28 Comments
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Casey May's avatar

What a great read, from my Calgary apartment, that I leave daily to walk by (I’m sure) the same arches denoted BOYS and GIRLS. I am in your shoes in every moment. This subscription is the best pure delight I’ve offered myself in a long time. Thank you for telling stories; it’s a special gift 🎁

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Belle Plaine's avatar

Bien sûr! Ce sont les mêmes. 🤍

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Amy Lorencz's avatar

Did we live in Calgary at the same time??? 1998/1999. This really took me back in all the good ways to the times I would just hang out on 17th on my days off... going to Megatunes and Sloth (I still have my Folk implosion poster they gave me). Hung out at the Castle quite a bit - when not at the Underground/Warehouse. Good to hear from you. - Amy

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Belle Plaine's avatar

Not quite, but close! 2000 to 2003 was my tenure.

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Kara's avatar

I was there. I lived in Calgary august 2000 to 2002. My older sister worked at Ranchman’s. I can’t help but feel joyful with the hope that maybe on one of those streets, we may have said hello to each other as we passed as strangers…..unaware that we would be so close years later❤️

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Belle Plaine's avatar

The dancehall, I assume. Gosh. I sure would like to meet someone who worked at the fancy club on 13th. I sure would like them to tell me juicy stories.

And yes! Isn't it fascinating to think of those encounters? Our lives are windy roads.

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Jo's avatar

You are a great writer and story teller. Thank you for this. I needed it!

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Belle Plaine's avatar

Thanks for saying that. And I needed it too. It's been a week. Writing cures.

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Jo's avatar

It is interesting what happens when our words travel down our arms and end up on the screen or on paper. It does cure.

And congratulations on having a little one.

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Belle Plaine's avatar

It certainly connects me to you and all the folks I used to see in the old life of touring. Sure hope that you're well.

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Lorraine Christensen's avatar

Love it! Great question at the end!

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Belle Plaine's avatar

:) I do wonder what would have happened...

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Joanne Lendvoy's avatar

Enjoyed your Calgary walking commute hello’s absolutely beautiful ❤️

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Belle Plaine's avatar

Thanks, Joanne!

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Ian Mattey at Wits End's avatar

I wonder if the street crossing guy ever looks back at that moment and wonders about whether he took the right path?

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Belle Plaine's avatar

Questions to ponder, Ian. Questions to ponder...

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Janice Haas's avatar

Enjoyed your story Melanie! I too, am a small-town girl trained to say hello and I must say during the last 2 years, I celebrated the smiles and hellos along our dog walking path. In a public world full of masks, those outdoor unmasked smiles were a godsend, helping me stay connected in a very weird world. I have met and gotten to know so many people in the neighborhood...there is always the one or two that seem to not want to make eye contact and I suppose that is ok too!

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Belle Plaine's avatar

Isn't that the truth?! Before winter (and our baby) came I found myself talking with strangers and even more often, people I knew who I'd run into. What a gift it is to just connect. I had to send a few messages to Blake in that time to assure him that all was well.

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Jim Saville's avatar

I love the story. Great question. I wonder what was going on in his own story? What societal pressures or personal traumas made it so difficult and indeed impossible for him to respond to your kind gesture? We can only speculate.

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Belle Plaine's avatar

It's hard to be expansive, you know? It was hard to say hello in the first place. I still struggle. You should see me in a waiting room when someone strikes up a conversation. I have to transport myself back to pre-smart phone days.

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Dani's avatar

Love this story! I lived in Calgary at that time and could see all the places and spaces you mentioned. If we had crossed paths, I would have said hello :)

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Belle Plaine's avatar

I was hoping to create a virtual memory lane for some folks. Very happy you found yourself there.

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Ed F's avatar

In 2020 while recovering from illnesses I began taking long walks for rehabilitation. There is a rhythm in adhering to a certain route. You observe the seasonal changes, the cycles of nature.

I was surprised at the people I would meet on my walks who wanted to talk with me. I walk briskly so I would have to slow down to talk to them. It puzzled me at first, these unwarranted conversations, but I allowed these strangers to share their thoughts for our short time together. It was like there was a hunger to connect with others no matter how briefly. I considered it a gift, no strings attached. A desire for a witness in a moment of passage.

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Belle Plaine's avatar

I love the repetition. It's like a meditation. And witnessing is a practice, isn't it? Sometimes in opposition to our own desires. Thanks for being here in this space to witness.

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Brian Palmquist's avatar

Are you originally from Belle Plaine, SK? (My late father grew up on a wheat farm a mile from there)

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Belle Plaine's avatar

Hi Brian! I'm not. But I live very near to it. :)

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Hoopla's avatar

Hi, This really resonated with me. I've been noticing a lot lately about how we are creatures of habit and how you can nearly set your watch to certain daily rituals people do. I think it must be a calming thing and people are addicted to habits. I heard it said before that it's the ritual of making tea/coffee or even taking drugs that people get addicted to. Keep saying Hello

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Belle Plaine's avatar

It’s the truth. I find ritual is spiritual. Leaves room for me to think other things if I have a good ritual that has me taking care of myself, y’know?

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