My beautiful and favourite Irish woollen cap and I are together again. As cats are said to have nine lives, this lovely green and blue topside dome of comfort and warmth is back in my hands and on my head. During a recent trip to Toronto to launch my recent book I left it, somewhere.... Continue Reading →
A few days prior to February 29, 2024 I want to think out loud about how I might use this quadrennial leap year gift. Once every four years, a day is added to compensate for approximations within the calculation of time, as earth continues its spatial and temporal riot through the cosmos. So help me... Continue Reading →
With apologies to John Cleese and his Meetings bloody Meetings Everyone agrees that air travel isn’t much fun these days. The lingering effects of COVID, complications arising from Boeing aircraft malfunctions, capped off by continuing security concerns all make travel--especially through large airports--complicated, tiring, and lengthy. Consider my recent trip through Toronto’s Pearson airport, arguably... Continue Reading →
This post has been corrected from an earlier version. Only in Canada you say? That used to refer to Red Rose Tea, whose Canadian brand touted a quality tea product, superior to the favoured English varieties, but only available in Canada. Well move over Red Rose Tea because you now have another exclusively Canadian contender,... Continue Reading →
Sixteen squares each occupied by a single word. At first glance, they are simply words, seemingly unrelated to each other. The challenge--in this popular New York Times e-game--is to group these sixteen words into four connected clusters. The clusters are grouped supposedly by difficulty. Much depends however on how aware I am of pop culture,... Continue Reading →
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 →
Quilt made by Kathie Gray for daughter, Hannah, Christmas 2023 Excellent words for today, and every day Elizabeth Johnson, published on the daily blog of the Centre for Action and Contemplation Theologian Elizabeth Johnson summarizes the prophetic path as following a merciful God who abounds in kindness: Abounding in kindness, the holy mystery of God... 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 →
Prior to returning to Summerland where Kathie and I lived and worked from 1994-2005 we needed to make a decision. Would we have our mail re-directed to our new address? I thought it was a waste of money; Kathie, however, wanted the service. So we now receive correspondence from gutter cleaners and weed removal services;... 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 →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 