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 →
Good neighbours at Christmas
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 →
How Children Perceive Their Grandparents — Light relief from younger voices
. 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 →
This is a “sneeze” page
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 →
A secret Garden – Shh . . .
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 →
We are a Therapy Dog Team – by Juno and her MaPaw
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 →
Pope Francis’s presence at COP-28 climate conference in Dubai is “without precedence”
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 →
Forty-eight years is a long time in our little town
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 →
Reconciliation in the family: Indigenous wisdom in the Middle East conflict
Reprinted from the Winnipeg Free Press; article by Niigaan Sinclair, 2 Nov 2023 "In 1845, after a century long battle over territory between the Anishinaabe and Métis on one side and the Dakota and Lakota on the other, the Dakota leaders sent a letter to Cuthbert Grant in what is now St. James in Winnipeg.... Continue Reading →
Prayer of the Mothers
Yael Deckelbaum - Prayer Of The Mothers (Official Video) 2016-11-20 As relevant now as it was in 2016 The song "Prayer of the Mothers," was born as a result of an alliance made between singer-songwriter Yael Deckelbaum, and a group of courageous women, leading the movement of “Women Wage Peace.” The movement arose on summer... Continue Reading →