See the Person
The Archway
Our covered front porch is accentuated by three brick archways. From the viewpoint of standing on the porch, or arcade, each archway is like looking through a window. I found a new place to write. Sitting on a blue cushion in a wicker rocking chair on my covered front porch,
On Teaching: Demystifying the Memoir Workshop
In some ways, everything I’ve done to date, my educational pathway and life experiences, have prepared me to teach memoir and creative writing. Every tiny stream feeds into the river that’s brought me here. A joint major in French Literature (language, books!) and Psychology (the scientific study of the human
Two Truths
“Two things can be true at once,” a friend said to me recently. Her words, meant in consolation, have helped me immensely. I’m reeling, sobbing, sharp intakes of breath. But mostly, it isn’t like this. My tears arrive silently, unannounced, from the corners of my mind, floating to the surface
Give Me Change Worth Celebrating
An abridged version of this piece originally appeared in the Opinion section of The Toronto Star, October 27th, 2021. The last week of October is Canadian Down Syndrome Week. To the average Canadian, that might not mean very much, and likely for most, the cause for celebration has not registered
On Writing Retreats
On Writing Retreats. The first time I organized a writer’s retreat I did it because, as a mother to three young kids, I wanted the time and space to write. A word to the wise: if you want time and space to write, don’t organize a writing retreat and facilitate
What Could Be: On Poetry
Something happened to me this summer. My writing is morphing into something new, taking a different shape, being swayed and pulled in new directions. Perhaps it is my emotions that are demanding the reshaping, orchestrating this coup? Whatever it is that’s happening, I’ve been writing poetry, and learning about poetry,
Dear New MFA Students: Welcome to the Program
Dear New MFA Students: Welcome to the Program Writer’s Note: This post is inspired by the lovely buddy I’ve been paired with who is heading into the first year of the MFA program at The University of King’s College. They are taking my place as the new intrepid student I
How to get Your Kid With Down Syndrome in Trouble
Okay, I should tell you right now, there isn’t going to be anything serious about this post. When I say “get in trouble”, I don’t mean like, tell her to climb on a portable roof and then call the police, I mean it in the sense of discipline. Dear reader,
