Happy Canada Day, friends! I am celebrating by blocking off the afternoon to do nothing but read a book by a Canadian author, and will wear one of the three pieces of red clothing that I own. I am currently wearing an ancient red Tri-Y top, but it will be very sweaty before long. Speaking […]
Food and Fashion
June 29, 2026 by 46 Comments
Other than my new identity as a war history buff, shown by my love for The Rest is History, the podcasts I listen to are of the “light and fun” variety: modern etiquette, self-care, books – classic, contemporary, and Sweet Valley High – and my very favourite genre, two middle-aged women talking about life. I […]
Nicole’s Favourite Things: The South African Safari Edition
June 25, 2026 by 54 Comments
I’ve been home for twelve days now, and my trip to South Africa already feels like a dream. It was a dream! Every little thing was perfect. When we arrived at the Johannesburg airport, the gentleman who was escorting us to the tiny airport that housed all the little bush planes said to me hopefully […]
I’ve Been To London To Look At The Queen
June 22, 2026 by 55 Comments
And by Queen, I mean the much-loved late QEII, in deference to my much-loved late Grandma Fern, who hated Camilla Parker-Bowles with the fire of a thousand suns. Not That Kind of Weed I am happy to report that, after seven solid mornings of work, I have finally got the weed situation under control. In […]
Five For Friday: The Packing List Edition
June 19, 2026 by 48 Comments
What I Packed. As always, my husband and I took carryon luggage only for our almost-three-week trip to London and South Africa. I also had a large shoulder bag in which I stashed my smaller crossbody bag, and he took a backpack. Everywhere we went, the luggage porter would look at us and say That’s […]
Out of (South) Africa
June 15, 2026 by 72 Comments
Fly High Free Bird On Saturday night at about 8:30, my husband and I arrived home from South Africa after a solid forty-five hours in transit, which included five flights, a jeep ride to an airstrip in Phinda forest, an epic seven hour stopover in London Heathrow, and, less dramatic but very nice, a half-hour […]
Maitri, Loving Kindness
May 25, 2026 by 50 Comments
I try to incorporate maitri, or loving-kindness, into every aspect of my life, but I specifically do a maitri meditation a few times a week. This involves repeating the following four times: May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you live with ease. Each time the mantra is repeated, […]
