I started piano lessons when in third grade at school; I was around eight years old at the time. I remember my first lesson. (For Victoria friends, my first teacher was Robin Wood – I lasted about three lessons): Right hand only — C D E - E F G - switch fingers 5/4 -... Continue Reading →
Years ago I suggested to a justice-seeking colleague that we should investigate the role of humour in our social and ecological justice advocacy. We can be awfully serious, I said. Off-putting even. She replied that the context — human rights abuse; the climate crisis; avaricious market hegemony — didn’t lend itself well to comedic treatment.... Continue Reading →
Noted dog-blogger Juno lives with the MaPaw and PaPaw in Summerland in the BC interior from where she publishes an extensive set of dog blogs dealing with, well, dogs and other creatures. I love my dog toys. Mapaw buys them for me on special occasions — Christmas, birthdays, and every time she sees something colourful,... Continue Reading →
So many words come to mind when I think of Trump’s acceptance of a luxury jet from Qatar. The best is disgusting. The images in today’s gallery below suggest others. Feel free to add your own in the comments. Frankly speaking, in so many ways, there are no adequate words. Let’s enjoy some music instead.... Continue Reading →
Poems are part of me, when I can remember them. As I age I find it harder to remember texts whether longer or shorter. Some years ago I used to proclaim the Christmas Gospel (John 1:1-14) while processing through the church, reciting from memory. It was an excellent discipline with a particular dramatic effect. Can’t... Continue Reading →
Anglicans and other mainline church preachers seek new ways to share the Gospel in uncertain times “My word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (ISA 55:11-12) In Christian circles historically, the Word of... Continue Reading →
Anther dog-blog by Juno, who lives with her humans in Summerland B.C., Canada. This five-and-a-half-year-old Labradoodle is an internationally celebrated dog blogger. Today she turns her attention to the intriguing world of Astro-physics. “It’s not every day that astronomers detect a possible Signature of Life on a distant planet.” Writing in the New York Times... Continue Reading →
AKA What happens when grown-ups leave the room A reader recently directed me to Oregon’s Bay Area on Facebook, a most interesting connection. While I had another project in development I thought this marvellous summary of what’s happening in the US deserved my, and your attention today. I am reminded of CBS News anchor Walter... Continue Reading →
[As reported by CBC News in Canada] An uninhabited Antarctic outpost populated by penguins “One of the smallest economies in the world. An Arctic archipelago with more polar bears than people. To quote Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, it really does appear that "nowhere on Earth is safe" from U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.”... Continue Reading →
Photo collage: NPR Conan O'Brien and other top comedians brutally humiliate Donald Trump at the Kennedy Center — ripping into the "orange a**hole" despite the MAGA coup to seize control of the famous cultural center. CONTEXT The John F Kennedy Centre for the performing arts, Washington D. C. Since the early 1960s the John J... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 