My Inspiration


What provides the force that drives me? As a child, I found inspiration from a diverse group of animals, some
famous like Silver, Flicka, Fury, Rin Tin Tin, Lassie and The Black Stallio: others were personal friends, like
my cats, Dusty and Peanuts and Chippy the budgie, who joyfully inhabited my adolescent life. As a young
jockey, I derived strength from a horse named The Heckler , a racehorse whose message was, “Never give
up, even when you’re twenty lengths behind.”

My mother gave me emotional support, despite believing that my conversations with animals were creations of
“imagination”—she later came to understand the nature and depth of these connections.  Uncle Michael
financed riding lessons for me during my college years, providing the stepping stones to the life I love.  Aunty
Mary awakened my awareness of the world beyond Lachine, Quebec, and she made me a fancier of fine
wines, Auntie Kay, a Benedictine nun, engaged me in stimulating discussions, some theological, some highly
practical.

Inspiration continues today through the brilliance of. Dr. Christiane Northrup, who shows us the achievement
of optimal healthand joy through her books. Her dear friend and fellow author, Mona Lisa Schultz, shows us
how to introduce our right brain to our left brain so we can live in harmony, in her book,  The New Feminine
Brain.

My favourite writers have contributed plenty of sparkle to my life.  William Deverall’s riveting courtroom
dramas, Jane Smiley’s Horse Heaven, tops my list and Rita Mae Brown’s re-creation of her literary style –all
are stars in my constellation of authors.  Christa Wolf’s Medea is an awe inspiring read. Once a year, I read
Marion Foster’s, The Monarchs are Flying, and Sandy Duncan’s The Toothpaste Genie , vastly different
works with timeless appeal. once a year and never tire of them. Lily Tomlin is radiant on screen and in theatre
performances and her collaboration with partner, Jane Wagner. (Lily, the job I offered you, still stands, if you’
ve overcome your fear of horses.) The ‘fumerist’  Kate Clinton has a scintillating wit that brings a smile to my
face along with many naughty ideas for future novels.

Across the Atlantic, Sarah Waters captured me with her novel, Tipping the Velvet, filmed by the BBC with
Rachel Stirling in the lead role. I will watch this author and actor closely in the coming years.

D D R…your inspiration walks with me the paths of many lifetimes.

And Oma, my constant font of wisdom—without you, none of this would be possible.