1936,  with Eleanor Roosevelt and her column “My Day.” Eleanor Roosevelt would have thrived in our social media milieu of 2020. She was blogging before blogging was invented, which incidentally happened in 1997 and became a household name within a few short years. According Merriam-Webster dictionary "blog" headed the list of most looked-up terms on its site during 2004. Eleanor Roosevelt’s newspaper column made its debut on December 30, 1935. From that day until to 1960, My Day was published, without fail, six days a week. When Eleanor Roosevelt was too ill to work, the columns appeared every other day until September 26, 1962. Readers across the country, indeed the world, benefited from Eleanor’s fearless determination to spread her ideas which included her thoughts on race, women, Prohibition - topics that challenged the status quo. It was her diary, her platform and she used it with enthusiasm. The recommended citation for the January 1, 1936 column, My Day is: Eleanor Roosevelt, "My Day, January 1, 1936," The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Digital Edition (2017), accessed 01/01/2020, So put the kettle on and join in the discussion. Frances and I look forward to your insights on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me as we remember a remarkable woman who chose to share her ideas and her daily life with anyone and everyone. As we move forward, may we have courage to bring forward our ideas in a way that reflects our individual values and adds to the vibrant voices that engage in life-affirming conversations Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you. Music by Johannes Johannes Bornlof "Flight"  Epidemic Sound 

Episode 49: Stephanie on the Holidays Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. It is December 27th and within a few short days we will welcome 2020, a new year and a new decade.  Have you made your resolutions yet?  Every year, the top resolutions are always about taking care of ourselves.  Whether it is losing weight, getting in shape, learning something new, traveling to new places, or spending more time with family – it is about wellness and reducing stress. We live in a world that demands our time and energy.  These are precious and scarce resources.  There is only so much time and we have only so much energy. Time to check in with my wellness coach, Stephanie from Bold Moves, for an energy boost and a great conversation on what’s next in 2020. So put the kettle on and add to our discussion on TeaToastTrivia.com.  I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Stephanie and me on Tea Toast & Trivia as we welcome 2020. One last thought comes from Neil Gaiman:  “Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.” Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.  Happy New Year

Episode 48: Merry Christmas from Tea Toast & Trivia Thank you for listening in... December 25, 2019. Christmas has arrived.  With the last-minute shopping completed, we ready our hearts for this special day anticipated since the beginning of December.  All the plans have been made, the gifts have been wrapped and the baking completed. Merry Merry Christmas! This is the time to feel the magic of the holiday season. Thank you for listening in to a special Tea Toast & Trivia podcast. I am grateful for all your encouragement and support of this podcast.  Soon we will be entering a second season and I am looking forward to all the conversations that are awaiting our arrival in 2020, a new year, a new decade. As I look back to Christmases of the past, what I remember most is the time spent with family and friends. Christmas is the quintessential time when we want to embrace the best of life, whatever that may means to us at this moment. In our modern age, we measure our lives by benchmarks to determine whether we have attained the desired level of excellence. Even at Christmas we use subtle benchmarks as a check-in to see if we have achieved the best of the Christmas spirit. Not that benchmarks are bad. They are very helpful and come from a good place. We measure our abilities to give gifts to our children because we want them to know that they are loved and that we understand what makes them happy.  We look for the best eggnog recipe, add a few more names to our Christmas card list so as not to forget a friend.  We worry whether we will have enough chairs for guests invited to our dinner table. We have one simple, yet profound desire. We want our family and friends to know that when they come to our house, they are welcomed with great joy.  We exchange Christmas letters that confirm that we have been blessed over the past year and that we remember each other, valuing friendships and connections.  Every year, on December 25th we want to create an environment that will be remembered in the years to come.

Episode 47: The Gift December 19, 1843 Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, - wherever you are, thank you for listening in. The tradition of gifts at Christmas has been with us for a very long time. Tonight, I am going back a couple of centuries to discuss a gift that returns to us every Christmas to remind us of the true spirit of the holiday season. So put the kettle on and add to the discussion on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 46: Dave Astor on Literature Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Winter is a time for books, tea, great conversations and more books. Yes, books. I have a stack ready for January 2020 along with a stash of tea: English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast, each with a subtle nuance. Chai, Green, Oolong, and White. I am looking forward to a long winter. The book on top of my stack is Dave Astor’s Fascinating Facts About Famous Fiction Authors and the Greatest Novels of All Time: The Book Lover’s Guide to Literary Trivia Dave has a marvelous way of going deep to find the story that is hidden in the folds of history. He leads you on a treasure hunt that ends with golden informational nuggets that will entice you to read further.  From Ray Bradbury and Emily Bronte to Nikolai Gogol and Daphne du Maurier, the lives of writers may even be more exciting than the narratives they write. Today, Dave Astor and I are bridging the 3,923 kilometers between New Jersey to Vancouver Put the kettle on and add to the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Dave and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Dave from the blog, Dave Astor on Literature.  In closing, I wanted to share a quote from Dave’s book, Fascinating Facts: “Literature can send our minds to another time and place, allowing us to forget our lives and troubles for a few precious hours. It can educate us about history, open our minds, increase our empathy, make us think, give us things to converse about, and/or provide plenty of excitement along with the escapism.” Connect with Dave on Dave Astor on Literature.  Be prepared for an adventure. Until next time, dear friends, safe travels.

Episode 45: Frances on Milking the Cows Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, – wherever you are, thank you for listening in. Today, I am joined by my mother Frances to look back to farming in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The United Nations designated the year 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF).  This year, on May 29, 2019, the United Nations launched  the Decade of Family Farming from 2019 – 2028.  My mother, Frances was a farmer’s daughter.  She knows first-hand the importance of family farming to provide food. Today we are milking the cows. So put the kettle on and join in the discussion. Frances and I look forward to your insights on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me as we looked back at farming in the past.  Technology has transformed the Dairy Industry, but one thing remains the same for farmers throughout the years – the love of the land and the animals in their care. The Dairy Farmers of Canada, an organization run for farmers by farmers is committed to: Food safety and standards Environment and sustainability Animal care Stop by Tea Toast & Trivia and view a video produced by the Dairy Farmers of Canada. They believe that “Dairy cows are a central figure of our dairy farms. They’re a huge part of why Canadian dairy farmers love what they do. See how many Canadian dairy farmers view their cows (hint: it’ll likely make you smile).”BY DFC – PLC, COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

Episode 44, Rituals & Traditions with Liz Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. December is the season for traditions and gatherings of family and friends. Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, St. Lucia Day, St. Nicholas Day, Christmas and New Year. It is a busy and joyful time of the year. Celebrations embrace rich traditions and rituals that connect our lives by associations with activities and memories. My dear blogger friend, Liz from the blog Leaping Life and I have once again bridged the 7,059 kilometers between Edinburgh and Vancouver to consider how we create new traditions over the years. Put the kettle on and join in the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Liz and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you and shout out to Liz from the blog, Leaping Life! The hashtag Liz mentioned for people feeling lonely on Christmas day is #JoinIn. Stop by TeaToastTrivia.com and read the screenshot from Sarah Millican’s twitter account. Sarah is a well-known comedienne in the UK– and according to Liz, some might say ‘national treasure’! #JoinIn is a marvellous project and so many people seem to benefit from it.  Even now, this hashtag is trending on twitter. In closing, I wanted to share the quote that Liz mentioned. It is by T.S. Eliot, “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” Connect with Liz on Leaping Life! Pause, Breathe, Live! Until next time, dear friends, safe travels.

Episode 43: Shirley on Wellness Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, - wherever you are, thank you for listening in.  Every Wednesday, I meet up with my mother, Frances for tea and a wonderful conversation, which has, over the past few months, become our time to create a podcast discussion. We usually meet in her sewing room among the material, patterns and threads, but today we carried our mic over to see our long-time friend, Shirley, a reflexologist and aromatherapist. Lexico, power by Oxford defines reflexology as “a system of massage used to relieve tension and treat illness, based on the theory that there are reflex points on the feet, hands, and head linked to every part of the body.” The Mayo Clinic goes into more depth, confirming that it is a way of seeking relaxation and stress relief. As in all areas of health, you should talk to your doctor whether reflexology will be a benefit for you. Put the kettle on and add to the discussion on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Shirley, Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. A very special thank you to Shirley, for sharing her thoughts on seeking wellness within a fast-paced world. One last thought comes from an ancient voice, Virgil who is traditionally ranked as one of Rome's greatest poets.  “The greatest wealth is health.” May we devote our time and effort into investing in our health. Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Episode 42: Tea with E Pauline Johnson Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia Good morning, Good Afternoon Good Evening – wherever you are, thank you for listening in and joining the podcast conversation. Today, I am taking tea with a poet that has gone before us – E. Pauline Johnson. Poetry is necessary. It is an intense, emotional language that speaks to our spirit, to our deep need for understanding and belonging. We respond to the sounds, symbolism, rhythm of poetic language. Poetry gives us the confidence to explore our fast-paced dynamic world. It also gives us a glimpse of past ways that may be unfamiliar to us in our current reality. When we read poetry, we must place the words within the context of history. Poetry cannot be limited to time for it gives power to what comes next. I am learning to see a wider perspective that is not confined to the lens of our time, our values, our societal constructs. Pauline Johnson forged a personal identify, and in so doing, widened the path for others. May we do the same… I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 41: Thanksgiving with Frances Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, - wherever you are, thank you for listening in.  Every Wednesday, I meet up with my mother, Frances for tea and a wonderful conversation, which has, over the past few months, become our time to create a podcast discussion. We meet in her sewing room amongst the material, patterns and threads - a perfect acoustic environment for recording our voices. We set up a mic, close the door and talk.  It seems simple enough but facing a mic and wondering what to say next is rather daunting.  A huge thank you Mom, for heading into the podcasting unknown with me every Wednesday. Tomorrow, our neighbours to the South will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Frances and I will be joining the festivities as we remember Thanksgiving in the past. Put the kettle on and add to the discussion on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. Happy Thanksgiving - may everyday be filled with gratitude. One last thought comes from Maya Angelou from her book Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer, “Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Episode 40: The Trio on Time For Us. Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my sister, Sarah,and my mother, Frances, as we consider the idea of what is called a multiplier effect,  which suggests there are ways to boost our personal productivity.  If we adopt efficiency strategies, such as learning to prioritize our day, eliminate nonessential duties, or simply delegate or delay tasks, will we improve our lives? Will we achieve a higher level of effectiveness? So put the kettle on and add to the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances, Sarah and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. On last thought before we go is by Eleanor Roosevelt, “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Until next time, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Episode 39: Liz On Finding Excellence Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. The search for excellence is intertwined in the story of humanity. Consider the Chinese philosopher, Confucius who said centuries ago, that “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” In our world, there is a plethora of books that guide us on our search. My question is – will we ever find excellence? Or will we be able to know when we have reached the exalted state of excellence? For answers, I turn to my dear blogger friend, Liz from the blog Leaping Life.  Once again, we are linking Edinburgh and Vancouver, which is 7,059 kilometers or 4,387 miles. So, Put the kettle on and join in the conversation. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Liz and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  The search for excellence is ongoing. It is a state a mind that celebrates being “excellent in the moment.” As Liz said, “I’m so pleased that I persevered with it all. Those few weeks of trial and much error now seem totally worth all the irritation and frustration.” And a very special thank you to you Liz, for sharing your insights and wisdom. I’m looking forward to our next conversation coming up in a few weeks. Connect with Liz on Leaping Life! Pause, Breathe, Live! Until next time, dear friends, safe travels.

Episode 38: Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Today, is World Kindness Day. Join my brother, Brian, and me as we discuss the question: What is kindness? So put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  Stop by TeaToastTrivia.com and share your insights. We would love to hear from you. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Brian and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  And thank you Brian for sharing you thoughts on short notice.  I always enjoy our conversations. For more information on World Kindness Day, check out the link The World Kindness Movement.org One last thought comes from Henry James: “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” Safe travels, wherever your adventures take you!

Episode 37: Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Russian literature has captured my heart ever since I read the opening paragraphs of Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak. A funeral and a mother’s grave – profound, moving, unforgettable.  I was 15 years old. Boris Pasternak may have opened the door to Russian literature. Complex, dramatic, haunting – the roots of Russian literature can be traced back to the Middle Ages.  But it was my dear blogger friend, Elisabeth van der Meer  from the blog A Russian Affair who has been my unfailing guide in the exploration of Russian literature. Elizabeth has joined me in a huge leap into the podcasting unknown, from the far distance of 7,514 km or 4,669 miles. We are connecting Finland and Canada via Russian Literature. So, put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Elisabeth and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  And thank you, Elisabeth, for sharing your love of Russian literature.  I am truly grateful for your willingness to come back to discuss the brilliant writer Ivan Turgenev One last thought comes from Doctor Zhivago: “I don’t think I could love you so much if you had nothing to complain of and nothing to regret. I don’t like people who have never fallen or stumbled. Their virtue is lifeless and of little value. Life hasn’t revealed its beauty to them.” Boris Pasternak, Doctor Zhivago May we be open to the beauty of our life. Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Episode 36: Stephanie on Bold Moves In Exercise Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thanks for listening in... It is time to check in with my wellness and workout coach, Stephanie who reminds me daily, that being bold moves mountains.  Today we are heading into the gym, so wear comfortable shoes and prepare to be amazed by how much fun exercise can be. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is now identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality. Physical inactivity levels are rising in many countries with major implications for the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and the general health of the population worldwide. Stephanie and I would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Stephanie and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And thank you Stephanie for joining me from a distance – a distance of almost 1200 kilometers. One last thought comes from our dear lovable Winnie-the-Pooh: “A bear, however hard he tries, grows tubby without exercise.” A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you. And my hope is that some of those adventures take you to a gym.

