Living History in Winnipeg
Okay, let’s say I’m always a little conflicted about this whizzbang stuff commemorating past battles. But history is history, and the more we learn about it and keep it alive…
Mary Soderstrom
Recreating Eden 2013-02-18 13:36:00
It was cold again this morning–down near -16 C and not far from 0 F with a strong wind that made it seem even colder. Yet I saw some hardy…
Saturday Photo: Green Houses on Cold Days
This is a picture of the Palm House at the Royal Gardens at Kew. It is a very lovely place, and the inspiration of glass houses all over the world.…
Zombies and the Republicans–and Conservative Economics in General
Once again Paul Krugman takes up the battle against the forces of darkness.“Zombie economic ideas have eaten his brain,” he writes in The New York Times, talking about Florida Senator…
Happy Valentine’s Day, Non-commercially
This is not the first time that I’ve used this photo as a card, but, what the heck!, I like it. It also has the advantage of being one I…
You’re Known by the Company You Keep: Justin Trudeau and Patrick Brazeau
Now that Patrick Brazeau has been more or less turfed out of the Senate for very ungentlemanly behavior, it’s time to reflect on the boxing match he lost to Justin…
Faith and Facts: Where to Draw the Line?
Interesting juxtaposition in the news today: the Roman Catholic pontiff steps down, Stephanie Nolen writes about the biggest religious event in the world and Paul Krugman’s column is about “The…
Saturday Photo: Sledding, again
Beautiful day, sun and fresh snow. Couldn’t be better for playing outside….
January Is a Cruel Month: the Carpe Diem Files
Four friends lost parents in January. All of the deceased were in their 80s or older–and one, our neighbor Mary Macdonnel Bélisle, was 106. My mother, whose birthday was in…
Hart House Viols in Concert on Saturday: Not to Be Missed
Elin is in Toronto this week preparing for a concert in the Scaramella series where she and three other musicians will play fabulously old viola da gambas Saturday, February 9,…
Even the Conference Board Warns about Income Inequality
A new Conference Board of Canada report should be an eye-opener to those who think that high unemployment and changes in the EI rules that will penalize seasonaal workers are…
Saturday Photos: Two fromt the Past, One from the Present
I dug out two pictures of Lukas and Elin, aged about 5 and 9, playing in the snow in front of our house this week to show Jeanne. She wasn’t…
Seven Years to Walk Humankind’s History: Paul Salopek’s Excellent Project
Just came across a fascinating adventure that will retrace (more or less) humankind’s trek out of Africa and around the world. Writer Paul Salopek is calling it “Out of Eden:”…
Recreating Eden 2013-01-31 14:40:00
An interesting development in the film forum NPD Ourtremont is organizing for next Monday, February 4: Widia Larivière of Femmes Autochtone du Québec and Idle No More will be on…
Corporate Welfare Bums, Not Jobs: $75 Billion in the Bank, But Where’re the Jobs?
The Canadian Labour Congress has just published its report on corporate tax hoarding. The conclusion? Some $75 billion in the bank, but darn few jobs created. Here’s what the report…
Recreating Eden 2013-01-29 08:10:00
Interesting constellation of events: a consulting engineer reports that he personally offered illegal cash to city officials not only in Montreal but several other municipalities, and a huge water pipe…
Am I Getting Closer to the Inca Trail? Exhibit of the Art of Peru at MBAM
Back to work on the non-fiction book, slowly working toward a way of saying what it is about. Now I’m becoming increasingly convinced I have to go to Brazil, and…
Saturday Photo: Orange Rules
For the NDP wine and cheese on Thursday we used bowls of clementines for table decorations. They looked quite nice, and had the advantage of being both cheaper than flowers,…
Secrets Are Not Good in Public Administration: Rio Tinto Alcan Admits to Making Big Bucks Sellling Electricity During Lock-out
The aluminum multinational Rio Tinto Alcan made $74 million selling electricity to Hydro Québec during a recent lockout of its workers, Le Devoir reports. Under a very secret contract reached…
Still a Few Tickets Left for Wine and Cheese Tonight
It’s going to be cold on the top of Mount Royal tonight, but inside Smith House things will be marvelously warm. NDP Outrremont is holding a wine and cheese beginning…