URBAN VILLAGER
A place where neighbourhood friends gather to share interests, ideas and experiences.
The sewing machine that I’ve sat at for at least part of every day for the last week has a window that usually overlooks the flight path to Pearson airport. While the window hasn’t moved, what has changed is that there are no more airplanes. At least very few… the latest statistics show that t...
Collateral Damage of COVID-19 If you have read any of my other articles, you would know that I am living with cancer. As a consequence of ongoing treatment, my immune system has been severely weakened, leaving me vulnerable to infection. Early on, I learned to take routine measures to protec...
If your family, like ours, is working to reduce your environmental footprint I’m sure you've been recycling, using a programmable thermostat and carpooling for years. But have you given any consideration to your food waste? It’s a topic that’s big in the news right now, and is often ...
When my friends and family learned of my cancer diagnosis, many of them asked me, “What can I do to help?”, and my response was always, “I’m fine…” I am a very introverted and private person, so it doesn’t come naturally to speak up for myself even at the best of times. Add a layer...
With the holiday season approaching, our Urban Villager team lent its support to the Shoebox Project with our fellow Villager, Linda. The Shoebox Project is an initiative of the Mulroney family that provides gift-wrapped shoeboxes of personal care items and special treats to women who are homeless...
Self care is a bit of a buzz-word these days. Unfortunately many of us (especially us Moms!) need to be reminded that it is not just OK to look after ourselves, it is necessary. We look after our bodies by eating well and exercising, but did you know that social interactions are also an important pa...
I walk a lot. For the last 12 years I have walked nearly every day, sometimes more than once a day (I can actually count on one hand the number of days I didn’t get out for a walk!) . I walk by myself, with my best four-legged friend, Ozzie, or with friends in a walking group. Why do I wal...
Living with Cancer: How Exercise Gets Me Through the “Bad Days” Some days are harder than others. For me, days three and four following chemotherapy are the hardest. My joints ache, I have pins and needles (paresthesia) in my feet and hands, and I am so, so tired. All I really want to ...
Our rambling house in Orangeville was a beautiful restored 1908 Victorian home. It had all the wonderful details in the ceilings, crown mouldings and original claw foot bathtub, not to mention the original floors and doorknobs. We thoroughly enjoyed the house and it suited our family to a tee. And...
“I’d also love to organize my neighbours to have a block party but how did you get the courage to approach and organize a bunch of strangers?”. This is a question I often encounter when the topic of our annual street party comes up. While not everyone finds it easy to start that initial conver...
Recently, I had an exceptionally busy period of time in my life. Our team at work had lost a couple of key players, home was unusually busy, and there was lots going on in the “village” too. I came upon this TED talk article about setting a decision budget to save mental energy, and the piece ab...
When confronted with a life-changing diagnosis, one begins to ask oneself some rather deep, soul searching questions. What is real happiness and where do I find it? If I left the Earth today, what would I be remembered for? What positive contribution have I made? (Beyond the creation of ...
My inaugural post to this blog was supposed to expound on the joys of being part of a community walking group. Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? I could write about how, after eight years of pounding the pavement and trails with like-minded individuals, I had improved my health, cultivated las...
Here I am creating a stir on the Chemotherapy unit - well, a stir among the nurses at least. Unlike other occupants of the large recliners, I have refused offers of a pillow and blanket and do not plan to nap my way through chemo. Instead I will sit up and pedal a compact stationary cycle for ...
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