Allan Gurganus is an accomplished American novelist and although I haven’t read any of his books, I came across a quote of his during a recent detective project. “Know what, Sugar? Stories only happen to people who can tell them.” It resounded with me, though I’d hate to think that […]
Beth Caldwell – The View From Here
To contact Beth, email her at caldwellandcompany@gmail.com
Did you know that the heart of a woman only weighs about eight ounces? I didn’t. It wasn’t until I recently checked “Google University” that I learned the facts. I was sure mine weighed more like 10 pounds—stone heavy and sinkable. I’ve been away, caring for that part of me. […]
I have nothing to say—at least that is what I’m typing at this very moment. A wise editor once said to me, “Write about the most important thing first.” I heed his wisdom. I have nothing important to write about. My excuses for said nothingness, pathetic at best, are piled […]
I have a tough assignment this week. One of my daughters solicited me for a handwritten list of the best “life” advice I had for her. Don’t get me wrong. I believe I have good advice to give. I’ve had a myriad of experiences and I’m blessed with an open […]
Honestly, this has been the best, most genuinely “soul-filled-with-peace” holiday season I’ve had in years. I didn’t mope about my past, I didn’t pick apart my present day, and I didn’t fret about my future. I, quite simply, was “right here, right now.” I won’t be able to express, within […]
It never crossed my mind how much I would treasure peace and quiet until I looked across the room just now and realized the kitten was fast asleep. Asleep instead of tearing around the house strafing curtains and racing up the back of my reading chair only to launch itself […]
“What if I choose not to believe?” It’s a line from one of my favourite movies of the holiday season, “The Santa Clause.” I’ve always believed in the power of mystery and magic. I have, of course, mailed letters to Santa for my children when they were small and I’ve […]
As I watched the thing jettison across my kitchen floor and catapult into the spare room, it reminded me of the “Tasmanian Devil” of the “Looney Tunes” cartoon series I used to watch on television when I was 12 years old. Then the fur ball ricocheted back into the kitchen, […]
“Read many books.” My history teacher in high school said those three words every time we left his class. It’s been 38 years since I last walked past that teacher flashing his white-toothed smile and chanting his literary mantra to the group filing out of his classroom. But “Read many […]
Charles Schulz once penned, “Life is like a 10-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.” I recently came across this quote in my stash of philosophies and lo and behold, it got inside my head and begged me to answer the question: “Which gears in my life […]
My grandfather, John Murdock Caldwell, joined the 35th Battery of the Canadian Field Artillery on Feb. 26, 1916. He was 19. He was among the survivors of the Great War who returned home to family. Grampa Caldwell passed away in the early 1970s when I was a teenager. Lucky me […]
When my dad found a smashed tomato in the bottom of his fishing boat, I knew my latest war with the red squirrel would go public. I was helping Dad winterize the boat and everything was just fine until he held up that oozing remnant of tomato and said, “How […]
