Blueberry Breakfast Casserole

by BJM Publishing, posted in Family and Friends, Miscellaneous

As stated somewhere on this blog, I said that I would post recipes from time to time that I have tried and found to be ones that I would make again. Recently I made a blueberry casserole for brunch for a friend I hadn’t seen in some time so that we could catch up with each other and fuel ourselves for the rest of the day.

Most of the time, I try recipes for my friends for the first time so they are my guinea pig or culinary taste tester if you will. If they ask for the recipe afterwards I know I have been successful. I don’t really worry too much if the recipe doesn’t work out as I figure we can always order a pizza or I have a back up ready in the fridge. I do though try to make my recipes in advance so that the day of the occasion is relatively stress free. It turned out well, much to my relief and my husband and I enjoyed the leftovers the next day albeit with the added benefit of crisp bacon.

Here is the recipe if you’d like to try it out:

  • 6 croissants
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese cold
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 2 tsp. lemon zest
  • 2 tblsp. honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tblsp. icing sugar (reserved for top of casserole after baking)

Blueberry Sauce

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 tblsp. honey
  • 1 tblsp. lemon juice

    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and grease a 7 x 11 baking dish with cooking spray.

Cut or tear the croissants into large bite-sized pieces. Cut the cream cheese into small 1/4 inch sized cubes. (mine were a little too big but didn’t affect the taste). Place half of the croissant pieces in the dish in an even layer and then scatter half of the blueberries and cubed cream cheese cubes overtop. Add the remaining croissant pieces and then top with the cubed cream cheese and blueberries

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, lemon zest and honey (or maple syrup) until well mixed. Pour the egg mixture over the croissants. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the casserole and use your hands to press down the croissants so the pieces are submerged (don’t worry if the tops aren’t quite covered). Transfer to the fridge for 20 minutes (up to overnight). Remove the plastic wrap and transfer to the overn to bake for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

While the casserole is baking add the frozen blueberries to a small pot along with the honey, lemon juice and 1/3 cup water. Bring to a gentle simmer and leave to cook for 15 minutes on medium low heat until the blueberries begin to break down. Transfer the sauce to a small pitcher. Once the casserole is done cooking, add the icing sugar to a sieve and lightly dust the top of the casserole. Add the sauce, Dig in and enjoy!

What is real and what is AI?

by BJM Publishing, posted in Art, Miscellaneous

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an umbrella term for computer systems and machines designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Instead of following a rigid, pre-programmed list of instructions for every scenario, AI systems use data and algorithms to learn, reason, perceive, and make decisions.

What Counts as AI?

AI is a broad concept rather than a single piece of software.

  • Machine Learning (ML): Systems that find patterns in data and improve their performance over time without needing explicit programming for every rule.
  • Deep Learning: An advanced subset of machine learning using multi-layered artificial neural networks (inspired by the human brain) to process complex, unstructured data like images, audio, and raw text.
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP): Technology that allows computers to read, understand, interpret, and generate human language (such as translation tools or chatbots).
  • Computer Vision: Systems trained to “see” and interpret visual information from photos or video feeds (such as facial recognition or object detection).
  • Generative AI: Deep learning models trained to create brand-new content—like text, images, music, or code—based on prompts.
  • AI Agents: Autonomous programs that can use tools and take multi-step actions to achieve a specific goal rather than just answering a prompt.

What is Not Always AI?

  • Basic Automation & Hardcoded Rules: Traditional software that follows strict, pre-defined “if/then” rules (like a basic calculator or a household microwave timer) does not learn or adapt, so it is usually considered standard automation rather than true AI.
  • Standard Statistics: Simple data lookups or basic descriptive statistics do not qualify as AI unless the system builds predictive models or adapts from incoming data.

Current Types of AI

  • Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI): All existing AI is “narrow” AI—meaning it is trained to excel at specific tasks (such as spam filters, web search, or image generation).
  • Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) & Superintelligence: Theoretical stages where a machine would match or surpass human-level reasoning across all domains and tasks. These do not currently exist. The debate being how far in the future before they do and should there be regulations developed to prevent abuse.

This explanation is entirely AI generated. The photo above of the flowers is rea1

Dia de los Muertos 2026, Kitchener, Ontario

by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Events and Festivals, Family and Friends, Music, Special Holidays

Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) and Halloween are two distinct holidays that follow one another on the calendar but have different origins, meanings and traditions.

