Halloween may be one of the scariest holidays of the year, but people seem to take delight in being scared in every season. What’s the appeal of ghost stories, horror movies, frightening novels, and things that go bump in the night? Experts have a few theories: · We like the adrenaline. Fear has the same adrenaline producing effect as excitement. It feels good. Scary movies, stories, and books are methods of releasing adrenaline in a controlled... [read more]

A young man was helping his elderly mother move into a new apartment building. He was sensitive to the fact that his mother had always been quite active, both in her job and in her volunteer work after retirement. But he was concerned that she’d have trouble taking care of herself. So, as he was unpacking boxes, he casually asked her, “Mom, have you ever considered Meals on Wheels?” The mother sighed sadly. “I have, but you know, I just don’t think I have... [read more]

Haunted houses are a $300 million a year business, with more than 3,000 throughout North America. Some of the most-visited places are: 1) Whaley House in San Diego, California; 2) Madison’s Haunted Inn in Kincardine, Ottawa; 3) Oppertsauer House in Stony Plain, Edmonton. Alberta; 4) The ghost town of Jerome, Arizona; 5) The town of Fergus, Ontario; 6) The battlefields of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; 7) The site of the witch hunts, Salem, Massachusetts; These... [read more]

Grandparents Day is September 9, here are some delightful stories from – and about – grandparents:  My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday.  He asked how old I was, and I told him “62.”  He was quiet for a moment and then he asked, “Did you start at one?” When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects.  Still, a few... [read more]

The Autumnal Equinox occurs on September 22nd, ushering in a new season. The equinoxes (both Autumnal in fall, and Vernal in spring) mark the points in the year when the sun crosses the equator so that every place on earth experiences an equal amount of daylight and darkness. Equinoxes are also the days when the sun rises in the Northern Hemisphere exactly due east and it sets exactly due west. The equinoxes have been observed and celebrated for thousands of years and have significance... [read more]

The first day of school looms large and scary for new pupils – and their parents as well.  Here are some suggestions on how to ease the transition:   Establish a routine in the morning before the school year starts, so your child can get accustomed to dressing and having breakfast without hurrying.   Before classes begin, visit the school with your child so it won’t seem so strange.  Many schools have special orientation programs to familiarize... [read more]

By this time of year, your plants could be looking tired and awful. Although the heat may make working in the garden a daunting prospect, whether you have a few acres or a few potted plants, a little love this month will keep your plants looking nice until the Fall, when the days start getting shorter and the garden slows down. Deadhead: Cutting off the spent blooms on your plants will tell them to make new ones. If you have roses and it’s late in the month, you can give them a... [read more]

Heat got you down?  Is your elevator not going all the way to the top?   If you have a few moments, these simple things might help snap you  out of it: · Spritz your favorite scent in your living space. If you save your best fragrance for special occasions, smelling it can take you back to a fun time and put a smile on your face. Why let it sit in the bottle? · Pop a multi-vitamin.  If you have been dragging lately, you might not have been... [read more]

When the temperature gets up there and you’re wearing shorts and a tank top, remember: your best friend has a fur coat on. Besides panting, do you know what dogs do to tell you when they’ve had too much fun in the sun? Heavy panting His tongue and mucous membranes are bright red. His saliva is thick and sticky It’s important to act immediately if a dog has any of the above symptoms. First, move your dog out of the sun (or heat) to an area where there is cool air... [read more]

  If your vacation should have relaxed and recharged you why can going back to work be so hard?  It takes two days to come back up to speed after a two-week vacation, according to researchers. Here are a few ideas to minimize that deer-in-the-headlights feeling when you go back to work: Let others know your plans. Let clients and co-workers know when you’ll be away and give them alternative contacts. You’ll reduce the number of messages waiting for you at the... [read more]

Thought you knew all there was to know about the true north strong and free? These surprising facts about Canada will have you seeing our beautiful country in a whole new way. Canada’s lowest recorded temperature is as cold as Mars One of the most common facts about Canada is that it can get pretty cold in the winter (anyone who’s ever had to chisel their car out of a block of ice in the morning knows this to be true). The average low for the month of January in Ottawa is... [read more]

Do you reach for a painkiller, for yourself or your family, when you get a shot?  That may not be such a good idea, according to researchers at the University of Rochester. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium — can react with your body’s immune system and weaken the effect of flu shots and other vaccinations. Scientists suggest it might be better to tough it out and stay away from NSAIDs a day or so before... [read more]

On average, families move about every five years and we are always looking for repair and service people we can trust. Most of us rely on wise neighbors for referrals to reliable plumbers, painters and auto mechanics. Still, it takes time to develop your own personal relationships with them. Here are some ways that may help give you more confidence in your choices until you and your service people have bonded. Ask around for shops and services before you need them. Don’t put off... [read more]

Fathers play a special, irreplaceable role in our lives, and Father’s Day is a great time to let them know that. On June 17, skip the tie and tell all the  special, irreplaceable dads in your life what they mean to you from the bottom of your heart. Some suggestions: Write a letter thanking your father/uncle/grandfather/ brother/son for all he’s done and all he means to you.  Read it in front of him and the whole family. You can frame it and even add photos or... [read more]

Thomas Edison (1847-1931) was possibly the greatest   inventor who ever lived.  He received more than 1,000 patents in his lifetime, many for items we take for granted today: the alkaline battery, the motion picture camera, the phonograph and, of course, the light bulb.  There’s a story that it took  Edison more than 2,000   experiments before he got his light bulb to work.  When a reporter asked him how it felt to fail so many times, Edison said,... [read more]

Like speeches from the throne, budgets are aspirational documents delivered by the governing party to outline their spending priorities, with hopes of continuing to be the governing party. Given how close today’s Ontario budget is to the June 7 provincial election, a healthy dose of skepticism is warranted.   This budget leaves the impression that the Ontario Liberals are gambling that Ontarians will forgive significant deficits if it means large investments in social... [read more]

Many of us eat more than we need to.  Often it’s because we think we’re hungry when instead we’re anxious, depressed, bored, or just tempted by the plate of brownies a coworker brought in this morning. Although you shouldn’t wait until you’re faint with hunger to eat, it’s good to pay attention to the signals your body is sending you.  These are the typical symptoms of real hunger: · Growling, gurgling, or rumbling in the... [read more]

Cell phones sometimes seem to create as many problems as they solve.  To smooth over the rough spots, CellPhones.org put together this list of cell phone etiquette tips: Lower your voice.  Don’t force everyone around you to listen to your half of the conversation. Avoid personal subjects.  Resist the temptation to overshare where complete strangers can listen to your intimate secrets. Don’t take calls (or text) when talking to someone else.  If you... [read more]

In the unfortunate circumstance that a homeowner is past-due on their monthly mortgage payments, they pave the way for a “foreclosure” on their property. In today’s market, banks and other lenders do not turn to foreclosure to take away the homes of homeowners who are in arrears. Instead, they perform a "Power of Sale" which is wholly different from a Foreclosure. What is a Foreclosure? Foreclosures are laborious, grueling, and costly to both the... [read more]