Rain, rain go away, come again some other day. The old catchphrase could not have felt more appropriate this morning. After one of the wettest first two weeks of June in memory, the sun came out and it looked as if summer was primed to arrive in our corner of the world. It was not to be. I took my boat out for a tour in the warm rays of sun and when I got home I didn’t put the Read more…
My day started early, the sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd shook me from my slumber. I looked at the clock, 5:30 am in fuzzy numbers glowed back at me. It was going to be a long day. I had a first-world decision whether to ride the motorbike and not worry about parking and have a fun ride. Or drive the truck and be comfortable and be able to have a morning coffee on my way across the city to the University Read more…
Music echoed through the park. I walked across the field and felt the rhythm infect my body. The live energetic sounds of Bring It On Home by Led Zeppelin bounced into the air. I bounced across the grass. Live music lifted my spirit and filled my soul. They were called the Bay Island All-Stars and they played their hearts out to the people of Summerland at the annual event known as Action Fest. Live music in the park was back. Read more…
Scattered. My brain has been totally scattered lately. There I was last night rushing home to meet my daughter. When will I learn to slow down? I checked my pocket and sure enough, the key to her car was there. I jumped on my motorbike and headed home to grab her car so I could meet her at the bus. I was so proud of my kid for catching a bus home. She has been growing by leaps and bounds Read more…
It was a big week in the life of my teenage daughter. She got her L and is now licensed to drive with me in the car. Where the hell did the last sixteen years go? It seems like only yesterday I was walking to the swimming pool pushing her in a stroller. Now she is turning into a young woman soon to be in charge of getting herself to the swimming pool. Getting a driver’s license sure has changed Read more…
Another school shooting, another group of parents in mourning. And still, more denial that guns are to blame. Of course, guns are not to blame. Easy access and the culture of guns and violence is much more the villain in this story than any inanimate object. But like the Lynyrd Skynyrd song says, handguns are made for killing, they ain’t no good for nothing else. The word handgun should be changed to assault rifle in today’s world. I doubt this Read more…
The agony of defeat. A roller coaster of emotions consumed my heart and my soul. Anyone who is a sports fan understands the whirlwind of emotions that can erupt inside. My favourite hockey team, The Calgary Flames, lost to my arch-enemy, Edmonton Oilers, in the first “Battle of Alberta” playoff series in over thirty years. Unfortunately, the end result was not much different than all those heartbreaks so many years ago. A bad call by the replay officials and great Read more…
Brettster and his better half Dawn left their Shuswap getaway and drove the winding road to meet with their friends Barrman and Kaydee. Dark storm clouds hung ominously above and the pair of Calgarians looked to the sky hoping the clouds would part and the sun would brighten up their world. A visit with their old friends in West Kelowna would brighten their day no matter what the weather was. Brettster had been to Barrman’s home at the mountain for Read more…
Barrman sat at the table surrounded by love and friendship. There was an exciting vibe in the lounge where ten people sat eating wings and sharing stories. It was a connection he’d rarely felt in over two years. He didn’t want the feeling to end. And then his phone rang. Barrman stared at his phone. Should I answer it? He thought to himself. It was a number he didn’t know. Instinctively, he pressed the button and answered the call. “Hello Read more…
A part of my world returned to normal – whatever that is. I reconnected with a group that I have not seen in quite some time. The Greater Westside Board of Trade had a Business After Hours and we all mingled and mixed. We share smiles, business cards, and connections were made. It felt good. It was fantastic to see and chat with so many people from the Before Times. I missed the group of business associates and friends I’d Read more…