Life Lessons from Little Things

U-turns and the Path Am I the only person who’s noticed that since the advent of GPS – be it a separate navigation unit, one integrated into a car, or something on a cell phone – there’s been an enormous increase in the volume of U-turns?   I don’t mean a slight increase – by my observation, probably about a 500% increase (maybe more).   I’m not a big fan of GPS in general, though I’ve been known to find it handy when navigating the odd super-confusing subdivision, or for having a glance at traffic patterns.   But what I don’t do is follow it slavishly.   I look at it as a suggestion (ok, the time shown IS also my “time to beat”).    But my larger concerns with are twofold: (a)     There’s a whole generation – perhaps a couple by now – who have no clue how to read a map.   Yes, there are a few exceptions, but they certainly seem like a very small number. (b)    GPS seems to view U-turns as a default so...

My cat Roxy has a fun new habit – not all cat habits are fun, but this one is pretty cute.   When I’m working in my home office, and not providing adequate pets (her definition, not mine), she stands up and puts her front paws on my leg, and bats gently at me.   It’s cute partly because she doesn’t use her nails, and partly because I’m so proud of her for coming out and telling me she wants love. It wasn’t always that way.   When Roxy and her brother came to us about two and a half years ago, she was a different cat.   Beautiful, but untouchable.   She spent weeks hiding behind the washing machine in their “safe integration room” (read: humongous bathroom).   Weeks.   We were pretty sure she came out to eat and to use the litter box, but it sure wasn’t until AFTER that door had closed. I’m pretty hands-on with my cats, and I was certainly was glad that her brother welcomed snuggles.   I tried hard to be patient.   After several week...

We all have familiar patterns – typically, things we grew up with.  Things our parents or grandparents told us.  Things which were common, or “known” in our community. In my experience, food is high on this list.   Like most people, I grew up understanding the foods my parents ate, and developed initial opinions and preferences on this basis.   For example, I still can’t fathom why anyone would ruin a perfectly good potato salad by putting pickles (or relish) in it.   I’m completely baffled on this one – and that’s only partly because I cannot stand pickles.   But that’s another one of those “other-day” topics. However, as I grew up and got out into the broader world, I realized that there were foods I’d never had.   Foods I didn’t even know existed.   As a true lover of food – cooking it, smelling it, and most especially eating it – this was a wonderful revelation.   At some of my early jobs, I was able to get to know people from...

Welcome to my blog.   This is a new endeavour for me, and I hope you’ll stick with me.   I’m Canadian, so if you notice that some words are spelled a little differently than you’re accustomed to, that’s probably why.   I’ve found that there are lessons all around me – some of which I’ve enjoyed learning, and some less so.   I look forward to sharing these with you through stories – a favourite medium of mine. I’m no longer anyone’s definition of young (unless you’re 80, in which case I might qualify), and I now have plenty of pets.   I’ve had plenty more, and have loved each and every one. But when I was young, I always wanted pets.   Desperately.   A dog, or a cat.   Something I could love and interact with, that would love me back.   Unfortunately pets were not a happening thing in my world.   My mother wasn’t overly comfortable with animals, and my father – who grew up on a farm – had a clear picture that they belonged outsi...