ELIZABETH HAY
I grew up in Ontario, worked for CBC Radio, lived for a time in Mexico and New York City and published my first book when I was thirty-eight. My most recent books are Small Change (stories) and A Student of Weather (novel). At fifty, I find myself in Ottawa—the part of the world where my mother grew up—with two children who wish they were in New York.
KAREN HOULE
I’ve spent roughly ten years teaching university (philosophy/women’s studies), ten years parenting (twin girls), ten years in graduate school (University of Guelph) and ten years cooking for tree-planting camps. Some of these decade-long activities ran in series, some in parallel current. I wrote this story sitting at my kitchen table looking at the Bay of Fundy and wonder what will take its place in my heart when I’m sitting at my kitchen table in Edmonton next year. My first book of poetry, Ballast, was published by House of Anansi Press in April 2000.
FAITH JOHNSTON
I grew up in Winnipeg and returned here to remarry in 1992. My life has been full of passions for many things—for teaching and travel, for learning French and now Spanish, for the history of women and other good feminist causes, for music, for short stories written by women, for two husbands who are no longer in the picture and, most of all, for my children.
KATRINA KOVEN
I love books. I love art. What a joy to have me art on the covers of this book and the original Dropped Threads. An added pleasure is that both images come from a collection of my most beloved drawings, Vinaterta Ladies. In my mind, these two stylized ladies proudly represent the pair of dear friends who co-created the Dropped Threads books: Carol and Marjorie, spirited and creative women whom I thank for inviting me to be part of these unique anthologies.
MICHELE LANDSBERG
I’ve been writing one thing or another most of my life, including several books—Women and Children First; Michele Landsbergs Guide to Children’s Books; This Is New York, Honey!—and hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles. For the past twenty-four years, with a few years’ hiatus while I lived in New York and wrote for The Globe and Mail, I’ve written a feminist column for The Toronto Star. It’s a privilege to be able to write about subjects that deeply engage me, heart and mind.
BILLIE LIVINGSTON
After Going Down Swinging was published in 2000 (Random House Canada), my first book of poetry, The Chick at the Back of the Church (Nightwood Editions) hit the shelves in 2001. These days I’m working on a new novel involving the end of the burlesque world—a fab excuse to take long solo drives through hippie country in Oregon to the Burlesque Hall of Fame in the Mojave Desert.
FLORA MacDONALD
After toiling in the political field for nearly thirty-five years, I’ve turned my attention to the work being done internationally by non-governmental organizations, UN agencies and dedicated individuals. Travelling with these groups has given me new insight into the challenges faced and often surmounted, particularly by women, in developing countries. It has also fostered a deeper awareness of how fortunate we in Canada are, compared with millions of the world’s citizens for whom survival is measured a day at a time.
LISA MAJEAU GORDON
This is my first publication since my piece titled “The Goblin’s Revenge” met with great success in the Grade 6 story anthology of 1983–84. A long dry spell. I live in Alberta; I am a prairie spirit. I am fond of gravel roads and open spaces and Labrador retrievers. Last March, my husband, Corey, and I adopted a beautiful baby girl who has filled our hearts to bursting. We call her Grace.
HILDEGARD MARTENS
Toronto has been my home for thirty-plus years. Shortly after receiving my Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Toronto in 1977, I went to work for the Ontario government, where I still work as a senior analyst in labour economics. Previous publications include articles and reviews in academic journals, as well as government reports on a variety of labour market issues. Nineteen years ago I made a right-angle turn in my life when I decided to become a single mother. Now that my son has left home for university and with retirement from the civil service on the horizon, I am once again contemplating a new direction in my life.
SANDRA MARTIN
I am senior arts writer for The Globe and Mail and the co-author of three books: Rupert Brooke in Canada; Where Were You: Memorable Events of the 20th Century; and Card Tricks: Bankers, Boomers and the Explosion of Plastic Credit. I’ve won awards for my magazine articles, and an Atkinson Fellowship in Public Policy, and served as president of PEN Canada. I live in Toronto with my husband, two children and our cat, Alice.
DANA McNAIRN
I am a writer who—despite having one failed marriage behind me—is open to the possibility and joy of doing it all over again. I’m still all thumbs with gift-wrapping, though. I happily live and write wherever I find myself. In the writing of this essay, a humble thank you goes to Kala Micheal McNairn, for helping me remember.
C.J. PAPOUTSIS
It is an honour to be published in this anthology. Writing is my lifelong passion, despite being held hostage in the body of a civil servant for thirty years. My husband and I raised our two beautiful children on Vancouver Island, home of many writers and artists, where we spend too much time with our umbrellas and plan our next visit to Greece.
LINDA ROGERS
As I am a daughter of word people—a lawyer and a theatrical producer—and descendant of the Trollope family, a literary life was inevitable. I have two brothers and three sons and a mandolinist husband, with whom I collaborate on poetry and music performances. I’ve been honoured by a number of international awards, including the Governor General’s Centennial Medal; the Leacock, Acorn, Livesay and Basmajian awards (Canada); and the Bridport, Kenney and Cardiff prizes (England). My new collection of poetry is The Bursting Test and I’m completing a novel, The Butterfly Tree.
SHELAGH ROGERS
I am a twenty-two-year veteran of CBC Radio. For the past two years, I’ve hosted the flagship current affairs program This Morning, building a loyal and growing audience. I am one of a small group of recipients of the John Drainie Award for Outstanding Contribution to Canadian Broadcasting. And in the spring of 2002, I received an honorary doctorate from the University of Western Ontario. I live in a bosky village on the Eramosa River in southern Ontario with my husband, Charlie, three miniature schnauzers and, occasionally, my stepchildren.
CAROLE SABISTON
As a child in England and before emigrating, at age eight, I knew that visual expression was to be my connection to the world. Creating artwork by drawing, painting, cutting, stitching and assembling became the core of my life. In 1987 I was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy and also received the Saidye Bronfman Award for Excellence in Fine Craft. My work has been exhibited across Canada and internationally. I live in Victoria with my husband, Jim.
JENNIFER L. SCHULZ
I was born and raised in Winnipeg, encircled by an amazing family and terrific friends. For the past six years I have lived in Toronto with my loving spouse, John, and for the past three have commuted to the University of Windsor to teach law. Now about to embark on an adjunct professorship and doctoral studies at the University of Toronto, I anticipate many new, inspiring, toe-ring-wearing opportunities.
SHIRLEY A. SERVISS
Although I have done many things in my life, the role of stepmother has been a defining one. My first poetry collection, Model Families, reflected on my experience in this role, and my second collection, Reading Between the Lines, explored the life of another stepmother, Elizabeth Boyd McDougall. I have also co-edited Study in Grey, a collection of women’s writing on depression. Besides my twenty-year-old stepson, I have a fifteen-year-old daughter who has also taught me tremendously.
PAMELA MALA SINHA
“Hiding” could not have been written without the faith of my loving father, Snehesh. Debashis gave encouragement; Stewart, his belief. From Tina and Shaun, wisdom; from Mohuya and Papiya, the constancy of sisters. And I
am never without the unfailing love of Damon and Brian. I live in Canada and the U.S., performing in theatre, film and television. I have three beloved stepchildren, two boys and a girl. And anything I have done that is remotely beautiful, my mother Rubena is the reason.
SUSAN SWAN
I started out as a journalist on a Toronto daily, knowing I was going to write fiction. Having a child was less plotted, something I would one day do, like graduating from high school. I had no idea my daughter would provide me with one of my most treasured relationships. My novels have had wide international publication and my stories have appeared in Granta and Ms. magazine. My novel The Wives of Bath was recently made into a feature film, Lost and Delirious, with release in thirty-one countries. I am an associate professor of humanities at York University, Toronto.
JANE URQUHART
Born in Little Long Lac, Ontario, in 1949, I grew up in Toronto and received my B.A. in English (1971) and a second B.A. in visual arts (1975) from the University of Guelph. My works, as a writer of poetry, short fiction and novels, include The Whirlpool (1986), Storm Glass (1987), Changing Heaven (1996), Away (1997), The Underpainter (1998), Some Other Garden (2000) and The Stone Carvers (2000). I currently live in Stratford, Ontario.
ALISON WEARING
When I was seven or eight years old, I knew I wanted to write. I remember wandering through the fields behind our house, composing elaborate and (to my mind) extremely elegant titles for the books I planned to pen. I felt proud and confident. Determined. Strong. I offer my story in honour of that little girl, with the hope that it helps even one woman stand tall.
WANDA WUTTUNEE
I am a lifegiver: to Cody, thirteen, and Drew, ten, who are proud of their Cree and Portuguese heritage. I am a student: of life and all things that surround us and have a Ph.D. in Aboriginal economy. I am a teacher: program director for Aboriginal students earning business degrees at the University of Manitoba and professor of Native studies, where students learn about our people. A day without sunshine is like, well, night.
Cover Image: Vinaterta Lady
Vinaterta: An Icelandic-Canadian layered prune torte, which, when sliced, reveals thin black and white stripes.
Vinaterta Ladies: A collection of sketches of stylized female figures by Toronto artist Katrina Koven. They are united by their signature vinaterta stripes, which appear on some feature in each of the sketches. Whether with a blue face, spiral tail or lopsided eyes, the figures encourage women to celebrate their differences, their infinite beauty and the boundless array of moods specific to the female experience. The figure on the cover of this book, as with all of those in Katrina’s collection, proudly flaunts her unique approach to being a woman.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We were guided and supported by others whom we want to acknowledge with beams of appreciation: Catherine Shields for providing warmth, wisdom and keen insight during the selection and editing process; Anne Giardini, for guiding us expertly through contract details; Sylvia Anderson Koshyk for helping to organize the book—and her sister; James and Fred Anderson for their support and writerly instincts; Katrina Koven for the artwork that has been our beacon in the bookstores; Ruth Partridge for her constant loyalty and assistance with the project; Susan Roxborough, Tanya Trafford and Anne Collins for their professional insights and gracious guidance; all the contributors from the original Dropped Threads for their enthusiasm and suggestions; and, of course, Gary Martin and Don Shields, whose love and support keep us bolstered.
