Hey, You Want a Time Machine – A Chance to Return to High School, Yes or No

"If you could, would you go back to high school?" Whether you have children or not, adults are sometimes asked this question around high school graduation season. As social media feeds are stuffed with photos of newly minted graduates, some of you become nostalgic about your own high school experiences. A time when Hypercolor shirts, …

Advertisement

When a Hysterectomy Closes the Baby Door, You Cope with Humour

On May 6th, 2021, I found out non-essential and elective surgeries have been postponed for the month of May because of the rising number of COVID-19 in Manitoba. The postponed surgeries include hysterectomies - which I was supposed to have in two weeks. This post contains the real word for "Mother Nature's Bill" and "Crimson …

Misconceptions of the Childless Couple – When Risk Doesn’t Equal Reward

The following post is from my opinion column "Tammy's Take" in the Interlake Spectator. Some content has been added and edited. Six years later, there's a part two. And, no, I'm not pregnant.~~~~~ People find innovative ways to reveal their baby bump. Teasers on Instagram. "Accidentally" on talk shows. After an energetic performance at the …

Medical Lab isn’t Enforcing Their “Policy” – Why Have Rules if You Won’t Enforce Them

I like to keep my posts light and airy. Poking fun at myself. Laughing about my teenage sense of style. Eating raw cookie dough and shaving my parents' yard and so forth. But Monday, July 6th, I experienced an emotional roller coaster. Not felt since the sinus surgery of 2014 when I thought the hospital …

My Tragic Childhood Cat Tales, The Legend is True – A Flashback Friday Repost

Time for a Flashback Friday post!Originally posted on April 5, 2018. One of my favourite posts. Cat lovers, proceed with caution.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As a child, I loved cats. However, the title of "Tammy's Favourite Cat" was dubious because they all died. Natural causes. Alright, semi-natural. My history with cats is traumatic - and a tad gory. Feline …

Next Time You Hear The Beep, It Might Be A Canadian Game Show

A month ago, I watched a snippet on Facebook of Family Feud. A contestant stood beside Steve Harvey, and he watched in horror as his family lost by two points at the end of the show. It's simple to say, really? Name an animal that gallops and you said giraffe? But that's an arm chair …

So, What Happened to the Birthday Blog Challenge?

It was March 18th, 2016. I received at phone call from the seizure clinic. The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) in Winnipeg's Health Science Centre had an open bed. So, how did a five to 10-day stay at Chez EMU sound? Why does everything end with "Chez"? With 37 nodules cemented to my head and face? …

What Do You Write about During a Pandemic – You Just Write

"ideas for blog posts during a pandemic" I Googled this tonight, trying to come up with a post. Seriously, what should I post about while people are either arguing or making fun of hoarding toilet paper? Some believe COVID-19 is a death sentence, and others are saying the symptoms are mild. When people are panicking, …

A Palm Reader, Cayenne Pepper, and My Destiny – A Throwback Thursday Post

When I was young and impressionable, I saw a psychic. A palm reader. Technically, the psychic was in the same mall in front of one of my favourite stores at the time. Fate? Destiny? Popular hangout for girls in their early-20s? Or a cosmic mixture of all three? Interesting to note, on March 12, 2020, …

An Ode to the Night Owl – Just Go To Bed!

You! Yes, you there with the droopy eyes. And no energy to speak. I understand you need to write. But maybe you should get some sleep. Ever read your posts in the morning? Typos. Errors. Pretty such this one too. Just a warning. Just for tonight, make it short, and start tomorrow anew, After all, …

How a Heart Attack Put Life into Perspective – Eventually

"How are you doing with all of this?" My parents went for my dad's pre-op earlier this week, and she called when they were home. But that's what she asked me. How are you doing with all this?  My dad had a heart attack the night of February 13th. When I heard the news, I …

Silver Blades and Hot Pink Bow Ties – The Mighty Synchro Team of Eight

This was the first post I wrote for my other blog, Skating Scene in 2010 I loved my synchro days, formerly called precision, plus the added bonus of the medals. This is one of my favourite posts. I mean, "Antics on Ice" is gold. Even though that season was silver.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Our Ice Revue during the …

My Pet Peeves – Stop Snapping Your Gum!

