A HIGHLAND ROMANCE: Three young people struggle with their emotions...

Untitled:  by ©Alastair Barnett

"Although death is intertwined with life —It always comes at the wrong moment."

Alastair Barnett

"In English class last year he had read Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Grey. One passage had lodged itself firmly in his mind:  'Ordinary people waited till life disclosed to them its secrets, but to the few, the elect, the mysteries of life were revealed before the veil was drawn away.'  

Jamie felt he possessed  this elusive gift.  Could it be that the secret had been revealed to him but the thought of accepting it —where Andrew was concerned — terrified him?"

If you would like to read more of this story in progress, click on the Writing Butler below and email me.)

 Jamie Stuart and his mother Margaret, lived in this  highland home. “Balnearn”

Photo (edited): Donna D'Amour

Dog Traveling on Motorcycle.

This lady’s no tramp...but she does get around  by Alastair Barnett

Little dogs wearing jackets are not exactly rare, but when the jacket is black leather and the dog is riding a large motorcycle, it captured my attention and warranted investigation.  Soon I discovered that this particular dog, Lady Hillary, is a well seasoned motorcycle traveler and according to owners Linda and Denis Blaise of  Goodland, Fla., the dog loves it.

“We travel 12 weeks every year, and Hillary comes with us wherever we go,” says Linda, “ we can’t bear the thought of leaving her behind with strangers.  This year we decided to include British Columbia in our travel plans and we just love it here.”

Four-year-old Maltese Terrier, Lady Hillary — The Pearl of Goodland, a.k.a. “The Suitcase Dog”— is chauffeured in style, in her own custom-designed Sherpa bag, secure atop the rear seat of Linda’s Yamaha Virago motorcycle.  The bag is reinforced with PVC piping and has a transparent cover which is pulled over the top in inclement weather.  In addition,

The Magical Rowan Tree

Sushi for tea?

On a recent visit to the Hotel Pan Pacific in Victoria, BC., for Afternoon Tea, I was surprised to be served a seafood hors d'oeuvre of salmon caviar, prawns, sushi and lox. This departs from the traditional Afternoon Tea and borders on a sort of High Tea, which in Britain includes a light meal, served along with  cakes and scones and a pot of tea. This is popular around 5pm and is a substitute for dinner.