My question is this,” said Jennifer Jackson from the chair she was occupying in the sun porch of her parents’ home. “If there is no space and there is no time, then how can anything be said to exist? I mean this house exists by taking up space. My words exist without taking up space
University education, philosophy and a bereft bank account
The Jacksons: From the July 16 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Dying small towns and the ‘sepulchre of lost dreams’
The Jacksons: From the July 2 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Quaint little town you got here,” said the lanky greying gentleman who had seated himself, without invitation, at Andrew Jackson’s table by the window of the café. “Very picturesque.” There was a moment of silence while the three original occupants of the table, Grant Toews, Barry Jenkins and Andrew, considered this. “You ain’t from here
The joy of babysitting comes to grandma’s door
The Jacksons: From the June 18 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Grandma!” The front door of Andrew and Rose Jackson’s house flew open and four-year-old Allison burst into the dining room, her parents, Randy and Jackie following behind her. “Allie darling,” Jackie chided setting Allison’s little brother Andy down on the floor, “we need to ring the doorbell before we go dashing in!” Andy toddled off
Sibling rivalry, sharing a beer and childhood secrets
The Jacksons: From the June 4 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Jennifer Jackson stepped out of the front door of the Jackson house and stood on the porch, gazing out at the world around her. An oriole burst into song from somewhere in the leafy depths of the gigantic elm tree on the front lawn and in the distance she could could hear the faint echo
Small town protest life and Fifty Grades of Grain
The Jacksons: From the May 7 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Andrew Jackson leaned back in his chair and took a sip of the coffee that the dark-haired young server with the silver nose ring had just poured for him. He set his cup down on the table before he spoke. “I’m looking across the street,” he said, peering out of the window, “and there appears
Weather predictions and cursing smartphones
The Jacksons: From the April 23 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Something is wrong with this picture.” Randy Jackson shielded his eyes as a gust of wind blew dust from the truck bed into his face. The tailgate on which he and Andrew and Brady sat creaked as he shifted his weight. “It’s not normal,” he concluded. “What’s not normal?” asked Brady. “The weather,” said Randy.
Fruit sniffing dogs and tales of Mexico
The Jacksons, from the Apr. 9, 2015 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
So, how was Mexico?” Andrew Jackson leaned back in his chair and took a sip of coffee. Rose, who was in the chair next to his did the same as the two of them waited for a reply to Andrew’s question. Their friends, Grant and Karen Toews, who sat across the table from them, looked
Catching a Jets game… and avoiding IKEA
The Jacksons, from the Mar. 26, 2015 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
Everything we need,” said Rose Jackson, “we can buy at Ikea.” Andrew laid his newspaper on the table and pondered his wife’s statement for a moment. “I suppose you’re right,” he said, “but you are ignoring the terrible negative consequence of following such a plan.” “Am I?” said Rose. “What terrible negative consequence would there
On the educational value of Sesame Street
The Jacksons, from the Mar. 13, 2015 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
What’cha makin’ there Allie?” Jennifer Jackson pulled a chair away from the table and sat down as she spoke, smoothing her tousled hair with her right hand and smothering a yawn with her left. Her niece Allison looked up from the bowl in which she was vigorously mixing her imaginary ingredients. “I’m making veggie half-burgers,”
The ‘serious effort’ of losing an election
The Jacksons, from the Feb. 26, 2015 issue of the Manitoba Co-operator
All I’m saying,” said the stranger who was sitting in the window chair at Andrew’s usual table in the café, “is that I expect it to be like watching the last 30 seconds of the Super Bowl. We’ll be shaking our heads and thinking, ‘Dude, it looks like you lost on purpose!’” Andrew set his
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
