My Nanaimo Noël

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I grew up in the suburbs north of Montreal, and my concept of Christmas was set at an early age. Snow was a given. We never had to dream of a white Christmas when I was a kid—we just looked out the window. The season meant chilly temperatures and bundling up with a scarf, a knitted toque—with a pom-pom, of course—and woolen mittens. (Gloves? You josh.) Christmas also meant brightly colored lights strung around fir trees, windows, and eaves. And…well, there were a lot of things that made Christmas Christmas when I was growing up. Continue reading →

To Have and Have Not

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When you move from one city to another, you wonder—and perhaps worry—what the transition will be like. You’re concerned about the services: Will I find a good doctor? dentist? hairdresser? You’re curious about the eateries: Is there a good Italian restaurant? Where can I get a good pizza? And naturally, you think about the people: Are they nice? Will I make friends? Continue reading →

A Maize Maze

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The sign told me, in no uncertain terms, to “get lost!”

Normally, an order like that would tick me off a little (or a lot). But in this instance, I grinned and thought, sounds like fun!

I was about to enter my first corn maze. Continue reading →