YesterCanada: Historical Tales of Mystery and Adventure by Elma Schemenauer My rating: 4 of 5 stars In YesterCanada Elma Schemenauer tells thirty historical tales of Canada. Using her considerable story telling skill she puts us right into the various Canadian settings these stories inhabit, from the grassy fragrance of the Saskatchewan prairie, to the bone… Continue reading YesterCanada (review)
Today I’m recommending my friend Laurel’s blog for your Advent reading. When her two children with Autism Spectrum Disorder could no longer tolerate the upheaval of Christmas, she knew she would have to find a different way than with decorations, visiting, lavish gifts and meals to celebrate. She tells her story on this video. https://vimeo.com/147060464… Continue reading Journey through Advent
Though we’re just starting December the First Sunday of Advent is already past and Christmas is in the air. Sarah Arthur’s Light upon Light (a book of readings for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany) recalled the beautiful song “Of the Father’s Love Begotten.” I first heard “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” sung by the Amadeus Children's… Continue reading “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”
Happy Thanksgiving to our American neighbors! In my search for a poem of gratitude today, I came across “To Skin” (which I wrote some years ago but don’t believe I ever made public—at least not here). It reminds us of one thing we have to be grateful for which, though all around us, is easy… Continue reading To Skin
When the glory of fall has passed, I still walk, often in the rain. I have heard about how rain affects people in different locations differently; some are downright jubilant about its coming. I wonder if living in the soggy southwest of Canada (/ northwest of the U.S.) would dampen their enthusiasm. Walking in the… Continue reading Walking in the rain
We have a beautiful paperbark maple in the back yard. It is one of the last trees to green up in spring and to redden in the fall. We see it from our kitchen window. When it is in full color, it’s almost as if there is a glowing presence outside, looking in at us.… Continue reading What is this light?
This is another poem inspired by a walk and the autumn leaves, which are particularly spectacular this year. Fall Collection I’m collecting fashion pixels leaves so stunning, dyed and pressed. With this season’s stylish outfits Autumn’s golden runways dressed. Slender sleeves of limey yellow ric rac trim of flaming blush bouffant skirt of lacy sun… Continue reading Fall Collection
In the last few weeks my walking partner, dear hubby, has been finding it more and more painful to walk. Then the doctor told him, no more long walks until you’re better. So for now I am walking on my own. When I took solitary walks in the past I experienced a wonderful loosening of… Continue reading Just an ordinary walk
Poetry Camp inspired me to be a more regular visitor to my library (thanks, Janet Wong!). My fascination with verse novels prompted me to pick up Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. I quickly discovered, though, that this isn’t exactly a verse novel. It’s a memoir—the story of young Jacqueline taking us through her childhood… Continue reading Brown Girl Dreaming (review)
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown My rating: 4 of 5 stars I read this book after I heard Michael Hyatt interview Greg on one of his podcasts. I probably read it a few years too late (although it wasn’t yet written when I could have used it—when my kids were little… Continue reading Essentialism (review)
Violet Nesdoly 