Welcome To My Blog

I call this 'web log' or 'blog' "From Wawa To Paris" because, as I look back over my career to date, it never ceases to amaze me that a kid who grew up in Wawa would end up traveling the world, meeting so many interesting people and seeing sights that I thought would only be available "from a book that I took from the shelf".

This blog is a work in progress. Like Sinatra mentions in a great song entitled 'Cycles', I've been many places over the years and I am blessed - or cursed - with a memory for detail. With Scottish and Irish blood in my veins, I'm also a storyteller and have managed to turn that into a career of sorts. A good friend of mine, Jack Nadeau, once remarked, when I told him that I rented out my head for a living, that half a living was better than none. Did I mention that he was a friend?

The photo accompanying this posting was taken of me and my two brothers, Greg (middle) and Norm (right) in Sinterville, a small collection of ramshackle houses a few miles from Wawa. That's where Dad was sent when he returned to Sault Ste. Marie expecting to get his old executive job back at the Algoma Steel Corportation after being away fighting Nazi Germany for several years. Our dirty, gritty trip from the Soo to Wawa aboard an Algoma Central Railway train pulled by a steam locomotive ignited a love of travel in me that burns to this day.

My blog is a way of sharing travel stories and tips. It also allows me to highlight some of the other articles I've had published over the years and to promote the military books I have written. And finally, it lets me rant about some of the idiotic and downright disgraceful things people do to each other in our time and rave about the wonderful acts of kindness and common sense that, thankfully, still prevail.

And so it goes...

(Photo by Dorene Douglas)

Comments

[Mike Ansel]

Tom
It's really interesting to read about your families history especially knowing that we are bound together in this life by DNA. I have seen some pictures that my mother has of you and your mom when you were just a baby. I'll have to see if she can dig them out of her shoe-boxes. I think mom is the last of the Greer's still above ground. It amazes us that after 65 years state-side she still has her Canadian accent. I'm going to read more of your blog when I get a chance. I write one on hunting for the Monroe Evening News. Blogsmonroe.com (hunting with Mike.) Blog, e-mail ya later. Mike

[George Burns]

Tom,

Your Christmas story on Wawa-News.com brought back a few memories of Christmas in Wawa. Christmas "cheer" for our dads usually started early and was the bane of a lot Wawa wives at that time. I can easily picture your dad asleep on the sofa, due to the "office" Christmas party. My dad didn't work in the office but the same celebrations took place elsewhere on the property.

Having been a resident of Sinterville, you may want to have a look at my web site. I have a number of pictures from that era of Sinterville with people that you may recognize.

Cheers
George

[James Sabyan]

Great Stuff

[Kay Rantsho]

Hi Tom,

I am only beginning a career in freelancing and would appreciate a few pointers from you, especially given the Canadian context. (you spoke to my husband @ Dependable IT/Cogeco.

[Wanda Newell]

Hello Tom, I am a Veteran Service Officer in Lawrenceburg TN. I am working with a WWII veteran who knew and worked with Raymond LaBrosse. He was interested if any of his family is still alive. I told him I would research this and found your book but I cannot get it in America. I am hoping I can contact you to discuss this or that you will e-mail me. Thank you. Wanda

[Patrick McGee]

Tom -
why don't I have your email? Anyway, my wife bought the book "Surviving Dreaded Conversations" by Donna Flagg. I picked it up and started into the acknowledgments and there you are! Are you her ghost on this? Hope all is well.
Cheers,
Pat

[Moyra & Mark Waito]

Hi,
One of our friends forwarded "The Magic of Christmas" to us as Orrie Waito is my husband's father. We were both born in Wawa. I was also raised there but my husband's family left shortly after he was born. Unfortunately, Orrie Waito died 6 years before I met my husband. It is really neat to read a story such as this. Is it published in any of your books. We certainly would like to purchase a copy, or maybe even 3, one for each of our children.
Thanks! Moyra

[Tom Douglas]

I would be happy to comply with your request for three books but you didn't provide me with any information on how I can contact you. Please send me an email at: thomasmdouglas@gmail.com