Mary dropped her rag into the bucket of sudsy water. With the back of her hand, she wiped the sweat off her forehead and rubbed it against her apron. She turned to grab the frayed towel from the porch balustrade just in time to see Edith run into the house across the street, slamming the... Continue Reading →
There is Thankfulness in Thanksgiving This Year
Every day this past week began and ended with the wailings of the fog horns echoing in our bay, cloaked in a veil of mystery. During the day the sun’s warmth evaporated the mist, unmasking emerald landscapes filled with splashes of ginger and gold. Bales of hay, corn stalks, pumpkins and baskets filled with magenta... Continue Reading →
Heralds of Spring and Gratitude – The Tulip
This is a story that Canadians talk about every spring. It’s a story about kindness, courage and gratitude. It involves one of the many heralds of spring – the beautiful, graceful and colourful tulip. It starts one fateful afternoon in May 1940. Nazi Germany ignores the Netherlands proclamation of neutrality and cross their borders anyway.... Continue Reading →
Dearest Sister,
This week’s (April 13 2016) Carrot Ranch Flash Fiction challenge is hosted by fellow Rough Writer Lisa Reiter at Sharing the Story. Lisa’s prompt, in 99 words (no more, no less) was to write about offering to help someone. I find that for the most part, kindness begets gratitude, a letter tells a story, and... Continue Reading →
Harvest and Thanksgiving
It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring, who reaps a harvest in the Autumn. -- B.C. Forbes My kitchen is filled with the sweet aroma of apple sauce simmering on the stove. The apples are a gift from a friend of ours. Each year he carefully cultivates his trees and... Continue Reading →
I Have Your Back, Grandma
“I have your back, Grandma” “Yes, you have tact. Always have - ever since you were a little boy.” “Grandma, listen, I’ll take care of you.” “You? What can you do? Oh, goodness, no Jason. I’m fine and can manage quite nicely. Did I tell you I went strawberry picking last weekend?” “Yes you did,... Continue Reading →