A friend of mine collects Coca-Cola memorabilia, but it must be vintage, not a reproduction. Many people shop carefully for the products of designer manufacturers, because having a designer handbag or luggage is a status symbol. For … Read more

The saying in my city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is that there are two seasons: winter and construction. But now, whether it be road repair, maintenance, or construction, it continues year-round. The sight of police officers guiding … Read more

Each year leading up to February 14, there is a rush, fueled by the chocolate and floral industries, to purchase candy and flowers for the ones we love the most. No flowers declare love more than the roses! But they are also the quickest … Read more

Harvest season has come to the Ottawa valley, and most of the crops have now been gathered, as the winds become cold and clouds scud across the fall skies. Yet, some fields still carry their corn and soybean crops, as the farmers wait for … Read more

Growing up, I was fairly oblivious to the concerns that my parents were then experiencing: money, household, job security, school schedules, and so on. Global and political crises of our country seemed peripheral. My main concerns were … Read more

I once participated in a service of praise, prayer, and foot washing with Christian people during the Lenten season. Sitting in a circle, one by one, we knelt, washed, and dried our neighbour's feet, using a basin of warm water and a … Read more

My dad was a talented woodworker and carpenter, doing many renovations in our home and even building a rowboat. I took a woodworking class in high school, and although I was not skillful, I did gain an appreciation for the beauty of wood. … Read more

As a young camp counsellor at Gracefield Christian camp, near Ottawa, Canada, I really enjoyed canoeing. I practised my J-stroke, carefully loaded the flat-bottomed aluminum canoes, and even learned how to right a tipped canoe in deep … Read more

I find working on a jigsaw puzzle to be fascinating, addictive, and annoying, all at the same time. My mother loved doing them while she still had vision, spending hours figuring out the edges, then the main images. It's even harder when … Read more

As an artist, I have been asked to paint portraits, sometimes of one who has passed as a remembrance for the family. I studied with an exceptional art teacher, who trained in the ateliers and museums of … Read more