Marion Agnew

For  several months, I've been keeping track of five things  I'd like to remember from that month. Here's what came up in August.  One. I haven’t always enjoyed dental visits—often I need more work done, no matter how diligently I brush and floss, regardless of regular cleanings, thanks to insurance—but I do love the feeling of having freshly-cleaned teeth. It’s nice, like when the sweater stack is aligned. new perspective on beloved country --from the boat Two.   I may have expressed surprise in a previous month at enjoying legumes and oat-based cereals, while expressing gratitude that they have helped lower my cholesterol levels. However, there’s another reason that enjoy experimenting with legumes: it’s the experimentation part. I’m using them in cold salads this summer with fresh vegetables, different vinegars, and different spice blends. I anticipate combining them with roasted vegetables in various ways, autumn. It’s just unexpected fun. late asters (?), with...

I had a bit of a reading slump in late June and early July. Innumerable stories come from these few keys. Amazing. Lately, I’ve encountered too many books featuring characters who are extremely unpleasant. They go through the book pretending to be funny or an undiscovered and overlooked genius, but they’re mostly just blaming their unhappiness on everyone else, specific family members, or the “crappy” place they live. I don’t mind an unlikable character! But these characters go beyond the unlikable people I have met (and have been). Sometimes the characters experience an underwhelming and unbelievable change of heart in the last twenty pages. Sometimes they don't even do that. Anyway, I finished three and didn’t finish one. I still dislike the idea of not finishing a book I start (tenacity! persistence! always something to learn!), but in this case I have no actual regrets. Life’s pretty short, as Ferris Buehler would remind us. It’s possible I’m not their ideal audience. Humour ca...