It’s confession time. Admit it ladies. We love running those combines! You may be demure little social butterflies for 11 months of the year. Or maybe, you are the more rugged, outdoorsy type. Or maybe, you are a 9-to-5 type of person to earn some off-farm income. It doesn’t really matter. If you’re anything like… Read more »

“Hazel, can you come out and give me a hand?” Nine little words, so much meaning. Over thirty-three years of marriage, many of them spent farming, that seemingly simple request has meant a variety of things. Look back with me. It has meant: I’ve had the combine apart for two days now, I’ve lost some… Read more »

As I go through my daily rounds, challenged by some events and buoyed by others, I find myself increasingly harking back to and taking solace in the immortal words of Ivanka. Ivanka, for the uninitiated, is the latest, greatest motivational speaker to hit the circuit. Brian Tracy, Tony Robbins, and Zig Ziglar have got nothing… Read more »

A couple of years ago I accompanied a friend to the blood donor clinic in Fort Saskatchewan. During the initial intake process we discovered my iron levels were fine in the eyes of a doctor but too low for Blood Services’ purposes. Disappointed at the rejection I went home feeling rather inadequate. I continued to… Read more »

New in my garden this summer is Inukshuk. It is Inuit in origin, steeped in symbolism, and irresistible because of its human shape. In traditional Inuit settings, Inukshuk served any of several purposes: a directional guidepost for travelers, a warning of potential dangers, a message centre, a cache of food, a hunting aid or an… Read more »

Over the last few days, I was sucked into the vortex called “Edmonton ‘s Hot Real Estate Market.” No, I’m not leaving the ol’ homestead with its peace, quiet and tranquility for the bright lights and excitement of Alberta’s capital city. Blame my daughter Hilary. Just like it occurred with her brother, it seems every… Read more »

For the past several years, I’ve gotten the full colour brochure announcing the current “Womens Words” summer writing program line-up. I looked over the offerings; I looked at the calendar; I looked at the tuition fees; and then I put the dream of attending back on my ‘someday’ list. This spring, I even called to… Read more »

Industry experts have been telling us for years about the impending labour crisis. Trades people were to be in short supply, because the current aging work force was about to retire and fewer young people are choosing the trades as a career path. Post-secondary schools like NAIT are rising to the challenge with a multi-million… Read more »

For the second year in a row, I spent my July 1st afternoon hunched over a hot stove. It’s not that I’m all that thrilled with cooking, you understand. But when a kid asks for a favour, a mother is likely to say yes. Let me back up. While at university, my daughter Hilary joined… Read more »

I’ll let you in on a little secret. I live a very structured, disciplined and orderly life. For instance, I never ever let dirty dishes pile up in the sink. Unless of course there’s an episode of Gray’s Anatomy on the television that I’ve missed watching. Or an impromptu trip to the city. Or a… Read more »