I came all the way from Wolfville, N.S. to Dawson City, Yukon, travelled the 7,392 km, to hear the extraordinary music of Beòlach, a multi-talented group performing the magic of Cape Breton music. I didn’t come all that way just for the music, of course. But had that been the […]
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
I heard this morning, as I write this on Oct. 29, that one of the most precious people in my life has gone. I scarcely can imagine the sun will continue to shine without Annie Lahti; that spring will ever come again and that I will find my way home. […]
I have a raspberry seed from my morning toast and jam stuck in my molar–the molar just ahead of my missing wisdom tooth (top right to be precise). I can hear the voice of Joe Friday from “Dragnet.” Just the facts, ma’am. I have flossed and brushed and picked and […]
Charles Lindbergh carried a copy of Robert Service’s poems during his record-setting non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. Lindbergh was prepared for the monotony of the trip and the drone of his monoplane, “The Spirit of St. Louis.” Even Lindbergh knew that Robert Service’s poetry, which Robert preferred […]
I feel like taking a ride on a train this morning, like my family did when I was 10 years old. It probably was the most exciting few days of my life, certainly of my childhood, though getting my first “very own” pony would have to top the list (not […]
I sit at my desk waiting for hope to resurface from the morning deluge of tragedy in the news, and it is difficult–so very difficult–to find the belief that our humanity hasn’t all but been annihilated. We blame Trump, or most of us do, with his narcissist madness. His politics […]
There are ravens in Dawson City–large, fluffy, cleverly-curious ravens, whose neck looks shrouded with a fur coat rather than with feathers. These birds are big and bold and comical. I lived in Pickle Lake several lifetimes ago, where ravens were as plentiful as snowstorms (or so it seemed). The ravens […]
Helen Audrey Stewart was born on Jan. 31, 1922 in Fort Frances, Ont. and left us Sept. 14, 2017 in Alaska with two of three sons by her side. She was an outdoors woman, as comfortable hunting and fishing with her sons and husband as she was serving tea. She […]
I made it to Dawson City. I don’t know if you are aware, but this is a very large country. Did you know this? It takes a great deal of time and patience, with some chanting and meditation and deep breathing and assuring yourself that you will survive another three […]
I am a rule follower. I struggle to go in the “out” door. Jaywalking is a challenge. Rebellion wasn’t hard-wired into my genes. I’m not sure that is a positive attribute–despite the ease for my parents during my teenage years. I think I can blame my father. His brand of […]
I leave for the Yukon today (Sept. 6). For the next four months, I will call Pierre Berton’s childhood home my home–an honour and privilege that still surprises me. I think part of me believed this wasn’t really happening, but that it was all an imagined dream. But I’ve received […]
It’s a very hot day. I’m hot–but not in the way one would like to be hot. I think it is the hottest day yet this year. This kind of day zaps any evidence of ambition that may have been dwelling in my cells and grinds said enthusiasm to dust. […]
