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 […]
Enjoying Retirement
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 […]
Where’s My Lipstick Gone?
Frequently, I ask myself ‘where’s my lipstick gone?’ I have an ambivalence about lipstick these days. I remind myself that I no longer need to reach for lipstick whenever I leave the house because I wear a mask. With a mask, the lipstick gets smeared and the mask gets stained. Nobody sees my lips. The […]
Celebrate Love on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love. This is the perfect time to show love and affection to those people with whom we have important relationships. Valentine’s Day is associated with cards, flowers, chocolates, and romantic celebrations. Big gestures of love often occur on Valentine’s Day. One might receive a gift of expensive jewelry, […]
Memories of Lunar New Year Celebrations
I have many memories of Lunar New Year celebrations as the Lunar New Year was a huge event in my former home of Markham Ontario. Tomorrow, February 11, marks the 2021 Lunar New Year (also known as Chinese New Year). Based on the cycle of the moon, Lunar New Year falls on different dates each […]