Tag Archives: COVID

Thinking about back-to-school, thinking about teachers, thinking about thinking

I know that school starts at somewhat different times in different places, but wherever I’ve lived throughout my life Labour Day has signaled the end of summer and the beginning of school. Today is the day that those yellow buses … Continue reading

Posted in Life stories, Odds and Ends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 29 Comments

When the most optimistic people aren’t feeling very optimistic

These times have been hard on almost everyone in some way or another.  In the past 2+ years (or maybe in the past 6+ years), we’ve learned that no-one is immune from the world’s problems: the challenges of global pandemics, … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics, Just wondering, Odds and Ends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

Touchy subject: to hug or not to hug, that is the question

I didn’t grow up in a family that hugged all the time.  When a hug was important to and meaningful, yes, but I don’t remember it being a frequent occurrence after I was little.  The community I grew up in … Continue reading

Posted in Just wondering, Odds and Ends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

It’s OK to feel sad sometimes, just don’t let it consume you

Sometimes it’s easier said than done to make sure that the life we lead inside our head is as nice a place as we would like it to be. I’m pretty good at seeing the glass half-full rather than half-empty … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics, Odds and Ends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Finding leadership in the midst of a troubled world

If ever we needed to believe that our leaders have our backs, it is now.  The past few years have been unsettling for most of the world, for many, many reasons over which we have no control.  If your blood … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics, Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

Outrage from a Canadian: a rant

I try pretty hard not to rant on this blog.  I understand that not everyone feels the same way about everything, and that’s a reality we all live with.  I try to show respect for some level of differences of … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 55 Comments

The importance of recognizing our own self-worth — Where on Earth is Francine?

These are fragile times. People have endured unprecedented challenges and restrictions on their movements and social interactions for two years and counting, and for many, many people it will take a long time to recover. In the past 24 hours, … Continue reading

Posted in Odds and Ends, Thoughtful Thursday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men 2.0

A post I had forgotten about has started turning up in my daily blog “hits” column, a 3-year old post entitled Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men: wouldn’t that be nice!  Three full years ago.  Long before the January 6 … Continue reading

Posted in History and Politics, Just wondering, Odds and Ends | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments