Footnotes to a Conversation, September 5, 2022
“Mind-wandering is rarely a waste of time. It is merely our brain trying to get a bit of work done when it is under the impression that there isn’t much else going on.” [Knowable Magazine]
An Anglophone on Francophone Radio
I guess I did a reasonable good job when I spoke about EcoFriendly West and Nature Companion on Radio-Canada last week as I’ve been asked to contribute, on behalf of EcoFriendly West, a bi-weekly column on nature and environmental issues affecting Saskatchewan for Radio-Canada Saskatchewan’s late afternoon program, Pour faire un monde. It’s completely unexpected, but what a great way to make sure I continue to improve my French!
Rooted
My brother Andrew has deep roots in Saskatchewan. He’s travelled widely but, until last year, always returned to Saskatchewan. He and his business partner Ken founded their software company 40 years ago and it remains strong and active to this day. I, on the other hand, have very shallow roots. My first 6 years were spent in Africa. I’ve spent approximately 4 years in total in France, and I’ve lived in 4 different provinces. I’ve switched not only jobs but careers. For me, it’s just another reminder that there is no one right way to live our lives. But sometimes I envy people who are well rooted.
Landscaping Cats
Kuala Lumpur-based artist Lim Heng Swee creates digital artworks of cats camouflaged in landscapes. There’s a cat clawing the leaves of a swiss cheese plant, a cat lolling in a mountain valley patting the sun with its paws, cats in the froth of ocean waves, and a cat resembling a falling star. Do take a look at the images in this article. They’re sure to brighten your day. [The Guardian]
Footnotes to a Conversation is a weekly Monday feature covering an assortment of topics that I’ve come across in the preceding week – books, art, travel, food, and whatever else strikes my fancy. I also post occasional articles on other dates, including frequent book reviews and travel tales.
If you share my love of nature, check out EcoFriendly West, an online publication encouraging environmental initiatives in Western Canada, and Nature Companion, a free nature app for Canada’s four western provinces.