Category: Blog Entry
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Mules & Me
A Piperguy48 Production I refuse. I refuse many things, some are even supposed to be good for me. But I still refuse. I refuse to do things and engage in activities that dull my wit and stifle my curiosity. I refuse to be prodded, pushed or cajoled. If something intrigues me or catches my interest,…
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The Edge
A piperguy48 Production EDGE Ghosts of a half-remembered dream Of time and tide, not quite what it seems Lead down to water’s edge. Promises of dawn in the fading night Faintest blush on eastern brow in sight Lead near horizon’s edge. Gentle brush of silken hair Soft whispers on the misty air Lead wary souls…
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The Keeley Project
The Keeley Project A collection of B&W photos brought back from a trip to Calgary, scanned, and then returned. When The project opens, you can place your cursor in the lower right-hand corner and click to expand to full screen. You can pause at any time and control the volume.
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Remembering
A Piperguy48 Production Breaking of the Sword This is the photographic record of James Donald Black during his military service in the Second World war. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Toronto Scottish Regiment. He was sent overseas where he fought through France and Belgium. He was wounded and returned home on October…
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Foolishness & Folly
A Piperguy48 Production Foolishness & Folly It all began by jotting down the odd idea or association that presented itself. That eventually led to a later re-awakening and respect for the power of words to shape and convey ideas. The gap between then and now was filled with books. That led to this. I am…
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Generations
A Piperguy48 Production Generations My parents were among those labelled the “Greatest Generation”. They were born into a world of mind-boggling change. What had long been a static landscape was undergoing a whirlwind of innovation; motor cars, flying machines, the electrification of cities, communications, and medicine. They were young enough to be aware of the…
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Carl Sagan at his very best.
A Piperguy48 & Carl Sagan Production Carl Sagan discusses his views on religion. (Pardon any possible copywrite infringement.)
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Silks
A Piperguy48 Production Silks The Roses of Picardy (John McCormack) Think of the mud and blood-filled trenches of WWI. Think of the daily torment of lice and rats and other vermin too monstrous to contemplate. Think of the misery and gut-wrenching fear while awaiting the whistle signifying your turn to go over the top. Think…
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Deck The Halls
A Piperguy48 Production Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Folly Thus we had a deck. I also had the smallest of wounds – just one among many – barely visible and of no apparent consequence. In fact, the fifth digit (baby finger, pinkie, whatever) of my right hand was invaded by a bacterium or possible…
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Best Of Times / Worst Of Times
A Piperguy48 Production It was one of those “Best of Times/Worst of Times” weekends that Dickens would have appreciated. The DORKS were off once again to carry on with their foolishness and pursue their follies. The plan was laid out in customary haphazard detail; rendezvous, carpool, meet for breakfast at our Barrie eatery, then off…
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One Would Think
A Piperguy48 Production One would think that after 60 years, life would hold few surprises and of those that do pop up, they would be of very minor significance. Not so. On Saturday, October 5th, 2008, my family, friends and neighbours conspired to surprise the hell out of me with a birthday that was four-and-a-half…
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,,,and it was all thanks to Alyssa.
A Piperguy48 Production The most awesome landslides can often be triggered by the smallest pebbles. Alyssa, with her kind-hearted and generous offer to allow me to the use of her mother’s getaway place, precipitated a grand and glorious weekend that otherwise might never have happened. It began when I discovered that Alyssa and I shared…
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Beach Carnival
A Piperguy48 Production Beach Carnival The opposite side toward the lake (a recently discovered map names it Harbour Street) dissolved into a small desert of sand and grass. Benches and trestle tables of wind-worn timber and posts emerged like bleaching bones from the landscape forming a rough horseshoe. During the week they were playground to…
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James Donald Black Apr 9, 1911 – Sept 20, 1989)
A Piperguy48 Production At the going down of the sun and in the morning WE WILL REMEMBER THEM For The Fallen – Laurence Binyon Like many veterans, my father was reluctant to publicly share his experiences of those days. He kept his wartime memories in a battered green steamer trunk in the basement. It smelled…
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Beginnings
A Piperguy48 Production Beginnings These fellows that I’ve known for the past 40+ years are a remarkable group. Most of us gathered together in high school sharing the common bond of motorcycles, all except me. I was always the one sitting on the back, hanging on to the seat strap for dear life. I don’t…
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The Rant
A Piperguy48 and Garrison Keillor Production garrison-keillor-1-animated Garrison Keillor Host of The Prairie Home Companion A Teller of Tales From Lake Woebegone aka: Guy Noir If you are a fan of the “Prairie Home Companion, Tales From Lake Wobegon” or the “Adventures of Guy Noir”, then you will have a passing acquaintance with the philosophy…
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Christmas 2019 – Invocation.
A Piperguy48 Production Christmas 2019 – Invocation. I find myself in the enviable position, along with my sister, of being one of the elders of this unruly tribe. By virtue of my years, I have become the “old man” of the family and given a degree of respect that I certainly haven’t earned and…
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These Hands
A Piperguy48 Production To be clear, I have 2, one on my left and a mirror image of that on my right. They have served me reasonably well for most of my life. Initially of course they were simply interesting things that waved in front of my face. Practice and experience taught me how to get…
Notes In The Margin 