Category Archives: Uncategorized

I watched my mother get airliftedand zipped into a Mom-sized cocoontoday, which is—trust me—notthe most unusual thing she’s done in her lifetime’s researchas a holistic health nurse. Ayoung woman named Chloetucked a soft blanket over my mother, who installeda nasal … Continue reading →

(for Sue Reynolds) When your Canadian friendsends you home with twoplastic bags of mint— one full of leaves forsteeping, the otherdangling hairy roots for planting—youmake a pot pf teathe first night, sipping in her honour. Onthe second day youtake trowel … Continue reading →

If the day before you leave for a tripis Heebie-Jeebie Day, the day afteryou return—Dick said long ago—withits weird bumps and false starts, is Herky-Jerky Day. And, when youput in a day of online attentivenessthat includes leading a 90-minuteediting session … Continue reading →

Because the plane doesn’t leave Torontountil 6 p.m., I have time for a lazy lie-in,rising to find the cute red teapot cozied and waiting (your tea is ready, Sue’ssweet note says every day of my visit),and, after a shower, one … Continue reading →

Turn on the live cams—it’s Fat Bear Weekin Alaska, and I’m all in, though, honestly, I don’t careabout the competition—which bear wins. I just want to spy online at the ursineeaters with massive jawsand paws fishing for salmon on the … Continue reading →

You don’t need a blueprint forlife—though many days you’velonged for one. You could usea map, paths neatly indicatedwith brightly blinking arrows—maybe in glittery pink—this way—and other signs with black x’s—not this way. Would it be so much skinoff God’s nose … Continue reading →

(for Louise Bierig) Before she left Canada,Louise wanted to swimin Lake Erie one more timeto help fortify her forthe drive home to Media,Pennsylvania. I brought my suit, notexpecting to use it to takemy first dip in in a Great Lake,but … Continue reading →

(for my Amherst Writers & Artists colleagues) A dozen writers stand onthe Canadian side, where, I’veheard, the best views reside, and that turns out to be true,the gigantic froth of HorseshoeFalls thundering as it straddles the border—an unbroken curtain2,500 feet … Continue reading →

(for my Amherst Writers & Artists colleagues) Oh, my dear,whispers the goddess,what you hold in youronce-slender hand— fingers now thicker, yes,the road maps of your liferunning into your knuckles,this hand that has held thousands of implementsfor writing or drawing—is a … Continue reading →

(for Louise Bierig) I see my first Great Lakefor the first time on the lastday in September, Truthand Reconciliation Dayin Canada, the same day Iwatch Louise wade farfarfarinto the shallows of Lake Erie,eager for a swim. This is her lake; … Continue reading →