Mr. John Ellis. Creative non fictionBy Joan M. Baril “Is it over?” I asked my father when he walked in the house after work. It wasApril 23, 1953 and I was 18 years old, teaching Grade 2 at Oliver Road School and living at home. “Shh,” my mother whispered to me. “Be quiet. Of course, it’s over. It was on the radio.” My father’s face was grey as he closed the ..read more

 Dear Readers: This is the last post for this blog. Over the past weeks I have worked hard to use the new format mandated by the Google blog people and tried to make it work for a literary blog but no go. I have tried out many many ideas and suggestions but all were complicated, time consuming and close to useless. Google has closed the comments (complaints) about their new format and no longer ..read more

 What are You Reading?  I would love to know. Email me at jbaril@tbaytel.net.  What am I reading? Here is the usual eclectic list running from mysteries to poetry to a deep dark memoir from a British spy in the Russian Revolution.Books I have enjoyed lately.The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson. In 1940, the relentless Nazi bombing of England killed 45,000 people. Everyone expected the ..read more

 How to Pronounce Knife by Souvankham ThammavongsaThe authors named to the 2020 Scotiabank Giller Prize shortlist are:Gil Adamson, for her novel Ridgerunner, published by House of Anansi PressDavid Bergen, for his short story collection Here The Dark, published by BiblioasisShani Mootoo, for her novel Polar Vortex, published by Book*hug PressEmily St. John Mandel, for her novel The Glass Hotel ..read more

 Autumn (photo Marion Agnew)AUTUMN by Li Hai-Ku, Qing DynastyHoar frost is fallingAnd the water of the river runs clear.The moon has not yet risen,But there are many stars.I hear the watch dogs In the near-by village.On the opposite bankAutumn lamps are burning in the windows.I am sick,Sick with all the illnesses there are.I can bear this cold no longer.THE JEWEL STAIRS GRIEVANCE by Li Bai, Tang ..read more

 My Canadian Shorts II sweat shirt. Love the Moose.  ..read more

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