Monthly Archives: July 2012

Last Friday we saw a production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible at Soulpepper Theatre in Toronto. The play, ostensibly about the Salem witch trials, was clearly inspired by the activities of Joseph McCarthy and the Committee on Un-American  Activities in … Continue reading →

 “The modesty of the grave made me sad . . .The first Rin Tin Tin died but he still lived – and lives still – an idea more than an entity, always different but essentially the same. Remembering was what … Continue reading →

What more can be said about the tempest in a teacup created by President Obama’s comment, “If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that. Somebody else made it happen.” The sentence was so clearly taken out of context that it’s … Continue reading →

My son Mike recently gave me a new edition of “A Moveable Feast,” by Ernest Hemingway. The book chronicles Hemingway’s experiences as a young man in Paris, where Mike is spending his honeymoon with our new daughter in law, Alice. … Continue reading →

Recently I received an intriguing and well written media release from a local historical group. This is not your usual fusty “hysterical society” (as a dear friend used to call these venerable organizations). Last year the group created a spectacular … Continue reading →

One of my pet peeves is how people interchange the words “would” and “will.” Take for instance the following excerpt from a fundraising proposal: “We will arrange for recognition opportunities, including a special event. We would also provide up-dates about … Continue reading →

When a friend is sounding off, perhaps about a failed relationship or annoying boss, you may sometimes be tempted to say, “Listen to yourself!” What you mean is, stop and get some perspective on what you’re saying – hear yourself … Continue reading →

I love this time of year because summer theatre begins. Yesterday we went to the Stratford Festival’s production of The Pirates of Penzance, by Gilbert and Sullivan. The plot revolves around a mistake in words. Frederic, the leading character, has … Continue reading →

On a magnificent holiday Monday, while most people were lounging on the beach or snoozing in hammocks, I spent the day at a dog agility competition near Guelph, Ontario. Max and I have two four-year-old border collies, and we have … Continue reading →