REX AND TWO GUYS FROM ESTEVAN
Thursday Oct. 30, 2014
He belongs to us all, gets paid well for doing what he does well. He stands on guard for me, for we, for all of as witness/protagonist of good, doer of goodwill. And citizenship.
Few Canadians would disagree – Rex Murphy is one of our most articulate erudite scholars of the fabric of Canada, unequalled in ability to spoon-feed patriotism back to us with self-deprecation elevating grit, determination and humanity from every corner of the country to the high place or regard and honour it so richly deserves. Personal stories, illuminating the error-of-ways of leaders, politicians and wayward tree-huggers messing with his version of what is great about our country, weaving the most intriguing obscurity often using the most arcane language and cryptic alliterations to deliver obvious points illustrating the most obviously idiotic actions of lofty people and too-lofty organizations, skewering them for roasting, all the while pointing out something nearly everyone is missing. And very often pointing out the best example to illustrate the point happened in some inshore fishery village in Newfoundland, in some bar in some inshore fishery village that doesn’t exist anymore because, after many generations of life there, entire families and communities have been transplanted to every part of the country, with special examples of how they’ve helped, and been helped by Alberta and the oil patch, was like butter being spread on hot toast it was beautifully absorbed by the audience, we can only say we’d like more – but more important, proud to have been there …
Comparisons of the guy to any other Canadian, live or dead or occupying a seat in the senate where someone should be checking pulses, is just unfair to everyone, most especially Rex.
I admit to being a public speaker, a fan of public speaking and an admirer of great skills in public speaking – so, on his skills alone, there are few equals on the rubber-chicken dinner speaking stage – but that still pales to describe this walking talking living icon of Canadiana of whom we should be so proud. He heralds the unheralded, he derides the pompous and does so with laser-quick accuracy and kind humour. He doesn’t point out people as stupid, or fools, or wrongly motivated – but he does not hesitate to point out, expose or ridicule their actions as such lunacy.
Last evening I got a chance to attend a PSAC banquet where he was the après dinner speaker.
I was, quite coincidentally sitting with two guys from Estevan. The elder of the two knows my cousin, knew one of my late-uncles. They were kind, welcoming and invited me to visit next time I’m there …
They enjoyed Rex as well. As did about 600 banquet attendees who will all watch Rex on TV or listen to him on Cross Country Check-up with a new enthusiasm for they have seen and heard that amazing curmudgeon and proud Canadian who will go down in history one day and be revered from coast to coast to coast as simply, our Rex .
Mark Kolke
column written/ published from Calgary
morning walk: -3C/26F …ice-fog?? … yes, here in foggy-bottom, headlights are fog-cutters and Gusta rolled on frosted grass. I saw someone bundled in a face covering scarf as if it was mid-winter cold. It would be great if the fog would stay for a spooky Friday night …
Reader feedback / comments always welcome:
I am more than happy to write a testimonial for your blog. I find it interesting and inspiring that you are so committed to it since it likely doesn't pay. I am appreciative of your creative generosity with the world, RP, Calgary, AB
Not quite sure how I first subscribed to your daily column / post – but I look forward to it appearing each day. Hello Mark. I wanted to thank you for your daily column - it makes me think and sometimes look at my own circumstances and journey with fresh eyes. It's a bit of a mystery to me - your daily email started appearing in my work inbox several months ago - I don't remember signing up for it - but, there it was. And it gave me a quiet few moments of reflection as did the columns that followed. So now, you have been redirected to my personal email and I continue to look forward to those daily glimpses that you share. Thanks and regards, JS, ?
Lovely words today. Resonate within me too. Thanks!, LG, Calgary, AB
I think your journey of daily writing IS remarkable. As a side note, wish I was there for that photographic moment of capturing light on the frosty ground. Scenes like that make my heart sing, CG, Cobourg, ON
