Columns

Beyond Literary Landscapes—Naguib Mahfouz

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 »

Fly on the Wall—Just Because

A rising tide raises all boats.  Except for the leaky ones.  And trickle-down economics states that we all benefit when those at the top get rich.  Unless we live near toxic runoff from tar-sand projects or major in academic topics not sanctioned for lavish remuneration by the powers that be.  Wherever there are causes there… Read more »

Music Review—Everyone I Know Will Die

Artist: Kulick Album: Everyone I Know Will Die Pennsylvanian singer-songwriter, Kulick, has released his latest album, Everyone I Know Will Die.  The album combines heavy rock music with ultra-catchy pop melodies, resulting in a sound that he calls “all his own.” Everyone I know Will Die is available anywhere you get your music. Of the… Read more »

Homemade is Better—Breakfast Sausage

I’ve run into a wall lately and have been looking for something interesting to write about.  I was making breakfast for the kids, and I and I looked in the fridge to see about a pound of ground pork that I needed to use soon.  At that moment, it dawned on me to make breakfast… Read more »

Music Review—Calm Fury

Artist: Sarah Hiltz Album: Calm Fury Toronto-based contemporary folk artist, Sarah Hiltz, has released her new album, Calm Fury. The album is available for streaming anywhere you get your music. Calm Fury is a collection of songs inspired by Sarah’s research into the ways that Canadians—particularly Canadian women—experience, express and repress anger, along with how… Read more »

Dear Barb—Acting like a Child

Dear Barb: I don’t know if you can help me with my problem, but I thought I would write in anyway.  I am a single parent of two daughters, six and four years old.  It has been hard being a single parent but, so far, I am doing okay.  The kids’ father is an addict,… Read more »

Fly on the Wall—Humility and Vanity

What do we learn by becoming adult students?  Humility, maybe, in the face of a labour market culture that values us chiefly on our ability to bring in the big dough—usually for someone else.  Probably we all know a few folks who make, uh, phat cash on things that history may judge them negatively for. … Read more »

The Right Effort Needed for Success

If your goal is to succeed at achieving your dreams, you’ll need the right effort.  Buddhism has “the right effort” as one tenet in its eightfold path toward enlightenment.  But the right effort applies to all aspects of life, whether it be to relationships, academics, careers, or any goal you choose. So, here are ways… Read more »

Beyond Literary Landscapes—Stephen King

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—Pet Care

Hi, I have an old dog, almost 15 years old.  Lucy has stage 4 heart failure and is on three medications for her heart.  She appears to be stable as far as her heart goes.  She has two abscessed teeth for which I give her a cycle of antibiotics every couple of months.  The vet… Read more »