The Giving Season
“What if Christmas doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!”” Quote from the Grinch, Dr. Seuss1957 December… synonymous with Christmas for me. So a couple of weeks ago I started asking some friends about their happiest recollections of this festive season and every time someone would hark back to a special moment it set off another lightbulb in the ol’ brainola. Gotta tell some tales. Sheesh, I could write a book! Family was the common thread to my friends’ memories of Christmas. Me too. But more specifically it...
Read MoreSchool Daze
For the last month my mind has been filled with end-of-summer stuff, like harvest, canning and all things farm-like. That is until I see the school buses & the kids on their way to, what many would term as, their own private slice of Hell. That wasn’t the case for me when Dad made his last army transfer to London, Ontario & the wonderful public highschool of Sir Adam Beck. Before that it was Catholic elementary in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland & my first (& last) introduction to schooling with nuns. I have a clear memory of registration day. My sisters & I were almost at...
Read MoreDiabetes is a disease that we all must keep a careful eye out for.
Our modern diet and sedentary ways are making it difficult for many of us to steer clear of this disease that in Canada impacts approximately 10% of our population (Pre-diabetes account for 6%). Diabetics struggle to produce insulin effectively, which impacts their circulation and immunity, and often causes damage to the sensory nerves in the hands and feet. Due to numbness, a diabetic may not feel a foot injury, blister or cut on their feet or legs (called peripheral neuropathy). This poor circulation and nerve damage can further prevent ulcers and wounds from healing properly, which in turn...
Read MoreHeart on the road: Meet Shirley Vaux, a volunteer driver lighting up lives across Vancouver Island
When Shirley retired from a successful career in real estate, she wasn’t ready to slow down. Instead, she was ready to give back. After decades in leadership roles, she felt a growing desire to connect with her community on a more personal level. In May 2022, she traded business meetings for long road trips and became a volunteer driver for the Canadian Cancer Society’s Wheels of Hope program. Shirley, who radiates empathy and generosity, embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly. It was just a perfect fit. Now serving as the “Van Captain” for the Nanaimo Wheels of Hope...
Read MoreNo hats at the dinner table young man!
A recent social media post depicting Donald J. Trump in a casual setting invited comments on the candid picture of the U.S. president, specifically his appearance. Predictably and perhaps appropriately, many of the comments were nasty. Some viewers noted that the president appears to have aged dramatically. Other sharp-eyed commenters marvelled at how well Trump’s right ear appears to have healed. It’s almost as if a bullet never grazed his lobe. Hmm. Meanwhile, one person suggested “a gentleman never wears a hat indoors.” Trump, of course, was wearing one of his infamous Make...
Read MoreThe Unsung Hero of Skin Health
How Sheep’s Wool Protects Against Moisture and Breakdown For individuals who are wheelchair-bound or bedridden, managing moisture is not just a comfort issue—it’s a matter of health. Prolonged exposure to dampness can lead to skin maceration, pressure ulcers, and infections. But one natural material has quietly proven itself to be a powerful ally in the fight against skin breakdown: sheep’s wool. Sheep’s wool, particularly in its raw or medical-grade form, offers a unique combination of properties that make it ideal for pressure relief and moisture control. Its fibers are naturally...
Read MoreSpring to Summer in a Flash
Well we’re halfway through Spring and heading at breakneck speed into summer.At least that’s the case for most of Canada. Here on our Pacific Island paradise most bulbed flowers like snowdrops, daffs, and tulips are long gone and my hands are just itching to start getting all my veggie garden seeds in the warm earth, regardless of the age-old rule of waiting for Victoria Day. That’s for the rest of this country. I know I should have been concentrating earlier on pruning the grape vines, and as I ramble into the orchard that goes for the bloom’in plum, cherry & peach trees...
Read MoreAs I’m sure the readers of Island Woman magazine would agree,
we all love Vancouver Island! We are so fortunate to live in a place so rich with culture, diversity and natural beauty, and one that provides so many options for fresh, local food and beverages I am thrilled to be back as the Minister of Agriculture and Food and be part of a government that is working full steam ahead to strengthen and diversify our economy. Although there is currently some uncertainty about what is going to happen with tariffs and how that will impact our longstanding trading relationship with our neighbours to the south, one thing we do know is the B.C. government and...
