Have you ever wondered if you would have fit in better had you been born in another era or culture? I’ve romanticized many a time and place in history that I think would suit me, however the truth is that in those eras I’d be dead by now. I love Vikings, with their strong warrior women, would rock the eyeliner …
Elephants and women have long memories
Elephants and women don’t forget. In mid-June, Reuters reported that Happy the elephant would remain confined at the Bronx Zoo. The “New York State’s highest court on Tuesday ruled against an animal rights group that said she deserved some of the same rights as humans and should be freed.” Nine days later, Mississippi’s abortion ban was upheld 6-3, and Roe …
Sniffing around COVID-19 concerns
Out of an abundance of caution when I thought I had allergies, before finishing packing for a work conference, I took a rapid test, and within a minute, tested positive for COVID-19. Now, a week later, I am finally feeling more like myself, but the experience has left me with lingering concerns. First off, I worry that two years in …
Bid au revoir to ‘comfort zone’ and see the world
I’ve been travelling as much as possible since the pandemic restrictions lifted, recognizing that life is short. It’s made me reflect on why I travel and what I can learn from it. First off, I travel to see, to experience, and to taste new things. Why? Because I want to know; I want to learn. I want to actually gaze …
Lifetime’s ’historical moments’ a mix of strides and setbacks
My son recently asked me what historic moments I’d lived through. I was waiting for the usual jab about my advanced years, but since he didn’t bring up me hunting dinosaurs, I put some thought to his question. Immediately my mind went to watching the space shuttle Challenger exploding in 1986. (I guess I could have also added that the …
Winning the Game of Life
When I was a tween, I remember playing the Game of Life board game. We’d cruise around the board in a convertible car, get married, have kids (sometimes twins) that would be represented by little pink and blue pegs in our cars. The goal was to retire with the most money. As I’m closer to retirement years than not, I …
Quarantine’s sensory deprivation allowed Greece’s treasures to truly come to life
After being stuck in a mandatory quarantine for six days in Athens, our freedom was delicious in every sense of the word. With heightened senses, we were released into the world, ready to experience everything. We drank in every view, contrasting ourselves in bright colours against the whites of the ruins and rocks. Our eyes, ready for anything different, saw …
’Speed bumps’ accompany current international trek
I’ve just embarked on my second international trip post COVID-19. Given all the new challenges due to the pandemic, and perhaps the airline’s needs to make up for lost revenues, I’m wondering if we’ll see a resurgence in the use of travel agents. I say this for the simple fact, that as an experienced traveller, I had a number of …
Focus before fifty: splits and skincare
I have a milestone birthday coming up, and every time I think of it, I choke on the number. Like many before me, I’ve set goals to achieve before the milestone date, including one fitness goal and one about my appearance. Ironically, I want gravity’s help with the first goal, and in the second I am trying to defy it. …
April showers bring May weeds?
April showers typically bring May flowers. This year, along with the rain, the pre-election money is indeed flowing. Sadly, I don’t think that it is sowing the seeds we’d like to have in our gardens. That said, my vocabulary is becoming as colourful as May flowers every time that I hear about a new announcement. I’d much rather see politicians …