If you want your problems to feel small and insignificant, walk outside on a dark, moonless night and become a star-gazer. Find Casseopia in her stretched out ‘W’ and be reminded of her wicked tale—of a mother’s love gone wrong, a mother banned to the night’s sky for all eternity […]

It is easy to forget the sacrifices that those who went before us have made; those who lost their lives, lost their sense of self, lost mobility and peace of mind. “Lest We Forget” reminds us, but still on days that aren’t marked with poppies and ceremony and silence, we […]

What is it about fruit flies? Are they hiding in sink drains and behind the fridge—waiting to pounce the moment I leave a tomato on the counter? Do they have scouts that send word back to the “herd” to invade? Do they organize fruit fly conventions when they know I […]

The federal election is over in Canada and most of us are heaving a sigh of relief. The signs will be gathered up and the campaign strategies will fade from our TVs and radios and newspapers, and we all will exhale and hope that the new government will focus on […]

Years ago when my children were small, I remember someone saying, “Small children; small problems. Big children; big problems.” Thinking back, I wouldn’t say that was true, although the problems were different at every stage. When we had our first child, I was 31. But my career until then had […]

Samuel Johnson was an English writer born in 1709. He is considered one of the most often quoted writers in the English language, next to William Shakespeare, with sayings such as “patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” and “integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without […]

I promised myself I wouldn’t bore you with any more droning on about my recent trip to Fort Frances to launch my novel. I apologize for repeating myself and for my effusiveness, but here I am at my daughter’s desk, getting ready to pen this week’s column submission, and the […]

I’m here in Fort Frances, where I just finished the book-signing at Betty’s with Doug and Blair last Thursday. I was so worried I might faint or throw up—or worse—but it was beyond lovely. I don’t even know how to thank those who came to Betty’s to share hugs and […]

As I write this, I am readying to head to Fort Frances for the launch of my first novel, “MEADOWLARK” (published by NeWest Press). I’m so honoured and happy to make the journey “home” for this event. I still can’t believe it is really happening. I was going to poke […]

Willie Baronet is an artist and professor in Texas. He took a negative situation and turned it into a positive for himself—for all of us. Willie noticed that he was uncomfortable in the presence of the homeless where he lives in Dallas. Their suffering and lacking made him want to […]

I had a conversation with my neighbour the other day. Colton Banks. He lives next door. Colton is four. He is starting school so he has a lot of things on his mind. He used to be too shy to talk to me so instead he hovered, playing some sort […]

Have you tuned in to a relatively new program on CBC Radio One hosted by Lisa Charleyboy? It is called New Fire and it is an excellent program that is intended to bring you “to the surprising heart of the conversations important to Aboriginal youth.” Catch it on Tuesday morning […]