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True Stories

Marie-Lynn has written three stories for a major Canadian magazine, Chatelaine. The first appeared in July 2000. It's a personal account of how animals have been a vital healing and stabilizing influence in her life, and it's available here.

Her second story deals with adults who have lost both their parents; it appeared July 2001, and is available here.

The December 2001 issue of Chatelaine contained a story, called Peace at Last. There is an interesting story about how this came to be:

An editor at Chatelaine wanted someone to write on spiritual matters. She approached Marie-Lynn, who declined, claiming she was still recovering from her Catholic upbringing and that she didn't have a (conventionally) spiritual bone in her body. "Perfect!" said the editor, and sent her off to a silent Catholic retreat house. On her return, Marie-Lynn warned the editor that she could not seem to write the story without some sly humour creeping in. "Perfect!" said the editor. "Oh, and it ends up being about horseback riding," said the writer. "Hmmm," said the editor. Read on to see how Marie-Lynn can write about pinto mares and the Virgin Mary in the same story.

Peace at Last is available here. We hope you enjoy it.

In Marie-Lynn’s critically acclaimed 1983 release, Vignettes, she shares with the listener pieces of her past, her history, and her family’s history. Though the songs are specific, they contain universal echoes that remind us of our need to connect with the past. Her parents are part of the inspiration for the classic “Flying/Spring of ’44.” Three other songs represent a glimpse into the history of her two grandmothers. The grandmothers also take center stage in Marie-Lynn's play, Beautiful Deeds/De beaux gestes.

In the spirit of her musical vignettes, here are some prose stories that capture a few of Marie-Lynn's experiences growing up as an Air Force “brat” and working as a musician all over the world. These were originally written for a National CBC Radio show hosted by Marie-Lynn in the summers of 1987 and 1988.

Leave Room for the Holy Ghost - This is story about Marie-Lynn’s growing up and some of her perceptions. These experiences formed the foundation for two of her songs (linked at the bottom of the story page)

Four Strong Canadian Winds - This is Marie-Lynn’s story about needing and finding uniquely Canadian music.

A Moment of Grace - An evocative vignette about growing up, high school dances, and a first date.

The Bridge - A story about geography – physical, cultural, emotional.

Here is a story from the present.

Calypso—An Annex Cat Rescue Success Story - A story about a special cat rescued by Marie-Lynn.



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