I recently read Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and there is a section in the book that resonated with me. Gilbert describes possessing a creative mind is like having a border collie for a pet. Without a job, that breed of dog can become destructive and will eat the couch and drywall. She asks us … Continue reading Mission Accomplished: Certify as a Field Leader
Within my role at Backcountry Women, I started a Monthly Members “Fireside” Chat. It is an informal yet structured and unique learning opportunity that brings women together to talk about topics related to the outdoors. The goal is to learn from one another, meet new people, and enjoy local restaurants. We went to Prairie Ink … Continue reading Packing Our Fears
I joined Backcountry Women this morning for a hike around Birds Hill Park but I unfortunately needed to cut my participation short. With the temperature hovering around -28°C, my asthma acted up and I had a hard time controlling my breathing. After communicating with the group leader, I slowly made my way back to the … Continue reading To Feel Something
I spent Saturday afternoon at Spruce Woods Provincial Park with Backcountry Women where we learned winter survival skills with Jen, a Manitoba Parks Interpreter. Provincial Parks around Manitoba offer a variety of programs and workshops to the public. Assiniboine River My main goal with the workshop was to learn more about making and maintaining fires. … Continue reading Expect the Best and Plan for the Worst: Winter Survival Skills
I woke up Saturday morning with a heavy heart. Disappointment, anger, sadness, irritation, and feeling annoyed on top of a poor night's rest flowed through me. It's been a rough few days with scattered emotions. I had an event with Backcountry Women on Saturday planned that I was looking very much forward to. I guzzled … Continue reading Travel near to go far
While I was shaving my legs, which practically needed hedge clippers, I was rehearsing how I was going to answer the inevitable question that people ask when they meet someone for the first time, "so, what do you do?" I was shaving my overgrown leg hair and dressing up in a skirt and blouse to … Continue reading Owning my story
Blue Jay and I spent the weekend together on a little holiday in Riding Mountain National Park. The park has gorgeous hiking and a charming little town. Our trip was a sweet way to wrap up the summer before heading into fall routines. We arrived in Wasagaming on Friday in the late afternoon and went … Continue reading Wild and Free: September Long Weekend
At times I have felt like I am not sure where I fit in. A common topic in peer-support sobriety articles is about relationships and how the dynamics are affected. This has sometimes left me feeling in limbo. I am protective of my personal space and how I spend my time. The path towards and … Continue reading The Power of Change
My breath was taken away as I moved myself and my heavy backpack over demanding terrain. Blue Jay floated along effortlessly, full of spirit and song. She's a good morale booster. We were out for what would be her first overnight on Mantario on August Long Weekend, along with a friend and her son. The … Continue reading Navigating my Garmin inReach
My daughter and I are cut from the same cloth and sometimes it creates challenges because we are both relentless, independent, and strong-willed. We are also both kindhearted, loving, and charismatic so overall, we are well-rounded and awesome. Our strong personalities sometimes get the best of us. It's not something I am proud of and … Continue reading Trusting Ourselves
Wild Woman Wisdom 