It’s Annie’s birthday today. Annie Lahti. July 15th. I don’t think she would mind me telling you that she is 90 today. That’s quite an accomplishment and worthy of honouring her for that alone, but I am honouring Annie for so much more. Annie opened her arms and let me […]
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 have two orange cats. Brothers. “Casey” and “Finnegan.” I may have told you about them before; I can’t remember (I’ve turned 60 and I’ve given up trying to remember everything). I love Casey and Finnegan. Well, mostly I love Casey and Finnegan, but some days maybe not so much […]
I was thinking about forgiveness the other day when I was listening to Brian Williams apologize for misrepresenting the truth about his coverage during the Iraq War. It is offensive when news information is reported inaccurately and regardless of our understanding or acceptance of his apology, his career has slammed […]
I was listening to a conversation in a coffee shop the other day where several people were discussing the taste of food (I confess; I was eavesdropping). One person was saying he didn’t like his partner’s potato salad. “It has all the ingredients of your mother’s potato salad,” she replied […]
Dogs are a lot like people. In fact, I watched a video last week of a dog playing the piano and howling along to his own accompaniment. I found myself thinking the dog and I sounded a bit alike. I don’t tend to pound the keys with the same carefree […]
We have been talking about anti-bullying campaigns in schools for years in an effort to keep our children safe. The challenge becomes greater as technology grows and our apparent freedom to post comments anonymously seems to know no bound. We think we bear no responsibility for our words, for our […]
You know how when you’re feeling a little proud of yourself, when you’ve faced a challenge and prevailed, and you’re basking in the glow of success? Don’t do it. Don’t bask. Don’t pat yourself on the back for any length of time because if you do, I promise you fate […]
Can you sing along with “Baby Beluga” and get all the lyrics right? “Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea/Swim so wild and swim so free.” You remember! This song was written and released by Raffi in 1980, and is one of his signature songs that has crossed generations. Though […]
I was listening to CBC Radio during a drive home from Halifax early last week, which was the re-airing of that morning’s “The Current.” On the program was Katrina Spade, founder and director of the Urban Death Project. I found the whole program fascinating and hopeful; an example of real […]
There is a rooster in my front yard and he seems to be calling to chickens everywhere to unite, which he does with a very loud cockle-doodle-doo from under my office window. Now I’m all for freedom of speech, and the debate on the chicken or the egg hasn’t actually […]
Remember the commercial from Christmas past with the “Ooh, I love Turtles,” and a provocative woman with the high-pitched voice and the look of “Gee, I’m really stupid” (don’t get me started)? Well, as yummy as those caramel-pecan-chewy treats are, and I enjoy them as much as the next person, […]
I recently attended a Toastmasters meeting in Halifax—a group of writing enthusiasts, some of whom have been Toastmasters for a good many years. They have formed a new club of Toastmasters, embracing writers and artists and those creatively-minded. I was hesitant to go, anxious even. Public speaking is hardly my […]