Episode 35. Remembering My Father. Welcome to a special edition of Tea Toast & Trivia – remembering my Father. Thank you for listening in…A special thanks to Brian, my brother who added music to the podcast. In the third chapter of Ecclesiastes (King James Version)it is written “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die;” We celebrate the first time even as we grieve at the second. And yet, in grieving there is much to celebrate. We have memories to sustain us as we continue our journey. May we create vibrant and joyful memories that build hope and resilience for those who follow after us. My Father passed away on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. Autumn was Dad’s favourite season. He looked forward to the golden red foliage, the gentle chill against his cheek, and the brilliant sun against a light blue sky.  For him, it was a time of rebirth. When he was a young man, my Father was a cowboy in Wyoming and Montana. He took his last ride on a morning that was filled with sunshine, surrounded by the love of his family and the hope of our faith. He is now on a new journey. We miss him – he had a brave and noble heart. Dad believed life was meant to be lived with optimism, and open to all possibilities. My Father was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, minister, advocate, scholar, explorer and philosopher.  Above all, he was passionately involved and excited about living within a fast paced, ever-changing world. He believed that his grandchildren were the future and prayed that each one would find peace and joy. Mitch Albom, in his book For One More Day, wrote “When someone is in your heart, they’re never truly gone. They can come back to you, even at unlikely times.” My Father loved traditional Celtic music. He came back to me when I heard this song…

Episode 34: Frances on Two Sisters Look Back Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening!  Wherever you are, thank you for listening in. In one of my last conversations with my Father before he passed several years ago, he asked me to tell the stories.  I gave my promise, without having a full understanding of what telling the stories meant.  Since that time, I have come to know that Dad meant a broader definition of narrative.  There are many stories held in the folds of history that must be heard.  This thought became the genesis of the podcast, Tea Toast & Trivia Today, I am joined by my mother, Frances, as we look back to farming in the 1930’s and 1940’s. The United Nations designated the year 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF).  This year, on May 29, 2019, the United Nations launched  the Decade of Family Farming from 2019 – 2028.  My mother was a farmer’s daughter.  She knows first-hand the importance of family farming in providing food. So put the kettle on and join in the discussion. Frances and I look forward to your insights on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. My grandparents were farmers, but very few of their offspring became farmers.  We have lost touch with the land and have placed reliance on our efficient food distribution services.   There is a growing awareness that we need to find our way back… One last thought comes from Wendell Berry: “For the true measure of agriculture is not the sophistication of its equipment the size of its income or even the statistics of its productivity but the good health of the land.” Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Episode 33:  Stephanie on Bold Moves & Portion Control Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in on Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Family and friends across the country gathered today to celebrate gratitude and share a festive meal, laughter and great conversations.  At times like this, there is a temptation to eat more than usual and then worry that we have overindulged. What better time than now to check in my wellness and workout coach, Stephanie for a conversation on portion control. Stephanie has a refreshing way of looking at meal planning. She says food is awesome – that we should enjoy eating without any guilty sensation.   Food sustains us. Being bold in our relationship with food, will move the mountain of regret and guilt. So put the kettle on join our discussion on portion control.  Stephanie and I would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Stephanie and me on Tea Toast & Trivia and for sharing our Canadian Thanksgiving. One last thought comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.” Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Episode 32:  Brian on The Greater Journey Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. Brian, my brother, came back to continue the discussion on embracing our creativity. Today, we are looking at the greater journey by celebrating the past and giving relevance to where we are here, right now. Brian talks about our father’s love of music and how it continues to influence our lives, long after his passing. So put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  Stop by TeaToastTrivia.com and share your insights. We would love to hear from you. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 31: The Trio on Meditation Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my sister, Sarah and my mother Frances as we consider the idea of meditation. Is meditation simply a popular trend, a fad?  Or will it help us to achieve a sense of well-being?  How do we practice meditation, especially when many priorities compete for our time? So put the kettle on. We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances, Sarah and me on Tea Toast and Trivia. Until next time, may we remember Sarah’s words: “May I be well. May I be happy. May I be loved.” Safe travels wherever your adventures take you today.

