Smith

About the Book

Smith is a story about a week in the life of an iterant yardman and a retired teacher. The yardman brings Buddhist quotes to Kate. The quotes help Kate with her transition from teacher to something else. Together they complete tasks in Kate’s yard and explore the possible meanings of quotes from the Tao Te Ching—the writings of Lao Tzu. Almost by accident, Kate becomes caught up in a school in the making in South America. She is revitalized with the prospect of playing a part in the establishment of a tiny school in Ecuador. At the end of the week, Smith is on his way again, and Kate is able to say goodbye with a smile. Life goes on.

About the Author

Carol Dunk I am a retired teacher. Prior to 1972, I taught public school for 9 years. From 1976 to 1997, I taught business and computer courses at Georgian College in Barrie. In 1975, I initiated the first word processing program at Georgian College and lobbied for, created the curriculum for and taught in the first pc lab at the College. I have been married to Mike for 55 years and have one daughter, one granddaughter and two great grandchildren. When I retired, I had time to spend on my favourite pastime: gardening. I trained and became a Master Gardener in 1999. I have taught gardening courses at Georgian College and often speak at local horticultural groups about my gardening experiences, gardening ideas, soil care and reduction of pesticides and pollinators. It has been my pleasure to speak to many groups in central Ontario. In 2003 and 2004, I was a seminar speaker at Ontario Horticultural Association Conventions. I have been a plenary speaker for 2 OHA conventions. For two years, I did noon-hour sessions on a local television channel and from those shows became known around Simcoe County as Master Gardener Grandma Dunk! I am an emeritus member of the Simcoe County Master Gardeners and have served on the provincial Master Gardeners of Ontario Board as a Zone Director, Treasurer, and Chair of Education. I am also past-treasurer and past-president of Barrie’s Garden Club and published the monthly newsletter for that society for 6 years. I have become part of the provincial organization, the Ontario Horticultural Association, and served as District Director of District 16 (Simcoe County) and as the President of the Ontario Horticultural Association in 2011. While on the OHA Board, I created and published a booklet on Rain Barrels and another one on my pet project, Pollinator Patches. I also initiated a tree-planting project to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth. Ten years ago, bees and their precarious situation became my passion. I planted the first Pollinator Patch across from Canadian Tire with the blessings of the City of Barrie, talked of pollinators up and down the byways of Ontario and created a website to encourage planting for pollinators. I was given the Canadian Pollinator Advocate of the year in 2012 by the Pollinator Protection Campaign – an organization out of the USA encompassing pollinator issues in Mexico, USA and Canada for my work in Ontario. Last year I worked with the City of Barrie and a citizens group to begin a pollinator corridor along one of the walking trails in the City. You may visit me on my web site: http://www.caroldunk.com or at my pollinator site: http://roadsides.caroldunk.com or on my blog: www.caroldunk.blogspot.ca I also maintain the OHA Conservation site: http://conservation.gardenontario.org Two booklets I have authored: http://www.gardenontario.org/subdomains/conservation/resources/guide.pdf http://www.gardenontario.org/docs/rollout.pdf Carol Dunk 96B Bernick Drive, Barrie, ON L4M 2V6 737-0147 carol@caroldunk.com http://www.caroldunk.com