Peter and Coco Win The Betty

I need to do a little more research before I post the column I intended to post this week, because Loyal Reader, you deserve the best I can give you. I hope to have that column up next week. In the meantime, here’s a look at one of the mammals residing at Chez Montreuil-Stevenson.

Peter Goes Back to Bed with Betty

Well, I am grateful to be back, thank you all for your comments and support. This week I am going to be writing about “gratitude” and being a nice person, inter alia. 

Peter Recalls the Charm of a Canadian Childhood – Playing in Traffic

Some time ago, I wrote about my successful quest to acquire a goalie stick. Some of you are probably wondering what I did with it once I got it. Well, careful what you wish for…….

Peter VS Technology

Did you know that I hate technology?

I suppose that I should explain.

I don’t hate technology all the time, but there are times when it is very difficult to feel anything more than bemusement about it. In support of this conclusion, I present a recent “interface” which I was barely able to endure.

Peter Be Talkin’ ‘Bout “Interactions”

“May I Help You”?

It was a late spring Friday afternoon, and the office was quiet. A glance at the wall clock would remind you that if you could get through the next hour without punching someone in the nose, you would have the whole weekend to recover. As I strolled toward my boss’s office, I could see that the manager had dropped in for a quick visit. My puckish sense of humour kicked in and I entered the office, looking at the floor and dusting my hands off. “Well, I got rid of the guy”, I said. Then I pretended to notice the manager standing there, so I snapped to attention, threw a credible Royal Navy salute (a) and said “I mean, I successfully completed the citizen interaction, sir!” The manager shook his head, chuckled and probably thought that if he could get through the next hour without punching someone in the nose, he would have the whole weekend to recover. 

Peter Addresses the Ukraine Conflict

This week I am going to write about the events occurring in Ukraine, with special emphasis on the armoured column directed at Kyiv. I am basing my content on my knowledge of military affairs gained from many years of study and discussion about the subject with many very well informed people. My goal in doing this is to attempt to make the situation a little clearer to those who may not be completely familiar with some lesser known aspects of the story. But first, some background.

Pat Blythe – Celebrating Anniversaries……and music

Well….I have three anniversaries this month. As of this writing on February 15, thirty-six years ago today, I married my sweetie. First wedding (and reception) ever held in Sparkles. For those of you old enough to remember, Sparkles was THE de rigueur lounge, club and disco in Toronto at that time. I have no idea what possessed me to book the place for a wedding! Maybe availability, maybe because it was an “all-in-one” since there was a restaurant below that would cater….who knows? Cost of the wedding, including food and non-alcoholic beverages, $1,350 for 65 people. One thing I’ll never forget…..the best man wanting to begin a speech with, “today, Chris got married in a place higher than he is”.

Peter – So This is Christmas ….

So this is Christmas! A large part of what makes me who I am is based on my parents…..

…..who loved Christmas. They worked hard to ensure that there were Christmas goodies available for their brood. I remember seeing boxes of chocolates stuffed away in the rafters in September. The whole group of kids pointedly ignored the chocolates, we knew that they were doing their best to ensure that we had a good Christmas.

Peter Suggests you Get Back in Line

Don’t you hate “entitled” people? You know, the ones who, for example, just have to push their way into the line, seeking to claim their “rightful place” at the head.

Loyal Reader, not only do I abhor these boors, but I challenge them at every turn. I always have, and I always will. You see, I believe that things go best if everyone exercises courtesy in their daily routine. I know, I sound like a dreamer at best and a naif at worst, but “hope springs eternal”. 

Peter Gets an Election

One of the gifts which my Dad gave to me was an interest in politics. Not only would he answer any of my questions about the subject during our discussions about this topic, but he nurtured my enthusiasm for the entire process by letting me sit down on the couch beside him and watch the televised drama of “Election Night” unfold across the nation. As I got older, of course, I was able to stay up later and later, although I was never able to stay up “until the bitter end” as long as I had school to get up for in the morning. As I have written before, I could never understand why few, if any, of my classmates had any interest at all in discussing the election results the next day at school.