The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Top Five/Bottom Five: Small Talk Topics

Some people are pure magic with small talk. (Joy, this is your cue to take a bow.) These people could talk to a doorframe and somehow get a response. I, on the other hand,…

Personality Insights, Random, Top Five/Bottom Five
May, 29, 2025
58 Comments

From Cheesecake (Obvious) to Cicadas (Less Obvious): 38 Things I’m Grateful For Today

Today’s my 38th birthday — and for someone who is objectively terrible at keeping things brief, I had absolutely no idea what to write about.

But if this blog has taken on a singular theme…

An Extra Special Gratitude Guest: Let’s Talk About Joy (Literally)!!!!!

I am beyond delighted (and grateful) to have my best friend, Joy, guest posting on the blog today. She first appeared here a few years ago, but then my blog had the audacity to…

A 3-Day Trip (with Kids) to Cape Breton: Lighthouses, Louisbourg, and the Cabot Trail

I’ve been fielding more and more questions about Nova Scotia lately (keep them coming – I genuinely love my role of de facto, pro bono travel advisor for Tourism Nova Scotia). And, it seems…

Happy Things Friday: 23 May

What a week!

My father-in-law arrived Sunday; as always, he’s the easiest guest imaginable. We’ve also had a revolving door of kids’ friends, and most meals have included a few extra mouths.

Indy had a…

Beyond Their Cover — Judging Books by Colour and Height

After getting home from the library last week, I made a beeline for my closet to put away the newest additions to my reading stack. A few minutes later, I realized I’d been rearranging…

You Asked, I Answered: Chores, Choices, and My Childhood

When I asked for blog topic ideas recently, many of you mentioned parenting — both my relationship with my own parents and how we raise Belle and Indy.

Here goes…

Q: “You seem to have a…