And that means having to return. Talk about a buzz kill. I don’t need any extra errands in my life and when returning to the U.S.? That just gets my blood boiling. Over the last 12 months I have wasted hundreds of dollars on the fee Visa charges for foreign currency conversion. (Of course the same thing happens when you buy and return an item in the U.S. in person, but I’m far less likely to return when I’ve shopped in person.)

Then there’s the packaging. I’m not the poster girl for recycling (I do my best, really, but I must admit the odd piece of plastic has made its way into my garbage), but the extra cardboard, paper, wrap, tape, styrofoam and plastic that arrives at my door with any given online order is sickening. I hope someone really smart is out there working on a way to make packaging non-toxic and water soluble (that whiz kid is going to be rich) and the smart e-tailers who use less packaging are making themselves known for it.

Even shopping for food online has become big business, with the American meal-kit industry alone estimated to hit $5 billion in the next few years. But I am not a customer for the meal-kit business. How do I know what I want to eat for dinner three days or a week from now? Or I might go to the store to buy tomatoes but when I get there I decide the asparagus looks better. I can’t enjoy my food through a computer screen.

Of course e-commerce is an important part of any retail offering and I love it for buying products I already know, like books, airline tickets or shoes I’ve already tried on. And Amazon and Alibaba are goldmines for finding new snack foods (hello, honey butter flavoured potato chips from South Korea? The best.) Shopping online can be the ultimate time saving convenience.

But e-commerce needs to balance with a brick-and-mortar experience. Nowadays it feels like too many retailers are out of whack, swinging too far toward stocking less and forcing customers to buy online. I understand why –  smaller store fronts with less inventory means less overhead and the ability to offer a greater product range. But I want my brick-and-mortar store to act as more than just a consultant, where I go to get advice on what to buy online. Restoration Hardware doesn’t need to stock every sofa, but they should carry sheets in-store.

One day I predict we’ll all have a lock box on our front doorstep so you don’t have to be home to receive all those packages. They’ll be refrigerated so the milkman can leave the organic grass-fed 2% while you’re at work and shipping will cost pennies as drones rule the skies.

In the meantime I look for e-tailers that offer a truly borderless experience (i.e. free shipping to Canada, loyalty programs and gift certificates that are valid anywhere) free returns, live chat (either on the phone or web), reduced packaging and a relaxed return policy. And extra points go to any e-tailer that offers useful content on its website (like Netaporter). And setting up a U.S. dollar account with a credit card so I don’t pay those currency conversion charges is on my to-do list.

But will the online experience ever be able to mimic a shopping high? That feeling you get when you spot the last jacket in your size hiding at the back of the rack? The thrill that comes from talking the sales person into an extra discount or slipping on a pair of jeans that you know in an instant are going to change your life? I doubt it.

Being able to visit Wild ARC* and to have a hands-on experience was a dream come true.

A Day in the Life

When I arrived at 9 am, I was paired with senior staffer Dana Lipka, who was to be my guide for the day. Lipka has spent over 10 years as a rehabber at Wild ARC and is a wealth of knowledge about the area’s wildlife and the centre’s workings.

We launched right in. The baby bunnies needed feeding. They also needed to be weighed to ensure they were thriving. Then their cages had to be cleaned out (they make a right mess!) and the larger rabbits required fresh water and food.

During the course of the day I was also able to witness the feeding of baby hummingbirds and robins and watch while a bald eagle and an owl were being examined. I peered at the full-grown otters in their outdoor pens – they’re going to be released back into the wild soon. They also put me to work in the kitchen (figures!) where I prepped squirrel supper – a pretty tasty looking meal of nuts, fruits and berries.

Baby Hummingbird: Photo Courtesy BC SPCA

On Baby Duty 

But the highlight of the day was feeding and caring for three baby squirrels.

It started with “stimulating” them. I was surprised as you are. In the wild, many animal mamas stimulate their babies in order to encourage them to go to the bathroom. Since these baby squirrels were separated from their mother, we had to step in.

Using a Q-tip, we had to try to make the babies go pooh and pee. Honestly, once I got the hang of it, it wasn’t as bad or as weird as it sounds. The good news is that because they were so small, the amount of excretion was wee, pardon the pun.

Dana would then feed the little guys formula, after which, I would clean off their milky faces and little paws with a wet towel and try to get them to “go” again.

