Recently I came across an old article about elephants Shirley and Jenny being reunited and being set free in a large nature preserve. I wondered how the two enjoyed their last years. And this is where I ended up

https://www.elephants.com/news/elenotes/posts/remembering-shirley

From the Forward:

“Plenty of people talk about farm-to-table dining these days. But on Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands of the Salish Sea, it’s truly a way of life. And why not, when there is so much abundance to choose from? From Port Hardy to the Saanich Peninsula, the rain-soaked west coast to the sun-drenched Gulf Islands, farmers grow everything from truffles to tea, passionfruit to Pinot Noir, water buffalo to the most delicately briny oysters.”

Whether they’re shucking oysters and rolling pasta just for you, pouring you a glass of local wine, or telling you about the best surf beach or hiking trail, or the cool new craft brewery in town, the chefs, mixologists and food artisans profiled in this cookbook have contributed to the heartfelt food traditions of a remarkable culinary destination.

Featuring more than 80 signature dishes, from classic salmon chowder to island-foraged chanterelle risotto, apple pie waffles to bannock ice cream sandwiches, this inspired collection boasts locally minded, soul-satisfying dishes that readers will want to make again and again.

Island Eats   $38.99 ISBN  978-1-77327-167-5

For three hours a day, five days a week – for 15 years – millions tuned in to CBC Radio’s Morningside and Peter Gzowski. Despite Gzowski’s dishevelled appearance, this beloved radio host cast his folksy charm across the country. When Gzowski died in 2002, Canadians paid tribute to the broadcaster whose stammering informality and comforting voice had become a symbol for Canada.

He was a Companion of the Order of Canada, the winner of seven ACTRA awards, as well as the Peabody Award for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting – the only Canadian ever to have been given the award for work as an individual. He received many lifetime achievement awards and honorary doctorates from twelve Canadian universities, the citation for the University of Calgary describing him as “the cartographer of the Canadian soul.” 

A wonderful tale of adventures and misadventures – his story of life and Canada’s everyday life. A writer on the radio.

I think I’ve read this book 4 times, and got more out of it each time – and it’s relevant to every era that I read it.

Peter Gzowski The Private Life, A Journey of Reflections 1969,  ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0771037344