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?

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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!!

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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.

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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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A to Z Blogging Challenge – a blog hop

Posted on April 2, 2025 by karenmeg

One of the bloggers I recently discovered is megakaos. They shared a blogging event that they are participating in, entitled the A to Z Blogging Challenge. This is a blog hop! I loved finding new blogs when I first started blogging in 2004. -and apparently this event has been happening since 2010! How did I miss this? Time to catch up.

Today’s letter is A, and my word for this post is AGE. I turn 60 later this year. I know it’s April 1, but this is not an April fool’s joke.

I attended a (fantastic, by the way) 60th birthday party on the weekend. It took place at Zitta Zitta Italian restaurant, all the way downtown in Little Italy – we took an Uber. It took us over an hour. Nevertheless, we were lucky as the ice storm of the century was happening just north of us.

My girlfriend is in my book club and she’s the first of us to hit this milestone this year. We’ve been getting together to read, eat, drink wine and laugh for over 15 years. It turns out there’ are enough of us sharing this birth year that we are the median age!

The party was a nice gathering, a few of the book club ladies and our husbands were there. Several young people were also in attendance – she has three kids in their 20s, like mine. One of her nieces remarked that none of us looked anywhere near 60. I could have hugged her (in fact, I think I did).

I think about what middle age and 60 looked like when I was a young woman. I think “Golden Girls” the TV show -I can’t believe at the time, the actresses were still in their 50s.

My friend threw the celebration because she felt ” it is time” . She’s still young enough to look good. She also feels good. She wants to acknowledge her friends, loved ones, and her fortunate life. I know that she arranged it herself. She doesn’t think she would throw this party when she’s 70. So pragmatic.

I’m on the fence about whether I will have a party. It’s a lot of work. Maybe I’ll do a trip instead. My husband has said he will celebrate however I’d like to celebrate. Decisions, decisions!

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Beginnings and musical memories

Posted on March 29, 2025 by karenmeg

Last month my daughter and I visited my son in his new home in Los Angeles. We stayed for 8 days, and saw firsthand how he is settling into his new life, with his life partner. There are enough stresses when a young couple lives together for the first time. Add on the fact that they are in a new city – that experiences one of the worst fires ever in the new country. Then imagine having your mother come for a visit!

I had intended to cook for them while there, but I did none of that. I didn’t have to lift a finger. I only needed to open a wine bottle and pour myself (and my son) a glass. Each day, we were given options for what part of LA or the surrounding area we might explore.

They gave up their bedroom for us. They even got sun blocking shades for the huge window because the sun rises pretty early there. They didn’t get a chance to put them up before we got there … so installed them one evening while we were witness. It was pretty funny, they literally held each other up during the exercise. And then dressed matchy matchy the next morning (not planned, they changed when they realized. A big mirror for the apartment is next on their to-buy list!). They are adjusting well, working through things together, and their love and affection for each other is palpable.

It was nice. I think my daughter and I brought the comfort of home just by being there.

They are a great team. I am so thrilled for them. I’m a proud Mama. When I tell friends my firstborn has flown the nest, they tell me “I’ve done good”. I just didn’t think it would happen this fast.

It seems like just yesterday, and not like a lifetime ago that Ian and I were starting out ourselves. Setting up our own own home. Nesting. We reveled in the fact that we had something for just the two of us.

Our first house was in the west end, Bloor West Village in Toronto. Lots of families, kids, tree-lined streets, craftsman houses, neighbourhood shops and cafes. And us.

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We’ve always had music in the background of every home. I still have many CDs from that time, albums that I would play on repeat. The other day I heard “Jane” by the Barenaked Ladies on the radio. It brought me right back to the year we bought our house. The song was inspired by the intersection of Jane and St. Clair, not far from where we lived. Fun fact, it was written by Steven Page of the BNL and Stephen Duffy. Yes that Stephen Duffy

Here’s Jane – Barenaked Ladies, fantastic Canadian band.

Posted in Canadian, Family, It's all about me, kids, memmories, music, parenting, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

This is a Love Story – a book review (ish)

Posted on March 19, 2025 by karenmeg

This Is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer




I was so looking forward to reading this book! I love NYC, and Central Park, and the summary of what was to come hooked me right in. I thought it would be a celebration of love, marriage, and family. It would also include sacrifices. It may have been, if I could have read past the 4th chapter.

It’s a style thing. Could it have worked for me if there were about a thousand more synonyms for the word “remember”? I remember. You remember. After the 3rd chapter, I decided to flip forward to see if this would continue throughout the remainder of the book. Unfortunately, it did.

I’m sorry to mark this as DNF. Being a wannabe writer I know how difficult writing can be. I took a break from writing a scene today, to hopefully get some inspiration and motivation from reading.

This was not it.



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