A Long Winter’s Night 2013 – Day 6: A Winter Lesson in Community

| December 26, 2013

Nova Scotians complaining about the state of the province’s roads in the wake of Sunday’s winter storm should be careful how much they grumble. An old law still on the province’s books can order “all physically fit male persons” between 16 and 60 years of age to shovel out highways made impassable by snow. At […]

A Long Winter’s Night 2013 – Day 2: Of Pagans, Heathens, and the Noble Savage

| December 22, 2013

Written words are visual guides to the making of sounds that, when uttered aloud, convey meaning. An example is the word “label”. A label can be a physical object that, when applied to another object, conveys important information about it. What it’s made of, how to use it, how long it may be kept, and […]

A Long Winter’s Night 2013 – Day 1: Find Joy in the Darkness

| December 21, 2013

Winter begins today, and those of us who understand the joys of travelling dark forest trails can walk slower tonight, for there is more darkness to enjoy. As I recall, the last time we all gathered here for A Long Winter’s Night, we were staring down the barrel of yet another ending of the world. […]

In Ferro Veritas – A Bit About In Ferro Veritas

| December 18, 2013

“‘In ferro veritas” means “in the sword is truth,’ or, more loosely translated, ‘studying the sword will smack you face-first into a lot of truths you’re not going to like.’” ~ Adam Adrian Crown, The Swordmaster’s Grimoire Every now and then, I experience the sheer delight of learning that someone whose work I respect and […]

Drying Up and Blowing Away

| December 11, 2013

Going Postal By LFM I killed a man the other day, He’d just himself to blame. First my patience emptied Then my pistol did the same. Disposing of his carcass Was an easy thing to do. So simple that you’ll wonder why It never came to you. I bubble wrapped and boxed him up And […]

A Lesson Learned

| December 7, 2013

In the wake of my 5 December 2013 reminder of Krampusnacht, I dedicate today’s ever so timely homage to my Esteemed forensic investigator Friend Martin. He, and you, will understand why when you get to the end of the poem, and I’m sure he, of all people, will consider this good advice indeed. Krampusnacht By […]

Can o’ Pee

| December 6, 2013

Today’s title comes from something once said to me by my all time favourite plumber; Wilson Richards of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia: “I don’t get why people want a canopy over their bed. I have a can o’ pee under mine.” As an only slightly related aside, there’s also this from the Helm Forge blog on […]

‘Tis Another Krampusnacht!

| December 5, 2013

Tonight, even as Swiety Mikolaj (Saint Nicholas) bestows his annual sugar buzz on the Children of Poland, Krampus stalks the land on his annual punitive expedition, hell bent on plying his own particular brand of “teaching a lessonry”. Nothing like a good birching among fiends! I’ve written of Krampus in past episodes, and for clarity, […]

The Game – Sharp and to the Point

| November 24, 2013

News coverage of the so called “knockout game” should have your blood boiling by now. This was inspired by it, although you are cautioned not to take it as a template for,  or recommendation of, vigilante justice. Just stay aware and always strive to ready yourself to do what needs doing, in all things. The […]

Life and Times of an Aging Super Hero – He Still Has It

| November 19, 2013

Thanks once again to the unflagging vigilance of doppelgänger “Uncle Jim” Keating, I found myself laughing my way this morning through the brilliant work of Swedish Artist Andreas Englund – specifically his growing series of oil paintings depicting, “… the candidly humorous life of an anonymous superhero who has probably seen better days. Though he […]