Battles have been fought and lives have been given in pursuit of national freedom. Many of the freedoms enjoyed today came at a high price to those who have gone before us. National independence is only one type of freedom we can enjoy; personal freedom is also incredibly important. Bondage can come in the form [...]

You feel that your mother should move.  She wants to stay right where she is and can give you ten good reasons for her decision. You tell her that you have noticed some changes in her life lately and she should take some timely advice. She takes offence at your “intrusion” into her affairs and [...]

I am in the process of buying my very first home. I’ve rented for 12 years and finally – amazingly – it’s time. The offer has been made and accepted and if the home inspection passes they’re going to give me the keys. The last two places I’ve lived in I’ve had to move out [...]

Although the two countries have nearly identical land area, the population of the USA is nearly 10 times that of Canada. Some quick math: Dividing the population of Canada by the total area (in square miles) gives us a ratio of nearly 10:1 … so if the land in Canada were divided evenly, each person [...]

Have you watched a toddler recently? One minute you are holding an infant, and it seems that when you turn around, she’s beginning to creep. Before you know it, she’s taking those first steps, falling, and learning to get up again. Soon she’s walking with confidence, and even running! In our spiritual lives, we learn [...]

The ideal home is one that you like, one that fits you and your needs, makes you feel comfortable and safe. The ideal elder home includes all of these attributes but it is also a home that allows the elderly resident to age in place. Age in place? When you age in place, you live in [...]

Who makes all the decisions in your life? Do you?  What if I said that is not best for you? There are six love busters that marriages need to be careful of.  This study focuses on the issue of independent behavior vs. interdependency in marriage. Independent behavior causes subtle damage to your relationship.  We will [...]

As the election results came in this morning I kept thinking of a single line from the Declaration of Independence, you know that part about “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”?  I couldn’t help but wonder who was feeling what this morning. For some these election results are exactly what they dreamed of, and [...]

If you haven’t been frazzled by a preschooler who resists going to bed, you’re probably not a parent. My younger daughter, Laura, was the Queen of Stall. I defined bedtime as being in bed – with both legs – and lights out. Laura defined it as time to begin getting ready for going to bed. [...]

I am Canadian, but I wasn’t always. I don’t remember much about coming to Canada.  But I do remember the day we took our oaths and became citizens.  I was 10 years old by then.  On a winter’s day in March with the harshest, most biting wind I have ever experienced, we headed to city [...]