RKS 2024 Wine: A Rare Red Wine From Mâcon

Mâcon lies within the Burgundian wine area of France. One thinks of low-cost Chardonnay but red wine from the Mâcon is not often seen in Ontario. This red Mâcon is the lowest tier Mâcon. It is a Gamay.

Aroma: Bright and cheerful cherry accented with raspberry and milk chocolate. Simple and right at you.

Palate: Moderate tannins. No fruit gangbusters here. Reticent cherry, raspberry with a shortish and blunt finish.

Personality: I am a proud Mâconnais however low and basic my rank is. And I am a good quaff better with food than for sipping.

Food Match: Seared duck breast in a Late Bottle Vintage Port and cherry reduction.

Cellarbility: Might slip into elegance by 2025. Consume by 2026 year end.

Price: $20 CDN (Ontario).

RKS 2024 Wine Rating: 91/100.

(Terres Secrets Les Préludes Mâcon 2022, AC Mâcon, Vignerons Des Terres Secretes, 750 mL, 12.5%).

“Reggie The Egyptian Rescue Dog”: The Final Cut: The New Rat Pack: Dillie The Westie Speaks: Chapter Forty Eight (48)

Reggie lives with me and no not in the way your febrile mind works!

Reggie is my brother in arms and a best friend. Not to boast but I might say I am the brains behind the Rat Pack. I mean Reggie and the other guys and girls are but enthusiastic pups. I have been around the block as a senior dog. I am an introvert such I take time to think before I act whereas these “pups” get a bit worked up and emotional and lose the big picture perspective. Between you and me Reggie often tells you he went here and there and met so and so. It was me that sent him in right direction. I am a strategic planner and Reggie is more of a doer.

These “pups” are a bit green but they are quick understudies and will mature and become more sophisticated. I will not be on the earth forever so before I go to The Land Beyond I will do everything I can to whip these youngsters into strategic planners and efficient fighters.

“Reggie The Egyptian Rescue Dog”: The Final Cut: The New Rat Pack: Kit Kat Speaks: Chapter Forty Seven (47)

I suppose you may have a question why a Portuguese dog from Porto is a Rat Pack member. Bob writes about wine tourism and a few years back was invited by the Portuguese government on a media tour of the Douro wine region. Mr. Antonio was the driver of a Mercedes van used in that tour and there is no better driver in the world. As an example the road leading to Quinta Ramos Pinto in the Douro is absolutely treacherous and Mr. Antonio impressed Bob with his amazing driving skills and utter calmness where other humans may have wet their pants. One wrong move you will tumble down to your death. Mr. Antonio was an incredible marksman and packed a couple of mean pistols including a World War Two vintage German Luger and his prized Dirty Harry Special Edition 357 Magnum. These skills prompted Bob to offer him a job in the security detail. You might want to say I was included as an added bonus.

I am familiar running with the criminal crowd first as an unwitting Al Shabib narcotics smuggler then working for the Port Protection Service hunting down Port counterfeiters. After taking down the Big Sardine in Porto I had a brief television show that was a flop then I switched to working in security in the film industry. I have a charming personality and earned the nickname on the set as the Cary Grant of Portuguese dogs. There is nothing like charm to disarm an enemy.

While Ollie has a tremendous sense of smell I have “the sense” and experience to detect criminality a sort of Feng Shui if you understand me. I know when people are not who and what they say they are.

Poor Mr. Antonio was slain in the “Bulgarian incident”. Reggie asked if I would like to stay on and join the Rat Pack. The Mookster put in a recommendation for me knowing how charm can work in delicate high stakes situations.

Safe journey Mr. Antonio to The Land Beyond. You made the ultimate sacrifice!

I am a proud member of the Rat Pack and I pledge to support Reggie’s desire to make the world a safe place particularly for children.

“Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog”: The Final Cut: The New Rat Pack: The Mookster Speaks: Chapter Forty Six (46)

As The Mookster and a North Korean defector and ashamedly at one point a member of The Supreme Leader’s Ruling Cartel I have an intimate nature of the snakes in politics. I have an intelligence network second to none in fact far superior to the CIA. It could be because my sources are dogs all over the globe. Many of their masters are governmental types that carelessly converse with their dogs who then may just pass it on to me. We dogs communicate with each other so rest assured dogs are not “just dogs”.

Some snakes and politicians have similar characteristics

Ollie may be a sniffer of objects but I am a sniffer of threats to our Rat Pack. My intelligence network is buzzing with Houthi and the Blowfish hatred and Reggie has not made friends with this nutcake group that are stuck in a misogynist second century. They take offence to a Muslim dog as portrayed in “Reggie The Egyptian Rescue Dog”. In their progressive ideology only men can be true Muslims. Dogs and women are in the same category.

And you know my incredible sight is a Rat Pack asset. My mistress trained me well in sentry duty as I stare out of the living room and bedroom window all day. I can see an ant on the sidewalk from 60 paces.

