I recently was short-listed for the 2016 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize that recognized six of the many first novels by Canadian writers in the literary fiction category. Or rather “Meadowlark” was short-listed. I just was along for the ride. I flew into Toronto for a rush overnight trip; flew into […]
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 was thinking of heroes the other day—heroes whom I admired while I was in my “impressionable years.” I’m still impressionable so while I was watching the eulogies for the passing of Muhammad Ali and felt the ache at the loss of Gordie Howe, and the reminder that time marches […]
I’m a fan of galloping. It could be my rural upbringing, but galloping was a normal mode of transportation for me—long before “Monty Python” successfully cornered the market on the gallop for those who would gallop in the silliest of manners. Galloping and skipping; with skipping coming in a close […]
I was doing a Sunday morning walk with CBC Radio and Michael Enright’s “The Sunday Edition” playing in my ears. Michael (because I am on a first-name basis with my CBC people) offered up the recording of Justice Rosalie Abella’s recent address to the graduates from Yale Law School. I […]
’Tis the season for gardening. Nurseries and garden centre add-ons at our local stores are bustling with customers armed with big ideas and good intentions. And even if our thumbs aren’t as green as they should or could be, the benefits of gardening are significant. There are the obvious positive […]
Travel isn’t the best colour on me. I don’t mind the airports because I enjoy watching people. I immediately conjure up stories for the sad or vacant face, for the muddy shoes beneath the well-pressed suit, for the madness behind women walking in shoes that resemble stilts. I’ve noticed that […]
I like surprises, the good kind—like the toy inside the pink elephant popcorn box or a bouquet of yellow and orange balloons—but not the kind of surprise like popping an inflated paper bag behind me or jumping out from behind the couch to scare me. I like happy surprises. Spring […]
I was reading Dr. Seuss the other day, looking for the meaning of life or, at the very least, looking for words that would help me understand life with a little more ease—a tall order on some days. Dr. Seuss wrote: Sometimes you will never know the value of a […]
It is my birthday on Friday (April 29). As I write this, another year has gone, slipped away overnight never to be retrieved, and I find myself remembering birthdays past (as I am inclined to do), where I wander around in my memory searching in corners for treasured moments. Birthdays […]
I have a new favourite book. I stumbled upon it while visiting Linden. I encouraged him, on to my knee, to help me read this fine story with the beautiful illustrations. We shared the message of this book over and over, and I will never tire of the thoughts that […]
My heart has been busy with a bit of longing lately and I’m wondering from where that comes. If I could describe the ache, I would have to say I am homesick, but I’m here in my home so how is that possible? Some years ago, I came upon the […]
The frogs were singing in my pond last week—despite the chilly temperatures and frigid wind. They were singing with their big voices; a whole choir, one trying to outdo the other. “Listen to me,” one croaked. “No, me,” croaked another. It is the official song of spring, even though Mother […]
