“To treat life as a pilgrimage to a future and better existence is to disown its present value.” - W. Somerset Maugham

P R O S E

My Dear Readers,

Greetings from a cool west coast rainy day here in the Great City. I don’t mind it, and chuckle to myself when people complain about how it’s been the worst May in history. “I’ve had a pretty decent May” I say to myself. And why do we think we can predict the weather? Just because it’s been the same for 50 years? I shouldn’t laugh at people’s disappointments, but I do find expectations amusing.

Somehow, time has passed and I’m behind on my musings. How can I possibly make it up to you? If you have any ideas, please do let me know. Much has changed since I last wrote in February. Three notable milestones… Firstly, I got back on the “horse” for the first time since August last year. Some of you may remember I had a cycling accident and broke my wing. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying my bicycle again and enjoying using it to commute and for fabulous exercise. Secondly, I got a pretty cool day job on the Toronto Islands working with boats and people. After not working for 8 months, a regular paycheque is welcome. The lifting of the weight of financial stress is making more room for creativity and social time. The new job is certainly a big shift from the gig hustle I am used to, but happy to be there and I am grateful to cross the water every day. Thirdly, I have been growing so very artistically inspired here in Toronto am thrilled to be immersed in such creative diversity. I’m getting to know some wonderful folks in the music community, I submitted some visual works to an art show for the first time in my life, and there are enough songs for a new album. My wheels are turning and growing in wonderful new ways.

Last week on May 19th, I rang in my 38th birthday alone in the woods, which is exactly what I wanted. The night before, outside Irene’s Pub in Ottawa with the smokers, a friend was asking another how old her kiddo was. She replied in years rather than months and I told her I was grateful I didn’t have to do the math on 21 months and how I always thought it was funny people said ages that way, and imagined we still did it as we got older? I did the math, and I would be 456 months old. It seems like quite an accomplishment when you frame it that way.

Time feels so bizarre sometimes. I had months this past winter where the days feeling like they were dragging on as if I was trapped in a loop in Ground Hog Day. And now my train is going full speed and the days feel full and busy and alive, but I must remember to incorporate rest. Find that ideal speed that doesn’t use up all my resources, but whereby I am still moving efficiently. Discipline is great than motivation, and momentum needs rest.

It fascinates me all the work that goes into preparing for the season here. After a long winter, we work hard to make the most of the incoming warmth. Cottages opening, plants popping, boats launching, legs out, winter clothes away. The seasonal rituals we do. I do the math, and I have lived 152 seasons in my 38 years. It’s feeling like this one is off to a pretty great start.

P O E T R Y

vivid dreams consume
bring out the strength in us
we really must shut it off
hide inside with the hum of the fridge
and a view of budding Manitoba maples
with flash backs of sweet romance
last weekend with a visiting friend
who knew the names of trees
and made me blush

-s.o.

They reckon ill who leave me out;
When me they fly, I am the wings;
I am the doubter and the doubt,
And I the hymn the Brahmin sings.

-from Brahma , Ralph Waldo Emerson

S H O W S + S O N G S

Some Upcoming Dates…

Monday, June 9th - Drom Taberna, Toronto | 6-8pm Paying homage to my Eastern European roots at this delightful and delicious venue downtown Queen Street. I’ll be joined by Mike Eckhert on pedal steel. Pay what you wish.

September - Vancouver & Vancouver Island | TBA

And a little throw back to SO + the Magic Buttons covering 54-40’s “One Day”…

F E A T U R E D   F R I E N D 

LEAH BARLEY

Where are you? What'd you have for breakfast? And what are you up to today?

I'm in my apartment in Vancouver, B.C. I haven't actually eaten breakfast yet but when I do, it'll be oatmeal with apples and ginger.

Today, I am doing a bunch of work at home then heading to teach at Rufus Guitars for the rest of the day!

What three things in your life are you most grateful for right now?

My friends, my health, and my audacity.

What have you got on the go artistically at the moment?

I just released a new EP on Feb 28 called "Awkward & Heartbroken" and it's been doing quite well! I put out a music video for one of the songs "Pack My Bags" and we hit over 10,000 views in the first couple weeks so that's pretty neat. I also made shirts for the first time which is super fun.

I've got a few shows coming up in May including organizing and performing on an all female Folk & Country bill called "Let's Go Girls" and I'm set to collaborate with a few other artists in June for a Queer Honky Tonk!

If I passed you an instrument, what song would you play us right now?

Most likely one of my new songs. Or both. The EP has two songs, Don't Get Weird and Pack My Bags. They are polar opposites in emotion and tone. One being a ridiculous honky tonk tune about some of the awkward moments I've had while dating lately, and the other, a sad truth bomb about leaving a lying ex.

What's been on repeat on your record player/streamer/tape deck/CD player/ et al.?

Elise LeBlanc "I Like You" and the new album from Oh Clementine. It's a family/kids album but it's absolutely beautiful.

If we want to find your work, where can we go?

My new EP is on all streaming platforms, youtube, and bandcamp or you can head to my website leahbarleymusic.com, Instagram, Facebook, or Bandcamp

M U S I C

G O O D   O C E A N   N E W S

Salish Sea's first humpback whale calf of 2025 spotted near Sidney Island

“{Big Mama} was first seen off Victoria in 1997, and was one of the first humpbacks to return to the Salish Sea after the end of commercial whaling in 1966,”… “She’s been returning ever since, and now has at least eight calves, seven grandcalves and four great grandcalves. It’s very impressive.”

R E A D I N G

S A S S T R O L O G Y 
with s.o.

The signs as Spice Girls Songs - have listen and may this be your anthem for the next few weeks

Gemini - Stop

Cancer - 2 Become 1

Leo - Viva Forever

Virgo - Wannabe

Libra - Spice Up Your Life

Scorpio - Too Much

Sagittarius - Say You’ll Be There

Capricorn - Mama

Aquarius - If You Wanna Be My Lover

Pisces - Spice Up Your Life

Aries - Never Give Up On the Good Times

Taurus - Who Do You Think You Are

Stay Tuned In & Turned On

x.o.
Love
S.O.