Another day of pure pleasure. In part, due to spending time with Jennie Morrow—a friend I’ve not had solo time with since God was young, and, in part, by meeting artist Helen Opie in Granville Ferry. Helen has always dreamed of cruising to paradise. And she’s going to do just that next summer. But this […]
By now you all know my love affair with cemeteries. Just when I thought cemeteries couldn’t get any better, I met up with Bill Curry, one of the many volunteers who are part of The Old Beaver River and Port Maitland Cemeteries Preservation Society. Thanks to this group, not only have these cemeteries been cleared […]
Every time I hear the word ‘kibby’ I think ‘friendship’ and ‘hefty hugs.’ Back in the late 40’s and 50’s I remember the excitement when Sam Nichols, a local merchant, called my mother to say he was planning a visit. Would she and the good doctor like to have some kibby? Mama’s eyes would light […]
OK. So someone swiped a few weeks out of my life. He goes by the name of Bailey. Great Pyrenees pup. He was 22 pounds when we got him on August 8. One month later he’s more like 40 pounds. Rumour has it he will weigh-in around 130 pounds a year from now. Or, at […]
I feel like a school kid let loose with friends on a summer holiday. I’m with fellow writers Judy Ferron and Brenda Tate and we’re headed up to Clare. First stop: The Farmer’s Market at Belliveau Cove. Within minutes I’ve bought two pieces of folk art painted on driftwood from Hika Wagner for the grand […]
After getting hooked on cemeteries (Day 13) I’m now prone to being on the lookout for them. Living in a rural area, I don’t have to look far. Every village has at least one cemetery if not more. And, if you are lucky enough to meet Deborah Trask, you’ll learn a whole lot about gravestones. […]
There’s nothing like getting off the highway and poking around secondary roads–many which seem to snake along rather haphazardly–then POW! There it is … a Parks Canada National Historic Site that pops into view in the middle of freakin’ nowhere. Or a beach that goes for miles and is practically deserted. All within minutes of […]
Folks, try as I might to catch up, I am still 9 posts behind. And, oooh, they are humdingers … from learning about UFOs, to meeting an artist in her 80’s who’s built a boat and will be sailing to Paradise later in August, to strolling through a weird, wacky and whimsical forest … and […]
“This should spare my back,” says Jackson Lore. Jackson is referring to growing strawberries in a 200 ft. long x 20 ft. series of trays installed about three feet above the ground. In a couple of weeks they will be protected by a large tunnel over the top of the trays. This is all happening […]
I love this town and her ravishing beauties—homes with old bones that have been lovingly kept or restored. For some reason or other I always want to break out in that chorus: “Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones…” when I’m close to one of these lovelies. It’s after lunch and I’m now on tour […]
Welcome! This is where I occasionally post a story that's not filed under My Work ... or give a behind-the-scenes commentary (when fit to publish.) You'll also find notices about upcoming workshops, such as memoir or travel writing. Enjoy your visit and come back often. Better yet, subscribe!
EDITORS, please click on My Work and Photo Gallery in the menu bar to get the big picture of what I do.