Essays

I stare in disbelief at the emergency vet doctor trying, but still unable, to absorb the awful news. Our beloved Rascal, the smiling black and white Border Collie that we walk regularly, has a bleeding tumour on his spleen. He has a few months to live at most. Of the two Border Collie brothers, Rascal and Samson, Rascal seemed the more fragile and delicate. It was only a few weeks ago he was running [...]

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com I’m waiting in line at the box office to try to get a rush ticket to the ballet Cinderella. It’s sold out online, but I’m hoping that maybe a few seats have popped back up in the system. “We only have single seating left starting at $142,” the lady behind the glass at the box office explains into the microphone, pointing to a few scattered red dots [...]

Clearing My Mind By Decluttering My House It’s a Friday evening after a long week, and I’ve been looking forward to lounging at home. The whole week has lead up to this moment. I’m propped up on pillows eating chips and watching TV in the living room. Yes, I’m wearing sweatpants. Sounds relaxing, yes? It should be, but something doesn’t feel right. I’m having trouble focusing on the TV. I wrap my blanket around [...]

image source: www.bigstockphoto.com After a seven-year hiatus, I am teaching ESL again. I am in Los Cabos, Mexico and this morning’s class will be at a non-profit college aimed at giving underprivileged kids an opportunity for higher learning. My sister K., who lives here half the year, instigated this. I’ve been looking forward to it. I even managed to fit in a few of my old ESL books from my teaching days [...]

JUDITH MORRISON INTERVIEW CHRIS ROSS, FRIENDS ON FACEBOOK, JENNA HARDER, MICHELLE D'ALESSANDRO HATT American essayist Anais Nin wrote in the 1931-1934 volume of her diary, “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” In writer/director Chris Ross’ poignant short film, Friends on Facebook, this notion of self-discovery through friendship is aptly illustrated by a [...]

I’d been walking to the gym carrying my heavy bag containing everything needed for the day’s activities: runners, gym clothes, toiletries and my trusty to-do list. The sandwich board was parked in front of the shop that sells healing crystals, angels and books on spirituality. When you have a sign on the street right in front of you and practically trip over it, you’re forced to reflect on it. Whether you want to or [...]