Author Archives: admin
Anniversary No 12
Thirteen years ago I was launching my great grandmother’s story at my hometown, Glenboro. It was a hot Saturday afternoon and the friend I planned to visit didn’t answer her doorbell. I turned to go and was stepping down the … Continue reading
Deer Tick warning
Another adventure: I’ve been gardening in my yard here in Winnipeg and look what I found three mornings ago. A tiny little wood tick embedded in the skin of my upper thigh. sorry I didn’t get a picture at that … Continue reading
Reading “For Elise”by Erin Unger,
I was excited to discover Erin Unger’s post and I believe you will enjoy it also. (with her permission) For Elise fell into my hands. Now what? This is a thick book, and I have a tendency to relinquish focus … Continue reading
Greenhorn Teacher
First prize winner of CANADIAN STORIES VOLUME 24, NO. 143 YEAR 2022 MY TEACHING CAREER BEGAN in a one room school in south central Manitoba. Those days are gone forever, but it is good to remember that although life is … Continue reading
Childhood Mornings
Cold Dark Manitoba Mornings This winter of 2021-22 is an extraordinarily snowy, cold, old fashioned winter that reminds me of my childhood in the 194os. I have taken advantage of Covid19 isolation to write this little story. Did we ever … Continue reading
Grasshoppers & Drought Part 2
1900, Chapter 26. A Prince For Elise Continued from Part 1 Pages 397-98. Late one evening a distraught Harry came in to talk to his mother, “I’m disgusted. We didn’t do enough last summer to get rid of the grasshoppers. … Continue reading
Grasshoppers & Drought Part 1
Drought and Grasshoppers 1898 – 1903 Excerpts from For Elise The summer of 2021 with its drought and grasshoppers could be lifted right out of history. My great-grandmother Elise and family were brought to Canada by Englishman, Percy Criddle, her … Continue reading
Life During Isolation
Hi All: All concerts, programs, and socializing came to a halt and that realization forced me to be realistic. I set the goal to accomplish more of my life stories. Sadly I neglected this blog, ‘vanecriddle.ca’, and my Facebook Page, … Continue reading
Pioneer Cemetery Reflections
Friday morning August 1, 2020: I visited Millford Pioneer Cemetery where many of my ancestors are buried. The air was fresh following a brief thunderstorm and the grass sparkled in the early morning sunshine. This peaceful place is where I … Continue reading
May 1, A Day to Celebrate
May 1, a Day to Celebrate. Our daughter Anna was in a coma in intensive care in Ajax hospital since January 1st due to meningitis. We flew there the end of January when she showed only faint signs of consciousness. … Continue reading