A shortened version of this piece appeared in The Toronto Star, November 26, 2022. Autonomy in the face of scarce resources is a false promise At the moment I most needed acute mental health care, I was lobbing rocks into a bucket in anticipation of drowning myself in a remote, pristine lake. But the lineContinue reading “Autonomy in the face of scarce resources is a false promise”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Going Shopping?
If you would like to buy a copy of my. book for yourself or a friend or family member, please check out my website at miriamedelson.com. It would be a great gift for that special someone in your life. Thank you!
My book is launched!
In Vancouver on October 11th I was very excited to launch my new book, “The Swirl In My Burl: Essays”. Around twenty people gathered at the beautiful Massy Arts Centre on East Pender St. for a reading and snacks. The book explores five themes: Growing Up, Mental Health, Parenting, Politics and Nature. I read threeContinue reading “My book is launched!”
Soon to be Published!
After many months of waiting, with no communication from Adelaide Books, I have now received and edited the proofs and seen and approved the cover art. It would seem that my collection of essays, The Swirl in My Burl, is going to be published. The book deals with a variety of subjects, including mental health,Continue reading “Soon to be Published!”
The Kiss
And then he kissed me. He was my grade five teacher, Mr. Woodward. It was not a peck on the cheek, but smack-dab wet on my lips. I was ten years old. I never told anyone. I had stayed after school to help him clean up. Perhaps he asked me to, I don’t remember. IContinue reading “The Kiss”
A call to action re the siege of Ottawa, Canada February 2022
Op Ed NOW Magazine Toronto. February 19, 2022. (longer version) Since when is hot-tubbing with hate groups an acceptable practice in Canada? Like many, I am deeply troubled by these images and the underlying messages they convey. After visiting Ottawa and devouring press reports about the protests and the Emergencies Act over the last few weeks,Continue reading “A call to action re the siege of Ottawa, Canada February 2022”
Op-ed: #FreedomConvoy and the link between misogyny and white supremacy
Extreme misogyny and white supremacy aren’t just related, they’re entangled – both see increased demands for equality coming at the expense of white privilege I learned about fascism at my father’s knee. He explained to me that he was not a pacifist because some forces in the world have to be fought. Fascism is oneContinue reading “Op-ed: #FreedomConvoy and the link between misogyny and white supremacy”
My Mother’s Shoes
The first time crippling anxiety assaulted my mind and body at age twenty-nine, I felt super-stimulated by everything going on around me. My mind raced. I could not follow a radio broadcast, it barreled along too quickly, too much information. No matter how I tried, I could not fall asleep. This continued for seven days beforeContinue reading “My Mother’s Shoes”
Bear Alert
It’s mid-afternoon on a cool June day. I am walking in the forest with Bear, my daughter’s dog. He’s a big, black-haired beast of an animal with a sweet disposition. The trees overhang the road, verdant at this time of year. We’re going to walk down to the boat house on the lake. It’s aboutContinue reading “Bear Alert”
Dancing Bear
An achingly beautiful dancing polar bear sculpted from a piece of light green serpentine. It is a sight to behold. The white specks in the stone have a slight bluish tint and the entire piece gleams in the sunlight coming through the window. The sculpture simply radiates joy. I am sitting quietly in the living room,Continue reading “Dancing Bear”
Miriam Edelson 