Authors' Afternoon with Lee Gowan and Ranjini George

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to meet our guest authors
Lee Gowan and Ranjini George

Come by and be inspired by these two fabulous writers who will share their writing journeys 

and read from their memoir, a work-in progress titled:

LOVE, KANNON: OUR PILGRIMAGE TO TOKYO

Looking forward to seeing many of you there. 

This is our last Authors' Afternoon at Stella's Café. 

More information will follow regarding its continuation in a different format, location, and with a new host.

Wishing you Peace and Love in 2020

Best wishes to all my blog readers for the holiday season.
I love Christmas, a beautiful time of joy in giving.
May the spirit continue all year long.

As I reflect on 2019, a year of growth, forgiveness and love,
I feel blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people,
family and friends who warm my heart each day.
May 2020 bring the same to you.
Keep your heart open with love and kindness
and good things will come.

Harbourfront at dusk

Grateful that in this city, 

we can find our way, within minutes, to the water, 

to a vast sky uninterrupted by the ever-present jungle of buildings,

to a tranquil lake that allows us to unwind,

even when the weather is darn cold.

We take in the crisp air, a brisk wind slapping our coats,

whipping strands of hair across our elated faces,

and I realize I love winter, its toughness,

the resilience it brings out in us, 

and I wait for the softness 

of its snow flakes.

Winter

Winter is finally here. But shades of spring are always around when you're surrounded by the warmth of good friends. Wishing you all a cosy day at home with loved ones. Stay safe.

A collage to bring some dreaminess on this brutally cold day.

I'm gonna run to you

Womanvoice 2019

Inviting you to Womanvoice, a celebration of women. I will read a few poems from my book Island Lovers. My talented friend Shannon Hancocks will accompany me with her graceful interpretive dancing. 

This yearly event is organized by Honey Novick to honour the women who were massacred 30 years ago at the École Polytechnique in Montreal.  It is a platform to allow women to explore new ideas, find their voices and make friends.

Please join us if you can. Let's encourage women to keep expressing themselves, their intelligence and creativity and not let themselves be intimidated by men who try to suppress their voices.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

A few inspiring quotes by strong women:

We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.

Malala Yousafzai

Each time a woman steps in for herself, without knowing it possibly,

without claiming it, she stands up for all women.

Maya Angelou

Don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity.

It's your place in the world; it's your life.

Dr. Mae Jemison

There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.

Virginia Woolf

I am too intelligent, too demanding, and too resourceful for anyone to be able to take charge of me entirely. No one knows me or loves me completely. I have only myself.

Simone de Beauvoir

Authors' Afternoon with Naben Ruthnum

Inviting you to meet and chat with our guest author Naben Ruthnum. His best selling thrillers were written under his pen name Nathan Ripley. He will share his writing journey and talk about his books. It will be a thrilling afternoon for mystery lovers. See you there at this free and fun event.

Naben Ruthnum's books will not be available for purchase at the Authors' Afternoon. If you want the author to sign your books, please bring them to the event. They are available in all major bookstores.

On a trail in Cedarvale Park

On a trail in Cedarvale park

two red leaves on colours dark

startled me with such sorrow

so vibrant and sprightly

yet lost and scattered below

on a bed of soil and weeds

they lay there touching lightly

together, apart, friend or foe

poised, radiant, unaware

of their short lives so near

thriving in the moment

they spread their glow, ardent

with no fear, they dare the future

infusing the air with sweet rapture

two red leaves left their mark

on my walk through the park

Learning and growth

The last rays of summer on a cool fall day. Leaves turning shades of gold and red are so beautiful, invigorating, yet instil a melancholic feeling, preparing us for the dormant stage of winter. Fall may seem the same each year, but the delightful change of colours always fills me with a new sense of wonder.

Still working on my short stories. Lately, reflecting on past loves coming back into people's lives, perhaps to seek the comfort of what they miss from good old times. But when they repeat the same harmful patterns that broke the relationships, and cannot meet you where you have moved on, be strong enough to let go, or guide them in their inner journey. Learning from past experiences means not repeating negative habits. The key to growth is to be truthful to yourself and each other and to be willing to change.

We tend to think that when we get older, it's impossible to change. But there is hope. Check this video. I may not agree with everything Dr. Joe Dispenza says, but I do believe in his theory that when we desire change, we can rewire thinking habits, and create new positive connections in our brain.

Wishing you wisdom and growth in your evolving relationships on this gorgeous fall day, and a very happy Thanksgiving weekend among family and friends.

Authors' Afternoon with Susan Glickman

Inviting you to an inspiring afternoon with our guest author, Susan Glickman. 

She will be reading from her books and will discuss them with us. 

As usual, this is a free event and everybody is welcome.

Abstract Art

It was dark out there, and lights were reflecting on a window that had some kind of pinkish red pigment. Condensation from a quick change of temperature formed this interesting abstract image.

When we see things from only one angle, we miss so much. If the mind is flexible, a wondrous world opens up, not only in viewing things around us, but also in seeing people's positive potentials.

See all with your heart

through the complicated mess

feel sparks of wonder