Eddie Cross has a long and distinguished career as an administrator, economist, politician, writer, and more recently a blogger in Zimbabwe. Introduced to me online by my friend, Chris Rose--a personal acquaintance of Mr. Cross—I find his social, economic, and political analysis not just historically interesting, but also instructive for our own experience here in... Continue Reading →
I never would have believed it. If someone told me that Summerland’s favourite Labradoodle would be arrested and held in custody at the RCMP station in our little town, I would have laughed out loud, or even cried. But it happened. There I was, at the dog beach one summer afternoon, doing what Labradoodles do... Continue Reading →
Good friends, Greetings from the fire-ravaged BC interior, and the unceded land of the original people of the Okanagan, the Syilx. Some of you are part of the Johnson book project (now at the publisher copy-editing stage!); others are local St. Stephen’s Summerland leaders. Some are members of the Social and Ecological Justice working group... Continue Reading →
Should I feel threatened by the seven-day week? Some say YES, and their anxiety is beautifully crafted in a New Yorker article “How the Week Organizes and Tyrannizes Our Lives.” Harvard history professor Jill Lepore explains how “work schedules to TV seasons to baseball games, the seven-day cycle has long ordered American society. Will we... Continue Reading →
"How to Pray While the World Burns" -- by Hila Ratzabi Go outside.Find a patch of grass, sand, dirt.Sit, kneel, place a hand or justA finger to the soft earth.Feel it pulse back. Open your palms and divineThe words creased between.Rub the specks of dirtBetween your fingers,See how they cling to skin,How they listen in... Continue Reading →
A re-post from Anne Lamott. She is the New York Times bestselling author of Help, Thanks, Wow; Small Victories; Stitches; Some Assembly Required; Grace (Eventually); Plan B; Traveling Mercies; Bird by Bird; Operating Instructions, and the forthcoming Hallelujah Anyway. Her blog was posted Sunday, August 20, 2023. “The harvest is past, The summer is ended,... Continue Reading →
The most recent news from Monday night, August 21 is encouraging. In a few words the centre remains evacuated and is not out of danger. That said however, while the fire perimeter has come to within a half kilometre of the farm, that line is being held. There has been some rain and more is... Continue Reading →
UPDATE: In a nutshell, photographs taken from the lakeside confirm that ninety percent of the camp infrastructure is destroyed. Camp was successfully and safely evacuated Thursday afternoon and there were no injuries sustained. A pastoral letter from Archbishop Lynne can be read here. Heard on CBC Radio Tuesday afternoon, Camp director, Ian Dixon said that... Continue Reading →
A guest blog from Michael Shapcott Located in Sorrento, BC the Sorrento Centre is on the traditional and unceded lands of the Secwépemc First Nation. Since time immemorial, the Secwepemc people have practised virtues of harmony and generosity. We are so grateful to be welcomed as their uninvited guests. Thanks to Executive Director, Michael Shapcott... Continue Reading →
A review of Close to Home, by Michael Magee // Guest blog by Norm Sigurdson Now in retirement and living in Calgary, voluminous reader Norm Sigurdson shares book reviews on Facebook which we are pleased to re-publish here, with permission and encouragement, on this blog. Enjoy. I just read Irish writer Michael Magee’s bleak semi-autobiographical... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 