Why Curious George Starts in Paris and Ends in New York
Reading and the love of books can’t encouraged too soon. The Curious George books by H.A. and Margaret Rey were great favourites of our kids and Jeanne has delighted in…
Mary Soderstrom
Ray Charles on the Way We Should Behave
Lots and lots of depressing news coming when the world in this part of the world is ablaze with luminous greens. How about this for an anthem? When it comes…
Oh Come on, Not That Equality Party Business Again!
It seems that a few unhappy Anglophones are trying to whip things up again by starting a new Equality party, version 2.0. A rally was held on the weekend in…
Saturday Photo: More than 6000 Signaturs, and the Garden Backs Down
Montreal’s Jardin botanique, as I’ve been saying here recently, is one of the loveliest places around. Evenn this morning, with a steady rain falling, Jeanne would have spent the whole…
Washing Windows, Waxing Floor: Garbage Work Thad Must Be Done
I’ve put it off long enough–got to do some cleaning today. No time for any reflections other than to say that the kitchen floor is awfully dirty. Since Thomas is…
Excitement about Riding Your Bike: The View from New York
I’ve mentioned before how I don’t ride bikes, but I must admit I like the idea of people riding all over the city. Yesterday I walked from our place to…
Cool Water: Excuse Me While I Go Boil Some Water
Today is the first day I’ve ever had to boil water. Every summer there are warnings for communities in the hinterland that the supply is low, or there’s been a…
Behind the Scenes: Let’s Hear It for the Nursing Staff!
One of the things I’ve been doing for years is volunteer for a three hour shift once a week at a local children’s hospital. I rock babies, play with toddlers,…
Today’s a Holiday with a Good Name: La Journée des Patriotes
What’s this nonsense of starting a petition to change the May holiday from Victoria Day/the Queen’s Birthday to include reference to First Nations? I can readily understand renaming the third…
Saturday Photo: More from the Jardin botanique
Marie Victorin was a Roman Catholic teaching brother and naturalist who championed access to nature for all. He was the driving force behind the establishment of Montreal’s lovely Jardin botanique…
Opposition Growing to HIke in Jardin botanique Admissioin Fess
As of 2:18 p.m., 2,957 people had signed the petition protesting the hikes in entrance fees to Montreal’s botanical garden. Here’s the link: now sign!!!
Wish I Had Friends to Fork out $90,000 Just Like That
It not be illegal, but it sure is fishy: Mike Duffy had his debts paid off by a friend of Stephen Harper’s to the tune of more than $90,000. This…
Melting Glaciers: a Sign of Things to Come?
The Swansea University scientists say that this is not, in and of itself, evidence of climate change, but it sure is change of some kind. In this video, posted May…
Do You Really Need a Car? Seems That Not All Younger Folk This So.
When I grew up in Southern California, getting a driver’s license was a rite of passage. I actually got mine before I was 16, and Lee didn’t even ask me…
Some Monday Photos from the Jardin botanique
The more I think about the plan to charge high fees to visit Montreal’s Jardin botanique, the more annoyed I get. When we first came here eons ago, it was…
Saturday Photo: Say No to Fees at the Jardin botanique
Once upon a time you could get into Montreal’s Jardin botanique for nothing, anytime. Then fees were added for the greenhouses, and for non-Montrealers who wanted to visit the outside…
A New Generation Discovers Robert Nelson
Robert Nelson has new fans! The leader of the 1838 phase of Lower Canada’s Rebellion and president of the Republic of Lower Canada has his own page and song produced…
Trees Offer Hope in the Climate Change Battle
I may have mentioned that I’m working on a new non-fiction project–rather vague at the moment, but having to do with time, roads and the traces that humans leave on…
The Best Music for Summer Weather: Sketches of Spain with Signs of
One of my few claims to cool is that I’ve been a Miles Davis fan since infancy, or thereabouts. I remember buying this on vinyl one glorious summer Saturday in…
Charles Ramsey’s Analysis of What’s Wrong with America
Far too much stuff this morning–a day when there are huge stories on the international scene–about the bizarre escape of three young women after, it would seem, about 10 years…