May 20, 2026
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On The Upside with Marley

Emotional intelligence changes relationships

Most people think relationships succeed or fail based on communication alone. While communication matters, there is something underneath it that shapes nearly every interaction we have with others: emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand not only what you feel, but why you feel it, and how those emotions affect the people around you.

Many conflicts are not caused by bad intentions. They are caused by reactions. Someone feels unheard, criticized, ignored, misunderstood, or overwhelmed, and responds emotionally before understanding what is truly happening. The problem is that reactions often speak louder than intentions.

People with strong emotional intelligence learn to pause before responding. They recognize when frustration is building. They listen more carefully. They become aware of tone, timing, body language, and emotional impact—not just words.

This changes relationships dramatically. People feel safer around emotionally intelligent individuals because they feel understood rather than judged. Difficult conversations become easier because the focus shifts from “winning” to understanding.

Emotional intelligence also strengthens self-respect. You become less controlled by impulse, less reactive to criticism, and more capable of handling conflict calmly. Instead of allowing emotions to steer every interaction, you begin steering yourself.

Like any skill, emotional intelligence improves through awareness and practice. It is not weakness. In many ways, it is one of the strongest forms of maturity a person can develop.

The better you understand emotions—both yours and others’—the stronger, calmer, and healthier your relationships become.

Victoria Day & Canada’s Connection To The Crown

Victoria Day is one of Canada’s oldest public holidays and has been celebrated in some form since the mid-1800s. The holiday originally honoured Queen Victoria, whose birthday was May 24, 1819, and who reigned during Confederation in 1867. Over time, the celebration evolved into a broader recognition of Canada’s constitutional monarchy and its connection to the Crown. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Queen Victoria was often referred to as the “Mother of Confederation” because Canada became a country during her reign. Even after her death in 1901, Victoria Day continued as a permanent Canadian holiday. Today, it also marks the official birthday of Canada’s monarch, regardless of who occupies the throne. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Canada’s monarchy remains part of the country’s parliamentary system and national identity. Royal symbols continue to appear throughout Canadian life, including on coins, military insignia, courtrooms, government buildings, and official ceremonies.

While many Canadians simply enjoy the long weekend and fireworks, Victoria Day remains deeply tied to Canada’s history, traditions, and constitutional foundations.

The Self Checkout

I was at the self-checkout line Friday after work on a long weekend, trying to get out of the store while all the tourists flooded into town and backed up the regular checkout lines. No matter how many times I tried, this one item just wouldn’t scan. I looked around for help, but there was nobody to be found.

Meanwhile, all the people behind me were getting annoyed and grumbling, so I looked at them and said, “You’d think they’d train these customers properly so they don’t tie up all the machines on a long weekend…”

And that’s how Canadians do this.

The Password

Me : What’s the wifi password?
Bartender : you need to buy a drink first.

Me : Okay, I’ll have a coke.
Bartender : Is Pepsi ok?

Me : Sure, How much is that?
Bartender : 3$

Me : There you go. So what’s the wifi password?
Bartender : you need to buy a drink first. No spaces, all lowercase.

Can’t Catch A Break

A police officer pulled over a car on a deserted highway and told the driver, “Congratulations! You’re the first person here today who was wearing a seat belt and now you’re entitled to a prize of 1000$. What are you gonna do with your money?”

“Well”, replied the man, “I think I’m gonna get a driver’s license.”

“Oh, Ignore him.”, his wife said, “He always speaks nonsense when he’s drunk.”

“I KNEW IT!”, his father bellowed from the backseat, “I KNEW WE WON’T GET FAR IN A STOLEN CAR.”

Then came the voice from the trunk, “Are we over the border yet?”

The Dry Humour Room

I told my girlfriend she drew her eyebrows too high. She seemed surprised.

I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug.

My boss told me to have a good day… so I went home.

I used to be addicted to the hokey pokey, but I turned myself around.

Editors Quote Book

“The highest form of knowledge is empathy.”

—Bill Bullard

Trivia Quiz

(Click Question For Answer)

Your Horoscope

For Amusement Only

To The Principal’s Office

Teacher: “Kids, what does the chicken give you?” Student: “Meat!” Teacher: “Very good! Now what does the pig give you?” Student: “Bacon!” Teacher: “Great! And what does the fat cow give you?” Student: “Homework!”

The Good Bear

Speaking Of Hockey

The first jockstrap in ice hockey was introduced in 1874. The helmet was first obligatory in 1974.
So it took precisely 100 years before men realized that the brain eventually could be useful too.

*  *  *  *  *

What do you call a hockey player in a leaky barn?
Grain Wetzsky

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My boss offered me a promotion. He was going to send me to our flagship location in Detroit.
Me: “No way I’m going to Detroit. There’s nothing but prostitutes and hockey players up there.”
My boss: “I beg your pardon — my wife is from Detroit.”
“Really?” I replied. “What team did she play for?”

*  *  *  *  *

An angel asked God what He was doing.
“I’m making Canadians,” said God.
“Aww, they’re so nice,” said the angel.
“Oh yeah?” said God. “Watch this.”
Then He dropped a puck.

Strange News Indeed

“The most Canadian car thief ever returns stolen vehicle with full tank of gas”

A woman in Nova Scotia got the shock of her life after finishing her shopping trip and discovering her car had disappeared from the parking lot. At first, it looked like a straight-up car theft — until the mystery took a very Canadian turn.

Another driver, parked beside her in an almost identical vehicle, had accidentally climbed into the wrong car and somehow managed to drive away with it. (Exactly how the key fob worked is still anybody’s guess.)

Once the confused motorist realized what had happened, he tracked the woman down and returned the vehicle… with a full tank of gas as an apology.

And in true Canadian, Maritime fashion, she insisted on paying him back for the fuel.

Old Muskoka Memories

Camp Calydor, also known as Camp 20, was a prisoner-of-war camp located in Gravenhurst during the Second World War. The camp housed German officers captured during the war and became known for its relatively humane treatment of prisoners. Many POWs worked on local projects around town, including building stone steps and a lighthouse still visible today at Gull Lake Park. Over time, Camp Calydor became an unusual part of Muskoka history, remembered for both dramatic escape attempts and the surprisingly respectful relationships that developed between some prisoners and local residents.

The Last Word

“Strong relationships are built less on perfection and more on understanding.”