Barlow, Maude, “The Coat I Left Behind” Copyright © 2003 Maude
Barlow Beardsall, Sandra, “Life with an Overeager Conscience” Copyright © 2003 Sandra Beardsall
Birdsell, Sandra, “One of a Bunch” Copyright © 2003 Sandra Birdsell
Boyens, Ingeborg, “On the Water’s Edge” Copyright © 2003 Ingebor Boyens
Brandis, Marianne, “Virgin Crone” Copyright © 2003 Marianne Brandis
Breen, Mary J., “Nobody Needs to Know” Copyright © 2003 Mary J. Breen
Copps, Mary Jane, “In My Mother’s Arms” Copyright © 2003 Mary Jane Copps
Clarkson, Adrienne, “Forward” Copyright © 2003 Adrienne Clarkson
Culbertson, Debbie, “A Place on the Pavement” Copyright © 2003 Debbie Culbertson
Defago, Barbara, “Inside Talking” Copyright © 2003 Barbara
Defago Dowsett Johnston, Ann, “The Boy Can’t Sleep” Copyright © 2003 Ann Dowsett Johnston. This piece appeared, in an abbreviated form, in Maclean’s.
Dwyer, Maggie, “Like Mother, Like Daughter” Copyright © 2003 Maggie Dwyer
Gregoire, Lisa, “Northern Lights and Darkness” Copyright © 2003 Lisa Gregoire
Harlos, Linda, “The Fall, and After” Copyright © 2003 Linda Harlos
Harvey, Sarah, “Mother Interrupted” Copyright © 2003 Sarah Harvey
Hay, Elizabeth, “Ten Beauty Tips You Never Asked For” Copyright © 2003 Elizabeth Hay
Houle, Karen, “Double Arc” Copyright © 2003 Karen Houle
Johnston, Faith, “Debonding” Copyright © 2003 Faith Johnston
Landsberg, Michele, “Don’t Say Anything” Copyright © 2003 Michele Landsberg
Livingston, Billie, “Cat Bag” Copyright © 2003 Billie Livingston
MacDonald, Flora, “New Voices” Copyright © 2003 Flora MacDonald
Majeau Gordon, Lisa, “An Exercise in Fertility” Copyright © 2003 Lisa Majeau Gordon
Martens, Hildegard, “By Choice” Copyright © 2003 Hildegard Martens
Martin, Sandra, “Snapshots” Copyright © 2003 Sandra Martin
McNairn, Dana, “A Marriage in Seven Parts” Copyright © 2003 Dana McNairn
Papoutsis, C.J., “They Didn’t Come with Instructions” Copyright © 2003 C.J. Papoutsis
Rogers, Linda, “Bettina’s Hat” Copyright © 2003 Linda Rogers
Rogers, Shelagh, “Speaking of Dying” Copyright © 2003 Shelagh Rogers Sabiston, Carole, “Conjuring Up a New Life” Copyright © 2003 Carole Sabiston
Schulz, Jennifer L., “Toe-Ring” Copyright © 2003 Jennifer L. Schulz
Serviss, Shirley A., “One Step Forward” Copyright © 2003 Shirley A. Serviss
Sinha, Pamela Mala, “Hiding” Copyright © 2003 Pamela Mala Sinha
Swan, Susan, “My Secret Life as a Mother” Copyright © 2003 Susan Swan
Urquhart, Jane, “Losing Paul: A Memoir” Copyright © 2003 Jane Urquhart
Wearing, Alison, “My Life as a Shadow” Copyright © 2003 Alison Wearing
Wuttunee, Wanda, “We Are More Than Our Problems” Copyright © 2003 Wanda Wuttunee
Copyright © 2003 by Marjorie Anderson and Carol Shields
Pages 383–384 constitute an extension of this copyright page.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review. Published in Canada by Vintage Canada, a division of Random House of Canada Limited, in 2003. Distributed by Random House of Canada Limited, Toronto.
Vintage Canada and colophon are registered trademarks of Random House of Canada Limited.
www.randomhouse.ca
National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication
Dropped threads 2 : more of what we aren’t told / edited by Carol
Shields and Marjorie Anderson ; with a preface by Adrienne Clarkson.
eISBN: 978-0-307-36588-0
1. Canadian literature (English)—Women authors.
2. Canadian literature (English)—20th century.
3. Women—Literary collections.
I. Shields, Carol, 1935–
II. Anderson, Marjorie May, 1944–
PS8235.W7D762 2003 C810.8′09287 C2002-904398-0
PR9194.5.W6D762 2003
v3.0
sp;
Carol Shields, Dropped Threads 2: More of What We Aren't Told
Dropped Threads 2: More of What We Aren't Told Page 26