Craft-making bookmarks develop thoughtful exchanges. The Desktop Computer 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 children of four boys who enjoyed trashing around collecting Easter eggs in their home spun hu

Labor Day Ritual Some years back and before departing for China, found myself taking long walk in the day we call Labor Day, and in sunshine but not hot blistering sun. I strolled alleyways finding bags of empty beverage containers as folks clean out their garages and patios or in one occasEFL Book Clubion brought home large potted geraniums in two trips. The geraniums required transplanting to indoors for winter but felt unable to comply. The empty beverage containers add to

When I first stumbled upon the works of Maureen Armstrong, I was immediately drawn into a world that felt both foreign and familiar. Her stories, steeped in the rich tapestry of Chinese culture and the nuances of teaching abroad, offered a window into experiences I had only glimpsed in passing. There’s something magical about memoirs that weave personal journeys with cultural insights, and Armstrong’s writing does just that - with warmth, wit, and a touch of nostalgia. About

There’s something about memoirs that pulls me in like a warm breeze on a chilly day. They’re windows into lives lived fully, stories told with heart and soul. When it comes to China, a land so vast and layered with history, culture, and contradictions, memoirs become more than just stories. They become journeys. I’ve spent countless hours lost in pages that whisk me away to bustling streets, quiet tea houses, and the hum of daily life in cities and villages alike. If you’re c

Autumn 2025, second in series Decades, July's Dream Book 2. Progressions in Carole Bergeron's tale of violence and widowhood develop as Carole has left for France to be with her ageing parents, the Dubois'. Carol and Alain Bergeron immigrated to the USA back when promoting Alain's wine business in Nebraska felt exciting and adventurous. Now, Sylvii and Fern, Carole's closest allies, continue Carole's story. Being part of contributing to covers for Decades Series continues.

In June Maggie calls asking for help tutoring student in Tongcheng. Cindy ( English name) will compete in the upcoming provincial competition in Anhui Province in Tongcheng. We spoke together about two hours and to complete our schedule gave her a vocal recording of myself reading my edited text of her presentation. Cindy will attempt to emulate the words spoken by an English speaker without accented versions and extravagance.

A Journey Through Ice and Dreams This recent Mother’s Day in May, I decided to treat myself to something special: my love for figure skating. My journey began in my youth, where I eagerly attended summer skating schools for two to three weeks each summer starting at age eleven. Those days were filled with laughter, falls, and the thrill of gliding across the ice. I remember the joy of passing my Senior Silver Ice Dance, a group of four dances, along with the fifth figure and

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

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