In my spare time I champion for the rights of abused dogs which started in North Korea with the very short lived “Keep Dogs Out of the Hot Pot Luncheon Specials”. We are currently investigating a Vietnamese restaurant on Victoria Park Avenue in Toronto for some questionable hot pot ingredients.

“Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog” : The Final Cut: The New Rat Pack: Ollie Speaks: He Loves the Smell of Napalm in the Morning! Chapter Forty Five (45)

Well Penny claims to be the best-looking dog in the Rat Pack. With my exceedingly good looks we may make a nice pair! In addition to my good looks they didn’t call me in China “The One with The Enlightened Nose” for nothing. While steak and chicken are easy marks for my olfactory abilities’ explosives are my game. I love the smell of napalm in the morning just as much as a rare steak.

I initially perceived my role as protecting Reggie from nefarious anti-canine elements but after the “Bulgarian Incident” where my master lost his arm in an explosion and Dillie was severely injured I recognize in the Rat Pack we are all for one and one for all! I protect my fellow brothers and sisters.

When master Dunny adopted me I quickly acquainted myself with Reggie and Dillie the Westie as they lived just up the street. The Mookster lives even closer! So we kibbitzed frequently on our walks. I attest the sagacity and bravery of that saint of a West Highland Terrier and the grit and determination of Reggie. Our Ratpack has what it takes to get the job done whatever it may be.

I have my eyes on the Houthi and the Blowfish extremists in Yemen for two reasons. They have previously burnt photos of Reggie in effigy. Violent nutcakes who are somewhat proficient with explosives are a distinct threat. The Houthi rabble are threatening shipping in the Red Sea threatening the supply of chicken kibble the Rat Pack thrives on.

I am very worried about Houthi and the Blowfish rebels says Ollie!

RKS 2024 Television: APTN Reversing the Spiral of Indigenous Negativity With JASON

Pardon me but I think perhaps I have watched too many films and documentaries about the plight of Indigenous Canadians. I think the point of having too much of this negativity was after watching the documentary “Twice Colonized”. The negativity almost dehumanizes Indigenous populations.

APTN is reversing the negative spiral after its showing of series “Tales from the Rez” with a new web series JASON which will launch on APTN lumi with all six episodes on February 14, 2024. Written and directed by Andrew Genaille (Rehab) and shot in Vancouver, BC, JASON is arguably a romantic comedy with an all-star lineup of Indigenous talent. While there is a light comedic touch particularly in the first two episodes the series does take a serious twist in the subsequent episodes.


Peter Robinson (Hey Viktor!) stars alongside Tanis Parenteau (Billions) as Jason, a young writer who is going through significant changes in his life. He moved out of his parent’s place on the rez to attend university in the city and with his newfound freedom, he is making choices that challenge the expectations of his family and friends. One of these choices is his romantic involvement with his sister’s best friend, a woman who is twice his age. Jason’s emotional journey is heartwarming as he navigates life, finding love and discovering his true self.

“What I love about the show is that it features a woman over 40 with a little salt and pepper in her hair in a leading role as the love interest. As someone who has been in the industry as an actor for a long time and now as a producer it is something I don’t often see on screen. Creating space for women and also for Indigenous people to be empowered in this industry is important to me. I hope the project resonates with audiences in a new way,” says Parenteau.

Parenteau shines in the series as a temptress with her voice, smile and twinkling eyes. She is equally convincing as a woman racked by self doubt.

Tahmoh Peinkett as Darrell displays a character part cad, part sloth with a barely transparent steak of aggression.

What can you expect each episode?

Episode One

Jason is a 20-year-old student attending a university campus in the suburbs of Vancouver, British Columbia. While at sister Amanada’s for dinner he meets Karen “the older woman” in her forties. Hmm….that look, the sparkling eyes and sly smile shown by “the older woman” Karen. Karen is Jason’s sister’s best friend What’s going on?

Episode Two

Jason and Karen delve into the topic of younger men having a relationship older woman of course in an oblique way. Karen’s relationship with her boyfriend Darrell is in a poor state. Karen starts texting Jason showing him some racy head shots she has made. There is that twinkle and smile in her eyes. I think we are receiving an inkling of what is going on!

Episode Three

We know what is going on here now! Jason muses, “ I can’t believe what is happening.” Karen “makes herself very cozy” in her bathtub sexting Jason. Darrell is a real cad.

Episode Four

Jason leaves his phone in Karen’s sheets and Darrell discovers it with explosive results. Jason and Karen flushed out!

Episode Five

The sex is great but a familial tornado descends in the midst of it all. Baby brother Jason grows up in a hurry.

Episode Six

Is the ending a happy one? Perhaps.

JASON was produced in association with APTN and with the financial participation of the Bell Fund and the Indigenous Screen Office. It was developed with the assistance of NSI Art of Business Management – Indigenous Edition. 

Travels to a Different Time: Travels of My Mother: 25July1971: Crete, Greece: Beef in a Pancake!

