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WOK WITH (STEVEN) YAN
1980 Sense and Nonsense A few weeks ago I added a utensil to my collection of kitchen gizmos that has completely changed my way of life. I allowed myself to be persuaded that “wokking” is the only way to cook. An Oriental “Galloping Gourmet” on television dazzled me with his one-liners (both on and off…
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SEE THE PRETTY LADY!
(August 1979) Sense and Nonsense See the pretty lady. She is immaculate as she rests in her cool, spotless home. The pretty lady is very frail. She does not walk her block a day as they tell her to do on television. She is too tired. Her phone rings. It is the blue phone and…
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CALL OF THE NORTH- SUMMER 1980
October 9/80 Sense and Nonsense I wonder if other people can promptly answer as to whether or not they had a good time on holidays? I never can. At least not until months after we have returned home. I am noncommittal until all real and imagined injuries to my nerves, to our vehicle and to…
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TELEVISION COMMERCIAL-LAND
June 24, 1976 Sense and Nonsense Yesterday was a bad day. It started out like any other day, the alarm went off at 6:00 a.m. and I reluctantly rolled out of bed. I stumbled into the bathroom, squeezed toothpaste onto my toothbrush, and glanced into the mirror. Ugh! 60% more cavities! The drugstore was all…
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WARM WINTER (circa 1979)
Sense and Nonsense This had been a most unusual winter. The mild temperatures and low snow levels have pleased everyone except the skiers and some other winter sports enthusiasts. There are some who are regarding the weather with suspicion. They worry that we will eventually have to pay for our comfort. They pessimistically predict that…
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PET ROCKS
Circa 1975 (or 76?) Sense and Nonsense The story of the “pet rock” craze which swept the continent this Christmas reads like a modern but less believable version of “Cinderella”. How a poor but honest (and enterprising) beer parlour bum became a millionaire almost overnight. And all without the help of a fairy godmother with…
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The Fraser Lake Royal Canadian Legion
Over the past two and a half years the Fraser Lake Royal Canadian Legion Hall has been renovated, refurbished, refinanced, and members’ spirits renewed, due to the efforts of some very dedicated volunteers. I recall the building as being a community hall back in the days before multi-channel TV and instant internet, when our family…
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I MISS OUR RABBITS!
Circa 1981 Sense and Nonsense I miss our rabbits! There I’ve said it. But not too loudly I hope. I don’t miss them enough to accept any replacements! After all, what rabbit could replace Brownie the first? Or second; or third ; or…? And Snoopy…we only had three of him (or her) and then there…
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LIMERICK-ING
Circa 1975 Sense and Nonsense Limericks are a lot of fun. All my life, I have been trying to write at least one very bad limerick. I understand a limerick has to be really bad to be good. My limericks are either too good to be bad, or more often they are so bad they…
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A CORNY PLAY
Circa 1980 Sense and Nonsense The following is a very corn y play written while perusing through the seed catalogues. The scene is the front porch of an old farmhouse set in the bush miles from anywhere. The daughter of the house Rose is being courted by a city slicker named Brad. BRAD: “Rose, you…