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The Japanese believe that a life force exists in everything that is created. Not only is this an amazing philosophy to live by, but each decision taken is infused with meaning. Suddenly, taking the time to think before putting one's hand to a task slows the world down and makes each decision meaningful. Slow stitching has become a popular pastime, especially as the world has become more frenetic and chaotic. We have somehow lost the history of handmade; making should be slow and methodical. Each item should be made with care, not rushed in order to begin another project. I...

The first time I read the play, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof by Tennessee Williams, I was WAY too young to understand the complexities of the masterpiece in front of me. What I did learn was the word, mendacity. The character Big Daddy seemed to say it at every opportunity. I had to look it up in the dictionary as I didn't want to get in trouble for reading a book from the top shelf, which was off limits to 9 year-olds! Mendacity simply means lying. I used it on occasion to impress adults with my extensive vocabulary! Over the years,...

One of the realities of living in the Canadian Rockies is that there is lots of driving to get chores done. When we want to go to a larger town to take advantage of sales at a Walmart or Superstore to stock up on supplies, it's a three hour round trip. When we go to the "big" town, we make a day of it. We do our shopping, then enjoy a take out meal in the truck at our favourite picnic spot. We walk the dog on paths in the lovely wetlands, listening to the ducks as they warn each...

There are prompts that people use to try to connect to others, using a series of questions to get to know the person they're speaking to; to go a bit "deeper" than regular pleasantries. I was working in a shop and was having a conversation with a lovely lady, when she asked me, "What are you reading?" I answered, "What room am I in?" She looked confused, then asked me the same question again, but louder. I gave her the same response, but even louder. A tiny voice whispered in my head: "Lori, this lady doesn't understand. She's from that OTHER...

The memory of the summer I learned to play chess still makes me smile. On sunny days, my best friend Scott would walk to my house in Montreal with his chess set under his arm. He patiently taught me everything he knew. (At 10 or 11 years old, our wisdom was vast!!!) He would also set up challenges from a reference book and we would race to see who could figure it out first. (I don't think I ever managed to win!) Years later, after I'd moved to B.C., I was working at a golf resort. To allay the boredom...