Are you descended from a refugee? The answer might surprise you. With Syrian refugees so prominent in the news right now—and such a hot topic for debate—it's easy to think that refugees are a new thing for Canada. But they're really not. In fact, it was a group of refugees, mainly, that made up the… Continue reading Canada’s First Refugee Camps
What would make a person want to sleep forever? That's the question Prince Kynan would risk his life to answer. In Everdream, my young adult fantasy novel, the queen has been sleeping for ten years and her son has set out to rescue her. But in the process he learns what sent her to the magical… Continue reading To Eversleep…
My current work in progress, a historical fiction, centres around a bit of an enigma: Ann MacLeod MacLean McIntyre Cass. History only records her as a Loyalist widow, mother, and refugee, and her origin is in shadow. But a story told by her descendants to my cousin may shed some light onto an unusual and incredible… Continue reading Who is Ann MacLean?
I'm blogging over on Redwood Park Communities today. Come and join me. If someone had told me ten years ago—even two years ago—that I would be doing some form of social work I would have been skeptical at best. I mean, really. I’m a mom of four who hasn’t worked outside the home in over… Continue reading When Your Calling Finds You
Today I'm doing something a little different. I've begun blogging over at Redwood Park Communities, the organization where I volunteer. I’ll never forget my first intake interview at United House. It was my birthday, a year and a half ago. I had already been involved with Redwood Park Communities since the beginning, helping to gut… Continue reading Because…
If you have a daughter, you know this song. You're probably singing it right now. And if you're anything like the millions of people who love all things Frozen, this song probably resonated with you.There is something profound about the song, the moment in the movie when frightened, oppressed, crushed little Elsa blossoms and becomes… Continue reading Monday Motivation: Let it Go
Ever watched a baby learn how to walk? I've had the privilege of a front row seat to this phenomenon four times. And every once in a while I'd marvel at how they struggled, how they pushed through each phase of learning, from rolling over to running, how they failed and fell - often in… Continue reading Monday Motivation: Get Back Up Again
I believe in Creation. (gasp!) I also didn't watch the Nye / Ham debate. But I've seen a lot of stuff floating around Facebook and Twitter and I have a few things to say.Number one: I'm deeply saddened by the way both Creationists and Evolutionists have been treating each other. The disparaging comments flying back… Continue reading My Response to the Creation / Evolution Debate
Last night was the Superbowl party. I don't even like football, but we all go to hang out with friends. But this means we were all up late and ate too much junk food, so this morning it took me ten minutes of gentle touching, shaking, poking, and eventually tickling to wake up my three… Continue reading Monday Motivation: Getting through a Rough Day
As I glance out the window at the falling snow I'm reminded of the saying that no two snowflakes are alike. Perhaps that saying has become cliche, but sometimes I'm reminded of its power. Have you ever laid facedown in the snow and really looked at snowflakes? My 6 year old daughter Gwen has been… Continue reading Monday Motivation: Only One You
