About Jim and Me: a love story

“About Jim and Me: a love story”
Written by Sally Crooks
Published by Benchmark Press
Review by Shelley A. Leedahl
$14.95 ISBN 978-0-9813243-1-9

Are you interested in recording your personal history and preserving stories about the people and places that have enriched your life? Then perhaps, like Regina writer Sally Crooks, you should write a memoir. Life writing, as it’s sometimes called, has become increasingly popular, and workshops on the genre are frequently led by many of Saskatchewan’s veteran writers.

Crooks’ 164-page memoir, “About Jim and Me: a love story,” traces the author’s experiences as a Scot who immigrated to Regina in 1965 with her beloved husband, Jim, a physiotherapist 16 years her senior – an age difference her family wasn’t pleased about. The book project, Crooks explains, began in 1997, six months after Jim’s death, and was 12 years in the making.

The author’s no literary apprentice: she studied the craft at the Sage Hill Writing Experience; participated in writers’ colonies; and has been publishing poetry for years. As her book progressed, various segments appeared in journals, were heard on CBC Radio, and were recognized with Saskatchewan Writers Guild awards. In 2007, Crooks earned a John V. Hicks Manuscript Award.

In the opening chapter, “Our Last Night Together,” Crooks unflinchingly details her husband’s post-stroke conditions, and her hands-on care: “When the catheter care was completed, when I had rolled him onto his right side, inserted the belladonna and opium suppository to control the painful bladder spasms, adjusted the pillows, straightened his pyjama top … when all of this ritual had been performed for the last time, I bent to kiss him goodnight and hear, as always, his murmured, ‘Thank you, dear’ … And we wept, as we had never done in over forty years of life together.”

Jim Crooks had not been a well man since a heart attack in 1980, but a stroke in 1995 exacerbated his decline. Sally, who’d studied music in England and sang in numerous productions in England and Scotland (and became highly involved in Regina’s music community), had just returned from a concert rehearsal the night of Jim’s stroke: “I made and poured the tea, gave Jim his [Scotch mutton] pie and sat down … After a few minutes I became aware there was no sound or movement from Jim…I rose to look and found him immobile, his eyes glazed, his mouth, with the remains of the pie, open but rigid.” Life changed forever.

Crooks reveals the emotional rollercoaster while Jim transitioned from hospital to the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre to home, and finally to a personal care home. She includes the hours leading to his death, then moves between the years that followed and special moments that came far before, like their honeymoon, their ocean crossing on the “Empress of Canada,” and their first date at the Royal Festival Hall.

The couple’s shared love of music was a lifelong bond. Crooks writes: “ … singing with the Regina Philharmonic Chorus is the part of my life that gives me most pleasure and solace.” From the careful prose evident in this memoir, I suspect writing is up there, too.

Richardson’s Ramblings

“Richardson’s Ramblings”
by E. George Richardson
Published by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing
review by Sharon Adam
$16.95 ISBN978-1-894431-12-5

This slim volume is a compendium of poetry, essays, editorials and reflections gathered from Mr. Richardson’s life. A native of Pelly, Saskatchewan, Richardson’s book covers his writing over the past 60 years and is comprised of topics that held significance to his life and imagination,

We learn that a young George lied about his age and joined the armed forces in an effort to follow his two brothers into combat during the Second World War. He was restricted to Canada because he was blind in one eye, the result of a childhood accident. He began writing about his experiences during this time and continued throughout his life. Imagination was also a source for his writing and we are invited to share his whimsy on such subjects as life’s journey, winning the lottery and what if?

His ramblings are diverse and include thoughts on such subjects as the Calgary Flames, politics, and the British Royal Family. Readers discover his passion for friendship and family as he explores his emotions through poetry and essay. George reveals his personality to his readers through his honesty and fearless approach to his subjects. This reflection of a lifestyle and a remembrance of George’s past is a pleasant reminder of our own past and perhaps mirrors some of our own recollections of what was. This is a good book to pick up and read bits and pieces or straight through.

A Rose Grows

“A Rose Grows: Fighting Cancer, Finding Me”
By Olga Stefaniuk
Published by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing
Review by Andréa Ledding
$16.95 ISBN 978-1-894431-33-0

This memoir starts off by bringing the reader to small town prairie life in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Growing up in the village of Hubbard, the author lives and works at the general store with her parents and siblings. The reader has an enjoyable look into her childhood and family life in a then-bustling railroad village – a glimpse into a bygone era where ‘fast food’ was the barrel of pickled herrings in the front of the general store, and Christmas oranges were mainly prized because their wrappings meant softer paper in the outhouse. After this introduction, the story follows her journey to Saskatoon, career, marriage, two children – and cancer. When Stefaniuk finds a lump in her breast at the age of 42, the reader shares her journey of survival, loss, perseverance, and determination to reach out to others in the midst of her own struggle to not only survive – but thrive.

Along the way, Stefaniuk starts local cancer support groups, brings cancer retreats to the province, and makes friends wherever she goes. She carries the reader on an intimate journey into what living with cancer for 23 years is like – and the attitude which has doubtless helped her come this far. Always positive but gentle and honest, she doesn’t gloss over difficulties – attending a wedding after her mastectomy, she and her husband try everything including fishing weights wrapped in tissue to keep the lighter prosthetic from riding up, and joke about hollowing out a coconut shell. Stefaniuk also shares regrets – reconstructive surgery might have made things easier. She wonders if the decision not to breast-feed her infant daughters when formula was so in vogue might have contributed to the invasive breast cancer.

