Over the past three years, I have had a wonderful time working with children in my home studio to create the perfect gift. I prep a 30X40" canvas with a beach scene, a snowy mountain scene, a meadow, a bike trail, or a farm scene the day before the booked studio time. Then I work with the … [Read more...]
angels of support not devils of recrimination
I received a letter from a subscriber in response to an advice post about the extremely hard comments/questions she received after she left her marriage of 36 years.1. How can you do this to your children?2. Do you know how lonely he is?3. Do you know how confusing you are?4.You need to pray … [Read more...]
gimme shelter
The prospect-refuge theory is an evolutionary tale which reminds us that we seek out two opposing aspects-the ability to see (prospect) but not be seen (refuge). It can save our butt from the predator, it can help us chose a cottage with a beautiful view and a dock safe for skinny dipping and can … [Read more...]
walk on by
One day several years ago, I walked by a woman I hardly knew in my neighbourhood and noticed once again that in the bright, spring sunshine at 3 pm on a regular Tuesday with spectacular tulips popping up at every corner, that she was fall down drunk. I had seen her like this from a distance over a … [Read more...]
spin doctor
There seem to be two ways to play the game of LIFE. We can be serious about the insignificant and treat all that is serious with insignificance. OR we can play grown up with the grown up stuff and have a ball with everything else. This life rule applies to everything. Spin class for example-it … [Read more...]
Honk if you love Jesus. Text while driving if you want to meet him
This was a sign outside of a church in our neighbourhood. Clever comment for the day of rest.It made me think of all the outrageous things I have seen people do while they are driving.(It may come to your attention that if I am fully engaged in my own driving, I should not be noticing all of … [Read more...]
spare change
Change is such a positive force but also often hard to warm to. We hold on to the oddest habits and behaviors. I have been going to the same place in Florida off and on for 15 years. (the antithesis of adventure and change). In all that time the view of the pool below has had the … [Read more...]
deep pockets
We had dinner last night with three people who help make up our family in a way not studied in 1970's Home Economics courses. They are three as well; two girls and mom. A girls' house, a pink place, a hot house of hormones. 2 times per week we set the table with double the placemats for a … [Read more...]
getting richer
I met Sarah Hampson at a chic coffee shop back in November. I had emailed her to talk about my upcoming blog launch (My Family is Not Broken-) about divorce and separation and she was very generous with her advice and time. I had been a follower of the award winning Globe and Mail … [Read more...]
perfect family
A few years ago my girls were taking Yoga with a woman we'll call Jane. They decided after week 3 that they did not like it ('too flaky, mom, and strange chanting and seriousness') but I insisted they stick with it to the end. I had not met the instructor before the term was … [Read more...]