Q. As you grit your teeth through the Fairy Tales of Grimm, you cannot help but notice how many characters fall prey to food-based horrors. It might be swift and brutal punishment for gluttony. It might be mind-warping hunger. Let’s follow the tatty children wandering too far from home in

Q. Are you ready for a new year? Let’s break out the New Year’s Eve good luck charms to usher in a fantastic 2025. Any  global rituals that seem particularly relevant? . A. Are you looking to travel more this coming year? Colombia has a winning option. Time to get

Q. Cozy on the couch, swaddled in pajamas, hungry but too lazy to cook. What shall we order? What have Canadians ordered most from food delivery services over the last year? . A. The various delivery services have mined their data. What have they found? Most Ordered Dishes in Canada.

Q. What are some little-known or old-fashioned names for everyday things or actions? . A. Here’s a sampling. As usual, some of these words have alternate meanings … . . Agraffe A hook and loop fastening, like on a bra. Or on armor Book-bosomed Walking around with a book all

Q. Merry Christmas! What are some striking paintings associated with Christmas? . A. Jean Hey. The Annunciation. 1490-05 . Leonardo da Vinci. Annunciation. 1472 . Philippe de Champaigne. The Dream of St. Joseph. 1642-43 . José Campeche y Jordán. La Natividad. 1799 . Ridolfo Ghirlandaio. The Nativity with Saints. 1514

Q. It’s hard to imagine that some of us used to look forward to airports and regular flights: the anticipation of an adventure, roomy seats, white linen meal service, delicious food 😱. Is it still possible to find some of the romance of the journey in a train – particularly

Q. No pressure. The countdown is on. Just a few beats until we reach the big song in the beloved musical. Will the singer deliver? Will the audience be as moved as they are hoping? “Elphaba, why couldn’t you have stayed calm for once?Instead of flying off the handle! I

Q. We’re headlong into gift season. But, some gifts – even when marvellously intentioned – are just not a hit. Dinosaur oven mitts! Fantastic. How good are you at hiding when you are less than enraptured with a gift you’ve been given? How good are you at noticing when others

Q. Got a crush. Madly in love. What are some lesser used or archaic words related to that lovin’ feeling? . A. Amorist A person who loves love, or writes about love Assot To infatuate Bathos Mawkish. A touch too tender Befool To infatuate. Also to fool Besotted Full-on smitten.

Q. Sweet as honey. A taste of honey. A honey of a deal. You’re my honey (as long as you complete your ‘to do’ list.)  How did honey, of all the sugary alternatives, come to epitomize the ultimate, love-worthy sweetness? . A. Sweet, sweet honey finds it place in the