Professor's Last Lesson

A news story currently circulating through the Internet is an inspiring story of a short, but very full, life. I wrote a description for my Obituary Guide website.

The Portable Obituary

As part of my on-going obituary research, I’m reading the new book The Portable Obituary: How the Famous, Rich, and Powerful Really Died by Michael Largo. Read my review.

The Shock Doctrine

Lots of current coverage for Naomi Klein's new book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. Klein is well known for her earlier book, No Logo.

The Shock Doctrine had several excepts in the National Post last week, along with some critical reviews. In last night's The Hour on CBC TV, George Stroumboulopoulos interviewed Klein. She was quite unassuming, even saying at one point that she agreed with all of her critics. Her work is certainly getting much attention and she is no doubt receiving many ideas that can fuel her next project. (Watch the The Hour interview.)

Green Communities Canada

This look like an excellent organization. Green Communities Canada describes itself as "a national association of non-profit organizations that deliver innovative, practical solutions to Canadian households and communities." Resource Conservation Manitoba is the member from Manitoba.

Community Shared Agriculture

Yesterday I picked up our weekly share of produce, which consisted of potatoes, carrots, beans, tomatoes, cucumber, winter and summer squash, peppers, watermelon, cantaloupe, and ground cherries. The list does not do justice to the variety and tastiness of the offerings. I wrote a column about this concept Shared Agriculture: A Growing Notion earlier this year.

The Way We Mourn?

The article “The Way We Mourn,” in the latest issue of Maclean’s magazine, certainly has some interesting points about modern ways of observing death. Pulling no punches, writer John Fraser takes aim at what he asserts are over-the-top obituaries and funerals. I wrote a review of the article for my Obituary Guide website.