2013: A Very Good Year!

Lots of ‘looking-back’ stories at this time of year.
During 2013, two major events happened in our family, and we just happen to have the photos to show:
— On May 29, our grand-niece, Amelie (a.k.a., La niña), was born in Havana, Cuba.

Our nephew was not able to get permission to attend his wife in the delivery room, because of medical regulations there. Everything went well, and his wall-to-wall grin was visible, even in the text of his e-mail! La niña was baptized earlier this month, and all three are doing fine in Havana right now.
However, we have a problem: Madre has been unable to get an emigration visa; they want to live / work

Nelson Mandela

Earlier this morning, the people of South Africa – and indeed the whole world – were in the final stages of giving this remarkable man their final respects. His burial took place in his home village of Qunu.

Our impressions of this remarkable man still range from “terrorist” to “father of his country” … and everything in between.
His death ten days ago came as no surprise, as the 96-year-old statesman had been in poor health for many months. Throughout most of the mourning period, the atmosphere was of an upbeat 'celebration-of-life' by the South African citizens, accompanied by singing and dancing.

'Where were you, when … ?'

Most of us, of the Boomer era, can remember exactly where we were when we heard the news that President Kennedy had been shot.

I had the chance to revisit many of the feelings and of that tragic weekend, during the last couple of weeks. The 50th anniversary shows were quite restrained. (Photo: The Guardian)
Here are some of the thoughts and images that went through my mind all over again:
-- The entire world, especially America, descended into a depressed state: reactions on the streets ranged from outright weeping, to quiet introspection.
-- Did Oswald act alone?
Conspiracy theories still abound (available on any overnight radio talk show!):

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

      Between the crosses, row on row,

   That mark our place; and in the sky

   The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

   Loved and were loved, and now we lie

         In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

   The torch; be yours to hold it high.

   If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

         In Flanders fields.

-- John McCrae

Radio … and Me - 27

Last evening, CBC Radio One presented a special program on 'Ideas,' because today marks the 75th anniversary of the scariest radio drama in history: 'The War of the Worlds.'

Airing of the Orson Welles CBS 'Mercury Theatre of the Air' adaption of the H.G. Wells novel led to panic and outrage by those who heard it as a description of a real event, during the tense years and months that would lead to the beginning of World War II.
Photo: KPCC, Southern California Public Radio
According to a comprehensive article in Wikipedia, 'most of the play was a contemporary retelling of events of the novel, presented as news bulletins interrupting another program.' It began with an introduction from the novel, and went on to relate an alien invasion of Earth, beginning in a small town called Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
The story grew more and more ominous, as Martian war

The Holy Land

Dear Reader: Here is a Local Cultural Fact:
When a Cape Bretoner casually tells you: 'I'm going to the Holy Land next week,' he/she is not referring to the land where Jesus walked, but to the island on the other side of the Causeway.
Here are a few reasons:

1. At this time of year, it is even more fitting, because of the Fall colours, which are at their glorious best wherever you travel , and the Celtic Colours International Festival, a two-weeks stretch of concerts, displays, and kitchen parties, currently in full swing, literally, all over the island.
2. Recently, I had a chance to read a book -- that was in short supply this summer on the mainland, The Promised Land: A Novel of Cape Breton, by Bill Conall (Boularderie Island Press).
The stories recount the adventures of many 'characters' living on the island, including:

Traffic, Traffic, Everywhere - 2

I have been fascinated by driving for a long time. When I was a youngster, I used to observe drivers' hands, and longed for the day when I would be able to drive.

Over the last 50 years -- in fact, since I have had a driver's license -- I have enjoyed driving, loved the excitement of the 'open road,' which one summer took me all the way to Victoria, B.C.
I have braved the rigours of driving in bad weather, even foggy nights and winter storms, and have survived driving on narrow roads, dirt roads, and 'no roads!'
Until recently, that is, when driving has lost some of its allure.
It has been said that one of the guiding principles behind 'Defensive Driving' ciourses is that you assume that all the other drivers are idiots, and are going to do the wrong thing!
Wise words.