When Ann Patchett’s Whistler was selected for our book club’s next read, I did not have any inclination about what to expect. My dear friend, Jheri, chose Whistler, and seeing as she has impeccable taste when it comes to reading, I began reading with assurance and trust that this book would be great. I am … More Read or rid: ‘Whistler’ by Ann Patchett
While I do not wish to intentionally write the post with the intention of it being perceived as controversial, parenting, as a general topic, is often met with controversy, let alone the idea of how to properly go about disciplining your child or children. I do not have children of my own, but I do … More What are your thoughts on gentle parenting?
If you happen to reside in Southern Ontario, you may have noticed that the weather has taken a colder turn as of late, allowing many of us to anticipate the arrival of Fall. I love and enjoy Summer as much as the next person, but Fall has always been my favourite season, and I’m not … More Let’s make Lasagna Soup
It is possible that upon reading the title of today’s post, you internally questioned whether or not Olga of Kiev is interesting enough to read about that her antics required three separate posts. I wouldn’t blame you or judge you for thinking this, but allow me to assert that if you have been following along … More Are you familiar with Olga of Kiev? (part three)
In the context of the most epic badasses in history, I have to say that Olga of Kiev absolutely meets all of the criteria, and then some. I suppose, in a moral sense, I shouldn’t promote or approve of her actions, but at the same time, women throughout Medieval history were deeply oppressed, and I … More Are you familiar with Olga of Kiev? (part two)
On the way home from seeing The Uprising with my mom, she and I were conversing about how positively awful the Dark Ages were. I said to her that I would argue, if ever given the academic opportunity, that the Dark Ages were, no pun intended, one of the darkest points in human history, and … More Are you familiar with Olga of Kiev? (part one)
A few months ago, I came across a trailer for a movie via my Instagram feed. The trailer was for a movie titled The Uprising, and because Andrew Garfield is the lead and I love him, I watched it and immediately told my mom about it because I knew she would be interested in seeing … More ‘The Uprising’ is good, but it could have been better
While the sensation of being stuck in a rut is one that tends to be rather miserable and bleak, I would suggest trying to find comfort in knowing that you are certainly not alone in your feelings. I could argue that there are phases of life during which avoiding the idea of being stuck in … More Stuck in a rut? Read this
While chocolate is primarily my preferred choice of dessert, I will make a few exceptions to my own rule from time to time. There are a handful of desserts that I love and enjoy that, shockingly, do not contain chocolate, but the list is minimal, if I am being honest. I don’t love pumpkin, but … More Let’s make Pecan Praline Pumpkin Pie
I feel as though my reading preferences have become notoriously predictable here on my blog thanks to my Read or Rid series. If you haven’t figured it out yet, my reading genre preferences tend to be fantasy, historical fiction and, as of late, classics. I’ve always stated that I would like to read more literary … More Read or rid: ‘Brave New World’ by Aldous Huxley
As we wrap up our series regarding unkillable plants, within reason, allow me to stipulate that if, after attempting to nourish one of the plant varieties mentioned in these posts you’re still not having much luck, there is no shame in owning fake plants. I say this because our entire home is furnished with fake … More Black thumb instead of green? Read this (part four)
Writing posts about which houseplants are borderline impossible to kill has been nothing short of a pleasant experience, and I hope you feel the same. I’ve broadened my arsenal of plant knowledge, and I’ve gained a thorough understanding of which ones to seek out if I’m feeling brave and am wishing to, once again, raise … More Black thumb instead of green? Read this (part three)
There is hope for those of us who consider ourselves to possess black thumbs as opposed to the traditional green ones, as it turns out. I have never been great with houseplants, and because I figure there are plenty of other people in the world who, like me, unintentionally murder plants (I sincerely hope so, … More Black thumb instead of green? Read this (part two)
I always joke that despite my mom having one of the most prominent green thumbs when it comes to plants, I happen to possess a black thumb, meaning I tend to kill just about every houseplant I’ve attempted to nurture. By no means am I intentionally killing plants; rather, I tend to do the opposite … More Black thumb instead of green? Read this (part one)
I’ve mentioned in a couple of different posts that I am attempting to familiarize myself with what are considered literary classics, and while I still have a very long way to go, I am pleased that I have several under my belt. My mom recommended John Steinbeck’s works to me because she has read many, … More Read or rid: ‘East of Eden’ by John Steinbeck
I, like millions of other people, intensely and devoutly watched Game of Thrones (GOT) back when it made its presence known on most television screens globally. I watched and thoroughly enjoyed every season with the exception of the last because it was positively butchered, and while I have been yearning to watch some of the … More Are you a ‘House of the Dragon’ fan?
