For 51 years, my left eye has been useful for motion, colour and shape–and not much else. I’ve been grateful for it, and quick to point out that it’s better than no sight at all when doctors dismissed it, saying I had “one good eye.” But yesterday things changed. I went for cataract surgery and […]
Stories. Stories are the best cure! Find yourself wanting to snap at your spouse? Stop talking and go read a book. You can’t argue when you’re reading. (And you can’t hear anyone being annoying if you read hard enough.) Having trouble talking about your feelings? Start with, “Once upon a time . . . .” […]
I recently took a big step towards fulfilling a writing dream, only to have fear launch a stealth attack that temporarily sidetracked me. Pull up a screen and I’ll tell you about it—and how I’m getting past it. On June 19 I completed the 100-day book program by submitting the last piece of my first […]
I recently did something both wonderful and scary: I joined a writing program. Sounds tame, maybe. But to me it’s closer to terrifying than boring. Why? Because I’m working hard, putting my heart and energy into finishing a book. I’m giving it my best now-or-never effort. And after all of this, what if I fail? […]
March 5, 2018 Last week I took the garbage out in boots, jeans, a t-shirt and mittens. It was around minus seven degrees Celsius, cold enough that I‘d normally want a coat, hat and scarf. It felt wonderful. I took my time carrying the recycling bin to the curb. I looked at the fresh snow, […]
When Grandma died in November, family and close friends came together informally to mourn. We ended up in a big circle in my cousin’s home, looking out on Grandma’s beloved Rideau River. We shared stories, memories and sorrow. People spoke of how much they learned from her, how much they loved her, how much they’d […]
Late last month I spent the weekend camping and playing outside with a bunch of Cub Scouts and Scouters. It was hot, there was a fresh crop of mosquitoes, and the ground was as hard as usual — but I collected a whole knapsack full of good things to help combat Grumblings. I hope these trigger […]
On a June Sunday this summer, I got home from Scout camp with Husband and Thing Two, and for the next day or so I felt cranky and out of sorts. Really unpleasant-to-be-around cranky. I thought maybe it had to do with the state of my house, which had reached critical mess, as it often […]
Going to a library brings a smile to my face, even if I’m there to pay a fine. Seriously! One recent busy Saturday between grocery shopping and the other busyness of the day, I stopped off to return some overdue books and pay a fine, and found myself grinning and suddenly happy, just because I […]
It’s birthday time for me, and as with previous years I’ve had the urge to do something unusual. Maybe it’s spring fever (never mind that everything was still buried in in snow when I started writing this post). Or maybe it’s because I’m a year older, and I want something to show for it. I […]