Since the U.S. election, I have been practicing acceptance. I practice many things—such as learning songs to play with my band or certain golf shots. Practicing these is not work. Mostly, I enjoy practicing whatever I'm practicing. I just keep at, and eventually, I get it--or close enough. But practicing acceptance is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I don’t know that I’ll ever get it. For now, I’ll have to stumble along, … [Read more...]
A caddie’s tattered running shoes and a black life
June 23, 2020 By
Until a week or so ago, I was unaware of Juneteenth, which commemorates that on June 19, 1865, a group of enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned that they had been freed by emancipation.At 63 years old, as a former journalist, and someone who considers himself fairly aware of social issues, I felt embarrassed that I was not aware of this important historical event, although I read in the New York Times today that “this holiday … only became … [Read more...]
My most memorable Christmas
January 3, 2020 By
The O'Connor gang circa Christmas 1976 or so taken by my father. A happy group, I'd say. A couple of days ago, a friend asked: ‘What’s the most memorable Christmas gift you have ever received or given?’ Instantly, I thought when I was about 14 and my father brought home a boxer puppy late on Christmas Eve, and entrusted me to keep it company and quiet overnight in the basement. There was also the sweater that Sandy knit for me … [Read more...]
‘College boy’ takes a manly risk in the beer store
November 20, 2019 By
This blog plunges deeply into the drama of my experience in trying to determine if two cases of 12 Sleeman were the same price as 24, and how my status as a manly man hung in the balance.‘ Oh man. This is confusing. Geez Tim, you should be able to figure this out.’ What was the crisis at the root of this great moment of anxiety? Here’s what: I was standing at the back of the Willow Street Beer Store in Guelph looking down at cases of Sleeman … [Read more...]
A ‘mistake’ makes a sad day more sad
November 13, 2019 By
How sad ... on a day when Canadians should come together to honour our war dead, Don Cherry's words and firing breed more diviseness. Let's work together people. When I listened to the supper-hour CBC Radio News coverage of Remembrance Day on Monday, it seemed even sadder than usual. It’s always sobering to consider the trauma that Canadian soldiers have suffered in wars around the world in standing up for our country and our values. I felt … [Read more...]
