Retired IT consultant. Retired Hockey Mom. Retired Base Brat and Military wife. Lifelong learner. Writer.
I love all the seasons. But there’s a special thrill walking through Gatineau park and seeing the streams melting in the heat of the high Spring sunlight. A warming of the blood. No matter what your age, spring fever is a real feeling. Soft winter whites and greys will soon become the emerald greens and … More Come on Spring!
Marketing is not my favourite activity. But as a self-published author, there are chores to be done. Readers don’t just wake up one morning and decide to find and buy and read my book – I must make it available for them to find! Most days those marketing chores are tedious : emails, follow-up emails, … More Reasons I Love Writing #2
Why do I want to be a writer, why do I want to publish my books? It’s been a difficult analysis. Is it for the money? Certainly not yet! Is it for the fun of filling my days with marketing–emails, research, signings, social media–all while trying to write actual creative words? Well, yes, most days … More Reasons I love Writing, #1
I went to General Panet High School on the army base in Petawawa, Ontario. Although the school building is gone now, there are still reunions every five years. In honour of the reunion scheduled for this year in May, I submit this excerpt from my book “Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story.” After a move … More Petawawa: Exerpt from “Camp Follower”
More insights that I could not have imagined while working for a paycheque, taking my youth for granted. Money versus Health? Health. Money represents what we want, what will make us happy, what we strive for in youth. With age, we are happy getting out of bed without a new ache in our back. With … More More Retirement Lessons
It’s above freezing today in Gatineau and Ottawa! Is spring on the way? Here are 5 ways I can tell: 5. Winterlude is over.. 4. We’re still looking at cheap flights south, but maybe think we can hang on! 3. Everyone is wearing new winter boots and coats, cuz they’re all on sale now! 2. … More Top Signs that Spring is coming in Ottawa!
The Olympics are on! I never think I’ll get so excited, but have already started recording and adjusting my sleep and TV watching time to follow them. And I realized, again, that I have more life lessons to learn, especially about retirement. Here is another perk about this new phase of life that I’m learning… … More Retirement Lesson from the Olympics
I didn’t… until I wrote one myself! I always thought memoirs were boring and tedious: “I was born here and lived there…I did this… I did that…I’m more fascinating than you…” Except for very historical biographies, I had no interest at all in reading about the latest celebrity opinions and breakthrough stories of unrealistic people … More Who Reads Memoirs?
Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story by Michele Sabad has been out for a couple of months. Enough people have been reading it that I’m getting some feedback, and I’m pretty pleased with the response so far. In addition to the verbal comments, I’ve had written reviews on both Amazon and in various publications that … More Why I Wrote Camp Follower: Bearing Witness
In 2018, I will have been retired for 2 years already! Where does time go? Of course, if you read this blog, you know I spent the first year and a half writing and publishing my first book, a memoir, (see stevieszabad.com/books). But lately, before I get rolling on my next writing idea (novel? what … More Retired? Year 2. Surprises
Stevie Szabad, Author 