Nurse. 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!

Celebrating the colour of happiness and warmth — in bloom. — I’m on vacation and have been snapping pics like I was a paparazza — Grammarly, this is the female singular to paparazzi, so stop correcting me! However, unlike celebrities, my subjects were very accommodating and unphased with close-ups. They deserve the limelight; their delicate beauty is often overlooked as they…

Which story was a concocted lie? — Thanks to all you lovely folks who read and pondered my contribution to Rodrigo S-C’s challenge ‘Two truths and a Lie’ last week. It wasn’t easy to tell a fib that was semi-believable in an attempt to pull the wool over some loyal readers’ eyes. Raine Lore was too shy…

Taking a walk can beat the blues — I’ve been such a slug lately. Work was overwhelming the last few weeks, and I was either too exhausted to take a walk, or it was suffocatingly hot to contemplate one. It became a vicious circle that quickly led to a downward spiral. I’m now on two weeks’ vacation, and…

A poem for The Lark poetry contest —