There is power and magic in language, so use it responsibly

Language is often paired with words like “evoke” or “bewitch” with its ability to “cast spells” over us. It can make us laugh, cry, love, hate, run, stay, fight, give in, believe, distrust, move or stop. Yes, there is magic and power in language. There is power in what is said and what’s left unsaid. It can reveal or conceal …

Want to stimulate the economy? Grab a sledgehammer and get to work

COLUMN: Funding is available If the weather or economy is getting you down, perhaps it is time to rethink your vacation time and complete some home repairs. Not only could you be enjoying your living space more, but there are financial incentives to help make it happen. Recently I launched into massive renovations including taking down two walls, refinishing hardwood …

Give princesses everywhere the power to save themselves

Welcome to the fairytale fallacy – brought to us by princesses and Hollywood. Once upon a time in a land far, far away, there lived a beautiful princess. She was kind, funny, and intelligent, but had one fatal flaw–she was waiting for her prince to come and complete her life. Fast forward through dozens of Disney movies, to a land …

It’s a sacrifice, but getting beautiful helps students at Sault College

COLUMN: Pampering can be painful Don’t we all deserve a little pampering? Especially when we can say we are doing it to help others? I’d seen a sign at the John Rhodes community centre for manicures that reminded me that the Sault college students would have their clinic open again. I called up crystal Hocking, who runs the clinic, to …

Challenge provides a lesson in the beauty of an underdog

COLUMN: High School Adventure Challenge in its third year A love of the underdog gives us hope for ourselves. I often find myself rooting for the underdog. Whether it is the sports team with the odds stacked against them, or the unlikely new celebrity found on Britain’s got talent, I am cheering wildly from the sidelines. Their perseverance stirs our …

Mother Nature as CEO, religious leader, jilted lover or Father Planet?

With Earth Day just passed, Mother’s Day coming, a planet with a low-grade fever and a cold economic climate, I am wondering what needs to be done to get people to take the environment more seriously within the context of a floundering economy. Economics and the environment are not mutually exclusive concepts, and both should be on our minds in …

Maybe an expiration date is needed

Are your tires tired? Check the date of manufacture to know for sure By looking at the calendar, taking off my snow tires seems long overdue. However, Mother Nature appears to be taunting us, especially those in southern Ontario. Several weeks ago, I pulled my tires out of the shed, but the snow ast week I walked past the pile …

Quotes in Closing: all new for April 2009

Once again I’m back with quotes – this time focusing on learning, persisting, doing, leading, being, loving, and living. (only one repeat quote in the bunch) I get by with a little help from my friends