Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Given my title, you may think this post will be about conversations in which you date yourself by revealing, intentionally or not, your age or generation. No. It’s about inviting yourself on a solo date and then doing what’s necessary to ensure a fine time. […]
INTERGENERATIONAL INFLUENCE
Several years ago a brother suggested I write about controversial topics so I did, in a post on discounts for seniors. These days I am preoccupied with the word “woke”. African Americans first used “woke” to mean being informed and conscious of racial inequality and social injustice. The slang word gained popularity since the Black […]
SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS
We know of Mother’s and Father’s Days but how about National Siblings Day, observed annually on April 10th since 1995? Just as we do not choose our parents, we have no say about siblings. My mom and dad had seven children. At the time we weren’t unusual in this large number; when we moved to […]
WORLD BOOK DAY 2023
Is there a genre called lite literature? I apply the name to novels that offer escapism while exploring somewhat serious issues. They are well-written, usually historical, always engaging. Novels by Fiona Davis fit the name, examples being The Lions of Fifth Avenue (2020) and The Magnolia Palace (2022), both set in New York City, both […]
NOSTALGIA IS NICE
In the past I attended, even organized, family reunions and in my job at Bishop’s University alumni gatherings. It never occurred to me to get involved in a high school reunion, in a city I’d not lived in for decades with people I’d not seen for as many years. But after friends from my youth […]
THE CONTAGION OF KINDNESS
Be kind. Be calm. Be safe.” Dr. Bonnie Henry, Provincial Health Officer for British Columbia Most BC residents can recite the three-pronged mantra that Dr. Henry introduced in March 2020 during her daily updates on Covid-19 to assuage our fears and anxiety about the pandemic. Her words combined science and compassion. Acts of kindness release […]
THE TREASURE OF FRIENDSHIP
“To see a flower takes time, like to have a friend takes time.” Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986) July 30th is International Day of Friendship as proclaimed in 2011 by the UN to promote the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, and cultures can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. Although the Day addresses large relationships, […]
NATIONAL WAITSTAFF DAY 2022
Decades ago I got (well, my dad got me) my first job requiring a social insurance number: a waitress (the job title in my day) at The Waffle Shop in downtown Edmonton. In addition to learning how to take and place orders, balance a tray of food and beverages, clear tables, operate a cash register […]
MOTHERS REMEMBERED
Many thanks to the readers who responded to my invitation to participate in a special Mother’s Day post. The following list of remarks is organized, alphabetically, by the first name of the contributor: Al Frank: I grew up in the era of June Cleaver (“Leave it to Beaver”) and Harriet Nelson (“Ozzie and Harriet”) who […]
WORLD BOOK DAY 2022
Padmasree Warrior, founder of Fable, a platform for reading and online book clubs, notes “there is now growing evidence to support what I intuitively understood – reading is a powerful tool to improve mental wellness.” I’m confident reading — though not doom-scrolling — helped many of us stay sane during the years of pandemic restrictions. […]