Q. Back in the day, the quince was it… the ‘Golden Apple’ of Ancient Greece, no less. This proud Maloideae member of the flowering Rosaceae family – with cousins that include apples, pears, and serviceberries – starred in stories of Hercules, Aphrodite, and Venus. With origins in the Caucasus Mountains,

Q. Is ‘That morning coffee (brewed it for ya (yes)’ a merry ear worm for you? Well, get ready for an extra shot of caffeine on Halloween night. Google Trends tells us that Sabrina Carpenter and her sparkly corset is the 9th most searched Halloween costume for 2024. And you

Q. They are the best of friends. There for you when things are going annoyingly well. There for you when things have slid into the muckiest of bogs. Now, they’re coming for dinner. Let’s fancify all the best flowers, foods, throw pillows, drinks. For them, we’ll pull out all of

Q. The freedom of your own wheels – for a day, for a weekend, for real. How have artists over the decades captured car life? . A. Do any of these renowned paintings remind you of your own car experiences, in youth and beyond? . . Ramon Casas. Ramon Casas

Q. How to capture the soul of a big city in a single stem flower? Plenty of cities haven’t been granted their own flowers – rude. They have to share petals with other urbanites in their states, provinces, territories. What are some cities that have been accorded their own blooms?

Q. How and when did chocolate become so popular at weddings? A. Photo-engraved chocolate bars, DIY chocolate buffets, chocolate dipped meringues, pyramids, bacon, truffle diamonds. Every year, brides and grooms get more creative in how they work chocolate into their wedding days. And why not? If you’re going to incorporate one

Q. It’s World Mental Health Day. In my other ‘hat’ as an organizational psychologist – working non-clinically with leaders of different stripes – I’m acutely aware of the dangers of mental health disinformation. One frequent reality check for me is the well-stocked American Psychological Association site. What guidance does the

Q. Malaphor? Guilty. That is: mistakenly jumbling two folk sayings, or idioms. The result? Undeniable nonsense meets knowing nods. What are some oft heard malaphors? . A. The malaphor: ‘Slipped through the radar’ Its broken parts: ‘Slipped through the cracks’ + ‘Under the radar’ • The malaphor: ‘I stuck my

Q. In Luke 1:26 we find the moment when ‘the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth’ to tell Mary that she has found favour with God … ‘And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call

Q. Congratulations to Victoria which, once again, has been named top Small non-US City in the World by the 2024 readers of Condé Nast Travel Magazine. Living just a hop, skip and a ferry/seaplane from this capital of British Columbia, we are delighted at the news. ‘The most British city