https://youtu.be/2creIhQvRLw Political Primate on YoutubeTranscription and highlights, KJG The clock is ticking—and our planet is sounding the alarm louder than ever. From raging wildfires to devastating floods, climate change is no longer a distant threat; it’s a global emergency happening right now. Ah, climate change. Behold the great paradox of our age. Ours is the... Continue Reading →
Celebrating Creation in a beautiful garden
Call it a stroll through a forest; a walk along curvy pathways; a resting place between colourful flowerbeds. Whatever you call it, you are invited to join together for the second annual Celebration of Creation at the Summerland Ornamental Gardens on Sunday afternoon, September 14 gathering at the Gazebo at 2 p.m. It’s a great... Continue Reading →
An economy of place — The Fogo Island story
How one of Canada’s richest women transformed the island of her birth Highlights from Deirdre McQuillan in The Irish Times Sun Aug 24 2025 Having made a fortune in fibre optics, the ‘culturally responsible’ entrepreneur Zita Cobb helped reverse the fortunes of Fogo island, Newfoundland At the age of 13, in 1971, Zita Cobb, an... Continue Reading →
I am Washington — A life-cycle story
I am Washington — neither the city nor the state. I am not a character in the novel which bears my name. (For the record, I am white, not black.) I am a brand name, almost brand new washing machine. I am one of a generation of household appliances replete with special features, but sadly... Continue Reading →
Happy Creation Day
Creator, from the depth and breadth of creation, we thank you. The message below is from Tomás Insua, Laudato Si' Research Institute (Oxford University) on behalf of Bishop Bedford-Strohm (chair of Feast of Creation process) and fellow conveners. Additional context added by KJG. For months now many global ecumenical partners including Anglicans have participated in... Continue Reading →
The Uphill Market in Nelson BC
Taking a rest today from some of the horrible news from down south, and elsewhere. Please find below a truly good news story. Enjoy. Back to the awfuls (new word) tomorrow. Promise. As a child growing up in Victoria through the 1960s I remember the “Chinese grocery stores.” I especially remember one on the corner... Continue Reading →
Two tales, Tipping points, and the Haunted Architecture of Ecological Collapse
[Ken Gray] What a title! Today’s post is LONG . . . but worth every second of your time. Trust me on this. So take your time; you’ll be glad you did. Greenberg lays out the best summary to my knowledge of what can feel like a complicated panoply of relationships; he does so clearly,... Continue Reading →
Downtown Victoria: A “psychologically necessary” vision
[Ken Gray] I spent my first nineteen years in Victoria. I return to visit frequently. I have lived in neighbouring communities from Sooke to Sidney and places in between. I know it well. Obviously things change over time; I get that. But what Gene Miller proposes below is a transformative vision which could, if enacted,... Continue Reading →
Bee-lieve me — This is interesting
Maple, an English springer spaniel, has been trained to detect harmful bacteria in bee hives. (Nick Schrader/Michigan State University) Another dog blog by Juno Almost six-year old Labradoodle, Juno is a dog blogger based in Summerland in the BC interior. She publishes regularly at takenote.ca. Today she introduces us to her new-found hero, Maple, an... Continue Reading →
Fun and games — a Blogscape Scavenger Hunt
Something totally different today. A test of memory for all my loyal readers, and those who arrive at this page by accident. (Lucky you.) An investigative challenge for those who enjoy the variety of personalities named in the over 680 posts viewed 103,000 times by over 64,000 visitors. This year, 2025, the volume of traffic... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 