Deadline
Tomorrow. That’s the deadline. Or if you’re picking this paper up late, it may have passed. But despite notifications in newspapers and online, people still don’t know. Don’t realize that a bureaucratic process could have a deadline come up so bewilderingly quickly, especially for a decision that, left out of the hands of the community, […]
December notebook
The view from booth four at Jimmy’s on the main drag of Trenton looks onto the street entrance doors. It’s in booth four that I sometimes sit. Jimmy, at age 94 holds camp down near the restaurant’s kitchen. Booth 10 is Jimmy’s office. “I come in at five o’clock in the morning. I make it […]
Open: an autobiography
Andre Agassi is a tennis player. One of the very best of all time. Andre Agassi hates tennis. In the preface to the book, he writes that he has always hated tennis. He will admit, however, that tennis has been pretty good to him. There is a positive note to his tortured life. His foundation […]
A season of sharing
Many of our fellow citizens are unable to celebrate this holiday season because they do not have the attention of government at any level or political inclination. Across this majestic country that is Canada, we can bear witness to those far less-fortunate, who live rough, or are homeless in a land of plenty. Reflect on […]
The party that almost was
Christmas happens every year it can wear a little thin So Santa said “I think it’s time for me to go all in.” “I’m going to host a party when all the work is done We’ll hold it down in Wellington where they’re always having fun.” “We’ll ask the usual suspects, but let’s think outside […]
Making a list
Most of us have read the magazine articles about how to survive the holidays. Usually they suggest copious quantities of liquor helps. But there’s got to be a better way. Right? You know I am. I know from personal experience that booze is just a bandage. Oh sure, if you’re a bit tipsy, the wrapping […]
Gifting
The coloured lights are bringing a glow to County nights, and here and there a smattering of snow reminds us of a White Christmas, if the carols played over retail loudspeakers fail to do so. Speaking of carols, the solstice celebration most commonly observed in this community is meant to be about good tidings and […]
A dying breed
Midway through last year’s hockey season, the NHL held its All-Star game. John Scott became an instant fan favourite. He became the captain of the Pacific Division, scored two goals in the three-on-three event, and won the honours as the MVP of the game. He recently retired at age 34, quite young nowadays. We will […]
It’s in the soil
One of the great radio programs, when I was growing up in the late 1950s, was The Archers. Similar to the early soaps in the United States, it had a continuing daily story line, with one character, a Dorset farmer, repeating the line “the answer lies in the soil”. Farmers know the importance of soil, […]
Rising to the challenge
The loonie, Canada’s favourite one-dollar coin, marks its 30th anniversary next year. And the toonie, Canada’s favourite two-dollar coin, marked its 20th anniversary in 2016. Although the coins were introduced without any kind of officially suggested nickname, in each case a public consensus quickly formed around the moniker. The loonie/toonie experience came to mind when […]