Spring 1969, London, Ontario. Grade 12, Oakridge High School A friend named Chris Turnbull had somehow inherited a car. Probably his parents handed over this dilapidated vehicle when he turned 18. His decrepit Dodge was something of a jalopy. But it was equipped with an 8-track cartridge player: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8-track_cartridge You inserted a clunky music cartridge..
Sweetening the pot I’ve been an incurable insomniac since the age of five, when I became convinced by the minister of our local parish that I would burn in hell for eternity because “I took the name of the Lord God in vain.” For the next few years, I spent entire nights praying to the..
Andy McClelland: A singer/songwriter you’ll want to share In 1969, by a strange fluke, I won a scholarship to study at a small private Canadian institution located in Switzerland, Neuchâtel Junior College, receiving financial assistance for which only students from London, Ontario were eligible. I never should have been granted this award. It should..
My old friend Andy McClelland is a brilliant singer/songwriter, an Indie musician with an amazing portfolio. He has given me a wonderful Christmas gift by turning two of my poems into songs. Here is the first tune called… I’m a Grandpa for Rent (Lyrics by Robert McBryde) Give the tune a listen by clicking..
In my craft or sullen art Dylan Thomas 1914 –1953 In my craft or sullen art Exercised in the still night When only the moon rages And the lovers lie abed With all their griefs in their arms, I labour by singing light Not for ambition or bread Or the strut and trade of charms..
Mommy Bloggers Just learned a new designation from my friend the writer Allan Stratton: Mommy Blogger. A term practically everybody seems to know except me. Allan tells me that “Mommy bloggers are stay at home moms who blog and have been able to get into publishing because of their huge number of followers. This happens..