Stewart McLean is currently reading one of my favorite Vinyl Cafe stories. A Christmas story about Morley's University-age daughter, Sam, finding a book about "Myths and Legends" in a bookstore. It is about receiving a book in the mail from a mystery sender. It is about the magic of books and how they can transport the reader to other worlds. Books have been important in my life. As my mom used to say, "If you have a book, you are never alone". Just listening to the Vinyl Cafe brings me back to a very happy time years ago. Listening to it on my old portable shortwave transitor radio (a gift I received once) makes it even more special. It is like magic. McLean's The Vinyl Cafe and Eleanor Wachtel's Writers and Co. are two radio shows on CBC that never fail to work their magic on me. They assuage my black dog moments and lift my spirits by bringing me back to a time years ago. I guess magic does exist. Last night (Wed. Dec. 17, 2014)I went to "The Loft", a Boardgame Cafe, on or near Besserer Street. It is a cafe where you play boardgames. It was my second visit. I had a wonderful time. It is even better than Monopolatte. Now you know my favorite pub/cafe, where people talk and play boardgames together instead of texting or talking on iphones! Go on a Tuesday evening and there is no $5 cover charge. Try the veg. pizza. That is what I had both times I visited The Loft. P.S. Tonight I attend a function at École élémentaire d'enseignement personnalisé Édouard-Bond. I will meet Kiara and Noah in the gym, as usual. Then there is a Christmas function and a pot-luck buffet. We will be at the school from 4:30 till at least 6:00 p.m. tonight. Bye for now, Gentle Reader. Bernie the Monkey