While I have never been a tremendous fan of pumpkin, I recognize that plenty of other people in this world are. Furthermore, I acknowledge that the approaching season of Fall often signifies pumpkin-themed recipes making an appearance that people enjoy creating and savouring. Pumpkin pie is a classic, of course, but I figured I would … More Let’s make Pumpkin Coffee Cake with Crumb Topping
I’ve been claiming for ages now that I wish to read more books that are considered classics, and I am pleased to report that said wish is actually, and finally, coming to fruition. I sort of unintentionally started on this classics journey by reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. I thoroughly enjoyed it, … More Read or rid: ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Yesterday’s post served as a sort of introduction to the topic of how hypermobility can affect breathing, and today’s post will be an extension of this conversation. I didn’t want to overwhelm anyone by providing too much information in a single post, which is how I navigate the length of most of my entries. So, … More Struggling to get a full, deep breath? Read this (part two)
I’ve been focusing a decent amount of content as of late on the topic of hypermobility and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and the various ways in which both can affect someone who has either. Most people who have a proper comprehension of hypermobility understand that it can affect cartilage and joints in the body. I would … More Struggling to get a full, deep breath? Read this (part one)
I will be entirely transparent and admit that while I am sharing a recipe to make chia seed pudding, I have never tried it myself. I realize that sounds rather hypocritical, but when I share recipes, I like to share ones that I figure plenty of people enjoy, as opposed to only sharing recipes for … More Let’s make chia seed pudding
If you consider yourself a flexible person, there is probability that you’re also hypermobile. I am not a medical professional, so by no means am I attempting to suggest that I know your own personal condition, nor am I diagnosing anyone with anything here. Rather, I am shining some light on a condition that is … More Unsure if you’re hypermobile? Try this test
Hypermobility is a term that has recently gained a decent presence in my own vocabulary. I’ve always been a relatively flexible person, and seeing as I did gymnastics when I was a lot younger, I figured my flexibility sort of made sense, given that the sport isn’t exactly suited for someone more rigid than starch-washed … More What the heck is hypermobility?
In addition to not wanting to possess a bored pup because of their tendency to become destructive when they’re not stimulated, I figure most folks, like myself, would feel like better as a pet parent knowing how to entertain their dog. I know I don’t particularly feel too great when I know my dog could … More Here’s how to stimulate a bored dog (part two)
I figure it might be helpful to dedicate a post to how to keep a dog’s interest piqued now that we have established the signs dogs tend to exhibit when they’re feeling bored. While it’s helpful to be familiar with the behaviours dogs tend to display when they’re feeling bored, not knowing how to correct … More Here’s how to stimulate a bored dog (part one)
I’d like to stipulate that sharing information about how a dog tends to show boredom does not mean I am trying to shame anyone who is dealing with a bored pup. No one in their right mind wants to know, or learn, that their dog isn’t feeling terribly stimulated, especially if we had absolutely no … More If your dog is doing any of these things, it could be bored (part two)
Dogs and their incredible, unconditional love extend beyond the means of what we as humans really deserve. I’ve always considered dogs to be too good to us, hence the heartbreak once they’re no longer with us here on Earth. Dogs and their behavioural tendencies vary depending on breed, age, and environment, but it is important … More If your dog is doing any of these things, it could be bored (part one)
There is a possibility that you have caught wind of the fact that this October, author Sarah J. Maas will be releasing the next book in her A Court of Thorns and Roses series, whether or not you have read any of her books. The woman is a literary wizard with a tremendous fan following, … More Recognizing the double standard of intimacy in books
It seems as though reading The Catcher in the Rye has stirred up an inner desire to read more books that are categorized as classics, and I am not upset about it. Did I love Catcher in the Rye? No. Do I regret reading it? Absolutely not. George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four is a text I … More Read or rid: ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ by George Orwell
Blaine and I have been chatting about going out for dinner together for a few consecutive weekends in a row now, only to have to change our plans due to unforeseen circumstances and alterations in events. We determined this past weekend that we were finally going to go, come Hell or high water, and I … More Have you been to Wimpy’s Diner?
