When I was young, I kept a list, in my book of lists, of words I found interesting. Interesting encompasses a fair range of possibilities from difficult to spell or don’t sound like what they mean. Words that spring to mind were those that were hard to learn to read, […]
Wendi Stewart – Wendi with an ‘eye’
Wendi lives in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, but the farm on Rainy River in Crozier will always be her home. MEADOWLARK, her debut novel released September 15, is published by NeWest Press of Edmonton. She is the mother of four daughters who did the unforgivable: they grew up. http://wendistewart.writersresidence.com
When my world gets heavy, when I struggle to make sense of things, when it feels as though the Earth has lost its orbit, I try to find something I can control in a world out of control, something that makes me happy, makes me feel safe. When I was […]
I heard a retort several weeks ago, probably months ago now, during an argument, or a vigorous discussion, which I couldn’t help but overhear as I unloaded my groceries into the back of my car. “Oh, grow up,” one contender spat at the other, and it got me thinking about […]
My mind goes to unfamiliar places these days, understandably, as these are unfamiliar times, a war of sorts, with ourselves, with each other, with the planet we have abused and ignored. As I cut up pieces of frozen pineapple for my breakfast this morning, I got to thinking. I watched […]
I sometimes, okay often, actually just a hair above always, beat myself up about my introvertedness. I don’t think that’s a word; it should be. I wilt in friendly gatherings. I have no genetic predisposition for small talk. I struggle to breathe in large crowds. Turns out, I was just […]
I was reading the words of wise women today in honour of International Women’s Day, March 8 as I sit with pen and paper to record my thoughts. The internationally recognized day has mostly been a day of celebration, though the day has been marked with protests demanding positive change […]
I know I don’t speak for everyone and perhaps it is quite likely that I speak for very few, but some will agree with me when I say I’m not a real fan of winter. I used to be. I suppose every kid on the planet would be a fan […]
The expression “it takes a village to raise a child” has always been true, but recently I was reminded that it takes a child to show us what truly matters. My six-year-old grandson has “lost” someone very precious to him. Linden didn’t misplace his special friend; she didn’t move away […]
Be careful what you wish for, was a common recitation of my mother’s while I was growing up. She also said bad luck was as easy to find as good, so hope or ask for neither. I was thinking this morning of her stance on too much of a good […]
I find myself, this morning as I sit at my desk, thinking about those people who helped shape my character when I was growing up. Not the idols whose pictures I taped to my bedroom walls. Not the athletes who inspired me to run faster and jump higher. Not the […]
I was reading about a play performed in Toronto at the moment of my writing this, a play written by Ahmad Meree, a Syrian refugee who found his way to Canada in 2016. The play is performed in Ahmad’s native language of Arabic with English subtitles screened along the top […]
I love oatmeal. It speaks to childhood and grandparents and all manner of remembering. I had oatmeal this very morning for breakfast. It’s a happy start to my day. This wasn’t so much a bowl of oatmeal; the method of cooking differed slightly. Instead of boiling it on the stove, […]
