April 2009

CANADA’S GREAT GIFTS TO THE CINEMA By Paul Jackson   We Canucks have made major contributions to the celluloid world, and not only by inspiring Nelson Eddy to portray a Mountie in Rose Marie. The famed “America’s Sweetheart,” Mary Pickford, was born as lowly Gladys Smith in Toronto in 1893. Raymond Burr who gave lawyers

ORDER IN THE COURT? By Jim Rambo   (Ed. Note: This is the third in a short series of columns about the author’s experiences over his long career as a prosecutor up in the “old country.”) Needling the Opposition I developed a nagging toothache during a trial in Dover. It was a serious case because

Inspiration By Margie Harrell   Recently while cleaning out some old files I came across the first article I ever wrote for the Ojo del Lago many years ago. It was about, of all things, a piglet I had befriended down by the lake who later was sent to slaughter. I was heartbroken and as

Peace Corps Reunion By Kay Davis   On March 1, I went to a Peace Corps pot-luck dinner hosted by Bob and Judith Terry. It was not only fun but highly interesting and it was probably the best pot-luck that could be had, too. There were about 14 people who had, at various ages and

IDENTITY CRISIS!   An old cowboy sat down at the Starbucks and ordered a cup of coffee. As he sat sipping his coffee, a young woman sat down next to him. She turned to the cowboy and asked, “Are you a real cowboy?” He replied, “Well, I’ve spent my whole life breaking colts, working cows,

LAKE CHAPALA THROUGH THE AGES —An Anthology of Travelers’ Tales By Tony Burton Reviewed by Thomas Hally   Tony Burton, an award-winning travel writer and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, takes us with him on a spectacular journey on and around Lake Chapala. The tales begin immediately after the Spanish Conquistadors had begun to

Animal Therapists By Mildred Boyd   Not so long ago everyone, including the physicians, would have been absolutely horrified to find an animal of any sort in a sick room. Now, not on1y do you find dogs, cats or even the occasional piglet or lamb roaming the halls of hospitals, but they are frequently there

Wondrous Wildlife By Vern and Lori Gieger Say Your Prayers   The praying mantis looks innocent enough, appearing to kneel as if in reverence, holding its front legs as if in prayer. Swiveling its head from side to side (the only insect in the world able to do this) as if surveying the congregation of

Welcome to Mexico! By Victoria Schmidt Mañana is good enough for me   Shortly after arriving in Mexico, we learned the “true” meaning of mañana. Oh, sure, we knew it meant “tomorrow” and we soon learned it meant “morning”… but later we discovered that Mañana is actually the eighth or ninth day of the week.