The menu: Courses and pairings: In the kitchen with Aaron: Nokomis Kettle Sour Craft Ale and a Wild Tea Kombucha-hard lime with a pre-meal charcuterie of small green things (pistachios, green grapes, Sicilian green olives) surrounding a pile of Edam cheese to relax our palette and prepare our bellies. Warm evening outside: Tomato Gazpacho, blended... Continue Reading →
Mountains, Microbreweries & Middle-age: Part 3
Hospitality Our trip through the mountains took us from luxury accommodations to a pretty basic experience. In fact we packed pillows and sleeping bags in case we needed to sleep in the vehicle, which we were willing to do as we didn't book any rooms in advance. How freakin' Gypsy of us! The high-end My... Continue Reading →
Graduation 2021
End of the year traditions At the end of every school year, when the kids come to pick up their report cards I take a photo of the group and then email a letter to parents congratulating them on all THEIR hard work. I think that parenting, and educating is like the lighting guy on... Continue Reading →
Mushrooms, Hippies and Surfer Dudes
Ten days have passed since my visit to Tofino B.C. I still have the lingering flavors of all that perfection in my mouth. To the extent that I love words I decided to write Tofino a letter. I mean she deserves it. An open letter to Tofino: Dear gorgeous town by the ocean: I'm writing... Continue Reading →
Lessons From a Hitchhiker: Part 1
Looking for the teacher I sent a message on a social media platform that didn't exist in 2000, to someone I didn't know for more that a couple of hours. I reached out to him because I wanted to use his words with permission. I remembered his name hoping it would land in the correct... Continue Reading →
Open Letter to My Old House
Dear House: I know you're gone now but I thought I would write you one last letter, just to get it all out. Make sure there is nothing left unsaid. The first and only other letter I wrote to you, was on the wall of my bedroom a few evenings before you were torn down.... Continue Reading →
The Absentminded Habit
Αccording to my quick google search it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days (that's hilariously specific) for a person to form a new habit and an average of 66 days for a new behaviour to become automatic. Now, keep in mind that sometimes Google is only as good as its searcher. But, I... Continue Reading →
Being Average is Stellar
Mr. Robertson, my high school art teacher would give me between a 70 to 80 on my assignments---always. Occasionally I’d get a 68 (ouch) and sometimes I’d get an 85 (yay) but generally I sat squarely in those mid-marks. Those were my best grades in high school, Art and English (and occasionally Social Studies). Every... Continue Reading →
Sneaky & Forgivable
I hate to sound like a cliché but I served tables while in art school. Between customers I would work on my art history class at the staff table. I would leave my notebook open while I worked. The regulars, who were on a first name basis, would sometimes sit at the staff table. If... Continue Reading →
Time Traveling my Neighborhood
Restlessness seeped in. My hips and legs ached and my head was full. In what seemed like a counterintuitive decision (sore legs and more walking) I put on my runners and a warm jacket which was sadly still required---and headed outside. I hoped that outside would loosen my limbs and shake the cerebral dust. Just... Continue Reading →