Feeling a bit down after both of our daughters left earlier this week, I was inspired to write a short poem about our empty nest. Along with my empty nest poem, this week’s edition of The Sunday Spark looks at beach-cleaning robots, exercise and cancer survival rates, and giving new life to discarded hotel soap.
The Sunday Spark – Reinventing retirement … a year later
On Friday, it had been a year since I left my full-time job behind and officially kicked off my latest chapter. In today’s Sunday Spark, I reflect on highlights of the past year.
In addition to reinventing retirement, this week’s edition looks at fog harvesting, the case for bike lanes, and fun facts about jigsaw puzzles.
The Sunday Spark – Survivor guilt and life’s big questions
Have you ever experienced survivor guilt? Hearing about the lone survivor of the recent Air India crash was a reminder of the fragility of life and the need to keep seeking answers to life’s big questions. Learn more in this week’s Sunday Spark, along with bioswales, compostable meat packaging, and the powerful 2-minute tidy.
The Sunday Spark – Create or consume? What’s your thing?
An inspiring sign recently prompted some thought about the positive impact of creative endeavours as opposed to passive consumption. This week’s edition of The Sunday Spark explores this create or consume question, along with foods that protect us from microplastics, a new YouTube channel to educate kids about climate change, and degrowth as an alternative to consumption.
The Sunday Spark – Empathy puts problems in perspective
When wildfires 3000 kilometres away disrupted my travel plans this week, it provided a lesson in how empathy can help us keep our own problems in perspective.
In addition to thoughts on empathy, this week’s edition of The Sunday Spark looks at the power of mindset, the slippery slope of weight-loss drugs, and the loosening of Ontario’s recycling regulations.
May 2025 roundup – Great reads and goals update
June is here, although we’re still waiting for the weather to warm up consistently here in southern Ontario. In addition to my goals update, my May 2025 roundup has terrific posts on the wisdom of age, making light of our technological challenges, and reclaiming our hope and joy.
The Sunday Spark – Say something nice today…and every day
It’s Say Something Nice Day. Celebrated every June 1, the purpose of the day is to elevate spirits and spread positivity through compliments and kind words. Learn more in today’s Sunday Spark, along with learnings about longevity and healthy aging, and a board game designed to encourage responsible fashion choices.
The Sunday Spark – Oops! AI did it again!
Earlier this week, a news report highlighted the perils of blindly relying on artificial intelligence. In this week’s edition of The Sunday Spark, I consider the impact of AI on our future. Plus: a big birthday for the metric system, taxing low-value Chinese goods, the cost of an American-made iPhone, and simplifying healthy snacking.
Spring reading update – The road to 1000 books
May is National Get Caught Reading Month in the United States. It’s a time to celebrate the joy of reading. It has also been a year since I announced my ambitious retirement goal of reading 1000 books. What better way to celebrate than a spring reading update!
The Sunday Spark – Gratitude, growth and the reverse bucket list
When I heard the term reverse bucket list for the first time this week, I was intrigued. Not being a fan of the term bucket list, I needed to know more. Find out what I learned in this week’s edition of The Sunday Spark.