Lynne Phipps

A number of years ago, a distant cousin put together our family tree on my father's side. It revealed that my heritage is Welsh and English, although I am convinced that there is also a Russian branch missing from the tree as I am always … Read more

I had never made baked beans from scratch, but recently, I decided to do so. I was amazed that the beans needed not only to soak overnight but also to boil gently for another hour after soaking and then to cook on low in my slow cooker … Read more

My wire-haired dachshund, Hoss, just didn't seem himself after our daily hike through the bush. He seemed to be favouring his right shoulder and was moving a little more slowly than usual. Finally putting aside what I was doing, I stooped … Read more

As I lay awake in the black hole of sleeplessness, my eyes wandered to the crack in the blinds which covered the window behind my bed. I was amazed at the glory of the spectacle above. The sky, an inky black canvas, was encrusted with … Read more

For a number of years, I found myself in an extremely difficult job situation where harassment and bullying from a co-worker was simply part of life. In time, however, it took more and more of a toll on me — body, mind, and soul — as no … Read more

Baking bread in the summer mornings can be somewhat of a challenge, for I do not have the wood stove going, and the house is quite cool until late afternoon. Thus, once I have the dough formed, I scout about the house looking for sunbeams … Read more

Our grey tabby cat, Joey Been, was so called as it truly seemed that he had been everywhere — a born adventurer. We never knew where we might find him next. One day, however, Joey and his whereabouts really took me by surprise. It was … Read more

The other day I got bombed. It scared me half to death. Fortunately, I recovered quickly enough that I kept the truck on the road. It did take me a moment or two, however, to figure out exactly what had happened. As I was driving along … Read more

During the spring and summer seasons, the livestock are able to emerge from their corral each morning and graze upon the land. How they love their new freedom and the moist green shoots and foliage — such delicious fare, compared to … Read more

I bought a spare chair a while ago. It sits in a corner of my kitchen, and for the most part, it doesn't do a lot. It came with a lovely, handwoven, green chair pad, which the cats really enjoy lounging on. I do stand upon it at times to … Read more