Is dying such a terrible thing?

Of course it is, when young people are cut down in the prime of their life, by disease, accidents and acts of war and terror. But for the rest of us heading into old age, there seems to be a growing culture of trying to postpone the inevitable, with supplements, growth hormones, stem cell treatments … there seems to be a new elixir of youth touted every day that promise longer life. But isn't death a natural part of life?

Mum-in-law's chicken soup

There's nothing quite like a hot, steaming bowl of chicken soup when you have the sniffles, are feeling a little under the weather, or just want some TLC. Everyone has their own version, from western-style soup made together with carrots, celery and other veggies, to Chinese herbal soups that are full of nourishing goodness. My favorite is a recipe I learned from my mother-in-law years ago. I've forgotten exactly what went into the soup but I think what I make today maintains the integrity of it, and more importantly, tastes delicious.

Is technology really causing social isolation?

Of course there are many people on both sides of the divide. There are those who long for the good old days when people actually took the time to sit down and talk to those around them, instead of being glued to their devices. And there are those who maintain that those same devices are actually instruments of communication. Me? I love these devices, but I also think they're being used as crutches in awkward social situations where you don't want to interact with people around you. I'm guilty of that as anyone else.

Why am I so digitally challenged?

Practically every day there's new software that 's asking to be updated, new apps to install, new internet terms to learn. It's hard enough to keep track of all that's going on online and I always struggle to keep up with all the new technology, but I have a more pressing problem. Being accident-prone, I'm always having to  deal with injuries to my fingers and toes that these digits of mine are constantly in peril!