“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 totally climbed aboard the (Victoria) Mboko bandwagon, cheering for this wonderful tennis player with a positive on-court personality,” writes Ross Robinson.
“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.
“Down came the strap on my palm. Then the same for Armour. Once each — and then a second time, for good measure,” writes Ross Robinson. “Not bitter. Things change.”
“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.”
“My memory tells me it has been 58 years since their last Stanley Cup Parade in 1967. Apparently, that’s the longest winless streak going. But, it would serve no purpose to bring this up again, so I won’t write anything more about it,” writes Ross Robinson.
“This seems like the perfect opportunity to reach out and voice our appreciation to everyone involved with last week’s Niagara-on-the-Lake In Bloom,” writes Ross Robinson. “It was marvellous to be a tiny part of such an artistic, cultural and financial triumph.”
“We avoid discussing the situation, but an existential threat is upon us. Not long ago, I didn’t really understand what an existential threat was, but every day now we learn more,” writes Ross Robinson.
“Coast to coast, somehow this organization battles the domineering and slow marching curse of demographics, providing leadership as ‘We Will Remember Them,'” writes Ross Robinson, covering this year’s annual general meeting at Legion Branch 124 in NOTL.
Ahead of Canadians casting their ballots on April 28, Ross Robinson covers his attempt to tune into the French-language federal leaders’ debate last week — writing about the trials for English-speaking Canadians in achieving “functional bilingualism” and confusion abound after the last-minute time change of the debate.
“Last week was the 89th playing of the Masters. Has there ever been a final day with more drama, more class, and more great and bad shotmaking? Rare double bogeys were not so rare, and emotional swings became almost too much for both spectators on the course and those of us watching on television to handle,” writes Ross Robinson.
“If we want conveniently located hospitals, schools, libraries, recreational facilities and the like, all affordably priced, we absolutely positively need much higher population densityIf we want conveniently located hospitals, schools, libraries, recreational facilities and the like, all affordably priced, we absolutely positively need much higher population density,” writes Ross Robinson, covering other topics including changes to Tourism NOTL’s strategy and an intriguing proposition for a new speedrail system in southern Ontario.
“Should so many Canadians have worked themselves into a lather regarding this unfortunate circumstance? Suggesting that a winery be renamed, writing graffiti on walls and defacing an iconic statue in Edmonton. Can we call a truce and come to our Canadian senses?” writes Ross Robinson.
“Gerry Whittaker was from another era. Unfailingly kind, humble, highly accomplished in many fields, and a great lover of our Niagara-on-the-Lake,” writes Ross Robinson, eulogizing his Chautauqua neighbour, who passed away in February.
“Young computer sharpies don’t need printed schedules or travel company booklets. It’s all online now, instantly available. But I wouldn’t have met the dozens of helpful, smiling Turkish and Vietnamese people who gave me a true sense of their countries,” writes Ross Robinson.
“Reading between the lines of The Lake Report, I could feel big doses of anger, crankiness, know-it-allness, frustration and shortness,” writes Ross Robinson, using his recent trip to Vietnam to reflect on what it means to be happy and kind in a world full of strife and sadness.
“If the new U.S. president proceeds with his threatened tariffs, it will certainly be his biggest financial gamble since he took a lead role in Atlantic City casinos. History teaches us the results could again be dire, costly and uncomfortable,” writes Ross Robinson.
“The desire for non-single-family accommodation continues, so it behooves NOTL to somehow grow and densify. Like bonsai, let’s plan our growth and appearance,” writes Ross Robinson.
“So much of life is controlled by our reactions, especially when something beyond our control has affected us. Even the smallest thing can be remembered and can have a positive or negative influence on the rest of our lives,” writes Ross Robinson.
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