K – Knack

Posted on April 15, 2025 by karenmeg

The Knack came out with their blockbuster hit “My Sharona” the year I was in Grade 9.

Apparently, it was a generation-defining musical moment. All I know is that every time I hear it, I have to get up and dance. 80’s dancing at its finest, amIright?

One thing that I have a knack for is finding things. Sometimes it’s luck (it sure came in handy when we found our missing hamster Sammy, which was totally serendipitous and subject of another post another time)… but most times it’s definitely skill.

Case in point, this past Sunday. (The one thing about my son is how close he feels to family and friends. He made the time while he was here to see everyone. So he had lots on the go, including packing to get back to LA after being away from his partner for almost 3 weeks. Oh yeah, he had a trip to Europe with friends, then with work, within that timeframe. We also squeezed in a my-side-of -the-family visit on Saturday celebrating his upcoming champagne birthday.)

We had a very busy Sunday planned. First to celebrate my sister in law’s milestone birthday an hour and a half away. The plan was to drop Cody off with my daughter (who couldn’t attend), go to lunch, head back after to get Cody. Then bring my son to the airport for his evening flight.

Sunday morning, everything’s packed, ready to go with 10 minutes to spare before we have to hit the road.

“I can’t find my Airpods! Grrr, I just had them this morning. Oh. My. GAWD! I can’t leave without them.”

Typical drama for this young man.

Me: “Let’s retrace your steps. What did you do this morning? Are they in your pant pockets? Are they in your bed?

I go into his room, into his bathroom..

Him: “Mom, they’re not in the washroom. I’ve checked the bed. They’re not in my pockets I’ve looked everywhere! Leave me. Oh my god, why is this happening?!”

Ian: “Let your Mom help. She is awesome at finding the impossible. This is her thing.”

My son continues to complain and insist he’s checked everywhere. Then, as I stand next to him in his room 20 minutes later I hear him mumble ever so quietly “I’ve got them”.

Me: Where were they? (I noted, he was standing next to his laundry basket)

Him (almost a whisper): In my pockets. But what were they doing in my pants at the bottom of the laundry basket!!

Me (I know they weren’t on the bottom of the basket. They were in his pants that he likely just threw onto the basket as he started getting ready for the day). I couldn’t resist. I am that Mom. Come on!

“I always say, check your pockets, the first place to look… ”

I know -not helpful. I do have a knack.

What do you have a knack for? Do you have a superpower?

Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, It's all about me, kids, music, this and that | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

J is for Joy

Posted on April 14, 2025 by karenmeg

What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?

1/ My first cup of coffee

2/ The Good morning text from my mother

3/ Journalling – whether by blogging or in the various journals I’ve tried to keep up with over the years.

Writing time…

4/ A snuggle with Cody – even though it is getting tougher these days…

5/ Sunrise and start of a new day

Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, daily prompt, home, It's all about me, this and that, writing | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

I is for INXS

Posted on April 12, 2025 by karenmeg

Here’s a blast to the 80s – look at all that hair, the hats, listen to that saxophone!

I love this early INXS song – I was in grade 12 when it came out. Then the band exploded. I’m sad that I never got to see them in concert.

It was such a tragedy about Michael Hutchence, what a talent.

Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, daily prompt, funtimes, It's all about me, memmories, music, this and that | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

H is for How to Survive a Bear Attack – a Book Review

Posted on April 11, 2025 by karenmeg

How to Survive a Bear Attack: A Memoir by Claire Cameron

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Claire Cameron is a published Canadian author of a couple of best-selling novels. She also has cancer – a rare type of melanoma that she has inherited genetically from her father, who died in his mid-40s when she was 9 years old. She sees what fate has in store for her. She is also a wife and a mother with a loving husband and young sons. And she loves Algonquin park.

This is a memoir, but it is written so creatively that at times it seems like a thriller or crime novel, and at other times, it is a well-researched work about grizzly and black bears. It is a how-to manual on enjoying nature, coexisting with the park’s wild inhabitants, and ultimately, what to do to survive a bear attack.

The main focus of the story is the 1991 incident when a couple was killed in a predatory black bear attack in Algonquin Park. These types of attacks are so rare, and the author deftly weaves parallels to her own very rare cancer. Having had so many great experiences in Algonquin at work as a camp counsellor and as a tree planter, and at play as an avid camper, she starts her investigation and research about the facts of the 1991 attack. She returns to the scene of the attack and interviews those who were involved in the investigation so many years ago – like a return to the crime scene.

But what is truly unique is how she writes creatively about the couple themselves, retracing what their steps may have been, bringing some of their personality to the story. And finally, the life and the point of view of the bear, all culminate in the fateful event that resulted in all of their deaths. But in that she also takes her own story and life going forward in stride with renewed focus on living for the moment.

This was a great read, an audio book read by the author and she did a good job of narration. My rating went up after the story sat with me for a bit before I wrote this review. Highly recommend this unique book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Random House Canada Audiobooks for an advanced audio copy for review.


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Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, books, Canadian, writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

G is for Gym

Posted on April 10, 2025 by karenmeg

Gym – I’m a gym rat. And I’ve been missing my regular workouts!

I’ve been solo with Cody for almost a week. It’s come to the point now that we can’t leave him alone in the house for more than an hour or two at a time. The poor little guy can’t see or hear well, but he can tell when he is alone. He just gets so stressed.

I’ve also had a surge of social events in the last couple of weeks. I met friends and colleagues for coffees and lunches, attended a friend’s 60th birthday party, and hosted a girls’ night in potluck on the weekend.

