Dear Barb: I think I might have a problem. I’ve always enjoyed shopping, but recently I’ve been spending more money than I can afford. My shopping seems to be getting out of hand. I used to be able to pay off my credit card balances every month. Now I am leaving big balances on my… Read more »
Last night I went to see what may very well be the filthiest, most obscene film ever made. Remarkably, there isn’t a single scene of violence or nudity. It is just people talking, very frankly, hilariously and, yes, intelligently about the most taboo subjects in our society. It was one of the most thought-provoking and… Read more »
Seniors and/or their families may choose assisted living units or other housing because of assurances that daily checks on residents are done. Business people join breakfast groups to network and promote themselves and their services to other professionals. Some people join groups of like-minded people for support, fellowship, learning, and common interests. People in the… Read more »
Maud “Tugboat Annie” Griffin (1880-1971) was born Maud Canniff in Minnesota, USA. At 50 years old she passed the ship captain’s exam and became the first licensed female boat pilot in the state of Texas. Before gaining employment as captain of the “New Brunswick,” Maud was the cook on her husband”‘s boat, which operated on… Read more »
“A Learning Alberta” Recently, the Alberta Government announced a comprehensive review of the Alberta post-secondary education system. Many discussion documents were placed online, and all stakeholders were invited to respond and make suggestions on our how post-secondary system can be improved. The students of the four universities of Alberta have responded through a document drafted… Read more »
Like many of the women I know, I went through a couple of phases when I was younger during which I decided that I would be a lifelong confirmed vegetarian. Once or twice, I became fairly militant about it, and stopped eating cheese and eggs. Growing up in Alberta, surrounded by cattle farmers and hunters,… Read more »
Dear Readers, this week’s column will include responses to previous columns. Thank you to all who wrote in. I look forward to hearing from more of you. Barb Dear Barb: My best friend has just been diagnosed with bulimia. We have been friends for years, but I didn’t realize she had this problem. What are… Read more »
It’s the ungodly hours before dawn, and the vicious vampire mosquitoes are gathered about my head. Despite the fact that it’s one of those humidity-drenched Bangkok-like Vancouver nights, my wife and I are completely swathed in bedclothes so that as little of our skin as possible is exposed to the relentless attack of these flesh-frenzied… Read more »
Every columnist is, when all is said and done, a collector–a collector of images, words, phrases, cartoons, books, clippings, memories. If this conjures up a picture of chaos and clutter, you’re probably right. I know I keep trying to set up systems and processes to make retrieval of this stuff easier. It doesn’t help that… Read more »
Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on November 29, 1832. Her father was a teacher who was well known for his controversial teaching methods. Louisa’s first poem “Sunlight” was published in 1852 under a pseudonym, Flora Fairfield. This would prove to be the first step in a successful career that would put… Read more »