Episode 30:  Living our Creativity Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my brother, Brian,  to discuss integrating creativity within our busy routines that compete for our time and energy. Do we celebrate or minimize the creativity within ourselves?  Brian has a marvelous understanding of the creative process and welcomes you to share your experience with us on TeaToastTrivia.com Put the kettle on and join in the conversation. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Brian and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. Creativity, at its foundation, is all about connecting. When we value our creative efforts, we accept an adventure that transcends time and location. We are all creators with a capacity to share our personal stories within the greater journey. One last thought comes from Henri Matisse: Creativity takes courage. ” May we embrace this call to action and celebrate our creative endeavours. So, until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Episode 29: Edinburgh to Vancouver with Liz Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. My dear blogger friend, Liz, from the blog Leaping Life suggested a fabulous book written by her friend Maggy Pigott,  “How to Age Joyfully: Eight Steps to a Happier, Fuller Life.”  Liz, an intrepid writer, artist and community builder joined me in a huge leap into the podcasting unknown.  We created a podcast from a distance.  How distant is the distance you may ask? It is a very good question. We are linking Edinburgh and Vancouver, which is 7,059 kilometers or 4,387 miles. So, put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Liz and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  How to Age Joyfully: Eight Steps to a Happier, Fuller Life is a profound reflection on what it means to embrace every moment of our journey. This is a must-read book for people of all ages. After all, aging begins the moment we are born. Besides being a joyful overview of how to engage within our communities – both local and global, this book provides excellent resources upon which to draw. I will be keeping it close at hand for inspiration and ideas. Thanks, Maggy! Until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Episode 28: Should We Complain? Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my mother, Frances, and my sister, Sarah, to discuss the question – Should we complain? According to many sources – and you know that there are many sources found in a google search –  complaining is detrimental. One article noted that research clearly indicates that listening to complaints of any kind, including venting our personal grievances, will produce a downward trend in our emotional outlook.  Another article warned that complaining could alter our brain.  YIKES!    Why then, do we indulge in complaining? Should we put on our “happy face” and ignore problems, avoid them, dismiss them?    Put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We would love to hear your thoughts on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances, Sarah and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  Embracing our moments with gratitude is a choice that will open the pathway to graciously acknowledging concerns and seeking positive outcomes – not only for ourselves but for our families, friends, and communities, both local and global. One last thought comes from Maya Angelou.  “What you're supposed to do when you don't like a thing is change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it. Don't complain.” So, until next time, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Episode 27: Stephanie on Bold Moves Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my workout coach, Stephanie, for a conversation about embracing an active and healthy lifestyle. Mark Twain once wrote, “The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not.” This was said in jest, with Mark Twain’s famous tongue-in-cheek style. But how many of us believe there may be an inkling of truth in his words. Stephanie has a refreshing way of looking at her day-to-day routine. A working mother of two beautiful children, she structures her day for planning nutritious meals and physical activity. Well-being is a life-long journey, she says. And it is worth the effort. Everyone is unique and must be guided by individual preferences, depending upon where you are right now. Her motto is “being bold moves mountains.”   For many, including me, that boldness may take the form of baby steps. So put the kettle on and listen in to our discussion on healthy lifestyles and bold moves. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Stephanie and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. Embracing a lifestyle of healthy eating and regular physical activity is a gift that we give ourselves and those who love us. One last thought comes from Jim Rohn, entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker: “take care of your body. it's the only place you have to live in.” So, until next time. dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia, Episode 26 Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my mother Frances for a conversation about the aging process. I have never really understood the phrase: you are as young as you feel.  Birthdays come and go, and I feel the same. It’s only when I look back at photos that show a young woman of 18 ready to take on the world that I realize the passage of time.  She recognized the possibilities, while I have lived the possibilities, the marvelous adventures that have come through the years.   And yet, we are the same for we live in the moment, with expectation and anticipation. So put the kettle on and let’s talk about aging.  Better yet, the art of aging. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  Embracing and celebrating aging is a choice and acceptance of  who we are in the moment. My dear blogger friend, Liz from Leaping Life suggested a fabulous book written by her friend Maggy Pigott,  “How to Age Joyfully: Eight Steps to a Happier, Fuller Life.”  In the coming weeks, Liz and I will be exploring how we can podcast from a distance - from Edinburgh to Vancouver.  Stay tuned for a podcast with Liz on this insightful book. One last thought comes from  Madeleine L'Engle: “The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been.” So, until next time dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia, Episode 25. Thank you for listening in. Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote, “You think those dogs will not be in heaven! I tell you they will be there long before any of us.” I believe this is true because of Daisy, a gentle, beautiful husky that has become an invaluable addition to our family. Today I am joined by Alisha, Daisy’s mother who, along with her fiancé, Ben has given Daisy a welcoming home. So put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We love to hear from you on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. A special thank you to Alisha.  Check out Daisy’s personal Instagram account, Lazy Husky Daisy.  In September, she will move to Calgary with her parents.  She is going to love the Alberta winters. I can see her playing in the snow. One last thought comes from Milan Kundara: “Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” Until next, time dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia, Episode 24! Thank you for listening in. I am joined by my sister, Sarah and my mother Frances for a lively discussion on personal growth.  Should we have an intentional plan for personal growth, or do we just let life happen and respond as we go along?  How do we know whether we have made progress?  According to experts, personal growth and development is essential if we are ever to realize our full potential.   Personal Growth, Intentional Growth, Full Potential – these are powerful words, but words that hold many meanings and ambiguities So put the kettle on and join in the conversation.  We love to hear from you on TeaToastTrivia.com I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you  ****** Thank you for listening in and sharing this moment with Sarah, Frances and me. Reaching our full potential is a choice and acceptance of the possibilities awaiting our arrival, around the next bend in the road. As Henry David Thoreau wrote in Walden: Or, Life in the Woods: “I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” So, until next, time dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures take you.

