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Friday afternoon saw Jim Brow and me travelling to Kenora for a swim meet, which always takes place on the same weekend in November.
Historically at this time of year, most of the lakes and creeks are iced over. In some years, there already are snowbanks along the sides of the highway.
As such, we allowed ourselves lots of time for the drive.

The first Christmas lights sparkled to life on our street last Sunday evening. Circling around the branches of the trees in the yard, the bright white miniature lights marked the beginning of the Christmas season.
Television ratings noted Canadians were watching the results of the U.S. election in numbers as great as they watched the Canadian one. Polls had noted that if Canadians had voted in the U.S. presidential election, more than 80 percent would have chosen Barack Obama.

Next Tuesday marks Remembrance Day in Canada.
The First World War ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. We use that time and date to recognize our veterans who have carried our flag to nations around the world in the name of peace and humanitarian aid.
Historically, we first recognized our First World War veterans, then our Second World War veterans, and later the veterans from the Korean War.

I grew up on the 800 block of Third Street in the east end of Fort Frances. I think our home was the third or fourth built on the street, though several followed that same year.
As a youngster, I was able to watch the construction of all the other homes that were built along the block. Once in school, the ending of the school year announced a new construction season.
Stan Dolyny, whose shop was located at the corner of Second Street and Frenette Avenue, was hired to build many of the homes. He also built several on speculation.

If I had a trainer, she would tell me that I should warm up before raking and bagging leaves.
That it would be a good idea to stretch my arm, back, and leg muscles—and that a careful warm-up should take place before tackling the leaves in my yard.
Alas, none of that happened on Sunday. As the morning ended with its focus on pets, I looked at The Weather Network and glanced outdoors to see if it was raining. Upon arriving back home late Saturday afternoon, I had paid close attention to the mat of leaves covering the driveway and backyard.

We can be thankful that the election campaign in Canada is much shorter than that of the United States. But even by our short campaign, the election seems to go on for far too long.
After all the campaigning, accusations, and slights, when Parliament reconvenes, it will be much the same as the Parliament that ended. Perhaps after three elections with no clear-cut winner, it is time for all politicians to put the knives away and begin working for Canadians.
After all, that is what we sent them to Ottawa to do.

Next Tuesday, as Canadians, we will choose who will govern us for the next few years and how that government will be shaped.
For the past 30 months, the Conservatives under Stephen Harper have governed with a minority of
members. Prior to that, the Liberal party under the leadership of Paul Martin governed with a minority
for 18 months.
From September, 1984 through to December, 2004, first Brian Mulroney and then Jean Chrétien led the country with majority governments.

Many of us live two different lifestyles. In summer, we have one set of interests; in winter a different set.
The water on Rainy Lake has reached that deep blue colour. The birch trees have painted their leaves a brilliant gold while the occasional maple is a brilliant red.
The pine trees are shedding needles, and the ground is being covered with a soft brown-coloured blanket.
The mallards that were being raised around the island seem to have disappeared. On Saturday, a group of Canvasbacks swam across the front of the bay.

I was in Victoria Park in downtown Regina last Friday when Liberal leader Stéphane Dion and the press entourage covering his campaign swept across the Prairies for a series of announcements.
I’ve only heard Dion speak through the radio or television, and was curious to see him live in person. For the cameras that would be recording his words, Dion’s makeup was perfect and his hair was well- groomed.

During the 2006 federal election campaign, Canadians were challenged to think about our responsibilities for the environment. Jim Harris, the leader of the Green Party at the time, made the environment and global warming the focus of the his party’s platform.