Edward Brain's Blog

Happy Victoria Day

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Edward Brain

Queen Victoria (State portrait) by Sir George ... — Queen Victoria by Sir George Hayter (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, May 24th 2021, is Victoria Day in Canada. I want to wish every Canadian a very happy and safe Victoria Day.

Today marks the celebration of the birthday of Canada’s first monarch, Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837 to 1901 and was Monarch when four British colonies – Canada West (Ontario), Canada East (Quebec), New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia – were combined together to create the Dominion of Canada.

Queen Victoria would see Canada grow rapidly, with the purchase of Rupert’s Land to form the Northwest Territory, as well Manitoba, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island all joining Confederation.

Posted in General | Tagged Canada, Dominion of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Queen Victoria, Queen's Official Birthday, Stat Holiday, Statutory Holiday, Victoria Day | Leave a comment

2021 NHL Playoffs First Round

Posted on May 13, 2021 by Edward Brain

The first round of the 2021 National Hockey League (NHL) playoffs are now set and will begin on May 15th, 2021.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and travel restrictions between Canada and the United States, the league redeployed the teams so that there would be one seven team division of all the Canadian based teams, while the other teams, all located in the US, play in three divisions.

As such, the first rounds of the playoffs will see four Canadian based teams play between each other.

The first round match-ups are as follows:

Posted in National Hockey League, Toronto Maple Leafs | Tagged 2021 Playoffs, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Colordao Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, National Hockey League, New York Islanders, NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins, Playoffs, St. Louis Blues, Stanley Cup, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vegas Golden Knights, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets | Leave a comment

Frank Nelson at 110

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Edward Brain

On this date in 1911, actor Frank Nelson was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. As such, today, May 5th 2021, would have marked his 110th birthday.

Frank Nelson was well known for his catchphrase, EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?, on many shows, including The Addams Family, The Jack Benny Program, I Love Lucy, The Real McCoys, Alice, and Sanford and Son. Continue reading →

Posted in General | Tagged Alice, Dinky Dog, EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?, Frank Nelson, I Love Lucy, Mister Magoo, Sanford and Son, The Addams Family, The Flintstones, The Jack Benny Program, The Jetsons, The Real McCoys, The Snorks | Leave a comment

Famed Mezzo Soprano Christa Ludwig Passes Away at 93

Posted on April 25, 2021 by Edward Brain

Famed mezzo-sporano Christa Ludwig has passed away at the age of 93. Her career spanned almost 50 years, performing opera, Lieder, oratorio, masses, and passions.

She was born March 16th, 1928 in Berlin, Germany to Anton Ludwig and Eugenie Besalla-Ludwig, both singers in their own right.

She would make her operatic debut in 1946, at 18, in Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus at the Oper Frankfurt, where she would sing for the next six years. In 1955, she would become a Principal soloist with the Vienna State Opera, starting a relationship that would continue to sing there until her retirement, receiving the title of Kammersängerin in 1962.

Posted in Obituaries | Tagged 93, Austria, Bayreuth Festival, Berlin Germany, Christa Ludwig, dead, Death, Golden Medal of Honour, Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver for Services to the Republic of Austria, Kammersängerin, Klosterneuburg, Legion of Honour, Merit Cross of the Federal Republic of Germany, Met Opera, Metropolitan Opera, mezzo soprano, The Met, Vienna State Opera, Walter Berry | Leave a comment

Seeds Planted

Posted on April 14, 2021 by Edward Brain

I finally got around to planting some seedlings for some vegetables. My first time since a school project that I have tried growing vegetables from scratch.

Edward's Gardening Diary

With spring in full swing, I have started planted some seedlings for the gardens.

I have started onions, carrots, beets, radish, and broccoli.

I am hoping for a second crop of carrots and onions for sure, and hopefully beets and radishes as well.

Let’s see how they turn out.

Here are some pictures, the onions have already starting to sprout up. Hopefully, I will have a lot of success this year – fingers crossed!

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Posted in General | Leave a comment

Prince Phillip Passes Away at 99

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Edward Brain

Buckingham Palace has announced the passing of His Royal Highness Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh at the age of 99.

Prince Phillip was born June 10th 1921 in Mon Repos, Corfu, Kingdom of Greece to Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark and Princess Alice of Battenberg and was a descendent of Queen Victoria.

Continue reading →

Posted in General, Obituaries | Tagged #DukeofEdinburgh, #DukeofEdinburghAwards, #PrincePhillip, 99, Admiral of the Fleet, Buckingham Palace, Consort, Death, Duke of Edinburgh, Duke of Edniburgh Awards, House of Glücksburg, House of Windsor, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom, Prince Andrew, Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark, Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Prince Phillip, Princess Alice of Battenberg, Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Royal Family, Royal Navy, Second World War, Windsor Castle, World War II | Leave a comment

Maestro James Levine has Passed Away at 77

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Edward Brain

It was announced on March 17th, 2021 that longtime Metropolitan Opera (‘The Met’) Music Director James Levine passed away on March 9th, 2021 at the age of 77 in Palm Springs, California.