Barrel-aged Ports
When you look at a list of producers of fine Port wine you would be amazed at the number of English names on the labels, such as Dow, Grahams or Taylors, to name a few. It shows the passion and enthusiasm the English have for Port wine. This passion has been shared throughout the world. […]
Bundle up in Beantown
The Blue Jays were in Boston last weekend for a four-game series. They are winding down a road trip that has been satisfactory, although a little bumpy in Seattle. Any time you lose a game, after leading 7-0 in the latter stages…They will remember that one for a long time. They ran up the steps […]
A tip of the helmet
I have to admit I’ve become a fan of both the Dukes and the new Essroc Arena. Let me tell you about a few things I like. I’ll start with the players. Watching the team march through the playoffs has reminded me that no matter how much flash and brilliance you might show, you can’t […]
Welcome back
I hear the birds every morning now. I’m sure you do, too. The back yard birds have returned. Most of the birds in my back yard have been hanging around for a little while, but now they’re singing up a storm and nesting in the eavestroughs. Although there have been mornings when, for a brief […]
Port wine
Prior to the Napoleonic wars, as the British established very strong trading ties with Portugal, they built an opulent Factory House in Oporto that exists to this day. The Factory was constructed to accommodate the merchants and its grandeur pays tribute to the importance of the trade between both nations. A similar concept here in […]
Thin ice
Playoffs in the ECHL During my winter visit to the south, I focused on the teams in Florida. Let me update you on the current status of those teams. First of all, the Panthers are not headed for the playoffs, having lost more games by one goal than any other team in the history of […]
Love and other laundry
The things you do for love, eh? The song, “The Things You Do For Love” was written by the Brit group,10cc. In one verse, the suggestion is it’s “like walking in the rain and the snow.” Well, if you live in Canada, you’ll walk in the rain and the snow whether you want to do […]
March Madness
A look at US college basketball There is a certain fanaticism surrounding the college basketball championships every spring in the United States. The entire nation embraces the game, and the hype surrounding the annual tournament never diminishes. There are 68 teams invited to participate in the championship tournament, often referred to as “The Dance.” Four […]
Spring in the County
The history of Portuguese viniculture dates back to 2000 B.C., around the central costal area of Portugal. It was the Romans and Celts who introduced viniculture and winemaking to the north and, in particular, the Duero Valley. The wines were produced and consumed by the local population and were reportedly crafted in the manner of […]
Down the rabbit hole
I think my computer is winning the fight to pull me down the rabbit hole of useless information. It won a round the other day by a convincing margin. I was powering down to begin my afternoon meditation on the pressing issues of the day—whom to entrust with the keys to Canada’s public purse, how […]