HORSE HOCKEY AND DEER DOGS FOR SEPT. 8
In this edition of the Reader, your watchful correspondent writes about a ban on banks, hot dogs that crunch, and George Washington’s smarter brother.
This week: a 4-minute read
SIMONS UNDER SIEGE
When I first arrived at the Edmonton Journal in 1998, one of the first people I met was an enterprising young journalist named Paula Simons. At the time, she and I shared the same editorial-writing job (me from Monday to Wednesday, she on Thursday and Friday). Since those times, however, Paula has become a Canadian Senator for Alberta while I’ve become, ahem, your ever-vigilant correspondent. But never mind that.
Paula is still a journalist at heart and today she is reporting on a conspiracy theory making the rounds in Canada like a virus. Her Parliamentary email inbox in Ottawa is getting flooded with letters of concern about — and I am not making this up — a plan by the Canadian government to close all the banks next year and eliminating the circulation of cash.
It’s horse hockey, of course, all of it. As Paula writes, “Anyone who stopped for just a second to think about how important banks are to Canada’s economy would quickly see that no government would or could ban them.”
The beleaguered senator has been trying to write emails of reassurance to everyone who has been writing her with these concerns, and but the task grows ever more daunting. “So,” she writes, “if you see this hoax circulating in your social media circles, please let your connections know that it is absolutely not true.”
Journal’s book fair in 2009
DENTISTS BE ON HIGH ALERT
Our daughter Carson, who lives in North Shields, England, and works in nearby Newcastle, was telling us the other day she was having something for lunch most of us in North America wouldn’t be having: venison hot dogs. I am not making this up, either. But here’s the best part. There’s a warning on the back of the package that reads, “fragments of bullet metal may remain.” She likes them fine, but they can be a bit crunchy at times with the occasional brassy aftertaste.
GOOD EVENING, STARLIGHT
Observation from our Beaver County campsite: Shooting star and northern lights. Same sky, same night.
& TODAY IN THE NEWS
September 8th — that’s today if you’re not yet awake — is World Ampersand Day. It’s also National Star Trek Day, though it should be noted it’s a day celebrated only on Kronos. Heghlu’meH QaQ jajvam.
— wait, what? It’s not? Oh, then never mind.
REMEMBERING OUR MOTHERS
Re ‘’Mum’s the Word,’ Aug. 25. Hi Terry. Reading about your mother reminds me of what we went through with my mom after she lost her ability to remember, to express thoughts, and ultimately to speak. She passed away in 2002. My last memories of her were on her birthday when she was reaching for extra pieces of birthday cake, and my last walk with her when she turned to me and asked simply “why?”. Thanks for reminding me of mom. She was a kind, gentle, sweet lady who will always be loved and missed. Tom Pura, Grande Prairie, Alberta
Terry, I do enjoy the newsletter and I knew your mum. She was a strong woman and it was such a pleasure speaking with her. Carol Beaulieu, Tilbury, Ontario
Excellent newsletter, Terry. I really enjoyed it. I discovered one more thing we have in common. I, too, had a wonderful mother. I miss her every day. Walter O’Rourke, Fergus, Ontario
Thank you, Terry for your newsletter. We have recently moved from Tilbury after calling it home for almost 50 years and I’m definitely missing wonderful friends. Donna Ward, Windsor, Ontario
Terry, I’m really enjoying your Sunday Reader. Wayne Moriarty, Vancouver, British Columbia
Oh Terry, Sunday mornings will never be the same! I love your humour and superb writing skills. Mary Lou Mailloux, Sauble Beach, Ontario
If you want to drop me a note (and risk me publishing it here), just reply to this email or, if you prefer send it to mysundayreader@gmail.com.
THIS WEEK’S SHAMELESS PLUG
Last Sunday, we wrote about how we opened our own bookstore on terrymcconnell.com. Today, we gleefully announce we are mounting our first bargain-price sale.
The book is Cabbage Brain: An Englishman’s Journey to American Success, a true story and fun read about a poor lad in post-war Britain who emigrates to the U.S., where he makes his fortune. Yet this is no rags-to-riches tale. This guy would be at home in a Charles Dickens’ novel — think Pip from Great Expectations or Sydney Carton in A Tale of Two Cities: half-rogue, half grand fellow, and always a source of entertainment.
I wrote the book with Dennis Horne, who is now 91 and living in San Diego, between 2013 and 2017. We’re preparing to publish a new edition of the book next year, but we have a limited number of first-edition copies still in stock, and we’re releasing them at clearance prices. So for $9.98 Cdn (plus shipping), we will send you a personally autographed original of Cabbage Brain. You will find it here. And I thank you.
A REMINDER
Please forward My Sunday Reader to a friend or family member you think might enjoy it. Remember, past newsletters are available, too.
AND FINALLY …
Great Britain’s Royal Marines were formed in October of 1664. One of its commanders in the Battle of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 1741 was Lawrence Washington, half-brother of George. He was the one who chopped down the cherry tree and blamed his little brother. (I made that last part up.)
See ya next Sunday. / T.
