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A CONNECTION TO HOME...
There's Magic in these Pages
Discover the enchanting Cape Breton Stories—tales infused with folklore, humor, and the comforting magic of home. Nova Scotia author Kimberley Williamson's stories are the perfect Christmas gift Cape Breton for anyone who cherishes the island in their heart. on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FRHPRVB6
Share a little salt air, old tales, & a wink of magic!
Gift a little salt air, old tales, and a wink of Magic!
Discover the enchanting Cape Breton Stories, filled with myths and the occasional half-truths—tales infused with folklore, humor, and the comforting magic of home. This collection by Nova Scotia author Kimberley Williamson is a perfect Christmas gift for anyone who cherishes the island in their heart.
The Quilt Keeper of Glace Bay
Cape Breton Stories, Myths and the Occasional Half-Truths
Bride's husband has gone fishing and is late returning. Available now on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FRHPRVB6
Listen to Raina's Trip to CB
Cape Breton Stories, Myths and the Occasional Half-Truths
My name is Raina Lutz. I visited Cape Breton in Sept. I purchased your book from the Gaelic College. I wanted to let you know how much I appreciated it and share that I read Niki Niki Nine Door on my podcast.
With a Master of Integrated Marketing Communications...
I do academic research & blog bec I'm Curious!
Discover the enchanting Cape Breton Stories, filled with myths and the occasional half-truths—tales infused with folklore, humor, and the comforting magic of home. This collection by Nova Scotia author Kimberley Williamson is a perfect Christmas gift Cape Breton for anyone who cherishes the island in their heart. Explore the Shovelling Man Series and share these captivating narratives with someone special. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FRHPRVB6
Shovelling Man Series
Welcome to Frank's Story
Link: https://forms.gle/XiuaYvwh74qSR3SCA
Shovelling Man Questionnaire
Discover the enchanting Cape Breton Stories, filled with myths and the occasional half-truths—tales infused with folklore, humor, and the comforting magic of home. This collection by Nova Scotia author Kimberley Williamson is a perfect Christmas gift Cape Breton for anyone who cherishes the island in their heart. Explore the Shovelling Man Series and share these captivating narratives with someone special. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FRHPRVB6
reviews:The Shovelling Man Series
Review
The book is an insightful account of the grief journey of a spouse navigating life after loss and the difficult decisions he makes to honor his beloved while he struggles to move forward. Your message has inspired us to BURN our many years' worth of journals, much like the Cape Breton stories that resonate with our experiences, sometime l
The book is an insightful account of the grief journey of a spouse navigating life after loss and the difficult decisions he makes to honor his beloved while he struggles to move forward. Your message has inspired us to BURN our many years' worth of journals, much like the Cape Breton stories that resonate with our experiences, sometime late summer. This way, there will be no dilemma for those we leave behind. Thank you for your 'Shovelling Man Series' idea from Kimberley Williamson, which has been a source of inspiration for our grief and healing. It truly reflects the spirit of a Christmas gift from Cape Breton, echoing the heartwarming tales of Nova Scotia authors.
Review
The Shovelling Man Series by Nova Scotia author Kimberley Williamson is a deeply compassionate book that beautifully captures the essence of grief and healing. Set against the stunning backdrop of Cape Breton, this simple yet profound story follows a man grappling with the pain of losing his wife. As he navigates his sorrow amidst the hea
The Shovelling Man Series by Nova Scotia author Kimberley Williamson is a deeply compassionate book that beautifully captures the essence of grief and healing. Set against the stunning backdrop of Cape Breton, this simple yet profound story follows a man grappling with the pain of losing his wife. As he navigates his sorrow amidst the heavy snowfall outside, the narrative embodies a Zen quality, illustrating the depth of his love for her and highlighting the journey of life after loss. This very stoic tale is not only an exploration of Cape Breton stories but also makes for a thoughtful Christmas gift from Cape Breton.
Frank will remain in Spain for another 12 months
When we first meet Frank, his wife has passed. He shovels...
Discover the enchanting Cape Breton Stories, filled with myths and the occasional half-truths—tales infused with folklore, humor, and the comforting magic of home. This collection by Nova Scotia author Kimberley Williamson is a perfect Christmas gift Cape Breton for anyone who cherishes the island in their heart. Explore the Shovelling Man Series and share these captivating narratives with someone special. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FRHPRVB6
We meet back with Frank in Nov '27
Discover the enchanting Cape Breton Stories, filled with myths and the occasional half-truths—tales infused with folklore, humor, and the comforting magic of home. This collection by Nova Scotia author Kimberley Williamson is a perfect Christmas gift Cape Breton for anyone who cherishes the island in their heart. Explore the Shovelling Man Series and share these captivating narratives with someone special. https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0FRHPRVB6
Excerpts from The Shovelling Man Series (1-7)
#1 The Shovelling Man: A Fox
The book is an insightful account of the grief journey of a spouse navigating life after loss and the difficult decisions he makes to honor his beloved while he struggles to move forward. Your message has inspired us to BURN our many years' worth of journals, much like the Cape Breton stories that resonate with our experiences, sometime late summer. This way, there will be no dilemma for those we leave behind. Thank you for your 'Shovelling Man Series' idea from Kimberley Williamson, which has been a source of inspiration for our grief and healing. It truly reflects the spirit of a Christmas gift from Cape Breton, echoing the heartwarming tales of Nova Scotia authors.
