Falling is a Bad Idea

In fact, falling is a REALLY bad idea especially at my age. Honestly, I do not recommend it to anyone, no matter how old or young you are. But that is exactly what I did this morning and I am suffering for not paying more attention to where I was walking.

So, as a reminder to myself, and as a warning to everyone else, I have compiled a list of suggestions to help you avoid falls.

• Get non-slip mats in the shower and tub. • Install grab bars in the shower or tub and by the toilet. • Install handrails on both sides of stairs. • Keep walkways and steps well lit. • Reduce clutter. Get rid of loose wires, cords and other obstacles. • Repair loose floorboards and carpet. Scatter mats are tripping hazards. • Store frequently used items in easy-to-reach locations. • Mop up spills immediately. • Use assistive devices like a cane or walker, if required. • Use a bath seat in the shower. • Wear rubber soled shoes on bare wood or tiled floors. • Have good lighting throughout the house and install nightlights.

Believe me when I say, falling is a bad idea. Take the necessary precautions to avoid it. You'll be glad you did.

Down Memory Lane

It was in November 1958 that it was first announced in the local newspaper that Woolworth was coming to town. (That’s the year that my parents and I moved into our house in Richmond Hill.) The modern and brand new Woolworth’s store that opened on Yonge Street just south of Centre Street in 1959 had just over 10,000 sq. ft. of space, and included a lunch counter with 30 stools.

This store was a significant fixture during my childhood because when I was old enough, my mother would allow me to go there on my own. That was only place in 'downtown' Richmond Hill I was able to go without one of my parents. You see, the Woolworth’s store, while having a storefront on Yonge Street, also had a back entrance from a quiet residential street. I would go with my brother or a friend and we could leave our bicycles in the back parking lot while we went up the stairs and into the store. We were not allowed on a ‘busy’ road like Yonge Street. Compared to the 1960s, traffic through town these days is a nightmare. We could never have imagined it at the time though.

Woolworth's eventually closed in Richmond Hill in the summer of 1971 but I still have fond memories of my excursions there.

Making Backgrounds

I love making backgrounds for my artist trading cards. I use a gel plate and acrylic paint, along with various mark making tools like bubble wrap. I recently watched a video on YouTube where an artist suggested thinking outside of the box when it comes to mark making tools. He told us to look at things you would normally throw out or put in your recycling bin that could make interesting designs on your backgrounds.

So that is exactly what I did today. I found a plastic tray the came with hamburger in it, another plastic tray that my gluten free bread is sold in and a couple of handles cut off of reusable shopping bags. Never before would it have occurred to me to use these items as mark making tools. And I wasn’t really looking that hard. I now have a new way of looking at things that would otherwise be discarded without a second thought.

Let’s be honest here, I don’t really ‘need’ any more backgrounds right now. There are about 100 in my binder all ready to go. I may, in fact, have to give away some of the backgrounds I have made to other artists to use. Mostly because I’m anxious to see how these new tools work but also so that I have a new selection to choose from when I am making my ATCs.

I only ended up using the bottom of the two plastic trays this time and I really did get some interesting results. As always, some turned out better than others. Some I don’t like at all but a friend reminded me that sometimes the backgrounds I think are ‘ugly’ turn out to be the best once die cuts and other embellishments are added. For better or worse, here they are…

Halloween Howl

I love Halloween, it’s my favourite holiday! For many years, I hosted an artist trading card (ATC) swap called Halloween Howl. At first it was on SwapBot, then through a Facebook group more recently. For those who don’t know, an ATC is a miniature piece of art that is 2.5” X 3.5”, the size of a standard collectible baseball/hockey card. ATCs will fit in the same 9 pocket sleeve pages made for those.

Each participant would make 31 different and unique cards for the swap. The ATCs were sealed in individual envelopes and numbered 1 to 31. They were then shipped to their partner by mid September. Starting on October 1st, you would begin opening the cards, one each day for the whole month. Lots of fun! We would share photos of what we received in the Facebook group. I got a lot of ideas and inspiration looking at the work of others.

This swap was not for everyone. It was a big commitment. When we started, there were about 30 participants but as the years progressed and interest waned the numbers dwindled down to only 9 people last year. I decided it was no longer viable to continue in 2025. It had a good run but I was very sad to see it end.

A friend in the U.S. reached out to me after I announced the end of the yearly swap to ask if I would be interested in doing a private Halloween swap with her this year. Yes, I am! We are sending three ATCs per month starting in January (4 in October) for a total of 31 cards. We have agreed not to begin opening them until October 1st, like before. I’m putting mine into a small tin as they arrive so they don’t get misplaced before the appointed time.

As always, anticipation is half the fun. In October I will share the ones that I made for her along with the ones I receive. The pictures you see here are the set that I created in 2023 for my partner that year. I’m so happy that I can continue to have Halloween Howl fun this year!

Pain Management

Several people have asked me how I do it. How do I keep smiling and positive through the pain? Honestly, it’s not always easy. In fact, some day it’s near impossible. On those days I have a number of strategies that help me get through.

Reader’s Digest had it right. ‘Laughter is the Best Medicine’. And that is so true. There is nothing like a good belly laugh to break the cycle of pain in your brain. Therefore, I try to inject humour wherever and whenever I can and I really appreciate others who can do that too.

I remember a time that I was chatting online with a friend. It was a particularly bad day. I typed that I wanted to chop off my leg! This girl did not miss a beat. She told me to do it in the bathtub and make sure I put down a drop cloth to keep the blood contained. The thought of actually doing that was so absolutely ridiculous that I burst out laughing. That’s all it took to break the cycle of pain in that moment. It didn’t seem quite so bad after that.

The main key to pain management is to keep your mind occupied with something other than the pain. I’ve been known to randomly recite nursery rhymes and hum or sing little bits of obscure songs. One day a co-worker asked me if I realized what I was humming. I had to stop and think about it for a second before I realized it was ‘It Ain’t Easy to be Green’ by Kermit the Frog. Seriously, I could not make this up.

Having a hobby you enjoy can be a great escape from ‘reality’. For me, it is paper crafting. I make artist trading cards, junk journals, greeting cards, tags, etc. many of them to swap with friends. It takes a lot of my concentration and puts me in the ‘Zone’ where everything else falls to the background including the pain. And getting ‘happy mail’ from a friend will make the world a better place every time.

Since I’m still working full-time that keeps my mind active from Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. I’m entering orders, talking to customers and solving problems as they arise. All these things keep me going when others would simply give up but I refuse to let ‘it’ defeat me.

Like I said before, it is not always easy but along with the medication prescribed by my doctor and occasionally my trusty heating pad, I manage to live my best life in difficult circumstances. You can do it too. I try to remember that there are people in this world in worse places or situations than me. I have a roof over my head, clothes to wear and food in my belly. I’m gainfully employed, have friends to support me and a family always willing to help me. I’m very blessed.