It says a lot about autumn’s charisma that I still love it even though it means the end of summer. I adore the open windows, bare feet, long evenings, singing crickets, and picnic-table dinners of summer. But then there are fresh apples, brilliant leaves, woodsmoke, and cozy sweaters, so it all works out. In the…
Author: dilovelyadmin
Happy Second Birthday, Rainbow Baby
Dear Delicious Little Girl, Two years ago yesterday, you came peacefully into the world, and immediately began howling. It was a day joyous beyond description for the people who love you. Since then, we’ve learned a lot about you. Some things we learned right away: You like to be snuggled – but not every second….
BANG Music Review: James Hill – The Old Silo
Y’all already know I’m an ardent fledgling ukulelist and, as such, a James Hill fan. (Actually, I was a James Hill fan first.) Therefore, I need to tell you that his new album, The Old Silo, was released on Tuesday. Even better, you can stream it live, RIGHT NOW, at jameshillmusic.com. As it happens,…
Why Teacher Incentive Pay and Standardized Tests Don’t Help Kids
The Fraser Institute, a Canadian public-policy think tank, has just released a study recommending something called “teacher incentive pay”, based on student achievement. The idea is, teachers would be paid bonuses based on high scores in their students’ standardized test results. This, they say, is key to Canada staying competitive on the world stage….
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Ahh, summer. As a teacher, I had two months of glorious relaxation punctuated by regular days of satisfying productivity. Here’s a little example, typical of this summer. Dilovely’s To-Do List: Fold/put away laundry from yesterday Do another laundry, hang to dry Work out Tidy living room Finish blog post Answer pending emails Take kids to…
CN Tower EdgeWalk: Facing your fears, or enjoying adrenaline?
We did it! On August 10th, we did the thing we’ve been planning for over a year (since we couldn’t swing the money for our anniversary last year): the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower in Toronto. Yes, it’s pricey. It comes to almost $200 per person with tax. It’s also a pretty cool experience. I…
Rest in peace, Robin.
What a shock, to learn that you’re gone from us. We are sad about it – devastated, bereft – all over the planet. We have not yet had time to process how much the world is depleted by your absence; we only know that when we found out, we could hardly believe it. Our jaws…
Remembering What We’re Built To Do
When I was 18, a boy at Camp wrote a poem for me. Although I didn’t requite his crush, I still consider his poem one of the most romantic things I’ve ever received, because of its candour. The second line was “She’s just like sunshine through the trees,” and to this day I still feel…
Black Raspberry Cobbler: Summer with a Spoon
This week, in Southwestern Ontario, has been that magical time of year when strawberries and raspberries overlap in their ripening. Last Tuesday, I finally got to pick black raspberries at our local berry farm. Just to clarify: black raspberries are not to be confused with blackberries, which look similar but A) are not raspberries, B)…
Three Years.
Dear Sebastian, It’s been hard to write today. Not just because thinking of you can be hard. It’s also difficult to find the time, with your brother and sister around, and life being the overwhelming To-Do list that it is. I feel drained, and the words feel awkward under my fingers. It’s been three years…