Telling Stories

| January 28, 2014

“Storytelling has a special place in indigenous culture.  It’s a cultural torch passed from one generation to another, and from it flows teachings, lessons, and continuity.  Storytelling is a powerful force for cultural survival and it can be many things – funny, profound, educational, a force of resistance, and a tool of reconciliation.” ~ Shelagh’s […]

Sam’ Dee, Dif’rent Haggis

| January 25, 2014

On the subject of that famous Christmas confection called fruitcake, Johnny Carson once said, “The worst gift is fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other.” He appears to have had little of the sort to say of The Haggis, and that was wise of […]

Sir Richard Francis Burton – Sexual Swordsman

| January 23, 2014

Do what thy manhood bids thee do, From none but self expect applause; He noblest lives and noblest dies Who makes and keeps his self-made laws. ~ Sir Richard Francis Burton ~ If you’ve never heard of Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821-1890), then you have been denied exposure to one of the greatest minds in […]

Origami Mammy

| January 17, 2014

I wrote this for fun one night last week, while sitting in bed talking to Mrs. LFM during the nightly ritual of feeding the SFM before we all go down for the duration. I read it to her, and at her insistence, present it here. Swaddling is an age old practice dating far back before […]

Fresh is Good! Adventures in Dining.

| January 14, 2014

Mrs. LFM and I are fans of the Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Halifax and have enjoyed their food and drink many times. On one visit a while back, an item on the menu caught my eye that apparently came served with their celebrated “shillelagh sauce”. Now I couldn’t let that pass me by, so […]

I’m Not a Sheepdog – I Have Sheepdogs for That (Part 2 of 2)

| January 12, 2014

Once Wendell Phillips and a young friend were sitting by the fire. It was a memorable evening. Recollections had flushed the cheeks of the veteran campaigner. Memories of former heroic days had loosened his tongue. He had completely lost himself in the thrilling recital of the past. The young visitor sat enthralled. At last, when […]

I’m Not a Sheepdog – I Have Sheepdogs for That (Part 1 of 2)

| January 5, 2014

“I will not stand for trivializing the sacrifices made by those who fought and often died so I can sit hear speaking the truth as I see it, and to my mind the title of “Hero” is thrown around entirely too easily these days. There are times and situations in history that few of us […]