Copied from another well informed writer referring to the post of an individual demanding their dog be allowed in a local restaurant. There are different kinds of "assistance dogs." Some are fully certified; others are not. As a past vice-president of a therapy dog organization and a service dog handler, I just wanted to make... Continue Reading →
“Courage is fear that has said its prayers” — More from Anne Lamott
[Some differences between my experiences (and my spelling) with those of Anne Lamott. Still, great words here.] [Anne Lamott] August, ugh, not my favorite month. If I were Godโs West Coast representative, I would not have scheduled it, and gone directly from the heat blasts of Julyโwhich we would endure with only once or twice... Continue Reading →
My Top Ten Favourite Toronto Blue Jays
Once again, I find myself responding to Matthew Larkin, this time not regarding the use of historic church properties; this time nothing to do with the experience of Christโs Real Presence in the Mass. No, this time his challenge to me is to name my ten favourite Toronto Blue Jays players. I reiterate that I... Continue Reading →
โI Deeply Believe Dogs Have Superpowers and Secretsโ
Prompted by a fierce attachment to his own pet, Paul Yoon wrote a harrowing yet hopeful novel, set during wartime, told from a canine perspective. By Pamela Newton, in the New York Times, Aug. 2, 2026 For visuals by Erik Tanner visit the link with the full article above. Oscar, a sweet, lumbering 70-pound lab... Continue Reading →
We are living through one of history’s greatest paradoxes — in Canada
The Politics of Isolation CHARLIE ANGUS / THE RESISTANCE / Substack / JUL 31 There have been countless books written about the political crisis of our time, but one small book stands out. Hyperpolitics, by Belgian historian Anton Jรคger, puts forward the thesis that the dramatic failure of left and centrist politics is rooted in... Continue Reading →
The Don of Dung
From Victoria Buzz by Mike Kelly It turns out horse manure can be worth $1,800โyou just need a canvas, some charcoal and the right subject. A portrait of US President Donald Trump created partly with horse manure was quickly snapped up at the Sooke Fine Arts Show, selling on Saturday, July 25, the exhibitionโs first... Continue Reading →
The Plight of the Pirate Pack โ Revisiting the Feeding of the Five Thousand
A Sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour, Penticton, Sunday, August 2nd, 2026 by the Very Rev. Ken Gray I donโt know if youโve heard the news, but thereโs trouble brewing at BC Ferries; and I donโt mean long lineups, service interruptions, or adverse weather cancellations. As former residents of Vancouver Island, Kathie and I... Continue Reading →
Simple disciplines for healthy living
Dr Amir Khan GP MBChB(hons) MRCGP DCH DRCOG DipDiab PGCE On Instagram These are five things humans have done for generations that modern life has quietly pushed aside. The wonderful thing? Theyโre completely free. Memorise something. Give your brain a workout instead of outsourcing everything to your phone. Sing. It doesnโt matter if youโre in... Continue Reading →
Max Scherzer and George Springer โ Such a dynamic duo
By Ken Gray, with extracts from Max Scherzer makes successful return on 42nd birthday, Blue Jays edge Nationals by Shi Davidi. While the article below is a few days old I thought it showed a different side of baseball than typically reported โ stats and other performance indicators. What struck me was a human side... Continue Reading →
John Stott’s Soteriology
Shared from Facebook [Ken Gray - While my own appreciation of the gift of salvation differs considerably now as travel, study, and experience have broadened my own understanding, my indebtedness to John Stott remains intact and significant. He was one of the greatest preachers I ever encountered. As a London-based student from 1977-1979 I attended... Continue Reading →