Jan Carrie Steven

It’s weird!I didn’t even know it had happened until I said to Laurence, “It’s so nice to be able to visit Texas again” — as if Texas was a neighbouring...

What do you say about, how do you feel about, watching two very elderly handicapped people having a meal at a restaurant?He has Alzheimer’s disease and from time to time...

When my husband, Laurence, says, “I think I’ve got this figured out!” this is a good time to head in the opposite direction. What I’m referring to is going hiking...

So, my friend Patti and I (insert sound of gum being snapped here) have this great idea for a novel. It’s, like, about a cat store that sells books, or...

There are many reasons to marry a rural-raised minister’s kid (RRMK). Here are a few of them-Poverty (by Canadian urban standards) is what they know. We are far from poor...

There isn’t one bone, muscle or joint in my body that isn’t a little bit miffed with me right now. No, I didn’t careen into a steel beam (although I’ve...

I am so sad that the Rainbow District doesn’t have a spay/neuter clinic. Our Shelter is almost filled up with cats again. More than 15 cats came in today alone....

I have many sets of eyes following me around the house.No, I am not a person who has gone crazy in a portrait gallery.I am a person who has changed...

Becoming a vegan was the easiest change I’ve ever made in my life.A vegan (pronounced vee-gan) is one who does not consume mammals or their milk, birds or their eggs,...

Eau de tomcat urine – that was my perfume by 5 p.m. Aug. 16.More on that later.As Tullamore Dew is to a dedicated Irish whisky drinker, so are shelter kitties...

My second shift as a volunteer and the Rainbow District Animal Shelter was another awesome day. See the wonderful selection of kittens and cats at http://gsshelter.ca/meetcats.html. Check out Lilac Lougheed —...

This summer I am volunteering at the Rainbow District Animal Shelter on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons. What could be easier than helping to look after 30 cats, right?! Wrong! Here...

Stage One: First of all, the shopping for ingredients. They include (but are not limited to): -2 large nappa or Chinese cabbages-Korean red pepper powder-Asian fish sauce-Daikon radishChallenge No. 1...

A year ago, if anyone had predicted I’d be happy as a clam in 100 degree Fahrenheit heat (mind you, a baked clam,) I would have told them they were...

Small Things didn’t start out as a kitty shop. Initially it was an Arts, Books, Crafts & Delights shop – that happened to have a resident cat – Kumquat. (Our...

I am told I need to have a bucket list – of list of things I want to do before I die. But, more importantly, I need to actually do...

Clickety clack. Clickety clack.Nope, it’s not Laurence and I line-dancing to Southbound Train by Travis Tritt down at our Arizona trailer park.It’s something almost weirder – me with cleats. Ice...

One shouldn’t wish one’s life away – but I do wish my hubby Laurence was already retired so that we could spend our winters in Arizona. There. I’ve said it....

“This is not as bad as it looks,” I reassured my spouse, Laurence. I was lying on the floor of the bathroom beside the toilet with a towel under my...

Third time’s the charm – or at least I hope it is when it comes to finding and staying in a good location for Small Things: Cats and Books.Small Things...