Beyond breast cancer, Stefaniuk goes through other cancers, but never stops sharing what she’s learned along the way. Despite her shyness of public speaking, she addresses WestJet employees, a class of university medical students, large gatherings, or other cancer patients. As one friend told her, “Cancer was the change that made the real Olga stand up.”

The book is broken into short sections – usually two to five pages – making it easy to read. Stefaniuk’s journey inspires while giving both other cancer patients and their loved ones a clear picture of the experience. She shares not only procedures, but her own emotions and thoughts. At one point she writes, “Although many cancer patients do not want to talk about their experiences, I do. I feel I have to.” This sense of obligation and care is the driving force behind her book, and her personality is on each page – the reader leaves feeling he or she has made a new and intimate friend.

This book is available at your local bookstore, or visit http://www.skbooks.com

I Am Hutterite

I Am Hutterite
By Mary-Ann Kirkby
Published by Polka Dot Press
Review by Judith Silverthorne
$21.95 ISBN 978-0-9783405-1-3

Fascinating, sincere and moving are only a few of the words to describe “I Am Hutterite.” Throughout this insightful memoir, Mary-Ann Kirkby transports the reader into the complex lifestyle of her heritage, which is one that is normally hidden to the outside world. She does it in a way that is intriguing, perceptive and sometimes humorous.

She starts by chronicling the family background of her grandparents and parents and their lives on Hutterite colonies in Canada. She weaves in information about the early history of this unique Eastern European culture and their five hundred year old traditions. Candidly, she continues her story, sharing the experiences of her daily life in the Hutterite colonies where she grew up.

Her clear, authentic story makes one almost feel part of her life and to feel like they know all of the characters personally. Detailed descriptions add a richness that can only have been known by someone living the communal life.

What makes this story even more vivid is her use of the traditional language, which she intersperses in the text. Common words and terminology are used and explained in an unobtrusive way that adds more depth to the story. Her insights also provide an understanding of the Hutterite belief systems and values. Outsiders can understand how her family struggled to conform to the colony life and what led to them leaving it behind.

The descriptions of the challenges they faced starting their new life are just as real and honest. Ten year old Mary-Ann and her six siblings must deny their heritage in order to fit in the ‘outside’ farming community where they live. As she and the rest of her family strive for acceptance and understanding, Mary-Ann has to reinvent herself and become more worldly, more ‘English.’ Mary-Ann Kirkby’s narrative of these times are painful and poignant, but always real. By the time the story ends, one has discovered incredible information and understanding of a strong culture. One has come to empathize with Mary-Ann, which makes it a story that one is not soon to forget.

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR VISIT WWW.SKBOOKS.COM

Making A Difference

Making a Difference
By Eric Cline
Published by Thistledown Press
Review by Judith Silverthorne
$16.95 ISBN 978-1-897235-45-4

Books about politics are rarely very easy to read, but “Making A Difference” is a fine exception. Eric Cline’s reflections on his personal and political life are insightful and enlightening. Some of his stories are surprising nuggets of information about his personal life. Others are intriguing inside knowledge about behind-the-scenes in politics. All are entertaining and personable. The telling of his life is open and sincere.

Cline’s candid reflections span from his early years as a teenager interested in politics to the conclusion of his sixteen year run as an elected official. He relates incidents about campaigning, becoming a backbencher MLA, and his role as a cabinet minister. His insights capture both successes and losses in his personal and professional life. He dips into hot issues, events and media coverage episodes, viewing the outcomes of each as a life lesson.

Cline also gives his opinions on controversial and popular issues. He gives clarity about stories in the media. He talks about the toll his career took on his personal life and the hopes and dreams he had as a politician. He relates humorous and embarrassing encounters, travel stories and human interest material. He reveals the many challenges and victories involved in working in a governing role.

All of this adds up to a highly readable memoir filled with wit and warmth. Cline’s ‘down to earth’ personal revelations provide a deeper understanding of the commitments he made and the role he played as a high-profile politician. And it sets his record straight.

This book is available at your local bookstore or visit http://www.skbooks.com

Journey Without a Map

Journey Without A Map Growing up Italian: A Memoir
by Donna Caruso
Published by Thistledown Press
Review by Elizabeth McGill
$19.95 ISBN 978-1-897235-36-2

If you believe the love of a family is life’s greatest blessing, you’ll love Donna Caruso’s book “Journey Without A Map Growing Up Italian: A Memoir.” This book wraps us in a warmth as cozy as grandma’s quilt with liberal doses of love in every stitch.

Opening Caruso’s book is like opening your family photo albums. You’ll delight in remembering special events like graduations, reunions, and weddings. Equally special are the every day but never mundane events like children running through the sprinkler in the backyard or standing on a stool stirring cookie batter. Cooking is an important part of Italian culture. Caruso walks us through the art of salad making, cooking perfect pasta, and making miraculously healing chicken soup. This book is a legacy to her family with her pride shining through in every page. Caruso poignantly shares details of her life. Her book is sometimes humourous like Uncle Nick dancing at a wedding, sometimes sad like when grandma died when Caruso was thirteen years old, but always entertaining.

Caruso uses exquisite imagery throughout. In describing her grandfather’s prolific garden, she says it is as if he had enlisted all the angels in Heaven to assist him. Can’t you just picture hoe wielding angels? If her name sounds familiar, perhaps it’s because CBC radio has broadcast many of her stories and plays over the past twenty years. This Fort Qu’Appelle resident has had her work “Under Her Skin” short listed for a Saskatchewan Book Award. “Journey Without A Map Growing Up Italian: A Memoir” is short listed for 2008. It is already a winner.

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR VISIT WWW.SKBOOKS.COM