Where have all the flowers gone? It’s a hackneyed question, but I needed an answer today. I found them growing by the Grand River near Waterloo, Ontario. This morning brought news of the devastating shooting at an Orlando nightclub that … Continue reading
Something remarkable happens when men get together and play with fibre. The first Men’s Knitting Retreat North kicked off yesterday afternoon with an informal meet and greet as guys arrived from as far away as Germany, Texas, Florida and Colorado. … Continue reading
Next weekend, April 15 to 17, 2016, the first Canadian men’s knitting retreat will take place. I’ve had a hand in organizing it and can hardly wait. This is the realization of a long-held dream. Men’s knitting retreats started in … Continue reading
It’s something many people take for granted, but it shapes who we are. Why We Live Where We Live is a new book for kids by Kira Vermond (Owlkids, 2014). I happen to live in the same city as Kira, … Continue reading
When I support community organizations I choose non-sectarian ones. So I usually avoid the Salvation Army. However, I want to point out that the Salvation Army has a policy of non-discrimination which explicitly includes sexual orientation. This has been the … Continue reading
I always find it hard to encapsulate what happens at men’s knitting retreats. Aaron Bush did a good job highlighting what we did and the camaraderie felt last weekend at Easton Mountain Retreat Center. Anyone who attended would probably admit … Continue reading
Obviously newborn babies do not eat lasagna, but this is a story about love and community, so bear with me. Earlier in the summer I promised a recipe for another favourite summer harvest soup. Unfortunately, my tomato vines have so … Continue reading
This is the final day of the WordCount Blogathon. I finished with flying colours, posting every day of the month. Speed River Journal received more visits than ever before. The three most popular posts have a common underlying theme of … Continue reading
Friday afternoon at the Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat featured a field trip to Ewetopia Farm. The Crossmans breed Cotswolds, a rare breed of longwool sheep. Apparently the breed is also known for its friendly temperament. Max Crossman (left) brought out … Continue reading
Wednesday afternoon we arrived at the Men’s Spring Knitting Retreat, running until Sunday. Danny and I attended the first gathering of this kind in May 2008. It was one of the most memorable social events of my life. We are … Continue reading