We did this a number of times during the day.  Frankly, I couldn’t get enough of the task.  It was so wonderful to hold these little critters, their little claws rapped around my fingers.

Patient Arrival 

Later in the afternoon, Dana and I had to race to meet a patient who was being choppered in. We drove to a nearby field to await a helicopter that was transporting an injured Surf Scoter, a large and quite beautiful sea duck. The rescuer was a lovely older gentleman who volunteers his time, and his chopper, to transport animals in distress.

Awaiting a new patient 

Lessons Learned 

A number of things stuck me about Wild ARC.

1. First was the sheer amount of work it all took. Animals need to be fed, not just daily, or even twice a day like my Ruby, but often every few hours. And in the case of the hummingbirds, every 15 minutes!
2. It is a task with no end.  The volunteers and staff work tirelessly and cheerfully, even though the work is never done and never will be done. While I was there, new animals were being brought in and the phone was ringing, with people wondering to do with wildlife that was injured or appeared abandoned.
3. Oh, and the laundry. The amount of laundry there is to do every day! And the food and supplies that are required to take care all of these different creatures is quite astounding.
4. Everything has a use. Jar lids are used for animals’ dishes, tin cans are covered in fabric and turned into hidey holes for small mammals and old produce is collected from local supermarkets and fed to the ARC’s many customers.
5. This was the hardest to come to terms with but also the most important thing I learned: once I had those little squirrels in my hands, I wanted to hold and pet them to no end. But you can’t. Your job at Wild ARC is not to befriend and tame all these precious creatures but to prepare them for their return to the wild. That means having as little contact with them as possible.

I want to thank everyone at Wild ARC for welcoming me and allowing me to witness the important work they do, with a special thanks to Dana for your warmth and enthusiasm. It’s a day I will never forget.

*Wild ARC is generally closed to the public although they do have an open house once a year, in the spring. The centre relies on donations from the community. Click here to find out more or to make a donation. 

Observing in the exam room with senior rehabber Christina 

My new fitbit brought me back to reality.  (Thanks for getting me one, mom!) On my first day’s wear, I was way under my goal of 10,000 steps.  (The average Canadian takes about 3,000 – 5,000 steps a day, even though 10,000 is the minimum recommended for adults.) No wonder the pounds have been creeping up.

I am a bit late to the fitbit craze, but so far, I’m very pleased with my purchase, umm,  I mean gift.

Things I’ve learned while wearing my fitbit:

1. It does make me get off my butt.  If I’m at 7000-8000 steps for the day, it spurs me to get up and start moving to make it to my goal.
2. There’s something to be said for mall walking. It’s amazing how quickly you can add steps by doing errands in a mall or large box store.  Especially useful when the weather isn’t cooperating.
3. Gym does not equal steps.   A lot of exercises, upper body strength training or squats for example, don’t count as steps.  I try not to get too hung up on the step counter on workout days.
4. Cooking counts. While shooting Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag I was always dead tired at the end of the cook day. Now I know why. In addition to being on your feet, you actually take a fair number of steps while cooking.
5. While my iPhone also tracks steps, I prefer the fitbit. When I head out for a walk, I want to disengage and leave my phone behind.
6. Fitbits connect to the Fitbit app that you have to download onto your phone.  The Alta has a notification option to alert you to incoming emails and texts.  I found this exceedingly annoying and turned it off.
7. You know when you enter a room and forgot what you went there in for in the first place? Being forgetful and going back and forth is now a good thing.
8. You can beat the system. Swinging your arm back and forth registers as steps.  But you’re only cheating yourself Kristina!

Will my fitbit be collecting dust in a few months? I’ll get back to you on that later, after I get back from my walk.

Of course when it comes to what is socially acceptable versus what is technically allowed, the wheels of change move at different speeds. Especially when drugs, safety and criminality come into play. But the times, they are a ‘changin. Earlier this week it was reported that Shoppers Drug Mart is investigating selling prescription marijuana through its pharmacies, which would make sense since most other prescription medications are sold that way.

And on Wednesday a federal court judge struck down a law that prohibits those who need medical marijuana from growing their own. In recent years these people had rely on the limited number of licensed growers who only deliver by mail or the illegally operating dispensaries. The dispensaries may offer convenience, but since they aren’t technically allowed to do business it’s tough to know what you’re really buying or where it came from. People who need marijuana for medicinal purposes should be allowed to grow their own.

