Beowulf

Michael Walton of Cayuga has written what is arguably the best translation of the Old English epic poem, Beowulf.

Beowulf was the first major poem in a European vernacular language.

Many of us have seen the modern movie version of Beowulf's exploits in defeating the monster Grendel and fighting to his death with a dragon.

Beowulf Anglo-saxon epic in modern English, by Michael Walton, is available in The Neat Little Bookshop. A beautifully bound, first edition hardcover that will excite the legend reader on your Christmas Gift list.

We will have much more on this author in the future. Visit Michael's extraordinary website.

http://www.beowulf-country.org/

Dr. David Marshall wrote in a glowing preface to his wife Jill's book, To The Arctic and Home Again, "Writing these words for my wife's book is an opportunity for me to acknowledge and thank a beautiful wife, super mother, able partner and my most trusted friend."

Thank you Doctor Marshall for the profound difference that you have made during a lifetime ~ a lifetime cut far too short. We will miss you.

Visitation is Wednesday and Thursday, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., at the Ballard-Minor Funeral Home, 315 Broad St. E. (Hwy. 3), Dunnville, Ontario.
The funeral is Friday at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Anglican Church, 233 Locke St. W., Dunnville.

Ontario Supreme Court Justice T. David Marshall

The community is mourning the passing of friend and neighbour, Justice David Marshall. Known best to many as Doctor Marshall, the Dunnville native practiced medicine in Cayuga for many years, also on the Six Nations Reserve where he was named an honorary chief. He held degrees in both medicine and law, eventually teaching criminal law at Windsor University. The author of several books and articles, Doctor Marshall presided as judge in Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories and the Yukon and most recently in the Cayuga courthouse.
Doctor Marshall was recently appointed Colonel Commandant of the Medical Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces, liaison with the British Royal Family.
We extend our sincerest condolences to Mrs. Marshall and to her family.

Maddalena Ruggiero

The Neat Little Bookshop is proud to present the work of Maddalena Ruggiero. Her photographic studies of abandoned sites across Ontario draw admirers into spaces long ago forgotten ~ yet hauntingly alive.

"There is something fascinating about the state of decay, the silence and peace that resonates in the space and the existing footsteps and memories of the past," said Ruggiero.

A graduate of the Ontario College of Art and Design with a BA in Photographic Studies, Ruggiero lives in Toronto, Ontario.

http://www.maddalenaruggiero.com/

The lady at the Tim Horton's take-out window is telling me that she cannot take my money. Puzzled, I hesitantly accept the change that she is offering me. I also get change?

There are days that ~ for whatever reason ~ it requires extra discipline to show up for work. Today was one of those days. With the Christmas season fast upon us, comes the various festive events, the extra baking and the gift-giving. It is easy to become overwhelmed. It takes a strong person to decline invitations and keep things simple ~ and to get one's sleep! In all the years of retailing, I have offered these few simple words to tired shoppers, "I think we try to do too much." Without exception, the response is always the same -- a huge sigh and hopefully a recognition of how we can step back and look at the big picture.

Someone ahead of me in the long line-up this morning at Tim Horton's had paid in advance for my order. This single spontaneous act of kindness renewed my appreciation for yet another precious new day. Bless you, dear friend!

Your smile for today ~

"Revise and revise and revise ~ the best thought will come after the printer has snatched away the copy."
~ Michael Monahan

Antiques and Collectibles

Towpath on The Grand seemingly features one-of-a-kind fascinating items, hand-picked by the owner, Jim Gibson, in his travels.

There is ivory, glass, china, ebony, pewter, paper, tin, iron, metals and wood ~ you name it ~ all finely crafted into the most incredibly unique antiques and collectibles beautifully displayed and guaranteed to enthrall even the modernist.

For gifts that say, "I love you" get lost for a day in Jim's world. You might want to call first (Jim is always on the "hunt").

Visit Towpath on The Grand, 14 Talbot Road W., (Highway 3) in the Village of Cayuga before you cross the bridge ~ just around the corner from The Neat Little Bookshop.

Telephone: 905-772-0014

Photo: by Lorna. Click to view larger image. l-r Bob Blakeley, Cheryl MacDonald, Owner Jim Gibson

Histories of Haldimand County

Cheryl MacDonald and Bob Blakeley are signing books at The Neat Little Bookshop, Cayuga St., between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. today.

Books that promise to assist with your Christmas gift list.

Topics include the War of 1812, Haldimand and Norfolk history, Laura Secord, Dangerous Women of Ontario and Who killed George?

Meet the authors in person, ask your most pressing questions about writing, publishing and promoting and pick up a couple autographed books. After all ~ there is nothing like a good book!

Avid Readers

Beautiful ladies ~ Avid readers, Yvonne and Maddie

Welcome Bikers

Every Friday the 13th, Port Dover, Ontario, welcomes hundreds of motorcycles. The rumble of bikes is heard as they travel through Cayuga.

Photos: by Lorna

Treasured Photographs of Cayuga Ontario

Armistice Day ~ Courthouse Grounds

To view larger image, click on photo.

The Royal Canadian Legion

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 159, Cayuga, Ontario

Photos: Click on photo to view larger image

Branch 159 The Royal Canadian Legion

The Cenotaph, Cayuga, Ontario

The Courthouse Grounds

Lest We Forget

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scare heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold on high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

~ Canadian military doctor, Major John McCrae
May 1915

Good Ship Alana

A sailboat voyage that many of us may dream of but will probably never have the opportunity to take: Captain Dave's Alana adventure is a breath-taking experience. Spectacular photography and riveting story-telling.

Clear skies, Captain Dave.

http://www.goodshipalana.blogspot.com/

Sense of Wonder

The magical realm of unspoiled fields, woodlots and streams was our environment as kids growing up in the country.

We trudged around in hand-me-down rubber boots exploring swampy tadpole ponds and tiny trails travelled by mice. We swash buckled through bush-rows inhabited by bugs and grasshoppers chased into flight by our intrusion.

We probed groundhog holes with sticks ~ always expecting something wonderful. We climbed fences and trees, venturing ever further as we got older. We were never bored like so many kids today. ~

The world of Beatrix Potter, Thornton Burgess and Kenneth Grahame raised adventurous kids that never lost their sense of wonder.

Photo: by Lorna. Click to view larger image.

Eddies Below the Bridge

"Late October or early November ~ after weeks of frost and the fields brown and the harvest long taken and the garden ripped up and dumped and the trees mostly bare and the house tucked up for Winter ~ comes the moment of miraculous restoration, Summer's curtain call or triumphal final tour: The wind relents, the sun rises, golden warmth risen from frozen acres, and Indian Summer visits like a millionaire."
Seasons at Eagle Pond, Donald Hall, Houghton Mifflin Company 1987
Photo: Eddies below the bridge ~ Saugeen, Melancthon, Ontario

Colonel Nichol and Mrs. Nichol

When the Colonel and his wife come to town, expect the unpredictable, the outrageous ~ sometimes murder, sometimes mayhem.

Actors/authors/historians, Bob Blakeley and Cheryl MacDonald continue to amaze with their growing list of books ~ all available at The Neat Little Bookshop. Titles that enlighten, educate and entertain. Guaranteed to assist with your Christmas Gift List.

An experience not soon to be forgotten: Join Cheryl and Bob on Saturday, November 14, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

For a complete list of books visit http://www.heronwoodent.ca/

Photo: by Lorna (for your copy contact: lwalker@mountaincable.net)

Your smile for today ~

"I was a loner as a child. I had an imaginary friend ~ I didn't bother with him."
~ George Carlin

Horror and Beauty

Wilma Flintstone and Friend Betty Rubble