Craft-making bookmarks develop thoughtful exchanges. Our Family Printer and Easter Holidays Sometimes Easter created this fantastic place to explode my home with hiding coloured foil covered, small chocolate eggs to celebrate amazing holiday and making Easter Sunday incredible even more so than any other. True treasures of Easter abound with too much chocolate for my young family of four boys who enjoyed trashing around collecting Easter eggs in their home spun hunts requirin

This recent Mother’s Day in May opt to treat myself in my love of figure skating. My career in figure skating began in my youth with going to summer skating schools for two to three weeks each summer by age eleven. I passed my Senior Silver Ice Dance, a group of four dances, and the fifth figure and Bronze Free Skate. Teaching ice skating and figure skating supported me financially many years. In May the 2026 Stars on Ice Canada Review came to Kelowna British Columbia. In the

There’s something about memoirs that pulls me in like a gentle tide, especially when they whisk me away to a place as vast and complex as China. The scent of jasmine tea, the clatter of mahjong tiles, the swirl of red lanterns in a dusky street market - these are the sensory threads that memoirs about China weave so beautifully. I’ve always been fascinated by personal stories that reveal the heartbeats behind the headlines, the quiet moments behind the grand history. So, let’

My former student, Donna and Maggie, my English Department colleague from Tongcheng in China write to wish a happy festival. Donna shares an image of a Dragon Boat with rowers busily hastening their voyage. Maggie calls while she teaches her lesson to classroom of twenty students who look like they’re high school age or sophomores. Maggie has called me for help this week with one college student attempting to prepare for her upcoming English language competition. In the late

First thing I did this past March after checking into my hotel in Dublin was to ask directions to the walking distance to the James Joyce Centre at front desk. I did have to ask for help once but was near the street to the Centre. I found helpful people in reception and bought copies of Joyce’s “Finnegans Wake” “Dubliners” and notes written by “Monaghan” . Great tour left me far more aware of Joyce’s struggles to publish and the tragedies in his life for his daughter, Lucia

There’s something quietly captivating about stories that weave together travel, culture, and personal growth. When I first stumbled upon the works of Maureen Armstrong, I was drawn in by the gentle honesty and vivid imagery that seemed to leap off the page. Her memoirs and fiction don’t just tell tales; they invite you to step into a world where East meets West, where every street corner in China hums with history and possibility. It’s like sitting down with a friend who’s li

There’s something utterly captivating about memoirs that take you deep into the heart of China. The bustling streets, the quiet temples, the smell of street food wafting through the air - it all comes alive through the eyes of those who have lived it. I’ve always been drawn to stories that blend personal journeys with cultural discovery, and memoirs about China offer just that - a rich tapestry of experience, history, and emotion. So, let’s dive into some of the top books on

There’s something magical about connecting with someone across the globe, sharing stories, laughter, and yes, even the occasional awkward silence when words fail us. I remember my first time stepping into an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) chatroom—my heart raced, palms sweaty, fingers trembling over the keyboard. It was like stepping into a bustling café in Shanghai, but instead of the aroma of jasmine tea, there was the buzz of digital chatter. Today, I want to take you

Last week I had to empty my trunk where stored bags of these containers had been and beginning to stink up my car. After at least two hours

On bus passing the Syrand from Dpnegal Town to Sligo A Day in Sligo Town During my recent trip to Sligo Town, County Sligo, I found myself wandering into a local used bookstore. I was on a mission, hunting for my favorite authors. The moment I stepped inside BookMart, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. The smell of old books mixed with the faint aroma of coffee was intoxicating. I stumbled upon works by Yeats and Hardy, and I couldn't help but smile. The owner, Adam, wa

New memoir “ Making Tracks” describes family stories after divorce. Did you enjoy movie from Kramer vs Kramer 1979) ? Resilience and resourceful strategies evolve into stories from one parent.

Heroine, Pickle reminds us of somewhat trying or even embarrassing times, and of happy events too. Pickle, our black short-haired cat, becam

This year and last year I went …

Press Release: Maureen Armstrong of Essences of Tongcheng ISBN 978-1-6655-6297-3 From my home to yours with seasonal cheer! During one bleak time years ago, I discover reusable. Each day during my daily walking regime of 10,000 steps, I review and make decisions on street-side free finds, and decipher reusability of roadside garbage like empty beverage containers. Accummulating garbage brings along negatives like bugs in my home but on results I claim successess with original

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/books-on-air/id1208216729?i=1000708478340 If you click on this link Apple Podcasts will show an episode from 14 May 2025 with interviewing Maureen Armstrong about her book, Essences of Tongcheng. The interviewer, Sloane Freemont gives her "shout out" to students from Tongcheng. Please take a few minutes to listen to our conversation. Maureen

Speaking with Sloane Freemont last May 2025 who sends her big “shoutout” to my former students at Tongcheng Teachers College.

Many years ago as young married woman I began crocheting blankets for new babies and made my mother-in-law pair of slippers she tried on and giggled in delight. I’m not one to show independent indifference to response so kept this moment close to my heart. Years later after giving birth to my four children and as a single mom putting my time into parenting began crocheting my own afghan. In afternoon I watched financial shows on TV trying to learn better management skills lik

Looking Behind November 22 Often I say, “I have eyes in the back of my head,” as being one busy Mom I had no other choice, and now as I work in an environment of younger people feel that is my only justifiable method to maintain my sense of balance and safety. The story of betrayal remains a long and complicated explanation of behaviors chosen by someone else I wish had chosen otherwise. I watched the movie about the “The Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert For

Summary: What began as a simple walk turned into a journey across the world—and across cultures. In this episode of Newsgram , we follow Maureen Armstrong, whose recovery routine led her to teaching English in rural China, writing poetry, and discovering unexpected connections. Her book Essences of Tongcheng is more than a travel story—it’s a moving portrait of shared humanity and the power of embracing our differences. Welcome to this edition of Newsgram! Sometimes, a grea

Halloween traditions develop within many young and old to enjoy; Irish Gaelic might say "Samhain" to refer to October 31 and end of harvest and beginning of winter; and feeling closer at a time with spiritual awareness of those who passed away. Here is a review of interview with Kate Delaney on America Tonight 25 April 2025. Thanks so much. Maureen Armstrong’s book, Essences of Tongcheng , is now a reality. So in this edition of Newsgram , let’s take a journey—spiritually,