Hard to introduce this essay, as it intersects with so many facets of my life. I originally wrote it for a story call about military children and their military generational traditions, but soon realized that it was about how military children fit in a bit sideways growing up in wider non-military families. I also noticed … More My (Non) Military Grandmother
You know you’re a military brat when… There are many ways to finish this thought. One way that I experienced this past week with my husband (and former brat himself, now a retired military veteran) while on a couple days getaway, is this. You are travelling, sight-seeing in a new area about a day’s drive … More You Know You’re a Military Brat when…
What is it about being 10-11 years old that is so magical? The older I get the more fondly I remember Goose Bay, Labrador. Here’s another excerpt about that favourite base (from “Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story” by Michele Sabad : “Now, for me, Goose Bay, Labrador was awesome, no matter what my parents … More Goose Bay – Favourite Place and Time
“Music—soother of the teenage beast. If I had to give a one-word answer to describe the most important part of early teenage years, it would be music.” So begins this excerpt from “Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story” by Michele Sabad. Here’s some more from my Base Teen Town years – may it bring a … More Music : CAMP FOLLOWER Excerpt
I like lists. I like making lists, and categorizing. As an independent author in retirement, I’ve done many book signings, at many different kinds of venues : large chain bookstores (the Indigo family here in Canada), independent bookstores (like those in my own town of Aylmer, Quebec), fairs and showcases where I may have to … More Book Buyers of Camp Follower
The following is a new companion story to the book Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story by Michele Sabad. To be published Fall 2019 in a new anthology “My Hero Dog: Stories on How Our Dogs Have Helped Shape Who We Are” by the Museum of the American Military Family. The phone rang one weekday … More Cognac. Yes, Named for the Booze.
Some pictures define a life. When I retired almost 3 years ago now (!) I took up writing as my new raison d’être. In year 1, I wrote and self-published the book Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story by Michele Sabad. Year 2 was spent marketing, which I found I didn’t hate: the signings, the … More Writing, Retirement Year 3 Begins
I entered Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story in the prestigious Writer’s Digest Book awards. Boldly. Contests can be intimidating, but this one promised a review for the entry fee, so taking a deep breath, I submitted. Below, in its entirety, is the judge’s commentary. I admit I disagreed with 2 points. Read on and … More Camp Follower : Writer’s Digest Review
I love the War Museum in Ottawa. First, it’s a splendid building. Unique, although it does remind me of a castle. As a kid in Germany I visited many castles and that feeling of them, ruined or restored, was just like the modern War Museum here : splendid. Full of architectural splendour of concrete and … More War Museum – Ottawa
September 11. Here’s a quote from my book “Camp Follower One Army Brat’s Story” by Michele Sabad, that I used to preface a story about my memories of the JFK assassination. It could just as easily apply to my memory of September 11, 2001: “Military families learn early that world events have direct consequences on … More September 11. Memories.
Stevie Szabad, Author 