life – Judith Pettersen

Full Body Shamer

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”

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”

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”

Dear Boomer

Let’s face it. We need to talk about our faces. Like, what the hell? You live for thirty, forty years and that image in the mirror doesn’t change all that much. But you keep living your life (with gratitude, because not everyone gets to do that) and it starts to feel like time has spedContinue reading “Dear Boomer”