family and friends reunion road trip: some things I’ve seen
Seen on many lawns and in many windows: I saw a few in my mother’s senior community, which made me happy. * * * * Seen on a front-yard fence…
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family and friends reunion road trip: day four: birthday party at a winery
This was another big family day, and a wonderful one. We took Kai and Cookie to a dogsitter who we found through Rover, the Airbnb for dogs. She has a…
family and friends reunion road trip: day three: an amazing day in southern oregon
We’ve run out of adjectives to describe the day. Amazing, incredible, awesome. A celebration. A love-fest. It would have been special and meaningful any time, but coming after the pandemic,…
family and friends reunion road trip: day two: everett, washington to talent, oregon
I am happy to report that today was far less eventful. The most important thing was to get on the road early. We know from past experience (our first trip…
family and friends reunion road trip: day one: port hardy to everett, washington
Our epic road trip has begun! Excited? I’m over the moon. This was the trip we were supposed to take last year, but… covid. This year it’s even better: a…
indigenous peoples day at the kwalilas hotel in port hardy
On Indigenous Peoples Day, the day of the summer solstice, we attended a ceremony held by the local First Nations communities outside the Kwa’lilas Hotel, the beautiful Indigenous-owned hotel in…
what i’m reading: the heartbeat of wounded knee: native america from 1890 to the present
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee is a fascinating nonfiction. Part hidden history, part contemporary journalism, plus a dash of personal memoir, this ambitious book offers a new perspective on the…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: a chance to win great prizes, just for reading
In my last column I highlighted incentives being offered by the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) for kids to read, and for teens to stay engaged in learning, through the…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: summer reading fun for all ages
Summer Reading Club is back, and it’s not just for kids. Children, teens, and adults can all find fun reading challenges – and prizes – at your library. Even infants…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: the library celebrates national indigenous people’s month
Still catching up on posting my columns. The recent horrific discovery in Kamloops of the remains of 215 Indigenous children, buried in an unmarked mass grave, brought home the horrors…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: summer reading fun for all ages
Summer Reading Club is back, and it’s not just for kids. Children, teens, and adults can all find fun reading challenges – and prizes – at your library. Even infants…
in which my plus-size clothing works for me one last time
I recently lost a lot of weight* and am selling all my plus-size clothing. Over the years I have donated many items and sold many others. Whether to donate or…
thoughts on not celebrating canada day #cancelcanadaday
If it wasn’t clear why we should not be celebrating Canada Day this year, by now it should be. Three days after the discovery of 215 skeletons of children were…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: stress reduction one of the top 10 benefits of reading
A regular reader of this column asked me, “I spend a lot of time reading, then I feel guilty because I’m wasting time. ….” Reading is many things, but it…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: celebrate asian heritage at your library
As I mentioned here, I’m posting three of these columns each week until I’m caught up. May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, and the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL)…
what i’m reading: the cold millions by jess walter
There is an accepted wisdom that socialism and communism failed, and capitalism prevailed, because the former is bad, and the latter is good. That humankind rejected socialism and embraced capitalism,…
in which the cool coastal climate kicks my ass: my first #gardenfail
I decided to convert a small patch of the front yard, overflowing with plantings from the previous owner of our house, into a small garden. My experiences with my gardenettes…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: more favourite e-resources, always free with your library card
More Favourite E-Resources, Always FREE With Your Library Card The Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) offers so many “e-resources,” it can be difficult to remember them all! That’s why I’m…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: three reasons to give virl virtual programming a try
Three Reasons to Give VIRL Virtual Programming a Try Among the many victims of the covid pandemic have been library programs. Large libraries down-island – and in towns and cities…
"at your library" in the north island eagle: booklists: we could use a laugh
As I mentioned here, I’m posting three of these columns each week until I’m caught up. Booklists: We Could Use a Laugh I have one last booklist for you before…