“Our greatest glory is, not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Who said those words? Quote Investigator: In 1760 and 1761 a series of letters written by an imaginary Chinese traveler based in London named Lien Chi Altangi was published in “The Public Ledger” magazine of London. The actual author was […]
Shaw TV Interview – How I became the Life Story Writer
There is no greater gift than sharing the experiences and wisdom of a lifetime with family and friends. How do family members know who they are if they don’t know where they came from – their roots? But the challenge is in getting started.
In his book On Writing Well author William Zinsser said:
One of the saddest sentences I know is “I wish I would have asked my mother about that. Or my father. Or my grandmother, or grandfather”…
It is sometimes difficult to write about yourself in a detached manner that provides an interesting read for others. Many people put off this activity and never find the time. With some encouragement and a good guide, however, it can be a pleasant, rewarding journey to tell your own unique story.
I live on Southern Vancouver Island and can travel to record your memories of past events and the people who have made your life special. In the comfort of your home this process will be relaxing and enjoyable. It will no doubt be fun too. We will add photos and special documents if applicable, and then we will have your story professionally printed. What a gift – for you, your family, the next generations, and friends – can you imagine holding the book in your hands, seeing it on your coffee table, in your bookcase, reading stories to your grandchildren? It will be much cherished.
How often have you wished that your forebears had left written stories of their lives? A family tree may appeal to some, and facts may appeal to others, but stories are how we get to know people and the times in which they lived.
You may not think you have led an exceptional life, but I am sure that through this process, you will end up thinking otherwise. You will have fun, perhaps shed some tears, and remember details you may have forgotten, but overall, you will be thankful that you made this journey into your past. It will be the creation of a special legacy for your sons and daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, or friends; they will be so grateful that your stories are preserved. Don’t wait – give me a call and let’s get started.
Family and Friends
If you are a family member or friend, here’s the most special gift you will ever find for your loved one. Give the gift of a life story book to a beloved parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend.
Retirement Gift
A book of photos and stories from coworkers makes an amazing and unique retirement gift.
Your Company History
Make it work for you! A short publication packed with personal anecdotes and interesting photographs can be an ideal gift for clients, and a wonderful coffee table book in your office. Highlighting projects and giving clients the opportunity to learn more about the special people who work on them can be a determining factor in developing trust. Posting the business memoir to your website will make your company stand out from all the rest!
Hadancy the Painting Horse
I do a lot of walking but it hasn’t happened before, seeing a white horse sauntering along a quiet island road towards me. In the distance it looked like it was alone, but as I got closer, I saw a woman sitting relaxed on top with no saddle, and no bridle, just a rope looped […]
Technology – you gotta love it, right?
The other morning I had an action list with about 15 items on it. I was eager to get going. The first item went well, and I happily drew a line through it and for extra good measure, placed a large self-satisfied tick beside it. Then I moved onto Item #2, which involved just a […]
“The forest as a living cathedral”
“I’ve often thought of the forest as a living cathedral, but this might diminish what it truly is. If I have understood Koyukon teachings, the forest is not merely an expression or representation of sacredness, nor a place to invoke the sacred; the forest is sacredness itself. Nature is not merely created by God; nature […]
The Vagabond Girl – My Story
In early 2012 I was gainfully employed with plans of working until I was 65, doing all the “right things” and trying to squirrel away savings for the future. I was so busy trying to stay abreast of everything that I not only thought life was passing me by in a blur, I knew it […]
Grumbling…it’s a practice
“Unquestionably, there are sad things in the world right now… but grumbling doesn’t make anything better. In fact, it makes things worse. The Buddha taught, ‘Every mind moment conditions the next.’ Grumbling gets the mind bogged down in the weariness of its own story. Happiness pulls it back out and gets it going again.” ~Sylvia […]
Don’t let the elephant get you down…
“When one feels pulled to do a particular thing, when one has passion for a certain life path, karma is always involved. In such an instance, when the goal is worthy and makes one happy, one should continue on that same life path. Just because the elephant cannot carry you anymore doesn’t mean you should […]
Each day is too short for all I want to do
“I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.” ~John Burroughs What a gift! What contentment To be free To fill each day With such lovely pursuits. […]
“A feeling of wonder”
“It creates a feeling of wonder that so much beauty should be apparently created for such little purpose.” ~ Charles Darwin Photos © Janice Henshaw
Cranbrook, Jim Smith Provincial Park (Aug. 3, 2012)

Cranbrook, Jim Smith Lake Prov Park The wind blew up last night, and it kept me awake. It was a short night because I wanted to be early at the Balfour ferry terminal, I had no idea whether or not there was a high demand for the crossing. I was first in line! A true […]
A not so good day just got a whole lot better
Today was one of those days – “it just sucked.” It sounded good when I said those words out loud, and I could almost taste them through my lips. They were better than any combination of swear words, or a litany of complaints. “Today just sucked.” I said the words again, slowly and loudly, with […]
Imagine a future full of light
Seneca “What I advise you to do is, not to be unhappy before the crisis comes; since it may be that the dangers before which you paled as if they were threatening you, will never come upon you; they certainly have not yet come.” Becoming unhappy about what may happen in the future weighs down […]
July 31st 2012 Biking the rail trail Paulson Road to Christina Lake
July 31st. 10:30pm 77’ inside the trailer What a month it has been. And I don’t remember when I have had a happier July. Today I went biking with Jean, Gord, and their daughter Jennifer who is a professional off road biker. She likes the downhill runs at Whistler –downhill at speed, rocks, and tight […]
A Pure Clear Moment
A Pure Clear Moment It wasn’t until I had climbed up Many seemingly impossible hills Fallen down into the darkness Of unknown ravines, And gotten lost A thousand million times That I began to notice How simple things Without warning or invitation Could draw me in As though to another world Early morning raindrops Pure […]
Yard sales and lightning up
Just recovering from my first ever (and last) garage sale. The biggest winner was the recycling depot when I dropped off a truckload of special “things.” These “things” that I had packed, and moved, and packed and moved, because I thought they were treasures I couldn’t part with. My change purse got steadily heavier as […]
Nature’s Show
“Practicing gratitude is a very powerful tool to shift your attention on the things you don’t have to the things you do have and this alone will make you feel better.” Noelia Aanulds, Happiness: Learn How To Be Happy And Boost Your Life When I was taking photos of fall leaves at the rec center, […]
The Messiness of Daily Living
“You might be tempted to avoid the messiness of daily living for the tranquility of stillness and peacefulness. This of course would be an attachment to stillness, and like any strong attachment, it leads to delusion. It arrests development and short-circuits the cultivation of wisdom.” ― Jon Kabat-Zinn
The Muse of Realization – It is yet more difficult than you thought
“There are, it seems, two muses: the Muse of Inspiration, who gives us inarticulate visions and desires, and the Muse of Realization, who returns again and again to say “It is yet more difficult than you thought.” This is the muse of form. It may be then that form serves us best when it works […]



















