Is it any surprise that the United States wants to heighten border security from Canada when people who lie to gain access to our country can stay for so long and/or come back two years later? When my lifelong friend from Ottawa, Lainie Towell, told me that she was getting married to a Guinean she had met in Conakry, West …
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Sofa diving could be the new sport for procrastinators everywhere
I have now taken procrastination to new heights (or perhaps I should say depths). Avoiding the work I needed to do, I decided to clean under the sofa cushions. Luckily, I feel justified in having done so. My daughter was home sick, eating a tea biscuit, while lying on the couch. Crumbs went everywhere. I got out the hand vacuum …
It doesn’t matter why Dalton wants more space — just give it to him
“Don’t stand so . . . don’t stand so . . . don’t stand so close to me,” go the lyrics to the Police song of the same title. The song serenaded my brain as I read reports of Dalton McGuinty asking for a little more room from reporters during scrums. Seems I wasn’t the only one, as Canadian Press …
Ban fighting in hockey because it’s the right thing to do
I’m on the ‘ban’wagon. I want to see fighting banned in hockey. Why? Because it is the right thing to do. Period. Need more reasons? Here are five against fighting. 1. It is wrong to punch people. That’s why in civil society you go to jail for punching people. That’s why in kid’s hockey it is not allowed. No one …
Indulgence is allowed at Christmas — now it’s time to hit the gym
All year long, I avoid eating processed dinners because of a food allergy, and it helps keep me and my family relatively healthy. I also avoid baking or buying desserts, because once in the house, they are in my mouth. Inevitably, at least one questionable food group item ends up on my Christmas wish list, and somehow, the rest find …
Don’t go in the red for Christmas, but try to make it green
It’s a colourful time of year and red and green really are the colours of the season — red for our budgetary concerns post-holidays and green for our environmental concerns (and for the money we spend). Retailers kindly started the countdown for us right after Halloween, as storefronts changed from orange and black to colourful Christmas displays. (As if time …
Quotes on learning, doing, being, persisting, loving, living, shining
Too many quotes to quote….
Looming winter, spooky holiday and recession — October is scary
Knock knock. Who’s there? Boo. Boo who? Don’t cry. Put your investment statements away and go give the trick-or-treaters some candy. Yes, once again we find October turning into a dark, gloomy month. It’s cold, dreary, and grey. The trees have lost their colour and have given way to a skeletal appearance perfect for Halloween. The knobby, exposed, bare branches …
Look around you — there is a lot for which to be thankful
Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday: focused on food, friends and saying thanks for having both (and still joyfully uncommercialized). Inspired by Thanksgiving, here is my thank you tribute to the world around me. I give thanks for nature’s stunning colours that we have yet to improve upon; the yellows and oranges of monarch butterflies and golden sunflowers, red velvet roses, …
Want to win my vote? Promise and deliver benefits for this region
I’m so excited we are returning to the polls Oct. 14. Aren’t you? Don’t you want the opportunity to redo something you just did? I think I’ll throw out the lunch I just made for my daughter and make it again. Why not? While I’m at it, I think I’ll go back and repeat high school and recommend that my …