Author Archives: Judith Pettersen

 I used to work with my mother. How it happened was she showed up at my front door the  day after she retired from nursing, wanting to help me with my home business. I’d designed a baby carrier, started selling it mail order and then online. Stores were showing interest, and mom thought I neededContinue reading “I Need a Little More of That Sha Na Na.”

My sister Linda is a bit like a character from a 1950’s musical—a good girl who likes to sing and doesn’t have time for rule breakers. Frankly, the world would be in a better place if she were in charge of things. Like world peace. ‘That’ll be enough of that!’ she’d tell Putin. The MiddleContinue reading “Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”

(A repeat at the request of my friend, John Taylor) There are some hallways I will never enter. Strange doors I will never step through, and belief systems I cannot embrace. I’m talking not about scientology. It’s the appeal of the Hallmark channel with its 24/7 Christmas movies that I cannot understand. I know fullContinue reading “It’ a Stepford Family Christmas, Someone Bring the Cheese”

When the world feels heavier than usual, I put away my Game of Thrones novel or collected short stories by Virginia Wolfe (I want to love her writing, but no) and pick up something lighter. A mystery novel, perhaps, though nothing too suspenseful. Reading about a woman unaware of the strange man living in herContinue reading “Just Relax, Already”

This title might seem strange for those who know me. Of course you don’t have a tan, they’re thinking. You avoid the sun like a vampire, wear hats while gardening and stay indoors when it’s too hot. All this is true. My eyes tend to shy away from the light, and my skin feels burnedContinue reading “I Don’t Have a Tan”

This is a repost. I really want to write about my sister, Susan, who passed away on August 7th this summer. But I’m not able, yet, so I’ll set the stage with this family piece. Growing up in a house with six other children required a certain amount of hardiness. After a traditional baptism, anotherContinue reading “Hi Jinks”

For my trip home from Calgary – a twelve hour drive after a four hour sleep – I woke at 4:45 AM, bleary eyed and determined to beat the traffic. I climbed into the car and set my GPS for the town of Kindersley, certain that this would take me home to Flin Flon viaContinue reading “Talkin’ ‘Bout the Car Wash”

There are times when I’m pulled from my comfortable life by uncertain events. I’m no longer running on autopilot, which is how we all live when things are going well.  A few months ago I was flying to Winnipeg and ready for take-off when the flight attendant approached me. She spoke in a low tone,Continue reading “Up In the Air”

I think of myself as a moderate health nut, eating well and exercising. I never sign up for extreme sports and I won’t become a Vegan. (But I should be a vegan. I feel so guilty.) So when my friend…let’s call her S….told me about her new health kick, I was intrigued but a bitContinue reading “Shut Your Mouth”