2023

 2023 is history and everyone can carry their own version.  My habit has been to start by commemorating people who left us with some sort of connection.  

Joe Ratigliano.  Visited us from Watertown,New York with his wife Mary and in-laws John and Joan Oddi just before the Pandemic.  Joe was really a first cousin to my mother-in-law.  Over the years we have visited each other across the border.  That is Joe on the back row to the left.  Beside him is his wife Mary Ratigliano and next to her is Joe's sister in law and Mary's sister Joan Oddi.  In the front row is Sharon and John Oddi

 

Jeanette Heney was not someone I knew well, but I knew her daughter Susan and her son in law Rob much better.  I supposed I met her at the wedding back in 1977 held in Mitchell, Ontario.  I was pleased to learn she had won an award for her butter tarts as I had been eating butter tarts over a period of years on sales trips through Mitchell.  I believe Susan reflects many lessons her mother must have taught her.  The photo shows Susan, her mother Jeanette and a sister Karen enjoying a laugh together.

 Betty Canavan, the mother to our neighbor Glen Canavan and 3 Facebook friends.  We had visited her a few times at Glen's house.  She made it to 100 about a month ago.  She will be missed.  Her obituary:  https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/oakview/obituaries/betty-martha-canavan/115210.html?fbclid=IwAR2Amcsme8U56vT4-ys

 

 

 

 

This year I would like to include a dog.  Lexie seemed to defy the odds.  She had been through a few medical issues and not too long ago was scheduled to be put down, but she recovered a bit.  But the decision was made that she was suffering too much.  Two photos with Sharon and Peter  from our refrigerator.   Lexie left everyone with smiles.

 

 

 

 

             Down by Confederation Park

When Lexie visited Peter.

 

 

 

 

 Rosalynn Carter was one of the best advocates for mental health and one of the most active partners of an American president and carried on many campaigns after the presidency.

 Burt Bachrach--his songs gave a lot of leisure to a lot of people

Gordon Pinsent--The Rowdyman, born in Newfoundland before Confederation.

 Gordon Lightfoot was a favorite singer/songwriter from my youth.  I remember singing (not always sober) the Canadian Railroad Trilogy with close friends.  Many of his songs were hijacked and sold millions.

 Jim Brown known for football and movies and later a social critic.  I loved to watch him carry the ball for the Cleveland Browns.  He parlayed that to a movie career and a platform for progressive causes.

Tony Bennett was a unique singer.   I first heard him on the hit parade.  But really he was a jazz singer and later a supporter of other singers such as Lady Gaga.

Hazel McCallion, long serving mayor of Mississauga.  Met her in a Blue Jay locker room with a few social niceties.  I was waiting to help a newspaper carrier throw a ceremonial ball as was she. 

on the other hand   

        My niece Samia gave the world Kenza Natalia.

  Winter Wonders

The Royal Botanical Gardens puts on a display that helps us get through the cold winter.  This year we went with my sister Rebecca.  Saw Facebook friend, Michael Maguire performing.

A play we went to at the CAA Theatre.

 "Things I Know to be True.

Hiking at the Royal Botanical Gardens  Arboretum Trails

 

I had heard about Jane's Walks, but had never before been on any.  This year after two years of Covid and management changes they were renewed and I was ready.  Jason Thorne led our group.  On Saturday watched  all the developments on our Harbourfront.  A lot to look forward to.

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 1st enjoyed Canada Day with the Blue Jays.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A Canadian citizenship ceremony before the Blue Jay Game on Canada Day, July 1, 2023.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 July 11 watched  "Bed and Breakfast" at the Lighthouse Theatre  

Bautista Day August 12

 

 

 

 

 Serendipitous discovery after Blue Jay Game.  The crowd had its own traffic flow.  A group of 7 offered us a place in line.  Turned out very good and would recommend Scaddabush for food and service

 

 

On Labour Day I spent my second year volunteering with Fair Vote Canada with Martin Reid.

