Author Archives: Lorne Anderson

Blowing Their Own Horns III

A few photos today to finish our look at the alpenhorn concert in Sulzburg’s market square.

Blowing Their Own Horns II

Some thoughts from the alpenhorn student concert in Sulzburg’s market square. I must confess I had never thought about this instrument before, just accepted that it was a Swiss thing. I figured it to be localized because how do you transport something that big? Now I realize that the horns unscrew into three parts (or […]

Wish I Was There…

I’m not on the beach in Maine today, as travel plans ave been disrupted by the pandemic. Has your summer vacation been impacted too? Back in March I realized this was a possibility, so there as been time to accept the new reality, and hope that in 2021 things will be better. Today though I […]

You and God

I’m supposed to be at the beach today, but the border was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m thinking of sand though. Which brought this poem to mind, a modern classic about humans and our relationship with our Creator. I must admit I’ve always felt it was a little simplistic, even if I agree […]

Can You Believe It?

The boys of winter are back. The Stanley Cup playoffs start today. Can you imagine anything more ridiculous than ice hockey in August? Many years ago, when National Hockey League teams played a 50-game schedule, the trophy was handed out around the end of March. With expansion and more games that was pushed into April, […]

Blowing Their Own Horns

  If I correctly understood the notice in the municipal newsletter, these alpenhorn players were attending a training course in nearby Staufen, and were prevailed upon to  give a concert in the Sulzburg market square on Thursday morning. You could hear them from our apartment. The alpenhorn is not an instrument that I am that […]

Rolling The Dice

Political junkies in Canada are watching an unusual story unfolding in Parliament today. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is to appear before a parliamentary committee to answer questions about his latest ethics scandal. The general rule of thumb is that Prime Ministers don’t appear before committees, especially not ones investigating them. That Trudeau is ignoring this […]

To Mask Or Not To Mask?

    Free masks are no longer available to Ottawa transit users. In theory passengers have had time to pick up a mask, which is required of those using the system. I have from time to time commented on cultural differences between Canada and Germany. This year the idea of face masks is a prominent […]

The Plane Not Taken

I never thought it would last this long. Did you? Is there anyone at this point whose life hasn’t been disrupted by COVID-19? When will it end? I’m supposed to be on a plane today, going back to Canada for vacation. Instead I’m hoping for a Christmas flight – if any airlines are flying then. […]

The Work Week Begins

The calendar has today as a Monday, and it is usually accurate. You are probably wondering where the weekend went, if yours was anything like mine. There didn’t seem to be much down time. Which makes starting the week with some topical humor appropriate, at least in my eyes.