Curiosities …

There’s nothing pressing on my mind I want to share at the moment. So here are some things I’ve been wondering about:

I just got off the phone with Rogers (my cable/internet/wireless provider). I was questioning something on my bill and when we were done the rep I was speaking with asked if I had a minute so he could go over my account and make sure I was getting the best deal possible. He soon came back on the line and said he could save me about $40 a month (for 24 months) — with no changes being made to the services I have

Ahhhhh … bliss …

I’m just publishing this now, but I wrote it a week ago this past Sunday. I delayed it because a day later tragedy struck Toronto; and at the time it just didn’t feel right to talk about trivialities 24 hours after 10 innocent people were killed and 14 others injured when a disturbed man, who allegedly was angry because he was spurned by women, purposely drove his rented van right into them.

The Sunday this was written I was sitting on a patio — at long last — at my local Starbucks, savouring both the beautiful weather and a tall Pike Place (medium roast coffee). This past Sunday — a mere week later — I awoke to snow. Yes, snow, at the end of April. You’ll be happy to know, today it’s expected to hit 23 celsius (78 degrees Fahrenheit), so all is right with the world again — at least in terms of the weather.

Writing a post celebrating being able to sit on a patio may not seem

It’s official …

Don’t know about you, but I’m really loving the fact that citizens and  CEOs (in ever increasing numbers) in the U.S. are standing up to Donald Trump, calling him out, defying him and fighting back. And it doesn’t look like they have any plans to give up any time soon.

I see Facebook posts everyday, where phone numbers and email addresses for members of congress are given out, with requests to contact them, voice opinions, disagree with cabinet choices, policies and the direction the country is headed. And it’s happening — a lot and often.

And I’m thrilled that Howard Schultz (Starbucks) announced, in the wake of Trump’s travel ban, that they 

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

Are all writers a little weird … ?

… or is it just me?

Since moving to Toronto in 1985, every house or apartment I’ve either rented or owned has had an office, or at least a dedicated space for writing. One that’s properly outfitted, with a desk, a comfortable chair, a filing cabinet, storage for books and supplies, good light, everything one would need.

I have never sat, or worked, in any of them.

When I got to the part, in the book I’m writing, where my mom died I couldn’t write at home. It took me about six

What really matters …

Sometimes it feels like we spend so much time on the things that don’t matter we lose sight of the things that do. I was reminded of what really counts last Sunday.

It was my birthday. I don’t make a big deal of it. I never did. My mother used to tell me that even as a child I

Glug, glug …

Well, this recent WordPress Daily Post certainly got me thinking:  “Captain Picard was into Earl Grey Tea: mention the Dude and we think:  White Russians.  What’s your signature beverage — and how did it achieve that status?”

Fact is, I don’t have a signature beverage.  Never did.  I’m an equal opportunity drinker.

Although having said that, if I was going to have a signature drink it would be Lillet.

It’s a French aperitif and it’s delicious — at least I think so.  It’s wonderful on the rocks, with a twist of lemon.  I was introduced to it back in Montreal, at a French restaurant (Chez Georges) I used to frequent.  It’s

My new favourite way to start the day …

I’ve always been a gizmo/gadget kinda gal.  I’m not ashamed to admit I like them; and am always willing to make room for another one.  I’m not necessarily the first in line to buy the ‘newest’ thingamabob on the market, but it’s pretty damn close.

So it’s been sort of surprising, to all who know me, that I’ve been so resistant to buying one of those one-cup coffee makers.  You know the ones I mean.  You fill the cylinder (or whatever it’s called) with water whenever it’s empty,  insert one of those already-filled-with-pre-measured-coffee doodahs in the appropriate place and presto — a steaming, freshly-brewed cup of your favourite java in mere seconds.

It’s not like I don’t know they exist.  All my friends have them.  And years ago, when there was only one kind on the market — at least here in Canada — an early-adopter business partner of mine bought one and raved about it.  Like me, she’s single and loved the fact she could have a cup of coffee without having to make a pot — the balance of which usually gets tossed down the sink.  And there’s no muss, no fuss.  No filters to throw away, no coffee grinds all over the sink, nothing to wash out when you’re done, except your cup.

She couldn’t convince me.

Neither could anyone else, even when they demonstrated and served me the most delicious little cup of espresso,

Nowhere to go

Life is funny.  When we have to get up every day and go to work, when we’re tired and frustrated with our jobs or our co-workers or our bosses, all we can think of is the day we can finally put it all behind us.  The day we can finally retire.  And then, once we are retired we often wish we were still working.  Still had somewhere to go every day.  Still had lots of people around us.  Still had a purpose.

Why am I bringing this up?  No, I’m not retired.  I don’t go to an office every day, but I still work.  As a freelance writer and strategic consultant, so this isn’t a story about my personal experience.

Today’s WordPress Daily Prompt is the trigger:  “The next time you’re in a public place — a coffeehouse, a park, a store — observe the people around you.  Pick a person, a couple, or a group, and imagine what their lives might be like.”

Well, wouldn’t you know I’m here, at my neighbourhood Starbucks.  My cleaning lady’s at my house today and if I don’t get out of there when she’s around, she gives me chores.  So I’m hiding out.  So of course I have to look around and see who’s here, don’t I?  

Day 362. No Biggie

When I went to bed on Thursday night nothing felt different.  Same thing when I woke up yesterday morning.  I was meeting a former colleague for coffee, and my cleaning lady was coming, so I quickly packed up my computer and left for Starbucks.

Nothing unusual.

What was unusual, though, was how quiet it was in there.  At Starbucks.

It’s always crazy busy.  There was no line up of people waiting to order their coffee.  No crowd waiting for their lattes and cappuccinos and breakfast sandwiches and bagels to be made.  You could have your pick of seats.  In fact, there were only a couple of people in there.

Surprised, I checked my watch.  It was 9:15.  I’ve been in there much earlier and it’s been a struggle to find