Happy to be Canadian
Each week I share a short original story about life in rural Canada. There are moments of nostalgia and other times when you will be wondering what will happen next. Some episodes are poignant, some are funny, others are insightful. All are short. With episodes under 10 minutes, you have just enough time to finish your coffee or tea while you enjoy a memorable story.
Episodes
64 episodes
A Fair Request - Episode 64
The Canadian National Exhibition has a long history in the city of Toronto and Susanne is flattered when she receives an invitation to demonstrate her barn quilt painting skills.Find out what happens when she mulls over the r...
Working with a Make-believe Muse
Writers and other creatives often have real or imaginary muses that help them make beautiful art. Susanne had a make-believe muse - Lazy Larry - and he isn't always a writer's dream assistant. Listen to this hilarious account...
Looking for a Canadian Symbol - Episode 62
On Canada Day, Susanne thinks she should make a bucket list to see all of the stereotypical symbols that are used to represent Canada in all kinds of artwork. She realizes many that she had not seen are from the far north of Canada. <...
It's a Mystery to go on Tour - Episode 61
We had a bus tour visit Crazy 8 Barn this week. It was a mystery tour from Chicago.That is a curated few days where the exact location and each event is a surprise to the participants.As we waited for their arrival, we joked about...
Maybe it was a good day - Episode 60
I’ve written often of my dad but I thought today, that I would write about his dad, my grandpa Spence.My grandfather had a life of major heartbreaks and tragedies but he didn’t seem broken, to me as a child.And, I've found somethi...
First Time in a Barn - Episode 59
Susanne is looking for a dreamer with a destiny. Join her on her first trip inside a rare octagonal barn to find out who will be loving this magnificent structure next. She's also going to be asking you for a big favour ...
Tap Dancing and Other Failures
When Susanne attends her granddaughter's annual dance recital she recalls an earlier recital when she had wished she had practised more diligently and was as cute as the littlest performers.Join her as she talks about oil boom days and E...
Chipmunk Bites are Hard to Shake Off - Episode 57
No, this isn't another crazy wildlife episode, well, wait a second ... it may be consider a wild life aviation episode. Find out what happens when Susanne's Dad buys a Canadian military primary training aircraft and sparks a love affair t...
Saving a Turtle Takes Team Work - Episode 56
There's a networks of people in Ontario working to save injured turtles and return them to their native habitats. Susanne and Manfred found out how it works when they came into close proximity of a snapping turtle.Join them on the ...
1887 Celebration Fit for a Queen
When Susanne is researching details for a story she is writing about a man in 1800's Ontario, she goes down a rabbit hole of history to find some gritty details about Queen Victoria's birthday celebrations in the backwoods in 1887.
Wishing for Blue Skies and Tailwinds
You might wish for blue skies and tailwinds but Susanne is trying to capture the beauty of the headwind this bicycling season. Join her on this breezing tale to find out just how much we are blown about by something we cannot see.
From Monterey to Salvage - Episode 1 & 52
To celebrate one year of podcasting, Susanne is rebroadcasting her first podcast episode that was lost in a shuffle from podcasting hosts.While out campaigning in the federal election, Susanne comes across a vivid reminder of the days wh...
Emigrating with Dreams and Bulbs
When Susanne meets a barn quilt painting workshop participant whose father hybridized Amaryllis in Holland over 75 years ago, she embarks on a discovery of the flower that leads her to her own back yard.
Not My Cat in a Springtime Garden - Episode 50
A kitten was left in our garden many years ago. Since then, he has a comfortable forever home but he spends many days wandering through the flowers and along the paths just like Susanne on a Spring day. Find out how that turns out o...
Mercurial Spring in Southwestern Ontario - Episode 49
Snow storms that blow enormous flakes onto the grassy ground where they soon melt and welcome sunshine that brings cyclists onto the roads in March are all part of early Spring in southwestern Ontario.This week Susanne notices nature's d...
Memento Mori and other Gravestone Warnings - Episode 48
Susanne loves walking (and cycling) through local cemeteries, finding forgotten stories and wondering what certain inscriptions might mean. Join Manfred and her as they discover a swashbuckling tale told be the early settlers.
Cycling the Ports of Elgin County - Episode 47
Susanne faces the challenge of bicycling over 100 km from her home along the north shore of Lake Erie to visit all four ports in Elgin County. It's a test of will and a little tailwind wouldn't hurt. Find out where Manfred will be waiting for h...
The Porch Chair Quandary
When some porch chairs with creative innovations are separated in the spring weather, Susanne and Manfred have to figure out where like sitting best, or do they.
How an Ugly Barn Changed Everything - Episode 45
When Donna Sue Grove's mother bought a farm with a run down barn in Ohio at the turn of the 21st century neither she or her daughter had any idea how they were about to changed to rural landscape across North America. In this week's episo...
Revelling in Irish Movies
The week before St. Patrick's Day has Susanne yearning to know about Ireland. Join her as she captures the mythology and heart-breaking realities and stereotypes of Ireland through sunshine and in shadow.
Learning Gaelic - Episode 43
Susanne's Scottish ancestors may or may not have spoken Gaelic when they landed in the colony of Canada in 1854. Somehow she's drawn to the language either by blood memory or wishful thinking. Join her as she attends an introductory Gaeli...
A Surprise Trip to the Bottom - Episode 42
From snow storms to once in a lifetime opportunities, travel with Susanne and her daughter Kate as they take on one of the seven wonders of the world.