Stone haven
I’ve been building walls of stone. Perhaps it’s the images of the landscapes of summer breezes that guide me. Northumberland County and the Trent Hills—Hastings and Warkworth—tell a soothing story of counter-lines, figures, naked, sleeping beneath sheets, cotton dyed of vermillion and rust and the spilled bullion of early hay. Outbuildings, stitched to the rises, […]
Tracking Woozles
Does anyone remember the story of Pooh, Piglet and their hunt for a Woozle? It’s the subject of Chapter III in the classic children’s book, Winnie The Pooh, written by A.A. Milne and published in 1926. I’m thinking that it has some contemporary relevance. Pooh and Piglet, of course, are buddies. One day, Piglet observes […]
Part of the problem
When we are aware of a wrongdoing and don’t do something about it, what does that make us? Well, it makes us part of the problem. But you knew that, right? When I was much younger, I remember reading an article in the Toronto Star, or maybe the Smelly Telly, about a person who was […]
Canada Day with the Jays
Prior to the game on Canada Day, the roof was closed at the Rogers Centre (known in another life as the SkyDome). The Toronto Blue Jays and the Boston Red Sox were preparing to take the field for the third game in a fourgame series. Several dozen military types took the field, carrying the largest […]
Too much sherry
Now where was I? Last week, we addressed the beginnings of the wine industry in Jerez, and how wine production and flavour preferences were influenced by various civilizations. Sherry, as we know it today, resulted from the loss of a major market. Up to the mid-15th century, the vast majority of the wine from this […]
Robot ethics
As any true science fiction geek is aware, robots must have laws to govern their behaviour. The law of robotics was a theory created by Isaac Asimov, who was fascinated by the concept of machines who could look like, act like and eventually improve upon their creators. There are four laws the robot must follow: […]
Cuter than a cruiser
Last week’s Year 148 Canada Day parade was up to, or perhaps even surpassed, the usual high standards of a Wellington parade. Leading off was an OPP cruiser—replete with an oft-repeated “Happy Canada Day” greeting. It felt a bit out of place, because one usually associates the voice inside a police car with some more […]
Heritage
One of the biggest heritage problems facing the County is whether to preserve or demolish. Of course, I’m referring to our architectural history. As far as preserving or demolishing your personal stuff—that’s personal. Preserving architectural heritage is an important part of our sense of community. When we, the community, identify with our streetscapes, we have […]
2015 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees
The 2015 class has been selected to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame. It is a large group, with five athletes in the Player category and two as Builders. One of the members selected to the Builder category is Bill Hay, more commonly known as Red Hay. During his playing days, he had red hair. […]
Learned members
Sitting in council meetings can be a painful experience. There are a few reasons for that. For one, the wooden pews installed across from the horseshoe are not ideal for two or more hours of sitting still. It’s also hard to see those benches empty, with only the usual suspects—a handful of local reporters— filling […]