West Island News Blog

West Island Blog

The following articles have been published in the West Island Blog at www.westislandblog.com 
My column is titled:   Keeping it Real

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Published on December 25, 2017
Published on December 4, 2016
Published on December 13, 2024

November gets a bad rap!

November gets a bad rap!

Another way to approach November is what I like to call “The Kissing Season.” This is the best time to find a great book, put on cozy socks, and get under a blanket.  If November had a sexy “thang” it would be more attractive. Every month has its “thing”.  November needs more than a memorial day and Black Friday, it needs better marketing!

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Published on November 21, 2024

Give an Egg, Sell an Egg

Give an Egg, Sell an Egg

At dinner that night, my father asked us what we were going to do to give back to the world. He stated that today was filled with blessings. So, what was our plan to give back? I wasn’t sure. I told him I was going to think about it. A few days passed and I thought about a way to give back. It was called, “Give an egg. Sell an egg.” I heard of kids doing this so I thought I would give it a try. This is how it works…

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Published on December 31, 2018
Published on December 17, 2017
Published on October 9, 2024

Happy 10th Anniversary! Please Sit at Our Table

Happy 10th Anniversary!  Please Sit at Our Table
In 2014, I submitted this article to The Suburban Newspaper, specifically to Anthony Bonaparte, the Features Editor, Web Editor and Editorial Cartoonist.  Luckily for me, he liked it.  I submitted a few more articles and again, he liked them.  These articles started my column, “Living in the Now”.   Hundreds of articles later, I’m thrilled to reach my 10th Anniversary with The Suburban and this fabulous team of excellent writers.
With love and thanks to The Suburban team and to all my wonderful readers, Sue xo
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Published on February 14, 2024
Published on November 2, 2015
Published on February 14, 2014

Anti-Bucket List Gal

Anti-Bucket List Gal

And… Where did the term bucket list come from? Perhaps it originated from the 2007 Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman film “Bucket List” in which, two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a road trip with a wish list of to-dos before they die. Perhaps the term originated before the film?

Regardless of the origin, the term “bucket list” a thing people like to complete within their life time.

I sort of break down the bucket list concept into much smaller parts. I woke up today and I’m just grateful for that. My bucket list is done!

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Published on December 15, 2022
Published on June 11, 2021
Published on July 30, 2018
Published on September 24, 2017

The Ultimate Lesson

The Ultimate Lesson
The Fall Courses are about to begin and I have butterflies in my stomach!
In truth, if all we have gained is not from the curriculum content but a new friendship or two, I feel we have been successful. For it’s not always the prescribed lessons you’ve sign up for, perhaps it’s the rich exchanges and life perspectives you have learned. That in turn is…the ultimate lesson.
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Published on September 14, 2022
Published on December 11, 2017
Published on November 22, 2016

A Spiritual Oasis

A Spiritual Oasis

Cheers was an amazing American sitcom that was on television from 1982 to 1993. The show was about a bar, called Cheers, where a group of locals met to drink and hang out. It was the kind of bar where, “Everybody knows your name.”

There are wonder places like this in every city and town. There are also unique places and spaces which hold a “beautiful spirit”. Places that go beyond knowing your name. More like places which clearly understand your soul and being.  Here are some of my favourite spaces and places which I LOVE!

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Published on June 29, 2022
Published on October 3, 2016
Published on December 9, 2015
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Published on June 11, 2022
Published on September 9, 2019
Published on August 3, 2018

Gotta Get a Green Thumb

Gotta Get a Green Thumb

Gladys Presley gave her son Elvis a guitar at a very young age. He was born with music in his blood. At first his famous dance moves were not purposely part of his stage act. The music he was creating made his body move in those very interesting ways. Actually, he found it hard to control his body when he was performing. The music controlled him. Without a doubt, he had it!  Naturally given talent!

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Published on May 27, 2022
Published on August 12, 2019
Published on July 3, 2018
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Published on February 11, 2022
Published on February 6, 2017
Published on February 6, 2015

Humour Me

Humour Me
At 20 something, I hung out with friends in bars, talking loud over the music, dancing, and not having many concerns about the world.  At that time, I wasn’t paying serious attention to life, I was just living it.
I remembered when all my parts moved only when I moved. That’s not the case anymore.  Now, my body moves like Newton’s Cradle!!!
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Published on January 5, 2022
Published on January 8, 2021
Published on March 9, 2020
Published on January 7, 2019

It Takes So Little

It Takes So Little

Last week, I was walking out of my home to get into my car. A delivery man was just walking up my front door steps. He told me that he had a package for me and I needed to sign for it. I signed for it and he gave it to me. I thanked him. Just as he was about to walk down my front steps, he turned to face me and said, “You smell delicious.”

Woweeee! That caught me off guard. I thanked him and kinda blushed. He went into his truck and I got into my car. I paused before starting the ignition.

That felt AMAZING!!!

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Published on December 15, 2021
Published on December 12, 2016
Published on December 22, 2015
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Published on November 5, 2021
Published on October 2, 2017
Published on August 31, 2016

Back to Schooooolllllllaaa

Back to Schooooolllllllaaa

Now, I have butterflies of excitement in my stomach. I love this time of year. So many things will happen in the following days which gets me giddy. Firstly, the nights start to get cooler. That’s my number one thrill as I’m not a summer person. I’m sure many people are rolling their eyes at that statement. I love cool weather and enjoy wearing a light scarf around my neck. So my season of autumn is upon us.

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Published on September 7, 2021
Published on August 27, 2018
Published on August 27, 2017

Done or Undone? That’s the Question

Done or Undone? That’s the Question

When I reached to use some toilet paper, I noticed there was only 1 square left on the roll. That’s right…one square of toilet paper!!! What’s that all about? Who would do such a thing? I felt like I was in a trap. Someone before me set the “One Square Left on the Roll Trap!“ Being the fact this washroom was well stocked with extra toilet paper rolls, I gladly changed it for my use and for the next person. Why wouldn’t I? I would never set a trap like this, unless it was specifically a joke.

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Published on May 28, 2021
Published on June 20, 2016
Published on July 31, 2015
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Published on May 14, 2021
Published on May 29, 2017
Published on April 9, 2016

Timing is Everything

Timing is Everything
Sometimes people enter your world when you didn’t realize they were so needed.
You might ask yourself, why now, why not before. How is this timing so perfect or imperfect?
Usually in time, the revelation of this ‘why and how’ will be answered.
A minute here, a moment there can make such a big difference.
Place of time and time of place usually has a reason.
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Published on April 30, 2021
Published on January 14, 2019
Published on December 31, 2017

A Sense of Accomplishment

A Sense of Accomplishment

I need to mention how good accomplishment feels. It’s sort of like a pat on the back someone gives you, but even better. This feeling comes from within yourself. You did it! It’s your rodeo! You moved the mountain! You did yourself good! Truly the only person you need to please is yourself and you did. Big bravo to you!

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Published on April 1, 2021
Published on June 17, 2019
Published on April 8, 2018
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Published on March 19, 2021
Published on October 8, 2018
Published on October 15, 2015
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Published on April 30, 2018
Published on April 30, 2017