Category Archives: Uncategorized

With All Good Wishes

Postmarked Philadelphia, December 3, 1910 Miss Mary Lear,Madison, Mo. Have lost your school address so send to Madison. Dear Girlie; I am glad you like teaching as much.. Do you go home very often? I suppose you take the “Index” & do [several words illegible] much. My school is progressing nicely. I hope you willContinue reading “With All Good Wishes”

Birthday Greetings

Mrs. Nellie French,Kezar Falls,Maine Post marked South Hiram, Maine, December 19, 1924 12-19-1924Wishing you a very happy day and many more to follow. From your friend Alice [B. or D.?] Nellie G. Ridlon French was born on November 28, 1867 in Parsonfield, York County, Maine to Magnus and Emily Emery Ridlon. She was one ofContinue reading “Birthday Greetings”

All Good Betide

How much can a single postcard tell you? Quite a lot, actually. All it takes is some effort, a bit of luck, and most importantly, just enough details to launch a viable search. And always, “hope’s beacon” pointing the way. This particular story begins with a postcard sending good wishes for the New Year, 1912.Continue reading “All Good Betide”

Trees of Remembrance

October 2021 marked the 100th anniversary of the dedication of memorial trees planted along Shelbourne Street (Memorial Avenue) in Saanich and Victoria, British Columbia, following the First World War. Recently, Dr. Geoffrey Bird of the War Heritage Research Initiative at Royal Roads University produced a film about the history of these trees. The documentary inspiredContinue reading “Trees of Remembrance”

Tragedy’s Heir

I’m the Shell,The Dark’ning Shell!My smoke-clouds shroud Dominions where my red rainnever fell:Far beyond the seven seas,On the mountain and the plain,Hearts are shrunken to the lees,Souls are withered for the slain.I am the Shell!My dread reverberations echo over hill and dell,Where the grey-haired Mother sits,Fearful that the sock she knits,Will never reach the boyContinue reading “Tragedy’s Heir”

Shameless Self-Promotion (A Request)

A very wise friend of mine recently made an excellent point: subscribers to my website might not necessarily know about, or have checked out, my Facebook writer page. And this very wise friend of mine suggested that I ask said subscribers to give me a like over on Facebook. I do post all sorts ofContinue reading “Shameless Self-Promotion (A Request)”

Eden’s End

straw-berriesdippedincream,hidden,rise coolfrom the bowldripspill over in the heatthey can only doso much when flameslapat the edgetemp-eraturerisesthere is norefreshmenthighin themountainswhere Birdspass smacked lipsstill cracklike earthtake anothersweetbiteto (out)lastredskiesswallowtinder drywordsfail us we lapseinto asilencethat comesoftoo manytoo muchto witnessthe garden’sLast Dayscastin ashand dust.

“Homestuck”: Podcast News

I’m so excited to share that I’m a guest for Living Hyphen’s brand new podcast! Season 1, ‘Homestuck’, draws parallels between the pandemic and the grander experiences of Canada’s diverse communities. Like all things Living Hyphen, the podcast uncovers what it means to live in between cultures as hyphenated Canadians. Catch me on Episode 7,Continue reading ““Homestuck”: Podcast News”

Summer Solstice

I didn’t write yesterday. Not a word. Despite setting aside the entire afternoon, a glorious few hours for uninterrupted productivity, on the longest day of the year. June is busy, even during a pandemic. When All the Things that come with season’s end take over, time is hard to come by. So I’d settled myselfContinue reading “Summer Solstice”

Place

Look at me,really.Not a glance as you passthrough the daily grindthat grinds you down to function and noformof emotionto see my heart,this space is more than the sumof itspartsand peeling oilpaintsplattered where I see a picture,do you?Am I only four walls on a foundation,roof overhead, abedtoo hottoo coldjust right ? Look closer,behind features and paper-workContinue reading “Place”