I'm sure most people have pet peeves. Pet peeve reactions range from "Oh, well, they can't help it" to "'Do you have to do that here!' " Sometimes, people aren't aware their actions are completely icky, cringe worthy, or rude. Worse? When people know your pet peeves, and they do them on purpose. Just to …

A Warm and Fuzzy Repost – Nearsighted in Hindsight with 20/20 Vision

Today's post is a Flashback Friday from April 20, 2018. What better FF to share than a 20/20? Ah, my childhood. Full of epic catastrophes such as camper trailer-gate. At least my thumbnail grew back. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Something to ponder. In a time of Smartphones, Mars explorations, and taco fries, you'd think there'd be a cure …

Another Late Night Poem – Tired, Tired, Tired

Roses are blue, Violets are red, I'm super tired, And I should go to bed. Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water, Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill said, "He never said anything about being a prince."   I've been thinking about that old woman who …

Three Late Night Poems By an Exhausted Writer

Roses are red, Violets are blue, Sugar is sweet, Unless you grab the salt shaker by mistake. Sunflowers are yellow, Daisies are white, Butterflies were once caterpillars, Until they were swallowed by a cocoon.   Petunias are red, Petunias are white, Petunias are purple, Petunias come in a lot of colours.         …

The Art of Keeping a Journal – Your Future-Self Won’t Know What LOL Meant

Since July 31, 1986, I've kept a journal. Off and on. It was a five-year diary. One of my best friends in elementary school was leaving Arborg for Winnipeg, and the diary was a goodbye gift. The diary had small spaces, and I wrote little context. Sometimes just, "Had a good weekend," and "Saw a …

My Short Career as an Anthem Singer – O, It was Cool

It started at a restaurant. In 1995, I was working the closing shift at Arborg's newest, coolest, hippest restaurant, "The Wild Apple." At the helm, two guys barely who were barely 23 years old working with servers who were also under 23 years old. My eight-hour shifts flew by as I served pasta primavera and …

Childhood Memories of Stefan’s Store – Chocolate, Candy, and Old Cornflakes

Credit - Tammy W. Karatchuk There's a small white building at the corner of Hwy 8 and Provincial Road 222. Kitty corner from the Hnausa General Store. When I was a child, that white store was Stefanson and Son General Store, however, most people referred to the store as "Stefan's." I grew up near Hnausa and Hnausa …

Another MRI Experience – Bye Bye Fasting, And We’ve Changed the Dubstep

Friday, February 28, 2020Dear Diary,  Last night I had another MRI. I was in the tube for about 35 minutes, and I almost fell asleep at the end. The sounds the machine makes are so weird. The table actually moved at one point. It felt like a ride at the Red River Ex. When the …

The Real 29 Then 40 – Read the Joyride

This one's for real. It's another birthday challenge. Or a reason to mute me on Facebook. On February 29th, I'll post each day until my birthday. In 2016, I started this blog as a birthday challenge. Simple concept: post from February 29th until I turned 40. I even posted during an unplanned stay at the …

An Interlake Regional Memory – A Golden Figure Skating Moment

The Interlake Regionals are an annual competition that debuted in 1975. After researching the archives, I learned the Arborg Skating Club attended the Interlake Regionals prior to 1989, attending in the late-70s and early-80s.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~When I skated, January meant one thing: the Interlake Regionals. After a brief hiatus, the Arborg Skating Club attended the 1989 Interlake …

Rugby Shirts, Stir Frys, and the Top 40 – My First and Last Winnipeg Waitress Job

It was the late '90s. Leonardo DiCaprio was riding a wave to fame. Big Shiny Tunes 2 spun in boom boxes. Plaid skirts, cargo pants, and chunky heels were all the rage. In 1997, I left the semi-bright lights of River Heights, pulling a 14-month round trip: Winnipeg to Arborg to Winnipeg. While in Arborg, …

Brain Tumour Awareness and Balance – Mine was Perfect

I was a figure skater with perfect balance. However, a symptom of a brain tumour is unsteadiness. It's Brain Tumour Awareness Week. Where we attempt to erase the stigma, educate the public, and so forth. The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada wants the public to be aware of the above eight signs. But my symptoms? I …

Arborg’s Garbage Night – Taking Out the Trash in Your Pajamas

We don't have residential BFI bins. Garbage day four? That doesn't exist in my hometown. We have weekly east and west garbage pick up, and semi-weekly for businesses on Main Street. How quaint. I just drag my garbage bags to the end of the driveway, and - like magic - it's gone by 9 a.m. …

Jehovah, Satan and Punishment – The Irony of Judgment

A few  months ago, a friend and I were chatting and religion weaved into the conversation. I had to convince him that, yes, I used to be a Jehovah's Witness. I'm guessing people don't associate me with the Kingdom Hall because my childhood was worldly. At the time, I understood little about my religion. I …

