ENCOURAGEMENTS Blog

Pink eye. Ever had it? According to webmd.com, “Pinkeye (also called conjunctivitis) is redness and swelling of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the eyelid and eye surface. If irritation or infection occurs, the lining becomes red and swollen.” Pinkeye is very common and very contagious. Sharing an object, such as a washcloth or towel, with a person who …

“Mr. McEwan, I need to get rid of this little scratch – how do I do it?” I gazed at my beautifully machined brass letter opener.  It was a gift for my dad on Father’s Day and I wanted to make it perfect.  And it was, except for that little scratch on the blade. Mr. McEwan, my grade 8 metal …

Wisteria is a beautiful flowering vine.  Their flowers hang down from the vine looking like magical, lavender, layered lanterns.  Wisteria vines climb by twining their stems either clockwise or counter-clockwise around any available support. We have 2 wisteria vines on either side of our garage.  I noticed something very significant this week looking at the difference between the two vines.  …

Harvard: one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Founded in 1636, Harvard is the United States oldest institution of higher learning.  Located in Cambridge Massachusetts across the Charles River from Boston, it comprises 210 acres of land and boasts the largest endowment of any university in the world at over $36 billion. There are currently close to 21,000 students with …

Are you a sports fan? Whether you are or not, there are literally billions of people around the globe who are sports fans. Some are rabid, some are casual, but there is no denying the popularity of sports on the world stage. Baseball, hockey, football, basketball, soccer, rugby, and scores of other team sports are revered, regarded, admired, attended, followed …

Have you ever been to Ottawa?  If you have not, then I highly recommend you put it into your travel plans. One of my wife’s bucket list items was to be in Ottawa on Canada Day.  So here we are: July 1st 2015 in Ottawa celebrating the birth of this amazing country of ours.  We are 148 years old this …

I got in a fight this weekend. I came out on top, but man was it a battle.  I am significantly beat up and hurt like crazy, but I won.  My body bears the lacerations of a man who fought a pack of angry alley cats, but it was something far more sinister with which I was contending. I fought …

“The world needs more Canadas.  I think you’re too modest – which is a word I don’t use too much.” And with those words Bono began his recent mission on Parliament Hill. Bono?  Really? Yes indeed.  Bono, known globally for being the rock star front-man for the musical phenomenon known as U2, is also recognized around the world for his …

Four men, four days, a forty foot boat and one captain to make captains of us all. Three friends and I recently received our yacht piloting licences.  We can now officially charter and pilot a yacht in the incredible coastal waters of British Columbia – and anywhere else for that matter.  I have become certified as a Day Skipper and …

Fifteen thousand people united in a common goal.  That’s powerful.  That’s compelling.  You can bet that whatever they stand for is difficult to ignore. Especially if you are Mike Vernon. The fifteen thousand people united in a common goal were all Winnipeg Jets fans.  And their common goal?  Their common goal was simply to psych out Mike Vernon.  Their common …