  • Dates:
    • Halloween: Celebrated on October 31 (All Hallows’ Eve).
    • Day of the Dead: Celebrated on November 1 and November 2 (coinciding with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day).
  • Origins:
    • Halloween: Roots trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain in Ireland, where people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts.
    • Day of the Dead: Roots trace back to Indigenous Mesoamerican and Aztec traditions honoring ancestors, later blended with Spanish Catholic observances.
  • Core Purpose & Mood:
    • Halloween: Focuses on secular, spooky, and playful themes like fear, mischief, costumes, and haunted attractions.
    • Day of the Dead: Focuses on joyful remembrance and spiritual connection, welcoming back the souls of deceased loved ones as honored guests.
  • Common Symbols & Traditions:
    • Halloween: Jack-o’-lanterns, ghosts, witches, candy, and trick-or-treating.
    • Day of the Dead: Colorful altars (ofrendas) with photos, marigolds (cempasúchil), sugar skulls (calaveras), and pan de muerto (bread of the dead).

Here are some of the wonderful costumes, etc. for the Dia de los Muertos which was celebrated on October 31st, at the City Hall in Kitchener

Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery – New addition

by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Gardens and/or Museums

Dale Chihuly (born September 20, 1941, in Tacoma, Washington) is a legendary American artist who revolutionized the Studio Glass Movement by elevating blown glass from a functional craft into the realm of large-scale, fine-art sculpture. His works are featured in more than 200 museum collections worldwide. His long-running Garden Cycle integrates monumental structures into landscapes, highlighted at major permanent installations like Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle. And now the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo has added one of his chandeliers to their permanent collection.

The major Dale Chihuly artwork at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery—a monumental, hand-blown piece titled the Lapis Blue Chandelier (2013) was generously gifted to the gallery’s permanent collection in February 2026 by art patrons Erica and Andrew O’Born. Following its donation, it was permanently installed 12 feet overhead in the gallery’s Tower Gallery and officially unveiled to the public on September 18, 2026.

The Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery is an award-winning, national institution based in Waterloo Region celebrating the art and craft of clay, glass, and enamel. Situated at 25 Caroline Street North
Waterloo, Ontario, and closed on Mondays. While the artwork itself was a donation, the gallery hosted an exclusive VIP preview fundraiser called “Preview in Blue” to celebrate the installation, with entry tickets priced at $150 per person to help fund the gallery’s ongoing free-admission community programming.

The Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery opened its doors in Waterloo, Ontario, in 1993 as a special place to celebrate art made from fire, earth, and sand.

In the 1980s, a group of artists who loved working with clay, glass, and stained glass had a big dream. They wanted a special home to show off Canada’s best artwork—things made from mud (clay) and melted sand (glass). They didn’t want it to be in a giant city like Toronto. Instead, they wanted it in a place where people loved to make things. They chose Waterloo!

To build this special home, they held a giant contest for architects. A talented architect named John Patkau won the contest! He designed a beautiful building right next to Silver Lake. The building itself is like a piece of art, with high ceilings and cool shapes that let the sunlight dance through the windows to light up the glass inside.

  • It protects beautiful art made by Canadian hands so that children, parents, and grandparents can look at them for years to come.
  • The Community Gallery: It has a special room just for local artists! This means our neighbors, teachers, and friends can show their art to the world.
  • Hands-on Clay Classes: The gallery runs pottery and glass classes and camps where anyone can learn to become an artist.

Some of their recent workshops have involved mosaics, fused glass suncatchers, painting ceramic vases, making ceramic picture frames, Oktoberfest steins, Leaf impression plates, stained glass autumn leaves and ceramic wall hangings. Visit their website for upcoming workshops. https://www.theclayandglass.ca/

The Gallery is a great place to visit and has a gift shop where you can buy original pieces from Canadian artists all over Canada. Plus, you get to see the new Chihuly and perhaps go for lunch at one of the nearby pubs/cafés.

Stenciling My Patio in the Dead of August (What Was I Thinking?)

by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Gardens and/or Museums

Remember when we all had endless reserves of energy and questionable ideas? Years ago, I looked at our stark, cracked back patio and thought: “You know what this concrete slab needs? A gorgeous, hand-stenciled makeover.”

Famous last words!

Here is how a simple DIY project turned into a sweat-drenched, character-building adventure.

Phase 1: The Grand Vision

  • The Prep: I ordered a stencil, picked up some cement paint and crack filler, and gave the slab a fresh base coat of grey.
  • The Plan: Map out the exact grid—how many stencils across, how many down—to create a charming border for a patio table and chairs. Picture lovely outdoor dinners on warm summer evenings. Bliss, right?

Phase 2: Reality Hits (Hard)

As usual, I completely miscalculated two minor details:

  1. Time: Everything takes twice as long as you think.
  2. Weather: Late August. Peak, scorching, melt-your-face-off summer heat.

