The pause that refreshes …

For the first time in forever, I did absolutely no work over the Christmas break. I honestly can’t remember ever doing that before. Seriously. And I cannot tell you how great it feels. My brain is quiet. It’s never quiet, but it is now. I’m refreshed and rejuvenated. Won’t last long, but that’s okay. I’ve had a long overdue rest and that’s all that matters.

I rarely turned on my computer — managed my social media on my phone and frankly, I wasn’t nearly as active as I usually am. Other than some interesting documentaries I watched virtually no television. I did

Merry Christmas …

Santa’s come and gone and hopefully, he and the missus, the elves, Rudolph, Donner, Comet, Prancer, Cupid, Dasher, Dancer, Blitzen and Vixen — well-sated from all the milk and cookies — are now safely back home and enjoying a well-deserved rest. As for the rest of us, here’s my Christmas wish:

Peace on earth, good will to men. 

Ho, ho, hum …

It’s a week until Christmas and I’m just not feeling it.

I stopped buying gifts for grown-ups years ago and there are no little ones in my orbit, so it’s been a while since I personally got caught up in the shopping/wrapping frenzy. But I’ve always gotten into the spirit of the season watching everyone else run themselves ragged.

But it doesn’t seem to be happening this year. The stores I’ve been to haven’t been crowded. Not even last

What is it about the Holidays?

Well, Chanukah and Christmas are over for another year and I’m sure I’m not the only one for whom this season triggers many memories.

Christmas wasn’t a holiday we celebrated when I was growing up, we didn’t have a tree or exchange gifts, but we certainly got into its joyful spirit. Ours was a close family, and we spent just about every day and evening together for that week. Good times, good food and much laughter is what I remember.

Like all kids, I looked forward to being out of school for a

Different worlds …

Last week I was having an email conversation with someone I knew years ago in Montreal and have re-connected with on Facebook.

We started off talking about libraries. One thing led to another and libraries led to our shared love of books. Books led to e-books and e-books led to tech and tech led to cursive script, which led to future generations.

Trust me, it made sense. You had to be there.

First she told me about her granddaughter, who’s a junior in University, and all the techie equipment the school expects her to

It’s been two years since I wrote Santa and the world’s still in a sorry state …

This past weekend, as I ruminated over what I’d write today, I remembered a post I wrote exactly two years ago. It was a time of hostage-takings and beheadings, hatred and brutality, lost lives and shattered hopes and dreams.

Despite it not being “my” holiday, I’ve always enjoyed Christmas, or at least the “spirit” of it. The sound of children laughing and the joyful feeling in the air. The sight of houses draped in twinkling lights; and bejeweled and bedecked Christmas trees placed prominently in front of living room windows, so even passers-by can admire and enjoy them … the scent of freshly-baked cookies and pine cones … toasty fires and hot chocolate.

But in December of 2014, I was having a really hard time getting into it. When so many people, the world over, were struggling and suffering and in so much

The long, hot summer may be over …

“How do I know?” you ask. Well, last Thursday night I went out for dinner. Hadn’t been out all day so I assumed it was as hot as it’s been pretty much all summer. Wrong. When we got to the restaurant and were offered a table on the terrace we both decided it was way too cool.

Before you say anything let me cut you off: Yeah, I know one evening does not the end of summer make. But it was September 1 and we all know what that means.

The leaves will soon start changing colour, the days will get progressively cooler and shorter, pumpkin pie mix will

Holidays sure aren’t what they used to be …

Guess I’m showing my age here, but I remember when statutory holidays, like Christmas and New Years and Easter and Victoria Day and Labour Day, were just that:  Statutory.  Everything was shut down.  Banks, the postal service, schools, offices, grocery stores, all retailers in fact.  But now, at least here in Toronto, that’s definitely no longer the case.

This past weekend was Easter weekend.  I naturally assumed everything would be closed on Good Friday.  I know it used to be.  I remember in Montreal, where I’m from, you could have rolled a bowling ball down any major street in the city and it

Dear Santa …

(sigh).  Yes, I know.  It’s probably way too late in the game to be writing you — Christmas is just days away now.  But I’m hoping that, somehow, you’ve still got a miracle or two up your fur-trimmed sleeve.  We sure could use one.

You’re probably surprised to hear from me anyway, me being Jewish and all.  But honestly, if ever there was a time to put religion aside and start thinking as ‘one’, this has to be it.

Relax, Santa, it’s not gifts I’m after.  Not the usual kind, anyway.  So there’s no last-minute shopping for you, Mrs. Claus or the elves to do.  No wrapping either.  On the

Woe is me …

Here it is, almost Christmas and she’s pissed at me.  I thought this was the season to be jolly!  You know, HO! HO! HO!  Fa la la la la and all that jazz!

Harumph!  All she is, is grumpy!  No Christmas spirit what so ever!

S-C-R-O-O-G-E.

She knows I need a lot of attention.  All that bull about cats being uppity and independent is just that:  BULL!!  This isn’t her first rodeo.  She’s had plenty of cats.  She knows the score.  She KNOWS what we’re like.

So I want to be petted.  So I want to be hugged.  So I want to cuddle.  So I want her to