As every writing workshop facilitator has said – writers are people who actively engage their senses and record the richness of their daily experiences to share with others. In other words, if you’re paying attention, you’ll benefit from meeting new people or enjoying adventures on any ordinary day.

My friend and colleague Janis McC, Membership Coordinator of the Writers’ Community of York Region (WCYR) headed out to Vaughan for a meeting with Lisa McDonough, Manager of the Pierre Berton Resource Library. Our objective was to identify partnership opportunities to benefit Library patrons and WCYR members – workshops, meeting space, cross-promotion, identifying speakers, etc. We got on like a house afire and developed a list of projects we’ll start planning for. So that was a great start to the day.

When our meeting was finished, Janis and I asked at the front desk for a suggestion about a good place for us to eat lunch. Before the front desk librarian could answer, a lady wearing a fabulous gold-toned patterned chenille coat stepped up and suggested St. Phillips Bakery, just around the corner. Halfway through giving us directions, she said, ‘Wait. I’ll show you. Just follow me.’ That kindness bowled us over, but as we chatted about it on our way to the parking lot, we agreed that, yes, that’s what women do. Whether you’re in Winners store trying on a sweater (no, that colour does nothing for you), picking up tomatoes in the supermarket (aw, they’re too hard to use in salad) or in the bookstore (try this author, I loved her latest series) – if you appear receptive, someone will step up and give you some drive-by advice or assistance. Pay it forward – give back – help a Sister out – it all works when done appropriately. But I’m getting sidetracked.