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...]
Does failing to deliver on my commitments mean I’m an unconscious jerk?
November 8, 2019 By
Can you say you're going to do something ... and then NOT do it ... and still be in integrity? You might be surprised. Is God so powerful that he could make a rock so big that even he couldn’t lift … [Read more...]
Asking a potentially ‘stupid’ question is a smart thing to do
June 14, 2019 By
Do you find yourself in situations where you feel compelled to ask a question but don't out of fear how you'll be judged? Sometimes, the bravest and smartest thing you can do is to take the risk--and ask the question. “It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt.”― Mark Twain This bon mot attributed to the author of Tom Sawyer is regarded as a sage piece of wisdom, but sometimes staying silent … [Read more...]
