I am despairing today. I can’t find my way to the stories and connections of those who carry their humanity not as a shield, but as a skin, as permanent and engrained as the colour of one’s eyes, a way of living so entrenched in the soul that reaction to […]
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
We can easily lose sight of ourselves during this unusual time. Fear and anxiety mess with our equilibrium. I see fewer friendly faces on my walks, some appearing suspicious of those they encounter in the jungle. In response, I tend to ramp up my friendliness to counteract the solemn looks. […]
It has happened. I had some idea it would, more of a hint really. I heard rumours, of course, and I had the tiniest inkling the gossip might be founded on fact. The proof showed itself when I checked my bank account and sure enough, my very first OAS deposit […]
I was having a pity-party this morning. No one was invited but me, although bringing along my internal whining was a must. There were no streamers at this party, no balloons or cake and certainly no parade, but action was required. I sat myself down at the kitchen table, rather […]
Things are growing. Tulip shoots were pushing through the snow weeks ago in my garden, only to be buried again last week, but still they grow, determined, steadfast. No matter what goes on in the world, be it struggle or celebration, Spring in Canada comes; gently some years, hesitant and […]
I woke up the morning of April 28 to find six inches of snow on the ground around me and more falling from the sky and by the start of April 29 there was over a foot of snow on the ground. Mother Nature has a weird sense of humour. […]
I don’t often write about difficult subjects in my columns. There is no shortage of negative news swirling around day after day and it can be exhausting and draining, and I leave that to others. I try to focus on what shines rather than what harms. I can’t find my […]
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, […]
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 […]
