welcome travel readers and a bit of a warning
1982-1994Wmtc has some new readers who are interested in following my travels. I feel I should warn you new folks: it's a lot of words. Like, all text. We do…
my writing
Musings on Grammar, Usage and Garner’s
Be honest with me: how serious are you about the serial comma? Do you wade into discussions on language forums and social media brandishing citations from your favourite authorities? Do…
Godaddy Broke My Blog 1
I apologize to readers who have been wondering what happened to my blog. It seemed to go haywire, with an old, out-of-date theme showing and no posts since Nov. 18.…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: commemorate remembrance day with a good book or three
Celebrate and commemorate Remembrance Day with a good book or three Readers have told me they enjoy the themed booklists I’ve shared. Remembrance Day is an occasion to share another…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: halloween is spooktacular at your library
Halloween Is Spooktacular at Your Library Halloween is almost here, and with almost everyone in the North Island vaccinated, be exchanging their everyday masks for spooky ones, making costumes, and…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: back-to-school: your library can help
Back-to-School: Your Library Can Help With the kids back to school, both parents and students need all the help they can get. Your library has a wealth of resources to…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: literacy skills are essential in our world
Literacy Is All Around Us September is Literacy Month, a time to recognize and celebrate all the many ways literacy improves and enhances our lives. As you go about your…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: great things are happening at your libraries
Great Things Are Happening At Your Libraries Our North Island branches of the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) are back to our full pre-covid hours, and back to normal –…
from the archives: all over the world, i tell people where to go
On our recent trip to Oregon and California, I made a note every time someone asked me for directions. That may seem like an odd thing to track — unless…
chuck close, rest in peace
The artist Chuck Close died last week at the age of 81. He was an incredibly talented artist, a progressive thinker, and a diehard New Yorker who was often seen…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: summer reading fun for all ages
Summer Reading Club is back, and it’s not just for kids. Children, teens, and adults can all find fun reading challenges – and prizes – at your library. Even infants…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: stress reduction one of the top 10 benefits of reading
A regular reader of this column asked me, “I spend a lot of time reading, then I feel guilty because I’m wasting time. ….” Reading is many things, but it…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: celebrate asian heritage at your library
As I mentioned here, I’m posting three of these columns each week until I’m caught up. May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, and the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL)…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: more favourite e-resources, always free with your library card
More Favourite E-Resources, Always FREE With Your Library Card The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) offers so many “e-resources,” it can be difficult to remember them all! That’s why I’m…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: booklists: we could use a laugh
As I mentioned here, I’m posting three of these columns each week until I’m caught up. Booklists: We Could Use a Laugh I have one last booklist for you before…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: booklists: hidden gems of historical fiction
Booklists: Hidden Gems of Historical Fiction Here’s a booklist you may want to save: historical fiction. This genre brings history to life, by letting readers view it through the eyes…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: booklists: hidden gems of fiction
Booklists: Hidden Gems of Fiction Here’s a list of 10 so-called literary novels. These are great reads that will move you, make you think, and maybe make you sad when…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: booklists: meet amazing people through reading
As I mentioned here, I’m posting three of these columns each week until I’m caught up. Booklists: Meet Amazing People Through Reading In my last column, I suggested ten travelogues…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: book lists: travel the world by book
Book Lists: Travel the World by Book In my last column, I promised you lists of books on various topics. I’ll highlight ten books in each column. You might want…