For those who argue against legalizing pot for recreational use, I say this: Since a large and growing part of the populace supports the idea, and many are doing it anyway, doesn’t it make more sense to regulate it, control it and tax it then to further criminalize it? Legalizing pot will mean more laws, not fewer.

Obviously there is a lot to figure out. Like how to test for drivers under the influence. And if pharmacies are selling prescription marijuana, who should be allowed to sell bud for recreational use? I for one support a combined public-private model. It is the one that best serves the consumer (competitive prices), the government (a source of tax revenue and regulated quality) and the community at large (the two groups will have a shared interest in education and social support).

Liquor has been banned at various times in both Canadian and American history, but never did the lifting of those bans cause society to descend into unrest and the same will be true of pot legalization. Those who support the recreational industry will by and large continue to act as responsible citizens, the government will regulate, the black market will dwindle and people who don’t buy the product won’t be affected.

A article in this week’s Globe & Mail by a former Google executive who quit his dream job to start a chain of pot centred coffee shops, “Tokyo Smoke“, says marijuana is the next internet. A bold statement. One hundred per cent of people I know rely on the internet. My grandma uses the internet and somehow I can’t see her rolling a fatty. But then again I never worked for Google and Google seems to know everything.

There is no doubt, with legalization will come a broader multi-billion dollar industry. Because it’s not just the growers and sellers, but also a slew of related products and services that will set the stage for innovation and opportunity. The edibles industry alone will explode.

Many chefs I know are working on their own recipes right now. (The secret’s in the clarified butter.) There will be marijuana food brands, pot themed cookbooks, cannabis kitchen gadgets and how-to-cook-with-it television shows. Personally, I’m confident my own Sativa Chocolate Chunk Dream Cookies will be in high demand. But one thing’s for sure, the competition will be fierce.

Take another Bachelorette, Kaitlyn Bristowe, (pictured below) who will be speaking at today’s Pink Shirt Day lunch at Bluewater Cafe in Vancouver. While on the show she was the target of an endless slew of online haters, who hurled disgusting “slut shaming” insults her way. I don’t understand why someone would want to expose herself by going on a show like that in the first place, but that is not the point. No one deserves to be spoken to the way she was.

Sadly, technology is on the side of bullies. Sending a text or posting a nasty comment of hate, insult, judgement or threat is just too easy. And that makes the cyber variety the worst kind of bully. Being able to hide behind a screen embolden’s them to use language that is beyond vile since they don’t  have to look their prey in the eye as they go in for the kill.

And while the bully is acting from a false sense of superiority and deep seeded insecurity, after they spew their venom they probably don’t give the power of their words another thought. The person on the receiving end, of course, feels like they just got slapped across the face. And trust me when I say the sting lingers.

I can’t imagine how my 12-year-old self would fare in this day and age. It’s hard enough as a 46-year-old. And of course this isn’t just an issue for girls. But having been a girl, I think it’s worse for them.

Pink Shirt Day is anti-bullying day and it’s coming up on February 24th. Events are going on across the country all month. Buy your t-shirt here and be part of empowering all kids to walk away, protect themselves and report bullies.

What’s more, the place is usually packed, all of us working out together in a fairly small space. The sweat flies. Literally.

Some of that is unavoidable.  But whether you’re working out on your own, with a trainer or attending a group fitness classes, can we all just please, pretty please, keep a few common courtesies in mind?

1. Wipe Down. The number of times I see people working out on a piece of equipment and walking away, leaving a veritable puddle in their wake is ASTOUNDING.  Please wipe down that piece of equipment after you’re done with it. I know the gym is inherently a sweaty place, but no one, I repeat NO ONE, wants to lie on the mat in your pool of sweat or grab the handle bars that you’ve just dripped all over.

2. Keep the grunting and groaning to a minimum. Your workout is hard, we get it. Mine’s hard too. And of course some heavy breathing is to be expected. But when the guy or gal is moaning and groaning beside me, it’s distracting, in a bad way.  Because you know what you sound like you’re doing, right?

3. Chitchat with discretion. The gym can be a social place for some. And listening to chatter can be a good diversion, that helps me make it through those last five reps. But just ensure that you’re not blocking runways, walkway, doorways or equipment.

4. Share the equipment. When the gym’s empty, go nuts. Spend an hour on the treadmill, no one cares. But as with the other points above, it’s all about being considerate and taking stock of what’s going on around you.  If people are waiting, don’t hog popular pieces of equipment.

