Heather Down
Bio
I am an observer of life through the lens of middle age. Owner of an independent publishing house and a published author, I spend my time obsessing about all things communication. Follow me at Wintertickle Press.
Stories (58/0)
- Top Story - February 2021
Love Letters from Heather
Dear Gail, You probably don’t remember the first time we met, but I do. I was only 21 and scared to death while I was getting a tour of the first school where I would have a permanent teaching contract. You were in the parking lot wearing a stylish one-piece pantsuit and hoop earrings, sporting a shoulder-length wavy do. You were confident and kind—and obviously the coolest kid of the group. You were mid-race while I was at the start line. Little did I know you would reappear in my life over and over, even if for brief moments throughout the next 23 years!
By Heather Down3 years ago in Humans
Love Letters from Heather
It is February, Valentine’s month. I have never been a big fan of the day. Always struck me as a day that put undue pressure on those coupled and undue sadness on those who aren’t. But the last two years I have really enjoyed Valentine’s Day—for the past two years the not-for-profit organization Brainstorm Revolution put on unique Valentine events that Shelley Hofer, Natalie Harris and I had the pleasure of orchestrating. The first presentation was a story-telling event at Barrie’s Five Points Theatre. The show was appropriately named Unconventional Love Stories, featuring true, out-of-the-ordinary accounts of the unexpected faces of love beyond the romantic realm. Then last year—last year!—the improv group the Yes Men entertained a sold-out crowd at Barrie’s Holiday Inn and Conference Centre, bringing the audience to both tears and laughter, raising thousands of dollars for our local hospital’s mental health department. We got the title right once again: Love and Laughter.
By Heather Down3 years ago in Humans
Best Book Club Questions for "Not Cancelled"
Many of us are just emerging from lockdown measures due to COVID-19. Slowly moving towards our new normal, we are starting to re-engage in pre-pandemic activities such as eating out, playing sports or visiting with friends.
By Heather Down4 years ago in Motivation
Many Good Reasons to Read One Good Reason
Séan McCann, a founding member of Great Big Sea, bravely opened up about the clerical sexual abuse he encountered in his youth and the addictions he employed in attempting to drown the pain and trauma it caused. In 2013, he broke away from the band and pursued a course of truth, using music as his therapy. His new purpose landed on sharing his stories and songs of hope and recovery with those who needed it most.
By Heather Down4 years ago in Psyche
Country Singer Reminds Us We are One
Jim Payetta, a musician, songwriter, marketer, and co-owner of the Barrie Colts, an Ontario Hockey League team, found himself at home, facing a different pace of life because of the public health directives. When Jim was enjoying his morning coffee during his second week of isolation, he decided to poke around online. Look at all these various artists, from Keith Urban to John Legend, doing concerts from their homes for their fans, he mused.
By Heather Down4 years ago in Beat
A Sikh and an Irish Descendant Walk into the Yukon . . .
It doesn't take much to throw me off these days. Isolation, lack of control, and tragedy are causing my emotions to dysregulate at epic proportions. I was having one such day when I happened upon this picture:
By Heather Down4 years ago in Humans
