“Write the stories of the mountains you have climbed. They may become a page in someone else’s survival handbook.”
This blog is ninety-nine percent memoir made up of personal essays and anecdotes. If you wish to contact me, my email is: mmvns33@gmail.com .
What you can expect to find here are a variety of stories about many things: challenges; choices; funny occurrences; rants; loves; embarrassing moments; stuff that moves, frustrates or saddens me. There are stories from all over Canada, The Canadian Army; Military College; growing up on a lake in the summer at a place we call the Camp. First jobs, adventures, heart-break, family life and even mental illness. Travel in Central America with our then four-year old, Australia adventures, India and trekking in Nepal. There are currently (Sep 2021) about ninety stories on this blog.
The stories are listed in the decade to which they pertain, for example ‘the 80s’ as well as some other category for example: ‘I’m In the Army Now’; Mental Illness or Funny or ‘Those were the Days my Friend’.
A word about photos on this blog:
Some are my very own. Some of the best are from my eldest sister and a few are from friends. The header photo of the daisies is from my sister Eva. She says:
‘I am happy to share this picture that was taken in 2004. There was a never seen before, and never since, daisy showing that year. All the open land spaces were filled with daisies. They covered the fields like a white, shimmering blanket. Here is a shot that came from that time.’
Incredible pictures on your blog that my writing students comment on all the time. They were told not to forget to sign to your blog when correcting their daily journal writing. They often do not have time.
Thank you for the heads up on the writing sample of the LSAT. Please go to LSAC.org to find out that both digital and manual are acceptable on the LSAT especially for some students that do not have a laptop. I believe almost every person has a laptop now but some students are more comfortable writing out the LSAT sample. One Asian student of mine was so nervous on his laptop his hot tea spilled in his lap and did a Mr. Bean in front of a cam. He told me the story and we were both laughing so hard we spat out our coffee. He was horrified. He subsequently wrote it out and they do accommodate students that prefer to write out the LSAT sample. The LSAT writing sample is a way for the examiner to know the English level of the student and to see how he or she can formulate an argument and write about the opposing sides of two issues. Another major point is the digital writing sample can now be read and the hand writing is not an issue so make sure you do not think they are not reading every word. The written one was always assumed to be unimportant. The key is to have a good “reportable” writing sample done. The fact is every student should always know both sides of an issue.
Tragically, journalism and the MSM* of today’s world can be ‘un-self-aware’ or unself-conscious and would rather the viewing public see only one side of an issue like those that accuse alone in front of camera to the grossly biased MSM. FYI: The new “president” of the free world has not done a news conference in an unprecedented 55 days in office. This is not good. No matter how much you hate 45; he did do many two-sided interviews and took accusations and hard questions from both sides during his time in the White House. Sitting lamely in front of the world like the recent interview with Harry and his wife is not good either. Moreover, I do not care at all for the unenlightened interviewer because she should have made sure both sides were there. She did not. Instead, the interviewer should tell her public a white billionaire helped her in her days as an unknown radio announcer in Chicago. In fact, many white Americans created and promoted her. I always preferred Phil Donahue to the bombastic Springer and her. In fact, the fair and honest Phil Donahue was the best of the best on the mic. Any notable interview has to have both sides there or everything is alleged or unconfirmed. Prince William, the future King, was correct to state his opinion boldly and Princess Kate should too. I do not even remember the name of Harry’s wife and I never will. The interviewer should apologize to the world for her callous jealousy and fake accusations she allowed knows no bounds. She believes she is the queen of America like Bill Cosby was said wrongly to be the “father’ of Americans. How did Bill Cosby turn out for you? In fact, she is filled with spite as she lives her life out in a luxurious Montecito-bubble. She is just as jealous and callously ‘un-self-aware’ as Harry’s wife. They are all dangerously tone-deaf in a time of incredible, global suffering.
Please Note: Keywords are not for any native speaker. My international students read my comments and debate both sides of an opinion.
Keywords: aware, awareness, tone-deaf, unenlightened, *un-self-aware, unself-conscious
Acronym: MSM: Main Stream Media (avoid using acronyms)
tone-deaf (idiom) : unself-conscious (adj.) (use this word)
‘un-self-aware’ can be used with two hyphens (avoid use)
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I would love to read the debates of your students!
Arden, from my point of view, ’45’ is/was worse than garbage. He is/was dangerous and he polluted the world. I am simply relieved that the news these days is not overrun with crap about Trump and his nauseated every nuance and poor vocabulary. A little quiet from south of the border is fine by me. However, I get most of my news from CBC radio and The Guardian Weekly publication.
Oprah, if that is who you are referring to…well, hot and cold for me. She has lived in opulence now for decades. Brilliant business woman who rose from abuse and a broken home to be one of the wealthiest women in the world. That is an accomplishment. I really try to not notice or mention skin colour ever, except as a descriptor. It’s just skin. Our Earth suit. We all have one. (I mention a degree of separation to her in my funny story ‘A Butter Tart and a Kiss’ which I would love you to read, Arden).
The Royals are privileged entities whom I have very little interest in, personally. I did LOVE Diana though. She seemed to have true causes – like landmine clearing – that I could feel proud of, as a woman, not to mention and a very sweet wardrobe. That was so long ago though.
I love your comments and love you little brother. I am so happy to see you on my blog and feel a very lovely connection. Thank you and have a wonderful day. From the East coast to the West.
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I just loved your stories about your posting to Germany 😊 and the trip across Canada. It feels special to read about you and John and your life together. You are very lucky to have each other.
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Thanks Kim. So great to know you’re reading!!!
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Thank you for sharing your stories, and for visiting me, a fellow 50ish year old bipolar writer at kittomalley.com. Like you, I was diagnosed bipolar postpartum.
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Good to hear from you Kitt!
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Did you say play, eh? I’m.
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Yep!
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I like your blog! You really know how to describe certain feelings! I am sure that I will find a day or two to read all your stories and I promise to comment on each.
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thanks for visiting my blog – am enjoying your lovely site 🙂
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Thank you. I have 89-some stories. What kind of story do you like? Funny? Loss? Travel? I can recommend one to you.
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got any with doggies?
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Yes. They are featured in https://playinwiththeplayers.wordpress.com/2017/05/12/little-saw-tooth-%f0%9f%90%be/
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