Blue Velvet Sectional

I don't wear much jewelry.  I figure it's a reaction to how I dressed in high school.  Back then, I looked like a Madonna impersonator, or an extra in a John Hughes movie.  On an average day, I wore brooches, rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, all stacked high.  I tied the look together with a big black satin bow in my curly hair. You could probably hear me coming a block away as I jingled under the weight of so much fake Chanel-style jewelry. I routinely set off metal detectors at airports (and once at the Canadian Parliament!) I'd say I looked ridiculous, but hey, everyone did in the 80s! That's obviously not my style anymore. Now, I have three things that I feel naked without- pearl and diamond stud earrings, and two simple pieces that remind me of Harbour Island. A few years ago I found this silver ring at The Sand Dollar, a lovely store on King Street in Dunmore Town.  I love it because the "stone" is actually beach glass from nearby Pink Sa

Jordan, Ontario. It's Canadian Thanksgiving today.  Due to a variety of circumstances, I'm spending (most of) the day solo.  I am actually fine with this.  Suffice it to say, this was probably not the best weekend for a Mexican standoff with my mother. In any case, I've had some time to read, write, see friends, shop, and catch up on some TV.  (Next up- the first two episodes of the new season of The Affair.) Of course, the purpose of Thanksgiving, other than eating turkey and pumpkin pie until you're groggy and uncomfortable, is to reflect a bit on what we're thankful for.  I certainly have plenty of things to list.  Here are just three: I'm Canadian.  Yes, I still dream of ending up in New York, or maybe a hill town in Italy, but for a place to be born and raised, I really don't think you can do better than this.  Thank you, motley collection of peasant immigrant relatives, for choosing this country.  I am looking forward to exercising the

I don't travel for work anymore, but I am fortunate enough to be able to take half a dozen flights a year, for fun.  You know what?  I have never been upgraded to first class, or even business class! I have had the occasional hotel upgrade; to a suite in Boston a few years ago, on Marathon weekend, no less, and once at the New York Palace .  But, all my flying has been done crammed into coach, trying to get comfortable, and wondering if I should drink the free Diet Coke and praying that turbulence doesn't take away my bathroom privileges.  In short, flying sucks. Except that it doesn't, does it?  It's a freaking miracle of invention that in about half a century, we went from barely getting off the ground, to landing someone on the moon.  Any idiot with a few bucks and a passport can buy a ticket, head to 30,000 feet above the earth, and zoom at 500 miles per hour to another part of the world. I have had dinner in Toronto, and breakfast in Paris.  Even if I have to