Glen Wickens, my husband and a retired English professor, submitted this article of apt quotations by Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965). Churchill served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. He led his country from the brink of defeat to victory during World War II. Over […]
STAYDAYS STAVE OFF THE BLUES
“Stay home” has been a dominant message during the pandemic, in addition to frequent hand washing, social distancing, wearing masks and, in BC, being kind, calm and safe. Early on the instruction meant sheltering in place, especially for older adults. Then we were encouraged to go outdoors for walks, while maintaining 2 m distance from […]
A NAP A DAY
There is more refreshment and stimulation in a nap, even of the briefest, than in all the alcohol ever distilled.” — Ovid In the ’60s when Mom had a house full — and I mean full — of children, she took to napping weekdays from 3-4 pm. She’d get right under the covers of her bed […]
GAME ON
We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing.” George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Most of us cherish memories of playing in our younger years. Outdoors we whiled away the hours with hide and seek, kick the can, scrub baseball and more. Indoors we played card and board games, […]
FUN FACTS FRIDAYS: IDIOMS 3
One night our son Brandon asked about the origin of ‘a needle in a haystack’ and also wondered why we feel happy on ‘cloud nine’ rather than on seven or three. He reminded me it’s been a long while since FFF posted a list of idioms and proverbs, so I found the answers to his […]
A STUDY IN CONTRASTS
A man in his mid-forties stops me on my morning walk along Vancouver’s seawall to say he thinks I am “breathtakingly beautiful.” Okay. He’s over the top with his compliment. But I understand. He knows — and I unabashedly acknowledge — that he made my day. We go our separate ways. The encounter astonished, charmed […]
INTERNATIONAL SELF-CARE DAY
On July 24 each year since 2011, International Self-Care Day raises awareness about self-care as a vital foundation of health. The date chosen — 7/24 — serves to remind us to practice self-care and reap its benefits 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Not long ago I probably equated self-care with selfishness. After […]
COOKING DURING COVID
When Glen and I arrived home from Scottsdale in mid-March, we entered the netherworld of COVID-19. For our quarantine, Brandon stocked us with food, disinfectants and sanitizers, and coveted rolls of toilet paper. Eventually, however, I wanted to buy groceries myself. First, I tried shopping online using home delivery, but items often ended up being […]
FUN FACTS FRIDAYS: CANADA DAY
On July 1, 1867, four founding provinces officially became the Dominion of Canada. From the original four, Canada has grown to ten provinces and three territories. From a population of 3,463,000, Canadians now number 37,728,000. In anticipation of Canada Day next Wednesday, I provide a dozen fun facts about our country: Canada is the largest […]
WALKING WONDERS
We know walking can be an easy activity that burns a few calories. A spry 92-year-old woman attributes her good health to taking a walk, faithfully, every day. During frigid months in Edmonton, Mom joined the ‘Mall Milers’, walking a circuit in an indoor mall with other older people eager to move. Neuroscientist Shane O’Mara […]