"In Canada, recessions are determined by the Business Cycle Council at the C.D. Howe Institute" Is that a mandate from heaven? Right of conquest? Can we try "one popular barometer whose credibility rests on those who pronounce it..."

Visiting with an older friend yesterday, talking about how expensive everything seems to someone like her who started working in the 1960s. Made me think to check minimum wage in NS in 1971. $1.10/hour Currently, $16.75. Over a long life, even during low inflation, the meaning of money changes

You are here. www.instagram.com/reel/DY_eCgL...

Its' almost the beginning of the Canadian Historical Association annual meeting. So, it's time to bring the wit, snark, and droll insight of the Dorkchester Review to BlueSky!!

I'm unexpectedly tired tonight. Walking was an effort. But always worth it. A chance to see a favourite spring sight. Little young tamarack cones, still purple.

Bluesky friends make sure to attend the first market day of the season for the Fairview Farmers Market at Vimy Avenue in Fairview on June 4th. Fresh produce, baked goods, artisans, meals to go, food truck, and so much more! From 4-7 pm every Thursday ☀️

I've taken scads of pictures of this wonderful building. I'll just add one that really emphasizes the "stack of books" look. Great thread from @toondreessen.bsky.social

Everyone doing politics with an eye to making real, effective change will be reading Dr Alika Lafontaine's The Outrage Cure I've rarely read a policy-related book that was so emotionally rich and also so rich with analytical tools A compelling read, maybe even re-read share.google/pI3OoEnUH2aA...

It’s truly astonishing to see how comprehensively the US government is tearing down every part of the system that has made it up until now a world-leading power in science, research, and technological development. The entire world will suffer from this wanton destruction.

Little guy also had COVID 💔 globalnews.ca/news/1187243...

Searching for a picture of a plant called "ghost pipes," I found both what I wanted, plus, bonus, a weird collection of pipe-like by-catch Enjoy!

I have converteed a visiting friend to the jack pine cult. Here she is, peering at one. We think the swellings on the branches of this one might be a gall? And we all enjoyed unleashing clouds of pollen from the male pine cones @backlandscoalition.bsky.social

Cool story, bro, but: 1. The federal government spends significant funds in Alberta, including through major transfers (the Canada Health Transfer and Canada Social Transfer alone are over $9 billion in 2026-27), cost-sharing for infrastructure, child care, etc., and more.

Okay, I guess I am a Merlin convert now. Heard a very familiar bird, quite loud, thought oh it's probably some kind of sparrow. But I had good data, so I gave Merlin a try. It's a kind of warbler I've never seen! But now I know what they sound like. 👏👏👏, Merlin.

30 years ago if you told me that an encyclical from the Pope would have better takes on the latest technology than all of the big shots in Silicon Valley I would have asked what you were smoking. simonwillison.net/2026/May/25/...

It puzzles me why a large organization like BMO can't maintain a fully functioning smartphone app. I've submitted a complaint via the correct channels, but if there's a web crawler looking for unfavorable mentions of BMO, they should get in touch w/ me.

If you really want students to think independently, avoid the "is it this or [nudge, nudge] that?" If you really want not to tip your hand in a ballot question, same advice.

Re: the wording of the Alberta "concept of a referendum" question. With much experience of writing essay prompts and seminar discussion questions, I can tell you it's almost impossible to avoid putting the response that you think is right as the second alternative. 1/

No paywall on the excellent Proudfoot column

Sound message. Coulda benefited from better examples. Take trusts—to save a bit of tax (only in short run!) they often pay millions to lawyers and spend a decade literally begging judges to access their own money. Surely point of being rich is to not have to beg. giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...

Spotted near a wooded area in suburban Halifax Shouldn't this sign have Elmer Fudd's Nimrod hat (the one with ear flaps) in order to make it clear that this is "no hunting" rather than "no men with rifles"? Although I would not object to its wider use to mean "no men with rifles"

Apple blossoms growing around the ruins of Halifax's First World War Connaught Battery

For what it's worth, people have been saying "nobody reads anymore" for decades, or as long as I can remember, but there will always be readers and nonreaders. I recommend being a reader.

