Author Archives: juliefj1

It was February 2nd that Phil the Punxsutawney groundhog, Lucy the Nova Scotian lobster, and Ontario’s Wiarton Willie (RIP Fred la Mermotte of Quebec) predicted another six weeks of winter. And here we are, right on schedule, celebrating the coming of spring and the spring equinox. Did that trio of furry rodents and a toughContinue reading “Spring Has Sprung (Happy Ostara)”

As I stare out the window at the freshly fallen snow, I miss Mérida. Don’t get me wrong. I fully appreciate the beauty of the sun hitting that snow, sending sparkles dancing across the yard. I know spring is close, but for now, I miss Mérida. I miss the warmth. I miss the blue sky.Continue reading “Missing Merida”

When Patricia Pavey took that first volunteer shift with CFCR, Saskatoon’s community radio station, she thought it would be for just six months. That was 27 years ago! At the time, Patricia was working at the Saskatoon Public Library and was preparing to move into a new position, a job which required her to useContinue reading “Trying Something New”

Feb. 2 was a sad day for lovers of folklore and superstition. Yes, Canada’s beloved groundhog, Fred la Marmotte, was found dead before he could predict the beginning of spring on Groundhog Day. Many groundhogs have come before Fred, and I’m sure many will follow in his tracks, but it was a surprise, to sayContinue reading “Groundhog or Celtic Goddess?”

Is anyone up for a game of cards? Sure, count me in! I never thought I’d be so eager to play cards. But lately, it seems like the thought of socializing while playing some kind of rummy, Uno, or other equally “silly” game, is quite appealing. I’m not sure why, but I really enjoy theContinue reading “What’s Your Deal?”

“Well, I don’t know why I came here tonightI got the feeling that something ain’t rightI’m so scared in case I fall off my chair,And I’m wondering how I’ll get down those stairsClowns to left of me, jokers to the right,Here I am, stuck in the middle with you.” Some of you may be familiarContinue reading “Say what? Generation Jones?”

I used to have this pink binder full of recipes. There were pages of them! Some were cut out of magazines, and others were written out by hand. Remember those days? There were even a few from my mom. I also had a ton of cookbooks. They hadn’t been much use in recent years, asContinue reading “The Taste of Tradition”

As I sit here in my cozy, warm living room in front of my cozy, warm (albeit fake) fireplace, I wonder what the hell I am doing living in this province. The temperature outside right now is -27, which is cold enough by itself, but when you add the bitterly cold wind, it feels likeContinue reading “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

Since I left my job and redirected my time and energy, I’ve been thinking a lot about finding passion and living authentically. I’ve met people who have discovered what nourishes them, and I’ve met those who are searching. It’s about being true to yourself. In the last couple of years, more and more people haveContinue reading “Finding Passion Through Dance”

I just had a look back at some of the blogs I’ve written over the last year and realized the theme of time management has come up quite often. Hmmm. I wonder why. I’m good at managing time. Why am I obsessed with writing about it? Well, aha! I’m not so good at it afterContinue reading “Learning to Say the N word”