If it’s good enough for The Guardian and for The New York Times, each running selected stories and opinion pieces between Christmas and New Years presently, it’s good enough for me, Juno. Welcome to Juno REDUX, a look back at my canine journalistic parlance par excellence during 2023. I must start with Therapy Dog Team,... Continue Reading →
A version of this material will form my 2023 Christmas Eve Sermon at St. Stephen’s, Summerland. 7 p.m. is you’re in the hood. Everyone likes receiving Christmas cards—at least most people do. See my comments elsewhere. For many, the traditional Christmas card is now replaced by the annual newsletter—my own tend to go on a... Continue Reading →
True confession. I am no teetotaler. I enjoy the occasional glass of beer, sometimes a nice gentle Cab Sav, and in quiet moments, a single-malt scotch, and more recently Irish whisky. I enjoy both the taste and the subsequent relaxed feeling that all produce. I will never drink, however, when I am stressed or despairing.... Continue Reading →
Another creative generosity story in our little town of Summerland Sometimes it’s good to know that “Santa” is right next door, ready to deliver gifts to gladden the hearts of everyone, regardless of age or circumstance. Enter the Santa Gift Bag project. Neighbourlink Summerland started the Project three years ago during COVID to reach out... Continue Reading →
. Onepicnowords - Pixabay A 2015 special feature from Leslie & Kay, founders of grandparentslink.com Coming of age in the early 1970s I remember listening to Art Linkletter who through his internationally syndicated show Links Little One’s shared (some say exploited) the impetuous comments from younger children for radio and television audiences. The comments... Continue Reading →
OR: What do you call a nut with a cold? Answer below Image by Sergio Huainigg from Pixabay In a recent blog post concerning blog layout techniques, my blogger friend Norma advised me: “If you find you have several posts on different aspects of a topic, get those posts noticed again by creating a “sneeze... Continue Reading →
Christine Timmerman, Yarram, Victoria, Australia The Yarram Share Garden located behind the Anglican Church in Yarram and has a special secret name. One that I will share with you, but you must remember it’s a secret. The real name of the plots of veggies, rampant pumpkins and gracious garlic is, “The Free Garden.” And by... Continue Reading →
Juno and her MaPaw, Kathie are a certified pet-therapy team now volunteering in Summerland and Penticton “If I end up requiring the care provided in a nursing home, I will only live there if they have visiting dogs or a resident dog. End of story.” This is what MaPaw said the other day as we left... Continue Reading →
Gerard O’Connell November 06, 2023 in America: The Jesuit Review Judge Mohamed Abdel Salam meets Pope Francis at the Vatican on May 29, 2023 (Vatican Media) We can but hope that the Pope’s presence at COP-28 will provide leadership and incentive to move our economy and environmental practices towards sustainable levels. I am further pleased... Continue Reading →
Art and Shirley Rutter are Edmonton bound They have lived, worked, and played in our little town of Summerland for forty-eight years. Let me repeat that number—forty-eight years! That’s a long time to live in one place, in any place. Such stability is rare in our fast-paced and increasingly mobile society. If still waters run... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 