Everybody take cover

Remember the man in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button who was struck seven times by lightning? His story was gently told, pitched for humour, but of course real life events are much more troubling. So let's keep safety first as we navigate this unusually stormy Tuesday.

(Image: wikipedia.org.)

I Heart Times Square

Met the weekend news from Times Square with a sense that was almost proprietorial - after all, it was only two weeks ago that I was wandering around there, getting in everybody's way (and lucking into a diner that served the best piece of cheesecake in the world). Anyway, let's hope all keeps well - and, hey, did you know there's a webcam?

(Image: top-things-to-do.com.)

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.