Except for a handful of items, I got rid of my daughters’ baby clothes long ago. As we’ve been clearing out Laura’s room in preparation for her big move later this year, I found a couple of interesting items. It’s time for another Clutter Tale!
The Sunday Spark – The value of children in our lives
A recent conversation in a Facebook retirement group made me consider the value of children in our lives. Learn more in this week’s edition of The Sunday Spark, along with nuggets of good news about balcony solar, renewable energy projects in Ontario, and the cost of EVs.
Inspiring reads in my December 2025 blog roundup
Happy New Year! I wish you a year filled with peace, joy, and good health! Along with a summary of my writing activity last month, my December 2025 blog roundup has terrific posts on the scarcity mindset, and the joys of parenting.
A Prince Edward Island farewell
This week, we made the 1,800 kilometre drive to Prince Edward Island on Canada’s Atlantic coast to get our daughter Colleen moved and settled in her new home. Instead of my usual Sunday post, today I’ll provide a glimpse into this heavenly corner of the planet.
Throwback Thursday – Rethink your back-to-school shopping list
Today’s Throwback Thursday post has ways to save money by shortening your back-to-school shopping list.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month
In recent months I have watched with alarm as measles continues to spread across North America. August is National Immunization Awareness Month—an opportunity to share some thoughts on the risks of diseases that those who choose to forego vaccinations dismiss as harmless.
The Sunday Spark – Greetings from our empty nest
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 – Am I ready to be an empty nester?
Earlier this week my daughter left for an extended work trip. It’s quiet around the house without her, which has me asking the question all parents ask at some point: Am I ready be be an empty nester?
In addition to pondering filling the empty nest, the 50th edition of The Sunday Spark discusses rising sugar prices, The Carbon Almanac’s kids page, the reducetarian diet, and decluttering kitchen counters.
The Sunday Spark – Surviving the teenage years – I did it!
As we celebrated our daughter’s 20th birthday this week, I reflected on surviving the teenage years. I share those reflections in this week’s The Sunday Spark, along with oil companies’ record profits, roads made from plastic waste, doctors prescribing park time, and ideas for experience gifts.
Top 10 parenting tips you need to know
It’s official! I survived! We recently celebrated our youngest daughter’s 18th birthday so I can proudly say I am now the mom of two young adults. As I paused to reflect on the last 21 years, I made a list of my top 10 parenting tips to share with you.
If you’re just starting your family, I hope these little nuggets of wisdom will be valuable. If you’re embarking on the teenage years, just know that everything will be okay.