Author Archives: Judith Pettersen

This is my tribute to women during the busiest season of their lives. In no way should my male readers take this as a slight or a rejection of all they have to offer. I know that any one of you can pour a drink with the best of them. You probably make excellent egg nog, and areContinue reading “A Moment of Silence for the Women of Christmas”

Writing a blog reminds me of going to confession. Something about the tiny room in the back of my old Catholic church, the lingering scent of incense, the attentive and gentle presence of the priest. It all seems to work in much the same way. On the page and in the church I spill the beans every time. Are bloggers actually seeking forgiveness, then, or some type of absolution? TheContinue reading “In Pursuit of Good Enough”

Now that I’m older, I’ve decided to give my life the respect it deserves. By savoring each moment, the simple transforms into the extraordinary. Like when I’m listening to CBC radio in the kitchen and feel such a heady rush of joy, I know it’s impossible to feel any happier.  That store of joy is tucked away inside me, ready to be releasedContinue reading “Please Proceed to the Back of the Plane”

A week ago I got back from a trip, woke up on Thursday morning and remembered I’d agreed to do the church service on Sunday. I started thinking about my sermon and all the stuff I had to do over the next few days. I felt excessively busy, but in a very disorganized way. I had an overwhelming feelingContinue reading “Faith, Stress, and the Zombie Apocalypse”

In the last few days, I’ve been in a Bob Dylan frame of mind. Meaning, I’m feeling a little whiny. This hang dog, self pity party got its start during a road trip to Winnipeg. The catalyst  for the whole experience was my morning fruit shake, which I always have for breakfast, even when traveling.Continue reading “Blowin’ in the Wind”

About a week ago I was standing on my back deck when I smelled something truly terrible. It was a sweetish odor, and rotten, like a potato that is so old, it has collapsed in on itself. I searched the area around the deck, but a wind wafted the scent away and I forgot aboutContinue reading “What’s That Smell?”

I have a guilty secret that I desperately need to share. When I was twenty-two years old, newly married and living in Carmen, Manitoba, I developed a peculiar addiction. Like most people with a secret life, I was finally found out by none other than my husband. I tried to draw him into my utterlyContinue reading “Fifty Shades of Cheese”

After years of bragging about my stoic hike to the base camp of Mount Everest, I’m going to out myself by publishing my diary. Twenty-four days of climbing, complaining, itching and rats. And beautiful scenery. See? The word order is a strong indication of a wee inclination for whining. Here goes. Jan 8, 1979 We’reContinue reading “Diary of a Whiny Himalayan Trekker – 1979”

I live a comfortable life. It’s not something that I take for granted, either. Oprah and Jesus said to count my blessings daily, and I do. But every now and then the reality of life in the north leaves me feeling vulnerable. Like the other day.  We were just a few hours into our longContinue reading “Northern Exposure”

In case you haven’t noticed, Christmas is a time for kids. So the adult in you won’t enjoy it at all without first doing what Jesus says. “Unless you change and be like little children, you’ll never enter the kingdom of heaven.” This very same season, when seen through the eyes of an adult, becomesContinue reading “Finding Christmas”