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The value of Canadian wool

8/6/2026

I received a rather opinionated comment a few days ago about the "eye-watering price" on a skein of local yarn - an alpaca/silk blend hand-dyed with botanicals. She said she could purchase a similar yarn manufactured overseas for much less. Here's my take on pricing.

I am proud to support Canadian farms, mills and indie dyers. The alpaca yarn manufactured overseas is often sourced from places like Bolivia where the average farmer earns around $10K per year. I am sure you would agree that our Canadian farmers deserve to earn a fair wage.

Canadian farmers are held to a certain level of national industry standards with respect to the ethical treatment of animals. For example, the practice of mulesing has never been used on Canadian farms.

If a yarn is dyed with botanicals, you are enjoying yarn from an individual who has taken the time to develop specialised skills. Again, I will say that the artisans who create these gorgeous colourways also deserve to earn a fair wage for their knowledge and time.

If a skein of Canadian wool or alpaca from a small indie farm is priced in the $40-$60 range, it would be in roughly the same price range as a round of golf or an evening at the movies. But you will enjoy knitting with this skein for hours. You will have not just a golf score or a ticket stub when all is said and done, you will have something that you can wear or gift to someone.

I am proud to feature only natural fibres like wool and alpaca, not yarns created from petroleum by-products. There are Canadian yarns made of natural fibres like wool and alpaca at price points ranging from around $8.00 to over $60.00.

You can choose to craft with whatever fibre and within whatever price point best suits your needs. But before being quite passive-aggressive about the price of an item, ask yourself if Canadian farmers, mill operators, indie dyers and retailers deserve to earn more than $5.00/hour (which is more than the average Bolivian farmer earns on an annual basis).

(photo of Molly Girl and Mini Cooper from Claymac Farm in NS)

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Knitting and self confidence

7/9/2026

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Some folks think that knitting is “passe” – but I’m seeing a real resurgence of interest in knitting for all ages and genders!
I always say that knitting isn’t hard to do – you just need to learn the little tricks. There are really only 2 stitches – the knit stitch and the purl stitch. Everything else is simply a variation of that theme.

If you are just learning to knit - be kind to yourself! Don't demand perfection. Enjoy the learning process. Congratulate yourself on discovering new stitches, improving your knitting tension, creating something from "two sticks and a ball of wool”.
If you are an experienced knitter, perhaps the challenge of a new pattern is what you need. Or, if you are feeling tired, enjoy the simplicity of a quick-knit pattern!

Photo courtesy of Thread Collective

Taking part in something like knitting is certainly not a waste of time. I read a recent comment by an American psychiatrist, Dr. Srini Pillay, who wrote that pursuing creative and active pastimes helps make people more successful.

Whatever your goals are when you pick up your needles – enjoy the process and happy knitting!

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“Granny Hobbies” – Differing Viewpoints

6/11/2026

I have read lengthy discussions over the term “granny hobbies”. Some folks feel it reeks of ageism and blame younger folks of claiming to breathe new life into obsolete hobbies. Others see no issue with the terminology and joyously embrace the resurgence of interest in skills that, a while back, seemed to be on the verge of collapse.

My perspective is based of course on my own life experiences. I was blessed to have a grandmother who patiently taught me knitting and tatting when I was a pre-teen. I now own and operate a knitting studio where I teach knitting and weaving and sell related supplies.

I have been in business for 22 years. In the first decade, I definitely had concerns. The vast majority of my customers were nearing retirement age or were retired. I worried that I wasn’t seeing any younger folks picking up the craft. Times have definitely changed – and I remember a specific pivot point. About 10 years ago, the Tourism Association of PEI ran a contest where the winner would receive a $250.00 shopping spree at a PEI Arts and Heritage Trail shop of their choice. Rhyan Swantee, a delightful young knitter from Nova Scotia, chose my shop and was so excited with her armload of goodies! It made my heart sing to see a young person so involved in knitting Now, at our weekly knit nights, it’s wonderful to welcome all ages and all genders to the table.

