Is it just me, or has life become simpler and yet more complicated with Pinterest? How did we ever live our life before having access to an unlimited compendium of recipes, decor suggestions, fashion hints, life hacks, funny quotes and so much more? Ten years ago, my social media apps consisted primarily of Facebook, and…
I recently offered to review a friend’s resume with the offer of feedback, to help maximize the impact of her amazing skills and experience. My friend accepted my offer, but asked me to be mindful of her “sensitive underbelly”, admitting that she often had difficulty with some of my comments. To say I was stunned…
Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens Brown paper packages tied up with strings These are a few of my favorite things I have fallen behind on delivering one fresh post every day in December as part of my Advent Calendar series, and to catch up today, I…
Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” – Fred Rogers I retired from my career two years ago without a long-term plan. I had very clear ideas about what I would be doing for the first year, but beyond that, plans were still fuzzy. It…
If you have ever been spent time in Canada’s Capital as a visitor or a resident, then you likely know of the Rideau Canal. The narrow channel weaves through Ottawa landmarks and neighbourhoods along an 8km stretch, connecting the metropolitan’s two universities while delivering the most picturesque scenery a city can provide. Many of us…
Yes, you read that title correctly and it was not a typo. Traditions have always been big in my family, thanks mostly to my husband who was a big fan of repeating events and activities that our daughter enjoyed while growing up. Camping out in the backyard to mark the last day of school, ending…
Every once in a while, I am reminded of the power of my subconscious thoughts and the dramatic influence they can have on my day, and my life. It’s hard to be aware of these thoughts let alone hear them, but if you slow down enough, and if you still and quiet your mind, you…
Change is a good thing. It makes you more resilient, and increases your ability to deal with unplanned events and adapt to the changing world around us. My husband and I have certainly become more resilient to change since 2013, when we sold our house and belongings of 20 years, and uprooted ourselves to Halifax,…
« The first step towards getting somewhere, is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. »Unknown While I have been sharing my stories of travel, family and what matters most to me with you, there is a journey I undertook this year, that has had the greatest impact in my life and…
Travel should be about helping you connect with the people of the countries you are visiting, to understand their culture, their economy and their history. What I like about cruising is that we get that opportunity, not only in port, but also with the people we meet on board. There are typically over 60 nationalities…
St. Nicholas was a Bishop who lived in the fourth century in Turkey. He was a kindhearted and generous man, and because he had inherited large wealth from his parents at an early age, he developed a reputation for helping the poor and giving secret gifts to people who needed it. The stories of this…
Let me take you back to the summer of 2019. The air is warm, people are out and about and you are sitting out, possibly enjoying a refreshing beverage, listening to the sounds around you. You hear the birds of course, maybe a light breeze rustling through the trees and general murmurs and clatter people…
My 15-year old self woke the 56 year old me from a deep sleep at 4am, to tell me that there should be more successful career women coming to grade 10 classes to talk to them about how to prepare for the workplace realities. You know how you get these Eureka moments, or as Oprah…
I have been unbelievably blessed all my life and I give thanks everyday for my good fortune. I try so hard not to take anything for granted and treasure my family and our good health, and my precious friends. I am aware that one’s good fortune can change in an instant, and that many experience…
I have written before about cruising and until our recent trip to Mexico, preferred vacations on ships rather than resorts. I would say that for a vacation in the Caribbean, a cruise is still my preference. This year, we took 3 Caribbean cruises, visiting islands of the lesser and south Antilles (St-Thomas, St-Marten, Barbados, St-Lucia,…
