And just like that, September is well underway. This summer seemed to fly by faster than usual. Read on for my August 2026 goals report and a look ahead at my goals for September.
The Sunday Spark – Luma’s life and travels
This week, Laura picked up her cat Luma from the quarantine centre in Melbourne. This week’s edition of The Sunday Spark tells the story of Luma’s life and travels. Plus: plastic-eating robots, laundromat libraries, and banned books in Little Free Libraries.
Inspiring reads in my August 2026 blog roundup
Along with a summary of my writing activity for the month, my August 2026 blog roundup has terrific posts on saving money by consuming less, thoughtfully passing along our things, and interacting with digital assistants.
The Sunday Spark – Dolly Parton – A true class act
Like many people, I was saddened to hear of the death of Dolly Parton. She was truly a class act whose impact extended beyond music. Along with a tribute to Dolly, this week’s edition of The Sunday Spark looks at the origins of zed and zee, the Royal Mail’s progress electrifying its fleet, and California’s legalization of balcony solar.
The Sunday Spark – The scourge of door-to-door salespeople
Do you answer your door to strangers? Find out why I don’t in this week’s edition of The Sunday Spark, along with the next frontier of sustainable aviation fuel, the importance of leg strength in reducing falls, and the mystery of double-yolk eggs.
The Sunday Spark – Let’s just enjoy the moment
When our local newscasters declared summer to be over earlier this week, I had to wonder why it’s so hard for us to simply enjoy the moment we’re in. Read my thoughts in this week’s edition of The Sunday Spark, along with subway cooling innovations, cougars returning to Minnesota, and the health benefits of jumping.
A Campbell River sunrise inspired this poem
When I put together my 60 before 60 list, I challenged myself to try some different forms of writing. Writing a poem was one of the things on that list. As I sipped my tea and watched the sun rise in Campbell River one morning, I was inspired to sit down and write.
The Sunday Spark – 15-minute cities are a good thing
In this week’s edition of The Sunday Spark, I explore the concept of 15-minute cities. Plus, a look at Canada’s most expensive cities, pollinator week, microforests, and travel snacks and drinks.
The Sunday Spark – The power of music to unite people
This week in The Sunday Spark, a reflection on the power of music to bring people together. Plus: Earth Overshoot Day, reducing your refrigerator’s energy use, Alberta’s moratorium on renewable energy, and ways to cut back your school shopping list.
Cool summer reads in my July 2026 blog roundup
August is here so it’s time for my July 2026 blog roundup. Along with a summary of my writing activity for the month, my monthly roundup has terrific posts on U.S. tax rules impacting Canadian snowbirds, poetry for a planet in peril, and the importance of memoirs.