#BringBackMasks

Image: A medical mask. Photo by Ri_ya on Pixabay. Given the current public health and respiratory virus/illness climate, I thought this post, originally titled “People suck & also rock”, was worth a re-post. Sadly, it’s pretty clear that we can’t count on political leaders to #BringBackMasks That doesn’t mean we can’t do it ourselves. ThinkContinue reading “#BringBackMasks”

People suck & also rock

Image: A medical mask. Photo by Ri_ya on Pixabay. People suck. Not us, the others. (Yes, I stole that last bit from Ellen DeGeneres.) Allow me to explain. Get comfortable, this may take a little while. I was very excited to win a 10-play pass for Toronto Fringe 2022 after filling out their survey inContinue reading “People suck & also rock”

Finding my voice again: a work in progress

Image: A vintage microphone, with sound waves vibrating in the background. Photo by stux on Pixabay. It’s been almost two years to the day since I posted my intention to take a break from the blog to consider a new direction—ruminations that ultimately resulted in the transition from a reviewing platform to one of personalContinue reading “Finding my voice again: a work in progress”

Wish list

Five dandelion seed pods float on the breeze in a clear blue sky. Photo by Kranich17 on Pixabay. Back in October, I posted a list of firsts, interrupted by the second wave of the pandemic and the reintroduction of stricter public health measures. And, since the third wave hit—with accompanying variations of lockdown and stay-at-homeContinue reading “Wish list”

Love in the time of COVID

Image: A heart-shaped stone on top of green, white and blue beach glass, set against a red background. Photo by the blogger. So this weekend, it’s Valentine’s Day on Sunday—and, for some of us, it’s also the Family Day long weekend. And, whether you celebrate either of these or not, you can’t deny that there’sContinue reading “Love in the time of COVID”

All the feels

Photo of a pink neon heart, shining from an apartment window, by Valerie Gow. Happy really belated New Year! It’s been a while since I posted here. Like many of you, I’ve been taking some time for self-care and reflection as we transition into 2021. I celebrated the holidays this year, a year unlike anyContinue reading “All the feels”

Safe & happy holidays

And, suddenly, it’s December. It’s Winter Solstice today, and the final weeks of the holiday season are unfolding unlike any other before. Many of us are in, or about to go into, lockdown. Favourite holiday traditions, family gatherings, shopping and outings have had to be cancelled or rearranged to follow public health protocols and localContinue reading “Safe & happy holidays”

List of firsts, interrupted

During the last week of August, I started a “list of firsts”. That list has since been interrupted as Toronto residents, among others, return to more cautious public health measures—notably not venturing into other households—now that we’re into wave 2 of the pandemic. It’s not a huge list, but it’s a meaningful one, and stretchesContinue reading “List of firsts, interrupted”

Reaching out during COVID-19

In these strange new normal times of physical distancing, we’re reminded how important it is to stay connected—staying in touch with family, friends and colleagues, as well as neighbours who may need company or assistance, is so important for both our mental and physical health. Even introverts like myself, while generally well-equipped for staying homeContinue reading “Reaching out during COVID-19”