Easter Feaster
The much-needed, soul-fuelling, important, sacred and chocolate-laden weekend is here!
…Throwback Thursday – Dennis the Menace
Everyone knows my love for Tommy Shaw. Styx was one of my go-to bands growing up. I loved their entire albums until we got to Mr. Roboto. And I always preferred Tommy’s lead vocals to those of Dennis DeYoung.
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Compostables
Our country cousins, like most farm folk, were far ahead of the rest of us when it came to sustainable food sources and recycling. In the 60s and 70s, they grew their own vegetables, raised livestock and had a “compost heap” for perishable waste.
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My Generation
For the longest time, I thought I was Gen X. It was a shock to discover, a long time ago, that I actually belong to the tail end of the Baby Boomer generation. It didn’t make sense to me because my parents weren’t old enough to have served in a war. That’s where the “boom” came from; soldiers coming home from war, going forth and multiplying.
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Shaky Money-Maker
I’ve been having trouble with my voice. There, I’ve said it. It’s difficult to admit that after decades of using my voice to make my living, I can’t count on it to be there when I need it.
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Throwback Thursday – Let There Be Light (and storage)
When we purchased this 1940s home, I insisted that the medicine cabinet in the main bathroom had to go.
…Throwback Thursday – Let There Be Light (and storage)Read More »
Robot Judge
Later this year, robo-judges will begin making rulings in Estonian small-claims courts. Robots will only be used in cases involving less than about $8,000. This is what clogged court systems have come to.
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Mamas, Please Tell Your Babies to Get Into the Trades
Things move more slowly in a small town. But when it comes to getting some work done at the house, they’re at a virtual crawl.
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Spring Bliss
Like bears coming out of hibernation, we spent our first day outside on Saturday in sunshine and 18-degree warmth. Other than writing a quick magazine article, and recording a couple of lines for an eLearning client in California, the weekend was mine.
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Starved for News
Most Americans have no idea that their local news sources are in trouble. Pew Research found that 7 out of 10 respondents believed their local newspaper was doing “very well or somewhat well financially”. I haven’t found a similar survey in Canada. But it’s likely – or at least possible – that the results would be somewhat similar.
…Throwback Thursday – Family Tiles
Seattle’s Pike Place Market. May 2017.
Drafting Dum-Dums
There have always been terrible drivers. Cowboys in the old west probably had complaints about other horse riders who crowded them. Fun fact: roller-derby was invented by a frustrated roller-skater who got fed up with being run into.*
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Semi-Private Issue
I don’t think this is a small town thing. But tell me whether you think someone could get away with it anywhere else.
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Spring Ready with Frankie Flowers
Since we moved in December, I’ve only given passing glances to the outside part of our new home. There are gardens. A deck. A patio. Outdoor furniture left by the previous owners. (Thank you!) Stuff we have to get rid of. And a lawn that appears to need some TLC.
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Our Values
One of the best parts about my new, freelancing life is that I can take a couple of minutes to expand my mind. Who’s going to tell me that I can’t watch a five-minute video or read a long-form article? My boss says it’s fine!
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Throwback Thursday – Audition Flashback
I don’t know Gerry Forbes well. We crossed paths professionally a couple of times and had lunch once, with another colleague. It was his brother, Marty, who got me out of Wingham by hiring me at CKFM (soon to become MIX 999, now Virgin) nearly – gulp – three decades ago. I don’t know Marty well, either. He left pretty soon after hiring me, but I chose not to take that personally!
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Writing Wheat and Chaff
This came to my email last weekend. My initial reaction was disgust. Who is this guy and what gives him the right? But I investigated.
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