The News: "As gas prices continue to rise..."

The days of cheap fuel for transportation are gone. You may have seen the signs.

Signs like the following:

     Gasoline $1.34.9 per litre

     Oil $113.50 per barrel

But nothing like this:

["Image  found at www.fineartamerica.com"]

39.9. Get real. Soon we'll all be considering our options, e.g.,

     car pooling

     sharing a car between friends

     driving fewer miles per week, month, year

     walking, cycling, buying a smaller vehicle, etc.

I say grab a dust cloth and go back to the 1950s.

["This 1951 CCM dream machine pays for itself"]

["Maintenance fees are almost non-existent"]

Your legs, wallet, environment, sense of reality and accomplishment and more, will thank you.

Photos by GH 

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Please click here to read The News: PenEquity development, London

The Workshop: Almost buried in dust

If I'm going to be buried in dust let it be western cedar. It smells delicious.

["Enough logs and slats for several log cabin birdhouses"]

I rescued several old fence boards and posts from a landfill site recently and can proudly say I didn't hit one hidden nail while turning them into logs and slats. Though I created piles of dust in the process it felt good to realize I'd cleaned up the wood perfectly. (My saw thanked me too).

But the dust! My neighbour couldn't even get down the back lane.

["No way out!"]

Photos by GH  

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Please click here to read The Workshop: Real whoppers 

Justin Bieber is very Lite News

Next time a reporter shoves a microphone under his nose, Justin should take 'the fifth'.

[Original photo: Getty Images, Metro London, April 16]

Cartoon by GH

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Please click here to read 'let's give our head a shake'

Beach towels from Port Bruce? Pa da bum.

My drop sheets in the shop, and elsewhere, are old beach towels and recently they helped produce a laugh.

Last week, while painting trim in a couple's kitchen in Byron - with four beach towels protecting the floor - I was asked by the home owner where I got such colourful drop clothes.

["Where did I get this towel?"]

I said, "From the beach at Port Bruce, last summer."

My comment produced a blank stare so I added, "And I had to move fast."

Finally, I got a laugh using one of my tired old lines.

I recalled my success yesterday while adding blue paint to two birdhouses and thinking up new material.

Photo by GH

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Please click here for more about rescued lumber

London News: “Turn away from Joe?” Part 2

 [From Sept. 25 issue of London Free Press]

Roberta C. encourages us to turn away from Mayor Joe and the culture of BIG.

And what should we turn toward?

Roberta says:

All good thoughts. However, many can participate now in building a more sustainable community - without City Hall’s leadership - by gardening, cycling safely on sidewalks, reducing our spending, paying down debts, saving money for tough times ahead, and doing so in cooperation with others of like mind. 

Don't wait for new leadership. Create a city with characters now!

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Please click here to read London News: “Turn away from Joe?” Part 1

London News: “Turn away from Joe?” Part 1

In a recent Letter to the Editor (Sept. 25, London Free Press), Roberta C. says we will “have to replace the mayor and most of city council... a sustainable London depends on it.”

We should turn away from Joe? Maybe.

Roberta says, for sustainability’s sake as well, we need to “turn away from a car culture (etc.)... and...”

And, I might add, turn away from a big single family home culture, a fast- and fat-food culture, and an indebted culture (to big banks and corporations).

But what should we turn toward?

[Photos by G.Harrison]

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Please click here for more London news.

The Lite News: I’ll try to be polite in the future

Last night, about 4 a.m., a city truck turned onto our snow-covered street and began to move snow around, according to “The Snow Moving Policy” set down in Deforest City’s “Snow Moving Program.”

I heard the truck (or “snowplow”, as per the policy) pushing snow down the street. It created a pushing, plowing, scraping sound.

I heard the truck approach our driveway, then push and plow and move snow into our driveway. I heard it back up and move forward again, pushing and plowing and moving more snow (or “depositing as much as possible”, as per the carefully worded policy) into my driveway.

I cursed under my breath.

If was M.M.S. Kumar, however, (a resident of London mentioned in an earlier post) I would have crawled out of bed and penned a polite - sorry, a very very polite - letter to the editor, in which I’d appeal to the Mayor to do the right thing about the snow, i.e., not to “dump snow in front of our driveways”, as M.M.S. recently did (very politely).

I would not have cursed the driver as I did. I would not have said, “That quailing, motley-minded measle. That saucy, reeling-ripe nut-hook!”


