Memory Art

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Ferry boat crossing Halifax harbour at sunset

I’m reading the book “An Anthropologist on Mars” by neurologist Oliver Sacks. He presents seven unusual cases, including the “Memory Artist”, Franco Magnani. Franco has the unusual combination of an almost eidetic memory, an artistic talent, and an obsession with the town of Pontito, Italy. He spent most of his childhood there, until his father … Read more

GOIng Home

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GO Transit locomotive in Toronto's Union Station

I was in the Kitchener-Waterloo area recently, spending a few days with my son and his wife. I had hoped to take the train to Kitchener when I arrived at Pearson, but Air Canada made sure we landed too late for that to work. Fortunately the return Kitchener-to-Pearson trip was successful.

CPR 1238 for the Waterloo Central

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The Waterloo Central Railway just announced that they have reached an agreement to purchase ex Canadian Pacific Railway steam engine #1238. This “Pacific” type steam locomotive operated on tourist railways in the USA for years, and has been resting in Winnipeg since 2015 at the Prairie Dog Central.

Mino Bimaadiziwin

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Sign "We Are Still Here" and several paintings on display in Toronto's Union Station

I was in Toronto recently. While walking toward the UP Express to get to Pearson, I came across the exhibit “We Are Still Here” by Blake Angeconeb. This is a collection of six paintings on display in the west end of the station just outside the great hall. From the artist’s statement: ‘In Anishinaabemowin, “Mino … Read more

Return to Piney

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Aerial view of a derelict train station

I love train stations and I love abandoned buildings. The old station in Piney, Manitoba ticks both of those boxes! Our family took a road trip to Piney in April 2017 to see the old station. You can read this post if you wish. That one post ended up getting more than 14,000 views and … Read more

Walking, With Rails

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Long distance view of a railway siding with bumpy track

I woke up at 5 AM one morning, laid in bed for a while, and decided to get up. It was a gorgeous morning outside but I didn’t feel like going to shoot trains. I rarely do, these days. Instead, I chose to reframe it as walking in the wilderness, near train tracks. That appealed … Read more