There’s a notion that floats around social media in various forms, suggesting English teachers use symbolism to create meaning where none existed. Had social media been around when I was in high school, I would have clicked “like” on this post. In elementary school, whatever the teacher said was correct. “This story uses colour as… Continue reading Symbolism
Missing the Food Court
The latest round of COVID-19 re-opening guidelines in this province does not allow for indoor dining yet. It’s a small inconvenience, but I miss eating, and reading and writing, in mall food courts. My first hourly paid job was working at a restaurant in a mall food court, and I’ve found them comfortable places ever… Continue reading Missing the Food Court
Ocean’s Lure Published
After years of blog posts and other claims that I am working on a novel, it’s finally published. On the one hand, that’s quite an accomplishment, and something I have been working towards for a long time. On the other hand, I’m not feeling like there’s much to celebrate. Forty-seven years ago, a teacher gave… Continue reading Ocean’s Lure Published
Children’s Rights Education Resources Now Available
In 1996, two professors at Cape Breton University, Dr. K. Covell (psychology) and Dr. B. Howe (political science), established the Children’s Rights Centre. They operated it until their retirement in 2013. Among other projects (such as this report on Youth Violence and these many publications), the centre developed several resources for teaching children’s rights to children at all… Continue reading Children’s Rights Education Resources Now Available
Books and Baths
I was going to write a longer post about the joys of reading in the tub, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I’d rather read in the tub than write about it. Reading anywhere is a pleasure of having free time, though it can be squeezed in around other activities… Continue reading Books and Baths
Ocean’s Lure Update
I’m still on track for releasing Ocean’s Lure this spring. The book is currently with an editor. Although there were several beta readers (thank you!), I decided to invest in a professional edit. Apart from wanting to make sure the text is as error-free as possible, as an editor myself I feel it would be… Continue reading Ocean’s Lure Update
Enjoy a Free Lunch
Don’t read the comments, I tell myself, and yet, because I am terrible at following my own wise advice, I read the comments. The article will be about a government project, or a politician’s promise that a benefit is coming for many, or the disadvantaged. Being generally on the political left, I think this is… Continue reading Enjoy a Free Lunch
A Few Thoughts on Wonder Woman 1984
I never read the comic, but occasionally watched the 1970’s TV show. Silly at times, but enjoyable. My recollection of the 2017 movie was that it started strong, but had a tiresome battle with lots of things blowing up at the end. Spoilers ahead. Wonder Woman 1984, directed by Patty Jenkins, is not without problems.… Continue reading A Few Thoughts on Wonder Woman 1984
New Short Story Posted
I’ve added a new short story to my site. It’s a page, not a post, which means no automatic notification or listing of new blog content. Hence this note, announcing it. A time-travelling assassin is challenged by his latest assignment: Go to “NYC Tenement Feb/02/1935”
Package for You
I’ve had a lot of odd jobs, and some of them were odder than others. I went through high school with no career ambition beyond writing, no desire to attend university (an act of rebellion against my parents, then university students, enroute to earning their PhDs and distinguished academic careers), and no concerns about job… Continue reading Package for You
