by
Tales from the Escarpment (or Nearby) is a collection of short stories inspired by the lives of Baby-Boomers of the Niagara Region. A force to be reckoned with in their prime, the characters in these stories still exert influence, culturally and economically, as they age. And despite aging, they are determined to call the shots. They, like the 'Slow-dancin' Blue Haired Lady, practice self-determination even in the face of dementia. At favourite watering holes, like 'Pudgies', the music just gets better and better because geriatric musicians really know their stuff. The stories illuminate vivacious people with a zest for life and a continued appetite for experiences. Some stories highlight the value and reliability of long-term relationships. And other stories, like 'What Paulie Took Away', reveal the intersections where Boomer and other generations collide.
Marvon was artistic. He had taken a few ‘drawing from life’ courses in his youth so his nudes were certainly anatomically correct. Instructors complained, however, that they often bore little resemblance to the session’s actual model. But Marvon was sketching his ideal – the real played little part in the effort. He knew enough of current and historic tastes to understand that his might not be everyone’s ideal of womanly beauty but truly, he did not give a flying fuck. He framed and hung his sketches in every room of his newly renovated tidy bungalow for inspiration. Every morning while he ate his shredded wheat and rye bread toast, he planned his day’s foray: on any given Monday, he might haunt the Penn Centre. The next day he might check out a senior’s portrait-painting class. He knew she was out there somewhere, lioness to his hunter. Sweet little dimple-kneed doll to his gentle, protective and generous overlord.
