Authors' Afternoon with R. Daniel Lester

Another great Sunday meet up to look forward to with you, book lovers and writers. Our guest for the next Authors' Afternoon  is R. Daniel Lester, a neighbourhood author who writes mystery, crime and sci-fi novels and more ... Come by and chat with him about his award-nominated book, Dead Clown Blues, his other publications, and his journey as a writer.

Illusion

I was gazing at the lake through the glass of a bus shelter. The light was such that the building behind me was reflected on the glass, resulting in this optical illusion I captured … and the poem below…

it was an illusion

a mysterious fusion

filled with wonder, elation

misleading, yet real

until my view shifted

and the magic was gone

Authors' Afternoon with Ann Walmsley

Inviting you to a meet-up at Stella's Café with award-winning journalist, Ann Walmsley to discuss her book, The Prison Book Club. I hope you will join us to hear about her brave journey into the men's prisons despite a violent mugging she experienced in UK a few years earlier. 

I had the privilege of being in the same writing group as Ann for over 10 years. Her mastery of non-fiction writing, precise and evocative, has always impressed me. It was amazing to see the creative process of The Prison Book Club as it grew from a few chapters to an award-winning book. I'm so proud of her achievements, and thrilled that she is participating in our Authors' Afternoon.

Celebrating friendships and emotional maturity ...

Spring, with its fresh blossoms, is an enchanting time of new beginnings. As we shed our winter clothes and bounce lightly towards summer, I feel renewed, blessed to have caring friends who share similar values, and are open to honest and insightful discussions.

This desire to understand each other, and communicate clearly can only help relationships grow deeper. Every failure or setback offers opportunities to learn about others and ourselves. When we're willing to listen, empathize, and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner, without letting our egos get in the way, we are taking positive steps in bettering ourselves and others, and becoming emotionally mature.

It may not be easy to do so with those who won't talk things out, but react with anger and insults when faced with challenging situations. Here's an article that sheds some light on the importance of emotional intelligence in such cases.

And this one analyzes the reasons people tend to regress to childish behaviour, and offers advice on healing past unresolved wounds that made anger become a habit.

For those who have such issues, and are willing to work on them, it's a big stride towards healing and finding peace within. Caring friends and relatives encourage and support such growth.

Celebrating friendship with this haiku poem I wrote, and magnolia flowers I photographed at High Park. Wishing you a beautiful spring ...

Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrors Exhibition at AGO

What a magical day at the Art Gallery of Ontario yesterday.

The special effects that artist Yayoi Kusama created with mirrors was breathtaking.

We were propelled into an enchanted world through the endless continuity of reflections.

 As if infinity was within our reach, yet constantly shifting at the least movement.

In this one, the two of us were watching through opposite windows, 

and our pictures became part of the profusion of mirrored images.

A must see exhibition. It ends next month, on May 27th.

Haiku poem on betrayal

Another haiku poem but a sad one about betrayal, one of the most painful emotions one can ever go through, especially from someone you loved and trusted. Many of us have gone through it in some form or other ... Here is an article with helpful guidance on how to recover, learn, and grow from it.

Authors' Afternoon with Teri Vlassopoulos

Inviting you to a meet-up where you can chat with talented author, Teri Vlassopoulos, about her books, Bats and Swallows and Escape Plans, and her journey as a writer.

Spring Haiku

I've been playing with Haiku poems, and love their simplicity.

5 syllables in the first and last lines, and 7 syllables in the middle line. 

Yet, these 3 lines can say so much.

Gaslighting: coercing people to believe lies and question their own sanity

As I continue my research into relationships, I'd like to share this article as it's opened my eyes to gaslighting, the psychological manipulation some people use to coerce loved ones to believe their lies, and question their own sanity. Unfortunately, when women, and sometimes men too are in love, they often fall for the lies, don't listen to their instincts, or common sense, and thus enable the gaslighter. This article is very helpful in understanding why people gaslight and why they need help as much as the victims. For those who recognize the situation, hope you can seek advice from close relatives, friends or a therapist.

I took this photo on a rainy day. The mist was ethereal and made everything seem unreal. This poem is about the inescapable downward spiral of lies. 

Interview with Pot-Pourri CIUT 89.5 FM about my books The Coral Heart and Island Lovers

I will be interviewed about my books this coming Sunday on University of Toronto's radio station CIUT 89.5 FM, on their french show Pot-Pourri.  To all francophones and francophiles, please listen to this great cultural show from 11 am to 1 pm if you have a few minutes ... Michaëlle Jean, Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie, will also be among the guests.

Je serai interviewée  au sujet de mes livres ce dimanche sur la station de radio CIUT 89.5 FM de l'Université de Toronto, dans le cadre de leur émission Pot-Pourri. À tous les francophones et francophiles, s'il vous plaît, écoutez cette belle émission culturelle de 11h à 13 h  si vous avez quelques minutes ... Michaëlle Jean, Secrétaire générale de l'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, sera parmi les invités.

Emotional health in relationships

I've been researching articles on relationships. Some are full of wisdom and very helpful not only for my short stories, but my personal journey, not to mention my recent fascination with words on images. 

The one above was inspired by the these two articles:

Let the love flow: Practicing non-attachment in our relationships

How non-attachment can benefit your relationship

Authors' Afternoon with Christene Browne

Inviting you to meet  Christene Browne, award-winning filmmaker and author of Two Women. 

When we accuse ...

Some words of wisdom 

Toronto turns to gold

What a gorgeous weekend full of sunshine. So thrilled to be by the lake on Friday and see Toronto turn to gold. And what a joyful time yesterday at the family lunch food fest in celebration of the New Year of the Dog. And so heartwarming to share the evening by the water with a thoughtful friend who can make me laugh away ...

Sharing love on Valentine's

Love in all its forms, whether it's for our family, our friends, our romantic partner, should be celebrated every day, not just on Valentine's, because it can save us from all the negativity and violence in this world. Sharing a short poem on this special day, and wishing you love always.

Authors' Afternoon with John Lorinc

Inviting you to meet journalist John Lorinc

at Stella's Café on Sunday, February 25th to discuss his book, The Ward: 

The Life and Loss of Toronto's First Immigrant Neighbourhood

Forgiveness

To heal a broken heart

The second in a series of short poems I wrote on photos I took

Authors' Afternoon with Rhonda McEwen at Stella's Café

Authors' Afternoon took a break over the holidays but it's back on the last Sunday of every month.

Inviting you to meet Rhonda McEwan, 

co-author of Understanding Tablets from Early Childhood to Adulthood 

The Coral Heart and Island Lovers at Ryerson University Library and Archives

It's been a heart-warming start to New Year. So grateful to be surrounded by caring friends who bring sunshine and hope through the dark hours ...

My creative work has also been a therapeutic force in the healing process. Happy to share that my books are available at the Library and Archives of Ryerson University, my alma mater ... The french translation of The Coral Heart is in its final stages. Still working on those short stories ...

I've also been writing short poems over photos I've taken. A little exercise in rearranging words on pictures to find meaning from the clutter of thoughts and emotions. Sharing the first one ...