Episode 23:  Friendship Through the Voice of Poet Jean-Jacques Fournier Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia! The refreshing taste of an iced fruit tea on a hot summer afternoon in August adds to the pure enjoyment of reading the poetry of my dear friend and poet, Jean-Jacques Fournier. Jean-Jacques Fournier is a native of Montreal and has been living  in the Eastern Townships (QC) since 2010 with his French wife Marianne. Before returning to Canada, he lived eight glorious years in the South of France, first in Vence, which is situated in the hills of the Alpes Maritime overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Then in Grasse, considered the world’s capital of perfume. It sounds marvelous, does it not? Jean-Jacques’s poetry expresses the emotional depth and breadth of the human experience. Join me as I explore the theme of friendship through the voice and words of poetry by Jean-Jacques Fournier I’m your host, Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 22: The Power of Listening  Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia! Thank you for listening in on Episode 22 of the Tea Toast & Trivia podcast conversation. I am joined by my sister, Sarah, and my mother, Frances, as we discuss the power of listening. How do we engage our sense of hearing to influence communities, both local and global? So put the kettle on and join in the conversation. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.   Thank you to all those who have joined the podcast conversation and blog, Tea Toast & Trivia! When I first started to blog, and now podcast, I thought it was all about writing and commenting. Over the months, I have come understand that it is more about listening to the voices in the community.  Listening is dynamic, not static.  It is a powerful activity that can influence outcomes and institute radical change. Speaking and writing can only take us part of the way.  Listening is the dimension where next steps are formulated. Each voice is extraordinary, but when combined in a choir, there is a symphony of elegant and beautiful possibilities.  A last thought come from Ernest Hemingway: “I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully.  Most people never listen.”

Episode 21: Tea With Poet Mario de Andrade Welcome to Tea. Toast. & Trivia. This is the third podcast of the series called,  “It’s all about tea.” So put the kettle on and join me in discussing the mysteries and adventures of tea: their origins, myths, aromas and delicious tastes.  Today, we are heading to Brazil to meet up with the Mário de Andrade, Brazilian poet, novelist, musicologist, art historian,  photographer and one of the founders of Brazilian modernism My name is Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 20: The Importance of Being Important Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in.  It is important to be important?  I am joined by my sister, Sarah and my mother Frances as we consider how we give value to ourselves and to others.  Are you important? Am I important? How do we define importance? So put the kettle on and listen in as we take on this, dare I say, important topic. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 19:  It's About Time Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in.  The conversation today is about time.  I am joined by my sister, Sarah and my mother, Frances as we consider the gift of time. How do we honour the moments that have been given? What tools can we use to achieve the best possible outcome for living a full and productive life. So put the kettle on and listen in as we discuss the exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking, to-do lists, day planners, and time management tools. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Thank you for joining Frances, Sarah and me on Tea Toast and Trivia.  One last thought on "time" comes from the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus, who lived in Ephesus from 535 BCE to 473 BCE.  “Time is a game played beautifully by children.”  May we remember that our time belongs to us. Let us open this gift with the exuberance of a child. Until next time, safe travels.

