N is for Neighbours

Posted on April 19, 2025 by karenmeg

Do you get along with your neighbours?

We’ve been pretty fortunate overall with our experience with neighbours.

When we lived in the city we had lovely neighbours. We lived in a neighbourhood where houses were in very close quarters. Across the street from us was Joe – he watched everything, knew everything if you had a question, was like our own neighbourhood watch. He would take our garbage out for us everyday! We brought him corn and goodies for that. What a lovely old guy – it was sad when he passed.

To our right, we had a nice couple, a young lawyer and architect. The fellow was a little lazy when it came to cleaning his gutters (Ian complained about that but mostly to me… he even cleaned it out himself because the water would come onto our property…). But they were lovely, even had us over for drinks one time. It was fun to see what they did with their house -we had the same model but theirs was quite open concept. Ian had always wanted to tear down a wall – I wasn’t a fan. They got pregnant and moved after the baby was born.

When we moved to the burbs we were blessed with a wonderful couple to our left. To our right, not so much. They’ve still got an adult kid in the house who acts like he’s 16. There have been police incidents and complaints. I feel bad for his parents; they’re nice, but they would be nicer if they kicked him out. That being said, it’s been fairly quiet the last few years. We’re going to another neighbour’s place for dinner tonight. We can walk, which is helpful. No arguments about who’s the DD tonight.

We do love our neighbourhood.

We just started watching a new show on Apple TV+ last night. I’m a fan of Jon Hamm, he’s quite good in it. Funny what can go on behind closed (and not so closed) doors.

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M is for Maid’s Secret – a Book Review

Posted on April 18, 2025 by karenmeg

The Maid’s Secret by Nita Prose

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


The Maid’s Secret is the third book in the Molly the Maid series by best-selling Canadian author Nita Prose.


Molly Gray is back and her life is in a good place – she was promoted to Head Maid and Special Events Manager at the Regency Grand Hotel, and is engaged to be married to Juan Manuel, love of her life, chef at the Regency. A TV show, “Hidden Treasures” hosted by a flamboyant antique experts couple also known as the Bees, who appraise people’s treasures for valuation by antique experts (like real-life Antiques Road Show), is being taped at the Regency. Molly has some of her own treasures that were handed down to her by her beloved grandmother, which she brings for appraisal. One in particular turns out to be very rare and priceless, and the hosts of the show suggest that Molly auction it off as proceeds could offer lifechanging opportunities. Mystery ensues when Molly’s treasured item disappears on auction day. Who took it and why? All of this happens under the unrelenting eye of social media and reality TV, with Molly wondering whether all the newfound celebrity brought by the mystery and potential windfall is indeed worth it.

Alternating with the present-day story of the missing treasure, is the story of Molly’s Gran’s Flora, detailed in her diary that Molly is now reading. Learning about Flora’s riches to rags story, her journey from great privilege to becoming a maid, provides the love story in the book. The author brings the tales of the past and present together to the end in a tidy package.

This was a charming, lighthearted book and a very quick and easy read. The characters were not complicated, almost fairy tale like, and the book had a nice story book ending. I read the first book “The Maid” but did not read the second “Mystery Guest”. I had no problem following the story so would say that book number two is not a prerequisite.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy for review. The Maid’s Secret is out April 8, 2025.

A nice 3 stars out of 5.



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L is for Laughter

Posted on April 17, 2025 by karenmeg

When is the last time you had a really good laugh. Have you ever laughed so hard, shaking, rolling on the floor to the point of tears, so hard that you can hardly breathe? I’ve been fortunate to share that experience with a few individuals. These include my younger sister, my best friends growing up, and my best friend and husband. There’s nothing like it.

All laughs don’t have to be like that though. Sometimes just a little chuckle will do.

A couple of fun shows I’ve watched recently are White Lotus and Hacks. I didn’t catch Season 3 of White Lotus, or the new season of Hacks as yet. Honestly who hasn’t watched them. I don’t subscribe to the channels that cover those shows, but I fortunately caught both them on the airplane. That’s what I love about those types of shows – the binge-ability. I also managed to watch all seasons of Succession, which was such a dark comedy. So good.

And to be honest, I did cackle a bit while watching all of those on the plane.

One of the best scenes ever on laughter though?

Posted in AtoZchallenge, blogging, Entertainment, funtimes, It's all about me, this and that | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

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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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!!

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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