August 5, 2026

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On The Upside with Marley

Collect Moments, Not Stuff

Have you ever noticed that the happiest memories in life rarely come with a price tag?

Think back to your favourite moments. Chances are you’re not remembering the television you bought years ago or the latest gadget that once seemed so exciting. You’re remembering the fishing trip where nothing was caught but everyone laughed, the campfire with burnt marshmallows, a family vacation that went hilariously off course, a grandchild’s first steps, or an unexpected conversation with an old friend that lasted far longer than planned.

Those are the treasures that never gather dust.

We spend much of our lives chasing things: a bigger house, a newer vehicle, or one more package arriving at the front door. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying nice things, but possessions have a way of becoming ordinary. What once felt exciting eventually becomes just another object we barely notice Moments are different.

A sunset shared with someone you love never loses its beauty. A spontaneous road trip becomes a story you’ll tell for years. Teaching a child to bake cookies or helping a neighbour quietly becomes part of who you are.

The best part is that everyone can afford meaningful moments. Some of life’s richest experiences cost nothing more than time and attention.

As we enjoy another beautiful Ontario summer, perhaps the best souvenir isn’t something from a gift shop. It’s a memory that still makes you smile years later.

So this week, collect a few more moments than stuff. Years from now, you’ll be glad you did.

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Why Experiences Stay With Us

A new possession can be exciting, but that excitement often fades as the object becomes familiar. Psychologists sometimes describe this as adaptation: we quickly become accustomed to improvements in our surroundings.

Experiences tend to remain meaningful because they become part of our personal stories. A family trip, an evening with friends or an afternoon spent learning something new can shape how we see ourselves and strengthen our connection with others.

Experiences also improve with time. A delayed flight or sudden rainstorm may be frustrating while it happens, yet it can later become the funniest part of the story.

The most memorable experiences usually involve at least one of these ingredients:

• Connection – Sharing time with people who matter to us.
• Discovery – Seeing, learning or trying something unfamiliar.
• Participation – Doing something rather than simply observing it.
• Emotion – Feeling joy, wonder, excitement or even nervous anticipation.
• Story – Creating something worth remembering and retelling.

The next time you’re deciding how to spend a free afternoon, consider choosing an experience that might become part of your story.

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Seven Simple August Memories

You don’t need an elaborate vacation to create a memorable summer. Try one of these simple ideas before August slips away:

1. Pack an evening picnic and watch the sunset.
2. Take a drive along a road you’ve never travelled.
3. Invite a neighbour over for coffee or lemonade.
4. Visit a farmers’ market and try something new.
5. Spend an evening looking for constellations.
6. Print a favourite photograph and give it to someone in it.
7. Turn off every screen for an afternoon and see where the day leads.

The activity itself doesn’t need to be remarkable. What matters is being fully present while it happens.

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The New Boss

The new boss walks into the warehouse and immediately gets everyone on edge.

“There’s going to be a lot of changes around here,” he announces. “I expect everyone to be shipshape and pulling their weight.”

He spends the rest of the day walking from workstation to workstation, making sure everyone is keeping up with production and actually doing their jobs.

Then he spots a guy leaning against the wall, doing absolutely nothing. The boss storms over. “What the heck do you think you’re doing?” he barks.
The guy calmly replies, “I’m just waiting to get paid, sir.”
The boss asks, “How much do you make in a week?”
“About $200, sir.”

The boss pulls out his wallet, counts out $400, hands it to the guy, and says, “Here’s two weeks’ pay. Consider yourself fired. Now get the heck out of here!” The guy pockets the money, smiles, and walks out.

The boss turns to the rest of the employees and says, “I hope you all just witnessed that and learned something.” Then he points at Alice and asks, “Did you see what I just did?”

Alice nods. “Yes,” she says. “You just gave the pizza delivery guy the biggest tip he’s ever received.”

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Two Sausages

There are two sausages sizzling away in a frying pan. One sausage turns to the other and says, “Geez, it’s hot in here.”

The second sausage stares at him for a second, then screams, “OMG!! A TALKING SAUSAGE!”

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The Hardware Store

A hardware store employee regularly served a contractor who always arrived without a shirt.

One busy afternoon, a properly dressed customer reached the front of the line and said, “Just give me my usual order.”

The employee looked at him carefully but couldn’t place his face.

After a moment, she realized it was the shirtless contractor, except today he was wearing a clean shirt.

Without thinking, she exclaimed:

“I’m sorry—I didn’t recognize you with your clothes on!”

The entire line fell silent before bursting into laughter.

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The Helpful Grandfather

A woman noticed that her grandfather had carefully written his cellphone number on a label and attached it to the back of his phone.

“That’s clever,” she said. “Is it so someone can return the phone if you lose it?”

“Exactly,” he replied.

“But Grandpa,” she said gently, “if someone finds your phone, how can they call the number when they’re already holding it?”

Her grandfather considered this for a moment.

“Well,” he said, “I suppose they’ll have to use their own phone.”

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The Successful Fishing Trip

Two men spent an entire afternoon fishing without catching a thing. Just as they were preparing to leave, one noticed something beneath the surface and cast his line toward it.

“I’ve got something!” he shouted. He struggled with the line until he finally pulled his catch onto the dock. It wasn’t a fish. It was a plastic ring holding six cans of beer. Five cans were still sealed.

His friend stared at the unexpected catch and said: “You know, this may be the first completely honest story we’ve ever brought home from a fishing trip.”

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Editors Quote Book

“We do not remember days; we remember moments.”

—Cesare Pavese

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Trivia Quiz

(Click Question For Answer)

 

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Your Horoscope

For Amusement Only

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Ear Ear!

A man walks into a bar and is about to order a drink when he notices Van Gogh playing the fruit machine. He calls over, “Hey, Van Gogh! Want a drink?” and Van Gogh replies, “No thanks. I’ve got one ‘ere.”

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Deja Moo

There were two cows in a field. One said “moo”,
the other one said “I was just going to say that!”

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The Quietest Sport

What is the quietest sport?
Bowling—you can hear a pin drop.

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Canine Revenge

A three legged dog walks into a Saloon in the Wild West, the barman asks him what he wants. The dog replies “I’m looking fo the man that shot my paw”

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An Atom Walks Into A Bar

An atom walks into a bar and asks the bartender if he’s seen his missing electron.
“Are you sure she’s missing”, asks the bartender.
“I’m positive”, replies the atom.
(this is definitely a joke for science-­‐minded people only)

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Marley’s Video Pick

Caine’s Arcade: One Boy’s Cardboard Dream

Nine-year-old Caine spent his summer building an elaborate arcade from cardboard boxes inside his father’s auto-parts store. He had imagination, games and handmade prizes—but almost no customers.

When filmmaker Nirvan Mullick discovered the arcade, he decided to organize a surprise that would give Caine a moment he would never forget. The resulting short film is a joyful reminder that creativity, kindness and shared experiences can be far more valuable than anything money can buy.

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The Last Word

“The best things we collect in life are the stories we’ll still be telling years from now.”

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