Don't Listen (short story) by Leanne Dyck

Do you believe what they say about them?

 photo by ldyck

Don't Listen

The big blob had a message, and we all listened. "I'm so very proud of this side. I truly am. I'm blessed to be on this side. That's how I feel. I feel blessed. Our side is the best side. We're the brightest. The most capable. The kindest. The nicest. Our side is the right side. Thank God for our side. Thank God. Because let me tell you, something is wrong with the other side. It's wrong. It's just not right. It's wrong. They're greedy. They're selfish. They're mean. They're cruel. And they're jealous of us. They have every right to be. Let's face it, they do. I mean, why won't they be jealous? They would. Because we have it all. The sun shines brighter over here. The air is fresher. Life is purer. Everything is just better on our side. And what do they have? Nothing. That's what they have. Nothing. And that's why... That's why they want to harm us. They want to hurt us. They want to kill us. So we have to protect ourselves, protect what we have. We must do whatever it takes because if we don't... If we don't, it will all be gone. Taken away. Just like that. All of it. Gone. So kick. Bite. Scratch. Kill. Death. Kill. Murder. Death. Kill. Murder. Death. Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill."

We. All. Listened. We didn't set one foot on the other side. We were too scared to.

On the other side... Knittens purred. Puppies licked. Children giggled. Lovers kissed. On the other side. 

We had so much in common. But we never knew. How could we?

Written on January 16, 2026.

'if [we] truly understand history [we] will be able to acknowledge the mistakes that were made, recognize prejudice when it is being repeated, stop messages of fear and bias from spreading, and have the courage to stand up for what is right.' (p. 350)—Danielle R. Graham (All We Left Behind)

On this blog in March

New content is added to this blog 

every Sunday 

at approximately 4:40pm (Pacific Time). 

Sunday, March 29

Beware the Island Storyteller (short story)

On Mayne Island

Jessandra Phillips (from Canada) and Bea (from New Zealand) are sisters. Each time they get together, they like to do something special. The special thing this time was an exhibition of fibre arts. 

The list of co-organizers also includes Amy Zimmerman 

and Abbie Hain.

Amy Zimmerman

Spinner

Fibre producer

Amy is a co-owner of The 44

Lorrie Miller

Lorrie is a UBC professor who teaches university students to knit. 

She told me that she likes to learn crafts that are fading into history. (my wording)

And... and I actually got to watch Lorrie nalbind—be still my Viking heart.

Shanti McDougall

Weaver, knitter, and co-owner of Farm Gate.

Kim Rowley

Kim told me amazing stories about vintage quilts—one of the quilts was made of flour sacks during the 1930s, and another quilt was made on Mayne Island from men's ties. The one she is sitting beside is from the 1800s. Kim also told me that she is in search of a home for these quilts. Though I would have happily taken most, if not all, of them home, I think they need to find a home where they can be displayed and admired by the public. 

Bea

Heke Upcycled Eco-Fashion made in New Zealand

Jessandra Phillips

Fibre producer

Water Edge Silver

Abigail "Abbie" Hain

Missing from this collection of inspiring, creative women is a photo of Sandra Sandvik.

My sincere apologizes for this oversight, Sandra.

This is a new group of textile enthusiasts, and I look forward to attending more of their events.

Much thanks to Jody Waldie for helping me with this brief review. 

Items of interest for writers and readers...

The Visitor (fable, mystery) by Leanne Dyck

Why are labels important?

photo by ldyck

The Visitor

Once upon a time, a person was found on our island. They had been wandering aimlessly. Were they lost? We tried to converse with them. All they spoke was gibberish. They grew more and more aggressive. We feared they wanted to harm us. 

Thankfully, a friend was visiting our island. This friend was an avid traveller and knew many languages. They tried to converse with the stranger in language after language. Until...

Until a twinkle came to the stranger's eyes and their lips formed a broad smile. We learned that our new friend had become separated from their travel mates. In their desperation to reunite, they had gotten off on the wrong island—our island. They grew more and more frustrated with our inability to understand. Until... until our old friend had broken through their isolation. 

Thanks to our old friend's linguistic knowledge and perseverance, our new friend was reunited with their travel mates and found their way home.

written on October 29, 2025

On this blog in March

New content is added to this blog

 every Sunday 

at approximately 4:40pm (Pacific Time). 

Sunday, March 22

Don't Listen (fable)

Sunday, March 29

Beware the Island Storyteller (short story)

On Mayne Island...

Wish You Were Here

an evening with Suzie LeBlanc

and friends

Friday, March 20

7pm

Agricultural Society Hall

Details

Romancing Your Knitting (humour) by Leanne Dyck

Relationship advice for knitters and their knitting.

photo by ldyck

 Romancing Your Knitting

Good knitting is happy knitting. Like us, Knitting does not appreciate rough treatment or rude language. Treat it well, and you will be well rewarded.

Early in your relationship, Knitting wants to get to know you. So keep outside distractions to a minimum. Take your new friend to your favourite quiet place.

Knitting wants you to be at ease, so ensure that your knitting chair has ample space for both of you. Your chair need not be fancy but must be comfortable.

Gradually get to know each other—don't be too intense. You both need time to adjust to each other.

If you do encounter relationship problems, try to be patient and understanding. Remember, all good relationships need time to blossom.

Later, when you know each other a little better, Knitting may enjoy getting to know your friends. Take your knitting with you to knitting gatherings—guild meetings or knitting groups. As well, your knitting may enjoy engaging in some of your favourite activities: listening to audiobooks or the radio or binge-watching your favourite TV shows.

Knitting makes a good friend. It's eager to celebrate life achievements and there to comfort you through life's tragedies.

I wish you a long, happy relationship with your knitting.

Written in 2006.

On this blog in March

New content is added to this blog—

every Sunday 

at approximately 4:40pm (Pacific Time). 

Sunday, March 15

The Visitor (fable)

Sunday, March 22

Don't Listen (fable)

Sunday, March 29

Beware the Island Storyteller (short story)

On Mayne Island

Friday, March 13

7 to 10 pm

Agricultural Society Hall

Details

Also on Mayne Island...

When you read something you like, do you write a review? Do you contact the author and thank them?

That's a lot of effort.

And yet...

And yet...

One of my island neighbours did exactly that.

I live in a special place, surrounded by thoughtful people. And I am grateful.

Items of interest for writers and readers...

A Little Piece of Yarn (children's story) by Leanne Dyck

 

photo by ldyck

A Little Piece of Yarn

Snip! A woman cut a piece of yarn from the sweater she'd just finished making. "This piece of yarn is so small. I think I have—."

The little piece of yarn stood up on the table. "Wait, don't throw me away. I may be small, but I can be useful. Really. I can. I can... I can... Do you like to read? Use me as a bookmark. Or you can use me to sew on a button. Or—or—you can use me to make sandpaper pictures. Or... Or..."

The little piece of yarn was quiet long enough for the woman to say, "I'd never throw you away. I know how useful you can be. Don't worry." The woman hunted through her knitting basket and pulled out a bag that held many little pieces of yarn. "There's plenty of room for you in here."

And late at night, when the woman was asleep, all the pieces of yarn had a party to celebrate their new friend. 

On this blog in March

New content is added to this blog

 every Sunday 

at approximately 4:40pm (Pacific Time). 

Sunday, March 8

Romancing Your Knitting (essay)

Sunday, March 15

The Visitor (fable)

Sunday, March 22

Don't Listen (fable)

Sunday, March 29

Beware the Island Storyteller (short story)

On Mayne Island...

Items of interest for writers and readers...