Dearest Barbara:

Both Robert and I do not like Crete. We find Cretans surly and grasping not at all like the other islands. So we will take the first boat out of here in three days. It is terribly humid here. We went to a beach some twenty minutes from the pension we are staying at in Heraklion. The surf was very rough and I got a cramp in my leg and Robert had to jump in and drag me to shore This was very frightening. Robert loved the high surf and enjoyed body surfing. We had the best meal here last night but I did not relish the freshly killed suckling pig hanging up behind me in the restaurant which they will be cooking tomorrow. Robert said they didn’t even take the eyes out…UGH!

We are stuffing ourselves with grapes, watermelon, honeydews, fresh cucumbers. The wine here is very good and so cheap. The hamburgers are wonderful here with slices of beef, tomatoes, onions and tzatziki wrapped in sort of a pancake and at 15 cents a filling lunch. The watermelons here are the size of a basketball and dark green rind but so very sweet.

Love Mum

RKS Literature: No Place for a Young Man in a London Bank! (Dickens)

“Cramped in all kinds of dim cupboards at Telleson’s the oldest of men carried on the business gravely. When they took a young man into Telleson’s London house, they hid him somewhere until he was old. They kept him in a dark place, like a cheese, until he had the full Telleson flavour and blue mold upon him. Then only was he permitted to be seen, spectacularly poring over large books, and casting his breeches and gaiters into the general weight of the establishment.”

Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities”, 1859

RKS Literature: The Responsible Jury (Dickens)

“That, for these reasons, the jury being a loyal jury (as he knew they were), and being a responsible jury (as they knew they were), must positively find the prisoner Guilty, and make an end of him, whether they liked it or not. That, they could never lay their heads upon their pillows; that they could never could tolerate the idea of their wives laying their heads upon their pillows; that they could never endure the notion of their children laying their heads on their pillows; in short there never could be, for them or theirs, any laying of heads upon pillows at all, unless the prisoner’s head was taken off.”

Charles Dickens, “The Tale of Two Cities”, 1859

“Reggie The Egyptian Rescue Dog” : The Final Cut: The New Rat Pack: Penny Speaks: Chapter Forty Four (44)

The original Rat Pack consisted of Dillie, Karim and myself. We were a force to be reckoned with but with Karim’s untimely death the Rat Pack had no soul left. We were deflated.

With the trials and tribulations we canine types have endured of late we possess a deep sense of shared experience and purpose which is to make the world a safer place to inhabit particularly for children. It is time to reconstitute the Rat Pack. All the members have differing skills and experiences that give the group power to promote good outside of politics if possible. Yes we are brothers and sisters and love each other.

This book is primarily my story but my story can’t be told without the stories and thoughts of Dillie The Westie, The Mookster, Ollie, Penny and Kit Kat.

PENNY SPEAKS

Hello or woof woof if you like. My name is Penny and I live in Beamsville, Ontario with my mistress and master who love me very much. Reggie lightheartedly refers to me as a dog born with a silver spoon in her mouth. I will not deny such. I live the good life in a rural setting chasing rodents and sunning myself. Unlike the boys I love a long bath soaking in Dolce & Cabana Pooch Lux Bubbles! I respect Reggie as he has survived and endured conditions no dog in Beamsville could ever imagine but that does denigrate or discount my abilities because I am so pretty and smell so nice. I love a rugged dog but sometimes the boys in the security detail smell a bit too “rustic”! I am the prettiest (and most modest) member of the Rat Pack.

I love to fly. Helicopters whether solo in my Oodlecopter or with my master in his vintage Italian chopper. We live the good life for sure but at some point is was empty with seemingly no purpose but enjoyment. I love my naps and basking in the sun and eating the best food a dog could ever eat. When I read the garbage Reggie had to scavenge in Cairo I shiver and his steadfast and boundless energy he expends to ameliorate the world inspires me to do something with MY LIFE! I mean those long lunches and polo matches are a bit tiresome at a certain point.

My Oodlecopter with the Beamsville Bench in the background! We are retrofitting to add missle launchers

So I fly my Oodlecopter in the pursuit of Reggie’s dream. You have read how I survived a terrible Oodlecopter crash fighting Bulgarian extortionists. While I felt death at my doorstep simultaneously I felt exhilaration and a sense I had to make sacrifices to build a better world. I can make it a safer place for children and with Reggie, Dillie the Westie, Kit Kat, Ollie and The Mookster we are a team. We are the Ratpack!

How did I meet Reggie and Dille the Westie? Well years ago Bob and my mistress did some business together. Something involving a lot of money. I don’t understand human’s business that well so I will spare you the details. In any case Bob, Fay and my mistress met for lunch in Beamsville recently and reconnected. I met Reggie and Dillie and we mingled happily. I then heard about “Reggie The Egyptian Rescue Dog”: The rest is history in the making. As the late Prime Minister of Canada Pierre Trudeau said to journalists before invoking the War Measures Act, “Just watch me!” Just watch me readers!

I work hard but I also nap hard!