On Sunday December 6, a house and its outbuildings near Avonport were demolished. The destruction was a shock to the community, and to the provincial government who since 1993 had the buildings registered and protected as a Heritage Property. I have a few thoughts. The premises will be well known and fondly remembered by tens… Read More

This is the second album of my little collection of photos, arranged in more or less chronological order.  A selection from 1965/66. Here are a couple of views from Citadel Hill. These days we don't go up there from one year to the next, but then it was a more vital destination, with three museums… Read More

Come the New Year, do you start to put your affairs in order? Me too! I've been wondering what to blog about and decided to return to what brought me to this sphere in the first place, my little collection of older photos. Organizing these images chronologically has been an ongoing project, and I’ve decided… Read More

Are you running low on fun things to notice? How about concrete block? Not the blocks, painted beige or peach, often used as the walls of 1960s school gyms and church halls, but those cast to imitate rustic stone, that were popular from around 1900 into the 1920s. Do you recognize the look? If the… Read More

There is buried treasure for you to behold, but be quick, you will never get another chance. The bonanza is a section of the stone conduit that carried Freshwater Brook from the Halifax Common towards the pond in the Public Gardens. The brook was sent underground probably in the late 1870s. If you have kids… Read More

Recently we were driving back roads in the Ardoise district of Hants County with our friend Beth, who knows the lay of that land. I called for a photo stop when we came upon this former garage, because I'm fond of buildings with stepped gables. Beth remembered when the business was still in operation (not… Read More

The day after the first snow storm I was up bright and early to take the car in to have winter tires installed. The dull and dripping morning was brightened by a chance to explore some of Spryfield on foot. Here's what I noticed. I'm fond of the rama suffix so it felt auspicious to… Read More

It's sad that every year, it seems, there is a little controversy around Remembrance Day poppies. Last year it was Don Cherry's "you people" rant, this year Whole Foods misstepped. One year people were shamed for making little interventions that would keep a poppy attached to their coat for longer than 30 seconds. Poppies are… Read More

Earlier this season we spent a couple of days on what I call the Parrsboro Shore. Others might think of it as part of the Glooscap Trail, or the heart of the newly declared Cliffs of Fundy Geopark. I suspect that many Nova Scotians have not spent time in this region. It is totally bubble… Read More

Here's a guide to some relatively common grave markers that are so distinctive you can identify them while speeding past country cemeteries in your touring car. No need to stop, just exclaim with confidence, "did you notice that cast iron monument? Manufactured by Faulkner in the 1880s, I surmise." W. H. Faulkner The lightness and… Read More