And now we know it was dog treats in his pocket

Our CBC Morning Show is always packed with great stories, and this morning Nancy Walsh mentioned a neat bit of possible-history, in that it likely never happened but it is still nice to think about: a Newfoundland dog once saved the life of Napoleon. Here's a bit more info on that, but fans of the dogs agree: their reputation is stellar, whether they did or did not participate in any rescue of brilliant French warrior-emperors.

(Image: solarnavigator.net.)

Cheezies are the question, or is that the answer?

For some reason I have been going around the past couple of weeks with an incredible craving for cheezies. And not even the slightly adult harder kind (ie Hawkins) either, but the cheap big puffy cheezies of snacks of yore. They say when you crave something you are really missing some vitamin or nutrient in that thing - but I doubt this applies to cheezies. Here, another writer wrestles with the question: to eat, or not to eat.

(Image: flickr.com.)

...so I baked a cake...

...because I knew you and/or your birthday were coming. Seems a lot of people are celebrating their special day this time of year - which means they are Taurus (Tauruses?), with a full moon currently in their sign, lots of romance and emotion, and maybe some white almond frosting in their future.

(Image: guardian.co.uk.)

Apologies as life trumps work

Accidentally found myself out of the office yesterday - a fridge delivery turned into a major architectural event. And, wow, what the guys from Smith's Furniture can't do with a flathead screwdriver and a hammer, well, it just ain't worth trying. After all the excitement, I managed to catch Away We Go, a really lovely film - here's the trailer - all about life and big changes, if not new appliances.

(Image: wordpress.com.)

And the winner is...

Here's the reader who won the beautiful Jean Claude Roy painting, Barr'd Harbour. His name is Gary Sargent, and you see him here with Circulation Manager Linda Jackman, who is delivering the gorgeous prize.

And another sign of Spring

On the way to work this morning, I helped my daughter buy a corsage, the purchase of which is a specific, infrequent, ritual. To all the grads getting ready for their proms - may the spirits of fun, safe grads watch over you!

(Image: fleurgalleria.com.)

Swan (Spring) Song

In some places the trees and fleurs are in full bloom. Here in St. John's that's not quite the story - although the sun was out for at least a few minutes recently (our Circulation manager told me - her house is on a higher elevation than my own spot downtown). Others have a truly lovely signal that the season has changed - the swans come back.

Image: trumpeterswansociety.org.)

NL Was Here

The Manhattan skyline is iconic, and glorious, and, as befits such a tremendous thing, was created in part by Newfoundlanders. Battery Radio has a new doc on the subject, and here's a book on the topic as well.

(Image: flickr.com.)

NYC @ film

What's your favourite film image of New York City? Maybe the opera backdrops passing by Cher in Moonstruck? Or the art deco skyline of Ghostbusters? For some of us (me) it's the bookstore in Hannah and Her Sisters, where Elliott finds and gives Leigh the book of e.e. cummings poetry. Well I am off on my very first ever trip to New York - and away from this blog - for a couple of days, and will have my eyes wide open for these and other lovely, iconic scenes.

(Image: logoi.com.)

PS. And speaking of NYC icons, think of what's befallen the Statue of Liberty in her film career. Buried in sand (Planet of the Apes), hit with a glacial tidal wave (The Day After Tomorrrow), beheaded by a gargantuan alien (Cloverfield). I can imagine her on the phone to her agent: "Can't you at least get me a speaking part? Just one line?")

Smart office

The NQ office is of course great fun, and we especially enjoy traveling from desk to desk by gliding gracefully in our wheel-y chairs. On such a journey this morning I thought, for some reason, of Maxwell Smart, Agent 99 and Chief, all in their offices at CONTROL (remember their cover was that they all worked for a greeting card company?).

(Image: amug.org.)

Like what you read?

If you read or give the NQ or ever used to do one or the other you know we're doing a new Readership Survey. Thanks to everyone who filled it out - the answers are very helpful to us. And the response rate was great, double the industry norm. We're compiling the information now, and we are listening - too many articles broken up, check, more photos, check. The Gardiner Centre at MUN, is helping us; they are excellent. If you're thinking of doing one yourself, here's a few tips.

(Image: flickr.com.)

And the Spring issue is aloft

(Image:wordpress.com.)

PS. We will be in the office next week, but a bit sporadically. So I'll pick up the blogging on the 12th.