Keith Dryden

Take a snooze Have you noticed that as technology advances, enabling us to harvest crops in a shorter period of time, there is still an itch to get the job done faster? Uncertainties of weather are behind this urge to get the job done. There’s many a horror story about a lush crop deteriorated or […] Read more

Standing ovation There was to be a classsical music concert in town that night and Minnie was so pleased to be going she cooked a sumptuous supper that was topped off by a big bowl of strawberries. Her husband, Eddie, cleaned his plate and had two helpings of strawberries. It wasn’t until he got to […] Read more

Latest addiction A British psychologist warns the Internet is creating addicts in the same way as alcohol, tobacco, drugs and gambling. We’ve tried banning the latter four vices. How shall we deal with the Internet? “Come on, Harry, you promised to paint the pantry today and it’s nearly nine o’clock.” “In a minute.” “That’s what […] Read more

The bare facts Some years ago I did a series of columns about bootleggers and the RCMP. This was aided and abetted by a knowledgeable gentleman at Abernethy, Sask., called Jack Stueck. Recently we visited Grande Prairie, Alta., and were astonished to find that Saskatchewan does not have a monopoly on bootleggers and sin. At […] Read more

A bad mistake There is a development in modern higher-priced home design that leaves me aghast. Now I should explain that a bathroom to me is just one step below a chapel. It’s a private place where you contemplate, ruminate and read The Western Producer. No one comes barging in or otherwise interrupts this sacred […] Read more

Special days An American calendar book reveals the United States has 42 special “days” that are worthy of celebration by various segments of the population during any given year. This provides ample opportunity for those looking for an excuse for a party. Actually, the book lists Orthodox Easter but misses Orthodox Christmas and New Year’s […] Read more

The Brits have shed another colony and this will leave the colonial secretary, if there still is one, short of things to do. Now that Hong Kong has been handed over lock, stocks and bonds to China, the colonial department will have few places around the world map where it can stick its proprietary pins. […] Read more

Raising our sights While the much-trumpeted G7 plus Boris Yeltsin meeting was being held in Denver, an interesting counter-meeting was in progress in Istanbul, Turkey. This was a meeting of countries called the D8 or Developing Eight, consisting of the Muslim states Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey. Canada revels in being […] Read more

Douglas speeches Tommy Douglas, in his political speeches, often told a story about a couple who had triplets. A friend came to see the babies and asked their names. “We’re calling them Liberal, Conservative and CCF,” was the response. The friend picked up one of the babies. “This must be the one you’ve named CCF,” […] Read more

Team Canada Ever since Jean ChrŽtien took office he has pushed the cause of expanded international trade and has fostered what he calls the “Team Canada” approach. This involves sending the prime minister, as many premiers as can be assembled and trade development ministers and officials to various countries way out there to draw up […] Read more