“We have no shortage of issues that will affect our futures, but may I humbly and respectfully request that we all take a few deep breaths?” writes Ross Robinson.

“Let’s all lighten up a bit and get jolly as the holly appears once again. Queen Street downtown, and indeed our four villages, are being transformed again,” writes Ross Robinson.

“From Niagara-on-the-Lake to Hong Kong and eventually to Toronto, the word ‘love’ has suddenly been added to our vocabulary. And it happened so naturally, so quietly,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Especially in our current world, seemingly so divided and torn over so many issues, it was gratifying to learn that love for the poppy is universal,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Do our political party leaders think we believe they have a great big pot filled with money that they dip into to pay for their projects and programs?” writes Ross Robinson.

“Around NOTL, so many residents and visitors proudly wearing Blue Jays merchandise. People smiling and saying hello to strangers. In our world today, any positive news is welcome, and this World Series run is definitely good news,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Here in Niagara, we seem to be impatient, unhappy and often down on each other. Often a bit mean,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Even in State College on a very busy weekend, our driver didn’t once ask me for directions. It was out of character for me, but I just sat in the back seat with my mouth shut. He would just glance at his GPS screen and implicitly trust the computers,” writes Ross Robinson.

“When only 16, Maria fled her homeland in 1944 to Germany, sometimes riding with all their belongings in a horse-drawn carriage. A tough life happened during and after the Second World War,” writes Ross Robinson.

“Understanding the recently regularly mentioned notwithstanding clause had never been a priority in my life,” writes Ross Robinson. “It’s pretty dry stuff.”

“We seem to be living in the midst of so much angry emotion. Can we please give our heads a shake?” writes Ross Robinson.

“Life in our small town was great, and the Terry Fox participants and volunteers were sharing the love. Raising the money to ‘Finish It,'” writes Ross Robinson.

On the rebuilding and reopening of the new Royal George Theatre, Ross Robinson writes, “Please don’t say 2029 and then take a year or two or three longer … The pain to local businesses and residents will be unbearable. To everyone involved.”

“I was part of a wonderful tableau of Canadiana, with people of all ages, ethnicities, clothing styles and spoken languages. No rhyme or reason to it, it was just happening,” writes Ross Robinson.

“I was given a tour of the infrastructure work being done in west St. Catharines, preparing for the commencement of the magic pill that will be GO Train service to Niagara,” writes Ross Robinson. “I was attentive and polite, but very skeptical.”

“I sincerely hope this Ross’s Ramblings will help the StopGap ramp initiative gain traction. It would simply be the right move — and would feel so good,” writes Ross Robinson.

“I felt happy to still be curious, but at the same time, sad because my life has been so lacking in music. I know so little, but am able to lose myself in this world that is so foreign to me,” writes Ross Robinson.

“All the stars seemed to have aligned. Terror, temperature and talented people. An enabling microclimate. Wine tourists from around the world, more than willing to open their wallets wide for this sweet treat, to be savoured here or back home, around the world,” writes Ross Robinson.

“We know so little of our history, and so much of it is instructive. As a people, we have an amazing tendency to forget what we don’t want to remember,” writes Ross Robinson.

“It was no surprise that our main street sidewalks were full of people of all ages doing their best to eat their gelato treats and ice cream cones ‘n cups before the heat wave cheated them,” writes Ross Robinson.

Ross Robinson writes about watching game five of the finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers this past weekend at Butler’s Sports Bar, and asks just how much love Canadians have for the sport — or, if some of them just follow the Leafs.

“Back on Queen Street this morning, I had a retired couple from the Cape Cod area arrive for my free walking tour,” writes Ross Robinson, who “were absolutely effusive while telling me how beautiful our town is, with the many flowers and charming downtown.”