My Second Brain Surgery – What Really Happened in Step-Down

December 14, 1993. Twenty-five years since my second brain surgery. It's been a semi-emotional day. I even cried into my coffee. No, it didn't enhance the flavour. I like to find humour in unpleasant situations. I pondered, and I chose step-down. Because, what the heck is step-down? And what happened? My first brain surgery on …

Spandex, Spangles and a Seam Ripper – My Homespun Costumes

Today, I saw a post on Facebook: "Do you remember when mom would make your clothes?" I chimed in: "Clothing and skating dresses." Thanks, mom, for the memories. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anyone who understands figure skating knows it's an expensive sport. There’s professional skates. Blades your local sport shop can't sharpen. Hours of ice time. Coaching. Travel. …

My Not-So Secret Shame – Raw Cookie Dough and the Pillsbury Doughboy

We all have weaknesses. We're human. Today, mine are lipstick and dark chocolate. And of course, coffee. But as a child, my weakness was chocolate chip cookie dough. Right out of the bowl. Yes, long before people worried about salmonella, CFCs, and Y2K - I ate raw chocolate chip cookie dough. The old warning was, "Don't …

Bathroom Scales Don’t Determine Your Self-Esteem and Confidence – The Long Climb Back

September 10, 2017. That was the day I told my ex-husband our sixteen year marriage was over. One year later, this is the number on my scale. But it's just a number. I'd gained weight in Edmonton, and I had a closet full of television clothes. When I unceremoniously returned to Manitoba, I'd inch into …

Separation, Divorce, and A Late Night Message – Why, why, why

I was in an awesome mood. A little over a week ago, I went to the Skate Canada Manitoba AGM. Honestly, I was super thrilled about staying in a hotel room. By myself. Solo. As I drove into the parking lot of the hotel, I felt like Hermey from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Independent. …

Nearsighted in Hindsight with 20/20 Vision

Something to ponder. In a time of Smartphones, Mars explorations, and taco fries, you'd think there'd be a cure for far-and-nearsightedness. A medication or preventative eyeball vaccine. How long have people needed glasses? Forever. How long have we known about Mars? What's that sound? Crickets. When I was in elementary school, primary students would have …

My Tragic Childhood Cat Tales – The Legend is True

As a child, I loved cats. However, the title of "Tammy's Favourite Cat" was dubious since they all died. Natural causes. Alright, semi-natural. My history with cats is traumatic - and a tad gory. Feline lovers, you might need tissue. I grew up on a dairy farm in the hamlet of Geysir outside Arborg, Manitoba. Hamlet sounds so quaint. …

Next Time You Pass a Car Wash and You Hear a Beep – It’s Probably Me

To my horror, last night I ran out of coffee. So, I rose with the sun. I accomplished some writing stuff, and then - au natural - I slapped on a houndstooth hat and skipped to Coop. Okay, I drove. Which is the main part of the story. At the till, I chatted with the …

Daylight Saving Time – Why, Why, Why

Yes, again. Daylight Saving Time. When they steal an hour of our sleep. But do we know who "they" are? These magical "theys" who come around twice a year, proclaiming springing forward and falling back is the right thing to do? Changing clocks? Stealing our precious pillow time? Messing with peoples' regular routines? I say we …

Just Divorce Yourself – Conquering a Secret Fear

I conquered my fear of the dark! Sort of. A pin on Pinterest stated darkness is merely the absence of light. Sort of how plain rice cakes are the absence of taste. It's logical or illogical. Science over whatever isn't science. Whew, glad I can put that behind me. When I was a broadcaster with …

A Brain Tumour Anniversary – Marking With A Post And Memoir

Every year I mark the anniversary of my brain tumour surgeries. This year, I wanted to go beyond the usual Facebook post of "Today, December 14, is 'X' years since my second brain surgery," and insert mildly humorous antidote here. I tried to write a quirky letter to my second brain tumour. Then I attempted …

Our Marriage Wasn’t A Failure – Separation Advice From A Beginner

No one has the right to say someone's marriage was a failure. Marriages don't fail. They simply end. And you enter the next phase of your life. After sixteen years of marriage, my husband and I have separated. He's living in Winnipeg. And I'm staying in Arborg. My husband used to be uptown nearly everyday …