["The end of my driveway is in there somewhere":photo GH]

Alas, I am not that other man. Between oaths I blamed the Mayor for not instituting an actual “Snow Removal Program” to replace our city’s antiquated and highly frustrating “Snow Moving Program.”

I’ll try harder in the future to be polite about this whole matter.

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Please click here to read more Lite News.

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The Simple Life PT 1: What is this world coming to?

One of a dozen headlines could have introduced a recent news article.

For example, “What is this world coming to?” would have fit.

“We live over our means, not under it.”

“Yikes. Tough times ahead, boys and girls.”

“We just don’t want to think about it.”

“Cozy lifestyles will soon screech to a halt.”

“Bling is out. Gardens are in.”

However, writer M. Warren went with “U.S. debt threatens our future.”(Feb. 12 issue of The London Free Press)

The opening paragraph presents a big ‘but’:

"Compared to most industrialized countries Canada's economy is performing well. But our neighbour to the south, which buys 75% of our exports, is drowning in debt. This is hampering the recovery of both of our economies."

An illustration by Paul Lachine hits home:


A few key sentences colour the U.S. picture black:

“(The U.S.) is becoming the first "post-industrial" nation in the world, with an economy that is 70% dependent on consumer spending, much of it credit-fuelled.”

“The federal debt has exploded to over $14 trillion. It's now growing at $4.4 billion a day. And, it's reached 100% of GDP, or about $126,000 per taxpayer.”

“A false air of entitlement still prevails. There is an abiding conviction, even at the most senior levels of the U.S. government, that all is well, and that the "old normal' norms have returned.”

The Canadian scene doesn’t appear much better:

“Canada is a trading nation. About 40% of our GDP comes from selling our goods and services abroad.”

“If we don't move more aggressively to sell into the growing economies of the world we will soon find ourselves being dragged down into economic stagnation along with the United States.”

Really? Is it that bad?

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Okay, sure. Please click here to view Lite news.

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Lite news: Very few snow days in Labrador

I received the following message recently via email:

“Kids today, they’ve got it easy.”

With the brief message came a photo of a letter to parents from a school principal.


It begins as follows:

Dear Parents/Guardians:

During the winter months ahead, the following temperatures (chill factor included) will be used by school authorities as guidelines for closing schools due to weather conditions. These temperatures assume that students are properly dressed for this Northern climate.

Kindergarten to Grade 6 Minus 68 C and lower

Grade 7 to 11 Minus 83 C and lower

Yup. Kids today, they’ve got it easy.


***

So, if you’re planning to move to Labrador, make sure the kids have a warm coat. A really warm coat.

More Lite News right here.

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Zoom w a View: Some Aussies have a sense of humour

Water levels are higher in some parts of Australia than many people can handle.

Still, a display of good humour is often the order of the day.

So said an Australian blogger: "As you might already know with most Australians, even in times of adversity, we are pretty laid back people and still see humour in everything. And the community spirit in us....just awesome. Like the Nike ad, We "just do it."

Some towns have cleared up that well that no one would think a flood went past that town... "


["High Tide Heels. What colour matches your wardrobe?"]

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More Zoom w a View here.

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Lite news: Trying to find balance with daily frustrations

I’m sure you’ll be surprised to know that I get frustrated on occasion. My head spins.

Some readers will surely say, “Yeh, from what I’ve read, GH always sounds so well-balanced!”

Why, thank you.

However, I grind my teeth regularly about some small things.

For example, when I saw pineapple pieces in a plastic container this morning a few ‘unkind’ thoughts crossed my mind.

Why the plastic? Must we buy food that’s shipped 1000s of miles?


Within a millisecond, however, I cooled down because I realized the pineapple was purchased primarily for our grandson. My wife wants him to have daily portions of healthy fruit. Local turnips and Brussel sprouts just might not pass the sniff test.

My reasoning didn’t make me feel 100 per cent better, just some better.

Then, when I tried to nab a piece I couldn’t open the stupid container.

I can open bags of potato chips, never a problem. But certain plastic grips make some containers grumpy-adult-proof. They’re enough to make my head spin.

Almost fall off.

So, I ate a Brussel sprout from Beamsville.

Surprised?

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Lite News or ‘another frustration’ (depends on your point of view) here.

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London’s Weather: Level 4 snow conditions continue

Yesterday I determined that London’s snowy conditions were at Level 4.

