Crossing the Rubicon After 2 and a half years of being ultra cautious, we finally got it. Karen and I have COVID. We have followed all the rules, taken the shots, masked up and socially distanced. We are not sure where we got it – but it is nasty. Before I hear from the anti-maskers…

Simpler Times The values my parents instilled within me were about helping others, doing more than you were asked, lending a helping hand and where possible, helping those less fortunate. Perhaps to my detriment, I often took those lessons literally. I never wanted anyone to think I was cheap, or unwilling to pay my share,…

The Audacity of Hope (With apologies to Barak Obama) “What team should I cheer for daddy”? “You should cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs son.” “Why” “Because they are the closest team to us”. That’s how it started, and remains to this day. My dad caused this lifelong pain. It’s his fault! It’s not that…

What is Fear? We all experience it – even if we pretend we don’t. There is fear of the dark. Fear of snakes. Fear of spiders. Fear of the unknown. Fear of travel. Fear of flying. Fear of death. Fear of germs. Fear of making a fool of oneself. Fear of speaking up. Fear of…

May 12 1976 That’s when the world stopped. Over the past couple of years, I had become very good friends with a red headed, freckled dynamo named Mike Underhill. He was a couple of years younger than I and as a result, we had not chummed much together growing up. He didn’t meander, but rather…

Definition of gratuity: Something given voluntarily or beyond obligation usually for some service I consider myself a better than average tipper. I am more than happy to pay for good service. Even better if I have a waiter or waitress that has a great attitude and perhaps a little sass. I like some personality with my…

Where Were You? For so many in the United States and around the world, 9/11 will forever be a “where were you when” moment. Like so many others, this day and this event changed me forever. It caused me to reflect on my own tolerance for others, my place in this world and as a…

How Did We Get Here? I am guilty of following US politics – sometimes too much. It’s like a train wreck about to happen. You know there will be carnage, but you can’t turn away. I am struck not so much about lack of humanity illustrated every day by the rich and powerful, but more…

A Lifetime of Friendships By the late 80s, I had lived in Aylmer, Lindsay, London, Truro Nova Scotia and back in Aylmer again. After the experience in Nova Scotia, I was determined to get involved in the community and thus began to volunteer to coach minor hockey. I was still playing at the time and…

The Entire USA Celebrated. Monday July 4th 2022, we celebrated the birth of our second grandson. At 34 weeks, Lewis William Wolfe was a little early, but healthy, happy and breathing on his own, though only 3 lbs, 15 Oz. Geoff and Martha have been under so much stress, but weathered the storm and brought…