Q. It is too easy to plunge into the pool of corporate jargon, especially if these spray-cheese words find their way into official corporate documents. ‘Our mission critical for 2024? Effective Accelerationism.’ If we’re lucky, the jargon becomes easy company short-hand. “Ah, yes. This accelerationism does seem effective.” More likely

Q. The might macaron has found its way from the secret cookbook stashes of France to baking sheets across the world. Was this colourful, easy-hide treat created to satisfy queenly cravings? . A. It was not. Though it inevitably found its way onto royal tea sets, the macaron grew up

Q. The glorious rose has inspired all manner of artists. Take this excerpt from ‘To All Gentleness’, a poem from William Carlos William (1883-1963): ‘Like a cylindrical tank fresh silvered upended on the sidewalk to advertise some plumber’s shop, a profusion of pink roses bending ragged in the rain –

Q. We know the art of music-making is (🧐 can be) a beautiful thing. How have renowned painters captured musicians on canvas? . A. So many gorgeous painting options. Here’s a first set… Rosso Fiorentino. Musical Angel.  1522 . Caravaggio. The Lute Player. 1595 . Caravaggio. The Musicians. 1597 .

Q. Happy Canada Day Weekend! For those who live in Canada: what will you be eating to celebrate? What are some foods that were ‘invented’ in Canada? . A. Since we’re writing from BC, we’ll start in the deep woods… If you are hiking in the forest and want to

Q. Two questions: i. What possessed me to buy this one-of-a-kind outfit? ii. Why did I think it was worth stuffing it into my suitcase, just in case the ‘perfect’ occasion should magically present itself while we’re on vacation? Probability? 🍩 Which items do travellers most often pack and then

Q. Do leaders’ communication skills get better and better as they ascend the power rungs? No. But, according to studies, plenty of these ascendant leaders mistakenly believe that they are knocking their speechifying and one-on-ones out of the park. Why the disconnect? What aren’t these bosses saying, hearing, and doing?

Q. You’re feeling peckish; you’ve got a hankering for a snack. Which flavour are you most likely to crave? How do your cravings compare to others? . A. One Poll surveyed 2,000 American adults about their fiery food cravings. Which flavour won? Hint: Augustus Gloop fell into it, Lucy, Ethel

Q. Time to spill the beans about ‘spilling the beans’ (shameless). How did revealing juicy secrets come to be known as spilling the beans? . A. If so-and-so ‘spilled the beans,’ chances are good that they did so by accident. Or perhaps they were strongly encouraged (🗡️) to do so.

Q. It always feels like a balance: take jillions of photos to remember/share this magnificent destination, or take a breath to revel in the moment and the beauty. Which travel spots are people most frequently snapping, sharing, and viewing? . A. Enjoy Travel analyzed Instagram and TikTok data to unearth