Rake America Great Again

Anyone following this blog will realize there is very little relating to "The Donald" incorporated here. But it is too tempting to resist laughing at the president's comments that the US Forestry Commission has been a major cause of the devastating Camp and Malibu fires in California. He claims they have been negligent in clearing out the trees and underbrush as a fire prevention method. Rake, rake, rake acre after acre is Trump's solution. With what budget and which areas? Finland has gone to town apparently spoofing Trump with all kinds of rake related skits. Rake America Great Again.

Great Uncle Jack with Horse Charley

Grandad in Belgium in WWI

The War to End All Wars

100 years ago to the day the War to End All Wars ceased with the signing of the Armistice in the railcar at Compiegne, France. The official termination was still months off (the formal Treaty of Paris in 1919). Two minutes prior to the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month the last Canadian and last soldier of the British Empire (George Price of Nova Scotia) was killed by a German sniper at Ville sur Haine, Belgium. Just recently I uncovered the only photo I know of featuring my grandfather in uniform serving overseas in World War One. Lo and behold the image was taken just 4 kilometres away from where Price was killed (and was honoured by a monument in November 2018). This photo of grandad curling on the frozen Canal du Centre was taken in February 1919 as British forces remained in the devastated area. Mons nearby was in ruins. Exact location of the photo; Bracquegnies, Belgium. Allan William Old is on the left.