First off dear reader, I encourage you read of to listen to the classic Abbott and Costello routine Who’s on first. Abbott: Who is on first!Costello: I'm asking YOU who's on first.Abbott: That's the man's name.Costello: That's who's name?Abbott: Yes.Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.Abbott: That's it.Costello: That's who?Abbott: Yes . . . [Wiki]... Continue Reading →
Reposted from Facebook and Charlie's recent editorial in the National Observer [Charlie Angus] Donald Trump spent Christmas day publicly raging through his rolodex of political enemies. Canada remains near the top of his list. He has been insulting the Prime Minister, degrading our nation and musing about taking us over. CNN claims that these threats... Continue Reading →
Once again Kathie and I have returned home, at last. We have had other grueling travel adventures throughout 2024; and many more will likely occur. For now, however, we are home! Pardon the cliché, but there really is no place like home. Dorothy said it best, with other poets and prophets before her; there’s nothing... Continue Reading →
Photo: HBO For my theatre friends and colleaguesReprinted from The Washington Post article by Naveen KumarA "Russian doll of a role" This sounds soooooh good – Watch party anyone? [Kaveen Kumar to end] “It may surprise you to learn that Jessica Lange, whose work onstage and screen spans nearly 40 years, had never done Chekhov.... Continue Reading →
Enough politics (for now). No more Juno dog blogs (until the new year). It’s time for some Christmas music, in particular, The 2024 St. Olaf Christmas Festival, "Our Hope for Years to Come." A compilation of this year’s three performances is now available for on-demand viewing throughout the holiday season here. A tradition since 1912,... Continue Reading →
Amidst the seasonal flurry of activity, and given much anxiety of global and national geopolitics, here is a refreshing story, word, and song. Enjoy. “There Will Come Soft Rains” is a lyric poem by Sara Teasdale published in the July 18 issue of “Harper’s” magazine, just after the start of the 1918 German Spring Offensive... Continue Reading →
I am so grateful for readers who send me ideas for blogs and other publications. So thank you Ray Fletcher and Karen Pidcock who each in their own way and time directed me to The Salisbury Organist, Ben Maton. Ben Maton loves music, and sacred music in particular. He loves rural England and the west... Continue Reading →
“Something magical happens when Michael Kaeshammer sits at the piano. Sure, like all pianists, he plays 12 notes across 88 keys. But the musician and songwriter coaxes dazzling, kaleidoscopic sounds from his instrument in a way few can rival.” Thursday night’s performance at Oliver’s Frank Venables Theatre (no bad seat in the house BTW) showed... Continue Reading →
A sermon for the First Sunday of Advent -- Sunday, December 1st, 2024For the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church in Penticton, BC CanadaThe Very Rev. Ken Gray Sometimes you’ve just gotta sing. A United Church minister friend from many years ago used to say, “they’ll listen when you talk, but they’ll remember when you... Continue Reading →
Here begins the shortest post I have ever written, and likely the shortest ever. (I hear no complaints.) What a pleasure it has been to craft reflections for our Canadian Anglican Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund for Advent 2024. Recently renamed Accompanying Hope, the agency has a long history of supporting relief and development... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 