With the House of Windsor much in the news, I doubt there will be a royal visit to Calgary anytime soon. Meanwhile, however, here's a story that was aired on CBC's wonderful Alberta Anthology many years back. And still, HRH is never in public without a hat. My mother phones at eight o’clock in the … Continue reading The Queen is Coming

In the process of culling a lot of other possessions to make for a less cluttered home, I eventually ended up at the bookcases. Some years back, it seemed like sacrilege—me, professing to be a disciple of words and story—to discard books. Pass along so others can enjoy them, donate to book sales, pack away … Continue reading Keeping the Grass Green; making sure the sun shines on beautiful books

We need to say the names, to light candles, to remember Some years ago, I was at the Banff Centre on December 6th.  During breakfast, women in different corners of the dining room, artists in residence, began to stand one by one and say the names.  It was the twentieth anniversary  of the Montreal massacre. … Continue reading Say Their Names

The Calgary Public Library has joined many other sites internationally in dispensing short stories, quick reads.  This marvelous use of technology offers authors and readers a whole new venue for sharing story:  https://dispenser.short-edition.com/#section7 I am delighted to have one my own short stories, "Party Favours" available as a 5 minute read at the beautiful main … Continue reading Dispensing stories

(previously published in AlbertaViews magazine, and A Crack in the Wall  (Oolichan Books 2008) Storm Warning Jess has been staring at the ceiling for hours, possibly all night. But it’s only since dawn she’s noticed the water stain in the corner above the window. A dark blot that starts on the ceiling and trickles down the flowery … Continue reading An old story re-run, just because it’s the stormy season

I keep saying that I don’t review books, but what a pleasure it is to read and join the chorus of characters in praise of a book whose author I know well. I have just finished Audrey Whitson’s new novel, The Death of Annie the Water Witcher by Lightning (NeWest Press 2019).  In fact, I … Continue reading The Death of Annie the Water Witcher by Lightning

Jack Pecover died today, and I feel a deep sense of loss. Although we only met in person perhaps ten times over the years, we carried on a long epistolary conversation.   A letter from Jack was a time to sit down, get my wits about me, smile, laugh and hear his voice in my mind … Continue reading The Work of Justice

Today is the anniversary of the 1989 massacre of fourteen women at  École Polytechnique, an engineering school affiliated with the Université de Montréal.  Marc Lepine’s name is indelibly written in this tragic piece of history. Today is the day to remember the names of the victims. While I was doing research toward writing The Boy, driving … Continue reading The names that become infamous; the names forgotten

This is not a book review. It is a celebratory note to the talented/tenacious/prolific and delightful Ali Bryan. I am biased. I had the pleasure of getting to know Ali through the Writers Guild of Alberta mentorship program when she was working on Roost. My reaction to Roost-in-progress on first reading:  WOW—this story snaps and crackles with … Continue reading The Figgs by Ali Bryan

I read a review of Writing Alberta; Building on a Literary Landscape, edited by George Melnyk and Donna Coates ( U of C Press 2017) in AlbertaViews quite recently and it has been on my "to read" list. Essays by or about Alberta authors and their work are always of interest. Yesterday, I discovered in … Continue reading Writing Alberta

For three weeks, I’ve shopped, baked and decorated. I am building Christmas for my family. Today, I have one last purchase to make for each child; one special present to add to the practical pyjamas, sweaters and socks and the books, games and CDs. I’m stuck in traffic, making one last trip to the mall. … Continue reading The Top of Toy Mountain (1999)

My original post of “Sharon D’s Rose” was written in June 2011. As with every memory of a friend lost, I shake my head and ask how it could be that so many years have passed. Bob and Marilyn had come for tea in the garden that weekend. In my ramble around the yard before … Continue reading Sharon D’s rose, 13 years later

My good friend, Susan Toy, dedicates a large amount of time to promoting books and authors, and offering advice on “the business.” She also finds time to write and publishes her work and that of others under her own imprint, IslandCatEditions. Susan is a splendid cook and an inspired one.  A recipe she created for … Continue reading One Woman’s Island