Organic Granny

Young adults today live in a world transformed by technology, shifting values, and new platforms for self-expression. Compared to their parents and grandparents, the ways they voice their wants, needs, and desires have evolved significantly. Here are seven key differences: 1. Digital Storytelling over Face-to-Face Confession Instead of heart-to-hearts over coffee or long handwritten letters, today’s young adults often turn to Instagram stories, YouTube vlogs, or TikTok videos to share personal milestones, struggles, and dreams—publicly and creatively. Our younger granddaughter is a youtuber with over 100,000 subscribers. Grandpa and I were initially (mildly) shocked by some of her topics (i.e., bodily functions) and impressed by her ability to express her spiritual convictions so clearly and joyfully. We are among her biggest fans but refrain from writing comments that might lower the trust of her adolescent readers who pour out their hearts to her. 2. Therapy Talk is Normalized Young...

  These June-bearing White Strawberries were  huge bearers in our garden. They have a slight (but delightful) pineapple flavor. I don't know their variety because they were a freebie from a Farmer Market connection. Yay freebies! Few things rival the joy of biting into a sun-ripened strawberry plucked straight from the garden. Whether you’re a backyard grower or a balcony container gardener, strawberries are a rewarding crop with rich rewards. Let’s dig into the difference between types, how to grow them well, keep them healthy, and—of course—enjoy them with three delicious recipes. June-bearing vs. Everbearing Strawberries - June-bearing strawberries produce a single, heavy crop each year—typically in June. They yield the most fruit all at once, making them great for preserving or big-batch cooking.     - Popular varieties: ‘Honeoye’ (early), ‘Cavendish’, ‘Allstar’, and ‘Jewel’. - Everbearing strawberries offer smaller harvests throughout the growing season, ty...

Candy-Lea Chickite at the Evergreen Senior Centre, giving a talk on AI and Genealogy . On Thursday I wrote on Facebook: I tell you my Courtenay & Comox friends of a certain age (55+), you gotta check out the local Evergreen Club (Seniors' Centre)! Ed has been keeping his brain in throttle playing Bridge (probably 15 years) and now doing an interdenominational Bible Study (just the Bible) and playing Scrabble-- maybe chess in a while, he is checking that out. I've been attending the Thursday morning Gospel Singing group and having a great time (along with my pal, Pauline) singing the rousing oldie hymns. (Today we did a whole pack of Easter-related ones). Every 3rd Thursday afternoon I attend the Genealogy group. Today we had a fascinating presentation (with an active whiteboard with a powerpoint and video. Today's Topic was: Uncovering the Past: How AI Is Transforming My Genealogical Research (and how it could change yours too!) Presented by Candy-Lea Chickite How ...

The "beyond cringe" (a phrase borrowed from my teen granddaughters) photos of the Mega-Prison in El Salvador for the "worst of the worst" of the gangsters from Central and South America (and  elsewhere?) showed up in my Facebook feed today.  Rows of them, lying on the cement floor, interlocked in the baggy white undershorts that would, presumably, prevent them from being able to hide weapons, drugs, what else?  At first glance I thought it was some sort of bizarre religious exercise and then my mind flipped over to the uncanny similarity to what we have seen of Holocaust pictures.  Then I read about what it was.  And, several hours later, I wondered how things have come to be like this in the world.  Again.  And so I went to Chad (what I call ChatGPT) and had one of those magic conversations. Please feel free to fact-check what is written below and share what you find, have read, have heard about, have lived yourself.  * "Violence is not irrationa...

 The name Bonnie has a sweet, vintage charm—and it comes with an interesting backstory! 🌸 Meaning and Origin: The name Bonnie means "pretty", "attractive", or "cheerful".  It’s of Scottish origin, derived from the Scottish word “bonnie”, which itself comes from the French "bon" meaning “good.” So essentially, Bonnie is a descriptive word that became a given name. It was never really derived from another name, though some people have used it as a nickname for names like Bonita (Spanish for "pretty") or even Yvonne, but Bonnie is usually a name in its own right. 🕰️ Popularity Over Time: Early 1900s to 1940s: Bonnie steadily gained popularity in the United States and Canada. Peak Popularity: It peaked in the 1940s and 1950s—especially in the U.S., where it was in the Top 100 girl names from the 1920s through the early 1960s. Pop Culture Boosts: Its rise was helped by cultural figures like Bonnie Parker of the infamous "Bonnie and...

  For generations, parents have drawn inspiration from the natural world when naming their children—flowers, seasons, and yes, even months. Naming girls after the month of their birth became especially popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when poetic and nature-inspired names like April, May, and June came into fashion. Each of these names evokes freshness, growth, and light—qualities that many parents wished upon their daughters. In this post, we’re spotlighting some remarkable Canadian women who bear these calendar-inspired names and have made lasting contributions in the arts, sciences, politics, and beyond. WRITERS April Bulmer Born in Toronto, Ontario, in 1963, April Bulmer is a prolific poet whose work explores spirituality, femininity, and multicultural identity. She holds three master's degrees, including one in theology, and her poetry has appeared in many Canadian literary journals. June Callwood June Callwood Creative Commons Image Born in Chatham,...