I live in Edmonton and this was really nice to read! People here are really negative about the city but I think there are many positives. Especially after coming back from abroad, I have a newfound appreciation for the diverse food culture.
What a moving piece about thoughts and connections through time and space - your grandchildren and your grandmother, linked by your reflections.
And what a pleasant surprise to hear you watched our "I'm Still Here," a film that represents so much to us in Brazil.
We have a child's book called 'Bisa Bia, Bisa Bel' (Bisa being short for bisavó, great grandmother) where this girl Isabel finds a picture of her great grandmother when she was a girl and she comes in touch with her in her head and eventually imagines herself as a great grandmother and talking to the girl who is going to be her great granddaughter.
Ooh the Grandmas. My maternal grandma was born in Romania and came to Canada way back in 1914. Lived in Saskatchewan where my Mom was born, My paternal grandma was born in Quebec, as was my Dad. I am the only member of my immediate family born in the states, but I was 'made in Canada' (Kapuskasing).
A big part of why I am leaving (Portland, OR) is the Killmeter, which the power co. will not remove, sent many letters. Also I fear the killgrid that bigger cities are implementing.
I am going solo with 'van land yurt plan' and don't quite know where I will end up. My favorite yurt company is in Ontario, Groovyurts (rated for snow and wind, ie Mongolian yurts) and I will be living in a 14 foot diameter that is about 8 ft high in the middle, without grid power. I am excited. I already turn the house breaker off every night but look forward to less EMFs in my life.
I too am longing to get more Blackwing pencils as well, and I have been known to return letters.
You can email me at my name, all one word, at protonmail dot com for us to get in touch if you like.
Que texto lindo! Essa história poderia virar um livro. Que legal saber que você já morou no Brasil e também a sua opinião sobre o filme que trouxe nosso primeiro Oscar. Ainda não pude olhar, pois com um filho de seis meses e um de três anos é difícil ir ao cinema. Obrigada por me dar esperanças de que no futuro poderei ter um final de semana em silêncio, só para mim.
Um abraço de uma mamãe brasileira expatriada morando em Nova Scotia!
This is a gorgeous piece of writing Katherine and is very poignant as I used to correspond with one of my grandmothers who lived many hours away from me. I still have her letters in my treasure box.
I really miss receiving letters. That slight leap of your heart when you see familiar handwriting on the envelope is something I don’t get to experience that often any more.
Handwritten letters are so special and much easier to keep than just trying to find an email or message.
My aunty, who is approaching 90, says the same about not feeling needed anymore. She’s always telling me how much she envies me having young grandchildren and to make the most of it – which I try to.
Moving piece. I want to go get pretty stationary and start writing letters to my friends who are far away and not lose that art of connection and intention.
I shouldn't have eaten an onion while reading this article. This is, for me, possibly the best thing I've read from you. This is why people need to write, and this is why people need to read. Thank you, Katherine Johnson Martinko, and a special thanks to your grandma for helping you hone your writing skills.
Lovely writing! My writing is not so beautiful but you have inspired me to write a letter to my Gran. I'm lucky she is still alive and I'm sure she will write back. That bit about no one writing back anymore hits home and is so sad.
I live in Edmonton and this was really nice to read! People here are really negative about the city but I think there are many positives. Especially after coming back from abroad, I have a newfound appreciation for the diverse food culture.
What a moving piece about thoughts and connections through time and space - your grandchildren and your grandmother, linked by your reflections.
And what a pleasant surprise to hear you watched our "I'm Still Here," a film that represents so much to us in Brazil.
We have a child's book called 'Bisa Bia, Bisa Bel' (Bisa being short for bisavó, great grandmother) where this girl Isabel finds a picture of her great grandmother when she was a girl and she comes in touch with her in her head and eventually imagines herself as a great grandmother and talking to the girl who is going to be her great granddaughter.
Loved this and brought back memories to writing my Granny
Such a beautiful piece -gracias❤️
Ooh the Grandmas. My maternal grandma was born in Romania and came to Canada way back in 1914. Lived in Saskatchewan where my Mom was born, My paternal grandma was born in Quebec, as was my Dad. I am the only member of my immediate family born in the states, but I was 'made in Canada' (Kapuskasing).
A big part of why I am leaving (Portland, OR) is the Killmeter, which the power co. will not remove, sent many letters. Also I fear the killgrid that bigger cities are implementing.
I am going solo with 'van land yurt plan' and don't quite know where I will end up. My favorite yurt company is in Ontario, Groovyurts (rated for snow and wind, ie Mongolian yurts) and I will be living in a 14 foot diameter that is about 8 ft high in the middle, without grid power. I am excited. I already turn the house breaker off every night but look forward to less EMFs in my life.
I too am longing to get more Blackwing pencils as well, and I have been known to return letters.
You can email me at my name, all one word, at protonmail dot com for us to get in touch if you like.
Que texto lindo! Essa história poderia virar um livro. Que legal saber que você já morou no Brasil e também a sua opinião sobre o filme que trouxe nosso primeiro Oscar. Ainda não pude olhar, pois com um filho de seis meses e um de três anos é difícil ir ao cinema. Obrigada por me dar esperanças de que no futuro poderei ter um final de semana em silêncio, só para mim.
Um abraço de uma mamãe brasileira expatriada morando em Nova Scotia!
Such a beautiful ode to what sounds like a special women who was clearly just as blessed to have you as you were to have her!
This is a gorgeous piece of writing Katherine and is very poignant as I used to correspond with one of my grandmothers who lived many hours away from me. I still have her letters in my treasure box.
I really miss receiving letters. That slight leap of your heart when you see familiar handwriting on the envelope is something I don’t get to experience that often any more.
Handwritten letters are so special and much easier to keep than just trying to find an email or message.
My aunty, who is approaching 90, says the same about not feeling needed anymore. She’s always telling me how much she envies me having young grandchildren and to make the most of it – which I try to.
This was really beautiful. Thank you :)
Thank you for this beautiful read.
“I was struck by how rare it is for a family to be depicted nowadays as being each other's favourite people, even through hardship.”
Completely agree with this excellent observation. It was a joy to witness.
Beautiful 💛
Moving piece. I want to go get pretty stationary and start writing letters to my friends who are far away and not lose that art of connection and intention.
I shouldn't have eaten an onion while reading this article. This is, for me, possibly the best thing I've read from you. This is why people need to write, and this is why people need to read. Thank you, Katherine Johnson Martinko, and a special thanks to your grandma for helping you hone your writing skills.
Well, THAT put a big smile on my face. Thank you!
I’m a letter writer as well and felt the sudden urge to get some pretty stationary! I’ve been meaning to for ages.
Lovely writing! My writing is not so beautiful but you have inspired me to write a letter to my Gran. I'm lucky she is still alive and I'm sure she will write back. That bit about no one writing back anymore hits home and is so sad.
You should! She will appreciate it, no doubt.