Books of 2022 – First 10
Picking an annual “best of” books list is always challenging since I know that books I love might bore someone else silly, and vice versa. Still, I read SO many good books this year (and 127 in all), and I want to share a few of my favorites. Besides, all the other cool kids are…
Read MoreOn The Death Of Animals
Someone told me they had to put their beloved eight-year-old cat to sleep quite unexpectedly. One day she was there, the next she left. My friend is in agony. We discussed a woman of our acquaintance named Moya, whose adored dog died. Moya dug a grave for her dog and then crawled into it for…
Read More“I Will Never See The World Again” by Ahmet Altan
Reviewing this book for The Guardian in 2019, Simon Callow said, “To review certain books seems like an impertinence. This is one of them. It speaks for itself with such clarity, certainty and wisdom that only one thing needs to be said: read it. And then read it again.” I agree. I have just…
Read MoreThe Marvel of the World
I’m sitting at my desk in front of the window at the cabin, looking out on the laneway and the creek. I am trying to write. I am trying to be present to the All-That-Is. I’m not doing very well. Monkey-mind and an inner voice that tells me it’s all shite after all. A thunder…
Read MoreWisdom Companion #5 – The Bittersweet Bread of the Human Condition
Another entry from my aman-cara, Sister Rita, on the wisdom she discovers as she walks this path with cancer… Rita says… One full course of treatment is complete, and I am now one-third of the way through course two. Each course consists of two shots of Fulvestrant and 21 days of Ibrance. My experience is mostly…
Read MoreAnnie Ernaux – “Happening” Review
Although I had heard of Annie Ernaux (one could hardly live for a decade in France and NOT hear about her), until now I hadn’t read her work. Why not? Well, to be honest I am generally not terribly interested in memoirs of someone’s erotic life, nor of autobiography at all. I rarely find they…
Read MoreWisdom Companion #4 from Sr. Rita. Season of Surrender
Another entry from my aman-cara, Sister Rita on the wisdom brought to her as she walks this path with cancer… Welcome back and thank you for taking the time to read this. Yesterday I met with the oncologist, got my double shot of Fulvestrant and an additional shot of XGEVA – a supplement to strengthen my…
Read MoreWisdom Companion #3 The Comfort of Paradox
Another entry from my aman-cara, Sister Rita on the wisdom brought to her as she walks this path with cancer… (And please see my note at the end.) The Comfort of Paradox Journal Entry by Rita Woehlcke I am not a fan of the limitations of binary choices, nor of the way they are used by…
Read MoreWisdom Companion #2 Sr. Rita’s Journey
Many of you, friends and readers, have heard me talk about Sr. Rita, who has been my aman-cara, my heart friend, for many years, and who is the inspiration for the character of Sr. Eileen in my latest novel, EVEN SO. Sr. Rita had breast cancer some years ago and we have now learned it…
Read MoreWisdom Companion #1 – Cancer and Sr. Rita
Many of you, friends and readers, have heard me talk about Sr. Rita, who has been my aman-cara, my heart friend for these many years, and who is the inspiration for the character of Sr. Eileen in my latest novel, EVEN SO. Sr. Rita had breast cancer some years ago and we have now…
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