Read MoreSupporting Local Farmers & Food Sources
Seniors101.ca has always been committed to supporting local farmers and agriculture. We take immense pride in Vancouver Island’s communities,and we’ve written often about local food security and the ‘100-mile diet’. We’ve shared Lana Popham thoughts, (who we are pleased to see is stepping back into the role of Minister of Agriculture and Food), and we list and feature local food and farmers. Now, with ongoing trade uncertainties, there is a renewed social and political push to prioritize shopping locally. The Importance of Supporting Local Agriculture Choosing local produce...
Read MoreBuying Local and Canadian is Key to Canada’s Economic Prosperity
If you’ve been following the news, you saw over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods, except for energy, which was set at 10%. He has also reiterated his stance that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a series of Canadian tariffs on U.S. goods, set to take effect on February 4, with additional measures to follow. Provinces and territories have also acted, including halting the purchase of alcohol imported from certain U.S. states. You can read Premier David...
Read MoreDying From or Living With: Cancer Reimagined
My first awareness of cancer as something to fear was when I was eleven and visiting my mother’s parents in New Zealand. We traveled from Montreal, Canada, to spend the holidays with my mother’s parents. It rained a lot during that visit, and my younger brother had a cold. Because he had a cold and because my grandfather was dying from cancer, my grandfather stayed in his room, and we were not allowed to see him, “In case you get him sick,” the adults told us. My grandfather was an engineer with Boeing Airlines, and he, along with the other engineers, was exposed to various...
Read MoreFilm review: That Christmas
This year, I’m pleased to report, there’s a new Christmas movie worth the female audience’s time, and it’s called That Christmas. I’m all the more pleased because it gives me hope, coming as it does from an unlikely source; one of its co-writers is Richard Curtis, the writer-director behind Love Actually (2003), a Christmas movie with serious drawbacks, namely the hypersexualization of women and normalization of pornography, promiscuity and fellatio—things most female viewers don’t look for in a Christmas movie. You won’t see any of that in That Christmas, which is as it...
Read MoreSonshine Girls Painting – It’s the details that matter.
Your home is more than just a place to live—it’s where you create memories, find comfort, and feel truly yourself. We understand how important that is, both for you and your family. Whether you’re refreshing a single room or transforming your entire home, painting can be an exciting but sometimes overwhelming project. That’s where we come in. At Sonshine Girls Painting, we believe the process should be as enjoyable as the result. We’re not just about getting paint on walls; we’re about listening to what you need, finding solutions to any concerns, and making sure you feel...
Read MoreDying From or Living With: Cancer Reimagined
My first awareness of cancer as something to fear was when I was eleven and visiting my mother’s parents in New Zealand. We traveled from Montreal, Canada, to spend the holidays with my mother’s parents. It rained a lot during that visit, and my younger brother had a cold. Because he had a cold and because my grandfather was dying from cancer, my grandfather stayed in his room, and we were not allowed to see him, “In case you get him sick,” the adults told us. My grandfather was an engineer with Boeing Airlines, and he, along with the other engineers, was exposed to various chemicals...
Read MoreFilm review: Lee
It’s increasingly difficult to find a movie in theatres that isn’t a horror—the genre that typically has the least to offer female viewers—so when I saw the trailer for this war drama about American photographer and war correspondent Elizabeth “Lee” Miller, played by Kate Winslet, I rushed to the theatre. Lee did not disappoint. This partial biopic about capturing the truth is likely the most intelligent film in theatres this month (and certainly my favourite war film to date). Lee is a war drama for those who, like me, don’t enjoy war films. There’s minimal shooting and...
Read MoreInnovative new program helps women entrepreneurs leverage tech and digital solutions
Women entrepreneurs in BC can learn to leverage the power of AI and other digital and tech innovations to support their business growth through a new program offered by WeBC and the Discovery Foundation. As business owners are consistently under pressure to do more with less, Discovery Foundation’s Digital Strategic Leadership Program, presented by WeBC, helps participants look at their business through a digital lens, exploring solutions like AI, apps and eCommerce to improve their business performance. “Tech developments can help businesses grow, but it’s not as simple as...
Read More