A few weeks ago, I decided to buy some long underwear. My old ones bagged at the knees and sagged at the waist. I looked like an 19th century cowboy climbing down from his horse for the last time. At our local Red Apple store I found a pair of Hanes with a cashmere-like innerContinue reading “Full Body Shamer”
Author Archives: Judith Pettersen
Seat Mate
I recently attended a reunion with folks Clarence and I travelled with in 1978. From Istanbul to Kathmandu, we hunkered down together in the back of an old army truck, bitching about the cold, the 4:30 AM breakfasts and many, many other tribulations. It felt a bit like a four month season of Survivor. NoContinue reading “Seat Mate”
The Bite
Last night I was awakened by the most intense itching sensation on my right arm, halfway between my bicep and tricep muscles. Not that there’s much muscle to talk about…I halt my gym attendance in the summer because I work hard in the garden. Although lately I’ve been enjoying lying around and reading my book.Continue reading “The Bite”
Call of Duty
On the day my niece Camilla was getting married, I was lolling about in an old sundress. It was very hot outside but I try not to use the air conditioning unless I’m about to lose consciousness. As the wedding officiant, I’d been working on the ceremony, wanting it to be extra special. I wanderedContinue reading “Call of Duty”
Strange Things are Happening
The day our community got home from being evacuated, I had a grateful a cry in the driveway, and noticed a few things. It looked like Mother Nature was having a celebration. The lawn in my front and back yard was higher than my knees, and since it had rained a few days before, itContinue reading “Strange Things are Happening”
Away
The day we were evacuated, I was feeling fuzzy headed while preparing to officiate at a wedding. I’d been up in the night, and at 3:30 AM went outside into my front yard and looked to my left. Across the perimeter highway and into the bush, I saw this: And I remember thinking, should weContinue reading “Away”
What the Fudge!
I don’t make fudge anymore. I’m not good at it like I was in the old days when I nailed the recipe every time. It’s because I’m out of practice. When we were young, my friend Gaye and I used to whip some up in her kitchen, cackling like two little witches as we stirredContinue reading “What the Fudge!”
We Stand on Guard for Thee
Women in Canada were finally allowed to serve in the armed forces in 1982, when the Canadian Charter of Rights said it was okay. By then I was pregnant with my first baby. I salute all the ladies who jumped into those careers, though I never wanted that life for myself. But not for theContinue reading “We Stand on Guard for Thee”
The Box
I wish the title to this blog post was ‘The Boxer’ and, like Simon and Garfunkel, I’d have written one of the best songs ever. But no. This is about a box. Rather, it’s about how to lose your mind while trying to assemble the thing. I’m the chair of our church board (I know…Continue reading “The Box”
The Swedish
We had a hot tub in the house we moved from in 2005. It fit eight people and we used it regularly as a family. When winter rolled around, my husband Clarence liked to take what he called, ‘a Swedish.’ By this he meant that he was going to run naked around our back yard.Continue reading “The Swedish”
Judith Pettersen 