On our short visit to Glasgow a couple of weeks ago  we made sure to seek out work by Glasgow's most famous architect and designer, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. His furniture and interior designs are featured in any general book on the Art Nouveau style - his high backed, very uncomfortable-looking chairs are icons. This sample of what we saw is arranged… Read More

It was Sheila's birthday last week (thanks for the kind wishes)  and she was given a copy of Emma Fitzgerald's new book Hand Drawn Halifax. Have you seen it ? It's a beautiful production with charming illustrations and a wonderful collection of words that surprise and amuse. For the full story read the review in the Chronicle… Read More

Last week we went to Glasgow. Sheila realized that the Westjet direct flights from Halifax were ending and this would be good research for future adventures in Scotland. The flight was super convenient, leaving at about 10 PM, and we were standing in front of our rented West End flat by 9 AM . Checking in… Read More

In the last little while it seems we go to the waterfront every other day. We made a special trip to see the  Sculpture Nova Scotia project and will continue to follow that with interest. On Saturday we attended Oysterfest (feels like a winner). And on Sunday we were at the Marriott for Blog Jam to learn… Read More

I'm a fan of #FontSunday on Twitter sponsored by the Design Museum in London. This week the topic was space-themed typography to coincide with a new Cosmonauts Exhibition  at the Science Museum, also in London. Made me remember a very special Russian vessel, Kosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, that occasionally visited Halifax in the 1970s and 80s. We lived… Read More

Did you notice that LeMarchant Saint Thomas elementary school in central Halifax is going to be demolished and a new school built in its place? If you squint, the old school has an imposing facade facing Watt Street but I'm sure the inside is very tired. The Rhododendron Society I belong to has held plant… Read More

Halifax Transit wants to eliminate our bus.  No bus, not less bus.  NO BUS.  If you're interested, I can tell you what this feels like. The route in question is part of the #15 from Williams Lake Rd, through Boulderwood, Purcell's Cove, Ferguson's Cove, ending at York Redoubt National Historic Site.  My stop is just a weathered sign… Read More

In Europe there has been a sudden interest in fences as waves of refugees spread across the EU. I've had an interest in fences too, but mine was back in the 1970s  when you could still find fence survivors from earlier times. I grew up on one of the nut streets (Walnut) in Halifax. The view… Read More

Have you done any preserving this year?  We've put up three kinds of pickles and next, Sheila tells me, are tomato-based products because TOMATOES! There was a time when we used lots of commercially canned tomatoes and some of you might enjoy my little collection of can labels. My labels are from the late 70s and early 80s (at… Read More