Q. A ‘plum job’ is an excellent job. For some, this might mean high prestige. For others, this is a job where one can make a whole lot of bank without having to work so hard. How did plums find themselves in gilded easy street? . A. The expression ‘a

Q. Happy Father’s Day! Here’s to all you amazing Fathers, and to those celebrating their Dads in person, at a distance, or in memoriam. We’ve seen lots of examples of artists who have painted their mothers. How about painter fathers? Do they make their way onto the canvas? . A.

Q. Come summer – and particularly given a tough economy – people are more likely to be hosting guests in their homes. How do you feel about houseguests? What, starting at 0 days, do you see as the ideal length of stay, even for guests you like? . A. A

Q. With an abundance of beautiful possibilities, how do artists settle on certain natural elements or scenes as inspiration? . A. To explore this question, we talked to Anne Griffiths, a talented Canadian painter who is known for her striking landscape paintings. . As Griffiths told us: ‘My paintings do

Q. For those of us glued to our bird ID apps and binoculars, it feels rude to pick our favourite birds. But pick we shall. Do you have a bird that you are particularly excited to see? Which birds get the most people plaudits? . A. Let’s look to the

Q. Last to the party, a little thin in numbers, but never dull. What are some great Z words, current and somewhat forgotten? . A. Zabaglione Have you tried this delicious Italian dessert with its delectable combination of light custard, sugar, and sweet marsala wine? Zaftig Pleasantly plump Zapateado An

Q. We’re not all poutine and Nanaimo Bars. Which fruits and vegetables do Canadians favour? . A. To get a sense of what’s on our rainbow plate, Leger 360 polled 1,587 Canadians in 2020. Participants were asked which fruits and vegetables they had eaten in the past year. Which of

Q. Whose fashion style are people emulating these days? . A. Google Trends for May paints a rather unusual picture. The top trending sartorial searches? How to dress like: i.    Kate Middleton Ii.  A Parisian Iii. An Italian man iv.  A 90s kid boy v.   A hobbit . .

Q. Many dream of life as an artist, but few take the leap. What is it like to make the decision to become a professional artist? When and how do artists know this is a life worth pursuing? And how does life as an artist both confirm and surprise? .

Q. Flowers. Glorious flowers. If you could craft a bouquet with one type of flower – from the most exquisite samples available – what type of flower would you choose? Which flowers will be particularly sought for 2025 bouquets? . A. The UK’s Arena Flowers analysis of Google Search data