The term “granny hobbies” encompasses a wide variety of interests – from the fibre arts to baking, canning, gardening and so on. Pretty much anything where you step away from being online and, yes, possibly feel like you are enjoying something that your grandmother may have done. These hobbies are proven to lower your heart rate and blood pressure, stimulate your brain, ease stress.

So – given that I am past traditional retirement age, do I consider the phrase “granny hobby” to be indicative of ageism? Most of the time, no. I think that we have likely all encountered a snide remark or two. A young spinner friend meets up with her fellow spinners in a park. They were approached by an older fellow who said “I thought only old ladies did that.” Well, they were all quite miffed to say the least. But on the whole, I choose to look at the term “granny hobby” as something that honours my grandmother. By passing on her skills, I am ensuring in a small way that her spirit lives on. I only wish that, when she was still with us, I had taken the time to benefit from her many other areas of expertise including baking, canning and gardening. Perhaps, instead of looking at the phrase “granny hobbies” as demeaning, we are in fact honouring and respecting our elders who came before us. Let’s set aside ageism and the generational labels that come with it and simply appreciate what each individual person, regardless of age, can share with us if we are willing to listen.

CARING FOR OURSELVES AND OUR PLANET

4/2/2026

April is Earth Month. At first glance, it seems almost insignificant to celebrate Earth Month when the world as we know it seems to be on a path to self-destruction.

I just received my new annual monthly budget plan for home heating oil – and it has increased by almost 65% over the year ending March, 2026. This is not because we kept our home at a tropical temperature; it is not because our usage substantially exceeded the previous annual budget. In fact, our oil usage was below budget. This is 100% on Trump and his reckless “excursion” (yes, his words) – his illegal war that has closed the Strait of Hormuz, creating a bottleneck to the delivery of approximately 20% of the world’s oil supplies.

The bombing of oil and military sites has also caused substantial and long-term environmental impacts including the release of toxic pollutants, heavy metals and carcinogenic materials into the air, water and soil.

And how does the incompetent Trump administration deal with this? By quashing the Endangered Species Act regulations in the Gulf of Mexico (its rightful name) and allowing for oil and gas drilling in this area which could doom the very existence of the critically endangered Rice whale.

Leaving the political landscape aside, how do we as individual human beings inhabiting this precious planet fight back?

Firstly, we need to take some serious steps towards eliminating our reliance on fossil fuels. We need to move away from gasoline powered vehicles, homes heated by oil and natural gas. Wind and solar power cannot be constrained through the military machinations of one or two narcissistic leaders. I recognise that this is not an immediate solution – this is something that requires a great deal of investment in infrastructure. But it is certainly something that we need to embrace in the long term.

So – let’s look at what we can do immediately.

Let’s move away from our reliance on plastic, another petroleum product. Yes, it is oftentimes a quick and easy solution to an immediate need, but it is not healthy for us or for the environment. Do you bake bread? Don’t store it in an old plastic bread bag. Use a cloth bag or a beeswax wrap. The bread can “breathe” and won’t get all stale and dried out or mouldy. Have leftovers? Don’t store them in plastic containers. Chemicals like phalates, BPA and PFAS can leach into food, especially when heated or if the container is old or has been washed with harsh detergents. These chemicals are a known cause of infertility, diabetes, cancer and neurodevelopmental issues. Instead, reuse glass containers – perhaps from a tasty spaghetti sauce or jam you purchased (or made) – or stainless steel containers. Cleaning agents like laundry soap, fabric softener, dish detergent, shampoo that come in large plastic containers can contain up to 90% water! These purchases impact our environment in two ways: the increased shipping costs and the plastic containers. Instead, look to products that are concentrates – perhaps you reconstitute a concentrated cleaner by adding water at home and mixing it in a glass or stainless steel container. There are laundry strips or powdered laundry detergents, and shampoo bars that do not rely on plastic packaging.

