Gratitude makes the journey better and so does kindness

Category: Armchair Mayor Column Page 3 of 33

Weekly column: Things to consider instead of protesting masks and COVID-19 restrictions

Originally published as a column on CFJC Today Kamloops and Armchair Mayor News on Monday, December 7, 2020.

Sunday morning came with slices of blue sky spiked by bright sunshine. It was almost 11am by the time we got home from our long morning hike.

I noticed a neighbour peeking under parked cars. I assumed she was trying to locate a runaway cat. Instead, she asked if what she was seeing was a ferret. The small, long-bodied creature was all white with a black-tipped tail and moving very swiftly.

Weekly column: Why wearing the poppy is not a political statement

Originally published as a column on CFJC Today Kamloops and Armchair Mayor news on Monday, November 9, 2020.

It is Sunday afternoon as I write this, and we’re three days away from Remembrance Day on November 11. A long-overdue and overlooked commemoration has also been recently rectified by our government. November 8 has now been marked as Indigenous Remembrance Day. Their contribution was significant and the stories are emerging one after another.

A few days ago you may have heard about the poppy-centered short-lived but powerful storm that surfaced in the news and social media.

Whole Foods forbade their employees to wear the Remembrance Day poppy, but following the above-mentioned ‘storm’, the decision wilted, no pun intended. It was heartening to see how Canadians across the country, our premier included, responded to the initial ban.

Yes, we care about the poppy.

Weekly column: Let’s all do our part to reduce the risk of pedestrian fatalities and severe injuries

Originally published as a column on Monday, October 19, 2020 on CFJC Today Kamloops and Armchair Mayor News.

It was not the fact that the car in front of me was driving faster than 30km/h in the school zone on Summit. Drivers can often and inadvertently find themselves going 50 in a school zone, which is why reminders are a must.

What irked me was seeing what happened after. As soon as a bunch of kids and their parents crossed, and while the light was still red, the driver took off, going full speed through the rest of the school zone.

Weekly Column: Here’s why wearing a mask is not such a big deal after all

Originally published as a column on CFJC Today Kamloops and Armchair Mayor News on Monday, August 10, 2020.

One of last week’s most commented news piece was the one about Walmart and their new mask requirement starting next week.

It’s an interesting one still when it comes to masks. Some grumble and openly refuse to even consider wearing one, while others just go with it, saying it’s good for everyone’s safety. It is. And it does not eliminate the risk completely but it sure takes it down a few notches when we’re out in public.

Weekly column: Don’t let summer temptations lead to bad decisions

Originally published as a column on CFJC Today Kamloops and Armchair Mayor News on July 28, 2020.

Summer is on and though everyone hoped that the virus will just succumb to hot weather, that’s not the case. Summer weather draws people out and many choose to do it the ‘old’ way – huddling together for parties and such, forgetting any references to social distancing, masks, and the like. Yes, the number of new covid-19 cases in on the rise again. But making up for lost time should not be coming at such a high price.

Weekly column: Birthday wishes for Jessie

Originally published as a column in CFJC Today Kamloops and Armchair Mayor News on July 20, 2020.

When my eldest son turned 18 not long ago, there was a lot to think about other than baking a cake and choosing a gift.

Like all parents, I thought of what’s ahead with a mix of joy and worry, but mostly with excitement. The journey as a grownup is about to begin, right?

I also thought of my friend Jessie Simpson, whom I’ve met in November 2018 and been spending almost every Sunday afternoon with until the pandemic started. It’s impossible not to think of him every time I think of young people starting out in life or graduating, ready for adventures and embracing life.

Weekly column: Why we need to reconsider pet ownership

Originally published as a column on CFJC Today Kamloops and Armchair Mayor News on June 29, 2020.

Snakes near playgrounds, dead dogs on airplanes, horrendous puppy mills, exotic pets that should never be owned by anyone other than Mother Nature – welcome to the dark side of pet ownership.

The latest story was the snake spotted in Coquitlam near a playground a few days ago. Luckily, no one was hurt and the snake was apprehended.

That’s not always the case with escaped exotic pets.

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