Lonny Cain

"A trip to New York always provides stories to tell. Or for starters, a series of observations. Let me share more of my notes," Lonny Cain, retired managing editor of The Times in Ottawa, writes in his weekly column PaperWork.

"We get caught up in the story and the characters but I also remind myself that a human being, a real character, created the story with people we become attached to and relate to and remember," writes Lonny Cain, the retired managing editor of The Times, in his weekly column.

"I never cared for report cards," Lonny Cain, retired managing editor of The Times in Ottawa, writes in his Paperwork column.

Let me tell you about this dream. I’m driving down a long stretch of highway, and I can see my future in the distance. I see myself slowly aging as I get closer.

Follow me please. We’re taking a little walk through my house.

“Dodge and weave! Dodge and weave!” That’s me shouting my life advice for the day.

My love of books should be well known by anyone who knows me or reads these weekly chats. But today I want to share your love of books.

Sarah knew before the rest of us. But none of us expected how fast her fight would end.

If I’m getting sentimental about libraries, I must start there, when I borrowed my first book.

I’ve added something to my morning coffee wake-up. A daily ritual.

It was a lightning moment, sparked by a few words. A simple sentence. I cannot recall all those specifics, but I remember the words, who said them, and the overwhelming feeling that washed over me.

Right now I’m fighting an urge to pull out some old LPs or maybe my 45s. But I will put that off for now ... so I can tell you why.

OK. I must tell you about my fingernail. The right hand, thumbnail to be exact.

When I spill out thoughts and personal observations each week I sometimes feel like the great pretender. Or perhaps the better word is “wimp.”

Oh, the things people will do for money. And television lets us watch them.