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My art research for my new novel, Forty Mermaids (Ottawa, Baico, 2026, info@baico.ca)

The fictional central character in my new novel, Forty Mermaids is a serious artist who participates in a real-life artists' group, the Montreal-based Contemporary Arts Society, which was a force for modernism between 1939 and 1948. Instrumental in starting this organization was John Lyman (1886-1967.  Lyman, who grew up in Montreal, was connected to the prosperous Morgan family of department store fame in that city. At twenty, he went to Paris, where he met and made friends with the Canadian painter, James W. Morrice, and studied at the Matisse school. His 1913 exhibition in Montreal did not go over well with either critics or the public the time, experimental, unconventional art was mistrusted. The public and the art gate-keepers were used to representational, figurative art, which "held a mirror up to nature."   After receiving these bad reviews, Lyman and his wife, Corinne Saint-Pierre, spent the next eighteen years in Europe and California, until strained finance...
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The History of "Forty Mermaids"

The History of Forty Mermaids by Ruth Latta   "Une histoire" generally translates into English as a story,”a fictional tale or anecdote, while "l'histoire" means history as an academic subject or an account of true past events. My new novel, Forty Mermaid s (Ottawa, Baico, 2026) is both. It’s a work of fiction which takes place against a backdrop of real events. It came out of my love of stories and my history background (M.A., Queen’s, 1973), and is my sixth Canadian historical novel focussed on a woman central character, whether historical or imaginary. The main characters in my earlier novels are: a folk song collector; a future feminist Member of Parliament; a women’s suffrage advocate; an aspiring fashion designer thwarted by the Great Depression, and a trade union leader.   My husband’s interest in art gave me the idea of creating a Canadian woman artist as my next central character. When Roger retired from microbiology and began painting as a hobby, ...
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My review of Katy, The Woman Who Signed the Declaration of Independence, by Betty Bolte

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  A review of Katy: The Woman Who Signed the Declaration of Independence by Betty Bolté   https:// compulsivereader.com/2026/01/ 21/a-review-of-katy-the-woman- who-signed-the-declaration-of- independence-by-betty-bolte/ January 21, 2026 .
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William's Letter to Santa (sent to me by my friend Joycelyn)

 Dear Santa, Please help me. What should I do? When I was a child, my father cheated on my mum and later my parents divorced.  Soon after that, my mother died in a car accident. My brother and  I lived at our grandmother's house.  The whole family lived on my grandma's money. Grandma died a couple of years ago and since then things have fallen apart. My uncle is barely keeping himself our of jail from day to day. My brother left home and won't talk to us anymore.  Dad, now in his seventies, has had to go to work, and eventually he's going to want me to do the same. Thank you, Santa, for listening.   Sincerely yours, William
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CHURCH BULLETIN BOARD - sent to me by my friend Joycelyn

 The following notices (allegedly)appeared in church bulletins or were announced at church services: The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water."  The sermon tonight: "Searching for Jesus." Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands. Don't let worry kill you off -let the church help. Miss Jane Doe sang, "I will not pass this way again," giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs. The Rector will preach his farewell message, after which the choir will sing, "Break Forth With Joy." Jane Smith and John Doe were married on October 24th in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days. Potluck supper Sunday at 5 p.m. Prayer and medication to follow. The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hosti...
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The Tradition of the Little Angel on Top of the Christmas Tree

 This story was sent to me by my friends Diane and Peter Schmolka.     When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the pre-Christmas pressure. Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.     When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, heaven knows where. When he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground, and all the toys were scattered.     Frustrated, Santa went into the house for a glass of cider and a shot of rum. He went to the cupboard and discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the rum.  In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor.  He went to get the broom and...
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Put Christ Back into Christmas, by Billy Bragg - new Christmas song

 Put Christ back into Christmas by Billy Bragg Put Christ back into Christmas The season of goodwill Peace on earth for everyone So let the bombs be still Let the guns fall silent Let the hungry be fed And let the tyrants of the world Lie uneasy in their beds You want Christ back in Christmas Yet you ignore his words And live your life in selfishness As if you've never heard Of the Samaritan who stops to help The stranger dressed in rags You pay lip service to the Lord While worshipping the flag A flag won't ask you what you've done To help the poor survive But Christ demands you cast away The sin of national pride Love they neighbour as thyself And you will plainly see That the true message of Christmas Is one of empathy In haste to vilify you forget Christ was a refugee King Herod's murderous orders caused His family to flee Into the land of Egypt Where their safety did lie Would you refuse to let him in And send him back to die? God rest ye merry gentlemen So drunken...
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