Mel 🍁
@midliferewrite.substack.com
Writer exploring midlife reinvention through personal essays and speculative short fiction. Canadian living in beautiful British Columbia. Substack: midliferewrite.substack.com
Sometimes stories find you again at the strangest moments.
I revisited one tonight — eerie, shadowed, quiet — and gave it a home on Substack.
Still Waters
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
I revisited one tonight — eerie, shadowed, quiet — and gave it a home on Substack.
Still Waters
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
Still Waters
I logged into Substack recently after a longer break than intended and found a few kind comments waiting for me—thank you for those.
open.substack.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Sometimes stories find you again at the strangest moments.
I revisited one tonight — eerie, shadowed, quiet — and gave it a home on Substack.
Still Waters
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
I revisited one tonight — eerie, shadowed, quiet — and gave it a home on Substack.
Still Waters
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
Last week: 'Oh look, adorable garden rats! I'll call them Mr. Abernathy's family!' This week: An eagle has entered the chat.
#nature #gardening #wildlife
substack.com/@midliferewr...
#nature #gardening #wildlife
substack.com/@midliferewr...
Melanie Parkinson (@midliferewrite)
Last week, I noted that the garden had become the setting for a lost Beatrix Potter story, with scurrying inhabitants as characters—Mr. Abernathy and his family—living their idyllic lives among the mi...
substack.com
August 15, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Last week: 'Oh look, adorable garden rats! I'll call them Mr. Abernathy's family!' This week: An eagle has entered the chat.
#nature #gardening #wildlife
substack.com/@midliferewr...
#nature #gardening #wildlife
substack.com/@midliferewr...
Yesterday I wrote about a daughter discovering her wizard father's secrets. It got me thinking about why mythic fiction resonates so deeply - and why archetypal stories help us understand our own lives.
#WritingCommunity #Storytelling #authors
substack.com/@midliferewr...
#WritingCommunity #Storytelling #authors
substack.com/@midliferewr...
Melanie Parkinson (@midliferewrite)
I've been thinking a lot about why I'm so drawn to writing mythic fiction. Yesterday I wrote about a daughter discovering her wizard father isn't who she thought he was. On the surface, it's pure fant...
substack.com
August 9, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Yesterday I wrote about a daughter discovering her wizard father's secrets. It got me thinking about why mythic fiction resonates so deeply - and why archetypal stories help us understand our own lives.
#WritingCommunity #Storytelling #authors
substack.com/@midliferewr...
#WritingCommunity #Storytelling #authors
substack.com/@midliferewr...
My latest Substack is live. For a decade, I tried to be the writer I thought I should be. This is the story of "Shedding the Shoulds," breaking free from creative pressure, and finally finding my own voice.
#WritingCommunity #Essays #CreativeWriting #Perfectionism
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
#WritingCommunity #Essays #CreativeWriting #Perfectionism
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
Shedding the Shoulds
When I was around thirteen, already an avid reader, my dad's secretary gave me a well-worn copy of The Princess Bride. I devoured it in one night. From then on, I was hooked on the fantasy genre. Davi...
open.substack.com
August 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
My latest Substack is live. For a decade, I tried to be the writer I thought I should be. This is the story of "Shedding the Shoulds," breaking free from creative pressure, and finally finding my own voice.
#WritingCommunity #Essays #CreativeWriting #Perfectionism
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
#WritingCommunity #Essays #CreativeWriting #Perfectionism
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
My garden has rats. My writer's brain, however, insists they're a lost Beatrix Potter family, starring Mr. Abernathy. A lovely story, right up until the inevitable unwritten final chapter: "A Forestial Rehoming."
#Gardening #Writing #Storytelling #BeatrixPotter
#Gardening #Writing #Storytelling #BeatrixPotter
August 6, 2025 at 4:49 AM
My garden has rats. My writer's brain, however, insists they're a lost Beatrix Potter family, starring Mr. Abernathy. A lovely story, right up until the inevitable unwritten final chapter: "A Forestial Rehoming."
#Gardening #Writing #Storytelling #BeatrixPotter
#Gardening #Writing #Storytelling #BeatrixPotter
Reposted by Mel 🍁
The "It Was Perfect in My Head" Syndrome
#WritingTips #author #writing #writerslife #amwriting #booksky #WritingCommunity
#WritingTips #author #writing #writerslife #amwriting #booksky #WritingCommunity
August 5, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The "It Was Perfect in My Head" Syndrome
#WritingTips #author #writing #writerslife #amwriting #booksky #WritingCommunity
#WritingTips #author #writing #writerslife #amwriting #booksky #WritingCommunity
3am Writer’s Brain
A clue it’s time to shut down the computer: when your character is casting a fire spell and you catch yourself wondering what the words might taste like on the caster’s tongue.
Evidence it’s way past time: when the phrase “ichorous ore” hits the page.
#writing #WritingCommunity
A clue it’s time to shut down the computer: when your character is casting a fire spell and you catch yourself wondering what the words might taste like on the caster’s tongue.
Evidence it’s way past time: when the phrase “ichorous ore” hits the page.
#writing #WritingCommunity
August 4, 2025 at 9:01 AM
3am Writer’s Brain
A clue it’s time to shut down the computer: when your character is casting a fire spell and you catch yourself wondering what the words might taste like on the caster’s tongue.
Evidence it’s way past time: when the phrase “ichorous ore” hits the page.
#writing #WritingCommunity
A clue it’s time to shut down the computer: when your character is casting a fire spell and you catch yourself wondering what the words might taste like on the caster’s tongue.
Evidence it’s way past time: when the phrase “ichorous ore” hits the page.
#writing #WritingCommunity
Reposted by Mel 🍁
Just published a new short story on my Substack - "The Mirror". Born from scrambling to meet a UCLA writing workshop deadline and piecing together unfinished fragments. Sometimes the best stories come from desperation!
#writing #magicalrealism #shortfiction
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
#writing #magicalrealism #shortfiction
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
The Mirror
A short story about longing, magic, and the reflections we find when we're not looking for them.
open.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Just published a new short story on my Substack - "The Mirror". Born from scrambling to meet a UCLA writing workshop deadline and piecing together unfinished fragments. Sometimes the best stories come from desperation!
#writing #magicalrealism #shortfiction
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
#writing #magicalrealism #shortfiction
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
Reposted by Mel 🍁
I feel like in any other context, breaking off a tiny chunk of food and just flinging it on the floor for someone else to eat would be an act of unfathomable contempt, but my dog seems to love it
July 21, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I feel like in any other context, breaking off a tiny chunk of food and just flinging it on the floor for someone else to eat would be an act of unfathomable contempt, but my dog seems to love it
"New post: After years of caregiving, my husband and I finally had a weekend away. Just us. It reminded me who we were before life redefined what we were allowed to be.
#marriage #midlife #caregiving #relationships
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
#marriage #midlife #caregiving #relationships
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
A Moment All Our Own
When we opened the door to our room at the little B&B we’d rented for the weekend, the Pacific Ocean sparkled its welcome through vast picture windows that stretched from wall to wall.
open.substack.com
July 22, 2025 at 8:28 AM
"New post: After years of caregiving, my husband and I finally had a weekend away. Just us. It reminded me who we were before life redefined what we were allowed to be.
#marriage #midlife #caregiving #relationships
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
#marriage #midlife #caregiving #relationships
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
Just published my first Substack post! After years of holding space for everyone else, I'm claiming some creative space for myself. If you're in your own 'rewrite' phase, I'd love to have you along for the journey.
#writing #midlife #substack
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
#writing #midlife #substack
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
Welcome to Midlife Rewrite
My new chapter begins
open.substack.com
July 14, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Just published my first Substack post! After years of holding space for everyone else, I'm claiming some creative space for myself. If you're in your own 'rewrite' phase, I'd love to have you along for the journey.
#writing #midlife #substack
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
#writing #midlife #substack
open.substack.com/pub/midlifer...
Reposted by Mel 🍁
Thanks to @meidastouch.bsky.social for sharing stories of the resistance on both sides of the border.
#elbowsup
#elbowsup
April 19, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Thanks to @meidastouch.bsky.social for sharing stories of the resistance on both sides of the border.
#elbowsup
#elbowsup
Reposted by Mel 🍁
"On Tyranny" is a #1 NYT bestseller again. I wish the moment were different. But I’m glad the book is useful. And grateful for all the kind words about putting the 20 lessons to work.
snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...
snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...
Twenty Lessons, read by John Lithgow
Key selections from On Tyranny, for viewing and sharing
snyder.substack.com
April 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
"On Tyranny" is a #1 NYT bestseller again. I wish the moment were different. But I’m glad the book is useful. And grateful for all the kind words about putting the 20 lessons to work.
snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...
snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...
Reposted by Mel 🍁
Today’s Daily Cartoon, by Lisa Rothstein. #NewYorkerCartoons nyer.cm/QAnwGsj
April 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Today’s Daily Cartoon, by Lisa Rothstein. #NewYorkerCartoons nyer.cm/QAnwGsj
Reposted by Mel 🍁
As a Canadian who lives right by the border, I want my American neighbours to know that you remain our brothers & sisters.
We are for you.
We are for your flourishing.
We are for you overcoming evil with good.
You are not your leader.
~Your Canadian Neighbour
We are for you.
We are for your flourishing.
We are for you overcoming evil with good.
You are not your leader.
~Your Canadian Neighbour
March 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
As a Canadian who lives right by the border, I want my American neighbours to know that you remain our brothers & sisters.
We are for you.
We are for your flourishing.
