Rob Jones looks back longingly to the days of the mix tape, “an artifact of a bygone age, perhaps. But also a lost art form, a dark art of play/record, pause, and fade.”
National Frickin’ Pride
This actually happened to me while waiting for a 155 bus on 6th St here in New Westminster, British Columbia. There is a notable Anglo-Saxon word beginning with ‘F’ which played a large part in the dialogue. Since this is a family blog, I’ve rendered that ancient and well-traveled word of Germanic (ig)nobility with some […]
The Unforgettable Parenting Lessons of Atticus Finch
As luck would have it, the 50th year anniversary of Harper Lee’s sole, yet widely read, novel To Kill A Mockingbird dovetailed nicely with Father’s Day this year. I say luckily because even when I first read this book as a 16 year old, I knew that in reading about one of the central characters, a taciturn and principled Southern lawyer who takes an impossible, unwinnable case — was more than just a character. Atticus Finch was a colossus, with a humility that belies his true strength. And most importantly, he was a dedicated father.
Fictional Mothers and their Famous Offspring, from Supermen to Monsters
There are some strong mother figures in popular novels, poetry, films, and mythology who are celebrated or justly maligned. Some are inspirational, and others provoke the utmost terror. And some are unsung, yet play an important part in the stories of some of the most iconic characters of our time.
Trails to the Tree Kingdom: Why We Should Never Outgrow Nature
A childhood memory of a natural playground can remind us of different ways to envision the future when it comes to preserving and respecting the natural world.
16 Important Guitarists You Might Not Know: International Guitar Month Feature
As part of International Guitar Month, writer Rob Jones celebrates the guitar by highlighting influential and innovative players through out the decades. You might not have heard of some of them…but you should.
The Little Girl with the Blonde Bobbed Hair
A story of young love, childhood memories, and a Bluebird schoolbus.
How Beer Saved My Life
A Canadian ex-patriot living in London, UK, finds a warm feeling of familiarity in a British beer aisle.
Celebrating the Moment
They say that being in the moment is the key to happiness. Here’s a tale of a brief moment that went beyond happiness, and took our writer to the next level, all in a span of time that can be measured in the intake of a breath.
Bullies, Facebook and the Passage of Time
When you look back into the past, and then compare it to a real life picture on Facebook, the truth often can surprise you. One of the powers of social media is the gap of time it closes, and the shift in perspective it can initiate. It can be a transformative experience, especially when it humanizes the school bully.