Today is St. Nicholas Day. It was kind of a big deal for Ukrainian Canadian prairie kids when I was growing up. There was usually a St. Nicholas Day concert put on by the Sisters who taught after-school Ukrainian school. Sometimes there would be a parish dinner or supper as well. St. Nick would make … Read more
I heard an interesting idea on CBC Radio the other day, on one of the summer reruns. Canadian novelist Katherena Vermette was talking about her latest novel, The Strangers, which I liked a lot. It’s about family—grandmothers, mothers and daughters—and the complicated ties that bind generations together. Vermette made the point that girl babies are … Read more
Special things help us remember special people. But telling their stories is even better.
Nostalgia was once thought to be an illness caused by clanging cowbells. We know better now. Photo by Max Itin on Unsplash. Believe it or not, nostalgia was once considered a disease. If you had it, you might be “treated” with leeches, opium, blood-letting, bullying or even bodily harm. A Russian general once threatened to … Read more
I don’t think of myself as a materialist. Not especially, at any rate. I am a Taurus, so I do love beautiful things. But I don’t have to have a lot of beautiful things. Just some beautiful things that do, in fact, make me happy. I wrote about the power of things in a blog … Read more
Are you the designated guardian of your family photos and archival treasures? If you are, I hope you’re protecting things properly. Edmonton historian laureate Marlena Wyman and the Provincial Archives of Alberta offer some great tips. 1. Make sure your treasures aren’t being damaged by sunlight and damp. (Keep them out of your basement, if … Read more
Do you know the story of how your dad met your mom? Do you know how your grandmother got her name? Did you ever ask? Don’t you wish you knew those stories? Your kids and grandkids will want to know your stories too.
“Every man moves on…but there is no need to grieve. He leaves good things behind.” —Alistair MacLeod, “To Everything There Is a Season”
Telling your story is fun. A stroll through the past can bring back happy memories that make you feel good. That’s good for your health!