Telling women (and men) what they can and can’t wear has to stop. It has to stop in our classrooms, it has to stop in our workplaces, and as it has to stop with our athletes. I remember my daughter avoiding wearing a beautiful long sundress to school, concerned that she would be criticized for violating the dress code because …
Low-key birthday celebration music to ‘introvert’s’ ears
This week I celebrated my 49th birthday. When asked how I wanted to celebrate, I said that I wanted to be with my teens and a couple close friends, eat some amazing food, pamper myself a bit, spend some time in nature, and do a little self-reflection. I’m an introvert, so a celebration involves people whom I already know and like, …
No respect for people who profit from wrecking what others build
I have loved money for as long as I can remember but, sometimes, I really dislike capitalism. What’s happening in the stock market is a good reminder of why I’ll never be a billionaire, because I won’t do whatever it takes for money. There is an adorable (yes, I’m calling myself adorable) photo of me at a wedding with a …
No need to sugar-coat COVID realities
Ontario’s response to COVID-19 has, at times, seemed restrictive, other times appropriate, still other times too lenient. Overall, there seems to be a lack of information and a lack of evidence-based decision-making leading to questionable pronouncements benefitting certain stakeholders, while those preaching the rules feel that they are above them. Let’s start with the fact that the province was locked …
Treading ‘where there is no path’ affords coolest rewards
While winter does not call to my soul, I know that I need to embrace its frosty, serene beauty and get outside. Like the anonymous meme says: “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.” With winter, and knowing that I have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), I …
Party prep made me especially proud of Pride
I’ve always been an LGBTQ+ ally, but this past weekend, I attended my first Pride party. What I saw in the preparation and execution of the party made me feel proud of the Sault’s Pride. I was honoured to be asked to be involved in helping one friend choose his outfit as it would be the first time he’d do …
Food baby nesting offers delicious sense of satisfaction
When you’re pregnant, you enter a nesting phase where you have a palpable need to get your house ready for the impending bundle of joy. Setting up a beautiful, functional room for the baby is top of mind, including cleaning, painting, and buying a lot of gear. My nesting right now is kitchen-related, as I seem to be getting ready …
Tightening belt during pandemic doesn’t have to be painful
Perhaps you, like me, are in a household where the monies coming in have been reduced or cut off completely by COVID-19. Or perhaps you know someone in this position. If you’re facing a tighter belt, here are a few things I’ve done this week to save money. Before we get started, this is a great time to get a …
‘Hair’s’ hoping mighty mullet won’t make return
For many of us, quarantine and working from home looks quite similar. There’s a lot of eating, way too much screen time, and some lax grooming. My days are quickly blurring together where I: wake-up, eat, maybe shower, and then get dressed. Then I “attend” one or more video conferences, and I inevitably have to ask at least one person …
High school theatre helps students develop practical, life skills
My daughter recently finished her run in the Superior Heights Onstage’s production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I watch these community theatre productions through a bunch of different lenses including: educator, parent, and theatre lover. As a columnist I get to share my thoughts about all three lenses. I teach at the post-secondary level, so as an educator and …