Dear Ambassador: We Canadians understand the desperate conflict the Ukrainian people are facing because of Tsar Putin’s blitzkrieg on your country. We understand the valiant actions of Andrij in Kiev of late setting an example for democratic strength throughout the globe. President Biden of the United States of America has discussed with your President ZelenskyContinue reading ““Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” :Chapter 14: Bob’s Confidential Memo to Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada”
Author Archives: Robert K Stephen (CSW)
“Travels to a Different Time” : 19July1974: Sibiu (Transylvania), Romania; Cultural Break
Romanian travel for me has been different than the beach life in Yugoslavia and Greece. There is more time to experience town and city life. The experiences are not always great! I woke up about 10 and since I set up tent near a tree I had the shade which was a plus on anotherContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 19July1974: Sibiu (Transylvania), Romania; Cultural Break”
“Travels to a Different Time” 18July1974: Heading North from Bucharest: Sending Gypsies Running in Fear!
Too much spaghetti and beer bloated me up and had a sweaty sleep. However a shower, more spaghetti, apple pastry and mineral water revived me. I had a mess to clean up with spaghetti sauce all over the walls. Caked pots in short an East German beer disaster! At noon a farewell to Sorin. AContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” 18July1974: Heading North from Bucharest: Sending Gypsies Running in Fear!”
“Andrij The Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 13: In Canada Meeting Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog, Dylan the Westie, Bob and Fay
Our Navy Jet lands in the Niagara Airport in Canada. It was chilly in Washington but the chill here in Canada is just like home in the Ukraine. I am whisked to a private terminal where two dogs come racing out to meet me. They bark and wag their tails and do circles around me.Continue reading ““Andrij The Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 13: In Canada Meeting Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog, Dylan the Westie, Bob and Fay”
RKS Retro Film: “Roma”: A Mexican American Film That Explores Societal and Relationship Devastation
The 2018 Mexican American film “Roma” received 10 Oscar nominations for the 91st Academy Awards and won three including Best Foreign Film (Mexico’s first Best Foreign Film win). Alfonso Cuarón won for Best Director. The film, shot in black and white so beautifully, can be seen as a study of near devastation of human relationshipsContinue reading “RKS Retro Film: “Roma”: A Mexican American Film That Explores Societal and Relationship Devastation”
RKS Wine: Portugal Comes on Strong in 2022 Tastings
I can’t recall encountering a Portuguese dud in 2022. And the best wine so far is not from the Douro but from Beira Interior. Alentejano wines are proving to be solid wines at more than reasonable prices. We try a 2019 Coutada Velha Signature 2019 which is a Vinho Regional Alentejano. There is some CabernetContinue reading “RKS Wine: Portugal Comes on Strong in 2022 Tastings”
“Travels to a Different Time” : 17July1974: Bucharest, Romania: Too Much East German Beer: Jumped by Gypsies at 2 a.m.
I finally bought the sheepskin vest and with help of some black-market exchange I ended up paying $20. The day was roasting hot as I went to the market to purchase ingredients to make another batch of spaghetti. I purchased all the ingredients at the market and went into the “tourist shop” to buy EastContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 17July1974: Bucharest, Romania: Too Much East German Beer: Jumped by Gypsies at 2 a.m.”
“Travels to a Different Time” : 16July1974: Bucharest, Romania: Stay Away From “Nick the Big Boy”: Overnight in a Romanian Villa
Up at ten for a big spaghetti brunch. Sorin loved it but with the right spices it would have been worthy for the top bureaucrats in the Romanian Communist Party! After the tasty feast Sorin left for work while I washed some clothes and started to pack up. I am planning on leaving in aContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 16July1974: Bucharest, Romania: Stay Away From “Nick the Big Boy”: Overnight in a Romanian Villa”
“Travels to a Different Time” :15July1974: Bucharest, Romania: Sorin Has to Register Me with the Police: Meeting up With Pusha the Daughter of a Defector: My Imitations Cause Mirth and Terror
Up at 10:30 and Sorin and I went out to buy some milk, bread, cake and Romanian “Corn Flakes”. The milk was not very good and Sorin said if you arrived before 8:30 there was a higher quality milk available. Sorin has never had spaghetti and meat sauce! Is that possible! So we went toContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” :15July1974: Bucharest, Romania: Sorin Has to Register Me with the Police: Meeting up With Pusha the Daughter of a Defector: My Imitations Cause Mirth and Terror”
RKS Film: “Visionary Gardeners”: Episode # 3 “People and Plants”
The Canadian television series “Visionary Gardeners” is a five-part series premiering March 7, at 9 p.m. ET on Vision TV and it runs for 5 weeks in half hour segments. It features avid Canadian gardeners with their own vision of what a garden is. You may think the series is about them and their gardensContinue reading “RKS Film: “Visionary Gardeners”: Episode # 3 “People and Plants””
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 