PinnedMember-onlyWelcome to My Story Index for 2023!Your gateway to more babbles from Barb — Welcome to my writing world: an index where you can quickly and easily access my work. Click on a subheading to be directed to my stories scribed this year. More topics will be added as the fingers tippity-tap and time passes! More About Me Tales — stories in response to…Story Index2 min readStory Index2 min read
Published in About Me Stories·PinnedMember-onlyAbout Me — Barb DaltonNurse. Teacher. Crafter. Photographer. Canadian; I am a woman who wears many hats, but what defines me the most is being a New Zealander and a mother. — “Why on earth did you leave New Zealand?” This is often the first question I am asked after the inevitable clarification of where my accent is from — usually confused with being English or Australian; even after almost 28 years living in Canada, I can’t shake the twang!About Me7 min readAbout Me7 min read
Published in Globetrotters·5 days agoMember-onlyGuess What?The postcard from Paris arrived! — I recently had a week in Paris because my daughter, Hannah and her wonderful partner, Steven, moved there a year ago. It was high time I went and checked out their ‘neck of the woods’ in person. Although postcards are out of favour because of the much faster internet, I’m…Travel Advice3 min readTravel Advice3 min read
Published in Blue Insights·5 days agoMember-onlyAn Expensive Start to the DayBut it was a reminder of why we have societal rules. — Today started pretty much as usual. My cat — Booboo — leapt onto my chest and started yelling at me five minutes before my alarm went off. When I finally decided to get up and feed him, he gobbled up his food and quietly attempted to devour Bubba’s too —…Blue Insights5 min readBlue Insights5 min read
Published in The Daily Cuppa·6 days agoMember-onlyI Can’t Limn For the Life of Me!Art is not one of my strengths. Regardless of the medium — pencil, chalk, crayon, charcoal, pastel, oil or acrylic — I’m unable to recreate or conjure up a scene using brush strokes or lines. Drawing or painting is beyond me. I always admire those who can express themselves artistically…Word Calendar1 min readWord Calendar1 min read
Published in BJ’s This or That — The Gathering Table·Mar 22Member-onlyA “This or That” — Down Under StyleGrab a bevvie and join in on the dialogue. — Thanks, Adrienne Beaumont, for tagging me in a ‘this or that’ challenge that was created by John Hansen and designed for Aussies and Kiwis. It immediately stirred my soul and the dormant creative juices. I may not have lived in New Zealand for almost 28 years, but you can’t take…Bjs This Or That6 min readBjs This Or That6 min read
Published in In Living Color·Mar 20Member-onlyAll Eyes and Ears on the E’s!Ever Encountered Egrets, Earthquakes or the Eiffel Tower? — If you’re reading a story of mine for the first time, I’m an avid photographer and have jumped on JoAnn Ryan’s writing/photography challenge here at In Living Colour to showcase pictures from my rather large stash. My furless grandbaby’s ears are the perfect opening photo for the letter E. She’s…Photography5 min readPhotography5 min read
Published in The Daily Cuppa·Mar 20Member-onlyI’m a ScrimshankThe idea of having a pristinely clean house dissolved the second of three bairns fled the nest. When I was a stay-at-home mum, I took care of those mundane chores while the kids were at school. On returning to work, I saved them for the weekend; it was lovely to…Word Calendar1 min readWord Calendar1 min read
Published in The Daily Cuppa·Mar 18Member-onlyDo You Trust People Who Ooze Duende?Some folks have an amazing ability to attract friends or lovers. Their personality is magnetic and intoxicating. They demand attention without being obtuse, dictatorial or bossy. They ooze duende with their charm and appeal; they paint a classic portrait of comfort and stability. I’m rather mistrustful when I meet someone…Word Calendar1 min readWord Calendar1 min read
Published in BJ’s This or That — The Gathering Table·Mar 17Member-only28 Fun Facts About MeIn response to Karen Schwartz’s number challenge — I’m usually in for a challenge, but I’ve been slack with my writing lately. It’s not that I don’t want to connect my fingers to a keyboard, but rather I simply haven’t had the time. I’ve been galavanting or working…! This prompt by my dear friend Karen Schwartz tweaked my…Writing Prompts4 min readWriting Prompts4 min read
