Repackaging
I was going to write about gentrification this week. A magic marker and spray painted bit of graffiti invited me to have my say about the gentrification of the Royal Hotel. I understand the graffiti. But the dialogue about gentrifying the County has been done. It’s been said. If the graffiti “artist” wants passersby to […]
Seasons come, seasons go
The best part of the changing seasons, and naturally I am referring to sports seasons, is that they overlap. Therefore, it is critical to have fresh batteries in your remote control to keep up with the action. In short order on Monday evening, I was able to catch glimpses of the Jays-Yankees, the Thunder-Warriors, the […]
Medal-winning wines
Fifty years ago, on May 24, 1976, a panel of renowned French wine judges selected some Napa wines over French wines in a blind taste test where they had no indication of the wines’ origins. Needless to say, the day is not celebrated in France—but it is an important date for North American wine growers […]
NBA Conference Finals
On Monday night, the Toronto Raptors scored an impressive 105- 99 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was the most important victory in the history of the team and evened their series at two games apiece. The Cavaliers had prepared for the series by cruising through the playoffs without losing a game. Consequently, they were […]
My (borrowed) Ukulele
Saturday morning and I’m headed to Milford. Along the way, I take in the small things that make our place special. Like the sheep farmer turned limousine owner and chauffeur who, wearing his Hawaiian shirt, dressed for his wine tour schedule and all, is in his laneway wearing sensible footwear—rubber boots—while giving the stretch-limo a […]
Story fragments
If some reports are to be believed, Canada’s prime minister turned into a raging monster last week, throwing off his campaign promise of decorum in parliament in favour of a brawl on the parliament floor, with an MP’s bruised chest as a casualty. A review of the tapes would suggest little more was bruised than […]
Piece of cake
We’ve all heard something about Ivan Pavlov, although it’s his dog that made him famous. Pavlov noticed that the dog would salivate at the prospect of food, so he experimented with various stimuli and eventually trained the dog to salivate at the ringing of a bell. He called it a “conditioned response.” And partially out […]
The joy of long weekends
Long weekends for old fogeys, like LOML and me, are just like every other day of the week. Well, sorta, kinda like every other day of the week. LOML and I are reminded of an upcoming long weekend whenever one of our family members (from the city) or their friends call to make a reservation […]
Sweet transvestite
The Rocky Horror Show just finished a four-night run in Picton—a town of 4,000 in rural Ontario— with great reception from its local audiences. Of course, the show and its film adaptation are silly, campy fun, and it’s that, along with the movie’s cult following, that drew people to the Regent. But beyond that, the […]
Merely mortal
tWines from Burgundy have been immortalized, and in high demand, since the conquest of Gaul by Caesar. With this cachet, pressure on the pinot noir and chardonnay vines to meet demand has always been a significant problem. Over the last three years, however, I have found it more and more difficult to purchase decent Burgundian […]