Words for the New Year, images from the past.

My great-grandfather, Sgt. James Hislop Cook's A Coy, 20th Battalion at the C.N.E. in Toronto, March 1915. His Brigade was commanded by Brigadier Armand Armstrong Smith, of the famous E.D. Smith & Sons. He is fourth from the left, seated in the front row. He was a certified marksman, and was wounded three times in battle. Photograph with permission of Joel Clements, Brainstorm Studio.

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender;
be on good terms with all persons…
And whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all it's sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

'Desiderata', by Max Ehrmann