I turned 49 last Friday and every year my parents give my brother-in-law, John (who’s birthday is 4 days before mine) and me a birthday party.  Along with the rest of the immediate family, we invite my mom’s best friend, Lesley and her husband, Don and their son, Tim who now has a lovely new [...]

“The chicken might be too spicy for you, Dad.” “You think so?” “Yea, it says Cajun.” “I’ll just scrape off the sauce.” I shake my head. “What do you think Mom’s having?” He carefully places the menu on the table. “Some disgusting gruel I suppose.” He chuckles. “Hospital food all looks the same. Grey.” It’s [...]

Some of my family’s most memorable occasions are celebrated around my mother’s long dining room table.  I say long because we set a card table up at the end of it because the table has failed to grow with the family.  So on Easter Sunday, my sixteen-year-old nephew, our dear friend Don (the oldest gentleman [...]

  Sometimes we assume that when people get to a certain age they aren’t as competent as they used to be.  Unfair folks, but true.  That’s the furthest from the truth with my mom.  At 76, she’s as sharp as a tack.  A very sharp tack.  Last week my beautiful mother had emergency abdominal surgery.  [...]

My husband’s BlackBerry has become a member of our family.  BlackBerry has eaten breakfast with us at a swanky hotel in Washington, basked in the sun on the Florida coast, crashed my sister’s 50th birthday party and has recently found religion. I’m happy to announce that BlackBerry has a new friend, BlackBerry Storm.  Imagine my [...]

Last year, my 15-year-old nephew almost went into cardiac arrest when I pulled out a feminine wipe from my purse so he could clean his hands at Tim Hortons. “Oh my God! Put that away!!!” “What?” “That!” he shrieks pointing at my hand. “You mean this wipe.” “Shhhh.  God! Someone will see you.” “You said [...]

Canadian Thanksgiving has come and gone and our American friends are about to celebrate their festive holiday.  I missed talking about Thanksgiving in October so I thought it appropriate to share my family’s holiday frivolity with you now. A few days before Thanksgiving I get a phone call from my Dad. “Bring a pie on [...]

…with his hearing aids! It’s like he’s been hit with shrapnel the way he suddenly rips them out of his ears and flings them onto the closest piece of furniture. “Can’t hear a thing with these things,” he grunts. I’m sure anyone with parents in their “golden years” can relate. Which brings me to this [...]