A Room Of My Own

"From where I am," the sun said, "I can see the Soul of the World. It communicates with my soul, and together we cause the plants to grow and the sheep to seek out shade. From where I am – and I’m a long way from the earth- I learned how to love. I know that if I came even a little bit closer to the earth, everything there would die, and the Soul of the World would no longer exist. So we contemplate each other, and we want each other, and I give it life and warmth, and it gives me my reason for living.” “So you know about love,” the boy said. Photo courtesy of Claire McNeilly Lovingly, Janet

Excerpt from the introduction; Oscar Wilde said: “ Each man kills the thing he loves .” And it’s true. The mere possibility of getting what we want fills the soul of the ordinary person with guilt. We look around at all those who have failed to get what they want and feel that we do not deserve to get what we want either. We forget about all of the obstacles we overcame, all the suffering we endured, all the things we had to give up in order to get this far… …But if you believe yourself worthy of the thing you fought so hard to get, then you become an instrument of God, you help the Soul of the World, and you understand why you are here. Paulo Coelho Rio de Janeiro November 2002 Translated by Margaret Jull Costa …”and you understand why you are here.” Yes. Janet

So, there I sat in the beautiful, open space upstairs at Books & Co. in Picton, Ontario surrounded by many familiar faces. The faces did not belong to friends or family, (well some were friends) but were familiar because they were pictured in the pamphlet we were all given to peruse at the beginning of the night. I was quite excited about the evening’s readings. We began with Lisa Gabriele reading from her new novel The Archer Sisters . She was fabulous to listen to with a very engaging voice full of energy. Her reading left us laughing and clapping in appreciation. Next on the docket was Shani Mootoo . I was most eager to hear her read as I have read her writing before. In particular, I have read an excerpt published in a recent issue of ROOM magazine from her upcoming memoir. Shani read from Valmiki’s Daughter and it was at this point in the evening when I told myself I would like to work harder at my writing. She left me feeling both inspired and humbled. The evening readings ...

Writing can get complicated. It is one of those professions that Canadian society would like to consider a hobby. It carries with it a cloud of mystery, a reputation of late sleepers who rebel against the working class and drink a lot. Admittedly some of that may be true to an extent, but considering this attitude an absolute can have a peculiar way of playing on writer’s insecurities. Should one admit to being a writer, they may find themselves being questioned on their ‘real’ job. My suggestion, hang out with more like minded people, i.e. writers. Check your local listings for writing festivals; you may be quite surprised at the variety of the events and the quality of the information. It is a great chance to meet other authors and muse over what is out there for you to explore. PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AUTHORS FESTIVAL 2009 All readings will be held in the loft space above Books and Company Bookstore, 289 Main Street, Picton. Book-lovers can buy a Festival Pass for $15 to attend any an...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... Enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... Something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... A youth she's content to leave behind.... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... A past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..... A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... One friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... Eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... A feeling of control over her destiny... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... How to fall in love without losing herself...

Downtown the other day, after dropping my daughter off to her piano lesson, I headed for my favourite café. Seated in front of the café at one of the outside tables, I noticed the tall lanky man, alone. He was wearing sunglasses. As I walked by, he nodded a hello and I returned an audible one. I continued on, I heard him speak to me as his gaze remained on the busy vehicle and pedestrian traffic. I turned back “Pardon me?” I asked with extreme politeness, the kind you use when you are terribly uncertain. I am an expert extrovert, thus, quite socialable and have no trouble approaching people and conversation. Nonetheless, I am not accustomed to speaking with homeless people and found myself a bit careful and edgy - out of my element. “You wear your class right here” he said as he gently and deliberately moved his enormous hand across his protruding forehead. I had no idea what he meant. I asked him “Is that a good thing or bad?” He began an intellectual pursuit explaining class and its ...

'Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.' In 1644 at the height of the English Civil War, John Milton penned Areopagitica , which is now known as one of history’s first impassioned defences to freedom of expression. Ironically, Milton never delivered this argument verbally, however there was no need, the message was clear; to allow freedom of speech in written form. John Milton may have been more concerned about religion and less with the politics of war; unfortunately, history has seen these two go hand in hand. Thanks to John Milton, and all who followed and fought for the right to freedom of expression. Thank you to all who exercise this right and provide the poetry, novels and the daily news which combined help to map out our history. On Time By John Milton Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race, Call on the lazy leaden-stepping hours, Whose speed is but the heavy plummet's pace; And glut thyself wi...