Wendi Stewart – Wendi with an ‘eye’

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 […]

I’ve been going to the gym these past couple of weeks—and not for the reason you would think. It has been incredibly hot here in the Annapolis Valley. The track at Acadia University circles around the ice surface and, as a result, the temperature on the track is deliciously cold […]

Someone asked me the other day why I write. The question wasn’t posed as a challenge but rather as curiosity. And, of course, the same can be asked of why do we read, why do we act in plays, why do we sing, why do we sculpt or paint? Whether […]

Old methods of gardening and caring for the soil are becoming new these days. In light of climate change, there are those individuals who are searching for methods to improve the soil and/or, at the very least, to protect the soil and to reduce its dependency on water. Hopefully, this […]

Life is full of embarrassing experiences and if we didn’t have any such eye-rolling or wincing-worthy moments, I think we might be playing it far too safe. I’ve had my share of such but last week’s incident may have been the funniest, or what certainly ranks in the top 10 […]

I have a love-hate relationship with garbage day. I’m happy to have purged; to have my blue bag frames emptied and fresh bags inserted. My house feels cleaner, but it is not without trepidation. I recycle. I know—not exactly worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize but still. I make sure […]

You know how when you have a sore in your mouth and you can’t keep your tongue away from it, as if your brain needs to confirm something like, “Yup, it still hurts,” as if you are a sucker for punishment? Well, that is what I was feeling last week. […]