Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Stag’s Hollow from the Okanagan in British Columbia

I managed to snag a couple of samples courtesy of Stag’s Hollow in the Okanagan. Finding any wines from British Columbia at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario is rare as finding Ontario wines at the SAQ in Quebec! The first is a 2018 Syrah from the Okanagan Valley. It has a black cherry colour.Continue reading “Stag’s Hollow from the Okanagan in British Columbia”

A Little Birdie Told Me“Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”

Where you may wish to cry is for Argentina’s hunting down of political dissidents and their murder and disappearance between 1976-83 those days hopefully will never return to Argentina although this butchery currently exists in Iran and Myanmar. Moving on the more cheerful matters we try a Ben Marco Malbec from the Valle de UcoContinue reading “A Little Birdie Told Me“Don’t Cry For Me Argentina””

“The Return: Life After ISIS” Hot Docs Canadian Premiere

Kudos to Alba Sotorra for holding a hot potato and making a documentary that features several women from Canada, United States, Germany and the Netherlands who fled their countries to join ISIS. Neither their government nor the media is willing to forgive them. Should we viewers forgive them? It would appear all fell prey toContinue reading ““The Return: Life After ISIS” Hot Docs Canadian Premiere”

Poetry Corner: “The Vaccine Lottery”

The Vaccine Lottery Country by country different rulespray for quickness in the church pewsbut in so many cases it is a question of who you know in the medical systemto perhaps pull a few favours and get the jabno need to moralize about a moralistic scabyou have it ahead of everyone aren’t you devious andContinue reading “Poetry Corner: “The Vaccine Lottery””

“Full Catastrophe Living”: Jon Kabat-Zinn: A little bit about mindfulness

“ Learning how to suspend all your doing and shift over to a being mode, how to make time for yourself, how to slow down and nurture calmness and self-acceptance in yourself, learning to observe what your mind is up to from moment to moment, how to watch your thoughts and how to let goContinue reading ““Full Catastrophe Living”: Jon Kabat-Zinn: A little bit about mindfulness”

Mutantism on the March: Chapter 17 “Slavery 101”

Squid rushed to Mobouto pleading with him to exercise the utmost caution with this new band of white men. Squid recounted his past experiences but to no avail. The local folk were enchanted with the new visitors and unfortunately so was Mobouto. He would hear no bad words about these men. Squid, in desperation, tookContinue reading “Mutantism on the March: Chapter 17 “Slavery 101””

“No Visible Trauma”: Calgary Police Force: Are there a few bad apples or is the barrel rotten?

Just to start off I thought I’d reflect on how decent I thought police were for so many years. Then my son was mugged years ago luckily unhurt but shaken. I phoned Toronto police who arrived and the constable was surly, rude and accusatorial. You know that 1960’s expression that referred to the police aContinue reading ““No Visible Trauma”: Calgary Police Force: Are there a few bad apples or is the barrel rotten?”

Sustainable Travel

Sustainable travel statistics: 6 facts to open your mind ehlausanne37 postsPosted on 10 Mar at 8:53 am While COVID has upended the $8 trillion global travel industry, the pandemic has also paved the way for tourism and hospitality professionals to reflect, rethink and reshape the sector, making it better – and ultimately more sustainable – forContinue reading “Sustainable Travel”

Poetry Corner: “Uncle Bill”

Uncle Bill Can you feel sorrow for an uncle you never met?Well Uncle Bill was a 22-year-old man I never even sawhe died before I was ever bornshot down in the Battle of Britainand now buried in Lincolnshire in the United Kingdomalone and unvisitedyet it is only in the past few years his memory hauntsContinue reading “Poetry Corner: “Uncle Bill””

CDC Guidelines For the Fully Vaccinated

What You Need to Know About the CDC’s COVID-19 Guidance for Fully Vaccinated Individuals Vaccinated people are well protected, but they need to be respectful of others still at risk BY RACHEL WEST | MARCH 9, 2021 Facebook Twitter Linked In Email Pinterest The CDC recently released guidance for individuals who have been fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine available underContinue reading “CDC Guidelines For the Fully Vaccinated”