Photographer Tom Hicks was discovered by a rock star, a huge talent, of Led Zeppelin fame and later paired with Alison Krauss. What a fabulous combination. Two brilliant artists, collaborating – Plant wrote an introduction to one of Kicks’ book. Wow. You will ask what does Hicks shoot. Certainly not the North Sea waves of... Continue Reading →
NOTE TO VISITORS: Kathie and I will travel to Nelson tomorrow to meet our new grandson (name withheld). So my daily blog flow may be interrupted. To say we are excited is an understatement. Do not expect however images of you-don’t-know-who on this blog. It is too risky to share images of children online in... Continue Reading →
All Saints Cathedral, Halifax NS [This is a living document. Additional images and stories will be included as they are received.] Anglican activist and ecological animator extraordinaire, The Rev. Marian Lucas Jeffries (Team Leader of the Environment Network of the Diocese of Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island) sent a note to her clergy colleagues asking: “What... Continue Reading →
A Poem on Hope It is hard to have hope. It is harder as you grow old, for hope must not depend on feeling good and there’s the dream of loneliness at absolute midnight. You also have withdrawn belief in the present reality of the future, which surely will surprise us, and hope is harder... Continue Reading →
A reflection from the late John O’Donohue For the First Day of the Season of Creation 2026 Also our first experience of the Feast Day of Creation in the calendar of the Christian Church Listen to John’s beautiful reflection here https://vimeo.com/203378234?fl=pl&fe=cm Video transcript: I'm John O'Donohue. I'm a writer. I live here in the west... Continue Reading →
Here's the good news. The Bald Range wild fire is now held. Hallelujah. Back home in Summerland most residents have now returned to a new post-evacuation experience of "normal." Though not all; some are still unable to access their homes or work places. Many are negotiating with insurance companies; others continue to wonder about next... Continue Reading →
Friends, I’m very sad to report the death of one of the people I’ve idolized since I was old enough to idolize anyone: Dolly Parton. To me, Dolly Parton represented the very best in America. Her kindness, compassion, laughter, love of life, hardscrabble beginnings, humanity, ambition, and extraordinary talent were what this country is —... Continue Reading →
From Paws n Tails Photography, Summerland BC I’ve been thinking a lot about what I wanted to do with my photography after everything that has happened here. I had planned an August opening special to introduce Paws N Tails Photography to Summerland. But after the fire, that just didn’t feel right anymore. We are so... Continue Reading →
After one week evacuated from our home in Summerland, an exodus forced by the Bald Creek wildfire, one of the worst in the history of British Columbia, we join another 20,000 home and business owners hoping for an imminent and safe return to our homes and our little Town. A very small section of Summerland... Continue Reading →
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 →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 