“Here we go again.” That’s all it said. The note came from an American friend from over the border. It was just before overtime last Sunday morning, before Team Canada and Team USA were to finish their Olympic gold hockey battle in Milano Cortina. My friend Brian knew
Reflections on Canada’s Olympic hockey setback Read More »
BERLIN – The German capital knows winter these days. An ice storm recently canceled hundreds of flights including yours. But Tante Eva, your mother’s sister, has her warmth. You’re visiting while returning to Canada from work in East Africa. It’s good. In any season, Berlin,
How our family stories shape our lives today Read More »
Before I tell you about the boda-boda driver Godfrey, let me thank the government of Uganda for helping with my recent internet cleanse. Authorities turned the internet off during Uganda’s mid-January election to apparently give opportunity to reflect, to look in the mirror.
Life from the back of a boda-boda Read More »
Before something on sailing, here’s a thought on surprises. Don’t underestimate the power of surprise in this world. I’m reminded with every new year because today, January 3, marks my first day in newspapers. Gorbachev was dismantling the Soviet Union and the Berlin Wall had yet to fall. I was 23 and learning up from down.
Of sailing and surprises Read More »
Sitting on our home’s front window ledge these days is a simple sign that says, “Noel.” A
nativity scene is carved inside the letter O. I found it in a country store. The modest window in a window isn’t much. Except it is. This is how it goes with things hidden
in plain view.
Finding joy in the hidden: a Christmas reflection on humility and love Read More »
It’s the phone and it’s your friend, Hamiltonian Rick Bradford, from the other side of the world. You talk about it all, what’s happening in Nigeria. The kidnappings. The fear. The corruption. Rick, a former Stelco worker of 30 years and lay leader at Philpott Memorial
Inside Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis Read More »
Thinking today about kings and politics, let’s turn to John F. Kennedy along with Mr. Ashley, who taught me high school history. It’s JFK today because November 22 is the day he was assassinated. That was 1963, but the American was one of those people who spoke deeper into time
Of Kennedy and kings and power grabs Read More »
If you ever find yourself on the other side of the American border without knowing exactly what to do about this, my advice is to get to Cooperstown, in Upstate New York, the birthplace of baseball and where you can hang around with baseball ghosts. Hockey, of course, has its ghosts skating around, like in Nova
Just swing for the fences Read More »
