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Of 2020

Of 2020

December 31, 2020

“It’s a long stretch of hallway,” I say, hands on hips. “Mhm.” “I wish I had style sense. I’m good at doing stuff, not planning stuff.” “Like painting the hallway? Like fixing the bifold doors on the laundry closet?” he asks, and smiles. “Yeah. I did a good job on those.” I smile back. “What …

Of Grandmothers and Pandemics

Of Grandmothers and Pandemics

May 29, 2020

The last letter I wrote to her was on pink paper. It was an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of pastel printer paper I had discovered discarded in the supply room. The pandemic was officially a month old and care homes were centres of outbreaks. Spring was ruffled with beautiful blossoms and Gram was constantly …

Of Houses and Homes

Of Houses and Homes

October 14, 2019

Families with trauma make interesting patterns.  Families with Tourette syndrome in every member speak of genetic trauma to me.  I hear of families where one child is diagnosed and parents and siblings struggle and embrace and champion the neurological differences in their outlier. But what of my family?  All of us are the outliers. To …

50 Reasons

50 Reasons

October 3, 2019

Dear Mom and Dad, On this, your 50th wedding anniversary, I am giving you 50 reasons why I love you. You gave me life. You taught me truth. You gave me something to believe in. You taught my big brother to take care of me. You gave me little sisters. You are proud of me. You …

Of Stuff Dropped

Of Stuff Dropped

April 19, 2019

“It’s a nice case.  Slim, pretty.” “Nope.” “Okay, how about this one?”  My husband turns the screen to show me a sophisticated phone case he wants to add to the online cart. “I will destroy it.  And the phone.” He shakes his head and picks up my new mobile phone.  “Wow.  I can’t believe how …

Lessons from Spiders 5: Of Uninvited Guests

Lessons from Spiders 5: Of Uninvited Guests

September 20, 2018

It’s called a Giant House Spider.  The problem is that I don’t have a giant house, so there was no room for both of us. He had to go. I had the strange feeling that I was being watched while I dressed for work.  The creeps. But the creeps are nothing new to me, especially …

Of Memories Cut from the Past

Of Memories Cut from the Past

June 15, 2018

I find myself in bed and it’s still light outside.  Granted, it is mid-June and the sun refuses to set at a decent hour.  But the hour is still in single digits and I realize I’m lonely tonight. The house is empty and large.  My darling husband is away at a conference and I always …

Of Living With Puppies and Life with Me

Of Living With Puppies and Life with Me

June 3, 2018

“Oweeee.” “Seriously, Lori?” “What?”  “Let’s break this down,” says my husband, eyeing me over a glass of club soda, which he hands to me. I take a few gulps and burp. “Can you spare me the root cause analysis this time?”  I ask. “Humour me.” “Gah!”  I roll my eyes. “Fifteen minutes ago you said …

Of “Just Right” and Minds Blown

Of “Just Right” and Minds Blown

April 3, 2018

I’ve often wondered if I can call myself a writer even if I have never sold my work. I’m often described as having a “gift for words”. My husband calls me a Wordsmith. The reason this comes up is because lately I have suffered from Writer’s Block. But if I am technically not a writer, …

Of Clutter and Poets

Of Clutter and Poets

January 13, 2018

I was in Hydra once. Ydra, Greece. And we found Leonard Cohen’s house, with bougainvillea around the front door and a brass hand for a door knocker. My husband recited some of Mr. Cohen’s poetry and we sang Hallelujah as we climbed back down the stone stairs and alleys to the main port. Later I …

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