Thanks to No Mow May, I did just that. Sadly, I was unable to find its equivalent for June, so on the hottest day of the year thus far, I tackled my large lawn’s unruly growth. I complained a lot as the sweat dripped down my back, and the blisters formed on my hands. Why am I telling you about …
We’re all humans who matter and deserve to feel worthy
Canada is grappling with having found a mass grave at one residential school of 215 indigenous children. On June 1, Oklahoma began to dig to identify mass graves from the 100-year anniversary of the Tulsa massacre, where an affluent black community was levelled by mobs of white residents. “Heartbeat” abortion bans have also been passed in several Republican-led states, and …
Tips to help book your very own ‘nearly painless’ process
Thursday I received my first vaccination for COVID-19, and I feel like I have joined a secret club; that of those who beat Sault Ste. Marie’s vaccination registration system. It’s frustrating when you know that other regions and provinces aren’t facing the same difficulties, and when you learn that your twin city across the border has vaccines available … if …
Try ‘treading lighter upon the earth’ and eat less meat
Four years ago, I started going meatless once a week. It was a strange shift because I usually started my meal prep with: “What meat shall I thaw?” and then I’d go from there. Then, when the lockdowns began, I went meat free other than fish or shellfish (pescatarian) for close to a year. Now, I’ve reversed my original stance …
Talking to teens about money makes good sense
My son asked me what is the biggest way that I have saved money over the years. My first thought was not the correct answer, which my daughter actually offered. The beauty of this conversation is that not only do I feel that my teens are financially aware, but that they have learned some of my tips along the way. …
Afraid to say pandemic brings on phobias
Today I experienced a new form of anxiety, dare I say, even a phobia. As a placeholder, I’m going to call it engytitaphobia. While I am an introvert, this fear (phobia in Greek) of nearness, or closeness, or proximity (engytita in Greek) is new to me. It’s been brought on by the pandemic, the health threat that others have potentially …
Limbing large tree nothing short of ‘treeson’
A large tree across from Sault Ste. Marie resident Mark Menean’s property was limbed in April. One day, it was providing shade as well as habitat for wildlife and it was converting carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the environment. The next day, it was reduced to an eyesore trunk with amputated limbs. Menean believes that the tree was on …
Roll up your sleeves and dig the Earth every day
What if every day was Earth Day? April 22 was Earth Day, but if you missed getting in on the celebrations, the good news is that you can still partake. There are so many positive things that we can do for ourselves and the planet on Earth Day, one wonders why we don’t make it a year-round event, or weekly, …
I gotta do it my way … Or no way at all
Communication is not easy, especially when there is something difficult to say. Even if we are excellent communicators, we can all use a reminder now and again about how to have tough conversations with our bosses, co-workers, lovers, friends, and children. I selfishly want to share these tips for difficult conversations because they work equally well if you don’t agree …
Misinformation, hypocrisy make COVID weigh more heavily
I may not be sick, but I’m tired. I’m tired of COVID. I’m tired of misinformation from all levels. I’m tired of feeling like not enough of us are taking this seriously. I’m tired that the weight for so much of this is on the shoulders of us to personally figure out what to do since we aren’t getting enough …