The Red Jacket Diaries blog

Sue Horner is a freelance writer in Oakville, Ontario, who blogs about writing, newsletters, communications and running an independent business in The Red Jacket Diaries blog.
Another excellent IABC adventure

Another excellent IABC adventure

I’m back at my desk, trying to turn my brain back to reality after another terrific IABC World Conference. Once again, I was able to put faces to names of people met online, mostly on Twitter, and reconnect with others met at previous conferences, friends and...
IABC shoppers, start your engines

IABC shoppers, start your engines

If you’re visiting Toronto, have I got a guide for you. Most visitors to a new city do a bit of shopping. Maybe you pick up a souvenir to take home, or you replace a shirt that has miraculously sprouted a coffee stain, or you need some toiletries. But where do you go?...

Changing the game? Speak up!

After a couple of days trying to access my client’s e-mail system without success — and with so much on my plate I had no time to deal with their IT support group — I happened to mention the problem to one of my contacts. It turns out the...
Never ‘just a dog’

Never ‘just a dog’

A dog-walking buddy (someone encountered while we were both walking our dogs) recently lost one of her dogs to cancer. Holly was just two, really still a puppy, so my friend thought there was lots of time for treatment. There wasn’t. Holly died within two weeks...

A heartfelt quote for moms

In honour of Mother’s Day, here’s a quote that really speaks to me and sums up the feeling that took me by surprise when my first son was born, and of course continued with son #2: “Making the decision to have a child — it’s momentous. It...
Know thy customer

Know thy customer

Oh, those funny folks at Honda! They’re doing a good job of keeping in touch with me, long-time Honda owner that I am. But their enthusiasm for selling me a new car always seems to overtake their good sense. I bought a 2009 Honda Civic last year, and I’m...

Just don’t call it a battle

Tell me you do this, too — as you flip past the newspaper section containing obituaries, you can’t help but stop and read the ones accompanied by a photo of a young-looking person. Here’s why I do it. Having lost a few friends to cancer, I feel...