Tina Kowalski
Bio
Alberta-based author Tina Kowalski is the author of multiple books, each of which blend humor, faith, and practical advice to help readers navigate life's awkward moments and find joy in even the most difficult situations.
Stories (15)
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Hiss Vs Growl
Life was good before the move. Leo and Loki spent all day eating, sleeping, and playing. Their humans’ presence was not necessary for the enjoyment of their dog free paradise. Each had their favorite spots on the couch and windowsill where they would bask in sunbeams and challenge birds. When not engaging in these activities they would spend hours discussing the humans they were forced to live with.
By Tina Kowalski22 days ago in Petlife
Dear Papa
Dear Papa. It’s hard to believe that it has been almost 30 years since I last saw you. Back then I was a clueless teenager who did not appreciate the incredible gifts your decisions gave me. I’m sorry for that. As time goes by, I’ve come to understand how important your life and decision were.
By Tina Kowalskiabout a year ago in Humans
How Keeping up with the Joneses Can Be Good for You
One of the books I have come to really enjoy lately is “The Law of the Harvest” by Sterling W. Sill. As the name suggests it is a book about the consequences of decisions using storytelling to explain principles that we can aspire to in life. Published in 1963 the book has a total of 52 chapters each with a story and associated principles that I found to be quite valuable. One of my favorite stories is about a phrase that is fairly commonly used here in North America “Keeping up with the Joneses”.
By Tina Kowalskiabout a year ago in FYI
Productivity Hacks from a Book Meant for Manufacturing
A while ago I read “The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement” by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox (20th Anniversary Edition.) This book contains a fictional story designed to assist those in manufacturing to improve their performance. Since I read it I realized that there are several lessons we all can use in our lives.
By Tina Kowalskiabout a year ago in Humans
The Silverback was a Perfect Gentleman
Despite being annoyed at first I’m glad my friends ditched me that day. We were supposed to go to the Calgary Zoo but they called me last minute to reschedule. Instead of changing my plans I went by myself and have an incredible experience.
By Tina Kowalskiabout a year ago in Earth
Tougher than a Vulture
My grandmother was tougher than a vulture. She proved this one day at the Winnipeg Zoo when an escaped bird waddled towards us. Dispassionately looking at us with his grey eyes he did nothing at first but then grasped onto her purse with his beak causing her to react by kicking her foot towards him and scaring him off.
By Tina Kowalskiabout a year ago in Humans
My Single-Eyed Experience
On September 14, 2024 while pruning a bush, a branch snaked around my glasses and poked me in the eye. I blinked for a few minutes, held my lid away from the eye, and gradually the pain subsided. Since my vision seemed ok, and cold compresses caused the rest of the pain to go away, I went on with my day until several hours later when the pain came back aggressively.
By Tina Kowalskiabout a year ago in Humans
St. Boniface Cathedral
On a previous trip to Winnipeg I went with my husband to one of the iconic tourist destinations of the city. Located across from "The Forks" along the banks of the Red River the St. Boniface Cathedral is a stone ruin with an intriguing past and a surprise located within. Gutted by a fire back in 1968 which completely destroyed the interior of the great cathedral, the place is beautiful and serene with shady walks and impressive stonework. Walking up to it from the river you see high walls and a large circular hole where there was once a stain glass window. As with all ruins, from a distance and in pictures the place intrigues you - your curiosity makes you want to get closer and see the details for yourself. As we walked around this place that I had come to many occasions before my attitude and insight began to change. It was my husband's first time there and it was a different experience for me being able to see it through his eyes.
By Tina Kowalski2 years ago in History
Spousal Pearls
Have you ever heard the phrase "the world is your oyster"? Often used to describe the numerous opportunities that are available to us in life this phrase came to mean something different to me several years ago when I was on vacation in French Polynesia. Like many tourists I went to a couple pearl farms, the Robert WAN Pearl Museum in Papeete, and several shops as part of my trip. In French Polynesia pearls are produced by the Pinctada margaritifera oyster or the "black-lip pearl oyster". Originally pearls were harvested from the wild and were produced naturally as a result of an irritant getting stuck in the oyster. This irritant causes harm to the oyster which protects itself by excreting nacre on it to soften the sharp edges. The result is a shiny, smooth bead which can be used for many purposes including decoration or jewelry. Highly valuable due their beauty and rarity natural pearls were prized by many for centuries. Today's pearls are cultivated using perfectly round nucleuses (aka seeds) inserted into the oyster. The nucleuses give the oyster a head start as they determine the minimum size of the pearl produced and influences its final shape.
By Tina Kowalski2 years ago in Families
Awesome Places to Film in Halifax
In 2012 and 2013 I had the opportunity to live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Fresh off my job as a land use planner I was amazed at the way this city is able to honour its history while maintaining a rich cultural diversity and supporting a modern way of living. The moist climate leads to beautiful and dramatic landscapes where rock outcrops compete with lush forests and gardens are full of colour. Having never seen the Atlantic Ocean I finally understood Lee Ann Womack’s song “I Hope You Dance” about “feeling small when you stand beside the ocean.” Halifax will always hold a special place in my heart from all of the memories I made there.
By Tina Kowalski3 years ago in Wander
