The tree twinkles, the mantel sits proudly adorned, the cookies tease our tastebuds, and the brightly wrapped gifts fill us with anticipation. Exit to the other side of the doorknob for an entirely different experience. Every year, my husband painstakingly and persistently attempts to make the outside of the house
My youngest child’s sweet smile and faintly freckled ceramic doll complexion disarms people and makes her appear inviting on the approach. But, mess with her product or service quality expectations, and you can say good-bye to Meghan’s delightful side. Mobile providers were among the first to experience Meghan’
I dreaded high school, where I’d have to start at the bottom of the coolness ladder. Not that I was a cool kid in elementary school but at least in Grade 8 I was amongst the kings and queens of the castle. After hearing about tricks the older kids
I’ve never been one to make a scene in public and I avoid conflict even if I end up lying awake at night, replaying a conversation in my head and imagining an ending where I spoke my mind. I always thought being Italian meant I should be feisty but
My husband and I sent our youngest off to university 500 miles from home and two hours west of Toronto, with the typical parental concerns about her living on her own. Would she be homesick? Would she eat properly? Would she be safe? As much as Meghan relished the prospect
Our house was known as the gathering place. When the kids were growing up, my husband and I welcomed the opportunity to host. I tended to go overboard when planning special occasions, often enlisting family and friends, who were happy to help things get out of hand. My daughter created
My identity was marked by good grades in school. I was the “brain” as the mean kids would chant when they wanted something to throw at me. My parents, Italian immigrants, expected me to do well and while they didn’t care if I was the best compared to other
Late, as usual. “For the information of passengers travelling to Sault Ste. Marie, this flight is delayed because ….” There was a long pause, which I hoped meant they’d changed their minds. The agent continued, completing her sentence with, “because the plane is not good.” I travelled quite a bit
My father walked me to school on my first day of kindergarten, and in his limited English, introduced me to my teacher, Mrs. Smertes, a gray-haired, severe looking woman with enormous glasses. In Italian, the only language I knew, he assured me I would be fine, reminded me to listen
When we married, I confess I didn’t warn my husband that preserving tomatoes for sauce is serious business in my Italian family. The tomatoes have to be the correct size, ripeness, and variety. Access to large quantities of quality tomatoes in an isolated Northern Ontario town, 500 miles away
A number of years ago, my husband, our son, and some friends, formed a Celtic band. Their repertoire consisted of Irish and Scottish music and collectively they played highland bagpipes (the loud ones), shuttle pipes (a quiet, easier on the ear bagpipe), guitar, fiddle, and percussion. They welcomed opportunities to
Sewing became a passion for me when I was working full-time, teaching part-time, and trying to keep up with a toddler. I ignored my fatigue and thought nothing of handling sharp objects late in the day after my son was hopefully tucked in for the night. But my mother, who