Today, December 12th, is my birthday. As it happens, it is one of those special birthdays that only comes around once every ten years. Today I am sixty. (That boggles my mind somewhat. Where did those years go?) I’m writing this on the eve of my birthday. A friend emailed me this evening, asking if …
A Time for Evaluation, Reflection, and Celebration! Read More »
Reading to learn, reading to seek justice — in the spirit of #WeNeedDiverseBooks, I’m exploring two books today about Residential Schools in Canada. First Nations children were still being taken from their homes and forced to attend residential schools when I was in school. I am grateful that these schools are no longer in existence. …
Two Kids’ Books That Bring Home the Harsh Reality of Residential Schools in Canada Read More »
On the prairies where I live, April is a time when we’re usually emerging from a cold, snowy, difficult winter. This winter was an anomaly, but there’s still the feeling of emerging from a tunnel into the open air. The sunshine is warm again, the birds are singing, and the crocuses (okay, croci) are blooming …
Update: In the years since I wrote this, I’ve realized that “elderly” can be seen as an ageist term. I now know that “older adult” is a better term. Still, the fact remains that people find these posts almost daily, years later, because they’re searching for “reading aloud to the elderly.” So I’m leaving the …
WHEN to Read Aloud to the Elderly — Part Five in the Series Read More »
Near the end of 2016, I will turn 60. Although many people dread such a number, I am (oddly, perhaps) looking forward to it. Although my 50s brought great grief, they also brought great joy, learning, expansion of horizons, experiences beyond my hopes and dreams, and tremendous opportunities. I look forward to my 60s, wondering, …
Update: In the years since I wrote this, I’ve realized that “elderly” can be seen as an ageist term. I now know that “older adult” is a better term. Still, the fact remains that people find these posts almost daily, years later, because they’re searching for “reading aloud to the elderly.” So I’m leaving the …
Shredding is empowering. Huh? I’ve been doing a lot of paper shredding in the past few weeks (my shredder’s message screen lights up with “overheat” if I go at it too intensely, so I have to spread the process out). I’m finding my spirits are lightening and I’m feeling more and more energized as the …