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 →
Reposted from Facebook I am getting married in 12 days. There isn’t a single thing anyone could have ever said or done to have prepared me for the future I find myself standing in right now. It is as surreal and as deliciously whimsical as you might imagine. Change is the thing that makes us... Continue Reading →
Once again, I find myself responding to Matthew Larkin, this time not regarding the use of historic church properties; this time nothing to do with the experience of Christ’s Real Presence in the Mass. No, this time his challenge to me is to name my ten favourite Toronto Blue Jays players. I reiterate that I... Continue Reading →
From Victoria Buzz by Mike Kelly It turns out horse manure can be worth $1,800—you just need a canvas, some charcoal and the right subject. A portrait of US President Donald Trump created partly with horse manure was quickly snapped up at the Sooke Fine Arts Show, selling on Saturday, July 25, the exhibition’s first... Continue Reading →
By Ken Gray, with extracts from Max Scherzer makes successful return on 42nd birthday, Blue Jays edge Nationals by Shi Davidi. While the article below is a few days old I thought it showed a different side of baseball than typically reported — stats and other performance indicators. What struck me was a human side... Continue Reading →
From Save the CBC, Monday July 13, 2026 For generations of Canadians, Peter Gzowski's voice was part of the country's daily rhythm. As host of This Country in the Morning and Morningside, he became one of Canada's most respected broadcasters, known for thoughtful conversations, genuine curiosity, and an interviewing style that made people feel heard.... Continue Reading →
A gallery of interpretations of the near-death life of the not-yet late (?) Senator Mitch McConnell If the Trump administration has inspired anything apart from racism, dishonesty, idiocy, cruelty, criminality, and violence, it has certainly pushed AI humorists to great creative heights. Spurred on by the question of the day: Is Mitch alive? Or dead?... Continue Reading →
So here’s the good news. Kathie and I are off to Ontario for some holiday and a Blue Jays game. Go Jays, sigh . . . We are leaving Juno at home with some trusted friends who are also house and dog sitters. And burglars take note, if you decide to break in I guarantee... Continue Reading →
From 940 CFCW, London, ONT Tommy Hunter, one of the most beloved figures in Canadian television and country music, has died. Born Thomas James Hunter on March 20, 1937, in London, Ontario, Hunter passed away on July 2, 2026, of natural causes. He was 89. Known to generations of viewers as "Canada's Country Gentleman," Hunter... Continue Reading →
So great to find an article recently on Photoblogger.com about low-vision photography. With other “legally blind” photographers, (<20/200, uncorrectable) I am not alone in facing challenges using my digital mirrorless camera (Fuji XT-5), a machine designed with fully sighted photographers in mind, though increasingly responding to the needs of us living with sight challenges. Chris... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 