The saddest month?

Are you a winter person?

Me, not so much, though you’d think that living in Canada would make me more accepting of these shorter, colder days with their bursts of snow and Polar Vortex temps. Plus, I do enjoy February’s holidays and seasonal events. But I know I am not alone in periodically suffering from the winter blues.

Imagine my delight, then, in reading this month’s “Leaside Cooks” column by Mitch Bubulj featuring (beloved) former Leaside teacher and principal John Franklin and his equally famous Sad Cake. When Mitch first told me about his subject for the column – a sad cake – I wondered, why “sad,” and what ingredients constitute a “sad” cake?

As it happens, happily, the name of the cake is ironic, and the cake itself is anything but sad. It’s light and tasty, making for a very happy eating experience. John encountered the dessert nearly 70 years ago on a trip to Oregon, and he’s been making it ever since, to rave reviews. As Mitch says in his column, “It has a familiar taste, which is wholesome, unassuming, sweet but not too sweet and unforgettable, much like John himself.”

And it’s uplifting at a time when many of us could use relief from the winter blues.

If you or someone you know is suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), you can find support from the Canadian Mental Health Association. For those in crisis and possibly considering suicide, call 9-8-8 or visit 988.ca.

About Jane Auster 63 Articles
Jane Auster is the editor of Leaside Life. Jane is an award-winning professional editor and writer for print and digital who has covered a variety of industries in Canada for more than 25 years. As a print journalist, Jane has contributed to many of the major consumer magazine markets in Canada, including Maclean’s, Canadian Business, and The Globe and Mail.