Driving down Queen Street this morning I thought I was having a nervous breakdown or strange out-of-body experience. There was Christmas decorations. There was a snowman, not to mention snow, on the sidewalk. Granted it has been a particularly long and drawn out spring, making me wonder if Mother Nature has been trying to retire, and her succession plan is …
Canoe tour opens eyes, cements connections
When I was invited to participate in the big canoe tour with Canoes for Conservation, as a friend of the tour operators, I was excited to see for myself what the buzz was about. The big canoe tours being offered on the St. Mary’s River are the hot, new, tourist/local attraction in the Sault and they’re making waves (literally on …
Getting ready for an emergency
Last week was Emergency Preparedness Week in Ontario. I know this because I won a Facebook contest put on by Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services. A question was posted: “How often does Emergency Management Ontario recommend you check and refresh the items in your emergency kit?” I answered correctly: “Twice a year.” One doesn’t have to look far in the …
No neat definition for spring cleaning
While many are still debating if it is actually spring or not, the spring cleaning urge is setting in for me, even if I have to wear my parka to do it. That said, my spring cleaning isn’t the traditional cleaning frenzy. I think it’s fair to say that, especially as parents, most of us cringe at the number of …
Keeping ’em happy and ignorant seems to be gameplan
Panem et circenses … bread and circuses … that’s what comes to mind when I hear about the provincial budget. (I have a few other choice words, but they are not as printable.) The Roman writer, Juvenal, was correct 1,800 years ago when he lamented that the masses can be appeased with simple pleasures like food and entertainment. I know …
No use denying spectator sport passion
How do you handle sports stress? To be clear, I’m not referring to when you’re playing sports, but when you’re watching a game/match. I personally realize that I can definitely rule out a career as a professional poker player, as I have too many obvious physical reactions. Take Game 5 of the Soo Greyhounds’ playoff series against Owen Sound, for …
Sault is rich with women and men who care
Last month I attended a 100 Women Who Care meeting in Sault Ste. Marie. It was my first time as part of this amazing group of women, but it won’t be my last. The premise is simple: Gather 100-plus women, who each contribute $100 to a charity of the group’s choosing. And just like that, a local charity gets over …
Digital hoarding habit catching up
I feel like it is time for me to attend a meeting. So here I am, standing up from a school gymnasium chair, pushing the chair slightly backwards out of the circle and saying: “Hi, I’m Nadine and I have a hoarding problem.” I’m sure the response would be: “Hi Nadine,” and then I would continue and explain my affliction/vice. …
Online booking to paradise a living hell
If planning a trip for March break isn’t frustrating enough, try finding a trip, booking it online and then having it cancelled, because your credit card company decided that it was likely fraudulent. At 11 p.m. after three days of searching for deals, I found a reasonably priced resort and flight. I wanted to book both at once, so I …
No buses should spell no classes
This past Monday marked the third Monday, and the fourth day in 2019, that the school buses were cancelled due to weather. Reviewing the bus cancellations, first, Jan. 7 and Jan. 8 the buses didn’t run due to the amount of snow expected. Jan. 28 the buses were cancelled due to extreme cold. Feb. 4, buses were cancelled because of …