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 […]

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 […]

A Long Winter’s Night 2013 – Day 9: Books and the Art of Socialization

| December 29, 2013

“I am a product […of] endless books. My father bought all the books he read and never got rid of any of them. There were books in the study, books in the drawing room, books in the cloakroom, books (two deep) in the great bookcase on the landing, books in a bedroom, books piled as […]

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 5: The 12 Deaths of Christmas

| December 25, 2013

I first introduced you to Katy Towell back on Day 22 of this year’s season of Dark Sentiments. Today she’s back with a wonderful ditty you can sing for yourself, and sally forth with to serenade the neighbourhood! Her original art is here and here. Also, courtesy of a fellow fan, there’s music and lyrics […]

A Long Winter’s Night 2013 – Day 4: A Christmas Announcement

| December 24, 2013

This poem was inspired by actual events. I was there when it all came to pass. A Christmas Announcement By LFM Once upon a time I knew A little girl with trouble. Instead of coming out her bum Her farts would form a bubble. The bubble would get stuck inside, And really hurt a lot, […]

A Long Winter’s Night 2013 – Day 3: The Art of Snow and Ice

| December 23, 2013

Winter, in latitudes where sub-freezing temperatures can occur, brings with it harsh realities that only frantic and organized preparation in the months prior can meet with any hope of success, leading to the passing down of parables such as the story of the ant and the grasshopper, and the legend of the Wendigo. This is […]

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 […]