Grannie Kathie and I are back with Jack and his young parents in Nelson for a few days. When we last visited in person Jack was just five days old. Now at nine weeks he is bigger, longer, stronger, wide-eyed, physically reflexive, and, mostly, lots of fun. I say “mostly” as parents know that babies... Continue Reading →
I don't know about you, but I think we all need to listen to our “happy song” even when we are not happy. It could lighten our day. My own happy song, “Gentle on my mind” performed by Molly Tuttle is my goto music. Filmed at the Augusta Heritage Center's Bluegrass Week the center of... Continue Reading →
James (Big Jim) MacLellan, a longtime Men of the Deeps member, died Friday. (The Men of the Deeps) MacLellan retired from the group this year, but continued to play shows with them as recently as September Richard Woodbury · CBC News · Posted: Nov 01, 2026 For more images and video visit the CBC site... Continue Reading →
Both authors, Louise Penny and Barbara Kingsolver, are doing the rounds of book festivals and online broadcasts presently. I will say something about Louise Penny later, but for now, my focus is on Barbara Kingsolver whose recent novel, Partita intrigues and delights me. A classically trained pianist herself, Kingsolver opens up the world of aspiring... Continue Reading →
Reposted from the Diocese of Algoma website. See original posting for pictures and a video link. For Esther Anstice, an unlikely journey from a small island parish to one of the world’s great cathedrals has become a vocation in the Church You can almost hear the red carpet being rolled out as Esther Anstice, Deputy... Continue Reading →
[Ken Gray - In my never-ending quest to anticipate the needs and interests of my newborn grandson, Jack I was delighted to discover Ms. Rachel (Rachel Accurso) who uses her fame from her educational YouTube videos to be a passionate advocate for children’s rights. Admittedly, for me, two hearings of each episode will likely be... Continue Reading →
From the National Observer, October 13, 2026, as told to Patrician Lane [Ken Gray] I grew up in Oak Bay and still visit often. I wish I still did live there so I could vote for Sam Holland, for many reasons. but I can't. Here in the South Okanagan we could sure use this kind... Continue Reading →
Ansel Adams (1902–1984) was a renowned American artist and one of the most influential landscape photographers of the 20th century. He is best remembered for his stunning, high-contrast black-and-white images of the American West, particularly the wilderness of Yosemite National Park. Adams was a master of technical precision. In 1932, he helped form Group f.64,... Continue Reading →
Andrew Scott With thanks to Kathie Gray I offer the conversation below between a young actor who asked actor Andrew Scott how to develop their acting career in light of mental health challenges. The conversation occurred after a recent HUMEN charity event. [Andrew Scott] I think we are in the embryonic stages of understanding mental... Continue Reading →
This finally happened. On September 7, 2026 Jack entered the world of his parents and his grandparents. (That’s us.) Of course he was already present; ask his mother, who carried him through nine months of occasional discomfort and the typical events of labour and delivery. As the son of a redhead, there were other challenges... Continue Reading →
