Do you visit Annapolis Royal? It's one of our favourite towns and we know it quite well. We were there for a couple of days over the weekend  to take in the Rare and Unusual Plant Sale (more of that in another blog, I think).  There really isn't another town like it in the province.  It was… Read More

Thistles are the symbol of Scotland and also have quite a tradition in New Scotland (Nova Scotia to you Latin scholars). Over the years I've noticed a few thistles around the province. This morning some comments on Contrarian and Halifax Examiner sent me looking for my images. First Parker Donham reminded us that lots of our Scottish traditions may be less… Read More

There has been lots of Fire Department talk this season.  Fire Chief Doug Trussler made a bunch of recommendations on how to improve the system but City Council was not very nice, the little scamps. Halifax Examiner had the latest on the issues  (4 Fire, pt 1). I was taught to do what the professional fire fighter… Read More

We have many wonderful festivals in town but a favourite of mine is Open City on Saturday, May 9.  It is a day offering experiences and shopping and food but most of all it reminds us to enjoy our downtowns anytime throughout the year.   Here is the list of over 150 offerings;  start taking notes and strategizing . The uniform for the day should be a… Read More

On May 2 and 3 you have 17 different walk opportunities. SEVENTEEN wonderful tours!  So no need to read any further, go to the Jane's Walk website and plan your weekend. The Jane is Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) an urbanist and activist whose writings championed a fresh, community-based approach to city building.  Don't let the kindly, old… Read More

Usually in this blog I'm noticing things that feel just right.  Over the weekend I was Goldilocks and noticed a  location where it felt like folks were doing a little too much and another situation where it felt like way too little was happening. On Saturday I went to the Seaport Market for the first time in months (Sheila is there every… Read More

On April 30, 2009 we spent a happy day in Lunenburg County visiting friends and gardens. As we returned to the city we noticed what appeared to be a fog bank and thought, Our sunny day is over. Quickly we realized the fog was really a huge and growing cloud of smoke in the direction of our home… Read More

In late April 1966, I walked over to Brunswick Street and took a couple of photos of old houses.  In the photo above,  a boy looks back at the camera (a fixed focus Kodak) suddenly evoking the final shot in Truffaut's touching, drama  400 Blows (Les Quatre Cents Coups). From the beginning that was the miracle of photography;… Read More

There are always lots of interesting experiences to be had in our city, and long days and bright weather make it easier to actually  get out and attend.  Here are some walks and a talk I sampled in the last couple of days. On Thursday there was a presentation on Schmidtville or Schmidt's Ville at a Heritage Trust meeting. William… Read More