Remembrance Day

The federal department of Veterans Affairs Canada states that November 11 is of "remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace"; specifically, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and all conflicts since then in which members of the Canadian Forces have participated.

Remembering my father, Frank (1935 - 1971)

Honouring Gord's dad, Ken (1925 - 1971)

Honouring Gord's paternal
grandfather, Sid (1890 - 1963)

Book ~ "My Trivial Pursuits: The Inside Story of the Board Game That Conquered the World" (2026) John Haney

From Goodreads ~ My Trivial Pursuits is the definitive account of how Trivial Pursuit - a cardboard sketch dreamed up in a smoky Montreal kitchen - exploded into one of the best-selling and most recognizable games ever created. John Haney, one of the original co-creators, takes readers inside the chaotic early the first hand-drawn board, the heated debate over categories, the breakthrough of the scoring "wedge," and the marathon writing of thousands of questions pulled from newspapers, memory, and barroom lore.

What began as a lightbulb moment over drinks ignited a global trivia craze, selling tens of millions of copies, spawning imitators, and reshaping the board-game industry through the 1980s and beyond.

Told with clarity, humour and a front-row view of the game's improbable rise, My Trivial Pursuits reveals how an offbeat idea became a cultural phenomenon - and why its impact still endures.

This book tells the story behind one of the most recognizable board games ever created, Trivial Pursuit. Haney, one of the game's co-creators, tells how it all started in Montreal, when a simple idea turned into an unexpected worldwide success. He shares how the game was developed, the challenges of getting it off the ground, the creation of its questions and categories and the twists and turns that helped make it a household name. The book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people, hard work and business decisions that transformed Trivial Pursuit from a Canadian idea into an international sensation.

I don't think I've ever played Trivial Pursuit but I thought it would be interesting to learn how it was created since it was a Canadian sensation and it was. Lots of hard work, that's for sure. For some reason I wasn't crazy about the author or his writing style and didn't find him overly likeable, maybe a bit too cocky. As a head's up, there is swearing.

Mistake Rib Knitted Scarf

I knitted another scarf to donate using a squishy mistake rib pattern, an easy fun pattern.

I used a Caron Anniversary Cake Special Edition (the colour is Jewels and Jolly) and 6.5mm needles. 

I cast on 23 stitches (multiples of 4 plus 3 stitches).

It's a one row repeat: slip 1 knitwise, k1, *p2, k2, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.

Knit to the length you want and bind off.

Knitted dog sweater

A couple years ago I had knitted and donated lots of doggy sweaters to ElderDog Canada (using the same pattern but with different colours and colour combos). They recently promoted the sweaters from various knitters that are in their online store. Mine was popular and ElderDog asked if I could knit 3 more (they are already spoken for). Of course! 

I used a Caron Anniversary Cake (the colour is Jewels and Jolly). It’s self-striping so it was fun to see how similar but different the 3 sweaters would be. 

"Far-Flung Peoples", The Theatre Centre, Toronto, ON

 I volunteered this afternoon at Far-Flung Peoples at The Theatre Centre (Queen W/Lisgar). It was the preview performance and runs until next Sunday.

The phone is ringing.
The roof is banging.
French downstairs.
English upstairs.

Caught in the middle: five people, one couch and a landlord calling it an open-concept bedroom.

Welcome to ‘Far-Flung Peoples’, an award-winning, fast-paced, multilingual dark comedy set inside a crooked house in downtown Toronto, where its residents are squeezed into a living arrangement that would raise questions at City Hall, if City Hall were paying attention.

Beertown Public House, Toronto, ON

I had a late lunch with Darlene at Beertown Public House (Wellington Street/University Avenue). 

Darlene had her usual Plant-based Loaded Nachos (house-fried corn tortilla chips, diced tomatoes, peppers, pickled banana peppers, marble sheeze, Kalamata olives, scallions, sour kreem, cilantro, salsa roja and guacamole). 

I had Chicken & Waffles (golden fried & buttermilk brined chicken breast, crisp Belgian waffle, crumbled bacon, toasted almonds, Wiser’s whiskey syrup), which was delicious and I’d get again. 

Ren was our server. She was friendly and took good care of us. It’s been a while since Darlene and I have gotten together and Ren gave us space to chat and catch up.

Cat Shelter Building Workshop, Toronto Street Cats, Toronto, ON

I spent this morning volunteering with Toronto Street Cats building cat shelters, which are sold to the public. The workshops are held throughout the fall and winter season in the parking lot at the Toronto Humane Society. I started volunteering with them in 2018 but missed the last 2 years. It's so nice to be back helping the kitties in Toronto keep warm and dry during the cold winter.

In addition to selling the shelters for $15 or $10 for a refurbished one, Toronto Street Cats also provides free straw to replenish existing shelters.

Thom and Darlene cut the tubing for the entrance ways, cut the Styrofoam for insulated walls and drilled holes into the bins after the insulated walls had been taped inside. 

We taped the insulated walls together in the bins and then taped the tubing entrances. 

Pippa Scarf

I knitted scarf to donate using Snufflebean Yarn’s “Pippa” baby blanket pattern I converted into a scarf.

I used Red Heart Comfort yarn and 6.5mm needles and cast on 23 stitches.

Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, slip one purlwise with yarn in front (sl1pwyf).

Main Pattern Repeat

• Row 1 (RS): k9, pm, k until 9 stitches remain, pm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 2 (WS): k9, sm, p until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 3: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 4: k9, sm, p until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 5: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 6: k9, sm, p until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 7: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 8: k9, sm, p until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 9-13: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 14: k9, sm, p1, *k1, p1*, repeat from *to* until 2nd marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 15: k9, sm, p1, *k1, p1*, repeat from *to* until 2nd marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 16: k9, sm, p1, *k1, p1*, repeat from *to* until 2nd marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 17: k9, sm, p1, *k1, p1*, repeat from *to* until 2nd marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 18: k9, sm, p1, *k1, p1*, repeat from *to* until 2nd marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 19: k9, sm, p1, *k1, p1*, repeat from *to* until 2nd marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 20: k9, sm, p1, *k1, p1*, repeat from *to* until 2nd marker, sm, k8, sl1pwyif. 
• Row 21-24: k9, sm, k until 9 stitches remain, sm, k8, sl1pwyif.
• Repeat rows 1-24 9 times before moving onto top garter stitch edging.

Top Edge

• Knit 15 rows as follows: K until final stitch, sl1pwyf.
• Final row (Row 16): Cast off knit wise with right side facing.

The Swan: A Firkin Pub, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had a late lunch at The Swan on Bloor Street W at High Park Avenue. 

Gord had a Birria Melt (slow-braised beef, melted cheddar & Jack cheese, buttered sourdough, warm birria consommé for dipping). He liked it.

I had the Thursday Chicken Curry (classic chicken curry served with rice and naan). The curry had a bit of a bite and was good. The chicken was tender. I took half home for lunch tomorrow.

Akele was friendly and took good care of us.

High Park, Toronto, ON

Gord and I took a walk through High Park this afternoon.

High Park is a municipal park in Toronto, Ontario. It spans 161 hectares (400 acres) and is a mixed recreational and natural park, with sporting facilities, cultural facilities, educational facilities, gardens, playgrounds and a zoo. One third of the park remains in a natural state, with a rare oak savannah ecology. 

High Park was opened to the public in 1876 and is based on a bequest of land from John George Howard to the City of Toronto. It is the largest park entirely within the city.

We took the Queen street and got off at the Queensway/Colborne Lodge Drive entrance. We headed north towards Grenadier Pond.

The fall colours were gorgeous!

Gord and I