Let’s talk Tariffs
I am not an economist. Everything I’ve learned about tariffs, I learned in the last two weeks. But I’m not a fool. Newly-elected bully Trump also fits the first category. Jury is out on the second. So, what are tariffs, what do they do, and do they work? I did a lot of research on […]
Design Dilemma
Charlotte has a hill that nothing grows on. Charlotte would like to look out of the back of her home and see something green instead of the loose gravel berm that separates her house from the forest behind. She would like something low-maintenance, that doesn’t require a lot of watering or mowing. CHALLENGE Adding plant […]
Sticks and stones
So, did you sit through the Inauguration? It’s Sunday morning, as I write this and I doubt I’ll tune into the event on Monday. I feel as if I might have far better things to do. I might tidy my sock drawer. I might go for a long walk and think about carbon taxes. I […]
Wine trends in 2025
Here are some of the predicted wine trends in 2025—it is a small slice of the collective pie from numerous wine outlets and people. CHILLED REDS No one wants to drink red wine that is room temperature, or 20°C or warmer. They are simply not enjoyable. The resulting wine will be out of balance with […]
The edge of taxes
New Year, old thoughts. In January, I—once again, start thinking about my good friends at Revenue Canada. At this time of the year I don’t give them too much mental real estate, but I do start to get just a wee bit anxious about the process of filing an income tax claim. LOML and I […]
Top of mind
The time has finally arrived. The village is divided into Wellington east and Wellington west as a large hole is taking up the width of the western portion of Main Street so pipes can be installed to service future growth. But this column isn’t going to be about growth, infrastructure, or even water capacity for […]
Predicted wine trends
At the beginning of each year I look ahead to see what the predicted trends in the wine world will be. And at the end of the year I look back to see which trends arose and whether or not they stuck. I survey various media outlets, social channels and talk to people in the […]
Hell in a handbasket?
We have problems. Not a problem, but many problems. I can’t solve these problems, nor can you. My job is to point them out, and hope that smarter people can find the necessary fixes. Some of these are local, and some are wider spread. Let’s start with some specific points: 1) BUSINESS WAS DOWN THIS […]
No to resolutions
2025 is here! I hope you’re all looking forward to all of the opportunities a new year can offer. If I’m going to make any kind of resolutions, they will be to embrace those opportunities and enjoy the ride! I remember making a wee list of resolutions when I was a little kid. One of […]
Traditional method wines
If a sparkling wine doesn’t come from the Champagne region in France it cannot be called Champagne. Although place and grape varieties are important to the finished wine, the method through which a sparkling wine acquires its bubbles is equally important and factors into the cost of the wine. This method is called traditional method […]