From a column I wrote in the 1990s: “In late June of this year a TV weather report noted the possibility of frost that night in low-lying areas east of Prince Albert. The same report predicted a relatively high UV factor for the next day.  Thus it would be possible to get frostbite and a sunburn within 24 hours.”

Farmers are not big fans of fairy tales, but back about 60 years ago they discovered a Cinderella crop. Canola became known by that name  because it brought seemingly amazing cash returns soon after being introduced in the prairie provinces, particularly in the northern grain belt here in Saskatchewan.

The other day I passed a public swimming pool in the city. It was a hot day and crowds of slick-swimsuited youngsters streamed out of the dressing rooms over the painted concrete surface, past the perched lifeguards to the neat, shining rectangle of water.

What a contrast, I thought, to the swimming facilities of my childhood:

A fellow I know well was doing a minor repair. Finding himself with both arms above his head holding  a piece of material and needing a tool he called to his nearby wife, “Honey I need you, I’ve only got two hands,”

Here’s a bulletin that will surely surprise you: Turns out young boys are attracted to violence. Really. They like movies, comic books, magazines, TV programs and video games that present plenty of violence.