Words (Page 21)

Some of the articles, stories and columns I have written.

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In: Other writing, Words

I put Friday’s final edition of the Guelph Mercury into the bottom drawer of our filing cabinet. We have quite a collection of significant day editions of newspapers. There’s one from the day Princess Diana died and a couple of Maclean’s magazines about her. A Toronto Star and a Toronto Sun about the Downsview SARS-stock concert in July 2003. We used to have one from the day on which the kids were born, but 3 of them have disappeared. Only the Globe from August 22 1980 is still there. I’m not sure why, but we kept the June 14 1982 Mercury.  In amongst all thoseRead More →

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It was demolition by neglect. Torstar slowly pulled resources away from the Mercury over the years until it resembled your aging granny on life support. When the plug was pulled and granny died, it was very sad, but not unexpected. Sometimes you can see the blow coming from miles away but it still hurts when it hits. With the passing of the Guelph Daily Mercury we did not witness the death of independent journalism in Guelph. The Mercury hasn’t been an “independent” newspaper since it was sold to Thompson Newspapers 70 years ago. It was always independent of city hall, but Lord Thompson kept aRead More →

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In: Chats with Charlie, Words

This morning was a bit milder than it’s been lately, which makes for a slightly more pleasant wander around the block. Bouncing from one edge of the sidewalk to another doesn’t fit the description of a proper walk. Charlie sticking his nose into the snow banks every couple of feet makes a walk a lot longer. A proper walk is supposed to be purposeful. A walk is all about the destination and getting there as quickly and directly as you can. A wander, on the other hand, is all about the journey and the smells that can be found along the way. It doesn’t evenRead More →

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In: Chats with Charlie, Words

When Charlie wants to go for a walk he sits close by and does a whiny sort of a noise. It’s not a bark, but he knows what he wants and he wants it twice a day. Just after breakfast, and just before supper. It also happens to be when all his friends are out for a walk as well. It happened again this afternoon. I was sitting at the computer, tapping away when he sat down beside me. “Okay,” I said. “In a minute. I just have to finish this thought.” About three thoughts later, he became more persistent. He started scratching my leg,Read More →