Columns

Homemade is Better—The BLT

Here we are, article 100!  I’d like to start by thanking everyone who reads my articles.  You are the reason I keep going.  Even if only a small number of people get something out of these editorials, then it is still worthwhile to me! I recently made this easy sandwich, and I thought I’d write… Read more »

From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge.  Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile. From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and… Read more »

Dear Barb—Canine Conundrum

Dear Barb: My boyfriend and I moved in together a few months ago and bought a puppy.  The dog is a year old now, it’s a husky/border collie mix.  We love him, but he barks a lot!  We have a small yard, and he likes to be outside, but the entire time he is outside… Read more »

Fly on the Wall—Atoms Among Us, Atoms As Us

It’s been said that no person is an island, but could it be we’re each grains of sand forming a luscious beach?  The philosopher, Democritus, of Ancient Greece, suggested that all the world was made up of atoms, tiny particles that Lego®’d themself into semblances of order as rocks, trees, and humans.  “The atomists argued… Read more »

Local Shout-Out—Calgary and Area, Part IV

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) estimates potential permanent closures of up to 222,000 small and medium-sized businesses, depending on how the situation evolves.  That’s 21 percent of all Canadian businesses.  The corresponding job losses would range between 962,000 and 2,951,000 Canadian workers. While most of us are struggling financially right now,… Read more »

Three Vitamin Supplements You May Need

One of the questions I get a lot as a pharmacist is what vitamins should I take?  Do I just take a multivitamin and call it a day, or do I need more than that?  Vitamins are essential micronutrients for our bodies.  They help protect us from free radical damage, are integral to our metabolism… Read more »

Music Review—7 Billion People

Artist: Steve and Ginie Jackson Album: Colder Than the Sea Single: ”7 Billion People” Montreal acoustic folk duo Steve and Ginie Jackson have released their new single, “7 Billion People,” available anywhere you get your music.  The single is from Steve and Ginie’s upcoming album, Colder Than the Sea, available on May 26th, 2022.  The… Read more »

Beyond Literary Landscapes—Canada Reads 2022

From my early beginnings as a young introvert, the public library has always been a bit of a refuge.  Years later, not much has changed, albeit with an additional affinity for endless hours spent scouring second-hand bookstores to add to my ever-growing “to-read” pile. From one bookworm to another, this column will be underscoring and… Read more »

Homemade is Better—Latin Rice

This week, we were making tacos, and I decided I would try to make some Spanish rice.  I couldn’t stop there, though, I had to make it my own.  So I added a few extras, thus no longer making it Spanish rice.  I was happy with the flavour, but the heat could have been dialled… Read more »