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 In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from falling hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. The first line in Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae's familiar poem, I n Flanders Fields speaks of the many poppies that sprang up between the graves of soldiers buried in an area of Europe near Belgium following World War I.  In 1921, inspired therefore by these words, a red flower became the symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers of World War I. I never really understood as a child what it meant to wear a poppy. As it is with so many things w

In five days we will remember. In recent decades there has probably never been a Remembrance Day  that should be as deeply felt in the hearts and minds of Canadians as this one.  In the past month,  this peace-loving democracy has seen two of its soldiers murdered in cowardly acts of apparent terrorism — at home. We can't help but turn our thoughts to the sacrifice one makes in volunteering for military service, not to mention that of the family members who proudly respect the dedication of their loved one, while knowing that the decision to serve could place that loved one in dangerous and volatile situations. Or, in the cases of Warrant Office Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo, make them a target for crazed fanatics. As a child born in the middle half of the past century,  I heard often, from family and educators, about the brave people who had fought for freedom in two world and the Korean wars.  In my early years of elementary school,  there was political tens

When you live in a climate where you spend a good part of the year in snowboots and toques, it's best to find a way to embrace winter. For me, that means the excuse to cocoon, to get some interior jobs done that are ignored in the summer months, catch up on some reading and relax on snowy evenings with a nice cup of hot chocolate or glass of wine by the fire. Others, however, interpret that embracing in a more vital way, by heading out to challenge nature and themselves. From snowmobilers to downhill skiers, there are folks who actually look forward to the cold and snow because it provides them with the opportunity to participate in their favourite sport. A young girl we knew, who had lived in western Canada for several years, returned to her native Ontario home recently. That she came with a snowboard was a given. In a place where mountains are the playground and snow visits for a good part of the year, such activities are what people do out there. While not for me, the tr

Each year my husband and I spend a few days in a rustic, though luxurious, cabin on the picturesque French River in northern Ontario.  It's a new travel diversion, spent typically in the company of our daughter, her husband and children, and when it comes to cruising the waters, it's in their boat. However, while paddling of any kind hasn't been a pastime of ours ever,  each summer that we spend time there we come a little closer to some kayak and canoe lessons so that we might enjoy the beauty of the area on our own.  Even then it's likely our excursions will remain tame,  gentle glides close to shore and in the quiet waters.  At this point in time, I'm fairly certain the rapids will be strenuously avoided. Not that I don't think it would be fun to take them on. While an adventurous spirit is not part of my makeup, whitewater rafting rather intrigues me. When it comes to the adrenaline rush of extreme sports this is one that I believe I might actually enj

The office was abuzz this morning with the success of  daredevil Nik Wallenda's death-defying walk across the Chicago River from 500 feet up on a high wire on Sunday.  No safety net, no harness, and not once across, but twice.  Oh, yes, and perhaps it should be noted that in case the second one might have been a bit repetitive, he opted to do it blindfolded. The big question for the group of us who sit day in and day out with our bottoms on an office chair and our eyes gazing at a computer screen is why.  The world to us is a treacherous enough place without willingly going out to find danger. What compels those to seek these thrills is a bit of a mystery.  I understand a need to prove to one's self and others how far you can push yourself and what you can achieve. What I will never understand is putting yourself in jeopardy and taking such great risks.  Nope, I am so far from being an adrenaline junkie that I prefer to get my highs looking at breathtaking pictures take