As Ian Sees It

      I joked about it,  made light of the duties and responsibilities.  But being asked to be Chieftain for the day at the regional highland games was truly an honour.  You don't have to do a whole lot:   present some medals to dancers, march in a parade, make an opening address, move from display to display, have a beer and listen to some music,  and eventually close the games.  I wore my kilt of course.  Along with my formal attire, Bonnie Prince Charlie tails, vest and bow tie.  I shone up the Gillie brogues and I inserted my Sgian Dubh (skine dune) in my left sock.  I felt like a hundred bucks.   ( I don't know what a million bucks feels like.)         I was treated like a person of position all day, and I guess I am of that age where such treatment really feels wonderful.   And that brings me to a confession.   For what ever reason, for most of my adult life I have received treatmen...

 The 2024 Highland Games.  Opening I want to thank the Highland Games Committee for the honour of being Chieftain of the day.   I am in the foot steps of many great citizens of this area.  And Area where new Scottish immigrants selected to make home in a new world.   Our Highland Games are New world highland games.   And while they are about recognizing and perpetuating our forefathers Celtic Culture,  they are also about sharing that Culture with those whose land we were to settle on,  and those who joined us from other countries.   John Knox, was founder of the Presbyterian Church.  He was also a man who seemed to believe that joy and celebration were some how cynical behaviours.  Quashing the Scottish need to dance and celebrate was a little harder than he figured,  thank heavens.  But this same man also insisted on education.  The importance of teaching people to read and to write.   I suppose you could say c...

    In these parts of my home and native land,  HOCKEY IS KING.  Hockey is the very definition of who we are.  It is not a sport.  It is a religion.  It is a hall pass.  It is a serious responsibility.  It defines relationships and it can be the end to many.   Hockey.  Not Ice Hockey, as I have often heard it referred by American sports reporters.  Hockey needs no further descriptors,  unless it is ball hockey, street hockey, or table hockey.  Hockey is hockey and anything else is just a childish pastime.     Hockey makes toothless scared men desirable.  And if you think a hockey stars presence would only make women weak kneed,  well I guarantee you see many a rough tough hombre act like a silly school girl in the presence of the Great One, the Next one, Sid the Kid, or the Legend.      Of course being a hockey star at just about any level leaves us two left footed, uncoordinated, AD...