Episode 18:  In the Chicken Coop Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, – wherever you are, thank you for listening in. The United Nations designated the year 2014 as the International Year of Family Farming (IYFF).  This year, on May 29, 2019, the United Nations launched  the Decade of Family Farming from 2019 – 2028.  My mother, Frances, was a farmer’s daughter.  She knows first-hand the importance of family farming to provide food on the table. So put the kettle on and listen in as Frances and I look back on farming in the 1930’s and 1940’s. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 17: Dancing with Daffodils. Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia Good morning, Good Afternoon Good Evening – wherever you are, thank you for listening in and joining the podcast conversation. Today, I’m taking poetry with my tea. Poetry is necessary.  It is an intense, emotional language that speaks to our spirit, to our deep need for understanding and belonging.  We respond to the sounds, symbolism, rhythm of poetic language. Poetry gives us the confidence to explore our fast-paced dynamic world. So put the kettle on and join me as we meet up with William Wordsworth. I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 16: Conversations with Frances  Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Good morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, – wherever you are, thank you for listening in.  Your presence is truly appreciated. All of us have a story to tell.  Our lives are full of drama, celebrations, joys, sorrows – even a little mystery, intrigue, and magic are sprinkled on some of the more mundane moments My mother, Frances was my first storyteller.  Over the years we have shared many narratives. So put the kettle on and listen in as mom and I look back on – Well, I’ll let you find out for yourself. I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you

Episode 15: Celebrating Leonardo Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia.  Thank you for listening in… Today, I want to celebrate Leonardo da Vinci’s 500th anniversary by looking beyond his list of great things accomplished, his titles of polymath, universal genius, renaissance man. Who was Leonardo, the person?  What did he eat? What did he wear?  What music did he hear? Who were his friends? So put the kettle on and join me as I look back on a remarkable life.  A life that was set in a remarkable age and continues to have a remarkable influence on our current reality. I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 14: A Ghost Story. Do you believe in Ghosts?  Even the most ardent doubter listens spellbound to  a great ghost story.  We shudder in fear and then try to laugh off the nagging fear that maybe there is something to the spooky narrative. For those who have seen a ghost - well, ghosts are real to them for they have experienced the explainable. They have apparently joined the chosen few who have encountered an invisible world that at times, seems to intersect our reality.   Scientists generally agree that ghosts do not exist and yet they cannot disprove their existence. So, the ghost hunters continue their explorations.  It seems that deep in our DNA we have links to our ancient past and pre-literate cultures, who believed that ghosts do walk abroad.  Closer to home, think of Marley’s ghost  and the opening lines in “A Christmas Carol.” “Marley was dead to begin with.  There is no doubt whatever about that.  The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker and the chief mourner.” Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol. Every family a ghost story.  Listen in as my mother and I tell you ours.

Episode 13: Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia! Today is Storytelling time. We love narratives.  We read novels, watch movies, attend theatre productions  and follow  television miniseries. Why? To find a story, to share the joys, hopes, challenges that will lead to a happily ever after conclusion. How do we tell our story? So put the kettle on and  join Sarah, Frances and me as we discuss the importance of sharing our personal narratives.  I am your host Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. We encourage you to share your story. As Mary Oliver once wrote, “Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.

Episode 12: Tea & Oranges Welcome to Tea. Toast. & Trivia. This is the second podcast in the series called,  “It’s all about tea.” So put the kettle on and join me for Tea, Toast and Trivia, where we will discuss the mysteries and adventures of tea: their origins, myths, aromas and delicious tastes. My name is Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you. Edmonton was where I was introduced to a famous blend of tea flavoured with a secret recipe (of course it would be secret) of orange rind and sweet spice.  Oh, the aroma was marvelous.  It also was a nod to my favourite young Canadian poet, Leonard Cohen.  Do you remember this... “Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river You can hear the boats go by, you can spend the night forever And you know that she’s half-crazy but that’s why you want to be there And she feeds you tea and oranges that come all the way from China” Ah, Leonard Cohen.  Did Suzanne really serve him tea and oranges that came all the way from China?  Yes, she did! According to many sources, when asked this question Leonard would reply:  “She fed me a tea called Constant Comment, which has small pieces of orange rind in it, which gave birth to the image.” The legend behind Constant Comment adds to the enjoyment of taking tea.  Listen in to the narrative of two women who changed the course of tea history. 

Episode 11: The conversation today is about fashion. I am joined by my sister, Sarah and my mother Frances as we look back on how fashion has shaped our personal understanding of elegance, beauty, trends and sustainability.   So put the kettle on and listen in as we discuss sewing machines, patterns, gloves, hats and more. I am your host, Rebecca Budd and I’m looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

Episode 10: Today is World Book Day, a celebration that has been in place since April 23, 1995. UNESCO chose the date carefully. In the past, Spanish tradition sets aside April 23rd as “The Rose Day” when friends and family exchange roses, however in 1926 there was a transition to exchanging books to commemorate the passing of renowned Spanish author, Miguel de Cervantes, who passed on April 22, 1616. April 23rd also remembers William Shakespeare’s anniversary of his death 1616. Two great authors who died a day apart, inspire us today to treasure books - not by placing them carefully behind book cases with glass doors, but by reading them cover to cover, again and again. Words carry ideas and ideas transform the way we think, live and engage within a wider community.

