But guess what, Ottawa, I am not smiling any more! Cut this out, right now! I need some crocuses! I need one blade of new grass. I need some god damn warmth.

I stomped the snow off my boots before going inside. I made cozy dinners. I gathered flashlights and chargers when we thought we’d lose power. I cancelled plans because of weather. I have done winter, Ottawa and I did it with a smile.

Come ON Ottawa,

I was loyal to you! I didn’t complain about the freezing January. I was DELIGHTED by all that March snow. I skated, I skied, I did the other kind of skiing. I happily salted my walkway and was mostly uncomplaining about scraping my car. I bundled up without protest.

Turns Out Processing Emotions Isn't Just for Therapists Let me preface this post by saying that I am a 49 year old lady who has lived a life and seen some things.

Latest post, where I learn an important (basic) lesson in mental health!
Turns Out Processing Emotions Isn't Just for Therapists open.substack.com/pub/amytecto...

Does anyone have a hot tip for a Canadian-made sneaker like a Hoka? My feet need cushoning, but I'd love to find a Canadian brand. TIA!

breadstick is kind of the ideal thing to eat if you like to watch food get closer to you

Hard to concentrate with Señorita Snoutly snuggled up.

My child was up from midnight to four am with stomach flu. Lots of 3 am tears, bodily fluids and loads of laundry. I am now walking around like a sleep deprived, gritty eyed, headachy zombie. I’m so grateful to have a job that gives me sick days.

Run, don't walk, to this site. I fear #elxn45 will be Ground Zero for malicious disinformation. #cdnpoli

This is true. I for one am eagerly waiting for the forsythia I am forcing to flower and vaguely irritated about a dinner party invite that starts at 7:30

My big problem is that making a to-do list usually makes me feel productive enough that I no longer feel the need to actually do the things on the list

a spectacular crescent of golden-brown wrinkles is laying atop a soft, lime green blanket. each of the precious rolls from one end to the other no doubt came from an elaborate and precise lamination process and not just a casual plop. some might see what they believe is a shar pei puppy, but that can’t be it.

We only rate dogs. This is a very cuddly croissant. We understand the confusion between puppies and pastries, but please only send dogs. Thank you... 12/10

Good editorial note to Future Amy… Hope she knows how to do this.

Driving up Gladstone Avenue on a wintery Ottawa morning (-21C/-6F) and I spotted a man in a Sherlock Holmes cape, a fur deerskin hat, carrying the largest briefcase I've ever seen. What is his story? Adding to the intrigue, he had a distinctive limp!

sorry boss, won’t be making it in today. shirt sleeve got a little wet

A friend went to France last year and bought me a tube of drugstore retinol; every now and then I throw some of that on. I can honestly say my skin is better with my “don’t give a shit” regimen than my obsessive and expensive 10 steps and I have more time for the important stuff — crossword puzzles.

Like so many Gen X ladies, I went through a skincare phase where I was very knowledgeable about ceramides, retinols and snail mucus. I have come out the other side quite happily applying Nivea bought from the Dollar Store as my night cream and Cerave bought from the drug store as my day cream.

Come on out this Sunday!

Major storm happening with lots of snow and high winds… don’t worry though, Daffodil the Weather Dog is keeping a close eye on every flake…

Laufey - From The Start (Official Music Video) YouTube video by Laufey

Hot Tip: If you can withstand the SCORCHING teenage scorn, your fifteen year old can hook you up with some good new music … Case in point, my recent introduction to Icelandic Jazz singer Laufey who is more Norah Jones than Bjork…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSD_...

Aw thanks, Keith!

Sitting in the waiting room at the Ontario Breast Screening facility waiting for my regular mammogram and I feel such solidarity and connection with all the other women in here waiting with me. Yay ladies! Let’s protect those boobs!

Yes, nothing you do matters, unless you are foolish enough to BRUSH it.

Ha ha! It’s insidious… once it enters your vocab, it’s impossible to weed out!

“Foray” — each of my novels has one. As hard as I try to find it and eliminate it, it sneaks back in… “Your little foray into the art vault is going to cost you…” My characters suddenly turn into Bond villains around “foray”.

Cracking post of advice for researchers planning physical archive research.

Also, a great insight into why mass digitisation of archives costs money. Archives are messy, difficult, complex, and sensitive. Digitising them takes real skill and craft.

Latest newsletter is UPPPPP! Find out how to make this gross-sounding but super delicious meal! amytector.substack.com/p/meat-cabba...

Just slept through the night without waking up once - first time in years! Has the key to a good night’s sleep been zero physical activity and mountains of chocolate turtles and peppermint bark this whole time?!?