One of the joys of writing has been the opportunity to meet amazing women, albeit virtually, during a dark time when it’s tough to meet anybody new. Hands down, the most interesting women I have met has been writing for LiisBeth (a publication focused on…
This would be a very different pandemic without my laptop and all the great streaming opportunities. My husband and I started watching Station Eleven which I have to say was not the best idea. We both read Emily St. John Mandel’s dystopian novel about a…
I am constantly asked when we are getting a new dog. It’s a reasonable question given what a crazy dog lady I am. While I do love the thought of getting a new dog, my husband (always the voice of reason) isn’t so sure. Although…
Here is what a typical pandemic morning looks like. My husband and I get up early. He makes pancakes and lattes, and sets the table. I supervise. The moment breakfast ends, he gets to work. He opens his computer on the dining room table, arranges…
My friend H. sent me a story: “Quarantined Husband Shocked To Discover He Has Been Married To Age-Appropriate Woman This Whole Time.” The husband in question—Chuck Donnelley—is starting divorce proceedings. “I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life,” he said: “I’m not sure what to tell…
If anyone has seen 2019, tell her I want her back! There were many moments I wanted to savour longer this year. I wanted to spend more time in Halifax with my MFA community, more time hiking in the Gatineau Hills with my husband and…
The City of Ottawa certainly has a sense of humour. Yesterday, I received an email with the subject line: Special Advisory—Winter Overnight Parking Ban lifted. There must have been a glitch in their system (I saw this same email back in February) but I couldn’t…
My older son’s girlfriend said the sweetest thing the other day. “You can live with us when you get older,” she said. “No thanks,” I responded, turning to my younger son. “I’d love to live with you instead.” My younger son is a grad student…
It rained non-stop yesterday and they are predicting snow. It’s almost May. “We’re going to have to hunker down this weekend,” my husband said. He has said this a lot this past winter, our first back in Ottawa. I giggle every time he uses the…
Wanna know what I’ve been up to? Well, I’ve been super duper busy writing about relationships. There is my book project for my MFA program. ( I LOVE this program, my fabulous mentor and my MFA sisters.) Then, there’s the cover story I wrote for…