Film review: That Christmas
This year, I’m pleased to report, there’s a new Christmas movie worth the female audience’s time, and it’s called That Christmas. I’m all the more pleased because it gives me hope, coming as it does from an unlikely source; one of its co-writers is Richard Curtis, the writer-director behind Love Actually (2003), a Christmas movie with serious drawbacks, namely the hypersexualization of women and normalization of pornography, promiscuity and fellatio—things most female viewers don’t look for in a Christmas movie. You won’t see any of that in That Christmas, which is as it...
Read MoreAnother Labour of Love
The problem is that those of us who are lucky enough to do work that we love are sometimes cursed with too damn much of it. Terry Gross, JournalistI sure don’t want to jinx us but lemme just say…I’m hoping that the cold has snapped and skedaddled away. I should know by now not to be smug thinking that I’m prepared and can relax. Such has proven true with grape vine and fruit tree pruning, weeding, harvest, mulching and especially cold snap water prep. I’ve written previously about the Honey-Do List, that roster of once-hidden wishful-thinking items that Laurie had compiled; those...
Read MoreAPRIL FOOL
Excerpt five (somewhat revised) from the book Wait.. WHAT?, by Elly Mossman Before Bill assumed ownership of the Zapora, the boat was berthed at Comox Harbour, so, because he served as skipper, it seemed expedient for us to live there too. When Bill bought the Zapora from Loman’s widow, the reason to live in Courtenay was moot. We began looking for a home further south on the Island. We found a house in Chemainus, right next door to the parents of Bill’s sister-in-law. We were visiting them one day, and noticed the cute little house for sale next door. An offer was put in immediately, and...
Read MoreLost in the Translation
It’s been sooo cold this spring. Hail in April? On Vancouver Island? My aging body now prefers much warmer weather, ‘way down south’-type weather. And coupled with my zero-resistance to trip down memory lane (especially adventures with my soul mate Laurie Gourlay), I believe it is time for my Mexican Tale. It was my first ‘foreign adventure’ with Laurie way back in 1979. He had already hitchhiked around the world and down through the Baja when the highway was still a dirt road, with mass vehicle jams during the muddy season; when they waited till enough cars...
Read MoreLove … Unconditionally
For a long long time, since I was a wee bairn I’ve linked February with Valentine’s Day. You know the book of cards you gave out (& received) from classmates, in an envelope that had its own fake stamp, or your own SWAK on the back. Later it was fancier cards, chocolates, flowers. I was lucky. I got all 3 and the flowers were always in a pot so they lived on and on… if I remembered to water them. I don’t recall any stat holiday in this month until about a decade ago. Now PEI has Islander Day, Manitoba has Louis Reil Day, Nova Scotia has Heritage Day. In BC...
Read MoreBook Worm
There is more treasure in books, than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island -Walt Disney, I have a confession – a shocker for some. Although I like to write & love to talk (really?), I’ve never been a reader; a pleasure-reader that is. I have indeed digested many a medical tome. During my nurse training the favourite party tale was about how I sustained a black eye while studying late into the night. The massive anatomy book that I had propped up on a pillow suddenly careened over just as I was momentarily checking my eyelids for cracks. I believe the term...
Read MoreThe Hiatus & The Honey-Do List
The new year is well on it’s way…once again. 2021 was a lightning-quick one for me. The summer? Zipped right by. Writing was on hiatus – no time to wax the eloquent. Most of the farm production, plant-pick-preserve, was thankfully in the capable hands of a very good man and companion. My focus was on the Honey-Do List (and still is!). An explanation: It all started a few months after Laurie’s sudden passing, four years ago. He was an organized man, a list man and we both found great pleasure in figuring out retirement plans. You know, after we were mortgage-free and...
Read MoreThis Year’s First Trunk Show with Joseph Ribkoff
Ladies mark your calendars for PatrYka Designs’ Joseph Ribkoff’s Trunk Show on Saturday, April 17th from 10 am – 5:30 pm. Classic, chic, elegant, timeless, and luxurious are the words customers use to describe Joseph Ribkoff’s statement pieces and PatrYka Designs in Mill Bay is proud to carry the uniquely Canadian line. Trunk show attendees will view the most popular spring 2021 styles and enjoy a first peek at the 2021 fall collection featuring warm tones and drawing inspiration from the 70s. Joseph Ribkoff’s fashion specialist Mark Saint James will be in attendance also!...
