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Ah, romance. Admit it. You like it. Even if you think you don't. I've always maintained that if you say you don't,  it's because you don't want the pressure of being romantic, or you think it  costs an inordinate amount of cash to do so. Because, as far as being on the receiving end of a little romantic gesture, what, I ask, is not to like? When I first met my guy, it didn't take long to realize that the concept of romance was way outside his comfort zone.  Growing up in a boisterous farm family, comprised primarily of boys, and with a mother who worked like a Trojan, there wasn't much tutelage in matters of the heart.  This group was more prone to practical jokes than sweet talk. Early on, I caught a glimpse of a sensitive side. So I wooed him to the world of romance with tiny gestures — a message in his lunchbox, a surprise night at a charming B&B, a picnic in the country.  And since he saw how easy it was and noticed it was quite enjoyable t

Valentine's Day is 10 days away. While it's commonly thought of as a celebration of romance, there is a group that loves to participate too, despite lacking any real knowledge of matters of the heart. Kids take great delight in sending and receiving Valentines. Even now, several decades later, I remember creating special containers in the primary grade craft sessions to hold the messages I'd receive from classmates. I remember the little boxes and books of cards my mom would purchase and the time spent painstakingly deciding which sentiment I could express to whom.  Since teachers were insistent that no one be left out to avoid any hurt feelings,  one had to be careful not to send the wrong message to an icky boy. I remember making special Valentines for our parents, cutting out vibrant construction paper hearts to be glued on doilies, upon which we scribbled a sweet sentiment in crayon.  Or drawing on folded cards beneath silly puns provided by the teacher. Nowad

Back in a previous lifetime, I worked in the print media industry. When I started, first as a reporter for our local community newspaper just over  a half century ago,  it was the era of cut and paste.  Great books of clipart were the go-to for graphic elements in advertisements. Though the editorial department relied more on cameras than clipart to accompany news and features, there were occasions when an illustration was needed to add some visual interest to an article. I remember lugging stacks of mammoth books over to the desk, then flipping page after page in the hope of finding just the right image to accompany the story. It could be a time-consuming effort for sure with often unsatisfying results. Deadlines in journalism loom and time therefore is precious. If you don't find what you're looking for quickly, having any amount of time to actually be creative was minimal. Advertising seemed to fare better as their usage of the books had them more familiar with the

Valentine's Day is less than two weeks away. Thus the time is here to start thinking about personal projects and promotions for lovers and the besotted. The notion of putting a little romance in the middle of a long winter is worth celebrating. While there are those who consider Feb. 14 no different than any other day, the majority of people put at least some effort into acknowledging their feelings for that special someone. It can take on many forms, from the simple card to the more contrived gesture. It can cost nothing or a fortune. Some of the more ambitious will come up with something inspired and personal, from creating their own  card to writing a love song. These are the personal projects that take some time. Businesses too will be thinking about Valentine's Day long before it arrives. When I was working at the newspaper years ago, it was evident that this time of year began another advertising boon after the post-Christmas drought.  Retailers who had hung on ti

Another Monday, another morning. In every town, in every neighbourhood, people opened their eyes to a new work week, to another day back at the grind in its various formations. They headed out to jobs on main street, on the road, in offices and factories, or home. Occupations today are as diverse as the people comprising the workforce. A daily trivia game broadcast from a favourite radio station at our office, often prompts discussion among my colleagues and I. Representing diversity in age, from Babyboomer to Millennial,  it's interesting to note the differences in how we view many aspects of life, as well as acknowledge the traits of a generation. For example, a recent trivia question suggested that the average woman would do something about 16 times over the course of her life.  While our guesses ranged from change a hairstyle to diet (the right answer),  the baby among us suggested change jobs. Given that I, of all of us, have spent the most time on this earth yet had t