Mandy Eve-Barnett
Bio
Mandy Eve-Barnett is an Edmonton Best Seller, multi-genre author, writing children’s, YA and adult books. With eleven books published since 2011.
Stories (9)
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Crisp Morning Walk
Checking the thermometer on the front window the red liquid indicates minus fifteen, I will have to bundle up in a thick coat, hat, scarf and gloves this morning. As I struggle to get Twinkle’s special doggie bootees and coat on I try not to hurry, knowing if I get too flustered I will become uncomfortably hot. Opening the front door I relish the coolness of the crisp morning air, the snow is sparkling in the early morning sunlight, small rectangular flakes glistening. As we walk down the long drive, the heat of the house gradually leaves my body, at last I start to cool down to a more comfortable temperature – hot flushes are no fun. My breathe clouds in front of my face and leaves little crystals around the edge of my scarf and hat trim. The snow puffs up in front my boots as Twinkle and I make a trail in the virgin snow blanket. The hoar frost and midnight snow fall have created a world that resembles a black and white photograph with small dashes of colour dotted here and there, a post box, a neon glow of a porch light, the deep green of a fir frond and a bleached blonde telegraph pole. Near silence surrounds us, broken only by the crunch of snow underfoot and the distant drumming of a woodpecker, franticly trying to find a grub or two. Twinkle stops trotting, ears pricked, looking ahead, intently listening, I stand still and wait knowing her hearing is so much better than mine. Emerging from a small copse of trees a large moose slowly walks onto the road and with a nonchalant glance in our direction resumes his amble across to the other side and disappears into the birch trees. How can such a large animal vanish so completely once he is amidst the trees? Twinkle and I continue on our walk, enjoying the near silence and the flit of small birds dancing along through the bushes beside us. Returning home to a nice cup of tea and a slice of toast, my alone time centers me and gives me peace.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett2 months ago in Wander
Lion
Sally woke to the rumbling, chuffing and clatter of numerous vehicles on the street. She heard the clash of chains, gears grinding and raised voices. It was an odd assortment of noises in this usually quiet part of town. Loathing the idea of leaving her cozy soft blankets this early on a Sunday, Sally turned over hoping the intrusive clamour would soon disappear. ROAR! If she wasn’t mistaken that sounded a lot like a lion’s roar. She’d watched numerous nature programs to know that sound. I must have drifted off. I was dreaming. ROAR. There it was again, and she certainly was not sleeping. Flinging her bedclothes off her body, inhaling at the sudden chill her body experienced, Sally drew aside the curtains. The metal hoops rasped on the metal curtain rod as she did so. The street was full of vehicles, some in gaudy colours, others rusty and billowing and coughing dirty black diesel fumes. The annual fair convoy – how could she have forgotten the date? There were numerous bulky men, all in what Sally’s father used to call belt and braces attire, gesticulating and shouting at each other. Their voices ranged in tone from tenor to baritone to bass and the occasional soprano. Sally watched their movements in awe and intrigue. Their heavy boots thudded on the road, as they raced back and forth collecting a variety of objects. Some gathered sticks, some shovels and one lugged a huge net over his shoulder.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett4 years ago in Fiction
Embrace Experiences with Your Children as They Grow
When our children are small we revel in the joy they gather from the smallest things – biting into a sharp apple, playing with their shadow, squeezing mud through their fingers or hearing a new sound. We see the world anew again marveling at how we ‘missed’ the discovery of everyday things until they came along. It is although blinkers have fallen away. We record their first steps, their height on a doorway, photograph their birthdays and vacation adventures. As our children grow and experience the world around them we offer our own insights, our own experiences and gradually they gather their own knowledge of the sights, sounds and smells.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett5 years ago in Families
My Pet Ownership (Part 2)
Some pets stay with us for a long time, while others much shorter periods. After the loss of my Persian cat, (see Part 1) I did not want another pet of my own. However, in her infinite wisdom, my aunt gave me a Chihuahua for my twelfth birthday. As I was used to a large Alsatian, this tiny little thing seemed so fragile in comparison. I called her Poppet and cradled her in my arms most of the time. At the same time, my youngest sibling was maneuvering a baby walker around the house and bumping into everything, including everyone’s ankles. This would result in peals of laughter from him and screams of pain from us. Chasing Poppet became a great game and the poor animal would squeeze herself behind the sofa to escape. Unluckily, for Poppet, she was not always fast enough, and my baby brother would grab one of her back legs and swing her around before letting go. This was too much for me and my parents, so Poppet was returned to my aunt with thanks and an explanation that for her own safety it was best. I satisfied myself with our new Alsatian, also called Nikki and the puppies she produced, all thirteen of them for some time as well as the guinea pigs and rabbits.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett5 years ago in Petlife
My Pet Ownership (Part 1)
I have had pets of various sorts throughout out my life, each one gave me love in its own unique way. It also taught me that caring for another being is not to be taken lightly, no matter the trials and tribulations, I experienced while they were with me.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett5 years ago in Petlife
Discovering You Again
As women we have multiple pressures upon us of what we ‘should’ do and be as a female in society. We are bombarded with these pressures from all sides—social and media expectations, family and work commitments, the constant advertising ‘goals’ we are supposed to accomplish, and the result is we are diminished as individuals. We ‘must’ look a certain way, dress a certain way, and be all things to all people—Mother, wife, homemaker, excellent worker, athletic, fashionable, friend—and the list goes on. It is not achievable, and we should not try, but societal pressures make us feel like a failure if we don’t ‘match’ the ideal portrayed on every advert.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett6 years ago in Motivation
A Parent Passing
It is said that losing a parent is a rite of passage, but in truth it is a fundamental heartbreak that may never be resolved. Thoughts of how you treated your parent when you were younger can torment and twist. Questions of ‘Did I tell them how much I loved them?’ plague dark nights of wakefulness. Depending on your age at the time of their passing you may have abandonment issues, unresolved anger or resentment, or even non-contact issues. No matter what the ‘problem’ was, the vast majority of us grieves their passing and wish for more time with them.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett7 years ago in Families
Bookworm
I have to confess I had an ulterior motive for volunteering to look after the book stall at the village fete. Not only would I have first pick of the books, but it was nicely situated in a large tent so no matter what the weather conditions, I would be protected.
By Mandy Eve-Barnett7 years ago in Humans
