A human is human through others. The words are expressed in the aftermath of the trial where Zarko Dragic was found guilty by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia for crimes against humanity in the systematic rape of women in the Bosnian War. The protagonist in Kim Echlin’s fifth novel, Speak, Silence, isContinue reading “Human”
Category Archives: The Writing Corner
Cold as Ice
The minus 18 temperature is not going to deter me. I have spent the last week coddling the ice, keeping the snow from accumulating, shoveling everyday, defining the contour with scrap wood, flooding the rink at dusk to take advantage of overnight cold. Grab the skates, stick and puck, pull down the toque a littleContinue reading “Cold as Ice”
O’ Tannenbaum
It was my Dad’s job to purchase the tree every Christmas. Accompanying him on the quest to acquire the best possible tree for the lowest conceivable price was a lesson in frugality and gamesmanship. Too early in the season would result in paying the posted price. Not enough snow would reduce demand, providing an opportunityContinue reading “O’ Tannenbaum”
Rapture
Ten bucks for most packages, five if it is small, twenty for the big ones. Shopping advice? Free. Olena, Olga and I were back again gift wrapping for the food bank. Last year was so nice, we decided to do it twice – Saturday and Monday evening, 4:00 to 9:00 pm. Still a week fromContinue reading “Rapture”
A Wink and a Smile
I always sit or stand in the back. From this position I have a bird’s eye view, a vantage point to scope out all of the people who have gathered. Olga, on the other hand, moves directly to the front, close to the action, to whatever the affair entails. Olga occupied the first table atContinue reading “A Wink and a Smile”
Tom Sawyer
“Like it? Well, I don’t see why I oughtn’t to like it. Does a boy get a chance to whitewash a fence every day?” The forecast is predicting a week of heat and sunshine, the first true taste of summer. Olga is at the cottage focusing on her yoga work. Books are calling to beContinue reading “Tom Sawyer”
The Morning After
The news arrived quietly, through the email, a brief note, a link for more details. I was stunned, immediately reading the announcement out loud. “Generous in spirit; gave of himself tirelessly; believed that art had the power to change lives.” The obituary was dated two months earlier, not even an opportunity to attend a virtualContinue reading “The Morning After”
Rise Up
I have always looked forward to the celebration of Ukrainian Easter. It is the most important date in the liturgical calendar, marked with symbolic traditions, set apart in timing and practices from the Roman Catholic church. And with the scythe of war looming over every conversation and each gathering a poignant reminder, these moments ofContinue reading “Rise Up”
Private Eyes
The curtain pulls aside. The priest opens the Royal Doors of the iconostas, looks out into the nave then turns around to the sanctuary as the congregation stands, the choir singing. Mass has begun. We have been attending this Ukrainian church since last fall, Olga reconnecting to her roots. I don’t understand a word, saveContinue reading “Private Eyes”
867-5309
Call me (call me) on the lineCall me, call me any, anytime Don’t call 867-5309. It’s not my number. It used to be 519-451-5900 growing up. It’s gone. Don’t call 416-622-3095 either. It is not my number anymore. It was my number for almost 40 years, starting when Olga and I bought that hole-in-the-sky condominiumContinue reading “867-5309”
Wonderings 