The Optimistic Musings of a Pessimist

Top Five/Bottom Five: The Best and Worst Ice Cream Flavours

Originally published May 2024; updated July 2026

Some subjects are almost too controversial for polite company.

Politics. Whether the toilet paper roll should go over or under (we all know the answer is OVER, right?).

And,…

Happy Things Friday: 24 May

The world seems shrouded in heaviness lately. Some of it is the era (COVID was an unprecedented experience; we’re living through periods of major political, economic and climate upheaval), and some of it is…

Letting Our Hair Down

I couldn’t fall asleep last night and apparently hair is on my mind.

In the last week Lisa, Engie, Rachel, and Stephany have all posted gorgeous pictures of their locks fresh off a trip to…

Random
May, 23, 2024
44 Comments

My Year of Shmita: April Update

Oh, April. I feel like the wheels fell off my pursuit of rest last month. Mostly it was an unsettled spirit, not necessarily a lack of physical downtime. I also felt decidedly hypocritical -…

Cozy…

I recently finished Cozy by Isabel Gillies. I’d rate the book “a bit unsatisfying” – started strong, finished with a whimper – but it inspired me to write out a list of things that…

Favourite Things, Joy, Personality Insights
May, 21, 2024
36 Comments

Guest Post: Welcome Melissa!!

I’m excited to welcome Melissa to my little corner of the internet this May morning. Hosting someone from the other side of the world – quite literally – is always extra thrilling. Melissa hails…