After several complicated, scientific mathematical calculations - you know I’m serious when I colour my Venn diagram with pencil crayons - I concluded that people shouldn’t go outdoors without a winter coat, boots, mittens and woollen cap. I was this close ( - ) to adding a scarf to the mix and making it Level 5.


["My weather station, incl. dump truck, under 30 inches of snow": photos GH]

Hopefully by telling readers we were experiencing Level 4 conditions many survived while shovelling their sidewalks and driveway.

Regretfully, Rob Kuhn, meteorologist with Environment Canada, described London Ontario’s weather conditions by saying, “This is the biggest dump in London since 2006.” I mean, how does that help when shovelling the driveway?

Even though it has been said that Eskimos have 18 words for snow, I heard close neighbours come up with 3 new ones on my way to The Red Roaster for coffee this morning, giving Wortley Village a new total of 20 words for snow.


In spite of that, I would just like to say that after reviewing yesterday’s paperwork (10 out of 10 for the colouring) and sticking my head out the back door, London’s winter weather is still at Level 4.

Have a great day out there.

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See more about London’s weather here.

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London’s Weather: Big dump brings Level 4 snow conditions

Rob Kuhn, meteorologist with Environment Canada, described London Ontario’s present weather conditions in a very colourful (?) manner when he said, “This is the biggest dump in London since 2006.” (today’s London Free Press)

Hmmm... is ‘dump’ the best word to use here?

I’m not sure, but the notion of the “biggest dump” inspired me to use a large dump truck as one way to keep track of the amount of snow falling on our fair city this winter. A hollow stump filled with twisty branches will also help.


["My current weather station": photos GH]

(That’s right. When it comes to tracking London’s weather, I spare no expense).


The yellow Caterpillar is 7.5 inches or 19 cm high and was half buried by 2:30 p.m. yesterday and completely buried by 9 p.m.


Today, approximately 20 inches or 50 cm of snow has accumulated.

As one can clearly see, we’re experiencing Level 4 conditions here.

By way of explanation: You’ll need to wear at least 4 protective clothing items outside, such as a winter coat, winter boots, woollen mitts and a colourful toque or toboggan. If winds pick up I may change the forecast to Level 5 conditions, i.e., you’ll need a scarf.


["It's still snowing. We may move to Level 5"]

I’ll provide a more precise snow measurement after I’ve finished my tea and cookies.

However, if the snow covers the top of the twisty branches I’m staying indoors. Maybe you should too.

***

Please click here to see London’s first trace of snow cover.

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The Lite News: Belts and pants are still Made in Canada

Occasionally I complain about the fact I can’t find many items Made in Canada or in my home province (Ontario) anymore.

Ask for a cheeseburger or grilled cheese sandwich and chances are most of the ingredients will be Canadian (though the cheese slices will fall short of tasting like real cheese) but so many other things come from abroad.

Well, yesterday afternoon I received a surprise.


While shopping at the Village of Values I found a used leather belt, in great condition, for only $5.00, and - lo and behold - though it is stamped with the name ‘Buffalo’ it says it is made in my own fair land.

The recycled jeans I purchased, though produced by Levi Strauss & Co., San Francisco, California, were also Made in Canada.


["Great news, Canada. We still know how to make pants!": photos GH]

I’m feeling better today, for some reason.

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One more purchase was likely Made in Canada too.

Read about it and view a photo here.

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The Thrift Report: I spent a bit of money to make a bit more

Thanks to my wife, our small house is now more spacious - and at least 100 pounds lighter.

Yesterday she filled our car twice with odds and ends we were not going to use again and delivered them to Good Will Industries and Value Village.

On her trip to the Village of Values I tagged along.

As you may recall, I am in need of a leather belt... to hold my pants up, so my neighbours don’t think I’m down and out.


["My old belt needs a rest now and again": photos GH]

Hey, good news.


I found a leather belt for $5.00. Same price as my old one (circa 1969, from Quigley’s on the Thames), and if it stands up to the daily grind, it may one day be known as “my last belt.”

I found a perfectly good pair of Levi jeans too for 10 bucks. With proper care they’ll last 5 - 10 years. That comes out to $1 - $2 per year to hike myself to The Roaster for coffee. A good deal, in my opinion.


As well, I found an old shelf for $5 that will soon be worth $30 or $45. The lumber is dry, straight and painted a cheerful colour, and after I disassemble it and cut and sand the boards just right, I’ll end up with at least 2 or 3 nice birdhouses out of the deal. And coffee money for December!


