Storytelling. Fact and fiction. One word at a time.
Last week's post (you can read about it here), where I found an envelope of photos, made me think of a time I found a purse in my hometown. The Purse I was on a trip with my sister, her husband, and their children. We were in our hometown — the town my parents were... Continue Reading →
I found the following quote cut up and taped together in one of my bins of collage materials that I’ve been curating for over three decades. A completed sentence ends with a small black dot, but that’s how epiphanies begin. A coffee bean. A tiny, good thing from the earth. But the best ones have... Continue Reading →
On my way to Edmonton for the Oilers–Bruins hockey game, my friend Ashlee sent me a message wishing me a safe trip. She included a screenshot of a conversation she’d had with a colleague on their work chat platform. Colleague: Good morning, Ashlee. Are you the Ashlee Ballan that Angie Counios acknowledged in her book... Continue Reading →
Living a silly little life and mastering the art of enjoying the small things, I’ve reconstructed my life over many years, and now I find fun in almost everything. I try to say yes to as many opportunities as I can. But once in a while, I do have regrets. If I recall the lessons,... Continue Reading →
Packing, Then and Now A friend recently asked for advice on packing for two weeks in northern Europe. Seems simple enough, right? Except... I’ve traveled so much that I have a Google file of packing lists — one for every possible travel scenario. Hotel overnight? Got it.Two months in Greece in the summer? Obviously.Two weeks... Continue Reading →
I’ve lived a life full of pauses—gaps between experiences. Friends scattered across the world I wouldn’t see for years. Weeks away from home, then returning to my people. Long breaks from work—the nature of teaching means stepping away from the building, the students, the rhythm. And every time, I’d feel a bit nervous about the... Continue Reading →
Taking care I loved books so dearly that I read them while keeping them in pristine condition. I was careful about where I read, and if a book ventured out into the world with me, it traveled safely in a Ziploc bag. They often looked untouched. To me, they were tender storytellers, and I treated... Continue Reading →
Because a portion of my creative being is a multimedia artist I am constantly collecting bits of paper, images, and other two-dimensional curios. These scraps float to the top of drawers and boxes, fall out of books and bags. Sometimes I'm completely surprised when a small piece of the past ends up right in front... Continue Reading →
Sunday night I drove back from the lake with my window down. I don't often do this. It's noisy. I can't hear the radio. My hair blows around. It's annoying. But, for whatever reason, as I drove through the quiet village streets of the lake towards the highway I didn't roll up my window---and I... Continue Reading →
On my journey to find trails near and far I found Saw Whet Trail which is pretty near and pretty lovely. This trail is just outside of the town of Lumsden. It's an easy hike that meanders along the creek bordering farmland. I've been watching the huge old barn slowly lose its fight with gravity... Continue Reading →
Angie Counios 