We are for you overcoming evil with good.
You are not your leader.
~Your Canadian Neighbour
We are for you.
We are for your flourishing.
We are for you overcoming evil with good.
You are not your leader.
~Your Canadian Neighbour
Reposted by Mel 🍁
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly on Trump's trade war:
"This is much more than about our economy. It is about the future of our country. Canadian sovereignty and identity are nonnegotiable. Canadians have had enough, and we are a strong country."
"This is much more than about our economy. It is about the future of our country. Canadian sovereignty and identity are nonnegotiable. Canadians have had enough, and we are a strong country."
March 12, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly on Trump's trade war:
"This is much more than about our economy. It is about the future of our country. Canadian sovereignty and identity are nonnegotiable. Canadians have had enough, and we are a strong country."
"This is much more than about our economy. It is about the future of our country. Canadian sovereignty and identity are nonnegotiable. Canadians have had enough, and we are a strong country."
Reposted by Mel 🍁
The boycott is strong.
Canadians will not break.
We thank our allies and friends from across the world who are supporting our fight.
Boycott the felon administration.
Spend your travel dollars elsewhere.
Don't spend a dime in the USA.
Here is my latest interview.
ottawa.citynews.ca/video/2025/0...
Canadians will not break.
We thank our allies and friends from across the world who are supporting our fight.
Boycott the felon administration.
Spend your travel dollars elsewhere.
Don't spend a dime in the USA.
Here is my latest interview.
ottawa.citynews.ca/video/2025/0...
'People should not travel to the United States': Ontario MP urges Canadians to reconsider upcoming trips
As the U.S. implements punishing tariffs on Canadian exports, Ontario MP, Charlie Angus is encouraging people to shop local. Alan Carter speaks with Angus about why this is important and measures bein...
ottawa.citynews.ca
March 5, 2025 at 12:24 AM
The boycott is strong.
Canadians will not break.
We thank our allies and friends from across the world who are supporting our fight.
Boycott the felon administration.
Spend your travel dollars elsewhere.
Don't spend a dime in the USA.
Here is my latest interview.
ottawa.citynews.ca/video/2025/0...
Canadians will not break.
We thank our allies and friends from across the world who are supporting our fight.
Boycott the felon administration.
Spend your travel dollars elsewhere.
Don't spend a dime in the USA.
Here is my latest interview.
ottawa.citynews.ca/video/2025/0...
Reposted by Mel 🍁
You know, there are competitors to Starlink. After this, if Canadian company (or Premier) needing satellite internet doesn't consider those other options, then their loyalties are suspect.
February 25, 2025 at 4:36 PM
You know, there are competitors to Starlink. After this, if Canadian company (or Premier) needing satellite internet doesn't consider those other options, then their loyalties are suspect.
Reposted by Mel 🍁
BTW, if you're into Buy Canadian remember that basically all mainstream print media in Canada... Isn't
Choose @thetyee.ca @thenarwhal.ca hell, even @thebeaverton.com
Choose @thetyee.ca @thenarwhal.ca hell, even @thebeaverton.com
February 3, 2025 at 12:26 AM
BTW, if you're into Buy Canadian remember that basically all mainstream print media in Canada... Isn't
Choose @thetyee.ca @thenarwhal.ca hell, even @thebeaverton.com
Choose @thetyee.ca @thenarwhal.ca hell, even @thebeaverton.com
Reposted by Mel 🍁
I laid the wreathe for Canadians murdered by Nazis in the Abbaye d'Ardennes.
Our young lie in fields all over Europe.
They fought to free others from evil.
For Elon Musk to give the fascist salute and say it's time to "get over nazi guilt" - Fuck him.
And fuck those who say Canada should bend.
Our young lie in fields all over Europe.
They fought to free others from evil.
For Elon Musk to give the fascist salute and say it's time to "get over nazi guilt" - Fuck him.
And fuck those who say Canada should bend.
January 26, 2025 at 7:21 PM
I laid the wreathe for Canadians murdered by Nazis in the Abbaye d'Ardennes.
Our young lie in fields all over Europe.
They fought to free others from evil.
For Elon Musk to give the fascist salute and say it's time to "get over nazi guilt" - Fuck him.
And fuck those who say Canada should bend.
Our young lie in fields all over Europe.
They fought to free others from evil.
For Elon Musk to give the fascist salute and say it's time to "get over nazi guilt" - Fuck him.
And fuck those who say Canada should bend.
Reposted by Mel 🍁
Reposted by Mel 🍁
A gentle reminder that your attention is a form of currency. Spend it wisely.
January 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM
A gentle reminder that your attention is a form of currency. Spend it wisely.
Reposted by Mel 🍁
Opinion | O Canada, Come Join Us
Perhaps Trump is not making a threat but offering an opportunity.
www.nytimes.com
January 11, 2025 at 11:27 PM