Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 19: Anastassia Yalanskaya Memorial Dog Shelter

On the way home to Toronto Bob told Reggie and I a very sad story about a 26-year-old lady in the Ukraine called Anastassia Yalanskaya who was killed by the Russian invaders when she was delivering dog food to a rescue centre . A sweet innocent girl helping us dogs dislocated by these filthy bastardContinue reading “Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog” : Chapter 19: Anastassia Yalanskaya Memorial Dog Shelter”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 6August1974: Ljubljana, Yugoslavia: So Different Slovenia!

Slovenia is a part of Yugoslavia and it so different from the other republics. It has more in common culturally with its neighbour to the North Austria than for example it has with Serbia or Croatia. The attitudes are more progressive. The political climate seems less repressive. The food is good. The architecture is daring.Continue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 6August1974: Ljubljana, Yugoslavia: So Different Slovenia!”

RKS Wine: Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW): 2019 Gewürztraminer

Years ago when I started writing about wine I was a champion for the wines of Lake Erie North Shore in Ontario. If you are not producing wines in Niagara in Ontario the state monopoly Liquor Control Board of Ontario gives you a cold shoulder. Yes call it fighting for the underdog. One of theContinue reading “RKS Wine: Colchester Ridge Estate Winery (CREW): 2019 Gewürztraminer”

RKS Film: “The Yellow Wallpaper”: A Painful Look at the Descent into Madness

The PR material provided with the film stated this was an adaptation of Charlotte Perkin Gilman’s “well- known and controversial gothic feminist horror story “. I see very little feminism in the film unless of course I strain to fabricate it. What I see is a woman named Jane (Alexandra Loreth) who is dangerously mentally unbalancedContinue reading “RKS Film: “The Yellow Wallpaper”: A Painful Look at the Descent into Madness”

“Travels to a Different Time ” : 4August1974: Plitvice, Yugoslavia: Spectacular National Park

Up at 8 for an edible breakfast. I headed off to Plitvice National Park across the road. A pair of hitchhikers had given me their entrance ticket yesterday so I entered for free. The park was spectacular full of waterfalls of all sizes and beautiful turquoise pools. I walked around the paths for 4 hoursContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time ” : 4August1974: Plitvice, Yugoslavia: Spectacular National Park”

“Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog ” :Chapter 18: A Quick Dinner with President Biden

We touch down at Dulles in Washington and race into a waiting presidential motorcade and are taken to the White House. Joe and Bob have a bourbon and exchange pleasantries. First Lady Dr. Jill takes us for a walk on the White House lawn and doesn’t raise a fuss when we pee on some gardenContinue reading ““Andrij the Orphaned Ukrainian Rescue Dog ” :Chapter 18: A Quick Dinner with President Biden”

“Travels to a Different Time”: Poetry on the Road

“Turkey on the Roast” (NCR) In the oven it slowly sizzlesShe bastes it with loving careUntil soon a quaint aroma fills the airThen in go the potatoesShe contentedly sits watching it brownTalking to it a chilling voiceUrges it on for her two special guestsshe laughs gaily, “Soon the guests will be here”Turkey is on theContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time”: Poetry on the Road”

“Travels to a Different Time ” : 3August1974: Parts Unknown Yugoslavia: Downcast and Sitting by a Pile of Stale Bread Crusts

My mind being occupied by thoughts of you know who I woke up on a beach with André and Jean. We walked to a nearby store for some food for breakfast. After a quick breakfast on the bike up to Karlovac where I said good-bye to André and Jean. I walked to a tourist officeContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time ” : 3August1974: Parts Unknown Yugoslavia: Downcast and Sitting by a Pile of Stale Bread Crusts”

“Travels to a Different Time” ; 2August1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Do I Follow My Heart or Logic? A Melted Shoe and A Heart to Match

I have been in Drače for over a week. It has been a well-deserved break from the rigours of Romania. An idyllic and mostly undiscovered place where strangely many end up by accident or chance. Yugoslav Twilight Zone. I could have easily missed it had I been in another car. Why am I here? OneContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” ; 2August1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Do I Follow My Heart or Logic? A Melted Shoe and A Heart to Match”

“Travels to a Different Time” : 1August1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Thank You Roosters: Up to a Pack a Day: The Crazy Jumping Barber

The roosters did their job well today waking me up early. I was too pooped to walk three kms to buy some bread in Janina so I had a pack of Moccas which are wafer cookies the Yugoslavs excel in making. I am up to a pack a day of these great cookies. I tryContinue reading ““Travels to a Different Time” : 1August1974: Drače, Yugoslavia: Thank You Roosters: Up to a Pack a Day: The Crazy Jumping Barber”