Part 1- Stepping out on a Ledge

I am a firm believer everything happens for a reason. A first time visit to Calgary wouldn’t have been complete without a get-together with Jean, who headed out West years ago. My friend planned a whole agenda of touristy things to experience, including the Calgary Tower. As we ascended the high speed elevator, signs appeared…

Found in Chinatown

Funny how the unexpected can take your breath away and pull at your heartstrings. I strolled alone in the metropolis of Calgary, killing time before attending a wedding. Camera strapped over one shoulder ready to aim at buildings and unique statues. And at whatever else caught my fancy, like magpies and chipmunk-like gophers. Purse tucked…

Put a Positive Spin on Your Life

Good things can evolve from bad events. I’m a true believer you can always put a spin on things. My daughter, Monique suddenly left her beloved first apartment with its large garden this winter. Having worked at a gardening centre last summer, she’d acquired many unique perennial plants she was reluctant to leave behind. Her…

Thrills for Three Coupons Each!

“We should’ve checked the height restrictions!!” I convinced Guy it’d be fun to go for a Ferris wheel ride late at night. But, on arriving at the downtown Windsor riverfront, I was swept up by the atmosphere. Two more rides caught my interest. We purchased a big strip of coupons, enough for at least three rides.…

The Husband Cookie

I saw him from the corner of my eye as I exited the international grocery store. He was half slumped, his back to me, sitting on the hot concrete curb at the far end of the parking lot. I approached my car and put the two small bags of groceries inside. The bag for one…

Lessons & Memories of Dad!

To celebrate Father’s Day, here’s some quotes from my Dad plus some of the best-loved memories from his six kids, thirteen grandchildren and now…six great-grandchildren! I hope I counted correctly. We all know Dad did math in his head. 1) “It will build character!” Usually announced when things didn’t go the way we planned. 2)…

History Repeats Itself!

Well, ’tis the season! June means graduations. Graduations mean that somewhere a young man or woman is preparing a valedictorian speech. Years ago, my niece, Paige attended the graduation of her big brother, Grant. Even though she was quite young, she was moved by the valedictorian’s speech.  Paige turned to her parents, and told them, “I want to…

Careful What You Post!

Another great day at the shelter! For lunch, mushroom rice, lentil soup and meat sandwiches made with hamburger buns were on the menu. You use what’s available here. And plenty of hamburger buns were donated lately. I wasn’t exactly sure what kind of meat was in the sandwiches. When I asked a homeless man, he replied,”…

Tale of a Nail

Talk about a rough night for Monique! First, things had ended between her and a guy after a seven year history of friendship. Then, my hubby, Guy received a frantic call from Monique. She’s panicking; mice are scurrying about her apartment. Could he please pick her up so she could sleep at out place? Bless,…

Some Like It Hot!

  Great day at the shelter! When I arrived, the tuna sandwiches were finished and we were only serving soup. Two kinds of soup: cabbage soup and “spicy soup”, which is what we called a hearty lentil soup. A homeless man told me,” See how red my face is? And, see how I’m sweating? It’s not…