Perils of A Mask – Steve Vogelsang Isn’t A Criminal

I thought it was a joke. A story appeared on a friend's timeline today. A post with a photo of a guy in a plaid jacket. Who looked like our former college instructor. Arrested for robbery. A few jokes were exchanged. Then, the mood changed. We realized this wasn't fake news. The *CreComm world was …

From Tea Bag to Coffee Factory – The Story of a Teenager’s Caffeinated Paradise

It was hot. Steamy. And smelled ... oh ... that glorious sensory tingling smell. The type that conjured up images of Smurfs and Care Bears. At five years old, I drank tea. And five-year olds have no concept of the term "clear." I preferred mine with cream. Lots of cream. And one lump or two? Oh, …

We’re Quaint, Not Different – Arborg’s Vibe

Small towns are underrated. And we're often stereotyped. Some statements are true, others aren't. Actually most aren't. My hometown of Arborg is quaint and unique. Dare I say, cute. Maybe that's too far. No, I think cute is accurate. Arborg is cool. Maybe it's our vibe. Or our constant stream of socials and gatherings. Whether you were …

Another Year – And Still We Have Daylight Saving Time

Here were go again. Heading off to bed, without knowing what time zone we'll wake-up in. Because it's Daylight Saving Time. Even though we're not saving anything. We lose an hour of sleep. Or are we gaining? I have no clue. I just know twice a year I push or spin the dial on my …

Dusting Off Memories Of A Synchro Competition – A Throwback Thursday

It seems like yesterday. But it was 27 years ago. I'll let that soak in for a moment. The 1990 Interlake Regional *Precision Competition at the Stonewall arena. I remember the weirdest parts of that afternoon. Eating pizza buns at a teammate's house. Her mom driving my teammate (her daughter), my sister, and me to the …

Rediscovering Myself – One Makeup Mistake At A Time

I'm struggling for a topic. Despite rumours, writing isn't hard but it's not simple. You want to be poetic, without being brash. Witty, without being crude. And you want to write substance rather than sludge.It's strange, because I write all the time. It's my job. I'm a reporter. I'm writing a novel. I have other …

I’m Exhausted – But It Was Worth It

I can’t shake this fog. I know my body’s been through a lot. My meds were lowered. I had two seizures within four days of each other. Then my meds were raised to normal levels, and I jumped on the ice two days after my release – I mean, discharge. It’s obvious this is an …

A Recap of a Golden Moment – Why I Thanked My Fellow Competitor

I hugged the silver medallist yesterday at the Stony Mountain on Ice Competition. Before the gold medal was strung around my neck, I embraced my competitor and said, “Thank you.” Those words probably left her baffled. In 1989, I won the Interlake Interpretive Competition. Music was chosen by the host committee – in this case …

Stepping Out of the EMU

I’m free! Well, almost. After 11 days in Winnipeg's Health Science Centre’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, I'm being released tomorrow. It seems like yesterday when I arrived at the EMU and a technician glued 37 nodules to my skull, and then I was led to my little room. I had two provoked seizures. My usual: awake, …

I’d Rather Be Skating – But Here We Are

Twelve days before Stony Mountain on Ice. My first figure skating competition in 25 years. And here I am. Sitting in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Watching my brainwaves on the screen in front of me. With picture-in-picture, 24/7 video surveillance. Gazing at pigeons out my window. What is Winnipeg feeding them? They’re frickin’ huge! Cemented …

Happy Shiny News and the Watershed Phone Call – Good Luck with That

Phone calls. We usually associate early morning calls with negatives. And midnight calls with dire situations. A call at 9:30 p.m.? It's often, “Do you remember so-and-so?” Think back. When was the last time someone called before sunrise to say, “Hey, I’m chillin’ and drinkin’ a Bud. Thought I’d give you a shout.” If this …

A Question of Faith and Forgiveness – Not Judgment

I don’t like unresolved issues. I like the chapter closed. The fence mended. Not for my piece of mind, but so the other person knows I didn’t mean to hurt them. Maybe I was mad. Bitter. Stressed. Tired. Slightly altered. Low blood sugar. All inexcusable, and no excuse for being cruel. Sorry might be just …

A 20-Year Tribute to the Victims of December 6, 1989

Every December 6th my mom calls, and she'd ask me, "Do I remember what happened today?" And I'd say, "Yes, X amount of years ago your house trailer burned." Today it's 34 years. However, today is also 20 years since the Montreal massacre. When Marc Lepine walked into the École Polytechnique - an engineering school. …