Joy Drop: Fans keep setting new records in PWHL

Friends, I have been sick in bed for almost a week but there are a few things of note bringing me smiles and laughter even though it may have caused coughing fits! All jokes aside, it is really hard for me to rest. I'm not good at it, but that's part of my personal growth and learning. To listen to my body and try to recover. That doesn't mean I can't be joyous, right?

One of my greatest joys has been watching women's sports thrive and grow in Canada. This week saw Montreal fans snap up tickets for the April 20 PWHL game at the Bell Centre between Montreal and Toronto, selling out the 21,105 seats in hours. It will set a new attendance record for the league, which was set at 19,285 in a game in February between the two teams at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena.

It feels like every time I write about women's hockey, I am explaining how a new barrier has been broken and a record is being beaten. I've waited a long time to write about developments like this and I can't wait to hear reports from the Bell Centre and what excitement and happiness emerges. 

I giggled a lot when I found out that the PWHL Toronto is the home team with the longest winning stretch in hockey history. Commiserations to all Leafs fans, but this is so good. 

Another hugely exciting factor of this month is not only Women's History Month, but the amazing NCAA March Madness tournament that has every one completely ecstatic. I used to love watching men's college basketball and became a Carmelo Anthony fan from his days at Syracuse. But as of late, my interests are solely in women's college ball. Can you blame me? 

I have been watching and paying attention to Canadian basketball players and Aaliyah Edwards is certainly an incredible one to watch ahead of Paris 2024. She is in her final year at the University of Connecticut with their storied women's basketball program. And Kingston's basketball superstar just declared herself available for this year's WNBA draft. I got goosebumps. 

I also love watching Canadians win and that is exactly what Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps did this week at the world figure skating championships in Montreal. Their reactions when finishing their performance is delightful! 

I have been eating a lot of soup this week: chicken corn soup, lentil soup, tom yum, minestrone and, of course, chicken noodle. While I was waiting in the doctors' office, I went down a rabbit hole wondering why we turn to soup as a means of comfort. I love warm bowls of flavourful broths with ingredients that we can slurp up with a side of garlicky bread or crackers to dip. 

Does it really have positive effects? Short answer, yes, in addition to just comforting our bellies and coating our throats with warmth. The origins are said to be from South East Asia and Greece, but largely popularized in North America from Jewish immigrants. Stories about food bring me a particular happiness and I enjoy learning about what I eat. 

I did find a great healthy recipe chock full of delicious extras and this hilarious video of a mom making some bone broth chicken soup for her child.  

I hope you find yourself resting as you need and nourishing with joy.