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Beautiful Backyard Birds

Lately the algorithm has been feeding me memes about aging and birdwatching. You know, the ones that say, “When you reach that age when you realize you enjoy birdwatching,” or “One day you’re young and fun. The next day you’re taking videos of the birds at your bird feeder.” Or my personal favourite, “As youContinue reading “Beautiful Backyard Birds”

How random is your kind of kindness?

You learn something new every day. And today I learned that Feb. 17 was Random Acts of Kindness Day. I missed that one. There are a lot of special days to remember, right? If you also missed it, don’t fret. You can make up for it on Nov. 13, which is World Kindness Day. DidContinue reading “How random is your kind of kindness?”

Getting Inked

I finally did it. Yes, I got my second tattoo. It’s a year late, but that’s okay. You see, my first one I got in honor of my 50th birthday. The second was to celebrate turning 65. But for several reasons, it took a year. It was worth the wait. Thanks to Brey at burntmoth.inkContinue reading “Getting Inked”

Mahjong: not for the faint of heart

Who has all the jokers? Where are the bams? I don’t even have a pair! Is this a flower? OMG! These, and many I don’t dare mention, are all common phrases heard around the table. I’m talking about the game of mahjong. No, not the solitaire version you can find online. I’m talking about theContinue reading “Mahjong: not for the faint of heart”

Another Birthday

They say it’s your birthdayIt’s my birthday too, yeahThey say it’s your birthdayWe’re gonna have a good timeI’m glad it’s your birthdayHappy birthday to you (Birthday Song, from The Beatles’ 1968 double album The Beatles, aka The White Album) I’ve always loved this song, and I’ll be singing it all day today. Yes, you guessedContinue reading “Another Birthday”

How does your garden grow?

Mary Mary quite contrary,how does your garden grow?With silver bells and cockleshellsand pretty maids all in a row. Every year when I attempt to plant a garden, this old nursery rhyme plays on repeat in the dark recesses of my mind. And of course, we all know that these historic nursery rhymes are ripe withContinue reading “How does your garden grow?”

The Power of Music

My daughter Adriana recently received her master’s degree (we are so damn proud of her!). Her thesis was about resistance music in Latin America during the Cold War era (1960s-1980s). As we listened to her defense presentation, I was reminded yet again how important and powerful music is in our lives. Music has been withContinue reading “The Power of Music”

What’s Your Ikigai?

What gets you out of bed every day? In my case, it is two overzealous dogs, and I know what will happen if I don’t get up and at ‘em. Doesn’t mean I always want to. In fact, if they wake me before 8 am, I go back to bed. Especially in the winter. It’sContinue reading “What’s Your Ikigai?”

Say It Like You Mean It

I came across an interesting book: Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words. It’s authored by Anglo-Irish poet David Whyte and published in December of 2014. (Do you realize that was 11 years ago?) Consolations is a book of fifty-two short essays, each featuring a specific word and arranged in alphabetical order. TopicsContinue reading “Say It Like You Mean It”

Seeking Discomfort? It’s a good thing.

The other day I went for coffee with my friend Carla. I admired her sage-green sweatshirt and commented on the words printed on the front: seek discomfort. I didn’t know this, but there is a whole philosophy based on the phrase. Seek Discomfort was formed in 2018 by the founders of the YouTube channel YesContinue reading “Seeking Discomfort? It’s a good thing.”