Happy July Long Weekend Canada! Whether in Canada or the US, this weekend is all about celebrating. And politics aside, there are many reasons to celebrate. Besides the fireworks, this weekend is also a time for reflection. I have been doing some research and want to share where we Canadians are these days. For my …
Yelling: Not the Panacea We Thought
You know I don’t have children; I have dogs. And as a long-time reader, you also know this past February, hubby and I welcomed dog number six into our family. Initially, I did a lot of loud-voiced NOs at the little puppy. (Notice how I downplayed the term yelling to the gentler ‘loud-voiced’?) And …
Stand Tall. Feel Free. Shine Bright.
Over the last few months, I have met more women entering or in the middle of caregiving for their parents. (Typically their moms.) The reactions, emotions, and guilt levels are pretty much the same for most. I try to give a shoulder or an ear. Everything I say generally comes back to something based on …
How Well Do You Live In-Between?
I’ve been watching and thinking about several people in my circle. Specifically how they are navigating the in-between world. Y’know the place where we haven’t quite finished with one thing yet are taking tentative steps forward with that other thing? Like, my neighbour, just diagnosed with prostate cancer. Or the wife — of my husband’s …
Are You Being Heard and Understood?
Heard and Understood? Of course, right? This quote crossed my desk on Monday, and I knew it was what I needed to share with you this week. “When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don’t blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, …
How to Still Stand Tall
The news these days is making my stomach churn. It’s so very hard to stand tall right now, isn’t it? Interest rates are rising in a bid to stop inflation. Gas prices and general inflation are spiralling up an endless staircase. COVID is holding steady. Let’s ignore the long-overdue cooling of the housing market. The …
Let Go to Let In
What’s your excuse for being forgetful? (C’mon! We ALL have those moments!) Here’s mine — “OMG, my poor brain. There is so much knowledge and wisdom crammed in there, that I can no longer keep everything in it. In order to make room for a new piece of knowledge, I have to let go …
Lessons from My New Puppy
Did I tell you we have a new puppy? She joined us in mid-February at barely three months of age. I had forgotten what life with a puppy is like. And today, I want to share the lessons Lily Bell (Bella for short) has taught me. I am pretty sure a couple will resonate with …
It Starts With Values
This year, my husband and I celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. We have been legal for 35 and have known one another for nearly 40. Or, as he likes to say, Honey, I have been with you for more than half of my life. There is one trait my hubby has that I adore. He …
Experiment, Learn, Repeat
Want to tell you about an experiment I ran on LinkedIn these last two weeks. I think you’ll find it fascinating — even if you play on other social media sites. Background I have devoted the better part of two hours, five days a week, to posting and engaging on LinkedIn for the last eleven …