Growing up, Home Economics was never my thing. Building shit was. Hammering nails, whose heads were tied to yarn, into the centre of chestnuts so that they could be swung and released like a toy was one of many things I did as a kid. Yes, it was stupidly dangerous, and I shouldn’t even have […]
Oh, Barbie, my childhood rebellion. I love you. Catholic schools were one of the original vestiges of learning about things like sex, drugs and rock-n-roll earlier than anywhere else. In the early sixties, the nuns had a Talibanisque view of women, believing they should be playing supportive roles in life instead of being the main attraction. […]
Now that we’re post-mayoral election, many people have asked me why I haven’t pursued a political office given my 40 years of active municipal service as a volunteer in different community organization levels. The answer is easy. While others embrace the status quo, I choose to challenge it. I seek transparency and truth, unclouded by […]
I’m a soon-to-be senior who now dresses like a toddler with a collection of rockin’ rompers and overalls. I gave up seamlessly blending into societal norms and staying on-trend with tailored suits and timeless accessories. My industry changed dramatically, and my attire reflected that shift. I no longer navigate the world of high heels, shapewear, […]
As we age, we value the importance of time. In the back nine of my life, I spend more time in queues with customer service reps than at any other time. The wait is never five minutes. Sometimes it’s five hours with cringingly disharmonious music blasting while one phone representative passes you to a series […]
Pope Francis recently stated, “there is no contradiction for priests to marry. Celibacy in the western church is a temporary prescription,” to which my reply is, “Shut the front door!” How can they suggest that celibacy, which has existed for a millennium or lasted over 11 centuries, is temporary? A word defined as “lasting for only a […]
Lent is a time when I reflect upon my strict Catholic upbringing, having transcended it into a spiritual discipline and practice. For Christians, Orthodox or Anglican traditions, it’s a period of contemplation in preparation for Easter. For the non-religious, it can be a time of mindful meditation. Training the mind to be present and conscious […]
Valentine’s reminds me of when my husband and I met. Though I could write a book about it, I’ll provide the Coles notes instead. We met over 40 years ago in Calgary when digital didn’t exist and bad haircuts from the seventies did. There were no texts, and scrolling meant you were somehow engaged with […]
Another holiday season and year have passed with no-go boots or bright pink hot pants beneath the tree. I suspect that’s a good thing. The psychological implications should I have been the recipient of those Christmas gifts would be cruel, scarring my family’s psyche. No fruit cake this year. Actually, there hasn’t been for the […]
My mother did not have that je ne sais quoi regarding gift giving. She gifted things she denied herself, then was pissed they weren’t received with the same appreciation she would have for them. Ironically, that experience taught me the art of gift-giving. The golden rule being it must have the person’s tastes and likes all over […]