 

 

 

 

 Another convention with a group of Fair Vote volunteers plus a MP from British Columbia.

 

In mid September we left for Italy.   Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/10/italy-beginning-of-journey.html  and  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/10/our-italian-adventure-part-two.html photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We like to end the year with a New Years' Eve party with friends.  This year we had an Italian theme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Restaurants are an art form much appreciated.  Some we enjoyed include  Bhindia in Toronto Saigon House,  Mesa, the Bread Bar, Bangkok Spoon, Wild Orchid,  Avani, 211 Main st/Port Dover, Caro,     'Scaddabush (Front and Simcoe, Toronto)

Books:  My list of books read:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/12/books-read-in-2023.html

English speaking films you might also have seen:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/12/films-2023-english.html

Foreign language films: Here are some great films: http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/12/2023-foreign-films.html

For those who think our Canadian voting is fine my most popular blog post suggests otherwise: http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/01/do-elections-guarantee-mandates.html

My second most popular blog post comes from the movie world:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/01/all-quiet-on-western-front-german-remake.html

For all you Trump bashers my third most popular blog:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/08/untouchable-how-they-get-away-with-it.html 

If you are interested, last year had some good moments as well http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/01/memories-of-2022.html

Memories of 2022

This was supposed to be the year we recovered from Covid and to some extent we did.  However it did rear its ugly head from time to time and has failed to go beyond the horizon.  Memories are fragile, but here are some I don't want to forget.

 Boris Brott was killed by a hit and run driver while walking in his neighborhood.  He spent a number of decades leading various orchestras in different countries and arranging musical events.  He chose to live in Hamilton where his children attended Westdale High School as have both my children.  I remembered attending a concert with the Hamilton Philharmonic backing Chuck Mangione, and later I was able to get the album.  I attended a few operas that he helped set up. When the Pan-Am Games had some soccer games in Hamilton he led some musicians backing up Terra Lightfoot which is shown to the left.  He enjoyed and promoted a wide variety of music as he felt it made life better.

Bill Russell, perhaps the winningest athlete in all pro teamsports with 2 national titles in the NCAA, an Olympic Gold Medal and twelve NBA titles.  He is the one who helped shift the attitude on basketball defense from an oxymoron to a game changer.  More than all that he stood up for human rights when it wasn't easy and was awarded a Presidential Medal of Honor.  You can read about his effect on basketball and me at:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2012/09/bill-russell-and-rise-of-defense.html

 

Edson Arantes do Nascimento better known as Pele died in the last week of 2022.  He managed to survive through the World Cup that he had been a principle hero for.  I remember driving from Barrie to Toronto to watch Pele playing in an exhibition game at Varsity Stadium in 1971.  Brazil had won the World Cup in 1970.  You don't have to be a soccer fanatic to recognize one of the world's greatest athletes.

A new family member is welcomed to the fold.  Madelyn Rose, to be known as Maddie. 

 We both became members of the Royal Botanical Gardens.  Winter Lights were our first event there.

 

Early January is cold, but the scenery was wonderful.
 

 

 

 An anniversary present from Heather.  Grain and Grit put on a zoom meeting about beer, cheese and chocolate.  Very tasty combinations.

 

 

Many years ago we went to the Aquarium in Toronto for our anniversary and yes there was a restaurant.  This year we decided an RBG event would be appropriate.  Under the Canopy offered a display of tropical animals.  At first the sloth was sleeping, but when the caretaker got out the dinner the sloth was very lively compared to our expectations.

                                A green snake.

Our long tradition on a New Years' Eve Party was broken by a trip to New Zealand and two years of Covid.  March 5th we assembled most of our previous guests and made it over--we even made it to midnight.  The theme was a Tropical nite.

One new and welcome visitor.

      A good spread of appetizers.