Chess? YES! Thrilling narrative? Totally. Great writing? Indubitably. TONIGHT in NYC, Jordan Himelfarb launches the US edition of his book Interregnum. Admission is free. All the cool kids will be there. It’s now up to you alone whether you are one of them. 😎 @alexhim.bsky.social

Every summer I repost this article on how to spot drowning. Please read it and pass on. In the last few years I’ve had SIX messages from people who saved a kid’s life after clicking on the link from my feed. slate.com/technology/2...

I'm a snack illiterate. Did not know before today what a mini donut was. But they cook them to order at Dockside Donuts in Eastern Passage. These are fresh! Missus at the counter reassured me they keep. But why take the chance? Donut picnic on the McCormack Beach boardwalk. Sweet #Halifax

This might be my favourite story of the week. Utterly batshit.

I love my new mechanic! I referred to my 2016 Honda Civic as "old car" and he said, "no, no!" "Middle-aged, at least" I said. "At its mileage, it's just a teen-ager," he says. I felt like I'd been carded in the liquor store!

Weird little things in the woods, #793

I could have sworn the Beaverton was a satire site 😉

Learning to play piano as a child in Canada in the 1960s, the back cover of my scale drills book reminded me that I was living in the British Empire! Apparently the music publishing industry had not caught up with the change to the Commonwealth

OMG I’ve just tried to turn a page in a physical book by tapping it.

Hearing about drought in the US south, thinking about how much I enjoyed the many dry sunny days last summer before "dry" turned into drought here in NS. We should have rain tourism - beautiful umbrellas, historical themed sou'wester hats / jackets, petrichor hikes (that special smell after rain)

Read this - it's 🔥 www.readtheline.ca/p/jen-gerson...

It sounds like this project has progress metrics built in. 👏👏👏 It will be crucial to talk those up incessantly. If I were aged 20 - 40, I would need to be shown often that something was being done. A lot of what's being done can be hard to see. And in young adulthood, 10 years matter.

There's a FAQ section in this page that addresses all the common critiques of bus lanes, bike lanes, and MUPs. These help provide a good basis for well-informed discussion

Canada's wildland fire information system (tax dollars at work) currently provides forecasts for the months of May, June, and July. Both daily and seasonal. Four different metrics / maps for the seasonal. Useful! A thing of beauty! Forecast conditions share.google/Hl5c988TXItl...

This is good. "The overall theme to my advice is simple: Value your platform and your role in a healthy democracy."

The Appalachians are ablaze. And meanwhile, NS's first forest fire of the season in Port l'Hebert 🤞 that Port l'Hebert is knocked down fast Map screenshot is from firesmoke.ca

Late afternoon in the forget-me-not grove

"Weird yearning for the mines" is a keeper

That's a honkin' bad headline. I couldn't believe it, so was pleased the story wasn't paywalled. It's still bad, but not "forever" bad

Inimitable

Oncologists recommend we stop referring to a patient's "battle with cancer" Today's reports of R. Irving's death use that phrase, repeating the family's press release - can't blame the reporters But 'battle' misstates patients' (my!) level of control and can encourage miserable over-treatment

It's publication day! Mine and @stephaniecarvin.bsky.social's book is now available anywhere books are sold: www.mqup.ca/Books/F/For-...

Nice example of No Mow May in the neighbourhood. 👏👏👏

Important research - looking forward to the results

Mom almost made me cry at the Charge game tonight. Arena was real rowdy before puck drop. She was looking around and seemed a bit somber. I asked what was wrong. She smiled and said: "This feels a long way from getting dressed in a janitors closet to play goalie for boys who called me names." 🥹💜

I worried some ducks today. They're used to ppl feeding them, not swimming in their pond. I am Shirley the Duck Botherer! Roooaar!

We were lucky to hear Derksen in Cello Labyrinth in January at the Upstream Festival in Halifax. She was amazing. Listen to her album The Cusp - fizzing with creative energy. What a loss!