Musings
About retirement… and random other things!
These blogs first appear as weekly columns in the Red Deer Advocate
Lessons in democracy
Knowing that it takes all of us – men, women, children – everyone, from all walks of life, to protect and enhance fundamental human rights in this country, I have raised my daughter to clearly know the democratic process. It’s been important, but also sort of a blast, to bestow the knowledge. When she was a young toddler, thanks to the...
Challenge to self: Trying my hand at Bridge
Gramma won the gold medal at Seniors Card Olympics in the mid 70s, so I’m from a rich lineage of card sharps. We all learned Kings on the Corner from her and won many a nickel while we were growing up. Thing is, my card experience never extended beyond that and I’ve always wanted to see if I could tap into her love of cards. Why not try Bridge?!...
Little cakes pack big drama
I had a really good idea a few weeks ago, but it involved the kitchen so in retrospect I should have ignored it completely. Why not try my hand at creating little strawberry-shaped cake pops, I wondered, as one does from time to time. In fact, why not make some every week to sell at the u-pick farm where I work part time. I’m always looking for...
Our 45 year relationship with Terry Fox
I have an old fortune cookie slip taped inside the cover of one of my many writing journals that reads: Let the opportunities come to you. Now, when I think of Terry Fox, opportunity isn’t the first word that comes to mind. Resilience, heroism, kindness seem more fitting. But stories of opportunities that opened up for other people because of...
A Hero’s Legacy – ARTA’s Terry Fox feature
Like many, I feel deep admiration for Terry Fox and consider him a national treasure. Through the years, people have shared that he is an unmatched inspiration to them, like the Innisfail couples I featured in Golden Nuggets in November 2023. Bill Hoppins and Patrick Gleason and their spouses, all retired Chinook's Edge teachers, have fond...
Challenge to self: hunt down a covid shot
I want the latest dose of the covid vaccine. I know, the top of my head is exploding just anticipating all the yelling and finger pointing and general mayhem that statement will ignite. But here’s what I know: we are nearly six years into this situation and neither I, nor the young lady I am caregiver to, have either had covid. Good luck? Good...
Discovering skills you already have!
Have you ever looked down at your dashboard to find that your air conditioner and your heater are both going full blast? I got that feeling of competing priorities when I attended When Words College conference for writers and readers in Calgary last month. Adamant that I could make better sense of the conference’s busy schedule if I only signed...
What is our role in over-tourism?
A funny thing happened on the way to the Anne Frank House Museum. My sister was preparing for her European cruise that was scheduled to launch from Amsterdam and was determined to see the legendary museum while she was there. With only three days in that majestic city, she studied the most likely chance for success in obtaining tickets for her...
Everything you wanted to know about bidets, but were afraid to ask
Is the plural of bidet even supposed to be bidets or is it bideti? The zany topic of this highly personal contraption became a bit of a distracting public spectacle at a Red Deer restaurant recently – sorry to anyone who was sitting nearby! The three of us were so excited for our summer luncheon, it felt like we had planned a playdate! We used to...