The stenciling itself was a full-body workout. I spent hours bent double over a bumpy, pebbly concrete surface that was anything but smooth. To top it off, I had to clean the stencil after every single press to avoid messy paint bleeding—alternating a rich burgundy with crisp white.

Phase 3: Surviving to Tell the Tale

Did I feel like I was on the brink of heatstroke before the final stencil was placed? Absolutely.

Did I power through anyway, sealing it with a couple of coats of clear topcoat so the paint wouldn’t wash away in the first rain? You bet. And honestly, standing back to look at the finished product, I was genuinely proud.

The plot twist? We put the house up for sale the very next spring, so we barely had time to enjoy our hand-painted outdoor oasis. But looking back, it’s a great reminder: it really is the journey, not the destination, that makes the memories!

Ever tackle a DIY project that almost defeated you in the middle of summer? Let’s hear your stories in the comments!

Melancholy High

by BJM Publishing, posted in Art, Family and Friends, Music

The song “Fallen Angel” was written and released by Robbie Robertson in 1987 as a deeply personal tribute and prayer for his former bandmate from The Band, Richard Manuel, who tragically passed away on March 04 1986 by suicide at the age of 42. The track featured backing vocals from Peter Gabriel, while fellow The Band member Garth Hudson played keyboards on the song.

Manuel struggled with severe, long-term alcoholism and drug addiction for years and dealt with severe depression, a loss of confidence, and career struggles following the 1976 breakup of the original group (which was famously documented in The Last Waltz). Bandmates and colleagues later noted that the heavy touring schedule and demanding pace while trying to revive the group took a severe toll on his fragile state.

He was buried at the Avondale Cemetery in his hometown of Stratford, Ontario. Bandmate Rick Danko sang Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released” at his memorial service. Stratford later honored him with a sidewalk star on Ontario Street and a memorial bench by the Avon River. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with The Band in 1994.

Possibly one of the most heartfelt tributes to a fellow musician I have ever heard. The whole album Robbie Robertson debut album is a must listen.

Note: It’s been 50 years since the Band’s 1976 farewell show that became the iconic concert film The Last Waltz, and a supergroup of Canadian artists will mark the anniversary with a Toronto tribute show. LW50: A Celebration of Bob Dylan and the Band will take place on November 25, 2026 at Massey Hall.

The Plague Doctor

by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Art, Miscellaneous
photo taken during recent Cogs and Steampunk festival in Fergus, 2026

Photo above taken at the recent Cogs and Steampunk Festival in Fergus, Sept, 2026

A plague doctor was a specialized municipal physician hired by towns and cities in Europe during 17th-century plague epidemics to treat victims, especially the poor who could not pay. These physicians wore this unsettling outfit to protect themselves from the plague. It was an early version of the present-day personal protective equipment (PPE).

What They Meant and Symbolized

  • Harbingers of Death: Because they usually arrived only when an outbreak began and rarely cured anyone, seeing a plague doctor meant that severe illness or death was nearby.
  • Public Record Keepers: Beyond medical care, their role meant documenting the dead, counting infection numbers, witnessing wills, and performing autopsies for demographic and civic data.
  • A Symbol of Fear: Over time, the terrifying medical uniform transformed into a popular Carnival of Venice character, symbolizing mystery, history, and a memento mori (a reminder of mortality).

The Iconic Costume

  • The Beaked Mask: The mask featured a long bird-like beak stuffed with strong herbs, spices, and camphor. People believed disease spread through “miasma” (poisonous “bad air”), and the herbs were meant to filter or purify it.
  • Protective Suit: They wore a head-to-toe heavy waxed leather or canvas robe, boots, and gloves. While designed to block bad air, it accidentally offered minor protection against bodily fluids and flea bites. The hat was worn to make people aware that they were physicians. The cloak and gloves were worn to prevent skin-on-skin contact with patients.
  • The Wooden Wand: Doctors carried a cane or stick to examine and point at patients without having to touch them.

I would imagine that seeing this frightening figure morph out of a misty morning fog, even if you were near death; you’d jump up and run for cover.

Lobsters in PEI

by BJM Publishing, posted in Adventure, Family and Friends, Miscellaneous, Travel

Prince Edward Island (PEI) has two distinct lobster fishing seasons: a spring season from late April/early May to late June; this is the largest harvest, accounting for about 75% of the catch, and a fall season from mid-August to mid-October. PEI splits its lobster fishing into two distinct regional seasons to protect the lobsters during vulnerable biological cycles like molting and mating.

