Brushing Fame

Grandma, Robin, Joan, AIDS and more

August 11, 2024

Originally posted Sept.6, 2014 Re-posted on the 10th anniversary of Robin Williams shuffling off this mortal coil. I’ve resisted writing this post because so many people have commented on Robin Williams’ passing- what could I add? The passing of Joan Rivers, a recent article about [read more]

Family, Identity

Janis Ian, Mum, Sarah Partridge

July 15, 2017

Another mash-up post; see also My Father, Martin and Gene from 2012. What was going to be just a review of a new CD took a turn; my mind is like that. Ms Ian’s catalogue has long been a favourite, and all her songs are [read more]

Family, Identity

After The Bath

September 23, 2016

As a young gay man in the ’80s I was not only a regular patron of Toronto’s bath houses (“steambath” or “men’s health club“), I worked the overnight shift at one for a summer. Although I did not have the exact genealogical details memorized, I [read more]

Family, Identity

To My Nieces & Nephews

September 22, 2016

An Open Letter To My Nieces & Nephews: It’s been ten days since Dad (Grandpa to you) passed. Five since the funeral. You are each returning to your adult lives- partners, children, school, career, all those things that interfere with a good night’s sleep. I [read more]

Family, Identity

Dad

September 13, 2016

James Cameron Lyttle – June 13, 1927 – Sept. 12, 2016 Dad passed quietly a few minutes to midnight Monday evening local time. He was surrounded by family and passed peacefully at the age of 89. He is survived by wife Ann (pictured below), step-children [read more]

Family, Identity

Grandma – In Detail

August 10, 2015

A Guest Post by Dr. James B. Lyttle as a follow-up to my post of two days ago. Grandma was born November 3, 1900 in Belleville, Ontario to Cameron Brown and Margaret Sarah Ross. Her dad was born February 3, 1870, in Hamilton Ontario. He [read more]