I have the equipment I need to practice the craft I love. Those who know me best might be surprised to learn that I have lost my desire to upgrade my photographic equipment collection. For years, you could not keep me out of camera stores, often in search of the latest models of Nikon and... 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 →
Stop, and smell the roses
A sermon for the congregation of St. Saviour Anglican Church, Penticton BC on the fifth Sunday in Lent, April 6th, 2025 โ The Very Rev. Ken Gray It is said by those who teach writing that every paragraph should start with a strong opening sentence. In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens opens with... 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 →
Pay attention, and fall in love โ Honouring Phil McIntyre-Paul
By Michael Shapcott Phil McIntyre-Paul is practically royalty in the beautiful Shuswap in the central interior of British Columbia. He helped create the Shuswap Trail Alliance more than two decades ago. Over that time, he has helped nurture more than 350 greenway trail projects โ drawing in fifteen Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, three levels of... Continue Reading →
The gift of volunteers
The best of friends โ Ken Gray, photo It was such a lovely dinner. Around sixty members of the Anglican parish of St. Stephen, Summerland (STS), and Summerland United Church (SUC) enjoyed beautifully seasoned schnitzel, mashed potatoes whipped to the texture of icing sugar, tender cabbage rolls and a fluffy bun, all finished off with... Continue Reading →
New yearโs Northern Lights
What a great way to start the new year, every year, but especially this year, early on New Yearโs Day 2025, a walk in the woods enjoying a Northern Lights display. My friend and colleague, Louise, lives in Smithers, the Gem of Northern British Columbia. Despite warmer temperatures than normal this year, snow lay on... Continue Reading →
Winterโs Cloak โ A poem
With thanks to Karen Pidcock for the share. This year I do not wantthe dark to leave me.I need its wrapof silent stillness,its cloakof long lasting embrace.Too much lighthas pulled me awayfrom the chamberof gestation. Let the dawnscome late,let the sunsetsarrive early,let the eveningsextend themselveswhile I lean intothe abyss of my being. Let me lie... Continue Reading →
Looking good โ by Juno
Ken and Kathieโs five-year-old Labradoodle, Juno, is a well known blogger with followers from all over Canada, the US, the United Kingdom, and sometimes Ghana. Here are Junoโs thoughts on canine coiffure along with thoughts on human sartorial elegance. Enjoy. Itโs important to look good. Whether walking around the house or running and prancing about... Continue Reading →
A promise is a promise
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 youโve just gotta sing. A United Church minister friend from many years ago used to say, โtheyโll listen when you talk, but theyโll remember when you... Continue Reading →