Lingering Thoughts

I’ve overcome a few cravings in my past, but I seem to develop new ones. It reminds me of that carnival game, Whac-A-Mole. Those groundhog heads keep popping up as fast as we can hit them down! I’m beginning to wonder if we are always meant to crave something. What do...

Helen Keller said it best: “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” Being deaf and blind, Helen Keller pushed herself to take risks every day. Each of us has a different appetite for taking risks. Some people are risk averse. They won’t do anything that puts...

November sneaks up on me. The anniversaries of my dad’s birth and death are both in this month. Dad was a veteran and I recall his war stories on Memorial Day. So many memories of him packed into this month. My wedding anniversary also used to be on November 15th. I...

​Our world is opening up and we can get back to our favorite activities. I’m being selective. I go out to dinner with special friends. I’m going out to see plays because I love theatre. It’s fun to pick and choose what I want to do. I’ve spent more time alone in the...

I hear them each morning and it makes me a little sad. That sound signals the last call of summer for me. I had a wonderful break in Nova Scotia and my hope is that I hold my vacation close as our calendar flips to September. I’m savouring the time I spent reading in...

I’m writing this newsletter on a plane, heading ‘home’ to Nova Scotia. Yep – home is sometimes where we were born. Even though I left as a child, I still crave the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. I need this break so much! It’s been great to anticipate the trip and plan...

This was the question my neighbour asked me when she dropped off a donation for a new refugee. “Everywhere. You do, too.” was my simple answer. I laughed and added, “I’m just a little pushier than you are.” Years ago, I asked the receptionist about some notes on her...

I’d like to share a few thoughts as we pause Spoken Lives Online. For seven years, I’ve learned and healed and laughed and cried. Over 200 speakers have shared their stories through this passion project. I’ve learned three important things that I want to highlight. 1....

My big sister died seven days ago. I’ve had a weeklong roller coaster of emotions. The stories I could tell! But, I won’t. We were opposites. While I embrace sharing stories in public ways, she was an extremely private person. She didn’t even share how sick she was....

I just returned from a trip to British Columbia and it was such a thrill to see the cherry blossoms and daffodils in March! It was exciting to take walks in nature in milder temperatures. There were so many more chances to be outside out west and breath the fresh air...