Articles

Nature Notes – From the Backyard to the Biosphere. Band Master: Bird Banding in North America

For centuries, the avian world has held a special fascination for people. The incredible diversity of birds, with their often-beautiful plumage, impressive hunting tactics, captivating courting behaviour, their melodic vocalizations, and their aerial acrobatics — no wonder we so admire our feathered friends. Of course, given the ever-curious human mind, admiration very often leads to… Read more »

Community Service Re-Defined

A couple of years ago I accompanied a friend to the blood donor clinic in Fort Saskatchewan. During the initial intake process we discovered my iron levels were fine in the eyes of a doctor but too low for Blood Services’ purposes. Disappointed at the rejection I went home feeling rather inadequate. I continued to… Read more »

How to Choose a Dentist

Many times in the course of writing my periodic columns for this illustrious publication, I have been contacted by readers with a variety of intriguing questions. Sometimes, these questions are of an open-ended, philosophical bent, such as “Do you get paid for this?” and “Why does your writing suck so hard?” At other times, the… Read more »

The Voice Fiction Feature – POETRY BY…

Our Separation We pause at the window of the ferry car deck to watch shadows on the surface of the water chase each other across the waves like dolphins In this place we share our separation A distant beacon swings its light towards us before turning away once again to pierce the darkness between the… Read more »

Life from a baby’s perspective

Baby’s lives are very simple and we should learn from them, as much as babies learn from us every day. In these busy times, where people run from one place to the next, with minutes or even seconds to spare between appointments, meetings, jobs, classes, homework, exercise classes, meals, etc., they barely stop to “smell… Read more »

Inukshuk as Teacher

New in my garden this summer is Inukshuk. It is Inuit in origin, steeped in symbolism, and irresistible because of its human shape. In traditional Inuit settings, Inukshuk served any of several purposes: a directional guidepost for travelers, a warning of potential dangers, a message centre, a cache of food, a hunting aid or an… Read more »

On the Path to Enlightenment: Living in the Moment

One of the things I learned last weekend from my extensive study of Buddhism and other forms of Eastern spirituality is that there is a real tendency in our Western outlook on life to constantly be living in the past and in the future, rather than “in the moment.” Personally, I think it is difficult… Read more »

Music To Eat Lunch To – Uncontrollable Fatulence

Producer: Fat Wreck Chords Released: 2002 Tracks: 18 Rating: 8 Welcome to “Music to Eat Lunch to,” a chance for me to share a healthy music obsession with a wider audience than the one assembled in my living room! Hopefully I can spark flames of interest in your hearts for the rich and meaningful tracks… Read more »

Women You Should Know –

July 1, 1904, Mary Steichen Calderone was born. She was a doctor who received international recognition as a pioneer in the field of human sexuality. She was cofounder and President of the Sex Information and Education Council of the United States from 1954 until 1982. As well, from 1953 to 1964, she was the Medical… Read more »