The lobster fishery brings in tens of millions of pounds of catch annually, accounting for about 15% of Canada’s total lobster production. It provides vital jobs for over 1,200 licensed fishers and supports processing plants, local harbors, and tourism.

Nova Scotia catches the most lobsters of any province in Canada, accounting for roughly 45% to 50% of the country’s total annual catch. Additionally, the town of Shediac, New Brunswick, is widely known and promoted as the “Lobster Capital of the World” due to its rich fishing heritage and famous 90-tonne giant lobster monument.

For a traditional lobster supper there are three main places to partake of succulent, mouth-watering lobster and though it may appear expensive when you think about how everything is included with the meal and the price of appetizers and desserts now, it isn’t that bad. A special occasion for sure.

Lobster supper
Supper LocationEstimated Price RangeKey Feature / Unlimited SidesAtmosphere
New GlasgowCAD 40–60a short drive from the city, serving a complete multi-course lobster meal with unlimited sides of mussels, chowder, and pie.Historic community hall
Fisherman’s WharfCAD 40–8060-foot salad and dessert bar & endless mussels. Expansive & nautical
Lobster on the WharfCAD 30–80À la carte platters & fresh poundScenic harbor deck

You are not limited to lobster suppers, you can go down to the local pier in most towns and get live lobster to take home or cook up, and there are plenty of places to grab a lobster roll. Some of the best places on Prince Edward Island include acclaimed spots like Richard’s Fresh Seafood in Covehead and Victoria-by-the-Sea, Blue Mussel Cafe in North Rustico, the Water Prince Corner Shop in Charlottetown, the Seafood Shack, and Point Prim Chowder House and Oyster Bar. I’m sure I have left some out but that’s what exploring on vacation is all about.

The Lovin Spoonful

by BJM Publishing, posted in Art, Music

The Lovin’ Spoonful was a popular American folk-rock band formed in Greenwich Village, New York City, in 1964 by primary songwriter John Sebastian and guitarist Zal Yanovsky.

The group took their name from a lyric in Mississippi John Hurt’s song “Coffee Blues”. Their style blended folk, blues, jug-band music, and rock and roll, which they called “good-time music”. Beginning in 1965 with “Do You Believe in Magic,” the band achieved seven consecutive Top Ten US hits in 18 months, including “Daydream,” “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?”, and their chart-topping number-one hit “Summer in the City”

Recently I started doing water color painting again and turned a photo of the result into a poster about music which I do on a regular basis. Hope you enjoy this and I will be writing something in the near future regarding the subject of the painting – Merlin in an upcoming post. So….do you believe?

The Daily Telegraph building on Fleet Street

by BJM Publishing, posted in Travel, Art

The former Daily Telegraph Building (also known as Peterborough Court or Peterborough House) was located at 135–141 Fleet Street. It features a prominent, ornate Art Deco/Art Nouveau style public clock projecting over Fleet Street. The iconic, jewel-toned clock is highly celebrated for its bright blue and gold face decorated with geometric sunburst patterns.

The Portland stone facade is heavily framed by massive, stylized fluted columns (pillars) with stepped capitals. The building’s monumental facade stretches across the upper storeys; giving the structure its powerful, temple-like presence on the street.

Daily Telegraph

Directly above the main metalwork entrance doors sits a beautiful bas-relief panel carved by Alfred James Oakley depicting two stylized, wing-footed figures of Mercury (the Roman god of communication and messages) back to back and flying over a stylized globe – symbolizing the global transmission of news (Fitting for a newspaper company.)

Designed by architect Charles Ernest Elcock in consultation with Thomas S. Tait, the Daily Telegraph building was constructed between 1927 and 1928. It represents monumental Art Deco blended with Neo-Egyptian and Greco-Roman revival motifs. with top-floor winged mask sculptures (The Past and The Future) by Samuel Rabin, and an entryway bas-relief depicting the winged god Mercury by Alfred James Oakley. Served as the long-time headquarters for The Daily Telegraph from 1928-1980. The building was also referred to as Peterborough Court, referencing the medieval residence of the Bishop of Peterborough on Fleet Street. After the newspaper migrated away, the building was adapted as the European headquarters for Goldman Sachs.

Underwent a major multi-million-pound restoration and structural refurbishment through January 2023 to 2025 to modernize the interior spaces. Nearly 300,000 square feet of former investment banking space were remodeled into Grade A commercial office space, multi-functional courtyards, and ground-floor retail/restaurants. Designed as a green refit, retaining existing structural elements while converting the building into a 100% all-electric, low-carbon facility.