I love this woman, Sue Nelson. Not so much the woman herself; we have never met. But I watch her most mornings. She brings a tonic to my day, a spring to my step, a smile to my face. For over twenty-five years she has been the ballpark organist for the Minnesota Twins baseball team.... Continue Reading →
Thatโs the way it is โ Wednesday April 16, 2025
AKA What happens when grown-ups leave the room A reader recently directed me to Oregonโs Bay Area on Facebook, a most interesting connection. While I had another project in development I thought this marvellous summary of whatโs happening in the US deserved my, and your attention today. I am reminded of CBS News anchor Walter... Continue Reading →
A Summerland Stories Scrapbook โ Historic Summerland brought to life
I am so pleased to help my writer colleague, Norma Hill launch her new book A Summerland Stories Scrapbook at a special event on Sunday night, May the 4th at 6 p.m. in the โStoneโ Church on Prairie Valley Rd in Summerland. Years in the making, Norma has assembled, transcribed, edited, and arranged literally hundreds... Continue Reading →
Crisis in the cubicle โ Technology meets necessity
Another in our Life in our little town of Summerland seriesย -- Extracted from The corporate quest to make better toilet paper โ The Washington Post April 10, 2025 โ Author Rachel Kurzius Last Friday, prior to my therapeutic swim class I made a visit to my favourite cubicle in the menโs washroom. My necessary duties... Continue Reading →
Adolescence on Mothering Sunday
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church, Penticton BCFourth Sunday in Lent โ Mothering Sunday, March 30th ย 2025 โ The Very Rev. Ken Gray Happy Mothering Sunday to you all. Since the middle ages, Mothering Sunday has been celebrated in the United Kingdom on the fourth Sunday of Lent. I grew up... Continue Reading →
Addressing political cowardice — Senator Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders on the US Senate floorMarch 25, 2025LONG . . . but worth the time and effort Here is his fiery speech, word for word:Mr. President,In the last couple of weeks, I've had the opportunity to travel in many parts of our country. And I have been able to talk to folks in Nebraska,... Continue Reading →
Room at the table — A Sermon
A sermon for the congregation of St. Stephen, Summerland Anglican ChurchThe 3rd Sunday of Lent โ March 23, 2025The Very Rev. Ken Gray Let me tell you about my recent trip to the hairdresser. We used to call these persons โbarbersโ; we still have some of these in our little town of Summerland. Over the... Continue Reading →
Hobbies and side-hustles
I am looking forward to visiting with others who graduated from Victoriaโs Oak Bay High School fifty years ago, the Class of 1975. As interest spreads my guess is that around fifty of us will show up at a Victoria hotel in early June, hoping that we are recognizable and we will recognize others. I... Continue Reading →
Canadians are cancelling U.S. trips as Trump sours relations
Ken Gray, with content from The Washington Post (Democracy dies in darkness) [Ken Gray] Some friends recently asked if I thought boycotts were getting the attention of Americans, especially legislators and business leaders. Itโs hard to say. With, for instance, groceries, changes in buying behaviour are obvious. There are some excellent bargains on American fruit... Continue Reading →
Panic and polished fingernails — Anne Lamott
Here's an inspiring piece by Anne Lamott published a few days ago in the Los Angeles Times. A cartoon in the New Yorker decades ago showed two prisoners chained to the wall at the wrists and ankles, well off the ground, in a jail cell, in a cave. One man turns to the other and... Continue Reading →