It’s Us Again
A newish London news source called The London Beat talked to Derek about his career, and it bubbled over a bit into mine. …
June 2018
Thankful Thursday – The Outlaws
If life is teaching me anything, it’s to be grateful for who you have while you have them. My in-laws are a pretty wonderful bunch. Derek is the eldest of six and they’re all different but they’re also similar. Siblings are like that. I mean, I only have one, so what did I know? …
Kerry. One of a Kind
What you’re about to read isn’t typical of this blog. I’m angry and I’m sad. You’ve been warned. …
Yet Another Scam
Longtime readers might remember references to Cousin Kim. She’s Derek’s cousin by DNA but I’ve definitely claimed her too! With permission of her daughter, Kristina, I’m sharing their story today. It’s a scam I’d never heard of but it’s more common than we might think. A frustrated Kristina told her story on the Mastercard Facebook page: …
Another Trip Around the Sun
My brother doesn’t like to get stuff for his birthday. I’ll see something or another I think he would like but I know better than to buy it. …
Political Randt
Quashing the truth always worries me. I’m concerned for a generation of kids growing up with confusing messages from (supposed) grown-ups who tell stories with facts conveniently omitted because those facts don’t support their narrative. …
Throwback Thursday – Picking up Styx
I know I’ve thrown back to this before. I can’t help it. It was such a spontaneous and wonderful moment. Five years ago, it looked like I wasn’t going to be able to meet one of my rock heroes, Tommy Shaw. Free-FM was presenting the band as part of a great line-up at Rock the Park, but no meet-and-greet was planned. The band had things to do. We got to meet and get photos with Toto and Grand Funk but Styx couldn’t make it happen. …
An Expensive Lesson
Perhaps I got a little too blase about purchasing things online. I don’t even remember what my mindset was like when I bought Advanced Final Skin Care on a ‘risk-free trial’ by paying ‘only the shipping cost’. I defy anyone to check their web page or ad and find the “clearly explained” terms and conditions that would have told me I’m becoming their customer forever. …
Unhealthy (Social Media) Habits
It breaks my heart to see so many people sharing bogus health information on social media. Add to that, the conspiracy theories surrounding the government suppressing the cures for cancer and other diseases. Scientists have families too. …
If Dad Only Knew
My hope for Dads yesterday was that they felt how much they’re loved and appreciated. …
Cookies are Stupid
Not chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies. Cookies on the Internet that capture a bit of data from your visit to a website only to use it against you later on.
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Thankful Thursday – Grandbabies
A great joy in my life is being a Grandma without ever having children. Wait, that didn’t come out right. It’s not that I am joyful that I didn’t have children. But I got grandkids anyway. …
Making A Real Difference
If this post makes you a little uncomfortable, that’s part of the reason I’m writing it. It’s evidence of a problem that needs fixing for girls of the present and future. …
A New Method for Decluttering
Forget the KonMari method – deciding to keep only the items that bring you joy. Don’t buy a bunch of baskets and sort your stuff. That only helps the basket-makers and doesn’t do enough to reduce the amount of stuff you keep. No, I’ve developed a new way of looking at your stuff that will make you want to get rid of anything you don’t really need. …
Help is on Its Way
The suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain rattled me. I don’t own a Kate Spade bag and I’ve never watched Bourdain’s show, although I did purchase Kitchen Confidential after years of hearing about how brave and bold it is. But I didn’t have to be a fan to understand the importance of these special artists to so many people. …
“Orange Island in a Blue Wave” ~London Free Press headline
My home turf is NDP while the rest of the province gave Doug Ford a majority government in Ontario. As my Grandfather used to say, “Lord love a duck”. (I’m not sure what it means either.) …
“Orange Island in a Blue Wave” ~London Free Press headlineRead More »
Provincial Election Day – Just Do It
“Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” `Winston Churchill
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A Lightbulb Moment
You can buy the same microwave as ours at a zillion Canadian retailers. It’s a Samsung over-the-range unit. Reasonably priced. It has all of the doodads you want in a microwave including a turntable and popular settings. It’s all good, right? …