Datlow, Ellen, & Windling, Terri. (1997). Black Swan, White Raven. Avon Books; New York. This enchanting compilation of fairy tales – 21 in all, with a mix of short stories and poems – contains the typical tropes and memes of the classic fairy tale in new and disruptive contexts. While some people have examined these…
Author: marialegault
I spend my time hiking in nature and reading great novels.
How to Find Fulfilling Work by Roman Krznaric
Krznaric, Roman. (2012). How to Find Fulfilling Work. Picador; New York. Despite its discrete size and colour, this book packs quite a punch. It’s part of The School of Life book series – described as a “cultural enterprise offering good ideas for everyday life” (The School of Life, 2014). Consequently, How to Find Fulfilling Work…
The Turquoise Dragon by David Rains Wallace
Wallace, David Rains. (1985). The Turquoise Dragon. The Yolla Bolly Press; California. I picked up this book at the library and signed it out primarily because the synopsis began as follows: “…George Kilgore, a forester living quietly in the foothills of California’s rugged Klamath Mountains, stumbles into a deadly web of intrigue when he discovers…
An Attitude of Gratitude
After writing several caustic and critical posts this week, I feel it important to share a reminder and an affirmation with the world; things are not really so bad. Truly, they’re actually quite good. I’m happy. The reason I’m happy, and feeling more so with every day that passes, is a result of the wonderful…
Painting in Black and White: University versus College Education
I hate it when the news paints things in black and white. I admit that I, too, have occasionally presented a one-sided argument and expected the world to accept my ideas without a squeak of protest. I suppose my hope has always been that someone would call me out on my assertions and we would…
Wallflower Syndrome, or: Youth, Know Thyself
This past weekend I was reflecting on my job search strategies and current prospects. After doing some mental gymnastics (mirrored in the furrows of my brow), I turned to my significant other and asked if he thought I was lacking in tangible, real-world skills and this was the reason behind my lack of motivation to…
Glen Bernard Summer Camp – Sundridge, Ontario
Though Glen Bernard Summer Camp isn’t meant for hikers only, it was a part of Ontario which afforded me many beautiful pictures and fond memories. Anyone interested in outdoor pursuits should visit the general area encompassing Glen Bernard Summer Camp – known to tourists and residents alike as the Almaguin Highlands Region – at least…
Yet Another Diversion: College, Skills, and Work
As the weather offers us a brief glimpse of sunshine and milder temperatures here in Southwestern Ontario, I feel the winds of change approaching. Doesn’t everyone go through a little mini transformation, a shedding of the skin, when springtime approaches? Houses are cleaned of rubbish, cars are scrubbed free of ice and salt, and winter…
Audiobooks: Hands-Free Entertainment
I don’t mind confessing that I have a life-long love affair with audiobooks. If you’ve never tried ‘reading’ a novel with an audiobook, the experience is somewhat challenging to describe. It’s a visceral, enchanting, and hands-free way of experiencing a story. The performer(s) reading the story will bring the characters to life in ways that…
Savour Your 20s – They Only Happen Once
In a recent bulk email from my new favorite blogger, Rebecca Fraser-Thill, I was pleased to read her article entitled “Hiding From Our Life’s Work Behind Our Careers“. Though there is much that I could say about this particular article, I’m instead going to focus on the investigation and deep thinking that it generated for…
Rockwood Conservation Area – Rockwood, Ontario
A short distance away from several major metropolitan areas in southwestern Ontario lies the jewel that is Rockwood Conservation Area. This conservation area features “towering limestone cliffs, caves and glacial potholes”, making the location a source of natural wonders and inspiration for both hikers and canoeists (Conservation Ontario, 2012). Canoes can be rented at the…
The Drunken Botanist by Amy Stewart
Stewart, A. (2013). The Drunken Botanist. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill; New York. Amy Stewart has here provided every curious tippler with the natural origins of their favorite drinks. She is an award-winning author of six books on the natural world and lives in Eureka, California, where she owns an antiquarian bookstore and tends to…
Maria Legault 