Cogitation 51 "WINTER BLEND," declares the eye-catching label on a bag of coffee beans, followed in smaller print by, "A rich and harmonious balance of sweet plum and dark chocolate notes. / Un equilibre riche et harmonieux de prune sucree et notes de chocolate noir." I'm in! The image of a bundled up, rosy-cheeked model …
Author: John Bender
Hi, my name is John Bender, retired and loving it. I'm writing to help interested people cross bridges to and from the past. Stories from the past can shed light on life in the present and illuminate the future. We've got a lot of living to do. Let's do it!
I believe in the wonder
Cogitation 50, 2019 During December many families gather from near and far to celebrate the wonder. We gather to celebrate the wonder that the holidays bring. The wonder of homes decked out in holiday splendor. The wonder of secular and sacred music. The wonder of religious services. The wonder of opening presents. The wonder of …
Beyond the headlines
Cogitation #49, 2019 I read a newspaper, headlines first. Then I go through the paper again to read the items that have caught my attention. Edited well, a newspaper, or magazine, lets you quickly find what's of greatest interest to you, be that obituaries, letters, news of the day, weather, stock report, columnists, comics, weekend …
Tips for staying young
We saw this glider last Sunday from the window where we were having lunch. I hope the (young?) owner found it. Cogitation 48/2019--225th post I found a delightful editorial, "Staying young," in a New Hampshire newspaper, the Carroll County Independent & Pioneer (October 10, 2019). While perusing the national news stage filled with stories and …
Maudie, the movie / Maud, the artist
Cogitation 47/224 Friday 22 November 2019 Maud Lewis was a folk artist. The film Maudie paints Maud's life on the canvas of her relationships with family, community, husband--and art. Released in 2017. Cast of 10. On November 12, snow and cold closed Greencroft Community Center where I was scheduled to introduce the showing of Maudie …
The road keeps rising up before me
Cogitation 46/223 Friday 15 November 2019 Reader Steve intimated that I might have more to say about our recent 5-week road trip. "There's another installment (or two), right?" Steve said. Sure, I can do that, I'll do it with random photos and captions. To start, though, I'm taking a step back to 2008. That's the …
My cup of travel overflows
Cogitation 45/222 Saturday 9 November 2019 The vastness of forests, mountains, hills, rocks, sky, rivers, lakes and ocean, and migration of butterflies and geese impressed me on our recent 5-week trip east, north, west and south (OH. PA, MA, ME, NB, NS, QC, ON, MI, IN). Five-week, 4,034 mile road trip, mostly in October, took …
OTR Wk 5: Cozy Chalet at Wasaga Beach
Cogitation 44/221 Friday 1 November 2019 On The Road Week 5 in Wasaga Beach, Ontario, focused on family. Could we survive, thrive, in this first almost week-long assemblage? We gathered at a cozy cottage/chalet, prepared tasty meals, turned on the fireplace as needed, told stories, played card games, took walks, did day trips, connected with …
OTR Wk 4: ‘Culinary’ adventures on the road
Cogitation 43/220 Saturday 26 October 2019 How to eat right on the road? It's both a challenge and a pleasure-- with a dash of surprise thrown in. Bites along the way This "big enough for two meals" lemon tart came from an aroma- and eye-rich bakery near our rental apartment in the Hydrostone Neighbourhood of …
Continue reading OTR Wk 4: ‘Culinary’ adventures on the road
OTR Wk 3: Boston to Halifax
Cogitation 42/219 Saturday 19 October 2019 Art aptly captures the human spirit. That's a topic I touch on in photos in this week's "On The Road" account. The major pleasure of this road trip has been time spent with relatives and friends. That's a highlight, a profound privilege, deeply anchored in communicating face-to-face. There'll be …
It's About Now 