I was touched when our 7 year-old-granddaughter told me during a short talk last week, “I can’t wait to come and eat at your big table”. She knew this would not occur until the threat of COVID-19 passed. We were having a social-distancing visit with our family who stood on the walkway as they brought […]
Memories
International Women’s Day — How are we doing?
It’s International Women’s Day — a day to celebrate female achievements and reflect on women’s rights. It’s also a day to be a proud feminist. At age 74, I’ve witnessed many achievements for women. Leading feminists such as Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem used their notoriety to launch the fight for equality and women’s rights. […]
Farewell to Small Town Bakeries
Today I say farewell to another small town bakery that’s closing. When we recently arrived in Grand Bend for a summer of cottage life, Uncle Jimmy’s Scottish Bakery was boarded up with a For Sale sign in the front parking lot. No more will fresh sausage rolls, oat cakes, whole wheat loaves, fresh buns, pies, […]
The Power of a Year-End Assessment
A year-end assessment can jump-start the new year. December is a natural time to reflect as holiday traditions bring a host memories. During the rush of holiday preparations, taking a moment to reminisce and think about the activities and experiences of the past months is valuable for providing closure. It’s a time take stock of achievements […]
Clutter Creep after Down-sizing
Two years after moving and clearing 25 plus years of clutter before down-sizing and selling our ‘too big’ house, I’m noticing clutter creep. It’s subtle but the signs are undeniable. ‘Stuff’ is coming back. Closets, drawers, and shelves that were uncluttered after unpacking and settling into our new house are filling up. Is it the birthday […]
Summer Cottage Rituals
This summer marks 34 years of cottaging at Lake Huron in the small town of Grand Bend. During these 34 years, we’ve developed many cottage rituals and habits. There are rituals for every season of the year, but the summer cottage rituals have special meaning. Summer is the season when we spend most of our […]
Take time for Afternoon Tea
Despite sub-zero April temperatures in Southern Ontario and with a dusting of snow on the ground, I joined a group of interesting women at a local golf club yesterday for a springtime tea celebration. For winter-weary Canadians, this festive event brought a feeling of the freshness of spring despite uncooperative April temperatures. While it wasn’t […]
Unpacking Christmas Memories
Every day of December brings an opportunity for unpacking Christmas memories. Through this month most of us have a schedule filled with preparations, events, invitations, and celebrations of every kind. Many celebrations represent traditions that remind us of family history and link us to our culture. During the past few days, I’ve indulged in reminiscing. […]