Read MoreOur sister site Seniors 101 has just extended it’s reach and scope.
It has produced a Nanaimo Seniors Directory which is available not only on-line but also in PRINT!!! This is huge. Until now our 3 magazines have been strictly of the web variety. The article below was printed in our local newspaper gives a good overview of what we have done. The on-line version of the Directory can be opened from the Home page of Seniors 101 via this link https://seniors101.ca We would really appreciate any comments you might have. Thank you. Trish Summerhayes Owner/Publisher island Woman Magazine. *********************************** Printed product proves popular...
Read MoreIn the middle of Everywhere
It was December in 2008. My family and I, including kids and dogs piled ourselves and “Christmas” into a borrowed van and headed off on an amazing adventure. We began by driving several hours over a mountain pass. A bit nerve wracked, we arrived safely in the small fishing town of Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island in the wilds of Canada. On a big, ‘ol clunky fishing boat, we travelled for several more hours, northwest toward Hot Springs Cove and Cougar Annie’s Garden to a small floating house in a bay somewhere in the middle of Everywhere. In this exquisite...
Read MoreWhat’s New?
Is anyone sick to death styling their hair? That blow dry, flat iron routine can really take its toll, but it looks lousy if you do nothing. I’ve recently been experimenting with my own hair. which is color treated, and naturally quite coarse and frizzy/curly. After considerable research (cause I’m like that), let me share what I’ve learned about products to tame and soften coarse and curly hair. Hair Serums, Yahoo! Distributed evenly through damp strands, serums coat your hair with oil and/or silicone polymers and seal the cuticle, protecting it from humidity. The...
Read MoreMessy Churches
A program to create messy churches? As a member of the Alter Guild with St. Michaels and All Saints church in Chemainus I shook my head when I first heard of the Messy Church program. Messy churches? isn’t that what groups like Alter Guild work to prevent? This certainly seemed odd/confusing to me. This confusion was clarified whilst having coffee one morning with Jane Hird-Rutter who kindly wrote the article below for Island Woman. I am sure that many of you will be equally surprised upon reading the article below. Trish Summerhayes. Owner/Publisher Island Woman...
Read MoreFebruary is W.I. Month
You may have heard of us…we’re famous you know! We make jams and jellies, pickles and preserves (and LOTS of it!) we bake, and bake…and bake! You love our pies and cakes and loaves! We craft, we sew, we knit…we do SO much more than this…but do you know what we REALLY do? Read on…or check out our Provincial website at www.bcwi.ca The Women’s Institute was originally founded by Adelaide Hoodless, with it’s first meeting being held in Stoney Creek, Ontario in 1897. The WI in British Columbia, was started by Miss Laura Rose, in 1909, at the request of the Department for...
Read MoreCreating Christmas Spirit
Christmas … portrayed in folklore, the media and commercial hype as a time of peace, happiness and goodwill. Unfortunately, the reality is that for many people, the reverse is true; it is a time of loneliness, grief and regret. The suicide rate increases over the Christmas holiday period. Why should this be so? For some, this will be the first Christmas they will be without a spouse, a child or a loved one. For others, it triggers memories of Christmas past. For me, December 23rd brings back the pain of my father dying when I was 15 years old. The unrelenting commercial pressure at this...
Read MoreSacredness Of Giving & Receiving
It is at this time of year that many heated discussions arise on the touchy subject of gift giving, gift receiving and the materialism of the season. Have you had these conversations? Which side are you on – the side which says gifts can be a fun and meaningful way of expressing your friendship, love or appreciation for someone, or the side which sees only the commercialism and materialism in giving and receiving gifts at this time of year? This is a subject dear and close to my heart, mainly because I love giving gifts. And truth be told, I love receiving them as well. I grew up in a...
Read MoreThe Magic of Gabriola
Roger Christie’s cat loves her Gabriola home – O, yes she does. And, many a story circulates the neighbourhood. Her prow, and her complete abandon to anything but pure, unadulterated relaxation. I interviewed Roger Christie, or to be more accurate, Roger gave me his preamble not knowing I would ask for the opportunity as it presented itself. With Roger’s permission, I offer the love of living on Gabriola, humans and animals, pets and the odd pest. It is why a smattering of about 4,500 persons have chosen Gabriola as their home. Most have arrived from places far the...
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