So let’s all take a minute to absorb (or distract ourselves from) what happened across the country with this month’s municipal elections (Naheed Nenshi, Rob Ford), and turn our gaze to the American horse races.

Well gosh darn it — Sarah Palin’s still making up words. Her latest creation? "Mavericky." As in, the adjective to describe doing, well, whatever it is mavericks do. Here it in context, in the video below. Bonus read: A complete guide to all the Palinisms ever uttered by the Queen Maverick herself.

Okay, we can’t resist one more Rob Ford news item. He’s not two days into his tenure, and is already playing games with the media. He’s apparently too busy to talk to journalists, or maybe just a poor multi-tasker — he scheduled an interview with CBC’s As It Happens, then cut it short when he discovers it’s harder than he thought to answer questions about tax cuts, staffing, budgets, and transit while simultaneously coaching a football team. (To listen, click on "Listen to Part One" in this link.)

Bonus Rob Ford read: News of his victory has made quite a splash — even people in Miami have taken notice of Toronto’s bombastic new mayor, and they are chuckling at Hogtown’s expense.