Any regular reader of this column or anyone who knows me even slightly understands that I love reading. You also know that I don’t have nearly enough time to read everything That’s on my nightstand or lining my bookcases. But I try. There’s just something wonderfully tactile about (carefully) cracking open a new book. Some,… Read more »
Roy and I left January 3 for a week in the sun at San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. Our window of opportunity for a warm getaway was closing quickly because of his county responsibilities and a rapidly filling meeting schedule. For me, it was a case of now or never as my contract work on… Read more »
This column originally appeared September 3, 2010, in issue 1835. Allow me to retell a story told to us this afternoon by a salesman named Allan. A quick and dirty analysis reveals a story arc, tension, interesting characters, humour, climax, and resolution. But how much of a story’s appeal comes from the teller and the… Read more »
As incredible as it seems, another year is drawing to a close. After the eggnog, family gatherings, gift exchanges, and usual hubbub of Christmas, many of us will pause to reflect on the year past. If we’re at all lucky, our balance sheet will include more blessings than heartaches. We will hold precious those moments… Read more »
I’ve watched my share of reality shows, particularly the home renovation or home redecoration kind. The faux drama of the countdown to ?reveal??the return of the homeowners, start of the open house, or winning of some competition?always feels contrived. It feels like manipulation and a stretch for the more cynical among us. Who are they… Read more »
November 26 was a red-letter day. Roy and I broke down and each bought iPhone 4s. For the first time ever, we’re happenin?, cutting edge, in-the-know kind of people. we’re ?with it,? for heaven’s sake. (Sadly, if that were really true, I’d say we were ?sick? or something other than ?with it.? What do the… Read more »
It’s again time to use this space to wrap up loose ends; to bring you updates and closure; and to introduce teeny items that will never grow up to be full-blown, stand-alone columns. One. Regular readers will remember that in September, I sent a $40 cheque to an American company to research a 1934 mining… Read more »
Last Saturday, I shovelled my way to my art studio and cranked up the thermostat from 10 degrees Celsius to about 17. Next, I carried a two-gallon pail of warm water to use in two different plastic containers: the first to be filled with clear, clean water for moistening tools of the artist’s trade, and… Read more »
Our house is small by most standards. It is 1100 square feet and was built in the early 1960s. At the time, it was a two-bedroom, one-bath farm bungalow replacing Roy’s parents? original two-room log house, and as such, I suppose, it felt quite grand. When Roy, Greg, and I moved here in 1984, after… Read more »
On November 11, Roy and I will again be present for the Remembrance Day ceremonies here in our small village. As a newly elected councillor in the rural municipality in which we live, Roy will likely be expected to take part in the program by making a speech and laying a wreath on behalf of… Read more »