Then, of course, there is our clothing. We are a civilisation that loves the ease of polyester clothing. What is polyester? A petroleum by-product. Yupper – when you wear polyester, you are wrapping yourself up in crude oil. Same with “vegan leather” – which is most often a fancy name for plastic. Choose natural fibres like wool, cotton, linen, hemp. These fibres are breathable and compostable. Did you know that, when you wash your polyester garments, up to 700,000 microplastic fibres are released into our waterways from a single laundry load. Synthetic clothing is responsible for approximately 35% of the microplastics in our oceans. And what do manufacturers of polyester clothes recommend? Washing these items less often. That’s great. Polyester clothing doesn’t breathe, providing a lovely environment for bacteria to grow. That delightful aroma of dirty socks? From sweaty feet in nylon socks – not an issue with wool socks! Another recommendation from the polyester manufacturers is to use liquid detergent rather than powdered detergent. I’d only agree with this if you were using a liquid detergent that you reconstituted yourself, rather than those big plastic jugs.

One final option is to shop and support local. I realize that the Trump administration is saying that the grassroots “buy Canadian” movement is a “trade irritant”, but what’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. By shopping locally, we aren’t shipping goods great distances. Eat seasonally. If possible, have a small garden plot, participate in a community garden, or even balcony garden for fresh veggies that can be frozen to help see you through the lean winter months. Don’t use chemical fertilizers in your garden. Look into using wool pellets, which can be used as a fertilizer or a mulch. They reduce your need to water by an average of 25%. If you mix some pellets into potting soil, you can create a seed starter mix. Small businesses across Canada are setting up wool pellet mills, like Knit Pickers PEI has already done. You can now find pellet makers in BC, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and of course PEI, with more in the works. Our pellets will once again be available in our studio and through Veseys Seeds – in their store, and through their website or catalogue.

Each step we take, no matter how small, will create a better and healthier world for generations to come. Each step will make us less reliant on and less hostage to the powerful oil industry. So, yes – let’s celebrate Earth Month knowing that, collectively, we can and we do make a difference.

Heartbreak in tumbler ridge, bc

2/11/2026

On February 10th, Canadians learned of a tragic shooting that happened at a high school in the small rural community of Tumbler Ridge, BC.

An event like this is absolutely heartbreaking. Seven people, including the shooter, were found dead at the school; I believe two more are hospitalized in critical condition; and approximately twenty-five more people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. There are two more people who were found dead inside a home and police have confirmed that they were the mother and stepbrother of the shooter. With a population of only around 2,400 people, I would believe that every single person in this community will have been directly impacted or will be closely connected to a family that has been directly impacted by this tragedy.

There is no doubt that this event is horrifying, shocking and atrocious. Prime Minister Mark Carney’s emotions were visible when he spoke about the loss that the families, friends, community and our country are feeling. I am comforted, however, by the outpouring of compassion and support that is coming from all over the world. One from President Zelenskkyy touched me to the core. With all of the horrors he and the people of Ukraine are dealing with - that he took the time to send condolences speaks so highly of who he is as a person.

Recently, a Canadian asked their Commonwealth friends in Australia and New Zealand to keep watch while Canadians slept. When Canadians wake up, they take over the watch while Australians and New Zealanders sleep. It has been a light-hearted exchange with folks saying that they’ve left out munchies and beverages for the “watchers”. This morning, the exchanges are decidedly different in tone – full of empathy, love and concern.

I’ve also noted a similar outpouring of support from some of our American neighbours, most notably folks in Minnesota who mention the support they have received from Canadians during the “occupation” of their state by ICE agents and their wish to stand with us as we have stood with them.

I have also seen numerous messages from the UK, including one specifically from King Charles, from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Spain to name just a few.

In a world that has been feeling increasingly dark, I am so incredibly grateful for everyone who is sharing their compassion, being beacons of light and love. Together, we can and will overcome the darkness.

DRAWING BACK THE CURTAIN ON DARKNESS

1/26/2026

I think that most folks will agree when I say that we are living in challenging times. Ukranians are in their 4th year of battling against Russia. The current US administration wants to own the western hemisphere like some sort of deranged real estate transaction. Tariffs are causing difficulties for many businesses and definitely add to the increased cost of goods and services for our American neighbours. As a Canadian, it feels like we are under a daily barrage of threats – and then I look to the strength of Minnesotans who are bravely fighting these threats personally, not figuratively.

I was having such difficulty thinking of a topic about which to write this month. I didn’t want to add to the darkness. On the other hand, writing something fluffy just seemed completely disingenuous.

I have read many comments from people ranging from “Stay out of politics. Just stay in your knitting lane” to “I’m just one person, what can I do?” If you know me at all, you will know that I don’t limit myself to a single lane, especially when it comes to something that will affect my friends, my family, my country’s sovereignty. I understand how overwhelming the darkness may seem. So – what can we do for one another? Be a safe place where your friends and family can share their difficulties. Be a safe place for yourself, too. Don’t hold yourself to unrealistic standards. Don’t always be the “strong, silent type”. In the darkness, do your best to bring hope, to share the light. We can do that through the written word. We can do that by making informed purchasing decisions. We can do that by supporting those who are striving to make this world a kinder, better place.

Just this week, our wonderful Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a number of affordability measures designed to help Canadians who are struggling with the rising cost of living. While this made me feel proud to be a Canadian, what made me feel even more proud were the comments from fellow Canadians who would not be benefiting from these new measures as their incomes were too high. Rather than complaining, they as a whole were saying, “I don’t qualify for the rebate. I support it anyway. I believe not every benefit has to be for me. But if it helps another Canadian, I’m 100% for it and in agreement!” (a direct quote from Angela Williams on Threads, shared with permission)

I have shared, with permission, a couple of original images by Tara Shannon, the “Rabbit and Bear” author, artist and illustrator who lives in northern Ontario. Her inspirational words combined with the simplicity of her artwork have an incredibly soothing effect for me. I hope that, through sharing, they bring some light to your day. Do be sure to give her a follow on Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Bluesky. Her website is: tarashannonwrites.com or search social media sites for "tarashannonwrites".

We are not experiencing "Peace on earth, goodwill to men"

12/11/2025

I did not write this month's blog. I am sharing, with permission, Nancy McClure's excellent evaluation of the most recent political manoeuverings by the US administration. We are living in dark times. We must strive continuously to be the light.

artwork by Tara Shannon

Shared from Nancy McClure:

People keep telling me I’m “not writing from a Canadian perspective”. So let me be uncomfortably blunt: everything I write, whether it’s about Washington, Moscow, Venezuela, or the moon, is through a Canadian lens. Because in 2025, there is no such thing as an American crisis that stays on the American side of the border. What happens there reaches us in real time. Economically, militarily, socially, digitally and emotionally.

Anything I write about the U.S. is about Canada. And this week, the danger became impossible to soften.

Two months ago, Pete Hegseth stood before senior U.S. military leaders and said the quiet part out loud, not hinted at, not theorized, not coded. No, he declared, “We don’t fight with stupid rules of engagement. We untie the hands of our war fighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill… Just common sense, maximum lethality, and authority for war fighting.”

Maximum lethality. Untie the hands, intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill. That is not doctrine nor strategy. That is permission.

So when the world watched the evolving, contradictory explanations around the second strike on an alleged cartel drug boat, one that looks chillingly like a war crime, none of us should be surprised. The guardrails are gone. They told us they were removing them. They said it right into the cameras.

And as Canadians we’re supposed to shrug and say, “U.S. politics are weird right now”? This isn’t “weird.” This is destabilization and destabilization doesn’t need a passport to cross borders. My nephew, who served his entire career in the Royal Canadian Air Force and now continues with them in a civilian role wrote something earlier this year that I keep returning to. I’m paraphrasing, but he described standing on a tarmac in Afghanistan watching Star Spangled Banner draped coffins being loaded onto a plane. He talked about serving beside Americans who lived, laughed, fought, bled, and grieved as brothers, never caring what flag was on your shoulder as long as you showed up. He believed, deeply, that those same American generals would never obey an order to turn their military against Canada. He believed it was unthinkable. And in March, I believed that too. But this is not March. And the United States is not the same country it was even eight months ago.

Last night’s National Security Strategy should have stopped the world in its tracks. Instead, it barely caused a ripple because we’ve all become numb to shock. But we cannot afford numbness. Not here in Canada. There are references that clearly indicate we are viewed as a vassal state. If you look up that term, it means the following. ‘A state that has a mutual obligation to a superior state or empire, similar to a subordinate in a medieval feudal system.’

This is how Trump’s America now views Canada. Not as an ally. Not as a partner. Not as a neighbour with whom it shares the longest peaceful border in the world. But as a subordinate with obligations to an empire.

Read that again. And if you still think Trump is a “good guy,” and that the far-right radical politics sweeping across North America are some kind of righteous populist uprising, then you’re reading the wrong post and the wrong blogger or exactly the one you needed.

People often tell me that my writing calms them. But today, I don’t think I can do that. Today is not about calm. Today is about clarity. About looking at the shift happening south of us, militarily, politically, psychologically, and understanding that Canada is not insulated.

And yes, of course we need to pay attention to what’s happening right here at home, not to hide from the global picture, but because what’s unfolding in Alberta is part of that global picture. The erosion of institutional trust, the attacks on journalism, the flirtation with authoritarian rhetoric, the manufactured chaos, it all mirrors, almost perfectly, what we saw in the U.S. before their political centre collapsed. And the truth is, action always begins closest to home. We can’t fix the entire world, but we can damn well protect the ground we’re standing on. If we don’t get our house in order here, if we don’t recognize the direction these currents are pulling us, then political chaos becomes a gift to anyone who sees Canada not as a nation to respect, but as a chess piece to be moved.

And as much as this fear sits in my chest like a stone, I remain grateful, profoundly grateful, that Mark Carney is the one steering the ship in this moment. Steady when the world is lurching. Calm when our neighbour is convulsing. Focused when others are consumed by rage, impulse, and decline. But leadership can only work when a country understands the stakes.

I wish I could tell you everything will be fine. I wish I could offer comfort instead of warning. But the truth is that Canada is vulnerable. Not because we are weak, but because the reality around us has changed faster than we have been willing to admit.

And the most dangerous thing we can do right now, as Canadians, as Albertans, as people who love this country, is pretend that the ground beneath us isn’t shaking. I am still optimistic. I wouldn’t write any of this if I weren’t. I believe in us. I believe in what we can be. I believe in our capacity to meet the moment. But optimism is not the same as denial. And today, the truth is simple and unavoidable: When an unstable superpower drops its guardrails, every nation in its shadow had better wake up. Because history does not wait for those who refuse to see it coming.

exhaustion

11/5/2025

I’m exhausted.
Yes, it was a very busy summer and fall season at the studio – and for that I am always very thankful. And, yes – adding the new wool pellet product line is also exhausting as it has been, at times, an exercise in frustration due to issues like equipment malfunctions. Then there is the added responsibility of entering into my third year as President of the Central Coastal Tourism Partnership, our region’s local tourism association for businesses involved in the Island’s tourism industry.

But what’s noted above is not what is at the root cause of this feeling of fatigue. It is the constant bombardment of news dealing with the repulsive actions of certain political leaders.
It’s been less than 10 months since Trump assumed the role of US President and, in that short period of time, he continues to threaten to destroy Canada’s economy in order to gain unfettered access to Canada’s critical minerals and water. His “ICE” force, supposedly there to keep US citizens safe from illegal immigrants, is nothing more than masked Gestapo agents who are permitted to violently arrest and detain citizens and immigrants at will. He has ordered military strikes on, to date, 16 boats supposedly smuggling drugs, killing at least 66 people. All without the approval of Congress. His behaviour is that of an autocrat who decides what direction the government will take on any given day based on his personal whims through the use of Executive Orders. If his mouth is open, a lie is forthcoming.
Canadians have their own delightful political leaders. Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, went into the 2025 federal election under the assumption that he would become the next Prime Minister of Canada as his party held a 20 point lead over the Liberals. Not only did he not win the election, he lost his own seat in the Ontario riding of Carleton, a seat he held for 20 years. He had to boot out another Conservative MP in what is likely the most right-wing riding in Canada and run for election there in order to secure himself a seat in the House of Commons. Since then, he has been a constant volcanic eruption of divisiveness and anger. He is now threatening to bring down PM Carney’s minority government over a budget that has been developed under the leadership of a highly experienced world economist. The vast majority of Canadians do not want to go through another federal election not even 6 months since the last one. We are looking for stability, cooperative leadership, and might I even add adult behaviour in the House of Commons.
I can’t even begin to touch on the horrors of the wars between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Gaza. Suffice it to say we are witnessing some very dark days.
Is it any wonder that I am feeling a sense of emotional exhaustion. And I know that I am not alone.
I truly believe that is why there was such unabashed joy as my fellow Canadians and I watched the Toronto Blue Jays take on the L.A. Dodgers in the World Series. The Dodgers were last year’s World Series champs while, in 2024, the Blue Jays were the team in dead last position. The general consensus (outside of Canada) was that the Dodgers would easily sweep the series, but they only managed to eke out a win after going into overtime in Game 7. While Canadians would have dearly loved to have seen the Jays win, they have nonetheless been inspirational. They played with heart, with tenacity, with an unmatched level of team spirit. There was a true camaraderie among the team members. They demonstrated the value in fighting the good fight and never giving up even when the odds seem to be stacked against you. They were a shining light in these dark days.

It is that very light that gives me hope. It helps me to see that perhaps the tide is turning. In yesterday’s US mayoral and gubernatorial elections, every Trump-approved candidate lost. And also yesterday, a Conservative Member of Parliament crossed the floor to join the Liberal Party, expressing his disillusionment with the tone and leadership of the Conservative Party. He feels that the decisions being made by the Conservative Party were not aligned with what his constituents want.
Will we get through these dark days? I hope so, but we will not emerge unscathed. There will be scars; trust has been broken. But I must believe that good will ultimately overcome the evil of greed and narcissism. And, in the meantime, I will do my best to take deep breaths and to remain so very thankful for good friends, family and the knitting community who supports Knit Pickers PEI through your purchases, your referrals, your promotion and your wonderful companionship.

a needed lesson about wool production

8/7/2025

A couple of days ago, I received an e-mail from a customer. She was upset because, when she got home, she weighed her skeins of wool and they were not all the same weight. She felt that I had either shortchanged her, or this particular supplier was ripping me off. She commented that she was well connected in her local fibre community and this did not reflect well on my shop.

Now, I don’t weigh every single skein of wool that comes into the studio. In fact, before this e-mail, I didn’t know anybody who weighed their wool to ensure that the label matched the number on the scale. I knew right away that it was time for some wool lessons!!!

When you purchase a skein of wool, it will come with a label that gives you the weight of the skein (i.e. 4 oz/113 g) and yardage (i.e. 215 yds/196 m). Some suppliers go a step further and add the word “approximately”. Why is this? Because there are a number of factors that will impact these measurements.

First, it’s important to know how a skein of wool is created at a mill. After the wool has been spun, it is wound onto bobbins, plied, then wound onto cones, after which it is taken to a machine that will wind up the skein. The operator can program the machine for a specific yardage. This ensures consistency in the length of yarn in each and every skein. If the wool is going to be sold in its natural colour, it will then be removed from the skeiner and twisted into the familiar shape of a hank or skein of wool.

So, imagine you take this single skein of wool and weigh it – and it comes out to exactly 113 g or 4 oz. Now you wind a number of skeins of wool and take them to the dye bath. Today, you’re going to make green, purple and red colourways, and leave some of the wool in its natural white state. Did you know that dying wool can affect the weight of the skein? Red and purple are the worst culprits because, in order to create these rich colours, you require more dye than you would use if you were creating a soft pink, green or blue. Have you ever noticed, when you are knitting, that red or purple wool feels a little thicker than a white wool? That’s because of the dying process. When the wool goes into the dye bath and it comes out again, the yardage in the skein of wool has not changed, but the weight may have changed.

So – if you purchase a skein of red wool and a skein of white wool, both perhaps a worsted weight from the same manufacturer and, when you take them home and weigh them, they are both exactly the same weight, you will have more yardage in your white skein than in your red skein! That is why the yardage indicated on the skein’s label is more accurate than the exact weight. Dying affects the weight of the skein but not the yardage.

If you would like to see spun wool being wound into a skein, take a peek at Fleece and Harmony’s video at the link below. Fast forward to approximately 1:13:30 to see the skein winder in action.

https://youtu.be/_Yg1kJU0mPU?si=4vfazwauMrvT06XD&t=4410

Hope this helps to alleviate any confusion. And, as always, happy knitting!

eXHAUSTION AND ANXIETY

7/10/2025

I am tired, exhausted, feeling numb. Every single day there seems to be a new atrocity from our southern neighbour. Threats against Canada’s sovereignty, tariffs designed to destabilize our economy (PS – it’s not working), lies told about Canada to turn Americans against Canadians. There is no massive amount of fentanyl flowing across the border from Canada to the US. There are no El Salvadorian gangs crossing the border in massive numbers. There is no 400% tariff on US dairy. Canadian fishers are not stealing fish from American waters. And, believe it or not, US representatives from Wisconsin and Minnesota sending a letter to the US Ambassador to Canada complaining about the smoke from forest fires in Canada. Are you serious?!?

Then there are the Nazi-like atrocities happening in the US. Donald’s Dachau. The Republicans may refer to it as Alligator Alcatraz and the public may refer to it as Alligator Auschwitz. It is Donald’s Dachau. Auschwitz was built in Poland. Dachau was built in Germany and Hitler was very proud of it. Trump and Temu Barbie Kristi Noem toured this concentration camp and joked about escapees needing to learn how to dodge alligators. Generators are constantly kicking out, meaning that the prisoners have no access to water. Food is infested with maggots. Necessary medications are denied. And who is sent to these concentration camps? Human beings who have been ripped from their families by masked, armed ICE agents, fully reminiscent of the Gestapo. These human beings have no charges brought against them, no access to legal council, no rights whatsoever.

We have Alberta Premier Danielle Smith cozying up to Trump like he is her shining beacon of hope. We have Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Federal Conservative Party, losing his election and thus his seat in the House of Commons, getting a “do-over” in an Alberta riding to the tune of a minimum of $1.5 million while he continues to squat in Stornaway. He is no longer the leader of the official opposition and is not eligible to stay in Stornaway as he does not have a seat in the House of Commons. Yet there he squats in a fully-renovated residence that costs roughly $15,000 a month, plus the expenses of a personal driver, chef, groundskeeper…but he has voted against pharmacare, dental care, $10/day childcare for average Canadians. Canadian news channels continue to interview Poilievre, seeking his opinion on issues facing Canadians – but do they give any airtime to Bonnie Critchley, the person who is running against Poilievre in the Battle River/Crowfoot riding? Nope. I would love to see Poilievre lose this byelection too and then disappear into thin air. I wish Bonnie Critchley all the success but I fear that, in this highly conservative riding, a person running as an independent candidate has little chance of winning. Then we will be once again subjected to Poilievre’s divisive, anger-fueled rhetoric and antics daily in the House of Commons.

I fear the kind of world we are leaving to future generations. Hate speech has become commonplace with folks hiding behind keyboards and spewing nastiness. The US has become a fascist state. Russia continues its attack on Ukraine; Israel continues its genocide of Palestinians (no, this is not anti-Semitic. You can despise the actions of a country’s leader without hating its people). I look at the beautiful, innocent faces of my great niece and great nephews and wonder what the world will be like when they come of age. Will democracy still exist? Will our planet still exist?

I will continue to fight; I will continue to speak out against evil. I do have hope as I see world leaders unite to support one another through trade deals, and as folks from all over the world boycott US travel and goods. I am thankful that we have such a competent leader as PM Mark Carney. Yes, I will continue to knit in hopes of alleviating a little bit of the stress and anxiety I feel. And I thank you for the many kind words you have sent my way. Stay strong, my friends!

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