5. Save the scents. Of course, a bit of anti-perspirant or deodorant is always appreciated, but I don’t think there’s room for heavy scents (or halos of hairspray) at the gym. I have a hard enough time catching my breath as it is.

Fellow gym rats, did I miss any?

For those in established relationships, many already have a Valentine’s routine figured out. But routine is a bad word. Why not do something different? It doesn’t need to be costly. Just sexy. Wear that lingerie, have sex in the shower, write a love note. Throw a curve ball.

For those who aren’t sure about what to do for their beloved I say, most importantly, skip the dinner out. Most restaurants have multiple seatings, which means you’re rushed. And many have set menus and in my experience that’s never as good and often the price is inflated. This is the perfect night to stay home and cook. Cooking is sexy. (Especially when done in lingerie.) So whether one cooks for the other or you do it together, just do it. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Sunday, you’ll have lots of time to shop and prep and you have no excuse. Open a nice bottle of wine and get at it.

Sexy foods? Oysters and champagne, of course. (But you have to know how to shuck them.) Spaghetti based dishes are also appealing on this occasion. A spicy Spaghetti Amatriciana or a silky Linguini Carbonara or anything with truffles will get you where you want to go. Don’t forget the grilled asparagus too – the perfect phallically shaped side dish. Avocado and strawberries are pretty sexy ingredients and could go in a salad. And anyone who knows how to properly cook a steak instantly becomes uber sexy.

For desert? Chocolate of course. And nothing beats the simplicity of a chocolate layer cake. Easy to buy, or for the enthusiastic home baker, easy to make from scratch. You have all day tomorrow to do that. Store bought or homemade, you can feed it to each other in bed.  (If I ever make you one, you’ll know you’ve won me over forever.)

Beyond dinner, I’m not much for gifts on Valentine’s Day. I mean I’m not going to reject a diamond tennis bracelet or a Starbucks gift card, obviously, but material gifts can muddy your message and you need to be prepared that it could create expectations for next year. The exception of course, is lingerie. Now that’s a gift that delivers an on-point message on the day designed for lovers.

For anyone who is single, my advice is to take the day by storm and take control. Sleep in. Book a yoga or spin class. Go for lunch with friends. Cook yourself a nice dinner. Buy yourself a treat. Be your own Valentine and celebrate your freedom! Filling up the day with activities that make you happy won’t give you any time to get depressed that some guy isn’t riding up on a white horse or Sophia Vergara didn’t call to say she wants to get it on.

In many ways I think school-aged kids have got it right. On Valentine’s Day they write simple cards to each other and put them in special Valentine’s Day “mailboxes” (paper bags) and that’s about the end of it. Teachers make it so that everyone gets something and no one feels left out.  It’s a simple approach and one grown ups could use for our own.

Because what’s as important as dinner or a sexy thong, is words. However you do it, whether by Hallmark card, text or, horrors, face to face, say what you mean this Sunday. And you don’t have to be in romantic love with someone to tell them I think you’re cute/hot/smart/sassy/special. It’s also a great time to say, I miss you.

“You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” – Dr. Seuss

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. Love conquers all. (It really does.)

When I think of David Bowie I am catapulted back to junior high when Let’s Dance was released. I remember dancing around my bedroom, trying on blue eyeliner and  listening to Modern Love over and over, until I knew every word. It’s the album that led me back to what was perhaps Bowie’s greatest masterpiece, Ziggy’s Stardust. I was born ready for that music, even if it came before me. At a tender 22 when he wrote it, Bowie was an indisputable genius.

The world would not have Céline Dion had it not been for René Angélil, whose funeral is being held today in Montreal. He died from throat cancer two days before his 74th birthday. To be sure, Ms. Dion is a rare talent all on her own. But it was Angélil who saw the star power potential when he first heard her demo tape and then made it happen. Kate, Leo and the Titanic would not have moved us as they did without My Heart Will Go On.  I need a box of Kleenex just thinking about it.

British actor Alan Rickman may be recently and widely known for his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, but that is just the tip of the 30-year career iceberg and for me, it’s all about the film Love Actually. It is a romantic classic and a Christmas tradition in my house, in which Rickman beautifully portrays Harry, a middle-aged man so foolishly seduced by a pretty young thing.  Next Christmas that movie will take on a richer nostalgia.

