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June 30, 2006
News from Winnipeg
Fred Brick publishes a collection of his columns.
CYNTHIA RAMSAY
There are times when nepotism is merited. My great-uncle, Fred
Brick, is co-owner of Brick's Fine Furniture in Winnipeg and a columnist
with the Winnipeg Free Press. The book Brick by Brick is
a selection of more than 100 of his columns and it's an easy, fun
read, with some nostalgic moments for former Winnipeggers.
Brick's Fine Furniture (www.bricksfinefurniture.mb.ca)
is a thriving Winnipeg institution, started almost 40 years ago
by Fred and his wife, Cynthia. Fred's literary career, so to speak,
began in 1993 with a column on furniture – which makes sense,
given his full-time profession. Since then, it has delved into more
eclectic subject matter and is really about everyday life –
well, Fred's everyday life, which is perhaps a little unusual. If
you're looking for any gems of wisdom about how to get the most
out of life, which moments to treasure, etc., etc., this may not
be the book for you. But it does have its sentimental side; the
tributes to his father and mother, as well as the concluding "Zoe,
Zaida and Woxy" come to mind. As well, it is written by a man
who knows how to live – with the good and the bad – and
he is "one funny guy," as it says on the book's cover.
My great-uncle has a unique sense of humor and considers his dog,
Roxy, as much a member of his family as members of his family. (Fred
has brothers, a sister, children, grandchildren and many other relations,
but his pet dogs have always held a special place in his heart.)
Readers of Brick by Brick will learn all of this and more.
The articles span a 12-year period, from 1993 to 2004. The majority
of the earlier ones are about furniture, home offices, centrepieces,
wall color treatments and other topics that show off Fred's professional
knowledge. Despite his assertion in the book's introduction that
he "nearly fell asleep" writing such columns, they are
informative and he tends to include at least a line or two that
will make readers smile.
In one article, Fred recommends that people who are redecorating
their homes bring a photo with them to his store. He elucidates
his point with a few examples, one of which reads, "A while
back, a customer came in looking for the 'California look.' We showed
her Southwestern, Lodge, etc., but no luck. In exasperation, she
pulled out a picture of the sofa from her aunt's home in California.
It was French Provincial. But because her aunt lived in California,
it was obviously the 'California look.' "
Even when jesting, it is evident that Fred is a nice guy. He also
has an admirable sense of humility, which comes through in his writing.
He has had commercial and personal success in life, but hasn't let
that go to his head. In one of his later articles, he mentions the
fact that he's losing his eyesight, so he's no longer an avid reader.
This was proving embarassing because, no matter where he went, "some
smart chick" would come up to him and ask, for example, "'Have
you read The Client?' or some other novel by this Chisholm
chap." Not wanting to be the fool, Fred discovered books-on-tape
and remedied the situation ... with mixed results. At a party, he
writes, "I went up to a group of women and, in a somewhat haughty
manner, asked, 'Have you read Chisholm's new book, The Summons,
or his homespun effort, The Painted House?' 'By who?' they
chorused. 'Chisholm, you know, John Chisholm. He wrote The Client.'
I grinned with a superior air. 'You mean, Grisham, John Grisham.'
'Uh, yeah,' I muttered. 'Just testing you.' But they knew. The women
always know. I heard the snickers as I skulked away."
He's not afraid to admit his foibles and he's ready to forgive you
yours – although not without some ribbing. Such a relaxed attitude
and a sense of humor are vital components of a healthy life and
Fred makes that obvious – in person and in his writing. Perhaps
there is a nugget or two of wisdom in this collection after all.
Brick by Brick is published by Heartland Associates, Inc.
It sells for $19.95 and should be available – at least to order
– from local bookstores. You can also call Heartland Associates
at 204-475-7720 or order online at www.hrtlandbooks.com.
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