Barbara Lehtiniemi is a writer and photographer from Ontario. She’s a graduate of Athabasca University, having completed her Bachelor of General Studies degree in 2018.
A regular contributor to The Voice Magazine since 2013, Barbara has also contributed to other publications including Chicken Soup for the Soul and Maclean’s. Barbara writes in several genres, including non-fiction, fiction, and poetry. She’s grateful to The Voice Magazine for providing the opportunity to explore an array of topics and writing styles, and she remains dreadfully sorry for those awful haikus.
Barbara has a fondness for travel, used bookstores, everyday absurdities, and oversized wine glasses. Originally from urban Southwestern Ontario, she now lives on a windswept rural road in Eastern Ontario with her indulgent and supportive husband, Leo.
You can follow Barbara on Twitter @theregoesbarb, or contact her at blehtiniemi1@athabasca.edu.
“My father wanted to be a cowboy. My mother wanted to live in New York City. So they compromised and moved to Cornerbrook.” – Michael Winter Listening to writer Michael Winter is almost like watching stand-up comedy: nearly everything has a punchline. Winter, AU’s 2021-22 Writer in Residence, gave a presentation in December, which he… Read more »
You never know when you’re going to get the lift you need. On Thursday January 27, I drove the Franklin Blvd bridge over Highway 401 in Cambridge, Ontario. I was feeling a bit distracted because I was visiting Cambridge to deal with a family member’s health issues. I was 600 kilometres away from home, away… Read more »
On October 24, 1975, the women of Iceland did not go to work. For one day, Iceland’s women did not show up for their jobs as shop clerks, receptionists, flight attendants, bank tellers, teachers, or fish-plant workers. They did not show up to do housework, farm chores, child-minding, or family shopping. They did not pack… Read more »
Barb Godin hasn’t had much time for hand-wringing during the pandemic. The restrictions that have curtailed activities for many of us gave Godin the opportunity to realize her dream of publishing a book. And then another, and another! In early 2020, Godin published her first book, Dear Barb: Answers to Your Everyday Questions, a selection… Read more »
“I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” – Douglas Adams Never mind spooky Hallowe’en! What’s scary is that the deadline to apply for this autumn’s AUSU award and bursary cycle is coming at you like a masked madman. I know, I know—you’re already trying to get that last… Read more »
On October 24, 1975, the women of Iceland did not go to work. For one day, Iceland’s women did not show up for their jobs as shop clerks, receptionists, flight attendants, bank tellers, teachers, or fish-plant workers. They did not show up to do housework, farm chores, child-minding, or family shopping. They did not pack… Read more »
Voice writer Barbara Godin recently published her second book. Glimpses in Time: A Collection of Memoirs and More, is a compilation of stories about Godin’s childhood, family, and relationships. In the style of North of Normal by Cea Sunrise Person, and The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, Glimpses in Time traces Godin’s life as she… Read more »
He is in danger when at prayer He is in danger everywhere He is in danger in his car He is in danger from the law He is in danger in the skies He is in danger when he flies He is in danger at the store He is in danger in a war He… Read more »
“A Chicken Soup for the Soul story is an inspirational, true story about ordinary people having extraordinary experiences.” – chickensoup.com The first thing I did when I received my copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul‘s “Making Me Time” anthology was to turn to the Table of Contents to find my name. Out of the… Read more »
Travel comes with risks at the best of times. Travelling during a pandemic adds an unsettling new dimension. It was with some trepidation that we booked flights to Canada’s west coast. We researched the airlines to learn what measures they were taking to keep passengers safe. In addition to disinfecting protocols, mandatory mask wearing, and… Read more »