Episode 9: On April 14, 2019, The Sun Run encompassed the Vancouver weekend scene. It is a wonderful event. Participants, both runners and walkers, embarked on a scenic course that runs through Stanley Park, the downtown corridors of Burrard and Georgia before heading over Cambie Street Bridge to the finish line. It was a celebration and testament to months of physical preparation and long hours of planning. Live music filled the streets and added to the high spirits.  What passed by unnoticed in all of excitement of the Sun Run, was an anniversary of another well-known event that happened on April 13, 1742 at the Fishamble Street Musick Hall in Dublin. That night, the world was given a gift of music that continues to captivate audiences to this day. Oh, to be in that first audience of 700. It was a packed crowd. Men left their swords at home and women agreed to wear dresses without hoops to make room for other concert goers.  

Episode 8:  Welcome to Tea. Toast. & Trivia. This episode is the first of the series called, “It’s all about tea.” So put the kettle on and join me for Tea, Toast and Trivia, where we will discuss the mysteries and adventures of tea: their origins, myths, aromas and fragrant tastes. I’m making a special cup of tea today.  And it all started about a week ago, when I happened to meet a friend on the street.  It was early morning and the flow of traffic was in progress. He was on his way to work, carrying a thermal coffee carafe. “Enjoy your coffee,” I said as we parted company. “Oh no, not coffee” he said. "Mornings are about tea and this is a tea that very few people dare to drink.” What tea would be that formidable?  The answer is in the podcast.

Episode 7: I  walk with crows that share the pathway along the Vancouver Seawall. While they guard their territory with a proprietary determination, they have come to recognize my presence and agree to pose for my camera. I look forward to our conversations, and suspect that I am at the greater disadvantage. They seem to understand my language more than I do theirs. Even within our age of technology, we have a deep need to connect with our earth and fellow creatures.  There is a bond between us. That is, the need for community and belonging. We seek the company of those we love and feel a kindred bond. Just as the crows gather in the fading light of a April evening, we look forward to the shelter and safety of homecoming. 

Thank you for joining my mom, Frances and me on Tea Toast and Trivia.  The One Room Schoolhouse is the first in a series of podcasts that look back on a time that will never be again. I am reminded by the words of Søren Kierkegaard who wrote, “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”  Conversations with my mother allow me to explore knowledge transfer from one generation to the other.  Your visit and presence are very much appreciated.  Until next time, safe travels.

Today is Vincent Van Gogh’s 166 Birthday. While he was relatively unknown in his lifetime, he is one of the most beloved artists of our time.  In today’s world, Vincent van Gogh’s artworks rank with the most expensive paintings to have ever sold at auction.  Even so, his legacy is more poignant and profound. Vincent van Gogh’s greatest gift is found in his thoughtful and reverent understanding of humanity’s need to feel complete, to be at peace within nature, to experience and share a deeply felt love that transforms our lives and those around us. “Love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well.” Vincent Van Gogh

Join me as I travel across the ocean to Shetland, where the fresh sea air and rugged landscape captures the spirit of the adventurous souls. Shetland is in the northern region of the United Kingdom just above the Orkney Islands. There are many stories held safe in Shetland’s complex geology of faults and fold axes, metamorphic rocks, granite intrusions and the assemblage of rocks called “the Old Red Sandstone.”  The 1840’s onward were marked by the booming herring industry that propelled Shetland to the pinnacle of Europe’s go-to place for herring. Unst was at the centre of the hubbub. This small island became a vital Herring port - a powerhouse of employment opportunities.    Men would bring in the fish. But a workforce was needed to gut the fish and ready them for market.  It was brave, hardworking women who responded.  They were called Gutter Lasses.

Episode 3: Let’s talk about artists.  Are you an artist? Am I an artist? Most of us, if asked, “are you an artist?” would hesitate to answer “yes.”    After all, that label applies to the great ones:  Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Cassatt, Picasso, Monet, O’Keeffe and the list goes on. Do we dare compare ourselves to that brilliant assembly? How do we define art, talent, beauty, if we do not have some form of creativity within ourselves? 

Episode 2: Join the conversation with Sarah Ahmadi sharing her insights on building a compassionate community.

Episode 1: Join the first podcast of Tea Toast & Trivia. Rebecca Budd discusses procrastination - viewed a different way.