A book about reducing the amount of stuff in the home has spun my head around on its axis. Me, the anti-clutter nut of all nuts. If I were a Friends character, I’d be fastidious Monica. Still, this book changed my view of stuff and clutter forever. …
First, the sage advice: 1. Save your money. 2. Plan ahead. …
My blowdryer and hair-straightener bug me. When not in use, they just lay there on my bathroom counter, cords tangling and getting caught in a drawer and a cupboard door. They easily slide off the countertop onto the floor, or worse, one of my tender toes. …
Nine years ago, my colleague Betty, her daughter Allison and I spent a fun weekend in New York City. Thanks to our former 680 News coworker, Daniela Bilotta who was working at ABC radio in the Big Apple, we were introduced to legendary ABC News journalist Bill Diehl, who got us back stage to meet David Hyde Pierce after catching his hilarious performance on Broadway in Curtains. …
Somehow, in the midst of preparations for one of my favourite days of the year, I also forgot about it! Bell Let’s Talk Day dominates my work life on a Bell/CTV radio station, but I overlooked mentioning it here for some reason. As I was arranging interviews and input from Michael Landsberg, Bob Ezrin, Dr. Michael Goldbloom from CAMH and others for our radio show, I totally forgot to write a blog post about it. Now I’m correcting that. …
Four framed sketches of well-known places in London, rescued from a junk pile when CFPL moved from the Free Press building to City Centre many years ago, recently came off my studio/office wall and had no place else to go. They’re not signed, which is unfortunate, because they’re beautifully drawn. …
Two words uttered by the Counselor to the President on the weekend scared the heck out of me. “Alternative facts”. That’s what people who deny evolution rely on. The Flat-Earth Society. Those who think the missions to the moon were shot on a soundstage in the Nevada desert. Late Democratic Senator Patrick Moynihan said, “Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.” …
As the 45th President of the US is sworn in today, the oldest first-timer at that, I’m really split on how to feel about it. Part of me wants to take a wait-and-see attitude. After all, there’s a sentiment that says, the electorate never gets it wrong. …
My first book was published in 2003. I really have no ties to Celebrity Tantrums anymore, and if you want to read it, I have a few dozen copies in my basement that I’d be happy to give away! I’m proud of the writing but my experience with this publisher wasn’t great. However, the book launch party was fantastic. …
Everyone in our neighbourhood has been watching a major renovation to a home on our street. It looked like it was going to be beautiful. We may have been more interested than most onlookers because part of the project involved dismantling an ugly, dated sunroom – much like ours. A new porch went up in its place. …
I’ve probably tried all of the face-cleaning products at one time or another. And I’m a strange duck about it. I dislike getting my hairline wet because I have a little cowlick that bunches a clump of my hair up in to a crazy-straw when it get gets wet or steamed. I’ve used those pre-moistened towelettes but I can’t believe they’re doing a proper job. I may have found my solution: a thin washcloth called the epiCLEANSE. …
This is it. It’s the third Monday in January, the day of the year when our emotions hit rock bottom and we’re at our most depressed. The idea is that the holidays are over and the flurry of activity suddenly stops. Christmas bills start coming in. It’s cold and the sun doesn’t want to show itself. If you’re feeling this way, you’ve got lots of company. Mental health experts estimate up to 10% of Canadians get the genuine winter blues. …
There are two kinds of people in this world: Those who think Kathy Griffin is hilarious and those who don’t get her comedy at all. Count me in the first camp. The red-headed agitator’s latest book is a collection of awkward and funny encounters with some of the most famous people in showbiz. …
Review: Kathy Griffin’s Celebrity Run-Ins: My A-Z IndexRead More »
Jamaica is beautiful. You probably don’t need proof, but here’s a photo I took off Montego Bay when I was there in the early 1990s. …
A DIY Gift for Book Lovers Dec 19/16
We are a nation of book-lovers. For many people, a couple of shelves full of beloved books provide comfort and make us feel at home. Even though we’ve embraced E-readers, there’s still nothing like cracking the spine of a brand new book. …
Soon, Sears points will be offered on a carton of eggs and a block of cheese. The struggling retailer is getting into the already crowded grocery game. It’s an admitted act of sheer desperation to save Sears but they don’t have a product problem, they have a marketing problem. …
The January edition of the Byron Villager features an article on my hubby’s workshop pursuits. It’s drawn a lot of reaction, from people taking down old homes offering him a walk-through to salvage what he wants, to those ordering custom furnishings and lamps. …
For much of the latter half of 2016, I’ve been trying to write a novel. No, that’s not true. I started a novel, and then didn’t get back to it until the year was almost over. After writing four books, I know the secret to writing a book: there is no secret. You have to actually write it and sometimes it’s difficult! …