This blog begins a new series.  A difficult one.  A series that will likely be hard to read.  But I believe that safety comes from being armed by facts.  And if we know what to look for and how to recognize these situations, we can put an end to it. So take a deep breath and read on.  Feel free to take a break and come back to this later, because it’s heavy stuff.  Know that it might raise feelings that are uncomfortable, scary or...

I love Calvin and Hobbes.  Always have.  Always will.  Something about his attitude and point of view that grabs me.    He says and does the things I’d sometimes like to do but being a goody goody I have never dared.  So here’s a Calvin and Hobbes video about Christmas. And this song is my new ‘fun’ favorite Christmas song: This is my favorite ‘carol’ written and performed by Alan Jackson This is a...

It was that kind of day.  Truly earth shattering. I got ‘my’ letter.  The letter.  The one from the Canadian Federal Government that says I have been approved to receive my Canada Pension Plan starting in January.  (For my American friends, this is the equivalent of Social Security.) Weird. I’m almost retired – even though I plan to work for another decade. Holy Hannah – it feels important. How did this come about?  The...

I have almost decided to self-publish my books through Amazon and other electronic media.  In preparation for that, I’m taking Kristen Lamb’s course “We Are Not Alone”. See her blog here    As a result, I am trying to build a platform on Social Media (Twitter, Facebook and Blogging). Sighhhhhhh I have not figured out how to do it all and work full time and have a life. I know writing should come first, (after going to work so I can...

Not many of us get the chance to change our lives through the generosity and action of others.  I’m one of those few. After the Annual General Meeting of my writing chapter last June, a group of writers were sitting around playing the ‘what if’ game.  This can be a dangerous activity for writers.  With our imagination and creativity, almost anything can come out of such a conversation. And last June, Bandit Creek Books was born.  ...