October 7, 2026
On The Upside with Marley
Remember To Notice What’s Already Good
We spend a remarkable amount of time thinking about what comes next.
The next project. The next purchase. The next holiday. The next improvement we want to make. The next thing we need to accomplish before we’re finally allowed to relax.
Planning ahead is important, but there’s a small danger in constantly looking toward what’s missing.
We can stop noticing what is already good.
Most of life’s best things have a habit of becoming ordinary once we’ve had them for a while.
A comfortable home becomes simply “home.” A reliable friend becomes someone we assume will always be there. Good health can go almost unnoticed until something hurts. A beautiful view becomes scenery we drive past without looking.
Familiarity is useful, but it can also make wonderful things almost invisible.
Sometimes it helps to look at ordinary life as though you’re seeing it for the first time.
Notice the friend who always answers the phone. The neighbour who waves when you drive past. The dog who acts as though you’ve returned from a five-year expedition every time you come home from the grocery store.
Notice the first sip of coffee, the warmth of the sun through a window, or the sound of people you love laughing in another room.
None of these things are spectacular enough to make headlines.
But add enough of them together and they become a pretty good life.
We don’t need to stop wanting more or trying to improve things.
We just shouldn’t become so focused on tomorrow that we overlook everything today has already given us.
A good life isn’t only built from extraordinary moments. It’s built by learning to notice the ordinary ones.
Why Is Canadian Thanksgiving In October?
Canadians sometimes have to explain to American friends why our Thanksgiving arrives more than a month earlier.
The simplest answer is that Canada’s harvest traditionally finishes earlier because much of the country lies farther north.
But the date hasn’t always been fixed.
Canada’s Thanksgiving celebrations have appeared on several different dates throughout our history. In 1879, Thanksgiving was formally proclaimed as a national holiday and was originally celebrated in November.
For a period after the First World War, Thanksgiving and Armistice Day were even observed around the same time.
That eventually became awkward as November 11 developed into Canada’s distinct day of remembrance.
In 1957, Thanksgiving was permanently set as the second Monday in October. That timing also fits naturally with the completion of the harvest across much of Canada. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
This year, Thanksgiving falls on Monday, October 12.
Of course, many families celebrate sometime during the entire weekend—which means Canada’s Thanksgiving can technically involve several days of turkey, leftovers and wondering who is taking the last piece of pie.
Why Do Geese Fly In A V?
One of the most familiar signs of autumn in Ontario is a flock of geese crossing the sky in a giant V.
The formation isn’t accidental.
When a bird flaps its wings, the movement creates swirling air currents behind it. A goose flying slightly behind and to the side can take advantage of rising air created by the bird ahead, reducing the effort required to remain airborne.
That allows the flock to conserve energy during long migrations.
The bird at the front doesn’t receive the same advantage, so geese can rotate positions rather than forcing one bird to lead for the entire journey.
The formation also helps members of the flock maintain visual contact with one another. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
And what about all that honking?
Communication appears to be part of the reason, helping the flock remain coordinated as it travels.
So the next time a V of geese passes overhead, you’re watching a surprisingly sophisticated lesson in aerodynamics, cooperation and teamwork.
The Turtle Mugging
A turtle was slowly walking down an alley when he was suddenly surrounded and mugged by a gang of snails.
A police officer arrived a few minutes later and found the turtle looking very shaken.
“Can you tell me what happened?” the officer asked.
The turtle stared into the distance for a moment.
“I’m not really sure.”
The officer looked puzzled.
“You don’t remember anything?”
The turtle shook his head.
“It all happened so fast.”
The Flagpole
A group of managers were asked to determine the height of a flagpole.
They arrived with ladders and measuring tape, but things quickly became complicated.
The ladder kept slipping, the tape kept falling and nobody could agree on the best way to reach the top.
An engineer walked by, watched them struggle, then pulled the flagpole out of the ground.
He laid it flat, measured it from end to end, handed them the measurement and walked away.
One manager shook his head.
“Typical engineer.”
“We asked for the height and he gave us the length.”
The Wrong-Way Driver
Bob was driving home along the highway when the music on his radio was interrupted by an urgent traffic announcement.
“Attention motorists. Police are warning drivers that one vehicle is travelling the wrong way along the highway.”
Bob looked through the windshield in disbelief.
“One?” he shouted at the radio.
“There are hundreds of them!”
The Missing Key
Late one evening, a man noticed someone crawling around beneath a streetlight.
“Did you lose something?” he asked.
“My house key.”
The man offered to help.
After nearly half an hour of searching, neither had found anything.
“Are you absolutely certain you dropped it here?”
“Oh no,” the other man replied.
“I dropped it farther down the road.”
“Then why are we looking here?”
“Because the light is much better.”
What’s Time To A Pig?
Bill visited his neighbour’s farm and found the farmer standing beneath an apple tree holding his favourite pig in his arms.
The farmer carefully lifted the pig toward one apple, waited while it ate, then carried it to another branch.
Bill watched for several minutes.
“Wouldn’t it be quicker to pick a bucket of apples and put them on the ground?”
The farmer considered the suggestion.
“Sure.”
He looked at the pig.
“But what’s time to a pig?”
[Insert “My Udder Half” Cartoon Here]
Editor’s Quote Book
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
— Maya Angelou
Trivia Quiz
(Click Question For Answer)
Your Horoscope
For Amusement Only
Aries Mar. 21 – Apr. 19: Something ordinary deserves more appreciation. Slow down long enough to notice it.
Taurus Apr. 20 – May 20: Familiar surroundings bring comfort. Enjoy what you already have before seeking something new.
Gemini May 21 – Jun. 20: A casual conversation becomes unexpectedly meaningful. Listen closely and enjoy the connection.
Cancer Jun. 21 – Jul. 22: Time with people you trust restores your energy and improves your perspective.
Leo Jul. 23 – Aug. 22: Your encouragement matters more than you realize. Someone genuinely values your support.
Virgo Aug. 23 – Sep. 22: A small accomplishment deserves recognition. Don’t immediately replace it with another obligation.
Libra Sep. 23 – Oct. 22: Appreciation improves an important relationship. Say something kind while you’re thinking it.
Scorpio Oct. 23 – Nov. 21: Quiet observation reveals something useful. Pay attention to details others may overlook.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 – Dec. 21: A simple outing becomes more enjoyable than expected. Leave room for spontaneity.
Capricorn Dec. 22 – Jan. 19: Progress feels easier when you recognize how far you’ve already come.
Aquarius Jan. 20 – Feb. 18: Someone’s unusual perspective gives you a valuable idea. Keep an open mind.
Pisces Feb. 19 – Mar. 20: Gratitude changes the tone of your week. Focus briefly on what’s already working.
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Outstanding In His Field
Why did the scarecrow win a major award?
Because he was outstanding in his field.
No Charge
A neutron walked into a bar and ordered a drink.
“How much do I owe you?”
The bartender replied, “For you, no charge.”
The Origami Club
I joined an origami club.
Unfortunately, it folded.
Invisible Tomatoes
What’s red and invisible?
No tomatoes.
The Fun Guy
What do you call a mushroom everybody enjoys having at a party?
A fun guy.
Marley’s Video Pick
Why Do Geese Fly In A V Formation?
It’s one of the most familiar sights of autumn, but the famous V-shaped formation used by migrating geese is far more than a convenient way to keep the flock organized. This short video from Stuff You Should Know explains how geese use aerodynamics and teamwork to conserve energy while travelling long distances.
The Last Word
“There is usually more good in an ordinary day than we notice while we’re living it.”
talk about contentment!!!
This is an excellent publication.
Keep up the great work!