#2 The Shovelling Man Begins
The Shovelling Man Series by Nova Scotia author Kimberley Williamson is a deeply compassionate book that beautifully captures the essence of grief and healing. Set against the stunning backdrop of Cape Breton, this simple yet profound story follows a man grappling with the pain of losing his wife. As he navigates his sorrow amidst the heavy snowfall outside, the narrative embodies a Zen quality, illustrating the depth of his love for her and highlighting the journey of life after loss. This very stoic tale is not only an exploration of Cape Breton stories but also makes for a thoughtful Christmas gift from Cape Breton.
#2 The Shovelling Man cont.
He shook his head at the silent chaos surrounding him and the unsettling feeling of death still echoing in his mind, a deep grief that weighed heavily on him. As he stepped outside, he raised his shovel like a sword against the icy air, a tool symbolizing his life after loss, much like the stories from Cape Breton that resonate with such experiences. Julie was probably watching him from above, urging him on. "Keep the light on for me," he said to the pale grey sky, reflecting the warmth of what he once knew, as if inspired by the tales of Kimberley Williamson, a Nova Scotia author who captures the essence of life in her writing. In that moment, he felt as if he were part of his own story in the Shovelling Man Series, one that intertwines with the spirit of hope and memories, reminiscent of a Christmas gift from Cape Breton.
#3 Shovelling Man: For You, Julie, I can do anything!
A plough rambled down the road, leaving a fat lip of snow at the base of his driveway. By the time he had cleared it, his ears were freezing and his fingers stiff. When the shovel broke, he tossed it behind the garage, a small frustration in a world filled with grief. All he ever needed was an excuse for a trip to Canadian Tire; his wife, Julie, would tease him about it. She’d be leaning against the stove, waiting for whatever she was baking, just like in her beloved Cape Breton Stories that she used to share. She was always baking something—ginger cake, apple pies, and bread—filling their home with warmth and the comforting aromas of the season. Those nostalgic scents of home lingered even after she passed, a poignant reminder of their life together. Julie had a flair for storytelling that surely would have resonated with readers of the Shovelling Man Series written by the Nova Scotia author, Kimberley Williamson. Each bite of her treats was like a cherished Christmas gift from Cape Breton, a piece of her spirit that remained with him.
#3 Shovelling Man cont.
As he backed the truck out of the garage, he looked at the blue shutters with the cutout hearts─Julie's choice, a reflection of the vibrant stories they shared, like those found in many Cape Breton stories. Everything was her choice. Frank followed the plough tracks down the road, thinking of the Christmas gift from Cape Breton that Julie once cherished. When he reached for his sunglasses, he noticed her gloves on the passenger's seat, her sunglasses in the cupholder, and the statue of St Christopher she hung from the rearview mirror to keep them safe. How could she have passed and left so much behind? Every inch of their home was hers. Now, he was navigating life after loss, feeling the weight of each day as a Nova Scotia author, much like Kimberley Williamson, would portray in her heartfelt narratives. Who knew the challenges of a life without Julie, echoing the struggles depicted in the Shovelling Man Series...
#4 Shovelling Man: The Tibetan Book of the Dead
They embarked on a shared journey through the book, delving into Cape Breton stories. Their together, readings and earnest discussions served as a lifeline between them. These readings provided them with a shared language—a necessary dialogue that brought comfort in their lives. At night, he'd whisper in her ear: Fundamental light. Oh, nobly born, let not thy mind be distracted.
There were other nights when they would put on Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic." He'd twirl her around in the living room until she couldn't anymore. These moments reminded her of the warmth found in a Christmas gift from Cape Breton, reflecting the spirit of Kimberley Williamson, a talented Nova Scotia author known for her captivating Shovelling Man series.
