I started smoking in 1963, at the age of thirteen. It was during my first year of high school. I started smoking because of several factors, namely: My dad and uncles all smoked. My mom didn’t smoke, but she was exposed to second-hand smoke for most of her life. My family doctor smoked. He always…
Cold Feet, Holly, and a CT Scan
It used to be a relatively simple thing to do – buying a pair of slippers. Then again, a lot of stuff used to be simpler than they are nowadays. I hate sounding like one of those old-timers who used to tell me how things were better ‘back in the day.’ But at least things…
Seventy Years Ago
On January 8th, seventy years ago, at precisely 10:30 in the morning, a scream of joy erupted from my tiny mouth as I gasped my first breath of life. I don’t know if I was a planned addition to the St. Andrews clan or not, but I always felt loved by my mom. My dad…
Which Way You Goin’, Danny?
For any old-timers reading this blog: Do you remember the Poppy Family? Not to be confused with the Partridge Family, Modern Family, or All In The Family, the Poppy Family was a Canadian band that had a few hits in the Sixties. I was never a huge fan, but I did buy one of their…
A Happy Goats’ Day
A few days ago, I received an email from my friends, Reg and Leslie Dutton. They had sent me a beautiful Christmas card in the mail; so, I assumed it was either an esoteric, happy new year or happy birthday message because the Subject line read: Happy Goats! A quick look didn’t reveal a message,…
Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, Seagulls, & Anchovies
On Friday, December 27, 2019, I met my buddy Norm, for our weekly coffee, at the Whitby House, in White Rock. The place is across the street from the ocean. It’s my favorite place to go for coffee. After we have our coffee, we usually go for a walk along the promenade to the end…
Today, Santa Danny Cried
Today is Christmas Eve, and I went to the cancer center in Surrey, BC. I was treated there ten years ago and volunteered for almost five years. I had a suitcase on wheels that contained my Santa Claus outfit; Santa shouldn’t ever be driving around in a car, because kids who still believe in Santa,…
From Me to You
It’s almost Christmas, and I’ve been rushing around to see as many of my friends as possible. But it will be impossible to see everyone before Saint Nick arrives on Wednesday. So, I decided to post some photos and video clips about some of them. I’ll be adding stuff each day, so come back often…
Another Christmas Miracle
Ever know or meet someone, who then becomes famous? I have. But that isn’t what my Christmas Miracle story is about. I once auditioned for a short film produced and directed by Drew Scott, a local actor/real estate salesman/producer. It was before I had cancer and was quite a bit heavier than I am now. But…
A New Look
I shaved off my mustache about a month ago, and my new look depressed me. I mean, how pathetic can a grown man get – worrying about how he looks without a mustache? But when you’ve had a ‘stache for fifty years, it’s difficult to accept a new look. And in the actor’s world –…