Thursday, August 25, 2011

Fenced in, part 2

The back view. The small section is a gate, but I need a pull rope
because I can barely reach it!

Feeling fenced in?

The front view; the Olson's nice gate.

New 'Bat-scoka' set in progress

I'm pleased with the bat so far, maybe needs a second coat (like the
table). But Geoff may not like what I did with one of his model
painting brushes...

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Lost in thought

I found myself lost in thought since news reached me of Jack Layton's death.  I think I'm grieving for our country, at least in a small way.  I wasn't an NDP supporter, and I've not met Jack, I'm not the conventional public griever, but something, has touched me, and I can't shake it.

I have great respect for Jack Layton, that is to be sure, he possessed all the I find admirably in a politician, he had charisma and skill at oratory, to be sure, but he also had compassion, zeal, compromise, cooperation, vision, purpose... I could adjective on about him for a while, but my point is that he was someone who was truly passionate about making lives of Canadian's better.  I can't always agree with what he felt were the end goals, but it was his means that were so impressive.  He didn't want to remake Canada in his vision, he wanted Canada to remake itself, and if the remade Canada wasn't what he initially envisioned he wouldn't have rallied against us, he would have celebrated us.

That is why people like Harris, and Ford scare me, their is no discussion, their is just an impenetrable  ego of "I know better."  Politicians serve the will of the people, and Layton was the best kind of servant.  He is the kind of politician I would like to be, should I go that route, and in fact I would name as inspiration to run for office.  He empowers people, he makes others better and he makes others want to make themselfs and their world better.  I can't think of a better kind of person.


So here's to Jack, Canada morns the loss of that which was best in us today.