I am known as “Fake Dad” to Joan’s two boys — Max (whose first name is Joel) and Joel (whose first name is Joel). [Don’t ask! Before my time!] Be that as it may, “Fake Dad” is important to the gist of the story, as you will see… I saw “Joel the Younger” recently, and … Read more
So here I am outside of Owen Sound’s Mudtown Station Brewery and Restaurant with Paul Sylvester. He came to me in 1977 after his high school music teacher (who I was playing with on a steady gig at Toronto’s famed Brunswick House) said he should get tuba lessons. He was my first private tuba student. … Read more
Well, here’s something you don’t see every day — five generations. My family was never sure of the exact date, but the photo was taken during the nice weather months of 1917 on a farm in Barrie, Ontario — probably in the Crown Hill/Dalston area for you people who know the geography around there. Mom … Read more
So, I’m not sure when or how I discovered the Baronesses, but, in their own very unique way, I think they are as funny as SNL in its prime or even SCTV. Their comedy is often female-centric, but anyone (with a sense of humour!) will find it hilarious. Some of their sketches must have just … Read more
I bought this gem in the early 1980s from a pianist colleague/friend from U of T. As you can see, it is a beautiful baby grand piano and I now wish that I had spent more time practising piano in my formative years to do justice to having this exquisite instrument. However, the bulk of … Read more
This is really easy to prepare and it goes together so quickly that you’ll be calling it “Pestissimo”. Unfortunately, pine nuts have gotten quite expensive, but believe me, they’re worth every penne. 🤦♀️ Pulse the basil and pine nuts several times in a food processor. Add the minced garlic and cheese and pulse several more … Read more
In doing some decluttering of a couple of rooms in my house recently, I found this: This goes back to the time when Carolyn “Cazzbo” Johns was in Toronto as a featured soloist at the 2010 International Women’s Brass Conference. We hung out a lot at the time and when it came time for her … Read more
There was a thing going on a few years ago (perhaps as a result of Covid isolation boredom) where people would recreate great works of art, but were limited to using household items. With that in mind, I present for your edification and contemplation; Le Temps Menaçant (Threatening Weather) by René Magritte. “Hmm… not exactly … Read more
OK, in order to set the stage for this, I have to blather on a bit (sorry!) and go back to pre-internet times – some point in the early 1980s. I was a busy musician back then and I often took cabs to gigs because it was easier to be dropped off at the venue … Read more
If playing the tuba doesn’t already make me a colossal nerd, how about still loving The Three Stooges at my ever-advancing age? I actually saw The Three Stooges at the Canadian National Exhibition in the summer of ‘62. We had all grown up with Larry, Moe, and Curly (later Shemp) on TV in reruns of … Read more