Yours. Mine. Ours. Whether You’re negotiating with a toddler in the kitchen or engaging in literary criticism at the coffee shop, chances are you use possessive nouns every day without giving them a second thought. Writing them down, though, can be a little more complicated. Over the next few installments of the Writer’s Toolbox we’ll… Read more »

Not so long ago, there was only one way for the average person to track how far they walked each day. It involved a pedometer, a pencil, and a notebook. Now, there are dozens of personal fitness apps that will record every moment of your fitness efforts, from sleep patterns to urine analysis. But as… Read more »

In the coming days we all face a crucial decision: how to celebrate March 7th this year? A quick Google search gives us a few solid options. Carnivores may choose to celebrate National Crown Roast of Pork Day (yes, really) with homage to the other white meat. Corporate types may look for special events to… Read more »

Dear Barb: I lost my job recently, so decided I’d go back to school. I picked AU because I didn’t have to wait until September to begin my semester. Since I started, my sex life with my wife has dropped to like once every couple months or so. You’d think that with me being home… Read more »

Book: Echo Gods and Silent Mountains Author: Patrick Woodcock Publisher: ECW Press ?From being mere labels for material objects, words gradually turn into magical charms. Out of a catalogue of material facts is developed–thanks to the efforts of forgotten primitive geniuses–all that we know today as ‘poetry’.? – Owen Barfield A guide leads the poet… Read more »

?Suffering is permanent, obscure and dark, And shares the nature of infinity.? – William Wordsworth Jacob Scheier writes essays, poetry, and journalism. His book More to Keep Us Warm won the 2008 Governor General’s Award for poetry. He was born in Toronto because his parents, on returning from an activist mission in Palestine, were not… Read more »

“Grammar saves lives,” says one meme. Another admonishes, “don’t be a psycho; use a comma!” Compare “Let’s eat, Grandma!”to “Let’s eat Grandma!” and you’ll have a laugh—and see how misplaced punctuation can change the meaning of a sentence. Aside from social media sharing, though, grammar and usage rules don’t generally elicit a happy response. Frequently… Read more »

Do you have Neanderthals in your family tree? Are you at risk for certain kinds of cancer? These days, lots of people are getting answers to those questions and more by handing over samples of DNA. But there’s one type of genetic link that we’re still not keen to explore: intelligence. Now, one psychologist wants… Read more »

The March 2014 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine is themed around the topic of de-cluttering. From Oprah’s opening bit (“Here We Go!”) to the last page’s “What I Know for Sure” the message is clear. Freedom and clarity of purpose is yours if you get rid of the superfluous in your life. A six-page… Read more »

Film:The Piano in the Sands(Le Piano Des Sables) Director: Arnaud Petitet Genre: Documentary ?I can assure you that there is a real beauty of the human being?there is sheer refinement. Man is really immeasurably big and beautiful, and he doesn’t always know it.? – Marc Vella Hey, let’s put a baby grand on the back… Read more »