Not bad, eh?

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Is THRIFT under-rated?

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I Ask You: Another mystery object. A leaf?

While walking home from The Red Roaster this morning - the refill was delicious, thank you - I noticed brown, fading leaves upon the sidewalk.


["Easy-schmeasy-lemon-squeezy. A maple leaf"]


["Okay, I know this one. Single chestnut leaf"]

Winter is coming in through the side door. Get out your long johns! (Not kidding. See post below)


["More chestnut leaves": pohotos GH]

I also noticed something else.


Another leaf? A tail feather from a mystery bird from a Dr. Seuss book?

It’s time to dust off my old copy of “Mystery Objects in Wortley Village” to find out.

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More totally relevant I Ask You right here.

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Prince William and Kate: By now you’ve heard the news

Price William has announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend and commoner Kate Middleton.

I wish them well.

(I wonder if Prince William will ever take Kate for a ride in a British rescue helicopter? I think that would be neat. Do Brits call them choppers?)


["What's this button do? Let's find out, shall we?"]

Their wedding will take place in April, 2011 and I may get invited because Prince William said he wants other common people to attend - besides Kate - and I’m about as common as they come. (Go ahead, nod. You’ve read my stuff).

About my probable invitation - I wonder if Prince William will allow me to sit near the front of the church because of my height. I’d really appreciate it.

Can I take pictures during the ceremony?

Will they pass the collection plate? (I’d like to know ahead of time so I can change a $20 bill into legal British currency. Sorry, I digress - just a bit).

How much is a Canadian twenty in pounds?

Will that be enough to drop into the collection plate?

***

More to follow - as news develops.

More of The Lite News here.

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No Zoom w a View: But I did see snow today

I had two cameras in the car but I wasn't going to pull over at the side of the road north of Whitby just because I saw my first blanket of snow of the season at about noon today.

Besides, I'd eaten an Egg McMuffin earlier and was feeling like I needed to find a bathroom not take some nice photos.

Sorry, I digress.

And re the snow.

Blanket is also the wrong word.

Sprinkling would be more appropriate. And titch would do as well.

So, write it on your calendars.

Winter officially arrived in Canada today (at least in the part of Canada slightly north of the 401 highway), Nov. 19, but I can't prove it.

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Did we get any snow in Deforest City while I was stuck in traffic west of Toronto?

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The Lite News: What to do when people block your driveway

Please, allow me to describe what appears in the photo below:


[“Get a move on, buddy. Company’s coming”: photo GH]

Someone in a blue car is blocking my driveway.

It happens several times per week, especially when a service is planned in the church across the street that involves a lot of musicians getting dropped off or picked up.

Normally, I let my feelings of frustration pass (e.g., “How dare you block my drive. MY drive!) because I’m generally a stay-at-home grumpy-puss.

Today was different. Company’s coming , any second.


If whoever-it-is doesn’t move their car in 5 minutes I’m going to throw a mittful of small, supposedly delicious, leftover Hallowe’en candy at their car.

Or fume for another five.

That oughtta do it.

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The Lite News: Some of this is actually true

For those who notice just about everything that happens in their community - since Oct. 28 The Londoner, Deforest City’s community newspaper, has been 48 pages in length.

I know these things. I counted.

It’s huge compared to a couple of years ago when it hit a low of 16 pages and my column was all of 7 lines long.


["Editorial - Changes": photos by GH]

Hardly anything was fit to print during the recession. I could have cut mine back to 5 lines had I even tried.

It’s now bigger. Staff numbers are higher. Folks are three deep in my closet alone.

I’d like to take a moment to say hello to some of our new readers in Harrietsville and ask, “Who makes those nifty metal sculptures at the main corner of town? Awesome stuff.”


["Hello to folks in Glenworth! Or is it Glanworth?"]

May I just add, “Yes, that was me bombing through your village last Tuesday going about 120 mph. My bike wanted to go fast. So did I. Call me irresponsible if you can catch me.”

“Hello to Jim Jackson. The guy scored two goals during last Wednesday’s hockey game. Slip an envelope under my front door and maybe I’ll write a column about that.”

Bigger staff, eh?

Maybe it’s time for a raise.

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More Lite news here.

The Londoner online here. Visit 'columnists' if you've got time to spare.

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