[Ken Gray] The Rev. Chris Parsons (Executive Archdeacon of the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay) and I have been clergy colleagues for many years, now in the Diocese of Kootenay, and previously in the Diocese of Islands and Inlets (BC). We each know the peaks and troughs of working in ordained leadership, especially within the Anglican... Continue Reading →
A new take on Chaos and Craziness by Anne Lamott
A few days old but Too good not to share. [Anne Lamott on Facebook] We are not crazy. Things really are catastrophically bad. Jesus lies down daily with a cool compress on His head. My friends and I await the rain of frogs. Of course we experience hopelessness in the face of the murder in... Continue Reading →
I never knew this — The Claudette Colvin story
The Guardian, Jan 14, 2026 [The Guardian/Reuters] US civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin, arrested at age 15 for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white woman in Montgomery, Alabama, nine months before Rosa Parksโs similar but more famous act of defiance, died on Tuesday at age 86. Although she remained a largely... Continue Reading →
Ahab and Donald — How the king got his vineyard
And other short stories about leaders who lie Graphic assembled in Canva. Photos L-R: Karoline Leavitt (Bruce Chaff CC 4.0), Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, JD Vance, Stephen Miller (all public domain) Story by Bri-anne Swan on Substack and the Wilderness Times - Jan 11, 2026 [Bri-anne Swan] Itโs difficult to escape the fatigue that sets... Continue Reading →
A Rae of Sunshine — Thoughts on Tyranny, Justice, Sovereignty and Politics
Excellent thoughts from Bob Rae on substack - Jan 10, 2026 Dedicated to those who are continuing the fight against tyranny around the world, and those who have died in the struggle [Bob Rae] The French philosopher Blaise Pascal is famous for his sharp aphorisms. One of my favourites is this: โJustice without force is... Continue Reading →
Crawford and Crossley do it again: Okanagan jazz group excited about release of latest tunes
Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for the Penticton Herald [Keith Lacey] Several of the regionโs most accomplished jazz musicians have once again teamed up to release a new recording featuring their favourite vocal jazz compositions. The Crawford/Crossley Group has been performing and recording together since 2015. At the heart of the ensembleโs work are... Continue Reading →
Remembering David Willcocks (1919-2015)
A reflection from December 16, 2019 by John Rutter [Ken Gray] It is now ten years since the death of Sir David Wilcocks, organist, conductor, composer/arranger, and college administrator. One of my great pleasures as a student at the Royal College of Music from 1977-1979 was singing in the RCM chorus which Sir David conducted ... Continue Reading →
Anne Lamott on “All things new”
A New Year's Day reflection by Anne Lamott [Anne Lamott] I will flinch a bit today whenever someone exhorts me to have a happy new year. It might be the word โhappy,โ which is so giddy and clown-shoe slappy, in combination with my walking personality disorder. Itโs also that the emphasis will be on Hap,... Continue Reading →
Inspiration for the New Year
On New Years Day I typically share W. H. Audenโs poem New Year Letter, a truly imaginative and insightful piece I commend to you once again. This year however, I want to share something different, a sort of what I got for Christmas this year kind of report. I have almost finished "Joyride: A Memoir"... Continue Reading →
Talking to myself is OK โ At least thatโs what I say to myself
Based on Talking to yourself when youโre alone: Psychology shows it often reveals powerful traits and exceptional abilities - By Redac / 29 December 2025 โHey Kathie, I saw Ken walking down to the post office the other day.โ โReally. So tell me, was he talking to himself?โ โFunny you should mention that; he was,... Continue Reading →