Adoption
A little while ago, we went to the ROM to see the terra-cotta warriors from China and along the way, discovered that something else had come along with the exhibit. Specifically, something looking for a forever home: – a nest of dragons. There was much hemming and hawing, but one in particular attached itself to…
Just Sayin’
Dear Throng of Able-Bodied People Emerging from the Elevator like a Herd of Sardines Escaping from a Tightly Packed Barrel, I have no problems with you using the elevators, really I don’t. Especially parents of children in strollers, but the rest of you who feel compelled to use an elevator despite the close proximity of…
A Linguistic Discovery
When I lived in Denmark, I was a sort of linguistic chameleon. By which I mean that I had a habit of picking up the regional accent of whatever person I was speaking to. Saying it was a habit makes it sound as if it was on purpose. It wasn’t, just happened – I’d start…
The Sound of Water
I’ve always wanted one of those serenity fountains. You know the kind – maybe there are two small bamboo chutes to guide trickling water from top to bottom or maybe it’s a pot with a bunch of rocks and water quietly burbling up in the middle. The only thing that’s kept me from getting one…
Dental Fashion Faux Pas
I was relaxing at the dentist yesterday (and yes, you’ve already mentioned that I’m weird). Anyway, I was relaxing with a mouth full of equipment, having my teeth cleaned in and enjoying a conversation about cats with Theresa – who’s a brilliant hygienist – and we got talking about the state of my mouth. My…
12
Today marks my 12th day of work in a row with no break. Sure, my work day is probably about half of yours, divided into about three hours during the day and another 1-2 after dinner, but whenever I get frustrated about not being able to work more, I try to remember that duration matters…
Fall Migration
The monarchs left yesterday. I’ve been trying to pretend it isn’t happening. The cold that came on the Labour Day weekend, temps dropping from hot to cool between Friday and Saturday and staying around can no longer be said to be an aberration, just a fresh interlude between heatwaves. My feet have been cool for…
Words to Live By
My friend Dawn came by for our end-of-summer lunch with her daughter Lana and Lana’s friend Autumn, both about 8 years old. Overheard when they’re meeting Lucy (who was ecstatic about the kids): Autumn: cat tongues are so funny. Lana: I never wipe off kitty kisses. Autumn: you shouldn’t wipe off any kisses. Lana: maybe…
Life with Codeine
I’m finishing breakfast, about to take my morning round of drugs when I notice that I need to add some more of one of my painkillers to the Box o’ Meds I keep on my dining room table (because it’s a handy reminder to take my meds with meals). I also notice that my tea…
An Accidental Metalhead
My sister used to be a metalhead. I’m sure it’s not a secret and if it was, I may be able to evade severe punishment by owning up to growing up in the 70s which meant the music I liked when I was a teenager is far more embarrassing. Which gets me – rather swiftly…
Finding Peace in the Oddest Places
I was at the dentist the other day getting a small cavity fixed and as I’m reclined in the (surprisingly comfy) chair, the draining thingy hooked on the left side of my mouth, gurgling quietly while my dentist and his assistants both have various other implements – some of them making that shrill whining noise…
A Moment of Danish Humour.
My mother recently purchased a kitchen knife. One of the really good ones, the super efficient scary looking kind of knife. So scary that I wouldn’t want to have one in my kitchen – just having it lurking in the drawer would make me nervous. You can see where this is going, can’t you? So…