We were sitting in the back yard, about to have dinner, when this little fellow dropped out of the sky and landed beside us. I’ve lived in enough cities to know pigeons, and this was obviously not the same bird that hangs out at Granville Island.
Particularly the green band around its leg.
We tried to catch him (or her, pigeon sexing is a complicated process) but instead he/she/they just hopped in our open kitchen door and settled into a corner.
We did eventually manage to catch the bird and copy down its ID number, and then tracked down the Nova Scotia pigeon boss (there are some racing pigeon fanciers in Nova Scotia, but not great numbers) and arranged to return the pigeon. It is presumed that on its way back home it was chased by a bird of prey, became tired, and landed at our dinner table to say “Help!”
After some food, water, and rest it perked up and became lively again.
In the midst of all of this, the Canadian publishing world was keeping me occupied.
After a very long gestation, and more rewrites that can be imagined, the Globe and Mail finally published my story about our local Japanese-fusion restaurant “Main And Mersey.” You can see that here.
Venerable Canadian publication THIS Magazine printed a column about the dire lack of local news media here on the South Shore, and why it matter so much. Really, Facebook is not the same thing. You can read that story here.
And another Canadian site The Media Coop printed my article about tip protection laws - or the notable lack - in Canada. Read that there.
And if you’re a Globe and Mail subscriber, keep an eye out for more of my writing very, very soon.
And, almost forgot, this blog now lives at ThreeSquirrels.ca!