Family
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The big scrap
France, April 12, 1917 Dear Home Folks:- Just a few lines on this my birthday to let you know I came through the big scrap OK. I haven't time to write much but just want to say how glad I am. Louis came through alright too. Dan Holmes was wounded + I think Stewart McNicol
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I ain’t got a card to sign
Steve Earle is a brilliant song writer, and his song Valentine's Day is beautiful and you know, just know, that it comes from his screwing up on Valentine's Day. But it is also a wonderful expression of his love for his wife (the one he married twice "Our divorce didn't work out."). When it came
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Just desserts
Dennis Cheeseman and Shawn Hennessey were sentenced yesterday for their role in the senseless murders of Anthony Gordon, Leo Johnston, Brock Myrol, and Peter Schiemann some four years ago. I was surprised, and gratified, to see that the last couple of articles on CBC's website did not have a comment section. In general comments on
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Lost things
Back, over 40 years ago, my grandfather brought me a souvenir from Rome. It was simple, non-descript, and how I wish I still had it. Its funny what we take as touchstones in our lives. My grandfather brought me a stone. I didn't appreciate then, it was cool, very cool, but I was nine or
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The Act of Remembrance
They are only four lines, but they sum up, for me anyway, the essence of Remembrance Day. They are known as the Act of Remembrance and are usually recited by a veteran after the minute of silence. Many people who are familiar with the words are not aware that they are but one stanza from
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There’s a reason that I love this town
I've got a Joel Plaskett ear worm running unstoppable through my brain this afternoon. But here is the reason that I love this town. Well there are other reasons but this amazing woman, holding her cousin's newborn is the main one. And just by way of a bonus, here is the other woman in my
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The man I most wish I was
I've often said that I am a very lucky man. I've long known that. And a good part of the great life I've had, and the type of man I am falls at the feet of my father. Many of my fondest memories surround him, from Saturdays at McLeod's lunch counter, to walks in the
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Another Mother’s Day
I’m not sure that we ever really give our mother’s their due. I mean, how can we really? We are their children and we embody almost every one of their hopes and fears for the future. My mother would never forgive me if I publicly posted her age here, but she has three grown children,
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I’m four and my dad is forty.
It’s my dad’s birthday today. He’s 79. The title of this comes from the fact that his dad, my grandfather, was also born April 12th, and his aunt would never let him forget that when he was four he announced that he was four and his dad was forty. My dad remains the man I