Image: A close-up of sunflowers against a clear sky, with the word: THRIVE, in a paintbrush-like font, in the bottom right corner. Photo by ulleo on Pixabay. Happy New Year! I hope 2023 has been good to you so far. We’re well into the first week of January now, and I found my mind turningContinue reading “Word of the year 2023”
Tag Archives: pandemic
Little free libraries
I love seeing little free libraries in various neighbourhoods across the city. They provide a great, environmentally friendly opportunity to freecycle books you no longer want/need and maybe even discover some literary gems to take home. And when book shops and libraries were closed during lockdowns, they were an especially great resource—especially for those strugglingContinue reading “Little free libraries”
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”
Life lessons from my cat
My cat Camille, a grey tabby, lounging by the window in the crow’s nest section of a cat tree, with a bit of gold ribbon beside her. Photo by the blogger. Before the COVID-19 pandemic had many of us hunkering down and working from home, I’d already been working from home for most of theContinue reading “Life lessons from my cat”
Interview: Erin Jones
Photo of Erin Jones by David Fitzpatrick. Erin Jones is a writer, actor, playwright and emerging director who has performed in theatre and independent films across the GTA. After debuting her first play, Lovingly Yours, Olive in the Next Stage Community Booster Series at Toronto Fringe, she returns to this year’s digital festival with herContinue reading “Interview: Erin Jones”
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”
Languishing but not totally broken
A stone cemetery monument featuring a relief sculpture of a mourning woman with long flowing hair, her head bent in sorrow as she leans over an urn. Photo taken by the blogger, at St. James Cemetery, Toronto, ON. Hello! It’s been a while, I know. So much going on, collectively and personally. And, frankly, myContinue reading “Languishing but not totally broken”
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”
life with more cowbell 