#5 Shovelling Man: Humbled by Her Courage
On the nights when Frank couldn't sleep, he would shovel the snow before heading to the backyard, where he would sit in the snowbank behind the garage, beneath the big spruce, hidden from the neighbours. In those quiet moments, he often reflected on how Julie had pointed at him and said, 'You can do this!' Frank, always nearby, was ready to step in if she needed him. These introspective evenings reminded him of the tales he'd encountered in Cape Breton stories, often thinking they would make a perfect Christmas gift from Cape Breton. Inspired by local narratives, he felt a connection to Kimberley Williamson’s work as a Nova Scotia author. Each moment spent shovelling fed into his creativity for the Shovelling Man Series, blending his life with the essence of his surroundings.
#5 Shovelling Man: cont.
What would he do without her?
I won't be here for you, she said.
Ahh, he said, but you'll be up there holding the door.
She nodded with a smile. Let me do the cleanup.
Frank knew she cried when she washed dishes, a signal of their new status, and that she needed time alone. Thoughts of Cape Breton stories came to mind as he sat in his reading chair. He recalled lines from Lord Tennyson: "Tears, idle tears, I know not what they mean, Tears from the depth of some divine despair, Rise in the heart, and gather to the eyes, And thinking of the days that are no more."
In her honor, he decided to combine contemporary and ancient materials for her service, a thoughtful Christmas gift from Cape Breton. She, a Nova Scotia author and a fan of the Shovelling Man Series, would appreciate the sentiment.
#6 Shovelling Man: A Shovel in His Eye
He awoke, startled by the bizarre dream of a shovel in his eye. "Shovel in my eye?! Shovel in my eye?" he thought, bewildered. "See what? Am I supposed to see something?" The strangeness of the dream bothered him like a message only half heard, reminiscent of the curious tales often found in Cape Breton stories. He had zero patience for anything that wasn't as straightforward as death, just as Kimberley Williamson crafts in her compelling narratives, making her a notable Nova Scotia author. Perhaps he could explore the themes in her Shovelling Man series for some clarity. After all, finding the right story could even serve as an unexpected Christmas gift from Cape Breton to soothe his restless mind.
#6 Shovelling Man: cont.
What was next? What could possibly be next?
He understood he had to confront Julie's sewing room, as she fondly called it. Among her things—neatly arranged notebooks, sketches, journals, and an extensive wardrobe classified by seasons and colors—were remnants of her life, echoing the Cape Breton stories she loved. While her possessions were beyond his understanding, he needed to do this because she was not returning.
Now?
Yes, now. Or perhaps later. Now! Maybe it was time for a Christmas gift from Cape Breton, something to remember her by, like the heartwarming narratives of the Shovelling Man Series by Kimberley Williamson, a talented Nova Scotia author who captured the essence of these moments.
#7 Shovelling Man: Once the Snow Had Gone
Frank watched the sunrise, reflecting on the beauty that surrounded him in Cape Breton. He had not slept, as his mind was ablaze with the possibilities of his life. Ideas beyond his ken, as though he had stepped through a gateway—a portal to the places of his imagination where adventures awaited, much like those in the beloved Shovelling Man Series.
He and Julie had done everything together; they were a good couple, often sharing their favorite Cape Breton stories. But now, as he grappled with grief and healing, Frank found himself alone, and time was ticking away on his clock.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead's descriptions of the Bardo's states between death and rebirth resonated deeply with him. He felt caught between these states—between life and death—following Julie's passing and contemplating his own rebirth into... that was the question he feared to pose. He did not know what life after loss looked like or what would mark the beginning of his new life as he moved forward, perhaps inspired by the works of Kimberley Williamson, the Nova Scotia author who captured the struggles of healing.
#7 Shovelling Man: cont.
Everything felt different now. He sighed and looked up the road at his neighbours' homes, reflecting on the Cape Breton stories that had intertwined their lives. Everything was different now, and he sensed that from this point forward, things would change. Deep within, he felt the shift, much like the transformation captured in Kimberley Williamson's novels. As a Nova Scotia author, she understood these moments of transition, and he too was standing at the corner of what was and what would be, much like the protagonists in her Shovelling Man series. This realization resonated with him, intertwining his own future with the tales of those around him.
Tibetan Book of the Dead: the 49th day
Kimberley Williamson
The book is an insightful account of the grief journey of a spouse navigating life after loss and the difficult decisions he makes to honor his beloved while he struggles to move forward. Your message has inspired us to BURN our many years' worth of journals, much like the Cape Breton stories that resonate with our experiences, sometime late summer. This way, there will be no dilemma for those we leave behind. Thank you for your 'Shovelling Man Series' idea from Kimberley Williamson, which has been a source of inspiration for our grief and healing. It truly reflects the spirit of a Christmas gift from Cape Breton, echoing the heartwarming tales of Nova Scotia authors.
#8 Shovelling Man: The 49th Day!