This all means that I have only been able to get to the gym 3 days a week for the last couple of weeks. This is less than my usual minimum of 4 days.

Yikes, my Fitbit is even telling me that I’m in danger of undertraining. How rude.

Anyway, I am so glad to get back on track this week. (Me at a BodyPump class, interesting mirror effect)

Not only have I been missing my workouts, but I have also been missing my workout buddies. I have several groups of friends that I have made at the gym. Most of these friendships developed only after I hit my 50s.

They say that social engagement is one of the best things for increased quality of life as you get older. I take inspiration from my mother who is well into her 80s – she is still making new friends. And she has a workout class in her building 3 times a week.

Without my regular workouts I feel sluggish. And lazy – sometimes the hardest part of the workout is getting to the gym. Crossing my fingers that I can keep it up.

Do you work out or exercise regularly?

Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, fitness, It's all about me, this and that, week in the life | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

F is for Fireplace

Posted on April 8, 2025 by karenmeg
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We still need a mantel. But so happy with it!

And a bonus F—what the F is with the snow today?

It’s April 8, so no April Fools, please!!

Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, home, It's all about me, this and that | Tagged , | 2 Comments

E is for Election

Posted on April 7, 2025 by karenmeg

We just had a provincial election

We have a federal election coming up in a few weeks.

This election is being impacted by events beyond our borders. It is a volatile time. With the trade war and threats of annexation, it is hard to focus on the usual topics we consider when casting our votes.

Now it seems to focus on identifying the best face and rep for Canada. Who will be the best to effectively deal with the President and administration south of the border.

I’m not a political person. But there is so much to think about.

Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, Canadian, this and that | Tagged , | 3 Comments

D is for Diet

Posted on April 5, 2025 by karenmeg

I’ve been intermittent fasting (loosely) for the last number of years, primarily to keep my weight down. I’d ballooned to the heaviest I’ve ever been (except when pregnant) during Covid. I wasn’t going to the gym, I was drinking and eating more.

I know that I am lucky, I am naturally slim. I have always been able to eat and drink as much as I wanted. I could consume whatever I’ve wanted. When I was young, I was even at one point under weight. When I worked in a brewery for the summer, I would drink Porter beer to try to gain weight. Hard to imagine ever doing that. Even in my 40s, if I over indulged, I would just get back to the gym. I would work it all off in no time.

But age and genetics are catching up to me. Both my parents developed diabetes when they got older. My mom had complications a couple of years ago. Her diabetes was uncontrolled, and she developed a serious kidney infection. She was hospitalized for almost a month. It was scary for a while, but she finally started on insulin injections. With ongoing monitoring of her sugar levels, she is doing great now.

I’d like to stave off diabetes.

I drink only black coffee at breakfast time, and do not to eat anything until after noon. My window of not eating is between 8 PM and 12 noon. It was easy to stick with that while I was working full time. My mornings would be easily tied up with back to back meetings. The toughest part for me now is avoiding carbs. It’s just not easy to do, especially with Asian cuisine (rice! noodles! sushi!) and my love of bread, pasta, pizza – carbs are everywhere. I love carbs.

In the last year, I have been even more conscious of the sugar content in my food. I read food labels carefully. I even check wine labels for extra dry wine. I try to find those with 2g/L. By doing this, I have cut down on alcohol consumption too. But the biggest change is cutting out the late-night snacking. Munchies at around 9 pm – they would get me every time.

I have added strength training to my activity at the gym. With this change in diet and eating patterns, I am the lightest I have been since before I had kids. The hardest part will be keeping it that way! So it really is about diet.

Next. up, I think I need to start drinking more water.

Have you ever changed your diet?

Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, eating, fitness, It's all about me | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Cupid’s Girl – New Music

Posted on April 3, 2025 by karenmeg

C is for Cupid’s Girl

My musical inspiration these days comes from the hip music that plays in the mall. You’re in H & M, you hear this interesting rhythm and voice and you go to your phone and say “Shazam this!” and if you’re lucky, it finds something for you…

There are hints of Kate Bush in this electro pop song, the singer is Marina (previously Marina and the Diamonds) who is Welsh.

I may play this one on repeat.

Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, music, this and that | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

B- Brooke and a book review

Posted on April 3, 2025 by karenmeg

B is for Brooke. Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old – Thoughts on Aging

Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman by Brooke Shields

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Someone else is turning 60 this year.
Brooke Shields and I were born the same year. I’ve known of her work and celebrity from a very young age. I followed her career here and there through the years. I started following her on social media around the Covid era, then listened to her podcast “Now What” , and found her to be surprisingly relatable. When she announced she was writing a book that focussed on a woman’s midlife experience, I was ready for it!

I enjoyed the book. Brooke comes across as funny and intelligent and doesn’t take herself too seriously. She seems quite aware of her privilege, but in my opinion, it’s been earned considering she’s been in the public eye since she was a baby, and taken advantage when she was young. She seems so grounded. People make cruel assumptions – mostly men. I like how she has done some research and cited sources to back up her statements. We are not alone.

She has some encouraging words about self-advocacy. She talks about getting past self-doubt. She emphasizes not giving 2 f*cks as she’s come into her own. I especially liked her chapters about being a mom to young adults (and being the butt of the family jokes, yours truly suffers from that!), being in a long term relationship, and friendships in midlife.

A solid 4 stars!


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Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, bloghop, books, commentary, Entertainment | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments