Against the Flow is a new blog that will deal with serious and difficult topics, and occasionally with softer subjects too. It will side with politics that strives to do the right thing, as opposed to favouring quick and easy answers. Rather than practising mere public relations, it will encourage journalism that seeks the truth and explores what is really going on in the community. It will praise political leaders who take responsibility for their words, actions and mistakes. It will show respect for First Nations peoples for their great strengths and for the many injustices they are overcoming. It will salute those who recognize that our planet is both burning up and drowning due to climate change and undertake to fight on behalf of Planet Earth. 

Her resolve and determination are reminiscent of that old hymn:
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone.
Dare to have a purpose firm,
Dare to make it known.

True to her cause to see a new “household model” nursing home and day care centre built in Saint Andrews, Caroline Davies, is obviously a warrior. She has been at this a long time, at least seven years.

Davies has personal experience with the existing “Lodge” in Saint Andrews where a member of her family has been a resident for some time. The current facility is a cramped 53-year-old building with a dedicated staff but lacking the services and amenities of a modern nursing home. 

A large meeting was held Nov. 25 at the Bill O’Neill arena in the town to set out the very comprehensive plans for the “household model” of the project, which must raise $20 million for completion.

The “household model” commonly used in European and Scandinavian countries, and in some provinces in Canada, involves up to twelve individual rooms in a cottage-like unit. This approach is designed to help build a sense of community among the residents and avoid the long, echoing hallway with many doors into separate rooms.

Most people attending the meeting on Tuesday were persons of ‘a certain age.’ There were very few persons who could be described as “young.” There were no children present. Several philanthropists and representatives of well-known foundations attended.

Many people expressed interest in finding out where they “could go” in their later years, when no longer able to remain in their own apartment or house.

Davies noted the importance to so many to remain as long as possible in their own home. She says that she and the others committee members on the project strongly support “aging in place” throughout Charlotte County.

With the publication of his fourth novel, Queen Ester, novelist John Irving has emerged as a fierce critic of U.S. President Donald Trump.

A dual Canadian and American citizen, who lives in Canada, says he will not go to the United States to promote his new book.

Why should the Against the Flow blog, emanating from the far eastern shore of North America, pay attention to this forceful and challenging author? This blog column has expressed great concern about the fascistic and anti-democratic tendencies of Trump.

Irving has just used an excellent interview with Matt Galloway, host of the CBC’s The Current, to explain why he takes very strong exception to Trump and his threat to democracy.

While Irving expressed his pride in the USA during the days of the civil rights movement, and opposition to the Viet Nam war, in the interview he called Trump an “authoritarian bully” and a “fascist.”

Irving has long been an advocate for LGBTQ rights; his mother was a strong campaigner for women’s sexual and political rights, including abortion rights.

He objects to Trump’s never ending executive orders, including his declaration that there are only two sexes, male and female, “the sexes people are born with.”

It all began in Ottawa at a reception where David, a Captain in the Scottish Highland Regiment, the Black Watch, was on the staff of Canada’s Governor General, Lord Tweedsmuir, better known as the novelist John Buchan.

Willa Magee was up from Montreal and innocently asked David at the reception for a glass of sherry. David soon returned to Willa with a glass of straight whiskey. David would later write about Willa: “She was too strong boned to be merely a pretty girl, but she was a girl most beautiful to me, my girl.”

Trump insisted his name was “not on the ballot” when the Democratic Party candidates were successful in gubernatorial races in the states of Virginia and New Jersey, a surprising and energetic newcomer won the New York City mayoralty, and a proposition proposed by the Democratic governor of California won by huge margin in that state.

As they say in hockey, it was a shut-out.

The U.S. President, fond of commenting overnight on his Truth Social media feed, at first had little to say about his party’s dismal showing but so far has tried to deny his proximity to the voices of the people. 

No tears were shed by Canadians over Trump’s setback, who have been bearing the burden of Trump’s erratic, ever-changing tariff campaign against this country. Trump’s stumble comes as the Carney government has just brought in a tough budget asking Canadians to achieve a long-term restructuring of the country’s economy.

​Just after the Blue Jays lost the seventh game in their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ernie Clement sat and cried. It wasn’t just the loss, it was all about his teammates.

“I love these guys, he said.

Clement did an incredible job on the field, usually as the third baseman. But it was his hitting that was soo impressive. He has a short compact swing and tags the ball between the opposition fielders, often hitting singles, but sometimes even a homer.

Clement swings at everything. In fact, one announcer concluded: “He’s never met a pitch he didn’t like.”

Above all, he’s a team guy, the heart and soul of the Toronto Blue Jays. 

For many, Toronto used to be a city with no heart. There was that old joke about a contest, first prize was one week in Toronto, second prize was two weeks in Toronto.

Residents of the rest of the country would argue that the whole of Toronto would grind to a halt when there had been just one inch of snow.

But now the country’s largest city is known for great food, great music, great culture, great fun.
The Toronto Maple Leaf hockey team were the winners of numerous Stanley Cups. Now their still loyal fans, including this writer, are the butt of jokes. The team hasn’t won The Cup since 1967, that’s 58 years.

But this year the Toronto Blue Jays have poured heart into their fans who were totally pumped through the post-season right up to the last game of the Series. They were indeed “Canada’s team” at a time when the whole country was being disrespected as the 51st State of the United States.

Ernie Clement obviously wasn’t alone on this magical team: seeing Vladdy Guerrero Jr. fly like a runaway freight train to score at home plate. He had three post-season homers and was superb at his first base position. Catcher Alejandro Kirk was outstanding behind the plate and in his clutch hitting.

George Springer and Bo Bichette overcame injuries to contribute great spirit and key hits.

Then there were the incredible starting pitchers, Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Mad Max Scherzer. Max was the ultimate team man, spending a great amount of time as a mentor to the spectacular young Yesavage.

Overall, there was the great respect that manager, John Schneider had for his players. He molded them into a superb unit, one which will very likely return to the World Series next year.
 Stefanie Brescha, the girlfriend of Ernie Clement, said it very well, describing the Jays as the “best group of humans I have ever met in my life.” 
​
There you go, a great foundation for 2026.