Happy Noises

Posted on December 28, 2021December 28, 2021 by Laurel Archer

Today is Emma’s 22nd birthday. She’s having the best time in our recent cold snap and snow fall. I guess being born in winter and on the Canadian Prairies, predisposes you to like snow and... Read More

Twenty one

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020 by Laurel Archer

Emma is twenty one today. I want to write a thousand poems about Emma, and I should write them to give voice to her speechlessness. But if you knew her you’d know it’s also unnecessary, sh... Read More

Twenty years of walking

Posted on June 28, 2020June 28, 2020 by Laurel Archer

While as a family we’re virtually engaging the Camino de Santiago (and let me tell you now, it’s proving to be an exceedingly ambiguous endeavour), it is nothing next to this real lengthy,... Read More

Empty

Posted on May 2, 2020May 2, 2020 by Laurel Archer

Some weeks no matter how hard I try, just don’t go well. I imagine you’re having weeks like this too — maybe not this one, maybe this one was good for you and your family. I hope so.... Read More

Birthdays in Isolation

Posted on April 19, 2020April 19, 2020 by Laurel Archer

Today we celebrate Caleb who turns 23. How did that happen? The way the Archer Family celebrate birthdays is oddly conducive to the restrictions we’re currently under. It took us a while, but we... Read More

Twenty!

Posted on December 28, 2019December 28, 2019 by Laurel Archer

How can it possibly be that 20 years have passed since Emma claimed a space in our lives? It’s become a bit of a tradition to write an Emma poem for her birthday. I’m not sure why exactly.... Read More

Christmas 2019 – I know

Posted on December 27, 2019December 28, 2019 by Laurel Archer

Christmas proper is a mixed bag – the celebration that is, not the sacred truth (although maybe what I really mean then is, Christmas improper!). We work hard to hold what’s special about ... Read More

It’s what sticks that matters – Road Trip ’19

Posted on August 10, 2019August 10, 2019 by Laurel Archer

How do you define beautiful? I worry that the definition has become too small, or that we allow our perceptions to be programmed by media and advertising. Beauty is a gift, identified by the way it st... Read More

Family — Road trip days 5 & 6

Posted on August 7, 2019August 7, 2019 by Laurel Archer

As a child I loved the trips we made to visit family. Frequently we drove north through Calgary to Red Deer and Sylvan Lake to be with my Mom’s family, but we also went at least two times a year... Read More

Sabbath – Road Trip Day 4

Posted on August 5, 2019August 5, 2019 by Laurel Archer

Even on holidayI rise earlyto let the day inand witness the lightresurrect a landscape. Outside,the Grey Jays, alreadydressed in morning coats, playat gathering breakfast – butterfliesunfortunat... Read More