A light without flame
Long ago, in the mists of time, nomadic hunter-gatherers settled in communities to grow sustainable crops and develop animal husbandry. This change enabled the domestication of the grapevine and the subsequent discovery of wine. The olive tree was one of the crops that enabled man to literally “set down roots.” Even though Neolithic wanderers in […]
Of honour and sinking ships
I’m a big fan of the old Upstairs/ Downstairs and the new Downton Abbey dramas of honour, manners and social station. The first series ends, and the second begins, with the 1912 Titanic disaster. So it was with some interest that I read about a study that looks at the role of male chivalry in […]
Spinnin’ and winnin’
Have you ever had an “ah ha” moment? In my lifetime I’ve had many moments where the little cartoon lightbulb in my imagination clicks on and I “get it.” Yup, sometimes I really do “get it.” This past Sunday morning, while drinking my coffee and reading the newspapers, I had one of those moments. It […]
Steroids and sports
With the recent suspension of baseball’s Melky Cabrera, the ugliness of the steroid era has been exposed yet again. Cabrera has been suspended for 50 games, ending his season. Cabrera has been playing for the San Francisco Giants, and was having a fine year, up to this point. In fact, he recently won the award […]
Distrust and intrigue
We raise a glass to give a sense of occasion. We toast our friends. We toast the bride and groom. We toast in the New Year… But the history of the “toast” is much more sinister, one that betrays distrust and intrigue. In the 6th century B.C. a Greek host would pour wine from a […]
Name that dump!
Sponsorship. We’re used to thinking of it as just limited to the big-ticket items: the Essroc Arena, or Highline Hall for example. But it’s spreading to smaller-ticket items as well. For example, the Picton Business Improvement Association is now selling sponsorships as part of its street beautification program. For a modest one-time contribution of $2,200—a […]
Our social selves
I have to admit, over the years, I have see-sawed on the whole issue of Facebook’s worth. I don’t know why, now. Facebook seems downright friendly on most days. Oh, there’s a set-to or a debate every now and then, especially if someone doesn’t like an image someone else posted and “comments” to that effect. […]
A five cent stamp
The heat of the day seemed buried in the asphalt of Main Street. Talk about town was of the plans to merge nearby Outlet Park with forestry lands to create Sandbanks Provincial Park. Toward the end of the afternoon, a secretary from the Bank of Nova Scotia headed to the post office with bank mail. […]
Taste something different
Mexico is not a country that one would associate with a thriving wine culture. But grapes have been grown there since the 16th century, when vines were established to meet the demands of the Church and the conquistadors. As so often happens, the wine produced in Mexico surpassed, in flavour and body, that which was […]
The flame is gone
They have extinguished the Olympic Flame in London, England. The Games have come to a close, the athletes have returned home. As is always the case, the Brits will have to wait for a year or two to tabulate the financial successes and losses from the event. Certainly, from a showcase point of view, the […]