The Shovelling Man Series by Nova Scotia author Kimberley Williamson is a deeply compassionate book that beautifully captures the essence of grief and healing. Set against the stunning backdrop of Cape Breton, this simple yet profound story follows a man grappling with the pain of losing his wife. As he navigates his sorrow amidst the heavy snowfall outside, the narrative embodies a Zen quality, illustrating the depth of his love for her and highlighting the journey of life after loss. This very stoic tale is not only an exploration of Cape Breton stories but also makes for a thoughtful Christmas gift from Cape Breton.
#8 Shovelling Man: The 49th Day!
He shook his head at the silent chaos surrounding him and the unsettling feeling of death still echoing in his mind, a deep grief that weighed heavily on him. As he stepped outside, he raised his shovel like a sword against the icy air, a tool symbolizing his life after loss, much like the stories from Cape Breton that resonate with such experiences. Julie was probably watching him from above, urging him on. "Keep the light on for me," he said to the pale grey sky, reflecting the warmth of what he once knew, as if inspired by the tales of Kimberley Williamson, a Nova Scotia author who captures the essence of life in her writing. In that moment, he felt as if he were part of his own story in the Shovelling Man Series, one that intertwines with the spirit of hope and memories, reminiscent of a Christmas gift from Cape Breton.
#9 Shovelling Man: Time was Up!
A plough rambled down the road, leaving a fat lip of snow at the base of his driveway. By the time he had cleared it, his ears were freezing and his fingers stiff. When the shovel broke, he tossed it behind the garage, a small frustration in a world filled with grief. All he ever needed was an excuse for a trip to Canadian Tire; his wife, Julie, would tease him about it. She’d be leaning against the stove, waiting for whatever she was baking, just like in her beloved Cape Breton Stories that she used to share. She was always baking something—ginger cake, apple pies, and bread—filling their home with warmth and the comforting aromas of the season. Those nostalgic scents of home lingered even after she passed, a poignant reminder of their life together. Julie had a flair for storytelling that surely would have resonated with readers of the Shovelling Man Series written by the Nova Scotia author, Kimberley Williamson. Each bite of her treats was like a cherished Christmas gift from Cape Breton, a piece of her spirit that remained with him.
#9 Shovelling Man: cont.
As he backed the truck out of the garage, he looked at the blue shutters with the cutout hearts─Julie's choice, a reflection of the vibrant stories they shared, like those found in many Cape Breton stories. Everything was her choice. Frank followed the plough tracks down the road, thinking of the Christmas gift from Cape Breton that Julie once cherished. When he reached for his sunglasses, he noticed her gloves on the passenger's seat, her sunglasses in the cupholder, and the statue of St Christopher she hung from the rearview mirror to keep them safe. How could she have passed and left so much behind? Every inch of their home was hers. Now, he was navigating life after loss, feeling the weight of each day as a Nova Scotia author, much like Kimberley Williamson, would portray in her heartfelt narratives. Who knew the challenges of a life without Julie, echoing the struggles depicted in the Shovelling Man Series...
#9 Shovelling Man: cont.
They embarked on a shared journey through the book, delving into Cape Breton stories. Their together, readings and earnest discussions served as a lifeline between them. These readings provided them with a shared language—a necessary dialogue that brought comfort in their lives. At night, he'd whisper in her ear: Fundamental light. Oh, nobly born, let not thy mind be distracted.
There were other nights when they would put on Van Morrison's "Into the Mystic." He'd twirl her around in the living room until she couldn't anymore. These moments reminded her of the warmth found in a Christmas gift from Cape Breton, reflecting the spirit of Kimberley Williamson, a talented Nova Scotia author known for her captivating Shovelling Man series.
#9 Shovelling Man: cont.
On the nights when Frank couldn't sleep, he would shovel the snow before heading to the backyard, where he would sit in the snowbank behind the garage, beneath the big spruce, hidden from the neighbours. In those quiet moments, he often reflected on how Julie had pointed at him and said, 'You can do this!' Frank, always nearby, was ready to step in if she needed him. These introspective evenings reminded him of the tales he'd encountered in Cape Breton stories, often thinking they would make a perfect Christmas gift from Cape Breton. Inspired by local narratives, he felt a connection to Kimberley Williamson’s work as a Nova Scotia author. Each moment spent shovelling fed into his creativity for the Shovelling Man Series, blending his life with the essence of his surroundings.
connect with me: shovellingmanseries@gmail.com
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Questions or Comments?
Feel free to reach out to me with a message or ask a general question about grief and healing, life after loss, or the Shovelling Man Series by Kimberley Williamson. I also welcome inquiries related to Cape Breton stories, myths, and even occasional half-truths, all of which make for a unique Christmas gift from Cape Breton. You can contact me by emailing: shovellingmanseries@gmail.com.
The Shovelling Man Series by Kimberley Williamson