 Doors Open Hamilton

 Stairwell in Coppley Building for Doors Open Hamilton.  Given a tour by Terry Cooke.

 Walking tour with Bill King

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Polkinghorne turned  70  

 

 

 

 I have long been fascinated with the many murals in walking distance.  Here is a example of a very interesting one. 

Artist Scott MacDonald in action.  See finished work in blog plus over 60 others and a few other artists.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/09/murals-liven-up-hamilton.html

 

 Enjoyed Luca Vitali at the Racamultese Festival.  Check Hamilton's connection to Racamulto:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/06/hamilton-ontarios-connection-to.html

 

 

 

 

Blue Jays win 9-2 on Canada Day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Trip to Port Dover to see Norm Foster play (Halfway There)--reminded me of Haliburton that also claims to be halfway between Equator and North Pole.  I had an interesting restaurant entree, tandoori salmon

World Dodgeball Championship were held in Edmonton and they provided opportunity to see Michael after three years.  

This is the famous Maori hakka.  The New Zealand team did it at the beginning of each day.

 Not sure what this is called, but some teams as sort of a victory dance invite their opponents to also celebrate.  They go arm and arm in a circle until they all collapse.

More on Dodgeball:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/09/dodge-ball.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

West Edmonton Mall.  It is overwhelming.

 

 

 

 

 Chianti where we had dinner.   Took photo in a morning that I was seeking some murals.  I thought this was an abandoned Church, but it turns out it used to be a post office.  Actually it is an Italian restaurant that we quite enjoyed, service, ambiance and food.  About a block from our hotel on Whyte Avenue.

 

 

 At the Edmonton Airport a commemoration of Wayne Gretzsky in a triumphant moment.

 

 

 

Checking out scenery in Toronto, actually Michael likes to geo cache wherever he goes
 

 

 

 

With some Kiwi visitors watching the Blue Jays.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Blue Jays trip.  They won 10-1 after a nite of celebrating.  It wasn't actually dark at all.

 

 

 

 

A joyous occasion was when Ryan married Samantha shown here with Emma.  It seemed risky holding an outdoor ceremony on October 22, 2022, but the weather added to the beauty.  A poster to be remembered:  "Pick a seat, not  side.  We will all be family when they tie the knot."   Photo by Sharon.

 

We went on the trails of RBG  on October 30

 
Sharon meets a dog, Ripley and just happens to have dog biscuits on her.

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve was differently than had been habit forming.  It was a stage show at Theatre Aquarius, but it was different.  Personal--the actors told their personal stories and they centered around their experience in Hamilton.  Many of their references were familiar.  At the end they closed with a request to contribute to a food bank and personally took our donations in stockings by the front door.  We had a enjoyable meal at Pho B & T. and got set for Christmas. 

 New Years Eve is the closeout of the year.  Getting back into our regular groove.  This year we declared Camp Winealot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Barbara Martin, our double prize winner!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Another good year for watching movies.  Which ones did you also see?  Which ones did I miss?  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/12/worthwhile-english-speaking-films-seen.html

Among my top favorite movies many were subtitled.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/12/films-from-non-english-world.html

Here is my list of books read in 2022.  Feel free to comment:http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/12/books-read-in-2022.html

Restaurants:  Rapscallion (Beatles brunch), Pho B & T,  Mai Pai on Barton, Afrolicious   A takeout with Persian at Nannaaa .  While in Edmonton we enjoyed Chianti on Whyte Ave.  

Most popular blogs:  Number one dealt with book on "China Unbound" from a Canadian perspective. http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/04/china-unbound.html

Number two was inspired by the Trucker Convoy to Ottawa that I felt was misguided:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/02/freedom-and-law.html

Number three was about an Egyptian tv. series partly filmed in the U.S. with an interesting complicated plot.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/02/newtons-cradle.html

This honestly has been a better year than last year, but there certainly were pleasant memories in 2021  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/01/2021-another-disapointing-year.html