Hello everyone,

This is too nice a day to be working inside, so I’m going to keep this brief. This week’s stories begin with another humorous, slice-of-life story from Robert O’Meara’s childhood and titled “School Days.” I remember well the thick leather strap used by the nuns.

Next is a beautiful poem from Angela van Breemen – a reflection on the state of the world and our complicity.

Finally, a story from me about a time when I first arrived in Alliston in the year 2000, and an event that was about to take place that first summer. The story is titled “Time To Bath the Dog”.

I hope you enjoy this week’s stories and find time to relax, do some gardening, etc.

Don’t forget to send comments for the authors.

Bren

Hello everyone,

I am waking to sunshine and birdsong these days. I have vivid memories of the birds singing in the morning, and the songs here are mostly the same as the bird songs in Scotland. I set out the hummingbird feeder today. Hopefully, there will be some action in the coming days. My cat is never far from the back door, watching the comings and goings of the goldfinches and others at the seed feeder.

My house has sold and I will be moving in June, but this doesn’t affect my blog, and my murder mysteries will continue to be based in Alliston for the foreseeable future.

This week’s stories are just in time for Mother’s Day. The first story took me back to my own childhood and a do-not-touch time when I stared at the treasures in my grandmother’s china cabinet. The title is “Through a Child’s Eyes”, written by Dian Bowers.

Then this week’s poem is bleak – a glimpse into the results of oppression, written by Sofia Saalik and titled “A Conversation With Leeches.”

Then we have another Mother’s Day story from Angie Rose Carnegie, titled “Mom’s Last Birthday”. A story of her mother and uncle, both in care being brought together for a visit. The photos are her own, taken on that special day when the two siblings met for the last time.

The last story of the week is chapter three of our current story chain. This chapter is written by Kim Burgess and takes the story to a new level. Read on…

Don’t forget to send your comments to brendashort@writingblog.ca, and if you would like to see your words in print, send me a short story … any subject, and you may be the next author to be published here.

Bren