Living

Words Richard J. Welland MHSc, PhD, RSLP, S-LP(C) Registered Speech-Language Pathologist, Owner/Operator, Talk in Action A speech-language pathologist walks into a stroke patient’s hospital room ... If that only sounds like the beginning of a bad joke to you, then consider yourself lucky. If you have had a stroke or know someone who has had [...]

Words Stacey Toews This winter I’ve been dreaming and scheming on the evolution of our gardens. This winter on our property, I’m planting holly for seasonal colour and habitat, a few haskap and some additional fruit trees, along with self-fertile kiwi vines for a sunny trellis, and earmarking an area for future Christmas trees –

Words Janice Henshaw Photos Sarah Hartley Photography A new subdivision on Derrick Road in North Saanich is lined with workers' trucks in front of several houses in various stages of construction. Today we are going to visit one of the finished homes on this road and then find out from the builder, Kyle Velikovsky, owner

Words Dr. Marita Schauch, ND, Tall Tree Integrated Health Centre Every February we’re flooded with reminders to prove our love, through fancy gestures, flowers, chocolates, cards or a candlelit dinner. But here’s a gentle truth we don’t talk about enough: The longest, most intimate relationship you will ever have is with your own body. And

Words Tabatha Golat I discovered The Baltimorons trailer online and was immediately drawn to this charming, quirky comedy. It promised a sweet, heartfelt story, and it more than delivered, becoming this month’s Screen Scene recommendation. The film, directed by Jay Duplass and co-written with Michael Strassner, premiered at the South by Southwest Film & TV

Words Jackie LaPlante Yes, it is February and everything is about love. Does it seem that everyone, these days, is reading romance novels? Why the sudden popularity in this genre? From spicy hockey romance to sweet love to “romantasy,” everyone, from the young romantic to the slick executive, is embracing the cute, colourful covers and

Words Kelly Pacheco, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones When Mark started his graphic design company in Picton, Ontario, eight years ago, the legal structure of his business wasn’t top of mind. But now that his company has grown, with three full-time employees and clients seeking him out rather than the other way around, he’s started to

Words & Photo Shelley Tice The first light of a new year has a way of steadying us. It asks nothing, rushes nothing, and yet quietly reminds us that fresh beginnings don’t need fanfare – just space. On a crisp Sunday morning, I found that space at Island View Beach, wrapped in layers, holding a

Words Tabatha Golat Have you ever wondered where you would spend eternity if you had the choice? Or what might happen at the junction between life and whatever comes next? These are the questions at the heart of this month’s Screen Scene recommendation, Eternity, an A24 film directed by David Freyne (in theatres at the

Words Tina Kelly One step forward, three steps back. That is the rhythm of my to-read list. In 2025, I worked hard to shrink the list below 100 titles but with the constant stream of new publications, it’s ballooned to 137. These science and nature-focused books await reading in 2026. Vanishing Treasures: A Bestiary of