Categories
Writing

Walk with me on the “Coldest” night of the year

Several years ago, new to living in Kenora full-time, I joined a group of passionate people who had just helped defeat an anti-loitering bylaw that would have made homelessness a crime. Over the past few years, sadly things have not improved for those living on the streets as evidenced by the growing number of people […]

Categories
Community Family Mental Health Pandemic Seasonal Volunteerism Wellness Wisdom Writing

Bringing in 2024 with a smile

A quiet new year’s evening with just the two of us was inspiration to think about where I’ve been and where I hope to go.

Categories
Giving Seasonal

Home. Where the heart is.

I’ve been thinking a lot about home this past year – the home that lives in our hearts and for many of us, the place of belonging that shelters and welcomes us when we need it most. (Pssst…this is actually the main theme of a poetry collection I’m writing for release in 2024!) Over the […]

Categories
Writing

Kenora gathering looks at the path forward for reconciliation

“As survivors we talk with our scars, ask us about our scars, we’ll talk to you about them.” This was one of the powerful statements that emerged during the Azhe-mino gahbewewin/Reconciliation Kenora Research Project and Debwewin Truth Project meeting, held at the Super 8 in Kenora, Ontario on Thursday, October 12.

Categories
Writing

A lesson in love

The image of my childhood school burning the ground has stirred something in my heart.

Categories
Social justice Stories Volunteerism Writing

Speak from the heart

A day when a single, heartfelt decision changed everything.

Categories
Lessons Wellness Wisdom Writing

A small victory

The beauty I find around me is not strange or foreign, but often overlooked in its everyday presence because it is always here, because it always shows up. I feel a kinship in that.

Categories
Writing

Solo Walk

I took a walk, unencumbered by the usual weights I carry…and I arrived in an unexpected, beautiful place.

Categories
Lessons Lifestyle Nature Seasonal Writing

The gift of surprise

This past year as we’ve emerged from COVID isolation, I’ve been looking for opportunities to laugh more and generally just have more fun. This was a day when all I could do was laugh at myself.

Categories
Wellness Wisdom Women Writing

Maybe this time

A last-minute fitness class opens my eyes to some new possibilities. Maybe this time it will be different.

Categories
Social justice Stories Writing

The power of stories

I’ve often talked about the power of stories that focus on our humanity, what we bring to the world, what we care about, and how it’s what really matters. #socialjustice #caringforcommunity

Categories
Arts Grant writing Media Volunteerism

The arts will save us all

I truly believe the arts has the ability to save us all for what it brings to humanity when it works – as we did for ArtsFest – toward creating safe spaces where everyone is welcomed, included and seen.

Categories
Writing

Prompting an epiphany

Sometimes we writers have to work through all the cues coming at us, to formulate a story that matters. In this case, it was worth the epiphany I arrived at.

Categories
Courage Wellness Wisdom Writing

The upside of failure

I’ve often railed at some of my own personal fears – which I have often seen as failures – but in the midst of this, I received a prompt from the online (international) writing group I belong to look at the upside of failure.

Categories
Stories Writing

Moving on

Sometimes you just need a little courage and will power to truly, move on.

Categories
Family Lessons Mental Health Women

Recognizing our own heroes on International Women’s Day #IWD 2023

“It isn’t enough that she sweat, labored, bore her daughters howling or under total anesthesia or both. No. She must be responsible for our psychic weaknesses the rest of her life. It is alright to feel kinship with your father, to forgive. We all know that. But your mother is held to a standard so exacting that it has no principles.” – Louise Erdrich, The Painted Drum.