Michelle Villagracia

Boredom can be bad for your cat’s health — here’s how you can help

Between the hours of seven and eight in the morning, my cat wakes me up with head bonks, purrs and tummy cuddles. Around nine, I spot him staring out of the large windows of my downtown condo, eyeing pigeons and passersby. By 10 o’clock, he’s got a case of the zoomies, darting across the living…

A beginners’ guide to walking your cat

Have you wondered if your cat feels trapped or bored inside? Have you considered taking your cat for a walk? Though we’re more accustomed to seeing dogs on leashes, it isn’t unheard of for domestic cats to get some fresh air and exercise outside the confines of their homes — and there are plenty of…

‘The focus is about Black lives and Black voices:’ Utopia Falls creator R.T. Thorne shares his curated watch list

R.T. Thorne’s series Utopia Falls illustrates diverse young leaders who rise up against their oppressors, something the world is in need of and, thankfully, is not of short supply. Born in Calgary but now living in Toronto, Thorne has built a long career as a television director, producer, filmmaker, and music video director for a…

The Story Behind Rice On My Socks

I’ve been toying with telling this story for several years and through those years, it went through different iterations. At one point it was going to be a poem, at another a short story. Once upon a time, it took the shape of a personal essay and then back to being a poem. From there,…

How this episode of Schitt’s Creek changed my life

Whether it’s pure escapism, a convenient time-waster, or a welcomed distraction, television means something different to everyone. But sometimes the narrative can resonate a little deeper and speak our truth in a way that was hard to express before and you just needed to see it play out on screen in order to exclaim, “Yes!…

Service, Trust & Empathy: My Leadership Philosophy (v. 2020)

Leaders serve their team; not the other way around Sometimes the word “leadership” is misleading. To lead comes the assumption that you have all the answers; that you’ve peaked and have nothing else to learn. But what you’re actually doing as a leader is signing up to serve. You serve as a resource for knowledge…

Anne with a Passport: How a PEI icon travelled the globe

Anne Shirley, a character of infinite imagination and compassion, emerged in the early 20th century and made a name for Canadian writer L.M. Montgomery. Her first novel, Anne of Green Gables, was a homegrown gem that spelled success for Montgomery throughout her lifetime, inspiring multiple sequels, spin-offs and adaptations. The latest iteration of Montgomery’s beloved tale…

Confidence, Trust & Empathy: My Leadership Philosophy

There are three things I’ve looked for in a leader, as well as three things I’ve aimed for myself. Confidence. Trust. Empathy. Some come naturally for me while others may be an ongoing journey of self-discovery. These are never meant to be steps of a process or boxes to tick off a list. They exemplify…

Great Achievements in Sci-Fi History

Achievements that changed the face of the science fiction genre… Yikes, this could be a big one; not to mention incredibly broad! But with Doctor Who celebrating its 50th Anniversary next year, I thought it a good idea to sound off on some great moments in sci-fi. And before anyone gets all up in arms…

A History of the Easy-Bake Oven

Baking a cake using the heat of a 100-watt incandescent light bulb with no parent giving me permission to lick the mixing spoon was empowering, even though I didn’t know what empowerment meant at the time. It was 1988 when I first got my Easy-Bake; a gift surprisingly not from my parents but from my…