Although we live in town, my daily walk takes me into the country. Just a few minutes down the abandoned rail line at a swift pace, I am away from traffic and noise, and I am able to enjoy a … Read more

I was perhaps eight or nine, and I had returned home from school for lunch. I also remember that it was Thinking Day, and I was wearing my Brownie uniform, as we were encouraged to do on that day. My … Read more

As is tradition in many Canadian families, Fraser has played hockey from an early age. He had skates on almost as soon as he could walk. Four-year-olds on the ice are not really playing hockey, however, but a game of … Read more

It was Thanksgiving, and our family was travelling to my parents' home, where we were to celebrate with the rest of my family. The trunk was filled with pies and a salad — my contribution to the dinner. About halfway … Read more

We had had almost an entire week of dreary, wet, autumn weather. The landscape was washed in shades of grays and browns. Nothing stood out against the dull sky as I passed empty, earthy fields on my way to choir … Read more

One afternoon when our children were young, my husband walked with them to our local grocery store. They returned home not only with the groceries we needed but also with a box of gingerbread mix. It was not on the … Read more

Buster was a great dog. We had him from the time he was about nine months old until last summer, when he died at almost 13 years. He was very shy, but after attending obedience training, he grew into a … Read more

Spelling does not come easily to Fraser. As part of his homework schedule, we include a daily practice of his Grade 3 spelling list. By Friday, he is prepared for his test. Recently, Fraser returned from school with one of … Read more

Travelling with children is always an exercise in patience. Whether we are going a short distance or taking a longer vacation, our trip is always punctuated by statements and questions from the back seat: "I'm hungry." "How much farther?" "When … Read more

For most of her ten years, Bethany has had long hair. It is thick, naturally streaked, with just enough wave. Beautiful hair! Unfortunately, she also has an extremely sensitive head, which made daily hair brushing an ordeal that often ended … Read more

While on summer holidays, we sleep in a tent. Although it occasionally presents difficulties, it is usually an enjoyable and economical way to travel. Our family travels and sightsees all day, then stops in the evening to set up the … Read more

I have always enjoyed watching birds. In the winter, we feed birds that are native to our area all year long, and a few species that travel here from the north to spend the cold months in our "warmer" temperatures. … Read more

Now that spring has finally sprung here in southern Ontario, Canada, our family is spending more time outdoors. Sometimes we are working in the garden, playing in the backyard, or just going for a stroll. Invariably, whenever outdoors, I am … Read more

As we were planning our holiday to the eastern coast of Canada last summer, we enjoyed sharing some of our intended destinations with our children. They were looking forward to seeing the ocean, camping, and searching for treasures along the … Read more

The coastline of Nova Scotia, Canada, is dotted with lighthouses. Our tourist map showed a tiny lighthouse icon anywhere a lighthouse could be found, usually in small coastal communities of less than a thousand. Many tourists spend their entire vacation … Read more

One Sunday morning, as the Junior and Senior Choirs were gathering for their pre-service practice, we were greeted by an unusual noise. After much searching, we discovered that it was emanating from behind the large pipe organ. A further search … Read more

Last winter was one of the warmest on record here in southern Ontario, Canada. Usually we are shovelling snow by mid-November. That particular year, however, our first snowfall of the season didn't occur until the middle of December. My children, … Read more

There is something very satisfying in seeing row upon row of canned goods added to my shelves, jars of fruit and vegetables that are the colour of gems: ruby salsa and spaghetti sauce, golden peaches, pale pears, emerald pickles, and … Read more

I have a friend who has a great fear of water. And yet, she recently joined her husband for a day of kayaking on Lake Ontario. Their kayaks were joined together, making them more stable in the waves, and easier … Read more

We had just arrived at the northern coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. It was late evening, and we were gathered with several others on a boardwalk that wound its way through magnificent sand dunes, … Read more

Several years ago, we visited friends in the small cottage town of Port Stanley, Ontario, Canada. It was late summer, and most of the tourists had returned to work or school. The sandy beach stretched before us, and it seemed … Read more

New Brunswick, Canada, claims the highest tides in the world. Along the Bay of Fundy, the sea surges twice a day to heights of up to 16 metres (45 feet). At a glance, the shore seemed tranquil. Yet, as we … Read more

The northern coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada, has made a great impression on me. As we travelled across the province towards the coast, we passed through fields and farmland. We drove along crystal bays and entered forest that threatened … Read more

I spent the day today weeding my garden. It is a never-ending task. It seems that as soon as the job is finished, I have to start over. There are dandelions, bindweed, buckhorn, clover, quack grass, creeping charlie, and many … Read more

Once again, many are preparing for their summer holidays. We are so fortunate in this area, being only a few days' travel from many destinations. We could travel to the east, and visit the mysterious forces of the Atlantic Ocean. … Read more

Recently, while driving through the city, we passed a church. This was not a typical, large-city church with a new design and a modern look. It was a simple brick building that we were more accustomed to seeing in smaller … Read more

My husband gave me a necklace when we were married, a little over thirteen years ago. It is a gold chain with a gold cross. The cross is cut plainly, with bevelled edges that catch the light. I have broken … Read more

I grew up in a small town situated close to the Thames River, in southern Ontario, Canada. From March 15 to April 15 every year, the river is designated as a nature reserve. This is to allow hundreds of pickerel … Read more

Last summer, our family travelled across the country. I was concerned that it would be difficult for my children, then aged 3 and 6. I had visions of them crying, "I want to go home!" shortly after we departed. They … Read more

Recently, during children's time at church, our minister told the story of Jesus calling his disciples. She invited several children to act out parts of the story. They donned simple props to tell the characters apart. One young boy was … Read more

Recently, I attended my daughter Bethany's Grade One class, to help with a field trip. They had been studying busy people. The field trip took us on a walk through town, visiting people who help us in our neighbourhood. First, … Read more

Although this winter has now been declared the warmest on record for us in Southern Ontario, Canada, there have still been a few storms we could have done without. We had one such storm recently. Even though it was still … Read more

We haven't had much winter here in Southern Ontario. It has been one of the warmest on record. Many are thankful, seeing snow and ice as a burden. Others are disappointed that there hasn't been much of an opportunity for … Read more