Small theatre, big heart

by Sbexon | May 8, 2026 | Community, Golden Nuggets, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Retirement, Tips, Wellness

Gotta love smalltown theatre. It might be a neighbour or co-worker who you get to see onstage, or you might be involved yourself by stitching up a costume, painting a set or pouring wine during intermission. Every role is voluntary, from the folks at the corner store...

One book that all of Canada should read

by Sbexon | May 4, 2026 | Community, Golden Nuggets, Lifestyle, Nostalgia, Retirement, Wellness, Writing

I have a complicated relationship with Margaret Laurence’s classic novel, The Stone Angel. My first go-round with the novel came when my mom bought a beat-up copy from a garage sale at the senior’s home where my grandma lived. It would have been the late 1980s and it...

A coin in the hand is worth two in the card

by Sbexon | Dec 23, 2025 | Finances, Golden Nuggets, History, Lifestyle, Nostalgia, Retirement

A number of years ago when I was still working full time, I was setting out to mail a birthday card on my lunch break. A quick glance in my wallet showed I only had a 20 dollar bill – still a bit rich for me to stick into my nephew’s card. So I zipped into the...

Challenge to self: Trying my hand at Bridge

by Sbexon | Oct 7, 2025 | Community, Golden Nuggets, History, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Nostalgia, Wellness

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...

Stupid stuff we did as kids

by Sbexon | Jun 4, 2025 | Community, Golden Nuggets, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Nostalgia, Retirement, Wellness

Didn’t we all do ridiculous things back in the day when we were free roaming kids in the 60s and 70s? Novels could be written about the shenanigans, but when I narrow it down to things that were downright dangerous the list gets shorter. Thankfully. When we were...

My Gramma – an Alberta Pioneer

by Sbexon | Aug 20, 2024 | Community, Food and Recipe, Golden Nuggets, History, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Nostalgia, Retirement, Wellness

Jack Windle tied the leather straps of his boots and hoisted a rifle over his shoulder. It was time for the winter kill and Jack was on his way to help his neighbours butcher three of their pigs and salt the meat to preserve it for winter storage. Eventually freezers...