A few days ago my wife and I got to talking about a catchy advertising jingle of fifty years ago that was heard incessantly at this time of year. My wife even remembered all the words and sang them. It was the theme song of a government of Canada campaign to help building trades people … Continue reading Why wait for spring – do it now
Canadiana
The Logging Bee
There was a man in our town, In our town, in our town – There was a man in our town, He made a logging-bee; And he bought lots of whiskey, To make the loggers frisky – To make the loggers frisky At his logging bee. The Devil sat on a log heap, A log … Continue reading The Logging Bee
The Strickland sisters told it like it was
Sisters Susanna Moodie and Catherine Parr Traill were Canadian pioneers. Their husbands brought them from England to Canada in the early 1830's, settling near Peterborough, Ontario where Samuel Strickland, a brother of Catherine and Susanna had earlier settled. The sisters had each written and published books before marrying and coming to Canada and both continued … Continue reading The Strickland sisters told it like it was
A gentle admonition
[Benjamin Eby was bishop of the Mennonite churches of Waterloo County. The other Mennonite churches in Ontario, in the Markham and Niagara areas, had their own bishops. Nevertheless, Benjamin Eby was highly regarded and he was often called upon by the others for counsel. This letter gives a hint of the reason for this respect. … Continue reading A gentle admonition
The power of turning the other cheekl
I had devotions at our school this morning. Part of what I told the chlidren and their teachers was the following story from the life of Albert Tait. Albert Tait lived on a Saulteaux Indian Reservation in North-Western Ontario. The Saulteaux (pronounced Soto) are one of the most widespread First Nations groups in Canada, called … Continue reading The power of turning the other cheekl
It’s what’s left that counts
This was the motto of Cliff Chadderton, who died a week ago at the age of 94. In October of 1944 Cliff was the commander of a company of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles as the Canadian army began the push to liberate Belgium and Holland from the Nazis. He was injured for the second time … Continue reading It’s what’s left that counts
A man of simple tastes
Carl McNeil, the oldest man in Fullarton, was of Scottish descent as his name implied. Carl was well-educated and well informed, a pleasant man to visit with, but not worldly wise; his values came from a different era. He never married, never had a driver's license, never smoked, never tasted tea, coffee or strong drink. … Continue reading A man of simple tastes
One kernel of wheat
How many people can be fed with one kernel of wheat? David Fife fed millions. The Fife family came to Canada from Scotland in 1820 when David was 15. They settled in Otanabee township, east of Peterborough, Ontario . When David was 20, he married Jane Becket and they began to farm on their own. … Continue reading One kernel of wheat
My soul is heavy
My soul is heavy with the chain That drags me down to earth; in vain I try to free me from its pain. And yet I ask not wealth or fame, I ask not power nor titled name, - Only my Saviour's love I claim. I fain would fix my wandering eye Upon my treasure … Continue reading My soul is heavy
Why I am a flatlander
Some folks drive through the prairies on the Trans-Canada Highway and say there is nothing to see. I, on the other hand, have driven for hours and days through the forests and rocks of northern Ontario, or Michigan Wisconsin and Minnesota, and found it depressing. Then the trees disappear behind me, the vista of open … Continue reading Why I am a flatlander
Flatlander Faith 