Category Archives: It Really Did Happen!

The crumbs and animal hair of real life.

My appropriation apology

Posted on June 15, 2017 by

In 2016, I published a novel entitled A Hole in the Ground. In this novel, I referred to a First Nations people, the Muskawatipaq, as well as their ancestral territory, Petawodimocto. These references were entirely fictional, created for the purposes … Continue reading →

Posted in It Really Did Happen!, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Searching for the parental sweet spot

Posted on June 8, 2017 by

I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “I liked it better when he used to write about his kids.” It’s true. I wrote about my children all the time. But then something happened: They grew up. Our four children are … Continue reading →

Posted in It Really Did Happen! | Tagged , , , , | 28 Comments

Who are the pickles in your neighbourhood

Posted on May 25, 2017 by

Ever since the snow melted, I had been eyeballing this jar of pickles at the bottom of our street. It was a litre jar of bread-and-butters lying on its side next to a cedar hedge right there by the stop … Continue reading →

Posted in It Really Did Happen! | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

One brief shining toilet

Posted on May 4, 2017 by

Last year, I moved into an office on the second floor because, logistically, logically, it made sense. Six months later, logisticallyer, logicallyer, it makes more sense for me to move back where I came from. It’s kind of like getting … Continue reading →

Posted in It Really Did Happen! | Tagged , , , , , | 44 Comments

Pump rage

Posted on April 6, 2017 by

My general state of being whenever I wait for a gas pump to free up can best be described as “seething.” I’m not great with waiting, even in a car surrounded by the endless possibilities of radio entertainment because, as … Continue reading →

Posted in It Really Did Happen! | Tagged , , , , , , | 22 Comments

Risky business for columnists

Posted on March 30, 2017 by

Hi there. How’s tricks? Does anyone say that anymore? “How’s tricks?” Sounds Damon Runyon-esque. That’s Damon Runyon, the American writer, not Damon Runyan, the Canadian actor and star of “Degrassi: The Next Generation,” though, honestly, what kind of parent does … Continue reading →

Posted in It Really Did Happen! | Tagged , , , , , , , | 16 Comments

Father-daughter-Beyoncé bonding

Posted on March 23, 2017 by

Conversations these days with my 15-year-old daughter go something like this: Abby (getting out of the car): “Can you write me a note? I’m going to be late for class.” Me: “You’re not going to be late. Just be quick.” … Continue reading →

Posted in It Really Did Happen! | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments