It’s springtime and here comes motherhood on our pond. Regular readers of my blog know that I’ve been practising the art of noticing as a means of stimulating curiosity and creativity. Paying attention to the music of nature such as mating birdsongs and wind in the trees calms my head that is often filled with useless […]
Enjoying Retirement
World Laughter Day
Tomorrow, Sunday May 2, is World Laughter Day. Readers may wonder why I acknowledge something as frivolous as a day for laughter. Given the pandemic isolation that most of us experienced, for more than fourteen months, a good dose of laughter is overdue. More than ever, the world needs a good belly laugh as much […]
Stop Thinking About ‘Before’ Covid Times
Sometimes referred to as BC or Before Covid, I work hard to stop thinking about those ‘before’ times. I’m not sure that it’s useful to spend time longing for the past. It’s now almost 14 months since the pandemic hit Europe and North America. So much is different. Massive changes everywhere have affected us socially, […]
What Bothers Me About the Third Wave in Ontario
I’ve been tracking what bothers me since the third wave of COVID hit Ontario and other parts of Canada. In Ontario, it is causing more lockdowns and more shutdowns. Schools are closed again. People are both fearful and angry. Public Health advice is augmented with provinces invoking Emergency Measures Acts to issue ‘stay-at-home’ orders along […]
Buyer’s Remorse After a Dishwasher Replacement
I have a case of buyer’s remorse after an unnecessary dishwasher replacement. Last week we had a new dishwasher installed. It works well. It looks good. But, it also replaces a 14-year-old model that was working just fine. Buying a new dishwasher was unnecessary. Whyever would we replace a dishwasher that worked? Why would I […]
Why I Carry a Notebook
Sometimes I’m asked why I carry a notebook in my purse or my backpack. I always keep the notebook with me when I’m out and about. While on my daily walk, I may stop abruptly to capture a thought, idea, or memory. It’s not uncommon for people to take a second look at me when […]
Video Interview about The Art of Living Well
Last week I was surprised when a journalism student contacted me for a video interview. He told me of his interest in the philosophy of making your life a work of art. He was making a short video for a class project. How to make your life a work of art is a topic that […]
Learning to Notice
To improve curiosity and creativity, I’ve been making lists of what I notice. Rob Walker wrote about this topic in his book, The Art of Noticing. He encourages readers to focus on the five senses as we seek to improve how we experience the world around us. To improve noticing both the ordinary and the […]
Thoughts on Touch Deprivation
The pandemic has increased touch deprivation by limiting physical contact with others especially for people who live alone. Yesterday, at the liquor store, I handed my credit card to the cashier behind the plexiglass. She backed away and asked me to place the card directly into the machine — no contact! This small interaction reminded […]
Adopting A Positive Winter MIndset
Winter 2021 challenged me to adopt a positive winter mindset. In my part of Ontario, the Premier issued a ‘Stay-at-Home’ order in early January. It was finally lifted last week but vaccines for people my age are not available yet. It will likely be another 4 – 6 weeks before my turn comes up. To […]