My Own Calcutta: A Year of Living Generously

Yay! I did it! After years of pushing my manuscript to the backburner, I took the plunge and moved forward. My first book, My Own Calcutta, was recently published on Amazon. Let me share with you the storyline… It’s November 2013. As Rita Jacques hears that a typhoon has devastated the Philippines, she’s once again…

Most Loved Photo of 2020!

Have you ever experienced a feeling of anxiety so intense you felt it in the pit of your stomach? This happened to me the other day when I realized I did something not too bright at all! And feared there may be serious repercussions. I was about to run an errand for my daughter. This…

First Jobs!

Work is work! We often hear these words, usually spoken by disgruntled employees. Yet we can learn something from every job, can’t we? Let me tell you about two jobs from my youth. My first job was as a papergirl delivering The Wallaceburg Daily News. I was 10 at the time I applied for the…

Priorities!

It’s funny how a random scene from the past can be cemented in one’s mind. I remember when my oldest daughter struggled with a challenging sewing project involving a pastel green dress. (A pic of the finished dress is below.) We were to meet a high school teacher for assistance at her home on a…

Imperfect Baking!

There are three types of people in the world. Those who embrace baking cookies for Christmas and excel at it. Those who don’t have time to bother and think nothing of buying Christmas goodies. And then there’s a group of people that think, “Oh, it would be great to bake cookies!”—despite it being a challenge…

Keep Hope Alive!

It’s funny how a simple remark can lead you to reflect on your life. Last week, my brother-in-law stopped by to visit. As we stood in the driveway, he pointed to a large bed of Cosmos flowers still standing on the first day of November. “I see you’re one of those gardeners who lets their…

Gardening Goals!

Gardeners display a rare optimism. Despite factors beyond their control—such as extreme weather conditions and Japanese beetles to name just two—gardeners continue to plant each year and hope for the best. And, the amazing thing is that plants usually turn out well. I am no different than the average gardener. At my previous home, the…

Driveway Flowers!

Caught between a rock and a hard place? In a tough situation? Don’t give up! You’re stronger than you think. Push on through the hard times and your resilience will be a beautiful thing indeed. Don’t believe me? Just look at how these morning glory flowers pushed through the pavement.  Who would suspect a delicate…

Good for the Soul!

Oh, I had big plans for today! I planned to give my home a thorough spring cleaning, so it looked straight out of the pages of a magazine. I planned to pay the bills and organize the little stacks of paper cluttering the kitchen table, the dining room table, and my desk. My growing stack…

Impulsive Online Shopping!

Well, it happened. I was lured by a Facebook ad. Yup, I made an impulsive purchase. It was late at night when I thought I’d check Facebook one last time. I spotted an ad for vintage Christmas dresses. Not second-hand dresses, but dresses with an old-fashioned appeal to them. They were bright and colourful and…