And Glenn Frey. What a tragedy to know I will never again have the pleasure of seeing him play live. The Eagles is one of my most favourite bands. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 album was for many years the highest selling album ever in the U.S. (today it sits as number two, behind Thriller) I will forever love their laid back ’70s L.A. vibe. I’ve seen the Eagles perform multiple times, including a Hollywood Bowl show for the ages. (If you like live music, put that venue on your bucket list.) Frey was a leader of one of the most important rock bands in the world.

Of course, not all artistry is for everyone and the work of these icons varied greatly from one to the next. But what they shared is that unlike so many other artists who have a single period of creativity, usually in their youth, each of these men continued to produce hits and explore new and relevant creative ground throughout their lives. In a way, they refused to get old.

They were all too young to go. And now that they have, I am – like you are – thinking back to my life unfolding alongside their work. Where was I when a certain song was a hit; what was I wearing, where did I live and who did I think I was in love with. With their deaths it dawns on me that so many years are spent and the feeling of the passage of time is palpable. Because that’s just it, now that they’re gone the chapter is closed. Even if it already was.

Individually and together these artists moved millions. They gave us an escape and hope. At the core, they represent youth. And with youth comes a belief in big love and recklessness without consequence. In a future that goes on forever. These movies and songs take us back to the time when we believed in all that, before life took over and we got old. Each of them kept believing in it and so should the rest of us.

May they rest in peace.

Here are my New Year’s resolutions for 2016.

1. I will be late more often. 

I know, not something you often see on resolution lists. 95% of the time, I’m not just on time, I’m early, circling the block or biding my time, getting over-caffeinated at the local Starbucks. People say come for dinner at 6:30 and I’m a knockin’ at 6:29.   They don’t look happy when they open the door.

In 2016, it’s time for change. Excluding things one MUST be one time for, like flights, appointments and work, I am going to try to be at least 5 minutes late. Friends, you’re welcome.

2. I will take longer to answer emails.

Last year I was repeatedly thanked for my prompt responses. It got to the point where I realized that this was being viewed as remarkable (as in “odd”) behaviour.  I could see the wheels turning: clearly she’s not busy if she can get back to me that fast. Untrue!

I’m just, well, anal. I hate a cluttered inbox.  But in order to blend in better with my fellow earthlings, I’m going to turn off the alerts on my devices and set aside specific times for correspondence. Email, you’re not the boss of me!

3. I will become more ambidextrous.

2016 is the year to “grow” some new brain cells.  I already do lots of cool stuff with my left hand, like open jars and manipulate my hair brush when drying my hair.  I’m also going to try brushing my teeth and stirring the pot (literally, not figuratively) with my left hand.  Switching things up is good for the brain. (Adventure)

4. I will always carry two poop bags when walking Ruby.

(I think the key to resolution success is peppering your more serious ambitions with ones easier to keep. Little victories lead to bigger ones!)

5. I will beef up my emergency preparedness kit.

I really do have one, although the edibles are going stale.  That said, after last week’s earthquake in Vancouver and the ensuing avalanche of press about The Big One, I do question whether I should even bother, especially after reading this article.   At least I’ll be kind of prepared if a wee disaster strikes?

6. I will moisturizer more.

Not just my face but my whole body. This is tougher than it sounds. I hate feeling sticky under my clothes which means moisturizing in the evening is best. But at night I’m sleepy!

7. I will wear more hats.

I finally understand why men wear baseball hats so often. Besides the fact that a good hat can hide a bald spot, it’s also the perfect foil for a bad hair day. Brilliant!

8. I will use my time more mindfully. 

TV, social media, Netflix –  I’ve lost hours and days of my life to what? Nothing!  I’m going back to the olden days when I spent most of my time with my nose buried in a book.  (Have you read Fates and Furies yet? Put it on your list.)

Furthermore, my friends know that in an effort to cut down on screen time, I already generally log off at about 6 or 7 at night.  Need to reach me? Call my house phone. (I’m so retro!)  This year, I’m also putting a cap on general, mindless surfing. Half hour each morning. That’s it.

9. I will expand my horizons.

My best memories of last year were ones when I tried something new. This year, more travel, more classes (photography!) and collect even more unique experiences.

2016, I’m coming for you. Happy New Year everyone!

*The photos featured are of doors in Palm Springs. I love how bright, sunny and welcoming they are. 

Anna